Restore Your Smile
Vigilant
The more thought, James' anger grew even more. He did not understand why Raymond could do this to him. Of jealousy? On what basis? Wasn't he never alone with Priscillia? Which attitude to Priscillia can be misinterpreted?
What is clear with Raymond's arrival at his workplace, makes James feel stalked. How does the man know his workplace? As he recalled, he never mentioned RSUD in front of Raymond. Did Priscillia tell him? Looking at Priscillia's gluttonous attitude towards him, it seemed that it was impossible. Or from Priscillia's parents?
Anyway, that's not what's important now. The young man already considered him an enemy and he already knew a lot about him. Instead, James himself knew nothing about the young man.
To be honest, he doesn't like fighting. However, that does not mean he accepts to be denigrated and insinuated just like that without any resistance. For that, he better start finding out about Raymond. At least it would help him if he faced the young man again.
With that in mind, James contacted Sharon. He wanted to contact Rebecca. But, considering Raymond referred to Priscillia as his little friend, perhaps Sharon knew more about it, as a fellow little friend.
'Hi, Sharon. Sorry distracting. I want to meet to talk about something. Any time?' James starts a chat, fearing to disturb Sharon who may still be attending college.
Not long after, Sharon's reply arrived. 'Just meet you two?' There were doubts about Sharon's question.
'yes. If you're uncomfortable, I'll also take Rebecca along. But to be honest, I feel less and less people know better, rather than cause misunderstandings.' James answered what it was.
The next reply came a little slow. Maybe Sharon was thinking first, or maybe she was working on something else. And it turns out that James's initial guess was proved. 'I'm in college, sir. I finished college at about 4. We meet after that. Can?'
'That's fine. Sorry to interrupt your time. We met in the cafe in front of your campus well ....'
Chat closed with one word 'Oke' from Sharon. James immediately headed to the location of the agreement.
...****************...
At 15:47, James arrived at the cafe. While waiting for Sharon, he ordered snacks and drinks. Until the girl finally arrived and saw him. James deliberately chose a seat in the middle of the cafe.
Sharon approached him with a clear nervousness. He seemed to be forcing himself.
After Sharon sat down, James asked in a concerned tone. "Are you right, gapapa?"
"Father, Sir. I am not used to being alone with men. I'm just a little nervous. Let it go, later get used to it too, " Sharon said.
"Thank you for your understanding. Here, order a meal or drink first. Hopefully it can make you more comfortable, " said James while handing over the menu book.
Sharon received James's recommended menu book. After selecting and ordering the drinks, he returned the menu book to the waiter. James noticed Sharon's attitude with the tip of his eye so as not to be too obvious.
To be honest, he felt a bit sorry for Sharon. Maybe because he was often with his friends, he forgot that the nature of this girl is a shy and introverted.
When facing the two like this, everything was clearly revealed. Sharon looked uncomfortable. Whether or not he might have had a bad experience with a man that worsened his confidence, James does not know. But because Sharon was trying to show she was okay, James wanted to appreciate it. He also behaves as usual.
"So what do you want to talk about?" ask Sharon.
"I want to ask you about Raymond. Priscillia recognizes herself as her little friend. I thought, maybe you know her quite well because you are also a little friend of Priscillia. Am I right?" James asked back.
James recounted Raymond's visit to his workplace and what the young man had told him. Sharon silently listened intently.
"Because of that, I'm calling you to ask me a few things about him. With my background in mind, I would have been wiser in responding to Raymond's attitude towards me.
I did not ask Priscillia because I had no intention of telling her this. I don't want to strain Raymond's relationship with Priscillia. So even after this, I hope we can keep this from him.
Regarding Rebecca, we both know how she is. So I think it's good he wasn't told either. But back to everything I gave back to you. Is it convenient for you to keep this a secret from your best friend?" ask James and close the story.
Sharon sighed. James's words make sense. He agreed that Priscillia and Rebecca did not need to know about this incident rather than magnify the problem. After all, it seems like this is a misunderstanding from Raymond's own side. He was quite confident that his former teacher would respond to this case wisely.
It's just that, this talk is a bit sensitive as it concerns other people. Like opening up a secret to his own friend. But he must also admit, brother Raymond first presumptuously entered the life of Mr. James first.
"So, what do you want to know about Brother Raymond?" ask Sharon at last.
"Everything you can share with me" James replied with a smile. She was glad Sharon decided to open up to her. Something he knew, it wasn't easy for Sharon.
"alright. From the beginning, according to the statements that you have heard yourself both from Priscillia and from Raymond. There is nothing wrong with both. They have both been betrothed according to the agreement of the two families since they were children. Together with Jeremiah's sister, Priscillia's older brother, the four of us grew up and got along together.
Until after graduating SMU, Brother Raymond followed in the footsteps of Jeremiah continued studying abroad. They take the same university and faculty, namely Business Management, as both are heirs to their respective family companies.
Our relationship is strained, but still good. Any holidays that are long enough, such as spring or summer holidays, Mr. Raymond must take the time to return to Indonesia and meet Priscillia.
Basically Raymond's brother was a good man. He is supple, cheerful, and attentive. He also never disputed the status of his relationship with Priscillia. Everything is allowed to flow as it is.
Until finally that happened. Raymond began to change. He became more possessive of Priscillia and began to claim her status as Priscillia's fiance. It made Priscillia upset. Since then, their relationship has deteriorated.
That's what I can share. About the ITU event, I cannot tell you about it, because it is the privacy of Priscillia. The same is true of thoughts and feelings. Let the Father judge for himself. Or if you'd like, please ask directly to the person concerned." Sharon closed her sentence.
Until here James was quite satisfied with Sharon's narration. She thanked Sharon for sharing this information with her, even though the impression had to be playing behind her friends.
Priscillia and Raymond's previous relationship problems, he doesn't want to know. Similarly, the secret event that caused Raymond to change, he did not want to think about it.
One thing he could conclude, Priscillia and Raymond did not view their relationship in the same realm. Priscillia obviously had no more feelings for Raymond. As for Raymond, most likely after the events of the ITU, he realized that his status and feelings as Priscillia's fiancee were disturbed. That's why he began to show himself and ask for his right as Priscillia's fiancee.
And in a way, the events of the ITU ultimately had an effect on James. He who is seen as a man who is quite close to Priscillia, considered Raymond as a pest that interferes with his fiancee. That's why Raymond warned him. That's the analysis James has been able to do so far.
Since Raymond was misdirected, James intended to silence him first. He simply monitored Raymond's attitude development and was wary of him from afar. After all, if the truth was revealed, the young man should have realized his own mistake.
To this extent, he would try to tolerate Raymond's actions. Maybe if the same thing concerned Celine, she could do the same. His name is also jealous. Everyone knows that jealousy is blind. Didn't they?
...****************...
