Paper Dove

CURIOUS ABOUT THE DISSIDENT

Jeni sat opposite me at the dinner table. He stared at his plate as if he could not believe I was taking him to lunch together. 

"Eat, I don't want you to faint because you don't eat lunch" I chewed on my chunks. 

" Okay", he replied casually. 

I smiled a little at the answer I wanted. 

" After eating can I go home?", Jeni asked as she cut the meat into small pieces.

" Yes, Doni will take you home" I replied briefly.

" No need, I brought my own car" he replied. 

"OKAY. Don't forget your morning duties. Tomorrow you don't have to linger here because I'm going to work in the office. Arrive before 9am. I don't like people who aren't on time ", I command. 

" Hmmm", he answered briefly because he was busy chewing.

I noticed, this woman was only momentarily suspicious of others after that it seemed like all her suspicions disappeared just like that and was immediately comfortable with the circumstances. I shook my head. 

"Are you always like this?", I asked him. 

" What?".

" Will be comfortable in all situations?".

" no. I am the type who is always vigilant", she replied calmly making me laugh.

" How could an ever-vigilant person sleep in the house of the one who threatened him?", I looked at him in wonder. 

Jeni looked back at me with her amber eyes "Are you going to hurt a weak woman like me?", she asked back.

" ha weak? I have no intention of hurting you", I answered honestly.

"Yes, I can see it in your eyes. Although you were rude to me, but I know you will not kill me", he answered boldly.

Jeni's honest and bold answer left me unnerved. Which side of the good is visible to him I don't know. If he knew the past that always haunted me, maybe he would immediately run away from me. 

I took a slow breath and again cut the meat on my plate into small pieces. " It depends on your behavior. If you harm me then I will not hesitate to you", I replied coldly. 

He looked at me with a 'don't try' look'. I saw him with his eyebrows raised. While trying hard to hold back my smile that was about to come out from looking at her expression, I said coldly "i'm serious". As much as possible I try to set a flat expression.

No matter what I said, he raised his fork and stabbed my cherry tomatoes on the plate. " You don't like eating this? Let me eat. Good for health", he rambled. 

I saw her a little dumbfounded, the first woman who dared to take food from my plate. Not just once, but twice. All the cherry tomatoes were eaten by him. I'll just shut up to see what he's doing, I'll see to what extent he'll be this brave to me.

" Please ", he pointed his empty glass of juice at me. 

I looked at him in surprise, he raised his eyebrows giving the code to me to pour juice into his glass. I just do what he asks. 

" Have? ", i asked. 

" Yes, I have" he answered happily. 

" It looks like you forgot who you should serve here? ", i reminded him. 

" I remember. I have to serve you, right? I've been with you for lunch. That's part of serving. So now I'm going home. Thanks for a nice lunch today ", Jeni cupped her hands together like praying.

Without waiting for a response from me he immediately stood up and left me who was sitting speechless at the dining table.  I look around the room that feels empty. I realized one thing, only two days he was here it felt like my life was interrupted because of the noise. Why is my response ordinary?. I squeezed the remaining juice in my glass. 

" A fascinating girl", I smiled. 

***

I woke up from my sleep and found her arranging the flowers in the same vase as yesterday. The black roses were thrown in the trash. My minimal knowledge of the meaning of flowers could only stare at her.

" Hey... are you awake?", he greeted me casually without any fear at all.

I noticed "what is this flower?", I asked. 

" It's a carnation flower. The color is very much, especially for you I choose a pale red color", he said confidently. 

" Pale red?", I noticed the flower.

" Yes.pale red", she asserted as she continued to beautify the vase. “ Alright because my task is done, then I say retreat. Happy working, arrogant sir. Have a nice day at the office. Excuse me”, quickly the petite woman turned around and ran out the room door.

I chuckled because of her behavior, I kept looking at her until her back disappeared as the door closed. I looked at the flower carefully, this flower is so beautiful. I picked up my phone and found out the meaning of the pale red carnations. 

I laughed out loud when I found out what it meant from an internet search, the pale red carnations symbolize deep heartache. He really hates me. Knowing our strength was different he showed his hatred through the colors of these flowers. 

" Don" I called.

" Yes sir", replied Doni behind me. 

" Do you know what this flower means?", I pointed to the flower on the table. 

" No sir", Doni took notice of the flower. 

" This flower symbolizes Jeni's heartache and hatred for me", I smiled towards the flower. 

" I'll stop him if you feel disturbed sir", Doni replied softly. 

" Just leave him. Keep an eye on him and let me know if the grandfather is ready to sell his land. We don't have much time", I spoke calmly as I walked out of the room. 

" Good sir", Doni replied obediently. 

While in the car heading to the office I thought of something “ Doni passed by the little thieving florist. I want to see it”, I give the order.

“ Good sir, I will turn back”, Doni replied obediently.

We parked the car a little far from Jeni's florist. I watched it carefully from inside the car. She looked beautiful among the colorful flowers. The way he interacts with his employees is different when he is with me. And what made my forehead shrivel was because he laughed a lot.

"Doni why is he so cheerful? But when in front of me his face was like a burden", I questioned what was really unnecessary.

Doni smiled slightly "Can I give you my opinion sir?", he asked ascertainingly.

" Yes say", I'm waiting.

" It looks like Miss Jeni put up a shield when she's with you, she doesn't want to feel intimidated. It seems like Miss Jeni used to do that in her own house.I saw her crying after you let her go that day sir", Doni spoke at length.

I looked up, looking at him from inside the car. What a bad thing it was in the house until he tried to stand on his own feet. On the day he knelt down, he did not shed any tears. Right, he was trying to look strong in front of the person who was going to oppress him.

"Find out what Jeni's stepmother did to her and report it to me. This girl caught my attention", I gave orders to Doni while still looking at the flower shop.

" Good master will I do", Doni ordered obediently.

"Now we go to the office", my orders are short.

The car drove slowly away from the flower shop area. Leaving the curiosity of a Juan to a woman who looks familiar to him at the first meeting. A woman with beautiful amber eyes, who is able to attract his attention because of his courage and attitude that always goes against a Juan, the holder of the highest caste in the business world.

***