Substitute Love (Married Candidate Sister-in-law)

A Very Interesting Man

Alzam just got home when it was dark. He greeted his mother with joy. The longing that may have lasted for more than 2 months has paid off already.

"Mama is very much like you," said Maya as she hugged her son tightly as if she did not want to lose him again.

Alzam also returned the embrace of the mother with no less warm. For a moment he realized there was less. He parsed his embrace while looking left and right.

"Where's Qian, Mah?" alzam asked about his brother.

"He went yesterday. He said he'd take his diploma there. Next week he's home. Mama has given him enough pocket money" Maya said. Alzam smiled when he heard his mother give money to his sister. At least Maya starts to show concern for Qian, they start to make up.

"Did Mama make a fuss again when she mint her money?" ask Alzam curious.

"No. Even he refused. But still Mama transfers. I think he's lashing again. I don't know, he seems to be very sensitive lately. Wander every night. Not in the room all day. So, since you don't have Mama, you're often home alone." Maya sounds like a little sister complaining to her older brother. Alzam laughed at his mother's funny expression.

"Mama's been lonely since you weren't around. Qian if he's talking to her instead of talking to her." Alzam laughed again.

It didn't feel like they had reached Alzam's room. Alzam began to unpack his belongings and sort out between the dirty and clean. Then clean it up.

Maya takes Alzam's dirty clothes out and puts them in a pile of other dirty clothes.

***

After dinner. Alzam remembered something. He looked for his phone and started making phone calls to someone.

After several attempts to stay unattended. Finally, Alzam decided to go to his workplace directly.

After asking his mother's permission, he left. Alzam was different from Qian. Alzam was always obedient and respectful to his mother, while Qian was always at odds with her mother. And Alzam was always trying to mediate between those fights.

It didn't feel like Alzam had even reached a five-star hotel where Veronica worked. He saw the beautiful girl working. He served as a receptionist looking busy serving the guests who came to visit. He was shocked when he saw Alzam's arrival. But, he kept trying to calm down and not be affected.

"Can we talk for a second?" ask the hopeful Alzam.

Vero took a deep breath before agreeing to it. He felt very lazy to relate to this man again. I don't know why his feelings that used to be dusty now seem to disappear no longer.

Qian who was present at the right time seemed to be able to make him forget about Alzam quickly.

Finally they arrived outside the hotel which looked comfortable enough to chat.

"Jesika is my cousin. Even distant cousins. And her mother was my mother's best friend. That's why we are deket," explained Alzam who still does not make Vero flinch.

"You're clear about this when we have a problem. As long as I don't talk about you as if I'll never be sensitive. I'm tired if you're always insensitive like gini," said Vero in the end.

"That's it. We have no relationship anymore. Don't be clear anymore. I want a job. Not good with Mika if I stay still," said Vero and passed from there.

Alzam could only take his breath in seeing the hardness of Vero's heart at the moment. But that also made him curious. Vero looks very calm facing him at the moment. Maybe Vero has found someone else to replace him.

He can't just shut up. He has to investigate this as soon as possible before he really loses Vero. He still could not forget Vero completely. His feelings were still too strong for Vero.

***

On the other side. Qian is with Reo. He just finished taking care of something there.

Reo looked at Qian closely. He studied from head to toe. Nothing strange even though he had several times looked at her with a suspicious look. But, somehow she felt that something was different from Qian. Especially when he saw Qian smiling while staring at the screen of his cellphone as if he was replying to a message with someone very special.

"Lo is different now," exclaimed Reo staring at Qian flatly. Qian only stared at Reo at a glance then returned to her phone screen.

"Lo have a girlfriend now?" ask Reo again. Qian still didn't deny it. An annoyed Reo throws Qian with a bottle of drink, without Reo guessing Qian instead fends him off with a kick just as the bottle was about to hit him. Qian's laughter made Reo even more upset.

***

On the other hand, it was already night, in contrast to Qian's place which was day. Vero seemed to smile back at Qian's message. Suddenly the smile vanished as he received one more message.

'maybe I can stay here for more than a week. Damn Reo's not okay, so I have something to take care of. You're not papa, are you?' the contents of the message that made Vero feel somewhat disappointed.

"Nyebelins. He said it was only a week," said Vero who began not to bear to miss the rude man, a little arrogant and too frontal when talking it. Vero smiled again considering their moment together. He who is not easily made to succumb, will not be silenced by his insecurities, will retaliate many times if hurt, but will not fight when he is wrong, dare to defend his rights without hesitation, he said, but I will not forget the rights of others. Do your best to fulfill your responsibilities but will not tolerate a wound.

Ah, somehow Vero felt more familiar with this man, the more he felt there was a great contradiction in Qian who was trying to control with his actions that sometimes seemed very brave. In their mutual desire Vero can feel if Qian hides other longings that he cannot express. The pain he endured and expressed in a different way. It was as if Vero could see how weak a Qian was, but at other times he could also see how fearless he was.

On the night of her braking that night, she saw a Qian who was not even afraid of her death. He opposed it like a fear he was trying to prove he wasn't weak. It was then that night that Vero began to feel there was a strange feeling in his heart for Qian.

Looking at a young man who even bravely faced the four big-bodied men who beat him up, otherwise Vero stopped that night. Maybe he'll die silly that night, too. I don't know what the man was thinking that night, to challenge his death so boldly, even as if inviting him to come closer. Vero fell in love because of it.