The Love I Don't Miss
Part 162 (Cold to the Heart)
"Do you like Arsen?"
The short question posed by Hanna left Clarice speechless in a thousand languages. Stupid not dumbass.
How could Hanna think she liked Arsen? While all this time he and Arsen were more often fighting. Although Arsen likes to tease her by calling out Darling. But that was before the bracelet on her wrist was circular.
"I don't know." replied Clarice later.
"Not knowing means yes, Clarice!" sahut Hanna.
Clarice frowned. Reorganizing her heart and thinking, right what Hanna said?
Clarice looked back at the distant Arsen. Not a single moment did the young man look at him or look at him. Though it's impossible if Arsen doesn't know he's at the table.
Because almost every day Clarice sat at that table if she went to the cafeteria. Again the girl took a long breath.
# # # # # #
In the company Adhitama Group, press conversions are held in the new building hall. Where the building is behind the company building on the right. Stand up firmly and wide enough.
Design with imperfect closure. It can be used for various activities.
Journalists from business magazines have been invited by secretary Kenzo Adhitama. To spread the news that might be horrendous in the world of business.
Kenzo Adhitama sits down with Jonathan Wilson in the middle. On Kenzo's right side is Zio, Jonathan's left side is Venom. Then the largest shareholders began to introduce two people who would become the most important people for the Adhitama Group.
"Good day, and thank you for all the media who have come... I am Kenzo Adhitama, CEO of Aditama Group. And next to me this must have known him, right?" kenzo asked a little coldly. "Jonathan Wilson." continued Kenzo named the husband of his best friend who is now his business partner.
His name immediately raised his right hand, and waved once with a faint smile.
"Today, we will declare... In fact, the banking business that was started by Adhitama Group will start operating soon, with strong encouragement and support from Mr. Wilson." kenzo said hinted that the banking business this time was working with coal entrepreneurs whose names were no longer cans.
"And with the operation of the banking headquarters, then I want to introduce someone who will lead a subsidiary that is specialized in finance. He will hold the highest throne in this financial business."
"He is someone who is very persistent in completing every job I put on him. He is also someone who is very consistent with what he says." said Kenzo firmly and confidently.
"He's been with me for almost 20 years since I've led this company."
"Even since I have not been named CEO of Adhitama Group, he has served the company with a position that is not playing games." Kenzo became his sentence.
Everyone present can surmise, if what the CEO told me was one of the two people sitting on the edge.
It's just that they do not know who will be made as the number one person in the banking field whose name began to be promoted to and fro. Let's look at Kenzo's next explanation.
"That's Zio Alvaro!" kenzo patted his ex-husband's shoulder. "He was the General Manager of my company for over twenty years. And now, with his excellent performance, I feel he deserves to be the number one in my latest business. He will fly the flag of Tama Bank to fight on the world stage!" kenzo then clapped his hands.
And Kenzo's applause was followed by everyone in the room. A flash of camera light instantly pounded the press conference table.
And Zio himself stood up as soon as Kenzo clapped. The CEO's stepdaughter's biological father nodded respectfully to greet the media with a faint smile.
Behind the smile that Zio had published, there was a burden on his shoulders that was invisible. As the saying goes, with the higher the position held, of course the greater the responsibility in completing all business matters, including maybe he will be more busy and so on. Demi does not fall when the wind and rain hit simultaneously.
Zio sat back down, when it was enough to greet the reporters covering news related to the business world.
"Next, I would like to say, if I Kenzo Adhitama decided to appoint someone I trust the most during my time as CEO. He is Venom!" Kenzo pointed to Venom who was sitting to Jonathan's left. "Next Mr. Venom will be the CEO of Adhitama Group to replace me in the near future" continued the CEO.
A boisterous sound of applause was heard again in that quite spacious room. And Venom, a personal assistant who already knew a lot about the company, stood up and greeted with dignity to all the press conference participants.
"I congratulate Zio and Venom... I hope we will be a solid team" Jonathan said.
With what was said by Kenzo Adhitama, with the appointment of Zio Alvaro as the supreme leader of Tama Bank, and in the appointment of Venom as CEO, Venom, then Kenzo Adhitama will become unemployed rich in his palace in the Grand Blue Lagoon.
# # # # # #
The tournament organized by the Capital has begun. The men's basketball game has already started. One of the many schools that follow, of course, there is the name Alexander International School that will perform this afternoon at the Capital Sports Building.
All students who were not involved in the basketball team or cheerleading team, this time asked to attend the Alexander International School basketball team.
So now Hanna, Naufal and Arsen have sat on the front bench of the audience. Become a leading supporter for Vino and his team.
The game starts with a Cheerleader team from each school. And this is where Clarice is right now.
Along with 13 other female friends and 6 male friends, Cla is ready to lead her team to show their best performance as cheerleaders. Already part of the Cheerleader team since Junior VII class, of course the girl is very agile in action in the middle of the basketball court.
For the first time, Arsen watched Clarice in real action on the basketball court, in front of hundreds of spectators whose average age was not much different from her. Because all participants are High School level.
So when Arsen saw Clarice being thrown up by some of her friends made the rider hold his breath for a moment. Afraid of the girl falling, also afraid if there is a mistake in appearance this time. But he was silent, because he kept his distance.
Arsen was stunned for a moment, and Naufal who was sitting next to him was certainly aware of what had happened to Arsen. Until the young man turned to the left side, followed by Hanna who also turned to Arsen.
"Why you?" ask Naufal.
"Nothing." replied Arsen along with Clarice who was back on the floor of the indoor court with a full smile.
Naufal flicked his lips, as if in disbelief with Arsen's reply. "Clarice is used to it." said Naufal half-chalant when he looked back at the field. Where Clarice again changed position and again prepared to be thrown into the air.
"You see it often?" ask Arsen.
"You forgot we were friends since we were in Junior?" naufal asked Arsen.
Not answering, Arsen just took a deep breath while looking back towards the middle of the room.
***
The match was over, making the entire audience also disperse. Naufal, Arsen and Hanna accidentally wait for Clarice to come out of the back door that is special for the players to enter and exit the building.
"Sheaven!" hanna exclaimed at Clarice who came out with a warm hug.
The Cheerleader had changed her costume with a change of clothes that she had brought from home. Although the hair is still tied to one style of Cheerleader player.
"Thanks, Han!" answer Clarice.
Naufal walked over, and he hugged his best friend as he always did. "Congratulations! you guys managed to cheer for our basketball team to win the game this time."
"Yes." replied Clarice smiling sweetly.
And the racer?
Arsen smiled stiffly even half forcedly, while saying a very short word. "Congratulations." said Arsen and immediately threw the face in the other direction.
The shadow of Clarice who was so passionate about encouraging the school team also could not be separated from staring at Vino who was struggling for victory, flashed in his memory. And that made the smile on her lips just disappear.
"Thanks.." replied Clarice smiling and staring fixedly at the young man who was expected after this to be kind and return to being the old Arsen.
But what happened ...
"Let's go home!" bring Naufal.
"Cla, you're going home to Uncle Kenzo, right?" ask Naufal.
"Yes." replied Clarice looking at the friend with a question mark.
"You're just between Arsenes, huh?" naufal. "I'll take Hanna home... Because you're in the same direction, and we're in the same direction!"
"But..." Clarice hung up her sentence by turning to Arsen who looked flat. There is no longer a humble Arsen and likes to joke in the eyes of Cla at this time.
"Come on!" take Arsen for granted by stepping directly to where they park their respective cars.
Clarice got into Arsen's car. And Hanna got into Naufal's car.
Along the way, between the two there was only silent action and no conversation whatsoever, other than...
"Thanks, Sen.." said Clarice as she was about to get off the white Arsen CRV.
"Sama-sama." replied Arsen smiling softly turning to Cla who was now opening the door without looking at him.
But the girl's eyes looked blank in any direction. Likewise with Arsen who immediately looked back to the front with a very heavy sigh.
And that was the last conversation before they finally sat back on a bench that was already at random. Alias sits on the final semester exam bench of class X.
# # # # # #
The coldness of an Arsenio Wilson continued until they all returned to the XI class. And this is where all the names that have been told start to split up the classroom.
Clarice and Hanna chose to enter the IPA class. And both got XI-IPA class 2. Naufal and Arsen who chose the IPS class, got XI-IPS 2. Vino is in XI-IPS 3.
Although different classes, but Clarice and Arsen's classes still face each other. Their classroom doors also face each other.
The first day of returning to school is over. Due to the start of the new semester and the new classes, of course all the students went home early this time.
Clarice who used to go home the last time is also still waiting for all students in her class to come out. He still stood by leaning his butt on the bench.
"Neither suspect, huh? we're class XI!" hanna muttered staring at their new classroom.
"Yes!" clarice. "Just yesterday's feeling I know you." she continued.
"Yes. New feeling yesterday I have a rich friend like you." said Hanna smiled softly and proud to be part of the International school.
Clarice smiled flatly while looking down. It was uncomfortable with what Hanna said. Because it was as if there was a huge difference in this school.
"Where are you going to college, Cla?" ask Hanna.
"Daddy asked me to go to college in Australia" Clarice replied, looking forward to a future that would be two years away.
"If Papa were you?"
"If it's Papa, it's up to me to go to college where." replied Clarice.
"Where are you going to college?"
"Maybe in UI only."
Clarice nodded. "Not a bad idea! Yes, let's go home!" bring Cla.
"Hmmm.."
Both of them left their classrooms by walking in unison. And when they got to the door, the classes occupied by Arsen and Naufal opened, and one by one the inhabitants went out from there. Until the look in Clarice's eyes met with the look in her eyes.
"Hi!" greet Naufal to Hanna and Clarice who stand parallel.
"Hi!" reply Hanna cheerful.
"Class XI!" naufal nudged Clarice's arm.
Clarice simply smiled as she continued to move towards the lobby on the lower floor.
"Where did you go to college, Fal?" hanna asked looking back. Where Naufal walked right behind Clarice.
"America!" naufal answered sure. Because it was his dream in the past to continue studying in the land of Uncle Sam.
Geez! So after graduation, we're all going our separate ways?" muttered Hanna. "Cla to Australia, you to America. What about you, Sen?" Hanna now turned to look at the young man who was walking right behind her.
"If in the country itself there is a good campus, why should you go abroad?" answer Arsen with a question that also represents an answer.
"So you're going to college in Indo?"
"Yes!" reply Arsen. "Maybe on Binus! There have excellent Technology and Information majors! And I'm very interested in that science" replied the racer who is now more active in the world of racing.
"Well, does that mean we'll both stay in Indonesia?"
"Yes, maybe so."
"You are right! But there is no harm if we study abroad which may have more complete facilities about the science that we want to study?" sahut Naufal's.
"Yes too!" chirped Hanna replied.
When Hanna asked Arsen, that was when Clarice put on a good ear. I don't know, he really does not want to miss any information about a young man who is now real away from him. Even answering the choice of college place alone seems to insinuate himself who must study abroad.
# # # # # #
The coldness of Arsen's attitude continues day by day, week by week, month by month. Until the new school year comes. The warmth of an Arsen has not yet returned to the beautiful girl. Even at the age of seventeen, it was past.
At her seventeen-year party, Clarice hopes Arsen will come with her parents, who are also invited by Daddy. But in fact at that time the young man chose to accompany the older brother who went abroad to represent Indonesia competing in the International arena in the world of racing.
And the coldness of the figure of Arsen increasingly piercing even hit the heart of the Young Miss Adhitama. The bet on the arm has changed from yellow to green. That means their time to be able to enjoy the white-gray period is only one year left.
But the more days, the young man's mouth is getting closed tightly to the Cheerleader chairman who will soon be removed. Because it must be replaced by a new chairman of the new team that will be formed. Because class XII is no longer allowed to participate in any extracurricular activities.
Clarice ordered her lunch at the bricklayer's booth. And while making the payment, suddenly someone's hand came forward with the accompanying thrust of a hundred thousand, and followed a very foreign voice for Clarice.
"I paid!" he told the bakagor seller.
Clarice turned to look at the figure standing right on her left side. He knows who the owner of this voice is even though now it sounds more mature than when they were X class.
Cla slightly raised his head. To be able to see the face of this figure who was paying for his lunch. He did not expect anyone to pay for his lunch.
"Why did you suddenly pay for my lunch?" clarice asked the young man who did look quite handsome for teenagers their age.
"We haven't talked to each other for a long time" he replied without looking at Clarice who was still looking up at her face which now looks more mature.
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