Home For My Soul

87|Not Surrender

“Ah, good afternoon, Sir.” The woman in the room with me sounded surprised. “What can I help you with?”

Norman who entered our room turned to me before seeing his secretary again. “No. You can go home.”

“Good, Sir. See you Monday,” said the woman politely.

He was lucky to be home on time. I was given a pile of work that was never finished. The thing that Mas Norman did was because I rejected his feelings. But I did not protest and pretended not to know this was the result of his actions.

“You can stop. It's your last day, I won't let you overtime.”.

Things I am glad to do of course. I immediately closed all the application windows, then turned off the computer. After tidying up the table and collecting the rest of the personal items into a small box, I stood up.

“Sini, I help.” He stretched out his hand, intending to take the box away from me.

“No.” I kept that thing away from him. “I can bring it myself.”

“Your boyfriend forbids you close to other men, huh?” guess it.

“Does anyone like to see the person he loves close to the opposite sex?”

“Good, you're right.” He laughed while walking by my side.

I stopped my steps. “Mas, I beg you. I want to live my last day in peace. If Mas walks with me up to the lobby, people will hate me even more.” I looked at him seriously.

“You will not be able to manage how others behave and judge you, Amarylis. Even if you avoid gossip by keeping an attitude, there will always be your shortcomings that they discuss.”

“I beg,” tukasku.

“You avoid me, not worry about those people,” he said suspiciously. “If you think I will give up just because you already like someone else, you are wrong. I won't budge before fighting.”

“That's right Mas.” I lowered my head, then walked to the elevator.

The HRD division has already given me a letter, so I don't have to deal with him anymore. I'm very calm there's no need to go back to this hotel. I was also free from the cynical gazes of the employees who did not stop talking about me when I was near them.

I use the weekend to get ready for college. I drafted the official clothes and books I would need during my tutelage with the lecturer. I just finished processing the data, so I need to see the man before moving on to the next chapter.

My phone didn't stop shaking because of Matt and Brother Jericho, but I ignored them. Is there anyone else they can take a walk with? Matt is not sensitive at all. Me and Theo have broken up, why is he still friends with me?

But one call came in I had to accept. He asked to meet, surprising me. He didn't say why, but I was polite by fulfilling his request. Maybe this has something to do with me and Theo.

“This.” He swiped a white envelope at me. “Number is enough for you to buy a house or anything you want.”

I frowned looking at him. Did he give me a check? “Sorry, Aunt. I don't understand.” Why did he give me money?

“Theo threatened not to be able to replace his papa because of the scandal with you. The shareholders protested because his reputation was ruined because of you. Please, stay away from Theo. Otherwise, what happens to your family will be worse than that,” he threatened.

“That's the first warning. You just choose, your family or Theo.” He put on a serious face. “I never give empty threats. So, don't make me reckless, Amaryllis.”

“I think Aunt is an honorable person. I never expected Auntie would use this lowly way to get rid of others. Aunt is mad at me, I'm the one Aunt hurt. Don't my family have nothing to do with all this.”

“I will do anything to protect my children, no matter if I have to break the law. After all, which law can touch me? Do you have any proof I'm the culprit?” his challenge. “Decide Theo, then your family will I release.”

Bizarrely. Did he not know me and his son had broken up? Theo never even saw me or called me again. Then why is he still asking me to stay away from him? It is fitting that he involve the Amaryllis family. He thinks we're still together.

“You don't have to see my son anymore. Just give me the ring. You can disconnect him by message or phone, I don't care. It is time for the will to be given to more entitled women.” He extended his hand.

Oh. This is why he doesn't know we broke up. I intended to return it to Theo, but he did not read or reply to my message. Since he gave it to me, it would be more ethical if I returned it to the giver.

“Sorry, Aunt. I can't accept this money.” I swiped the envelope back at him.

“You seriously love Theo? If so, do you see him destroyed? He almost lost his inheritance because of you. If he continues to be reported badly, then it is just a matter of time for shareholders to appoint someone else to replace my husband later,” he said frustrated.

“I can't believe you're not only approaching Theo, but Norman as well. Nancy seems to like you, why not focus on them and let go of my son? We're not like their families who don't care about Norman's wife-to-be status. So, just choose them.

“Because I'm serious about what I said to you. I won't let you and Theo get married. Even if I die, I will block your intentions from the realm of death.” He spoke with fiery eyes.

I noticed eye gazes, mouth movements, even veins on her neck as she spoke. How strange. Aunt Ruth seems to hate me. What was my fault with him until he got this way? Could it be that Chika provoked him just like she did to Mama Katelia?

“Theo says her grandmother's legacy ring was passed down for generations to the daughter-in-law of the main heir. Why is this precious ring on Theo, not Auntie?” I finally had a chance to ask about the awkwardness.

“My dealings with my in-laws are none of your business. I'm asking you to talk so you stay away from Theo and let him live a quiet life. Quickly, give the ring back,” his insistence.

“Sorry, Aunt. Only Theo can pull his ring from me.”

What is Theo thinking? Is it possible that he was just an emotion so as to say the word break up? Why didn't he ask for this ring from me? My message about this gift was not even understood. His parents didn't know we were over.

But I don't want to hope he still wants us together. His silence was already a sign to me. He's the kind of guy who pays attention to people he loves. Even if he's busy, he'll take the time to reply to my message. This time, no.

In order to avoid unnecessary fighting, I finished my food and drink to be able to leave Aunt Ruth alone. He didn't stop asking for the ring. Even though Theo and I are no longer together, I would not have seen this ring on Chika without the man's permission.

Just thinking about that cunning former friend, I saw him walking quickly in front of me as I turned. Maybe he and Aunt Ruth made a deal at this mall. That's what I thought at first before he acted strangely by looking to the left right in a suspicious manner.

My curiosity was tingled, so I followed him carefully. He entered a cafe, then I followed him with my eyes. The waiter on guard greeted me kindly, but I just smiled at him.

“Sorry, table for how many people?” ask the young lady again.

I had to look at him and answer one person. Then I looked back at Chika who was already sitting in the corner of the special room. But I can see him from the glass of the separation wall. There was someone waiting for him there. That man is not Aunt Ruth.