ASSISTANT CULUN

Chapters 12. Gifts

Abigail went to work in light steps. His face looks sparkling. Although he returned to wearing strange equipment, but did not make him lose his joy.

A day with the family has thrown fatigue and burden on his heart. He was completely ready to face Darren again with all his weirdness.

Abigail smiled considering Liam's behavior yesterday. And that smile instantly disappeared when he saw Darren already standing in the middle of the corridor leading to his apartment unit.

Abigail frowned, she was astonished by the look of Darren's face that looked angry. But he was not shriveled, his feet still forward with eyes that stared back at Darren.

"Good morning, sir."

Darren did not answer, he scanned Abigail from head to toe. Even Darren walking around Abigail made the girl uncomfortable.

"Still intact." murmured Darren then into his apartment.

"Whole?" Abigail doesn't understand. He rushed in before Darren would get even more angry at him.

"Sit down!"

Abigail immediately sat across the table opposite Darren.

"Why isn't your phone active?" Darren started the interrogation.

Abigail raised next to her eyebrows, surprised at Darren's question.

"I want to enjoy my time with my family without being disturbed" replied Abigail honestly.

"So you think I'm a bully?!" Darren doesn't take it.

"Not you Sir. But his job."

"Just the same." said Darren ketus. "So you had fun yesterday. Where the hell is that?"

"To my parents' tomb, and the rest is only with my brother at home."

"Can't it be another time? Why did you have to go to the tomb yesterday?" Darren continued to scout Abigail with questions that had been lingering in his mind from yesterday.

Abigail took a breath to keep calm answering Darren's question.

"Because yesterday was my birthday sir. And what I did with my brother was a tradition for my birthday."

Darren's face changed, his anger disappeared, changed with guilt.

"So yesterday was your birthday." Darren's starting to soften.

"Yes, sir."

Darren immediately moved, even he ran into his room.

"Don't go anywhere!" before opening the room door.

"What's wrong with her?" Abigail muttered, but she sat down to follow Darren's orders.

Shortly after, Darren appeared.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know you had a birthday. Go and buy a bag or other branded items that you like. It was a gift from me." said Darren, giving him a black card.

Abigail stood up, she was very surprised by Darren's giving. But instead of being happy, Abigail refused.

"Thank you for your kindness, sir. But sorry, I can't take it."

Darren frowning. "Why?"

"I just can't accept, there's no other reason." Abigail was honest.

"I don't care, you have to buy something."

"But Sir…."

"No but-but!" Darren doesn't want to be denied.

He forced Abigail to hold his card. Then Darren immediately pulled Abigail's hand towards the exit until they almost collided with Trias.

"Wohoho. What's the matter? Darren, you know I don't like violence against women" Trias said, staring anxiously at Abigail.

"Ck! I-i know. Don't misunderstand me." Darren's upset. "I just want him to go buy a gift using my card. Turns out Abigail asked for a day off to celebrate her birthday."

"Well, that's how it looks." Trias immediately advanced and shifted Darren. "Happy birthday to Abigail." Trias shook the girl's hand.

"Te.thank you Brother."

Trias glanced at Darren for a moment before he carried Abigail away.

"What did Darren say?"

"He told me to buy branded goods."

"Then?"

"I don't want to."

"Why?"

Abigail smiled awkwardly, how should she say it. In his private home, he had it all. Although only used when going to attend official events. Because he doesn't like to wear fancy things.

"Ak.I don't need it Brother." replied Abigail.

"Then buy something you like. Don't reject someone's good faith" Trias persuaded after seeing the reaction of Abigail who wanted to refuse.

"alright. I'll go first."

☘️☘️☘️

An hour later, Abigail arrived with a brown paper container. Inside there is a snack bar in various flavors, and also dark chocolate.

"Thank you for the gift, sir." Abigail handed the card with a radiant face.

"That's all?" Darren picked up the card and turned his head to look at the contents of the paper bag.

Abigail simply nodded with a smile.

Seeing how happy Abigail was with her groceries, Trias nudged Darren with his arm. He gave the code so that Darren stopped forcing or asking strange things.

"alright. Ummm!! Happy birthday." said Darren then went into his room.

Trias shook his head while laughing. " It's not necessary. Thank you." Thank you." Trias refused subtly.

While inside the room, Darren was staring at his phone with an indescribable smile. He read the entry report on his credit card usage.

"Just this way has made you very happy." murmured Darren. "Truly a weird girl."

Abigail really only buys what she likes. Not because he kept the image in front of Darren and Trias, but because he was basically used to buying only what he needed. He will not buy branded goods if only because of the desire of the eye or for prestige.

"Why buy this much?" Trias stared at Abigail's paper bag.

"It just so happens that my stock is running out, brother." Abigail smiled shyly while scratching her nape.

"That's what it looks like." Trias glanced at his watch. "Abigail, you remind me tomorrow Darren's schedule to fill out the pension?"

"Yes, I remember."

"Check all the fittings, no one is missed. I have to go for a minute."

"Good Brother."

"I'm counting on you." Trias patted Abigail's arm slowly and then left.

Abigail immediately checked the list she had made a long time earlier to get back to seeing Darren's preparations.

Half an hour later Darren came out and frowned not seeing Trias. Abigail who saw that immediately explained without being asked.

"Master, Sister Trias is leaving. He said just for a minute."

Darren looked at Abigail, leaving Abigail confused. Because the young man just stared without speaking.

"Master?"

"Don't call me that word again. Just call my name." Darren said as he stepped up and stood in front of Abigail.

Abigail immediately stood up so that there was no need to raise her face while looking at Darren.

"It's disrespectful, our age…"

"I don't care. Call my name."

Abigail blinked her eyes a few times.

"Abi, say my name." pinta Darren once again.

"Ekhem!" Abigail felt her throat suddenly dry. "Da.Darren." he said with eyes that moved wildly to and fro.

Darren smiled faintly. "Once more and look me in the eye."

Abigail swallowed her saliva violently. Geez, just being told to name me why am I this big?

Abigail took a deep breath to gather courage.

"Darren." he looked down at Darren's eyes.

The two looked up, slowly Darren's hand stretched out and took off Abigail's glasses. Although Abigail realized she had to refuse and take back her glasses, she seemed unable to move her hands. Abigail felt drowned in Darren's eyes.

"I love to see these beautiful eyes in person."

"Ren..maya.." Abigail felt her tongue was a little too faint to say something. It was as if someone had ordered his body to remain silent not to speak.

Darren blinked, he smiled. "Say it again."

Abigail looks confused. " Say what?"

"Say my name as before."

Abigail was sober, she lowered her head. "Ren." she wrote again.

"I love hearing that from your lips." Darren smiles. "From now on you should call me that."

Abigail shook her head firmly. "No! I don't want to get bullied."

"Stop speaking formally to me Abi."

"alright. But I won't call you that in front of people."

Darren shrugged both of his shoulders. "Whatever, the important thing is that I love that call and hope to hear it again."

Abigail sighed harshly. "Can I go back to work?"

"Hmmm, yeah." Darren immediately turned around, his mood changed because Abigail did not want to comply with his wishes.

"Eh wait!"

"What's wrong?"

"Glasses…."

Darren turned around and looked at Abigail. "I know you don't need this."

"What do you mean, sir?"

"Because I saw you wash your shirt without glasses. Even after that accidentally I've seen you take it off."

"But that doesn't mean I don't need it."

For a moment Darren stared at the large glasses in his hands.

"All right." he handed the glasses to Abigail.

"Thank you."

"I can't wait to see your real face" Darren said after Abigail returned to wearing her glasses.

Abigail held her breath hearing Darren's words. He wanted to say something but couldn't.

"Breathe, you'll pass out!" darren said before leaving Abigail.

Why am I so careless? Abigail muttered as she patted her forehead.