To The Man Who Broke My Heart
42. Gold and Food in Luxury Restaurants

Meeting with Mr. Rahadi and Mas Niko, the young architects of the RS Group, walk

very well. Of course it is. Nothing will not run smoothly if handled by multinational companies of their class. Alex gave me a chance to present a report in front of them and some of the company. She ... somehow seemed to deliberately take a step back so that I could move forward.

Even during lunch, Alex was acting strangely familiar. He took me out to eat at a fancy restaurant in the vicinity of his office building. And, buset, Brethren All at once, one serving that will be served can cost half gold. Shoots. I remember the late grandmother of the Mama family. Almarhumah really likes to use gold as a comparison of the price of an item.

Indeed, the basic human who has no brain and gratitude, I still had time to make spicy and brainless comments after going outside from the restaurant. “Tomorrow you mending treat me siomay at the intersection of my office just aja, deh, Lex. The portions are much more and the most important thing for me is the price as well

far, far, far more human. Lex!”

I then exclaimed in half whisper, half scream. "The portion of food plus drinks here is the same as the price of gold in a trusted gold shop in my village, you know? I don't want to eat out looking at the prices on the menu."

It was fortunate that Alex was not offended by my reckless remarks and only responded by curling my head while joking and laughing. He even taunted and said to me with no less sadistic. "That's what a thick stomach, anyway, Kay? Cooking a 5-course meal can't make you full?"

Damn her!

****

The following days went on as usual; I was preoccupied with the affairs of the foundation and the lectures.

Now I have started sorting out the materials to support my thesis later. The branch is also halfway through. Construction is also being carried out, the target is a two-story building with a minimalist home concept that will be completed for the longest in two months. Oh, aye. My bridesmaid uniform has also been brought to one of the “tailor” subscription of Aunt Meli, if the term “tailor” deserves to be juxtaposed with the big names that follow. Looks like I have to work even harder to be able to pay for the services of “ajut” my shirt.

However, what feels a little different are the messages Alex replaces

his presence when he could not meet me. The man always asks routine and mundane questions at every opportunity he has. However, it certainly makes me .... Ah, nevermind. I don't want to think of anything weird. I prefer to assume that he is only serving his role as an extension of Bang Rian.

Speaking of Bang Rian, he will be coming with Mama and Papa on a visit

their (yes) statehood to Jakarta early next month. Said she was kangen with her sister

small, but I think the reason is not just that. She must have missed Alex more, her new found bestie.

My speculations were proven when Alex

sent me a message after the video call I had with Mama was done.

Alex: Rian just texted me

Alex said he was coming here. The truth?

Alex: he wants me to empty his two-day schedule for him

Nah, right?

It hasn't been a month since I came home a while ago. Recollecting about them made my longing puff up in my chest. I want to tear the day apart, but what power; I can't. Shredding Day will put me in jail. I didn't realize that I'd caught Alex's juice now.

ready dongg".

Hm. I remember my shirt price later. Dang.

****

Papa, Mama, and Bang Rian rang the doorbell on Sunday night without a second

informing me. I was astonished and Madam Inah panicked because there was no preparation at home to welcome their arrival. Without any more ba bi bu I immediately took them all to one of the famous Padang restaurants in the city, along with the Mother Father.

The next day a change of Alex rang the bell without informing; yes, at least to me first. He just came home from Chicago to attend his college reunion yesterday and brought us the six packs of siomay I was telling you about. “No need to go to Chicago to eat siomay ginian, right, Lex?” I nagged, but kept scooping the food into my mouth.

Despite not supporting my unflattering attitude, Papa still laughed seeing me frown. “Eat first, Kay. No fuss in front

sustenance.”

I stole a look at Alex. My sneer did not come to pass when I caught him looking at me and in Kalakian winking one eye playfully. I handle my grogs by turning my eyes, acting as if not affected by his seductive attitude.

The weekend passed quickly and now we drove them to the airport to return to Padang. I bought some clothes for Uni Cya and Genta, while Alex gave some souvenirs he bought in Chicago to Genta. To me he reasoned; a friend of his sold the clothes and he bought them out of pity. Oh, for the love of God, really?

“You bought an expensive knitting dress bell while I'm only loved by siomay doang, Lex? Really you, yes!”

To be honest I wonder if Alex has gotten tired of listening to my nagging as long as we've known each other. We were stuck in Jakarta at the end of the week on the road to the house.

The laughter coming out of her lips made me even more upset.

“You know ga nyebelin, Lex.”

Alex took a quick glance at me before suddenly shrinking the volume of the DVD Player who was playing songs from his favorite Coldplay. “Kayra Salim, do you remember when we ate at a restaurant near my office a while ago?” ask him casually.

However, that question managed to make me keki half dead. I nodded in submission while shaming in shame.

"You remember what you said?”

the twenty-eight-year-old again.

I again and again moved my head up and down. Then I pulled out my grimace one more time. “Sorry.”

Alex shook his head with a smile and after that Chris Martin's voice was heard clearly again.

To be continued ....