Endless Taste

41

. Mr. Yusuf entered the room and was astonished when he found Alvi sitting on the sofa with a stiff and panicked face, and Avril cleaned up the magazine on the desk not far from Alvi.

"Is Mr Alvi okay?" Ask Mr. Joseph worried.

"I'm just surprised sir." Mr. Yusuf frowned with Alvi's answer. Surprised why? Not usually Alvi was surprised like that when she came.

Mr. Yusuf was more astonished when he saw an intern in Alvi's room. As if asking what he was doing.

"He's cleaning my room, sir." Said Alvi aware of the astonishment of Mr. Yusuf.

"But, isn't there a cleaning service?" Ask Joseph again.

"I-I'm punishing him sir." Mr. Yusuf was astonished.

"He hit me, I just gave him a little punishment." Clearly Alvi again nervously and rolled her eyes here and there.

"You've been my foster from little master, so I know master is hiding something or not. And do you think I don't know that she's Miss Avril?" Avril was surprised then slowly turned her head back with a clumsy smile.

"Hehe... noon sir!" Sapa Avril's.

"Mrs mistress." Replied Mr. Yusuf slightly bowing his head. Alvi smiled so widely at the greeting of Mr. Yusuf. Only Avril could hear the greeting.

. Until the afternoon, Avril had just returned to the room where her apprentice was. All gazes were fixed on the newly-entered Avril. Avril bowed her gaze avoiding the intimidating gaze of the employees there.

Mr. Deri as the leader of the section approached Avril and patted her on the shoulder.

"You okay? Has your internship contract not been terminated? Didn't Mr Alvi mess with you?" That back-to-back question explained that Deri and the others were very worried about Avril.

"No sir. As Mr. Alvi said, I just cleaned the room." Avril replied that in her heart wanted to laugh out loud calling Alvi as 'pak'. He thought why the name was not used as a call unfortunately. So unable to hold back the laughter, Avril smiled a smile that was like a happy person. Iqbal was slightly astonished by Avril's attitude. Plus when Ray suddenly entered and gave Avril's phone, which was on the grounds left in the toilet and found by the cleaning service.

Though it was clear the phone was used by Alvi.

"Thank you." Avril smiled cheerfully.

"Sama-sama no-ahem alright. Don't be tucked away again. Still lucky someone honestly found your phone." Ray said coldly.

"I don't mean to be disrespectful. Please forgive me, miss...." Mumbled Ray.

Ray came back out of the room.

"Back to work. There's still time before we go home." Decah Deri who responded to the nod by Avril.

. On his way home, Dea gives Avril consecutive questions about Alvi. One of them is a question about the Alvi couple who responded to laughter by Avril.

"Do you seem happy?" Tanya Iqbal who was a little cynical glanced at Avril.

"No. it's normal." Avril answered clearly evaded the question because it was very visible to change his attitude when before and after from the presidential room.

"Avril. Can you?" Tanya Iqbal glanced towards Dea.

"Ohhh well. I'm going home first." Dea leaves Avril and Iqbal.

After making sure Dea was far away, Avril returned to her cold self. Suddenly, the cold enveloped the two.

"What do you want to talk about?" Avril asked, looking at Iqbal. His gaze is different now. It was warm to be very cold.

"I'm..."

"I haven't had long. Someone's waiting for me outside." Avril quickly interrupted before Iqbal continued. Avril knew at this moment Iqbal would express his feelings.

"You got a boyfriend?" Tanya Iqbal hesitated.

"No." Answer Avril briefly.

"I'm sorry if I'm rude earlier." Iqbal then sighed for a moment.

"Tell me. No need to apologize."

"If I wanted to be your girlfriend, would you accept me?" Iqbal asked again after gathering the courage to say that.

"I'm sorry but I can't." Avril replied without having to think first.

"What you-"

"I'm engaged." That answer was enough to make Iqbal speechless. Iqbal did not blame Avril's question or answer. It's true that Avril doesn't have a boyfriend, but her fiance has been together for a long time.

"Sorry." Lirih Avril's.

"What's wrong. I'm just relieved to have revealed it to you." Iqbal smiled warmly, Avril knew that smile to cover the wound she made on Iqbal. It feels painful. But how else, Avril already had Alvi and she was the one who saw real love Avril really. And there was no more reason for Avril to turn away from him. And it has been proven that Alvi did not intend to leave or betray Avril himself. Obviously, if Alvi was just playing Avril, Alvi might have already exchanged rings with Amel. But in fact not, on the night of his ring exchange, Alvi even still wears his engagement ring with Avril.

"Sorry Iqbal. I didn't intend to hurt him. And I'm not that kind of person either. She sacrificed a lot for me, and I loved her. I have no reason to turn away from him." Avril explained that Iqbal understood her situation.

"What's wrong Avril. At least I wouldn't have expected more. And thank you for your time. Sorry for making you feel uncomfortable with rumors about us all along." Iqbal smiled as if without burden.

"As long as my fiance doesn't know, there won't be any problems." Canda Avril and the two laughed out loud.

"Ehem. Are you guys overtime?" Ray asked from behind with a glance at the watch in his hand surprising Avril and Iqbal. It feels like Avril wants to hit Ray hard, but consciously beside him there is still Iqbal.

"Pardon us sir." Iqbal said, bending his gaze.

"Ftftt" Avril couldn't help but laugh. The term 'sir' is ridiculous for people as cold as Alvi and Ray.

Ray and Iqbal looked at Avril who looked clumsy.

"Ehem. Then we go home. The spirit of Ray!" Avril sounded mocking to Ray, but sounded bold to Iqbal. Iqbal thinks girls like Avril why are they so brave enough to encourage someone as scary as Ray.

Avril took Iqbal's arm to the exit. The security that Avril greeted slightly frowned. As if to say "I've seen this girl."

. Reno waved her hand as Avril walked near the gate. Iqbal noticed each step and the attitude of both. Iqbal thinks that Reno is Avril's fiancee, let alone seeing the familiarity and ignorance of both. Seen when Avril who wanted to enter the driver's place, Reno quickly pushed Avril up to the other door.

Avril who kept laughing, and Reno who was irritated with Avril's attitude. It is a harmonious couple.

Iqbal recalled Avril's words about her fiance. Reno is perfect. The face was handsome, dignified, and treated Avril well. No wonder Avril loved him so much.

Avril smiled and waved her hand as the car drove past Iqbal who was still sculpting near the gate.

. "He's your friend?" Ask Reno.

"Yes..."

"She seems to like you?"

"In fact, he just expressed his feelings for me."

"really?" Avril just nodded.

"Then?"

"I refuse."

"Why? He's no less handsome than me. Haha"

"yes too. But, it looks like he thinks I'm your fiancee." Reno chuckled in light of the forced smile with the look on Iqbal's face.

"Avril..tomorrow to pick you up between Aldi and Bagas. I think I should take my mother to my grandmother's house. So I wouldn't have had time if Karus picked you up here." Reno said after Avril did not respond to Reno's remarks.

"Yaa okay. Just don't Alvi, later I get caught and employees in company D will misunderstand me." Avril nodded softly in response to the chatter as she accompanied the music in Reno's car.

"Aren't you sad anymore?" Reno asked, looking at Avril.

"What do you think makes me sad? I have a loving family, caring and understanding friends, and a loyal lover." Avril looked back at Reno who was now refocused on the streets.

"It's good that you know. I was almost crazy when I was looking for you at the airport. Syifa and Famela are almost hysterical if you get the news you're missing." Said Reno in a tone as he made-up to mock Avril.

"Reno. I won't believe."

"Ahahaha who is serious. I'm just kidding. Syifa and Famela are so worried about you, um who is crying? I forgot."

"Surely Famela." Avril let out a heavy sigh.

"Ahh right. Because Deyan kept holding her. And at that very moment, I took Syifa from Aldi hahahaha." Avril just stared silly at her best friend, it seems like Reno is very happy if you snatch Aldi's property. So thought Avril.

"Oh my God, since when did he go crazy?" Avril's words staring upwards made Reno stop laughing.

. The next day, Avril slightly ran into the gates of company D. Avril gasped as she entered the elevator. Unknowingly a hand was embracing his neck. His breathing was felt in Avril's head.

"Alvi. please.." said Avril closed her eyes. Instantly Alvi laughed out loud and let go of her embrace.

"That's what...." Avril hit Alvi's arm in annoyance. Alvi laughed mockingly at Avril's punch.

"Because yaaa.." sneered Alvi scrambled Avril's hair.

"You're a bitch."

"But you love me, right?" Alvi's question continued to mock Avril.

"Very." Answer spoiled Avril.

"You're having bad luck?" Tanya Alvi as she kissed Avril's forehead.

"Yes that's how it is..."

"It seems you've been busy thinking about me all night."

"No..."

"Then?"

"Alvi.. don't mock me." Avril rubbed the mocking smiling face of Alvi by leaning against the wall of the elevator staring at how adorable Avril was right now.

"Where's Ray?" Avril asked to shift things.

"You're very brave to ask another man in front of your husband." Alvi was getting closer to Avril's face.

"Yaaa. You're always with Ray.." Avril turned her face away from Alvi.

. The elevator opened, and Avril was now behind Alvi who was standing straight and flat face with a cold gaze, as if the meeting of the two was just a coincidence, the meeting of an apprentice and the president of the company. He knew the scene must have been seen on CCTV. But Alvi is very relaxed, letting few of his employees know about the truth.

Avril ran as she got out of the elevator, leaving Alvi still sculpting.

Iqbal again witnesses a coincidence between Avril and Alvi.

"Avril." Call Iqbal.

"Yes?"

"I can ask you something.?"

"What?" Avril thinks Iqbal's question will lead to Alvi. What's he supposed to answer? Will the truth be revealed sooner than he expected?

"What was yesterday the fiancee you meant?"

"Eh?" Avril let out a sigh of relief. Apparently not.

"Ah. He's my friend from childhood." Avril replied casually.

"Ohh I think that's your job. You guys are so familiar."

"Yes, that's how it was when we were together for a long time."

"So, can I know who your fiance is? So that I don't guess like this. I want to try not to care about anything about you. But I think I'm getting curious." Iqbal said as if to blame himself.

"I'm sorry, but I can't tell you. For now, I can't explain why. But I hope you understand." Iqbal was silent. And finally just nodded in response to Avril's words.

. Every day, Ray keeps an eye on Avril and Iqbal. The longer they get, the more familiar they become. And during that time, Alvi always looks upset when he sees Avril close to Iqbal.

Already almost 2 weeks Avril undergoing an internship at company D, Avril found a little different treatment from her leader, Rania. Rania is known to idolize Ray. Seeing Avril who always interacts with Ray, Rania feels that Avril likes to tease Ray and Ray also likes Avril. Even Rania had seen Ray giving breakfast supplies to Avril who could not eat breakfast at home, and working hours had almost begun.

Today, Avril was given the task of helping Rania work on some proposals.

Several times Rania ignored Avril who had difficulty helping her here and there.

Plus Iqbal who more and more his attitude more confused Avril.

At lunch, even Iqbal glanced at Avril as if humbling her.

"Iqbal... Why are you?"

"It's Avril, don't pretend to be nice to me. You actually want me to stay away from you, don't you?" Avril frowned at the statement Iqbal said.

"Don't act surprised. You said you were engaged, that's just an excuse, right? Every day you're picked up by a different man, and it's as if it's scheduled to pick you up. Then you said they were your childhood friends. And you're also close to the president's secretary, or maybe Ray's sir is your fiancee? Didn't you say your wait is also in this company."

"If you don't know anything-"

"Yes indeed. I don't know anything because you don't want to tell me."

"Then? what's in it if you know the truth?"

"So right? You change every day man-"

'Avril's 'plak' went wide and covered her mouth when Dea violently slapped Iqbal's face.

"I don't know what your problem is, but if you're talking like a lowly Avril, you better not go near her anymore." Dea pulled Avril's hand away leaving Iqbal speechless.

"It's annoying, isn't it?" Rania asked suddenly from behind Iqbal.

"Do you think this is a coincidence? Mr. Ray and Avril are both keeping secrets about their partner." Ask Rania.

- connected.