Mr. Hephephobias

CHAPTER 23 - The Way of My Life is Mine

The day began in the afternoon, Lucia prepared to continue working at the Cafe departing from Villa Rayn. Today it was too late to go to the cafe. This is because he is waiting for furniture people to finish their work. It was not Lucia's job to wait for them to finish, she could just leave. However, Lucia is worried about having to leave Rayn alone with a stranger at Villa.

Along the way Lucia saw several people doing project work in the Villa Rayn area. He was very curious about what they were doing. But because it was very late, he just kept going and increasingly increasing the speed of the bike.

Arriving at the Cafe, Lucia feels very guilty to Vhia for arriving late. Vhia is an employee as senior as she is. And this is the first day Vhia returns to work after taking a vacation break.

“Hai Vhia, sorry I'm late. How about your cut?” sapa Lucia apologized.

Vhia with a face not happy to sneer at him, he felt annoyed at not being able to go home on time because Lucia came late. "Is it because I took a long holiday, you deliberately did it” he said.

“Ahhh don't talk like that, I'm sorry. Tomorrow I'll come early and you can go home early as well instead.” Lucia tries to seduce Vhia not to get angry at her.

“Don't overreact, a little late shouldn't be a problem. After all also run out of long holidays.” said Dave made Vhia even more furious.

“Children like you don't need to talk much, just take care of your boyfriend who has been sitting there for a few hours. If you just want to calm down studying instead of going to the Cafe, but just go to the library or stay at home” chirped Vhia getting upset.

“Didn't Brother Vhia just complain about wanting to go home fast, why is it still here to fuss over others?” dave asked to reply to Vhia.

“Already Dave” said Lucia asked Dave to continue his work. “Dan Vhia, it's my fault. I'm sorry” he told Vhia.

"It's because you spoiled her too much, she got brave against” Vhia snapped while taking off her apron and left. He even went home without saying goodbye still with an annoyed face.

Lucia who knows the character of Vhia is not surprised and accustomed to this situation. However, this time Dave who has always been indifferent does not usually serve Vhia. Vhia is always cynical to other employees. His character who is easily angry and always say spicy makes other employees not so like it.

“Oh yes, did the girl chasing you come again?” ask Lucia to Dave while wearing her apron and looking around the Cafe. Then he smiled after finding a high school girl sitting at the end with a serious face reading to me.

“Aaa..., did not-don't you just get angry because Vhia brought the girl?” fashion Lucy.

“Don't like to associate the no-no” replied Dave who focused on opname stock by rummaging through the contents of the closet.

“You want me to help you say love to her?” lusia asked by leaning her body on the fridge.

“Do I look like someone who is chasing him?” dave asked firmly while closing the book in his hand and then stood looking at Lucia.

“Hahaha, I was just kidding. Don't put on a face like that, scare me. He seems to like you a lot because he always comes when you enter your shift. Either just to see you or to feel like you're always in the same place. It makes me creep” further seductive Lucia.

Suddenly Lucia's phone shook, a call coming in from Kelvin made her answer the call quickly. Because Kelvin is his boss after all.

“What did David say was right?” kelvin asked without saying hello.

“About?” ask back to Lucia who does not understand what Kelvin is asking.

“About you quit the florist, about you moving out soon. About you working and living..” said Kelvin with a higher tone. Not until he finished his words Lucia had already cut.

“Everything we can talk about later, you know I'm working on it right now. There's a customer, I turn off the phone. I'll see you tonight" said Lucia cut off Kelvin's words.

Hearing Lusia turn off the phone, Kelvin closed his eyes for a moment then took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. He was staring at the cctv Cafe screen right in the area where Lucia is now. Kelvin knew that Lucia just wanted to avoid him now, because there were currently no visitors she had to serve.

“What's wrong with me, I can't even explain it by phone. So, how can I deal with it directly later” he said by tapping his head repeatedly to the cashier monitor screen. Dave who saw it immediately quickly held onto Lucia's head with his palm. Lucia was awakened after feeling her head land on Dave's palm.

“Oh sorry“ said Lusia in a lethargic voice.

Dave shows his attention by getting Lusia some drinking water to clear her mind. Suddenly it was heard someone opening the door of the Cafe and closing it violently. This attracted the attention of other visitors including Lucia and Dave. The girl who came for Dave left the cafe all of a sudden.

Lucia asks Dave to go after her, as he feels like the girl named Nara is upset to see Dave's treatment of Lucia.

“What am I chasing after, anyway good if it can make him stop teasing me” replied Dave briefly.

“Do not like that. I don't want to be a bridge to your misunderstanding. Being a third person because it is misunderstood it hurts the price of iriku” said Lusia dramatizing the situation.

Not long after the girl returned to memorize Lucia and Dave who were still talking about it. “Kak Lucia...” shouted.

“Yah..?” ask Lucia.

“I accept it because you're the one who's always been nice to him. But, I would be very angry if it was another girl. So, help me keep an eye on him. Don't let him do it to another girl” he said full of assertiveness silencing Lusia.

“And you, I will always watch over you” he told Dave full of threats by giving the insight symbol with both fingers and then leave. Dave just quietly sighed a short sigh staring him away.

“Wah, this is just him. Don't you feel like it's so cool?. He dared to threaten me as if he wanted to say you were his. But wait, did you hear him mention my name?. How does he know, I've seen him tail you for a long time, but we've never introduced ourselves” asked Lucy to Dave.

“And how does he know I'm good to you?” ask Lucia in wonder.

“But I like his persistence” said Lucia smiled. Dave just shook his head.

***

Reisa makes a video call with Lucia during Lucia's break. He tells Lucia that David has asked people from the restaurant to arrange a BBQ party later tonight. Kelvin agreed too. He is currently shopping for new equipment that Lucia might need during her stay at the Villa.

"Look at this slipper is very funny isn't it, did we buy a pair?” ask Reisa in a Video call.

“You don't need to bother, I can bring some of my old stuff” Lucia replied.

“Cannot! Let it stay there. Didn't you say you'd still get a weekend off. So, what are you bringing it all for. Don't you want to visit me again?” ask Resia.

“Not so, of course I'll come. But, I'm not sure if you'll miss me?. Or you'd be happy, because without me there you'd have more opportunities with her, wouldn't you?. Don't you also be looking for some new needs for her stay?” ledek Lucia.

“Hei..., where possible!” reisa shouted in embarrassment. Lucia just laughed at the reaction of her best friend.

“If he doesn't want to buy me, I can prepare it myself” said David approached and showed the new Boxer in his hand to Reisa. A very embarrassed Reisa immediately took it violently then hit David and told him to leave. “Are you crazy...!” his yell.

“Hahaha, look out for you dare to assort” said Lucia with a laugh. He has memorized death if David always likes to tease Reisa.

“Oh yes about Kevin, I do not know how to discuss it later with him” cut Lucia.

“Lussia, it's not your fault if you don't accept her love. I know, because you appreciate it so much, it's complicated for you. If you are absolutely sure there is no special feeling for him, then say it with confidence. It won't hurt him. Your doubts later will actually be the hope for him. But, are you sure of how you feel about her?” ask Reisa.

“Eemm” replied Lusia lowered.

***

Tonight they start a bbq party on time. Dave was preoccupied with burning a few bbq skewers. While David is busy helping Reisa cut the fruit.

Kelvin from earlier was just sitting in the chair looking at their excitement. Lucia approached him with some of Dave's grill produce for Kelvin. Lucia hesitantly slowly sat down in front of Kelvin by offering the food he brought. “Eat some” he said softly.

“For so long I was just waiting for you to tell me first, whatever it was. But this time, I thought it would always end the same. You will never open yourself to me, therefore now I will ask”, said Kelvin straightened his shoulders looking seriously at Lucia.

"Why didn't you tell me about the situation you were in? All the things they know but I don't know” asked Kelvin.

"But what I want to tell you this time seems like you already know" Lucia replied.

“Lussia, are you sure what you're doing? Even I still remember clearly how scared you were at that time” said Kelvin in a high tone.

Reisa who heard him wanted to come over to help Lucia explain. But David restrained and forbade him. “They have to finish it by themselves” said David asked Reisa to continue cutting the fruit.

“I can accept if for some reason you are forced to accept the job. But not by staying there” said Kelvin.

“Why? Why do you think I should? And why can't you take it?” ask Lucia firmly.

Seeing Kelvin not answering, Lucia continued her words carefully. “I know you worry about me a lot. But you're wrong if I always have to consider whether or not you'll allow it. In the end, I am the one who will live it. The decision is mine and I cannot continue to rely on others to guide me. I really appreciate your feelings. But, I hope your worries are not excessive so it makes it difficult for me to confidently choose my path.

Kelvin just silently stared at Lucia. He realized that what Lucia said was true. It's just that he felt, if all this time he was too stupid just by standing still and waiting.

“You once said to me when I only fought for my family. You asked me, if once in my life try to open the door of happiness for myself.” Lucia ventured to finish her sentence by clenching her hands on her lap.

“It's time I did it” he continued firmly staring at Kelvin.

*** To Be Continued***

Hello loyal readers Rayn & Lusia 👋😃

✅ Please click FAVORITE to keep updating next CHAPTER well..

❤ Give Your Like just by clicking Like on the symbol Love, FREE 😍

📝Complete Author's account with your COMMENTS in each of its CHAPTERS. (your suggestions can also be an inspiration for Author stories).

🎀 PLEASE GIVE VOTE on this work to be more Up Up and Up again by the platform.

Thank you for all the support 🙆