Paying Karma Love

31 Coffee Stains

This morning Audrey woke up earlier than usual. His eyes could no longer be shut, even before the alarm on his phone rang loudly. The shadow of the events that happened last night was still unable to disappear from his mind. Audrey doused her own face with cold water to get her mind clear again. He decides to forget Reiner's kiss and just focus on his job today.

I'll make pancakes for the kids too in the office.

I thought Audrey saw it was too early to go to the office.

He had already finished preparing breakfast for Reiner. Audrey is grateful that there has been no sign of Reiner coming out of her room. He was not looking to meet or be close to Reiner at this time.

Audrey arranged her homemade pancakes in a food box and put them in a bag. After she was done with all her preparations, Audrey saw the incoming message from the online taxi driver she booked. The taxi driver arrived and was waiting for him in front of the apartment. With quick steps, Audrey headed towards the front door. But, his steps stopped when he saw Reiner was sitting on the living room sofa while busy checking his phone.

"That's the first time you left today," Reiner said glancing at Audrey.

"Yes, sir, the breakfast is ready. I leave first," Audrey replied hurriedly pressing the password button to open the door.

Without much ado, Audrey closed the door and left Reiner's apartment. His feelings were very relieved because he managed to avoid Reiner Hilario Bratawijaya.

...****************...

Audrey entered the still quiet finance division room at seven in less than ten minutes. Audrey put her bag on the desk and turned on the laptop. Susan and Karin, who had just arrived, were astonished to see Audrey who had started working so early.

"Morning, Miss Audrey. Diligent very early in the morning has come," said Susan curious.

"Yes, I happened to wake up today. Susan, Karin, I've got pancakes for you guys" Audrey said, taking out the food box she was carrying.

Susan and Karin seemed excited to taste the pancakes that Audrey made.

"Hmmm, delicious Ma'am. Audrey loves to cook. Often to share with us," said Susan enjoying the pancakes she ate.

Susan called Tasya who had just arrived at her desk.

"Tasya, here quickly eat the pancakes before it runs out. Audrey's mom made it. It's delicious."

"Yes, Mom, I want one. I haven't had time for breakfast yet" said Tasya hurriedly picking up a pancake and stuffing it into his mouth.

"Yes, it's really good Mommy."

"What is this, ladies?" said Tristan who suddenly entered among the crowd of girls.

"Tristan, come eat! There is still one pancake. Ma'am Audrey's creation is special for us," Susan said offering pancakes to Tristan.

"Oh by Audrey's mother. Can I have a taste?"

"Of course, Tristan. This is for all of you."

"Thank you, Mother."

Tristan took the remaining pancakes and began to taste them. In an instant, Tristan had already finished the pancakes unceremoniously.

"Where does Tristan feel?" tanya Tasya was curious about Tristan's opinion.

"Excellent delicious. Audrey's mother is indeed a dream wife candidate," replied Tristan grinned.

"Have, have you all praised me for bringing me food every day, right? Come now time for work," Audrey ordered to disperse the crowd.

"Ready, Mom," Tristan said, forming a respectful attitude toward Audrey.

Tasya who saw Tristan's demeanor laughed amusedly and whispered in Audrey's ear.

"Sir, tasya's feeling, Tristan has a heavy crush on Audrey."

"Ah, how could she have a crush on me. I'm older than him" argued Audrey.

"Oh, this ma'am is insensitive. Age is not an obstacle, Mother. After all, Mbak's age is only a difference of two years with Tristan. The artist couple is six years older than the girl. Tristan is handsome, same with Audrey. Thank you, Tristan, Ma'am. If he had a crush on me, I'd have wanted to."

"If you're the one who's her boyfriend, Tristan. I'm working there" said Audrey to stop the provocation from Tasya.

Tasya smiled broadly as she walked away from Audrey.

"Good morning everyone," said Mr. Rizal who hurriedly met Audrey at his desk.

"Audrey, today I have to go to the tax office and have an outside meeting with our auditor consultant. Maybe I didn't go back to the office. Please handle today's meeting with representatives of our prospective investor's bank. His name is Mr. Jacob and Ms. Sylvia. They only ask for first semester financial statements and outstanding statements of accounts receivable the last three months. When all is ready, you leave it to them."

"Okay, sir, I'll hand over the report to them."

"Oh, yes one more Audrey, today Tristan only works half a day in the office. After lunch, Tristan will join the Marketing Manager to survey some of our important customers. He needs to know a lot about the customer and the company's receivables."

"Yes, sir, I understand."

"Well, sir, be careful on the road."

Audrey started her job quickly. For him, working on and checking many reports has been a skill as well as his hobby so far. After a few hours in front of the laptop, Audrey got up from her chair to stretch. He stood up and stepped towards the pantry to get some drinking water. However, suddenly Karin appears from inside the pantry with a cup of hot coffee. Karin walks so fast she doesn't realize she hit Audrey.

"Sorry, Ma'am, Karin accidentally" said Karin panicked to see Audrey's blazer and skirt drenched in coffee.

"It's nothing Karin. But how can I meet a representative from an investor bank in this dirty shirt" Audrey said.

"Let's clean it up inside, Ma'am."

Audrey and Karin rushed into the finance room.

"Mom, why is your shirt so dirty?" tanya and Susan were astonished.

"I accidentally spilled coffee on Audrey's shirt" replied Karin with a guilty face.

Tasya and Susan took as much tissue as possible and tried to clean Audrey's blazer and skirt. But their efforts were in vain.

"Sir, this coffee stain won't go away if it's not washed" Susan said in a panic.

"Yes, but I have to see the bank clerk at one in the afternoon. I don't have a change of clothes, Susan. Somehow their response was to see me like this," Audrey replied in despair.

Tristan who saw there was a commotion immediately approached Audrey.

"What's up, Mommy?"

"Tristan, look at Audrey's dirty mama's shirt all spilled by Karin's coffee. Whereas Ms. Audrey had to represent Mr. Rizal, seeing a bank officer at one noon. Kasian Mbak Audrey," said Tasya concerned.

Tristan looked at Audrey's face that looked confused as well as panicked.

"Relax, Mother, I'll take you to buy a shirt now."

"Tristan, but you have to go after lunch. It's almost twelve o'clock. You can be late" Audrey replied, declining Tristan's offer.

"Just trust me. We'll make it in time."

Having no other choice, Audrey finally accepts Tristan's offer.

"Sorry, Mom, do you mind riding the bike with me?"

"Of course, Tristan. I used to ride a motorcycle taxi first" Audrey said, looking at Tristan's motor sport.

"Alright, Mother then get ready to hug me tight. Because I have to speed to catch up with time."

"Yes.."

Tristan propelled the bike at high speed, so Audrey was forced to hold on to Tristan's body.

They finally arrived at a nearby boutique that sold a collection of office clothes.

"Mother, please choose her dress, I will be faithfully waiting for you."

"Thank you, Tristan. You've helped me" said Audrey sincerely.

Audrey hurriedly chose the clothes she was going to buy.

"Mother, just pick this blazer suit. I'll definitely be pretty wearing it," Tristan said, picking up a red blazer suit with an elegant black combination.

Audrey watched Tristan's choice for a moment and seemed to approve of the young man's choice. Without wasting any more time, Audrey headed to the dressing room and changed her dirty clothes. After paying at the cashier, Audrey meets Tristan who is waiting for her in front of the boutique.

"One more time, thank you very much, Tristan."

"Together Mother, let's go home. I'm almost out of time."

Tristan returned to the motorbike quickly to get to the office before one noon. Along the way, Audrey was forced to hug Tristan from behind so as not to fall.

"We're here, Mother. Please come in, I have to go to the field now."

"Yes, Tristan, be careful," Audrey replied waving her hand.

"Don't miss me, Mother. Tomorrow I'll definitely be back" Tristan replied wearing his helmet.

Tristan was very kind to me. Thank you, Tristan.