Days After You's

Chapter 37 - Uninvited Guest

My finger pressed on the profile of the stranger who was embracing Stella and was tagged in the old Facebook post. There was not much information he had on his profile other than his name Albert Sam, working at one of the advertising agencies and if it had been two years since he had been actively using his account. The last thing he posted was the moment his wife gave birth. I could sigh in relief as soon as I saw that but my curiosity was still there about who he really was and why I had never met him before, if she looks this familiar with Stella and her parents. Am I the only one who doesn't realize I've seen him?

The sleepiness began to touch both of my eyelids. I don't know. Maybe he was just a distant cousin who happened to be on vacation with Stella and her parents at the time. I can ask Stella in the morning. After that I came out of the man's yard, sent Stella a friend request and brushed my teeth and went to sleep.

The night passed and the cloudy morning came.

At breakfast at the dinner table, I did not immediately forget the question that surrounded my mind last night before going to bed. I looked up at Stella across the table and asked my question as if I was just trying to open up a not-so-important chat.

"Do you have a cousin who lives abroad?"

Stella raised her innocent face, "Cousins abroad...? Oh there are some but no one close to me. Why Luiz?"

"It's nothing, just ask."

No one near her said, meaning the man was not her cousin. Her uncle? The man looked young enough to be Stella's uncle, but it could have been. My brain doesn't stop guessing. Or...don't tell me it's Stella's ex-lover? If it's true, thank God he's married and he's got kids now, then he won't bother or try to take Stella back. I don't want to have a relationship full of drama so it's better.

"Luiz, is there something strange about the food?" Ask Stella suddenly. I gasped a little and saw him again, he looked at my plate, "You just keep chopping up his fritatta without eating."

Oh. I looked down at the zucchini fritatta dish that Stella made for our breakfast. Unconsciously because it was too late in my mind, instead of eating, I just cut the fritatta into small parts without eating them at all.

I scooped up one of the cut pieces and shook my head, "No. I just thought of something."

"really? If it doesn't suit your taste, just say Luiz."

"Really, it's delicious. I just lack focus."

"Hmmm..." Stella still did not give up her sight, "Something happens in the office? Any issues?"

Because I don't want Stella to know what stole my focus, I agree to the question.

"Some ordinary problems."

"Oh I'd like to say I want to help, but with my ability, I doubt I can do it for you."

With a smile coming from both ends of my mouth when I heard Stella's words, I swallowed the fritatta in my mouth before replying, "Thank you for helping, but you don't have to worry. That's not a big deal."

Still on the same day, during the day, one of my close friends during college, Jeffrey Harison who I had known working abroad knew to come without news.

"Jeff," I said as I opened the door.

"Hey Luiz, how are you, bro?" Jeff grinned and clenched his hands to the tos. I raised my hand and answered the tos still somewhat astonished at its purpose.

"When did you come home from abroad?"

"just now. I'm taking a leave to celebrate my engagement to Aura."

Both of my eyebrows rose, "Oh you proposed to him too finally. I thought I'd wait another hundred years."

Jeff narrowed his eyes, "Hey no I was intent on delaying because what yes, I need careful preparation for a change in status. It's a big decision anyway."

Jeffrey is a man who used to be famous with the nickname playboy. Before meeting Aura, her current lover, her hobby was always changing women so hearing her end up being serious with a woman was quite surprising.

From behind, I heard small footsteps approaching, it must have been Stella who heard our commotion at the entrance.

"Hello," Stella said with a small smile, she must be guessing who I am with.

Jeffrey just took a small cackle and spread his gaze toward the television room inside, "Oh so here you've been all this time, you've got a big place but you never let us come by."

We whom he meant were none other than my friends from my previous association during college. They like to gather in their spare time to just hang out and discuss together if the exam time is near, but I never invite them to my place at all. They know I live here but they never force me to stop by because they know I don't like bringing people here.

"Therefore I came without saying, otherwise you must have told me to meet at the cafe downstairs right," Jeffrey raised his eyebrows. But I felt a little awkward because he did not respond so well to Stella's greeting earlier.

"Ohiya, where's your wife? I heard he's the closed type huh. I came to your wedding but somehow I don't remember her face so much" Jeffrey chuckled.

My eyes glanced at Stella and found her doing something similar. Before the awkwardness in the air increased, I cleared my throat.

"He's been greeting you daritadi, Jeff. This is my wife, Stella."

Stella flicked her hands in front of her chest, "Oh it's okay. Sorry for not introducing yourself. Please come in first."

"Come in, Jeff."

To be honest, even though Jeffrey was an old friend of mine, after his failure in recognizing Stella earlier, I felt I was reluctant to invite her in. But since she had come all the way here and Stella had also been allowed to go first, it was impolite to let her go home without coming in at all.

Jeff ended up having lunch with me and Stella after that.

"Oh, this is so good" Jeffrey said in the middle of the meal, "So I still have time to wonder, now I understand why Luiz feels at home with you, Stella."

"Jeff," I said. Even if he said it with laughter, the meaning of his words would not escape my ears. I didn't know he could be this disrespectful in front of other people.

"What's? I commend your wife, don't I, Stella?"

Stella smiled without answering. See it? Even Stella who is always positive also understands the other meaning of the double-eyed praise. My head swings.

"Oh and by the way, you guys should come to the dinner later. You've read in the group, haven't you Luiz? I've invited others too, say this as a small reunion and welcome me back."

"I haven't read it yet but I'll see."

"Hey don't look later, but you should come. With Stella too. I'm sure others would love to get to know your wife more closely too."

After seeing your reaction, I doubted it. I wanted to say so but held back via taking a glass for a drink.

"I would love to meet Luiz's friends" Stella said, and I almost choked. He rubbed my shoulder with a smile that didn't feel as smooth as usual.

"Well, that means you have to come, Luiz," Jeffrey smiled, revealing his white teeth.

I let out a breath. Not that I didn't want to come, but I was just worried that my other friends would look down or talk like Stella was just a joke like Jeffrey did. I'd rather go alone or not at all than watch it.

Jeffrey came home after lunch. And I drove him to the door, and I went straight back to Stella in the kitchen.

"You don't have to leave if you don't want to, don't feel forced by Jeffrey's invitation" I said.

"okay."

Okay well? That all?

"Oh..okay," I said, for I did not expect him to answer that short in such a small tone.

As if hearing my thoughts, Stella who was washing the dishes turned her head back and turned her head from the sink, "Luiz, if you don't want me to come, I won't go. I understand it's a reunion with your friends, so I won't interfere."

Hah.I never meant that. Why did he even misinterpret my words like that?

I scrambled my hair slowly while leaning next to the sink, "Stella that's not what I meant. I'm just saying that if you're uncomfortable meeting my friend like Jeffrey, you don't have to come. We don't have to come."

"Oh but you have to come, Luiz."

"What about you? You said you wanted to meet my friends. Don't misunderstand Stella, if you say you want to go, we'll go together. I just don't want you to push yourself, that's all."

Stella nodded, "I want to..."

"Okay, we're leaving then," I softened my voice as I ruffled Stella's hair. I almost made him misunderstand my intensity.

Look, I can only hope that my friends don't act up or say anything that's disappointing to Stella when the meal time comes.

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Hii, sorry for the delay in updating this chapter. Author of sick and pat from four days ago :")

Thanks to those who stopped by. For like, comments and votes yes brother. Have a nice fridayy♡♡♡

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