My Choice of Woman

Episode 53

The storm still enveloped Numa City. The raindrops were boisterous with rumbling that was still earthy. Maybe the state of Numa City is cold, gripping and frightening. But not for Ray. He was enjoying the warm atmosphere of spring which makes sakura bloom.

Ray really likes to see Farah who is chattering, he hopes that time does not pass quickly.

“It turns out this bookstore is close to the famous tourist forest,” said Farah. He was looking at the iconic tourist forest of Numa City from behind the window of this bookstore.

“This bookstore is indeed built facing directly with eastern forest tourism. If you want to get into the forest, you can get a ticket there. South of it,” replied Ray.

“One day I want to visit there.” Farah pointed her hand towards that forest tour.

Ray smiled.

I hope that I who accompany you walk hand in hand to climb every inch of the forest.

Ramdan the bookstore keeper brought a tray of pastries. He puts it in the middle of the table between Ray and Farah.

“Please pack Ray,” Ramdan said.

“Thank you,” replied Ray.

Ray invites Farah to take the cake first. Farah smiled, she took one of the cookies and ate it.

Ray likes to see the smiling Farah receiving food from him.

“It looks like the bookstore keeper knows you very well Ray, are you a loyal customer in this bookstore?”

Ray chuckles. “This bookstore is mine.”

Farah's eyes were round, she was still trying to digest Ray's answer.

“Means you like to read Ray's book?” ask Farah.

Ray shakes. “I don't like that boring activity.”

“Then, why did you build this bookstore?”

“Store, this was built when I became the owner of that construction company. Don't assume this is a branch of my company, no. I built this shop is part of my past.”

Farah listened carefully to Ray's explanation.

It seems like this bookstore means a lot to Ray.

“This bookstore is cool. I love reading books,” said Farah.

Ray jerks. Why are you the same as Anne?

Ray still remembers the reason why he built this bookstore. Her past. He still dwells on memories he cannot afford to destroy.

***

Ray was tired of walking after the woman who was choosing her reading book. He was a little upset as to why he had agreed to the invitation from his friend's sister.

“Are these books not enough?” asked Ray with a face. He was carrying a basket containing thick books.

“Not Ray, that's seven books. Less than three more books,” replied Anneline.

“It looks like you should have your own bookstore,” Ray said.

Anneline looked at Ray, she brought her face as close to Ray as possible.

“I want you to wake up that bookstore for me.” Anneline turned around and continued picking the books that were on the shelf.

Ray was glued to see Anneline's approaching face. His heart was beating fast. His blood flowed rapidly filling every cavity of the vessels residing in his body. Ray tried to smile, his eyes recording all of Anneline's movements.

Anneline looked at Ray who was still fixated not moving a single moment. Anneline looked at him confused.

“Why is your face flushed Ray?” ask Anneline who noticed the red spots on Ray's face.

“Nothing,” call Ray.

Anneline laughed revealing her neat and white teeth. Ray likes a distinctive style of laughter. For the first time, Ray wants to give his whole heart to a woman named Anneline.

Every night Ray always wished Agara Anneline to harbor his heart. Until a few days before Anneline's birthday, she had prepared a gift. On that day he will express his feelings to Anneline.

Ray had bought a large white teddy bear as per Anneline's wishes while shopping together. He bought a doll from part-time money at one of the restaurants for a few days.

But all in vain. Free. The day that Anneline's birthday turns into a day of pain for Ray. He witnessed how Anneline prefers Ilham's cake to the gift he brought.

“Ray, view.” Anneline shows a person sitting by the pool behind Anneline's house.

“That's a heart-soothing ice man, ” Anneline smiled. “Today he has expressed love for me. And I received it.”

At once Ray felt he was plunging in very cold water. Freeze. Painfulness. He heard himself how Anneline told him. Seen from the look of Anneline's face that met golden orange. Anneline was pleased.

From then on, Ray wants to kill his feelings for Anneline. He became a robot manusa who did not know the word tired. Until one day, he became the owner of the largest construction company. You could say this is the result of years of pain. He became a very arrogant human being and could even become as evil as a demon. Ray loves to fuck the girls he meets at the nightclub. But when he meets Farah, he wants to change his bad habits.

Ray built this bookstore on the grounds that one day Anneline would stop by this store. But, baby, that was impossible.

***

“Ray? You okay?” asked Farah who saw Ray pensively daydream. I don't know what he's thinking.

Ray quickly shook his head, a sign he felt ‘nothing”. Just now he was nostalgic for the pieces of his past.

Right now I have a new dream, picking up the future with Farah and leaving the past with Anneline behind.

“Ray, after this storm is over, can I go home?” ask Farah.

“Iya,” Ray smiled.

***

Akmal has sent some videos from CCTV to Ilham. In the video, it features an incident on the second floor, where Ray offers money to Farah to accompany her to drink a cappucino. Akmal also sent a message with a slight tone of threat.

[Your wife is in danger]

That way, Akmal believes Ilham will soon return to the City of Milepolis.

“Go home sir, I don't want to make any more lies,” Akmal mutter.