Days After You's

Chapter 11 - Shame?

Lately I don't know why it feels like I've been talking more to the people around me. Want it Stella, Rio the secretary included my personal assistant in the office, the grandparents of my fellow fifteen-floor neighbor, Kevin-Naomi who lives two floors down, and who lives two, until the usual apartment janitor came to pick up the trash.

Every morning starting from breakfast at home, using the elevator, walking in the parking lot, to arrive at the office, and, there will always be one of those people greeting me and starting a short conversation with me. Unlike a few months ago, when they were all still so disinclined and inclined to stay away from me.

I'm not saying I hate this change, it's just that I'm still not used to the hospitality of the people around me right now.

"Sore, sir," said one of the janitors who happened to pass by when I just got out of the car. He was pushing a cart containing cleaning tools towards the storage warehouse at the end of the basemant.

I nodded, "Sore."

"Macquet sir on the street?"

"Lumayan sir."

"Lumayan huh? It's good if it's not too crowded. Other days at this hour usually like to get stuck. I'm tired if you're long on the road, sultry continue to like thirsty."

"Yes sir."

I'm not very good at pleasantries so I can only give a direct and short answer. The officer did not seem to mind and continued to smile.

"Greetings to Mr. Stella. I am the same friends most happy to go to the father's house, because it is often given food. I'll go to the warehouse first sir."

No doubt, Stella did have a hand in changing the attitude of these people to me. As expected, he was indeed too good for everyone he had just met.

"I'm home" salute me from the entrance while loosening the tie from the collar.

Shortly after closing the door, I heard laughter coming from the viewing room. There Stella, Naomi and Kevin were sitting and telling me something. Stella stood up first as soon as she realized I was home.

"Oh, Luiz. You're home" Stella smiled and glanced at Naomi and Kevin, "I hope you don't have a problem eating with Naomi and Kevin tonight."

My gaze was immediately directed at the two people in question. They looked at me with waiting and hopeful eyes.

"Hello, uncle!" Kevin cried waving his arms violently as if I couldn't see him from four feet away. He looks a lot more excited than he was when he first came here.

"Night, sir. I hope we don't interfere with your time" Naomi bowed and smiled politely. Unlike Kevin, she is still a calm woman even though she now looks much more cheerful and filled.

If you want to talk honestly, I prefer if dinner time is not added by anyone else. I'm tired of socializing with other people when outside, when at home I tend to want to be alone or both if I have to serve Stella with all her antiques. But considering the couple's son and mother are also the first to stop by our house—something surprising to think about how much Stella likes them— I think tonight is okay.

I nodded and smiled faintly, "Hello, of course you can eat with us."

Stella was so happy and enthusiastic throughout the dinner. If he's the one who always goes to Kevin and Naomi's house, this time he invited them here. I don't know why he hasn't invited them here since he knew them two months ago, but that's how it is. She excitedly put the side dish onto the plate of Kevin and Naomi who were even still full while explaining her cooking. Sometimes he also asked my opinion, but I guess it was just his attempt to get me involved in their chat.

After the meal, Kevin and Naomi did not go home. Naomi helped Stella to wash dishes and tidy up the cookware while Kevin was left to me for a while. Kevin jumped on the sofa with excitement.

"More fun here than at home! Auntie Jauuuuh's uncle's house is bigger and has a glass wall!"

"Kevin, don't jump around recklessly, the sofa isn't for jumping" Naomi said. Kevin was still laughing but he also immediately sat up sweetly afterwards.

"Uncle and aunt were very lucky to be given this house. If I were to unplug the number, I'd have the top house, too."

"You think so?" I smiled a little. I almost forgot that our underfloor unit had a different area and interior than the one here. That was because from the second floor to the fourteenth floor per floor was filled by four units while the top floor or fifteen that I occupied was only filled by two units.

When choosing this unit first, two things came to my mind. First, I don't have to worry about having to socialize a lot with the neighbors because there's only one other unit on the same floor as me. And two, the view from the glass window wall that surrounds the whole part of the unit is also very good in the late afternoon. I was not too concerned about the area, because at that time I thought I would just stay alone.

"If you study well, don't be lazy and diligent in helping your mother, you can also be a lucky person like uncle."

"Really?"

"Hm. That's why you don't waste your time and be a diligent child who also listens to your mother."

That advice I got none other than my own father. Although I don't think the personal father is the type of parent who deserves to be fully exemplary, some of the advice he gave sometimes holds the value of truth that I still remember today.

"okay!"

Kevin gave a thumbs up and ran towards the glass window. He put his face there and remained in that position for a long time. I don't know what he's doing, I don't really understand either. But I felt a soft pat on my shoulder shortly afterwards, Stella thrusting a freshly cut apple before sitting next to me.

"Luiz, your words were really good at motivating Kevin. Look, he's saving the memory of the scene he saw to encourage himself later."

"Is that what he's doing?" Something strange but I can imagine Stella doing the same thing as a kid.

Uh. This must be something that makes me feel a little familiar with Kevin. He reminds me a little of Stella's energy and cheerfulness.

"Yes, I'm sure that's what she's thinking right now" Stella nodded, then turned to me, "You must be very knowledgeable about taking care of and teaching children right, Luiz? I'm sure you'll be a good father someday."

I almost choked on the apple in my mouth when I heard Stella say. I cleared my throat slowly, hoping my face didn't look strange or red at all.

"Luiz, are you okay?" Stella gasped, her voice half-whispering, "Gosh, I didn't mean to scare you. I don't mean if I want a child or anything..."

"I-I didn't think about it at all either."

"Oh thank goodness. I thought I was about to make you claustrophobic, sorry," Stella chuckled. He then rubbed my back for a moment before moving towards Kevin who was now accompanied by his mother in front of the window. The three people were chatting idly while I was alone with my plate of apples.

Naomi and Kevin were together shortly after that. But before leaving, Naomi whispered softly to me.

"Thank you again for allowing us to eat with you, sir. I always thought you were cold and stiff, but it turns out you were so shy when you were with your wife. You guys fit together very well."

My body felt petrified for a moment. Whereof? From what side did he see me acting so embarrassed in front of Stella? Or is that how I am in the eyes of others who see us? Whatever it is, I just know my back still tickles something and can't focus on anything else well.

"Luiz?" Stella patted my back and I spontaneously jumped, "Is there pain? Your face is red and you don't seem focused."

I backed off and cleared my throat, "I'm okay Stella. I. I just have to go to my room to continue my work."

"Oh, right. You must have been a lot of work delayed for accompanying us. You sure you don't want me to make you green tea in case you stay up?"

"no need. Really am. Don't bother."

"Oh okay," Stella blinked before smiling gently, "But if you change your mind, don't hesitate to wake me up in the room."

"Hm."

My feet then rushed from there to my study as fast as I could. Bizarrely. How strange. I shouldn't be feeling nervous or anything in front of Stella. I'm definitely not the type to easily feel cornered or intimidated by something.

Embarrassed? Moreover it. I'm not ashamed, I'm just out of my element today. All I have to do is work hard tonight and find myself back to normal tomorrow.