Forced Mate

Precious Thing Ever (part 1)

Ayu could only stare in amazement at the castle-like house, not to mention the luxurious cars parked in the courtyard and the open garage. Also with a very beautiful home interior.

Ayu's eyes were fixed on the family photo framed with a large golden frame. He knew the figure in that frame. Just as Ayu said it couldn't be long, Alex said casually that it was okay.

"Look, right. Who would be upset if you didn't get to work today."

Ayu only smiled briefly. The portrait of the happy family is the portrait of the owner of the company where Ayu works, Mr. Yunus Barata. Despite not serving as CEO, Mr. Barata is the highest shareholder in the culinary company.

Ayu has absolutely no idea what Mr. Barata's relationship with Alex is. Definitely not a son and father, because Alex's father was Australian. He guessed that it was possible that Alex's mother was a brother or still a close family of Mr. Jonah.

"What are we doing here?" ayu asked puzzledly, because if he really wanted to meet Alex's mother, shouldn't he have visited her residence in person?

"To meet Mami, right."

"Yes, but why at Mr. Barata's?"

Ayu's hand held by Alex gasped softly, as the man suddenly stopped while Ayu continued to step up.

"You know Marissa Helena?" Alex asked back.

Ayu nodded slowly. Of course she knows Marissa Helena, a singer with a melodious voice and very much Ayu admires her beauty. In addition, she is also the wife of Mr. Barata, Ayu's big boss in the company.

"Well, he's the one we're going to meet," Alex said, leaving Ayu stunned.

***

Ayu's gaze could not yet shift from the figure of the woman sitting in front of her. She's Marissa Helena, an idol since the '80s who is still charming at the age of half a century. No wonder Alex's face looked so beautiful.

"I don't know what to say, Alex never introduced a single woman, and suddenly she brought a wife home" Marissa said with a small smile on both corners of her lips.

Ayu met awkwardly with her in-laws. They just said each other's names.

"Have you met Alex's father?" Marissa asked Ayu.

"Which one? Mr Bara?" I asked back with doubt.

Ayu glanced at Alex who was just sitting as if he did not care about the conversation between himself and Marissa.

The small sound of Marissa's melt made Ayu focus on the woman. "I mean the Daddy." Marissa then corrected, "or both."

Ayu nodded at a glance. " If Pak Bara ever. I'm at Pak Yunus's Pizza restaurant. If Mr. Jones has never."

Marissa sneered at Alex. "He didn't even put you on me first, it's impossible he told his Daddy, too" Marissa said.

"It's not Alex's fault, it's our decision, too." Ayu answered kindly.

"Stay, parents' blessing is important." Marissa insists.

Ayu's smile slowly disappeared. Her heart melted hearing Marissa's words. She draws the conclusion that Marissa did not approve of her marriage to Alex. Despite being married to Alex by force, she feels hurt to hear Marissa's confession.

"Mommy!" reprimanding Alex immediately saw the mimic Ayu changed.

The awakened Marissa had made Ayu disheartened instantly to correct, her hands swaying in the air. "No! That doesn't mean Mami doesn't approve of you."

Marissa grabbed Ayu's hand that was on the table. " Beautiful, of course I like you as my man. Alex is a picky type, especially when it comes to wives, I believe Alex's choices are never wrong."

Ayu returned Marissa's smile, while in her heart she felt guilty. Ayu is not Alex's choice, she just happens to get Alex stuck with no other choice.

"Are you guys going to have a reception?" Marissa kept asking.

The confused Ayu did not know what to answer just fell silent. She secretly stomped on Alex's feet as a signal for the man to help her answer.

Marissa shook her head slowly, distrusting her hearing.

"Well, you have an older brother?"

"Yes, there is," Ayu replied as she nodded.

"Mami don't mind if Alex is beaten until battered later that night" Marissa said furiously.

Ayu and Marissa chuckled softly.

They continued at the dinner table to eat lunch. At the table also followed Reina and Reihan.

Ayu began to observe one by one Alex family members. Reihan and Reina, including the cheerful and loving children of the family, can be seen from how the two children kissed Marissa's cheeks. They also chatted casually, but not with Alex.

Ayu's gaze turned to Alex who was sitting beside her. Alex's face was very different from his usual. Alex is always ignorant and smiles as if lost. Although sometimes his lips turned back when answering Reina or Reihan's questions, but his smile was different, his jaw seemed to harden so that it was more rigid. It was as if he was holding something heavy.

"I often see a picture of Kak Ayu on Instagram Kak Tamara," said Reina excitedly, "I always say that Kak Ayu is beautiful, it turns out to be my sister-in-law." Reina continued.

Marissa took her eyes off the plate on Ayu. "oh, so you're Tamara's friend too?"

Ayu nodded and agreed. The introduction in the middle room was not detailed, so he and Alex did not mention the name Tamara who had a little bit of a hand in his meeting with Alex.

"We're college friends" Ayu replied.

"Geez, who's Karin's friend too?" marissa asked but didn't expect an answer, "i used to look at the photos of the three of you, but I looked at the originals." Marissa praised.

Reina added, "he, Ayu's sister is so beautiful."

Reihan is moving toward Alex. "suitable with Alex, right."

Ayu's face met to hear the compliments made to her. However, he could not smile as usual. Ayu felt sad every time she saw Alex's face.

***

Ayu returns to her routine in her study. He returns to the office after his return from Marissa's house, Alex's mother. Along the way Alex was more silent and talked as necessary when in the car earlier. That got Ayu thinking. Before they get to the house, Alex is fine. Suddenly the man became gloomy.

Unfortunately, Alex's depression affects Ayu. He couldn't concentrate and kept thinking about Alex's circumstances. He continued to stare at HP and thought of contacting the man, but the prestige restrained him. Of course, what would he say if he called Alex, Alex would tease him.

Impatiently Ayu waited for the short hand of the clock to point to the number 5. Actually Ayu never came home on time, she always overtime a few hours. He's home at 7 p.m. Having to take care of her marriage to Alex, for this week she will always come home early.

Ayu grabs HP and contacts Alex as she feels there is already a reason to call the man.

"You're on your way, aren't you?" ask Ayu.

"She, it's in the cafe downstairs."

"Okay, wait! I'm down now."

Ayu made a small run towards the elevator after seeing the numbers on the small screen of the elevator that had already almost reached the floor where she was. Can't wait for him to push the arrow down. Honey, the elevator had to take her up first, so she had to wait again. Though, he can't wait to get downstairs and make sure Alex is okay.

Hearing from Alex's answer on HP earlier, his voice was not as usual. He only knows Alex, but maybe because Ayu is sensitive or carrying the baby he is carrying so Ayu knows that Alex is not okay.

****

I came again 😊

This part is a bit short, because ask for next so makeshift, yes. Miyanhaeyo! 🤩