The Destiny
Kry (1)

"Forget your explanation, because you're being honest, I'll try to believe in all your reasons behind this problem you've done. Now, you must atone for your sins, take responsibility for Rachel and your son."

"I can't."

"You— why not?"

"I—" Alex was unable to continue his words, he returned silent with his head bowed.

Ray sighed,

"Is it because of this, you and mom got into a fight?" Ask.

Alex was increasingly made silent. The man thought hard, what should he do. It was like being in an interrogation room. In his heart, he wanted to create an alibi, but his heart also wanted him to say something true.

"Mom wanted you to take responsibility for Rachel by marrying her, but you refused. Therefore, mother is angry with you until she is reluctant to talk to you. Is my assumption right?" Ask Ray.

"Sorry." Alex lirih.

I heard a very heavy breath from Ray. The man tried to understand his sister, but a dead end he always met. Alex still doesn't want to open up. Ray believes Alex has a reason.

"Who knows this?" Ask Ray.

"Mother, you, and assistant Yohan." Answer Alex.

"So, Rachel still doesn't recognize you huh. Looking at that video live, I know, you used a loser's trick to sleep with him. Dark lighting, and the effect of drugs, whether sleeping pills or stimulants you're using, but they're effective enough to make that woman unable to remember you."

"Sorry, I was— at the time"

"I told you, I don't want to hear your explanation, it doesn't mean I don't like your reasons, you have a reason for that, I'll try to appreciate it even if it's a bad thing. But, there are others who need that explanation more than me." Said Ray.

"I can't sister, I can't marry her."

Ray smiled wryly at his sister, his feet stepping closer to Alex who was across from his desk.

Ray stood in front of Alex, touching Alex's shoulders with both hands.

"It's not a matter of not being able to, but of responsibility. She's your son and also the woman who has conceived and given birth to your child, can't you feel things like bonding when you're around them, especially your child?"

Alex lowered his head, his heart was right, he felt something close to Nana, a warm feeling. He wanted his hand to hold the tiny body of the baby girl.

"I'm not good enough for her."

Ray smiled, though,

"You are not good enough for him, so you need to learn in theory and practice to be good or even very good for him. Isn't that the nature of the test." Said Ray.

"I love other women, I impregnate other women and have also proposed to her." Alex said, using the same excuse as he told his mother at that time.

It's just, maybe if that's who heard it was someone else, they'd be mad at Alex, they'd be mad at Alex, the words were heard that he admitted that he was a trash man who should not exist on this earth.

But, unlike Ray, he looks good at hiding his emotions and is also smart in judging people's words. The tone that Alex used to say the reason sounded reckless and rushed.

"Don't lie with something as cheap as that. You're saying that the more it makes me understand it clearly, if it's just an excuse without the truth." Ray said, making Alex shrivel, his sister increasingly dare not look into his brother's eyes.

"Why can't you?" Ray asked who only saw Alex silent.

Ray had never seen this man in front of him become silenced with such a frustrated face before. Alex who always displays his smile, now like a different person.

The day is getting noon, the sun in a season like this is very stinging. It makes people lazy to get out of the shade.

Rachel walked carrying Nana into the restaurant owned by her stepbrother, the single mother went there not without reason.

Her feet just stepped up the stairs that were directly connected to Ana's room.

The door opened, looking Ana who was still focused on her laptop, the girl seemed to move her fingers typing on the keyboard.

"Sir Ana." Call Rachel in a soft tone so that her stepbrother is not surprised.

Ana turned her attention to the voice calling out her name. Then the look of an incredulous face if Rachel was here looked etched.

The girl walked up to Rachel, smiling warmly at the very calm Nana in her mother's arms.

"Not usually you come here, what's the matter? Aaa do you want to eat something? My restaurant is having a new menu today, do you want to try it?" Ask Ana with a question.

"No, that's not what I came here for." Answer Rachel.

"Well, oh yeah, sit down. In a moment, I'll have my employees deliver drinks." Ana said she led Rachel to the sofa, then about to pass to give orders to her employees, but Rachel's hand restrained her stepbrother's departure.

"No need, that's all water." Rachel said while pointing to the mineral water in the glass packaging on the sofa table.

"All right." Ana relented, then sat down next to Rachel.

"So, what's your purpose in coming here? Do you need anything?" Ask Ana.

"Em, I need your help brother." Answer Rachel.

"Let's just say, as long as it's within my reach, I'll help you as much as possible." Said.

"May I work at your restaurant?" Rachel asked in a hesitant tone if Ana rejected him.

"What's? You—why all of a sudden?"

"I can't live forever to burden you, father or brother. I have to be independent, especially now that I have Nana. I don't want to trouble anyone else because of Nana." Answer Rachel.

Ana sighed, for a moment she pondered, looking at the tiny baby in front of her. What a pity his fate, if he had a father, surely his mother would not be this difficult, Ana thought.

"Are you sure? If you work, who will take care of Nana?" Ask Ana.

"Therefore, I want to work here. But it looks like it'll trouble you."

Ana stroked Rachel's shoulder slowly, giving the woman a boost of encouragement.

"Don't hesitate. If that's what you want, you can work here, and Nana's problem, my job's easier to get me to take care of her, too. So, while working, you can focus on your work and not have to think about Nana. I'm gonna put a baby box in my room, so I'm gonna take care of it while you work."

"Is that okay with you?" Ask Rachel who feels bad.

Ana smiled with a nod of her head.

"Em, of course not. I told you, if my job was easier to make me take care of it, too."

"Ah yes, work here using the shift system, work with seven hours and rest one hour, one week will get a break twice, except on big days and important days nationwide. Salary matters, you don't worry, all guaranteed with benefits too." Said Ana like a boss who just received a new employee.

Rachel smiled at him, her head nodding, answering Ana's explanation if she understood.