Yellow Flags
Before Dinner

🚩 Jacob

Although Sepia's chat pissed me off half to death, but I can't back down this meeting any longer. It is not impossible that Echoes will come back to disturb Winona. Yesterday, that bastard still had time to come to Winona's office!

Considering the girl's face turned grim yesterday afternoon, it made me feel furious. I can guess, Winona didn't tell me everything. Is it possible, Gema said something inappropriate to him? Given how old that bastard is. And how arrogant is it! 

I know a flirtatious bastard like Echoes! I am also a man of passion and logic. If he thinks he can touch Winona, I'll teach him a valuable lesson tonight!

Rubbing my face, I turned my attention to the coffee cup on the left side of my hand. I saw Lolita and Hasan focusing on the screen before them. Leaning my back to my back, I stretched my joints. 

It was a relief, after I cleared up one project. The day after tomorrow, I'll go back to Mr. Utomo's shop. Take some pictures and videos for our second project. 

A knock at the door diverts attention. I sipped coffee before saying, “Masuk.”

Lolita's head poked out from behind the door. A wide smile floated from that sweet face. “Mission Sir, there is a message from Green Roof Camp.”

“What message?” ask me with my eyebrows raised next door. 

Lolita stepped into the room. “For our project next week already confirmed. They sent out several packages for camping, which they wanted to promote.”

I pulled a small smile, “oke. Set schedule. All of us can take camping tools there.” Those two projects could go one way. 

“Siap Pak.”

I took the phone from the drawer. My breath was restrained when I saw a message from Winona.

| What time will you pick up?

The meeting was for eight o'clock. So I can pick up Winona at about seven. 

| Hours seven I've been at your cost.

I want to take Winona after she gets home from work. But the direction of my apartment and the cost of Winona is opposite. If I go there first, it won't be because the road will be jammed. 

At four o'clock, I closed the laptop screen. Tidying the table, I then rushed out of the room. A small smile was drawn at the corner of the lips, as I glanced at the four employees. “Thank you all. Tomorrow we continue our work again.”

“Iya Sir. Thanks though. Happy resting Sir,” said Fera excitedly. 

...***...

Exactly at seven or less two minutes, I've parked next to Winona's boarding fence. I slightly stuck out my neck, glancing towards the balcony of Winona's room. 

Before long, I saw the room lights off. 

I exhaled slowly. Unknowingly, my lips drew a smile. I feel dejavu. Recalling the moment I dated her, five years ago.

The relationship was initially awkward. Over time it turned into a friendship that allowed me to open up stories. Talk to him without knowing the time. Even I was completely unaware it had begun to involve feelings too deeply. 

The sparkle then grew brighter. Until that love turns into love. A different kind of love to what I've felt before. Because of my love before Winona, it was only a dreadful seduction to get what I wanted. 

It was all different with Winona. Because for some reason, I wanted to be a saint beside him. I want to take care of him. I don't want to tarnish his innocence. On the other hand, Winona is good at reading my heart. He often guessed what was going through my head. 

Even when I tried to hide my family's troubles, Winona just looked at me with a sad arch on her lips. 

The clicking sound, from the open car door drew my consciousness. Winona smiled slightly. She pulled the side of the dress as she walked in. The sweet vanilla and orange fragrance wafted in the air. Makes my smile wider. 

“You are beautiful tonight,” I said gently. 

His low laugh sounded, “forced me dandan. At first, I made jeans with a crop top jacket. But come to think of it, they suspect that I am not performing optimally.”

I laughed softly at that sentence. “Which is there, later you are ashamed of yourself,” I said while driving out of the boarding area. 

“What will we discuss later there?” ask Winona. 

I snorted thinking of the answer to that question. Because all I know is that Echoes bother Winona. Then with my arrival beside him, will resuscitate the Echoes where his position is. He should be able to pull away. If he wants to play with his eyes, just find another woman. Not Winona. 

“You are quiet. Let me take care of.” 

“Where can I shut up!” quick Winona refute. “If later he provoked emotions, surely I do not stay silent. Echoes may be polite in front of guests, but behind them? He can be brash.” 

Winona sounded annoyed. But it made me suspect, that Gema was being rude to Winona!

I exhaled a sharp breath. Immediately feel angry with this situation. “Don't worry about things that aren't necessarily happening. Now there's me beside you.”

“Iya. But...” Winona. 

I looked over for a moment, finding a frown on his forehead. “But... what?” manya curious. 

“Continue, what lo plan?” 

I shrug my shoulders, “we go there. As guest. Show them that you already have me. And for sure, I'll say something to that Pest.” I pressed my jaw, thinking about the meeting. No need to waste too much on words. What matters is action. 

The echoes will probably win with flirting and seduction. But my charm is different. I can tell you, that the way that Hama tried to ruin my relationship with Winona was cheap. He tries the trick of infidelity, before knowing the real story. 

Even though my relationship has not gained real status, there is at least a way that makes me get close to Winona.

I remember, the annoyed face of Echoes when I met the man in the Mall parking lot. Clearly the Hama seemed to hold back furiously. Thankfully I arrived on time! Otherwise, the bastard could have forced Winona into his car.

Wait for…. 

Given how reckless the bastard was, it was not impossible for him to ever act beyond the limits of decency on Winona!

I turned my head, glancing at Winona with a frown. I'd rather ask him directly, than feel bad about a guess that isn't necessarily true. “Did he ever mess with you? He's a bastard! There is no good man who dares to seduce single women. What else comes to your office, just make a photo of me and Aleia!” 

For a while, there was only silence between us. I turned my head once more, watching the look of the confused face. 

What does Winona think? Why did it take so long to answer my question?

“Iya, yes? That bastard per..”

“No as you shadow,” cut Winona fast. 

If I don't misjudge, there's a tinge of bitterness in that cold-impressed voice. “Continue? What like?” manya curious.

I heard a sharp breath from the woman. “Nothing else. Everything is past.” It seems Winona doesn't want to tell a story. What injury did I cause that girl to disbelieve? 

Even so, I can't blame him. I'm the one who got him hurt.

“What matters now,” continued Winona slowly. “We will face what happens later. I hope, you can make Echoes stop teasing me.” 

A small smile was drawn at the corner of my lips. ‘Definitely!’ I said in my heart.