The Bride Pay
Forgetting appointments (Alex)

The afternoon after finishing all the office work, Alex called Aaron briefly to let him know about the stock's rise this month.

"Thank you, Alex. Nice work!" praise Aaron.

"Don't flatter me, I'm the best, '" Alex exclaimed arrogantly, but that was how it was, what Alex was arrogant was indeed fitting of him.

Driving a fast car to the resto where he will meet Friska, Alex's feelings are not bad, for years, he keeps a lot of questions in his mind.

Entering the resto, Alex saw a middle-aged woman sitting cross-legged nervously, her hands clutching a cup of coffee.

"Alex, thank you for coming, son," said Friska, he looked at the child who was just standing staring at him.

"Sit down, there's a lot you want to talk about."

"I don't have much time, I have an appointment with someone else. So, hurry up" said Alex flatly, he sat facing each other with Friska.

"What do you want to drink? Chamomile tea?" Friska.

Alex narrowed his eyes to the mother, even after decades of leaving, Friska still remembered the warm tea he always provided every morning for Alex.

"When was the last time I drank that type of tea, but I don't think I'm interested anymore" Alex replied, Friska paused.

"Well, you can order whatever you like."

"No need. I'm in a hurry," Alex refused firmly.

Looking at her son who seemed to hate her so much, Friska held onto his claustrophobic chest, she regretted all her actions.

"Alex, don't you like seeing your mom?" ask Friska. Alex flinched, he just sat up straight while playing his fingers knocking on the table.

"Mama misses, Alex. Please, don't ignore me."

"What kind of expression is that? a miss? that's right. Wasn't mom happy with her new family? why miss me," said Alexis cynically.

"Mama did this to make our lives better. Your papa died without bequeathing a penny, how did you live in the middle of the economic crisis?"

"Your father went bankrupt before he died, debts were everywhere to pay for your papa's treatment. You don't know anything, Alex!" friska.

"I'm willing to live a hard life, Ma. I never minded. But why would you prefer to leave me with Aunt Samantha, why, Ma?"

"Isn't life not just about wealth and wealth. Did you get a lot of money and go looking for me? asking how? or even take me back to live together? Don't look for justification for your mama's wrong actions. I'm an adult, don't lie to me!"

Hearing Alex's words, Friska fell silent. As if slashed in pain, Alex's words tore his heart apart.

"Mama's wrong, I'm sorry, Alex. Mama please ...." Friska grabs Alex's hand and holds it.

"Everything's too late. I even thought my mom was dead!" squeal Alex, then brush off Friska's rough hand.

"How can you say mama died, this is your mama, son. Look, it's mama." Friska wept, lamenting the endless regret.

"Fifteen more years, mama's gone. Have you ever thought about my fate without parents? do you know how it feels?"

"I searched for so long, but what I got. Someone gave me some very surprising news. Turns out, my mama's happy with her new husband and two stepchildren."

"Is that what I call my mom? From that moment on, I prefer to assume my mother is dead" Alex said in a raspy voice.

"Alex ...."

"Enough, Ma. I'm used to living my way, I'm used to being an orphan. Don't ever come back in my life."

"Alex, you still have your mama, son. Don't say it like that" Friska said with tears in her eyes.

The middle-aged woman with hair on the high bun could no longer speak, everything Alex said was indeed true, feeling never at all beside the child in difficult times, Alex faces the rigors of the world alone, without guidance and support.

"Look, don't ever involve me in your life again. Isn't this what my mom has been doing? don't think I'm your son anymore, just like I used to be. Isn't that what Mom wanted?"

"Alex, please, don't go, son," pinta Friska, hold the child's arm.

"Ma, it's enough for me to know your mom is happy and healthy. Mama's better off, back to mama's new family, they need mama more than I do. I can take care of my own life."

With a sure move, Alex leaves Friska crying out her name.

"lex ... Alex!!!"

No longer wanting to hear, Alex ran quickly into the car, the longer he was with Friska, the more his heart ached.

Every piece of his childhood memories, Alex kept a meeting, he tried sincerely when he was an adult and could think carefully.

No matter how much Alex hates Friska, in another corner of the heart, the silver-haired man harbors a tremendous amount of affection.

Crying behind the wheel, Alex stops his car by the side of the road under a shady tree, again lamenting the fate that is not on his side.

The pain and selfishness was too much, to the point of making his heart freeze to apologize. Sounds very selfish, it feels very difficult to forgive such a big mistake.

Half an hour later, someone from outside knocked on the windshield.

"I'm sorry, there's no parking along this road" the man scolded. Without saying much, Alex drove back to the hospital.

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"Has he improved, Doc?" alex asks the doctor who treated Nora.

"The condition is stable, the ankle has been cast to prevent the broken bone moving during the healing process. Tomorrow morning you can go home, please take care of all the administration," said the doctor.

Nodding, Alex thanked him and went to Nora's room.

"How are you doing?" ask Alex.

"It's been great, Alex. Thanks, yeah."

Alex sat on the round sofa located in the corner of the room, he glanced at the clock on his wrist, already at 6 p.m.

"It looks like there's something I've forgotten, what, yes," Alex's inner self, he scratched his confused head.

"Are you okay, Alex?" ask Nora.

"Ah, no. I seem to have forgotten something, "Alex replied, he looked at the note on his phone screen, but did not find any schedule for his activities tonight.

"Have you eaten?" ask Alex.

"Yet, the nurse will bring me some porridge."

"Aren't you tired of eating porridge?"

"Hmm, no. I like it."

"I'll get you dinner, wait here" Alex said.

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In a cafe, Melanie has dressed up gracefully with a plain maroon dress knee-length, exposed shoulders showing her smooth white skin.

Staring at the watch on her wrist, Melanie fretted. It's been over 7, Alex hasn't come to see him. In fact, before Alex was always on time and kept his promises.

At 7 more than 30 minutes, Melanie is still faithfully waiting, she thinks positively, maybe Alex is stuck in traffic.

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