Aretta & Secrets

Aidan's Pov

Being around Aretta is very difficult. Seeing her walk through my class, seeing her in the store, and having to face her head-on when she looked at me with a sad look, was the biggest ordeal.

As soon as she agreed to Gio's terms to stay away from me, I felt betrayed and hurt. Am I not good enough to fight? All this time I have shown clearly how I feel about her. When I had poured out everything, he was trampling as if it meant nothing.

I've held back my anger and ignored my ego because we were in business together. I went straight out of that place without looking back because I was really disappointed. I got in the car and drove around the nearby area, trying to calm myself down. I stopped by the side of the road my favorite place to get rid of the bumps.

It took me an hour until I finally calmed down. I can also think more clearly than before. Although I was angry with the decision made by the woman, but it turned out that what Gio suggested was indeed true. If he disagrees, not only will his education be at war, my work is at stake. Gio just wanted to keep the two of us in a few months until Aretta graduated.

I was self-absorbed for being reckless. Plus I'm also mad at someone who wants to help us.

Not entirely the hope I wanted was lost. I just have to hang on for some time left and stay away from Aretta. I also have to be strict, something I've never done before.

Who can be okay if they have a relationship with their students? But I also don't want to plunge the girl in terrible terms. It is unethical if there is an article that contains about teachers and students who are caught in a relationship. It's not a moral that teachers can do and I don't want to make my name and her name ugly.

I try to remind myself. Being assertive for now is an open choice. Not just for me, but for us.

But somehow getting away from her, there are just strange things I do. Like now. I was looking at him who was having a cheerful conversation with his friends. Just looking at her smile from afar just that feeling of pleasure warmed my heart.  Will I lose with my own determination?

I only did that in the first two days, after which I decided to stay away. I'll let him focus on the lesson rather than having to think about a relationship without clarity with a teacher who loves him hopelessly.

This whole week, I've been trying to get away and give Aretta some space. I also no longer talked to him, the hardest thing at this time.

I saw him coming into my class and coming out without a word from me. I really want to ask the news or just talk lightly, but it feels very difficult to get started.

And the day just passed. It crept slow and made me feel even more tormented. Oma's condition worsened and it made me have to be on alert to take her to the hospital, it also made me miss Aretta's class a lot.

There's nothing I need anymore except her cheerful smile. I stared at the girl once more, still fondling should I speak or not. I don't want our situation to get messed up. I have had enough to endure this sorrow and I am not willing to add any more to the suffering that I end up feeling. This time I plan to do what I used to do to her. Ignoring Aretta, but my plan was already smelled by Rafa. The girl protested my actions.

How long have I been through that moment? If only I wasn't a teacher?

Aretta looked sulky for not getting an answer from Rafa. He ignored the woman. I was still observing the two in silence. When the class ended, everyone went out. I desperately wanted to chase after her and say if I was sorry, tell her too if I was tormented by the distance I made myself. I want to give up.

I almost did it, but I backed off.

A week passed again without any change in our relationship and the opening time of the store was also getting closer. He and I are both busy. I don't even have time to think about it in the midst of this busyness. That helped me anyway. All that motherhood I took over so that I no longer thought about her smiling, laughing and her clenching her hands together in nervousness.

Grand opening event arrives. The approved menu is already available in the storefront. That's the picture I got from Gio. This time my job is to pick up Oma to come to the show. The distance between the house and Oma's house was only twenty minutes and I felt very happy that Oma's dream had been realized.

"Why you?" Oma asked after seeing my face. Did I look so happy that Oma asked me how I was doing. I'm reluctant to answer because this is your personal matter. There is no point in telling, Oma just has to live full of happiness, not to be added to my feelings.

"Is there a problem with Aretta?" ask again. I chuckle and shake. However, it seems that he knows me too well, "try the story to Oma. You're an adult, but you still have Oma to tell the story."

"I think Aidan likes Aretta." I'm straight to the point. I felt a little relieved after I managed to say that.

"Continue what's the problem? If you like to just say?"

I wanted it to be, but what happened was the opposite. Throughout the rest of the trip I used to explain in detail what was going on.  Everything without exception.

"You're the one who got it, Aidan." Oma said while looking out. We have arrived at the shop parking lot, "with you who are just silent, it will not change the situation for the better. He is still unstable, you as an adult should be able to act more sensibly. Do not get carried away by ego. Oma doesn't completely blame her brother's decision, regardless, her brother Aretta is only in charge of protecting Aretta."

I rubbed my hair rough, "Keep Aidan what should be Oma?" I pleaded with a voice that was almost desperate.

Oma chuckled in a mocking tone, "What do you mean. You know what you have to do, right? You have to show Aretta and Gio that you're serious. If you can't connect as a couple, you can still be the Aidan that used to make him."