Secretly Loving You's

Ch 34 - You Want?

Two men engaged in a casual but also serious chat. Occasionally an older man pats the younger man on the back. From his body gesture, it seemed like he was giving a speech. The young man responded by nodding his head. A few moments later, the two laughed together.

"Already, don't look on. Your eyes will be stingy, Nduk." A hand covers the eyes. Blocking my view in seeing a husband-to-be.

"Ih, Mother ...." We are in the middle room. Just got home from check up. While Mr. Armand and Dad are in the living room.

"Do you like Nduk? Same as your boss?" mother asked while combing my hair with her fingers.

"Too late, Mom?" I looked at Mom with a clear face. Mom moved to stroke my face while nodding.

"It's only natural that you like Nduk. Your boss is a very nice man. Attention to his subordinates. But, as a woman, you have to have self-esteem. Though like, don't show too much, be detained. Understood?" Mother summarized my face, emphasizing each of her words. Make sure I obey his every word.

"Enggeh, Ma."

"Mom doesn't know her intentions. Just a responsibility or indeed there is more intention. But, before he comes here with his parents and asks you to be his wife, I will still forbid you from getting too close to him. Understand, Nduk?"

"Well, time can't be close, Mom?"

"Can't."

"Nay, I'll see him every day, ma'am. Time can't be close?"

"Near at work is okay. But it can't be more. You are our face. Take care of your dignity, you will also maintain our dignity. Understood?" I don't want to nod my head.

"You're weird too, Nduk. Many high school students have applied. From the son of the cadets, the tobacco magnate, the son of the police, there are the sons of the army as well. But you all refused. With the reason of still going to college. Lah now even likes the boss himself, which is not yet clear what his feelings are like ...."

"Yes the name of my heart. Can't choose who to dock with" I replied the wise-ass who ended up with a pinch in the arm.

***

I haven't been to work for two weeks. During those two weeks, Mr. Armand always came home when Saturday and Sunday arrived. He always takes me to check up. This week, my stitches were removed so I could get to work.

Maybe because for too long not going to work, there is a very awkward and unpleasant feeling. But those feelings disappear when the work partner welcomes you well. Among the faces that asked for my condition, only one face was invisible. Yes, he is Mr. Armand. Even when I went up to the second floor and sat in my chair, I didn't see the trunk of his nose.

"Where's Armand?" ask me on one of the marketing funds.

"There's in his room" he replied as his face nodded towards Mr. Armand's room.

"She knows I'm in?" ask again. This time I just got a shrug answer.

Huh, already know I'm in today. Why didn't he greet me? I made a salad.

I decided to go to Mr. Armand's room with the salad in hand. I knock on the door slowly. Before long, an answer sounded from within.

"Lake in." I opened the door and turned my head. In the middle of the room, I saw Mr. Armand looking at the monitor. Seems not to care about my arrival.

"Sir .." I said. Hearing my voice, she tilted her head for a while before finally looking back at the monitor.

"Oh, you, Ar," he replied indifferently.

"I'm in, sir."

"I knew. I've emailed you all your work. Before you go out, take all your work." He put his head on the table containing the pile of files.

"So, you kicked me out?"

"Are you still here? Isn't it your goal here to take over your job?"

Hah, it feels really upset. Why is Mr. Armand getting stiff again? Where's that laughing figure with those two dimples?

"Yes. My goal here is to take over the job. Thank you for replacing my job as long as I'm not in," I replied sniffling as I picked up a pile of files. Stomping his legs and turning around.

"out. Didn't you tell me to come out?!"

"Yes, you can come out. But, leave what you brought it here." Mr. Armand tilted his head while pointing at the salad I was carrying.

I prepared to argue, but the desire faded as my eyes skimmed with two sharp, witty eyeballs with dikulum lips holding a smile. A little more, those two dimples will appear. My God, I'll melt like this all the time!

"Bas based on the bad boss!" I said as I put the salad on the table and left. I heard his laughter.

"Job's right, Ar."

***

I thought Mr. Armand had turned stiff again, but he didn't. Alright, in front of everyone, his attitude had indeed not changed. He remained stiff like a dry kanebo. No smile, firm, disciplined and cold. However, when we were just the two of us, he would often joke around which ended in laughter.

His sometimes nosy, joking and laughing attitude was only shown in front of me. Is it wrong to interpret it differently? Is it wrong if I consider myself special in front of him? Is it wrong for me to interpret it as having the same feeling?

Such thoughts often run in the head. Actually, how does she feel about me? Why did he never reveal it? Should I say it first?

Ah, no, no. According to Mom's message, I shouldn't show too much feelings. Before there is a clear attitude from Mr. Armand, I must harbor this feeling. Maybe all I can do right now is pay as much attention as I can.

***

Like school children who are doing backstreet relationships, I secretly make provisions. We ate that stuff together when the office dwellers were on break.

In front of the other staff, our attitude was mediocre. Mr. Armand was stiff and cold when giving orders and tasks. However, when we were just the two of us, he showed a different attitude.

"Where does it feel, sir?"

"Hm." Mr. Armand brandished his two thumbs while sipping the wings of a chicken wrapped in green chili.

"Em, what's this chicken?"

"The name is sungkem chicken. Tasty, Sir?"

"Enak. Good." Again, he held his two thumbs up. Getting compliments like that gets me flying. Making stuff every day makes me special. I feel like a wife who made her husband. Especially if the man ate it voraciously and praised the dishes I made.

"Looks like you're not cut out for the bank."

"Certainly? Suit it?"

"Sook times yes. Your cooking is delicious." Mr. Armand didn't stop chewing. I know Mr. Armand is very fond of spicy, so almost every day I make a spicy menu to please his heart.

"I don't want to cook for anyone else, sir."

"Aren't I someone else? Why are you cooking for me?"

"Yes, if you're a father, different."

"How different?"

"I want to cook just for Dad. At the Father's house. Can I?" Hah, my defense for not showing too much feeling is over already. Indirectly, I have expressed my feelings. A smart man like Mr. Armand, could definitely catch my point clearly.

I lowered my head while playing around with the chicken in hand, not daring to look at Mr. Armand in the face at all. My heart was pounding very fast, waiting for the answer to be thrown out.

"Want to?" Two words that made me feel sad.

***

Happy Reading 🥰