FORBIDDEN TO FALL IN LOVE

3. First Date

I don't know how many times Valeda sighed for today. As long as he lives, only this time Valeda feels lazy to live the day.

"Why, Val?" Celine, who had realized her best friend was not excited since this morning, began to ask. He's been holding back that question ever since they were in the car heading to the office this morning. "I guess, it's not an office problem" said Celine.

"Well... It's not an office matter" replied Valeda lazily. He finished his hospital and new mall yesterday. This time, it was a matter that he wanted to avoid.

"ah! I know!" celine suddenly. "Your date, huh?"

Valeda sneered at Celine who looked overjoyed for guessing correctly. "You're the one who left, there! Who knows if it fits."

"Hmm, I'm frying with Mrs Emely tomorrow" Celine said, though she would replace Valeda for a blind date. Celine can confirm, if the candidates chosen by Mrs Emely must be top class all.

"Pengen ran away.." lamented Valeda.

"Patience, Val," Celine gave advice. "You try to come first. Enjoy your dinner. Don't think that you should accept the nominee chosen by Mrs Emely. Just think about it if you are looking for a relationship. Relax a little more, Val."

Valeda took another deep breath. Her stomach became completely full just by thinking about how to have dinner with her mother's chosen man.

"Later tonight let me drive Miss Val to the dinner site" Kris responded from the steering wheel.

"You just rest, Kris," said Valeda. "I can take a taxi."

"Let Kris drive you, Val," said Celine. "At least, Kris can pretend there's an urgent situation and get you out of there."

Valeda. "I can run away on my own if I have to."

Celine glanced at Kris from the rearview of the car. Kris simply answered him by raising an eyebrow. If Valeda had decided on something, it would not be inviolable anymore. So, they just let this boss do what he thinks is necessary.

Valeda arrived at her apartment an hour before the evening grave hour that Mrs Emely told her this morning. He still had time to clean up and change his clothes.

But, that's not what he did. Valeda chose to sit back and unwind on the sofa of his favorite reading room. He decides to come in late on his first date, no matter what his interlocutor thinks.

Valeda checked his smartphone. See if there's any important e-mails he missed today.

"The new doctor's order with a fake izasah is in order" Valeda read his first e-mail today. He was satisfied after successfully uncovering the fraud of one of his prospective hospital employees. Valeda opened a second e-mail. "Soft opening mall will be done next month" he murmured. "That was also prepared by Celine."

No new e-mails are important anymore, other than the reports from Celine. Valeda hoped he could linger for a long time, but it seemed impossible. If he closed his eyes now, he would sleep until the next day. Then, if the man reports to Mrs Emely about Valeda not keeping her dinner promises, it will be a disaster for Valeda.

"That's it!" Valeda got up from his seat. She walked to the bathroom to clean herself and change into appropriate clothes for dinner.

She would not dress up too pretty to impress the man. After all, Valeda had no intention of a second or third meeting. Just once was enough for Valeda to be kind enough to waste her time.

Valeda came down to the lobby with heavy steps. Ten minutes from the time of the agreement. Valeda is getting lazy.

"Miss, the booked taxi is already ahead" said the bellboy, who wears the Abrah name.

Abrah nodded awkwardly. "Yes, Miss," he replied calmly.

"Replace the retired Mr Braham?" Valeda realizes there are similarities between Abrah and Braham-bellboy before.

Abrah smiled broadly at the name Mr. Braham was called. "That's my father, Miss," he replied in a proud tone.

Valeda smiled at how Abrah was proud of his father. Indeed Abrah should be proud, Valeda himself likes the friendly and hardworking Mr. Braham. Mr. Braham has never let Valeda down before.

Valeda took out three hundred thousand pieces of money and immediately slipped them into Abrah's pocket. "Buy some good food for Mr. Braham" Valeda said.

"Te-thank you, Miss Valeda," Abrah bowed in thanks.

Valeda straightened Abrah's body back up. "Not bend too deeply. Our status is the same. I just have more fortune. I should've shared it with people who were sincere in helping me" Valeda patted Abrah on the shoulder.

Abrah smiled happily with tears at the end of her eyes. He was so grateful to be working in his father's place. His exhaustion paid off by having apartment dwellers like Valeda.

"I'm leaving. Happy work, Abrah," said Valeda.

"Be careful on the road, Miss Valeda!" abrah exclaimed as Valeda's footsteps left the lobby.

Valeda got into the taxi Abrah had ordered. After giving the address of the restaurant ordered by Mrs Emely, the taxi drove through the crowded city streets.

Valeda threw his gaze out the car window. The night came with a crowd on Friday as usual. Many people gather with friends to close their work week. Valeda suddenly came to his senses, the last time he had gathered with his schoolmates.

'It's been a long time, ' Inner Valeda. He regretted the time he had passed without many friends around him. He knew he was too ambitious. Valeda wants to be at the top as soon as possible. That doesn't make him have many friends.

After a short drive to the restaurant, Valeda reluctantly entered and immediately looked for the table that Mrs Emely had ordered.

The restaurant is classic. Magnificent but looks simple with all the vintage decorations in every corner. The music of the violin dominates the room, accompanied by a soft piano chant. Live music is often in fancy restaurants.

The comfort that the restaurant served when opening the entrance, was not able to raise Valeda's mood. She still has no interest in this blind date.

"Please, Miss," a maid who had greeted Valeda at the front desk, invited Valeda to sit at a table decorated with red roses.

The man sitting across the table, raised his face when Valeda appeared. The man was quite handsome, according to Valeda. His hair was neatly combed back and he was wearing a black suit that wrapped his strapping body. Her skin was smooth and bright, like a monk from a famous Mandarin movie.

"Good night, I'm Valeda" Valeda said before sitting down. "Am I late?" Valeda tried to make small talk, but realized he was too late.

"Because this is our first meeting, I forgive your delay, Young Miss," the man replied.

"Hm? I'm not sorry" Valeda replied.

***