
After everyone sat down, Sonia asked to open the conversation. "Say your family is domiciled in the city of B. How did you two meet?"
"Bang James was Kak Dion's college roommate. We met when I visited Dion's sister on my 15th birthday, " replied Celine.
"G .... But doesn't it last long? Dion's brother died before he graduated. He said you yourself had depression. So how did you get close?" sonic asked her twin brother questions.
Deg ! A reality hit James' chest. Slowly his anger began to rise, just like when he first came into contact with Mr. Adipratama.
Apparently you know what happened to your cousin .... You know what happened to Dion, but you still chose not to come at his funeral .... You know how devastated Celine was after her sister, but you still don't care. What kind of brothers are you ?! James gripped in his heart.
Alex noticed a change in the look on Celine and James's face. Celine looks a little hit with questions that reopen the toughest conditions of her life. And James, Alex knew very well the face that held back the anger. So before it's too late, it's better that he precedes them to answer.
"Yes. Celine was devastated at the time. Thankfully, our family is educators. James himself is a graduate of the guidance and counseling program. So for his recovery, Mr. Adipratama put Celine in our family for a while. Because it must be difficult for Celine to move on if she lives in a house that has many memories of her brother, right?" alex replies trying to hide the real thing.
This is not because Alex is loyal to Celine's father. Not because he was afraid of the threat of Mr. Adipratama expressed through James at that time. More because they look to the future. However, this concerns the happiness of James and Celine, two sisters whom he loves very much.
Alex's answer made James and Celine aware. They cannot be dissolved in feelings. Currently, they still have to maintain their attitude in front of the Adipratama extended family. Celine looked at Alex with gratitude, because it helped maintain the good name of her father and herself.
But, like not enough in giving questions that are full of trials and shaking feelings, Sonic instead responded to Alex's answer with a bang. "That means your strategy worked, Bang? I'm sorry, can I call you 'Bang James' ?" he asked James in the middle of his laughter.
James's Eyebrow. "Could only. But sorry, what do you mean by 'successful stratagem' ?" ask James.
"G .... This brother is pretending to be innocent! Brother has been carrying out the strategy of 'Growing the Lamb'. Nurture the sheep first, after the big ... Enjoy the meat yourself." Sonic laughed again.
James' blood is boiling. His red face held in anger. "What do you mean? You think I deliberately helped Celine recover with a veiled motivation. That so?" james asked slowly and with great emphasis in each word. His sizzling voice held back the snarl that almost burst out.
"of course! The proof is that Brother managed to be betrothed with .... Hmmm!!" Sonic had not yet finished his sentence, his mouth had already been silenced by Sonia.
"Sorry, Bang .... Sorry, Lin .... This child is feeling a bit down, even almost close to squatting. Do not enter the heart well .." said Sonia.
Sonia realizes that the two men from the Vijaya family before her, especially James, are offended by the words of her twin brother. The look on Celine's face also changed, although it was seen that her cousin was still trying to control and hide her. But still, if left unchecked can cause a commotion.
If it is then traced who and what sparked the commotion at a big event like this, it must have a bad impact on his family, especially himself and Sonic. He could not imagine what his uncle would do to those who dared to harass his guests and ruin his show.
Celine's own status as the heir, could not be ignored. He is a candidate who will sit in the chair of the Adipratama family leader later. Therefore, it is better that he immediately seek peace for security.
"By the way, he said now Adipratama Group is developing cosmetic products well?" asked Sonia again, hurriedly shifting the topic.
"Yes, " answered Celine short.
"When to launch the product? Can I be a Brand Ambassador ? (noted: Brand Ambassador or BA is a person who is invited to work together by a company, to promote the brand and its products.)
Sonia has had an interest in the stage since childhood. With the help of her father's connections, she has even made her debut as a child model.
Her beautiful stature and jovial nature, made it easy for her to struggle in the field. Even now, he is undergoing education at the Faculty of Performing Arts and taking the Department of Theatre Arts to support his aspirations to become an artist.
Since she started working as a professional model, one of the targets she wanted to gain to increase her popularity was to become BA one of the Adipratama Group products. The products of Adipratama Company always have the best quality, eco-friendly materials, as well as elegant design, so as to increase the satisfaction of the people and become a famous brand.
But all this time, he did not dare to ask and ask for a chance to his uncle who led the company with an iron fist. His own parents did not dare to present themselves because they were aware of his ability which was still at the average level. There are still many other models who are more professional and have a big name compared to him.
And now, this could be the opportunity he was waiting for. Celine is the recognized heir. Maybe through Celine, he can achieve one of his dream targets. Of course Celine is not as hard and as I am her father, is she?
But Celine's answer was beyond her expectations. With a cold and flat face, Celine replied, "For that part, we should discuss it first."
Sonia stunned. He was used to getting job offers easily through his father's connections. And Celine's answer right now is a weirdness in her thinking.
"Should discuss? Wouldn't your status as heir will make it easier for you to make decisions? No one will dare to dispute it and respect your decision, right?" ask Sonia astonishment.
Celine smiled thinly. So thin that only sensitive people will realize there is sincerity contained in the smile.
Hearing the name of the Great Family Leader already mentioned, Sonia could only smile wryly and retreat in order. "Of course I can. But if you can, please you will persuade your father well .." he said with a forced smile. Celine responded with just a smile that was hard to figure out what it meant.
The chat began to continue again in a light direction and looked for safe topics. Everyone is still trying to maintain an attitude and regulate feelings to avoid conflict.
Some began to look bored and restless waiting for when this event ended. And the one who looks bored and can't cover it up is Rico. This boy began to be unable to sit still or quietly in the lap of his parents. He could not wait to explore this huge space.
Alex and Sherly do decide to keep Rico tight so as not to spoil the show. They take turns serving Rico so that the boy does not act, while trying to stay involved in family friendly events.
But on one occasion, Rico had tried to escape to the pool because he was interested in the pool water reflecting beautiful colors from the surrounding decorative lights. Fortunately, it was soon realized by Alex and Sherly who never let go of the supervision of his beloved son.
Realizing Rico is too bored, Alex and Sherly decide to budge. One of them took turns separating themselves from the conversation to accompany Rico exploring.
Sherly initially relented, feeling Alex was more interested in looking after her family. Moreover, he also knew, in front of him were people not from ordinary circles.
He accompanies Rico exploring around the dining table. Look around for snacks and taste them together. Rico even had a chance to whine to hold a swan ice sculpture.
Sherly is forced to hold her son so that Rico can extend his hand to touch the Goose. For a while, Rico seemed to be enjoying the company of his graceful, frozen new friend. The cold sensation in his tiny palm, became an exciting new experience for him.
Alex, who judged the atmosphere of the conversation to be safe and conducive, realized his wife who was also getting tired of looking after Rico. Finally, he approached the Wife and offered to take the place of keeping Rico so that his wife could sit down to rest.
This time, he invited Rico to the swimming pool which had indeed become the target of Rico. In a sling, Alex lets Rico dip his hand trying to reach for the colorful rays reflected on the surface of the pool.
At that moment, with the tip of his eye, Alex caught someone who also came out of the family room to separate. That man is Darrell.
The young man walked towards the backyard and sat down on one of the chairs available there. In Alex's view, the young man looks like a lone wolf who wants to get comfortable relying on the silence and darkness of the night. The seat he chose was a rather hidden seat and only got the reflection of dim light from the garden lights.
Apparently it wasn't just Alex who realized that. Celine as one of the hosts, sees how Darrell breaks away from his family and walks into the backyard. When there was a chance, Celine asked permission to leave for a while and leave her chat group.
"Darrell Sheath. Cela faith longtemps qu'on ne s'est pas vu. Allez-vous?" (meaning: Hi, Darrell. Long time no see. How are you doing?) greet Celine when she was already behind the young man.
Darrell is shocked and immediately turns his body around when he hears someone talking to him and calls him in his native tongue. His surprise increased when he saw the figure who invited him to speak.
The shy little girl who could only hide behind the Big Brother's back, now appeared and started a conversation with him. He was stunned to realize how time and life could change a person so much.
"Je vais bien, " (meaning: I'm fine) he answered short. Back he anchored his gaze to the night sky.
Unwelcome, Celine took a seat beside Darrell. "J'ai entendu, votre conference and bientot terminal ?" (meaning: I heard, your lecture will be over soon?) ask Celine later.
"Oui ..." (meaning: Yes) Darrell's typical short answer is again heard.
"Allez-vous rejoindre l'entreprise apreprise?" (meaning: Will you join the company after that?)
Darrell laughed sarcastically at the question. "Ai-je un autre choix ?" (meaning: Do I have any other choice?) Darrell asked back.
A helping hand directed at him left Darrell stunned. Inevitably he set his gaze to the owner of the hand who was smiling kindly to him.
"J'ai hate d'y. J'espere que d'ici la nous pourrons bien travailler ensemble, " (meaning: I'm looking forward to it. I hope at that time we can work well together) said Celine.
"Ofc .... J'espere ..." (meaning: Yes, hopefully ..) Darrell replied short while welcoming the helping hand in an indifferent manner. Then he turned his eyes back to look at the moon shining above his head.
Seeing Darrell's attitude as if he wanted to enjoy his solitude, Celine said, "Je reviens en premier ..." (meaning: I went back first yeah ..)
"Oui ...." Darrell answered Celine without taking her eyes off the sky.
Celine decides to leave and return to James' side, leaving the Wolf alone in his seclusion. Realizing the person beside him had already left, the Young man smiled in light of the short conversation that had just happened. This was his first smile that had formed on his face since he was in this house.
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