The Hard But Easy
Chapter 5

Carlos Vince tightened his jacket as the winter wind began to blow. The time now shows at seven o'clock in the evening and she has just walked to her studio after driving Amelia home. The winter air of December was so piercing that his bones shivered. Fortunately, the distance between the studio and where Amelia lived was not too far away, so she just had to walk to the end of the road until she found a crossroad. Carlos' studio is just crossing the street.

When Carlos reached the front of the studio, he immediately opened the glass door while wiping his arms so cold. Even cold steam emerged from his mouth, mekipun already in the room.

The man was a little surprised to find Jonathan Darrel sitting at the reception desk twirling the chair he was sitting on. It seemed that Jonathan was unaware of Carlos' presence, as both of the men's ears were attached earphones and his gaze was directed upwards, either looking at what.

"Hey, Jo!" Carlos patted Jonathan on the shoulder until the man gasped and reflexively removed the earphones in his ear.

"Geez, can't be, don't be surprised." the prostheses were so shocked. While Carlos can only giggle.

"Who told me to daydream" Carlos said after he took a seat in front of Jonathan. "Why did you get here, anyway?"

Jonathan did not answer immediately, he first put his phone in a bag of pants. "I came to visit you at first, but when I came here, Eliza said you left. So I'm chatting with him."

"So I met Amelia, helped her in the store and drove her home."

"I thought so." Jonathan replied.

"Oh yeah, where's Eliza? Why not accompany you?"

"So that afternoon she complained of dizziness and nausea, and then I told her to take a break. Poor face is pale."

Carlos took a breath. "He was better."

"He sick?"

Carlos nodded. "His face was a little pale, but then it was gone. That's why I dare leave him."

"You want to go to the doctor? We're both here." Jonathan bargained.

"Can. Wait a minute, I'll make sure he's in the first place and tell him to eat." then Carlos gets up from his seat and walks up the stairs, heading to Eliza's room.

Carlos knocked on Eliza's door when she reached the girl's room. Because there was no answer and Carlos was also worried, the man opened the door of the girl's room and found his sister on the mattress while leaning her body. My eyes Eliza looked at Carlos who was now at the end of the door.

"Still sick?"

Eliza shook her head weakly. "It's better, okay."

"Want to see a doctor?"

The girl returned to shake. "No."

"Eat first, huh? So much better."

"I'm still nauseous." said Eliza limp.

"Don't let it be, it's getting worse. Eat huh? Or eat downstairs? Jonathan's still down there."

"I want to rest." as Eliza was about to slump into the blanket, Carlos hurriedly approached Eliza and pulled Eliza's arm slowly.

Hearing the brother's orders, Eliza inevitably complies with Carlos. He pulled out his blanket and began to walk out of the room with Carlos' help, because the road was still staggered.

"Slow down." said Carlos again as they went down the stairs. The man led Eliza's footsteps, afraid that at any time Eliza could faint so weakly. When he got to the bottom, Carlos immediately helped Eliza sit down, then he went to the kitchen to prepare the food he had bought for Eliza. While Eliza slumped her head so limp.

Jonathan, who was sitting behind the reception desk, approached Eliza and sat down in front of the girl. Then he bowed his head until their eyes met. My eyes belong to Eliza and my eyes are full of worries belong to Jonathan.

"It hurts so much, huh?" ask Jonathan.

"hm." said Eliza briefly. His eyes were already half closed, as if enduring the pain.

Then Jonathan's hand touched Eliza's forehead and she was quite surprised because the girl's forehead was hot. Jonathan also reflexes straighten his body. "Eliza we'd better...."

"Jonathan, have you eaten?" carlos interrupted from the kitchen, cutting Jonathan's words to Eliza.

"Not yet." Jonathan replied. There was no response from Carlos anymore. Now Jonathan's gaze was on Eliza who was still leaning her head on the table. "Do you want to go to the doctor?" jonathan asked, reconnecting his cut words earlier.

Eliza rose up, and lifted up her body. Although slightly dizzy, he shook his head slowly. "I just need a break" he said. Then he turned back to his head.

After a while, Carlos came with two bowls and two glasses of water and placed them on the table. "So I bought more food, you'll have dinner here." Carlos told Jonathan.

"You alone?" Jonathan while advancing his chin towards Carlos.

"It was with Amelia" she replied, shrugging both shoulders. The man sat next to Eliza. Without noticing the sneer Jonathan gave her. "Eliza, eat first." Carlos slightly shook Eliza's shoulder, trying to wake the girl up. "You okay? Do we need to go to the doctor?" continued.

Eliza finally commented on the smile, probably because she was bored since being asked by two men in front of her. "I'm fine, just need a break. Tomorrow will be better" he said. Then he grabbed a bowl of chicken soup and started eating it.

Hearing Eliza's reply, Jonathan and Carlos nodded, understanding. This way they can't force Eliza. Carlos rubbed Eliza's head occasionally watching the girl eat so as not to 'flap' while Jonathan began grabbing her soup bowl occasionally stealing glances at Eliza. He also saw how Carlos was so considerate of his sister. Eliza was lucky to have people who could pay attention to her at a time like this.

Seeing the attention that Carlos gave to Eliza, reminded Jonathan of the figure of the mother. He loved his mother very much. Unfortunately, he did not dare to disappoint his mother. Jonathan began to wonder, what is his mother doing now? Did his mother eat? Is her mother okay? Jonathan rarely contacted his mother. At least once a month, maybe not at all.

The man breathed a sigh. At least here he has a friend who can help him in the most difficult times.

"You why?" carlos asked when he realized the breath of his friend.

Jonathan shook his head. "It's okay. Just thinking something."

"If there's a problem, just tell it." said Carlos.

Jonathan smiled faintly. "Later when it's time I'll tell you" he said. And those words automatically made Eliza raise her head to look at Jonathan. His eyes implied a question mark, and Jonathan knew the question. He smiled at Eliza, trying to convince her that he was okay, without Jonathan saying it.

"OKAY. Whenever it's best you tell me quickly. Don't hide yourself and don't play secrets."

The man nodded, still with the same smile. "Yes" he answered briefly, clearly and contained an emphasis.

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