FORBIDDEN TO FALL IN LOVE

28. Proud

(A week later)

Valeda sat down next to Daniel. They had just finished enjoying their simple lunch, yet were greatly enjoyed by Valeda.

The usual afternoon. Daniel took the time to make Valeda lunch before leaving for the office. Routines like this have been running for almost three days.

"Tomorrow, what will you do for lunch?" ask Valeda.

"Your turn to make provisions" replied Daniel.

"What's? Can't!" sahut Valeda fast. "I... I haven't trained and I've done a lot!"

Daniel crossed his arms in front of his chest while sighing. "The reason goes on," he grumbled.

Valeda bit her lower lip, nervous. He did not dare to return Daniel's eyes. Actually, he lied about the reason for that. Valeda has called a professional chef to teach her since a week after Daniel's challenge. However, the outcome is predictable.

Inwardly, Valeda regretted easily accepting Daniel's challenge. While the one he was fighting was equivalent to a professional chef. How not, Daniel cooked the fried egg alone, it tasted really good!

"I can't, anyway" said Valeda.

"We have a lot of time. I'll wait until you're ready to serve your meal in front of me" Daniel said. "By the way, Brother Lucas' wife will arrive tomorrow. She's going to my orphanage with her twins."

Valeda's eyebrows are wrinkled. He was astonished that Daniel could say that so easily. "And I want you to be honest."

Daniel sat up straight. "Well, if a woman has said 'I want you to be honest', I think I've made a big deal."

"Don't equate me with another woman!" bentak Valeda's. "And, I'm serious!"

"What do you want to ask?"

"Why are you willing to help Lucas?" ask Valeda. "Have you met Lucas before?"

Daniel shakes. "Last week it was the first time I met Brother Lucas. But, do you really have no idea why I'm doing this?" search Daniel.

"What do you mean?"

"You're good at judging people and always calculating. I thought you'd know my purpose in helping your brother."

Valeda's brain thinks hard. He really didn't know what was on Daniel's mind. Valeda just realized that all this time, he was too relaxed. Since Daniel, he has enjoyed his days, especially when eating.

"Val?" call Daniel. "Why dream? You're not feeling well?" Daniel put his palm on Valeda's forehead.

Valeda can feel his body temperature increases drastically, even though the room is fairly cold with a temperature of sixteen degrees Celsius. He realized that it was Daniel's hand that made his body react. "I'm tired" replied Valeda, shaking Daniel's hand. "Just tell me what your goal is!"

Daniel took a breath. "To take your family's heart."

"How can you?" ask Valeda.

"Sister Lucas is just one tool to help you escape Mrs Emely's wishes. By helping Lucas, you will have one additional ally. Besides, Lucas' brother is on my side" Daniel explained.

"Smart you!" Valeda patted Daniel on the shoulder proudly. "It's not wrong I hired you!"

"You paid me dearly. Of course I have to use my brain for you to be comfortable." Daniel leaned against Valeda's work couch, but his body was facing Valeda.

For a moment, Valeda could not take his eyes off the intelligent man before him. 'Whoa... Not only is his smile dangerous. The look in his eyes was also deadly!' inner Valeda. Not knowing why, he was upset because Daniel was handsome and smart.

"I believe in your plan." That was all Valeda could think of to respond to Daniel's words.

Geck! Geck! Geck!

"Start," Valeda whispered to Daniel next to him.

Daniel moved quickly to sit close to Valeda. He tidied up a file containing Lucas's family information on the table into the folder.

"Mr Suherman and Mrs Emely are here" Celine said. Valeda simply nodded to answer Celine. Celine opened the door of Valeda's room wider and let two middle-aged people inside.

Daniel stood up while buttoning his suit back when his eyes met that of Mr. Suherman. He had to dress up in front of Valeda's father.

"Papa, Mama, why did you come here all of a sudden?" greet Valeda, stand up.

"Because you didn't introduce your girlfriend to Papa, Papa came here" replied Mr. Suherman.

Valeda swallowed his saliva with great difficulty. Cold sweat spots began to appear on his temples. Valeda knew how her father was. His father's eyes were as sharp as his. Mr. Suherman would instantly know everything if there was just one small mistake in their play.

"I'm sorry I didn't say hello to you right away, Sir," Daniel reached out his hand. "Did you know, my name is Daniel."

Mr. Suherman welcomed Daniel's hand. "I'm like I've seen you. Have we met?" ask Mr. Suherman.

Daniel remained silent. He examined Mr. Suherman's face. "I don't remember, sir," Daniel replied in the end. "It would be a lie if I answered that I had never seen Master. Your face is in the newspaper headlines every month."

"Haha!" Mr. Suherman laughed. "You're good at taking people's hearts, son!" praise him while patting Daniel on the shoulder.

"Father!" snapped Mama. Mama's face gripped. It seems that Mama did not like that Papa was friendly with Daniel.

"Ehem!" Papa cleared his throat, but still commented on a smile on his face. "Let's Sit!"

Valeda did not dare to suppose that the smile meant support. Mr. Suherman could be testing Daniel. 'May Daniel not let his guard down, ' Valeda prayed in his heart.

"So where are you from, Daniel?" asked Mr. Suherman as soon as everyone in the room sat down.

"I am a native of this city" replied Daniel.

"I've read all the articles about you" said Mr. Suherman. "Has your parents really gone?"

Daniel nodded. "My mother died while giving birth to my sister, who in the end also died. Then, my father died when I was nineteen."

"Where are you now?"

"I live in an orphanage near here, sir. His name is Orphanage of the Rising Sun. It was just a small orphanage" Daniel replied.

"What have you been working for?" Mr. Suherman still asks questions.

Celine, who came in with four cups of coffee, interrupted their conversation for a minute. Mr. Suherman did not take his eyes off Daniel for a second. As Valeda expected, he was researching Daniel.

"I work odd jobs" replied Daniel calmly. He doesn't seem intimidated at all by Valeda's parents. "There's not much a high school graduate can do like me. I run a vegetable garden in the orphanage yard, then distribute it to restaurants every week."

"That's all?" search Mr. Suherman.

Daniel shakes. "I sew small dolls for a container, wash dishes at five-star restaurants every Saturday and Sunday, sometimes receiving private lessons on the eve of exams."

"With your work like that, you don't look ashamed to be next to our daughter" commented Mr. Suherman.

"Of course not" Daniel replied with a smile. "My job is not an unlawful job. After all, I supported sixteen orphanage children with it. I should be proud, not ashamed."

Valeda could not help but look in admiration, hearing what Daniel said. Unknowingly, a small smile flashed on his red lips.

***