LOVE THE EXPATRIATE

16. Mega Mendung Romanticism

With Google Maps guidance, Edward steered his car out of the city towards the southeast. The watch in the man's hand showed at 16:45 WIB as they entered the toll gate. Besides, Mikaila was lazily leaning on the seat, while busy browsing on her car. They plan to be refreshing to the Puncak area, Bogor this afternoon.

The woman called him yesterday. He offered Edward to stay in the cool and quiet place, to remove the brain fatigue from the hustle and bustle of Jakarta. Mikaila has an acquaintance of a man who owns several villas for rent there. He had informed his acquaintance that tonight they would rent one of his villas.

“Why did you suddenly take me to stay at the villa, Mikaila?” edward asked when their car was on the highway.

“Today we always meet in a cafe or apartment, Ed. So we need a new atmosphere, don't we?" mikaila said she was still focused on her goal.

“I think all you have in your head is work and work, Mikaila.” said Edward remained focused on the road ahead of him.

“Like the night I called you overtime. You even scolded me who you called interrupting your work. You don't think of me as a friend, trying to remind you not to work too hard.”

“I consider you a friend, Edward.” he said slowly.

“If you consider me a friend why don't you listen to my advice?”

“Who said I didn't follow your advice, Ed? I came to see you that night.” said Mikaila turned to Edward.

The man was flabbergasted.

“What?! You came to Khayangan Club that night?”

“Ya!” mikaila answered briefly.

“You know, Ed? After you hung up the phone, I realized that I've been a stupid human being who's risked his life for money. That's why I packed up and followed you to the cafe. I did it solely to honor you as my friend.”

“But why didn't you see me?”

“For what else? As I was about to approach you, I saw a beautiful woman greeting and sitting beside you. And it looks like you're waiting for him.”

Mikaila paused for a moment, to then resume her words.

“So I thought why else meet you because there has been someone accompanying you? That's why I went straight away.”

Edward was stunned to hear the woman's explanation. It's just a misunderstanding, he said in his heart.

“Dia Anjani, model who became brand ambassador Zafora.”

“Then what do I care who he is?”

“You should have told me right away if you were coming. So I can cancel an appointment with him.”

“It's not like that how to treat a woman, Ed. It's the same as disappointing him.”

“But finally you yourself are disappointed, Mikaila.”

“What did you say, Ed? I'm disappointed?” ask Mikaila to look.

Mikaila laughed so hard that her shoulders were shaken in the seat. Edward was upset that he felt serious about being laughed at by the woman.

“Listen yes. I don't care if you're dating anyone, Ed. You know I've said it before?”

The man tried to clarify.

“Actually that night I made an appointment with my assistant drinking together to celebrate our project. Suddenly, he canceled an appointment. It just so happened that Anjani called and asked me where. He volunteered to accompany me after finding out I was alone. That's it.”

“As a planned coincidence. You don't realize there's something weird, Ed?”

“What do I care?” edward did not respond to Mikaila's words.

“But you shouldn't have left that night, Mikaila. Can't you join us.”

I'm so sorry, Ed. I'm not a typical woman who likes to share. I'm not a fan of threesomes while making love.” he said sneering.

“What do you mean, Mikaila?” Edward glared at the woman beside him.

“You think we did what after from that place?”

“Who believes you're doing nothing?” mikaila said with a relaxed smiling face so that there was no impression she was jealous.

Now replace the face of Edward who pouted to hear his words. There's no point in that guy twitching because Mikaila still won't believe it. The woman seemed to have understood how her nature and habits.

If you had been there that night, there would have been nothing between me and Anjani. Edward said in his heart.

It was dusk when Edward's car arrived at the villa. The two-story building is located on a hilltop filled with tea gardens. Several pine trees grew around the building. At the foot of the hill there is a lake whose water surface reflects a reddish-orange twilight light.

In front of the villa a young man was waiting for Edward and Mikaila. He opened the door and took them both in. The building has many glass windows in each room so that residents can enjoy the beauty of the place not only from the living room, but also from the bedroom or kitchen. After handing over the keys of the villa, the male guard immediately resigned.

“As long as I am in Jakarta, I occasionally stay here if the mind is tangled and need calm.” said Mikaila put her body on the bed.

“I think only cigarettes and vodka can straighten your tangled mind.” replied Edward jokingly as he joined his body beside the woman.

“I'm hungry Ed. We're looking for food yuk.” Suddenly Mikaila woke up from her fall.

“There are many stalls selling bandrek and bajigur in this area. And roasted corn. You must be wondering what that drink was.”

With laziness Edward also woke up and grabbed the car keys on the nightstand.

Their car finally stopped at a simple stall that was not too big but looked clean and tidy. Some visitors were sitting in the shop. Two of the men look European like them. They seem to be tourists.

Edward ordered two large glasses of bajigur, a plate of grilled corn, as well as two servings of grilled chicken and two servings of rice. After a few months of living in Indonesia, the man was addicted to rice. The cold Peak air made them eat voraciously.