The Bridge Of Love

CHAPTER 14 Cousins

“Renan, when did you come?” ask Carnation to the man who was the driver.

“New a few hours ago,” clear Renan.

“Why didn't you tell me? I can pick you up at the airport!” grunts Carnations.

Renan is his cousin, son of Peter. More precisely, a foster child. However, not many know that Renan is only a foster child.

“I called you, but you didn't pick up my phone call. So, I called your assistant and he said you were here. So, I'm straight here. My suitcase is even in your car."

"Oh yeah, I left my phone. But, not that you said from yesterday. I can set a schedule to pick you up."

Renan just chuckled. "Until you have to set the schedule. It seems, you're very busy."

"Yes, I'm busy. But for you, I can definitely take my time. How long have you been here?"

"I won't be staying here long. Didn't dad tell you that I'd be here to help you?”

“Yes. Uncle told me you'd help me before you let me go. But, he didn't say how long you were here.”

“Emm .. It seems like you don't need my help. You can run your own GLK,” said Renan.

“I'm nothing without you. All I learned from you and also uncle.”

“We should have helped each other. So go to the pharmacy first?”

“Yes, I'm a little dizzy.”

They stopped by the pharmacy first to buy medicine. After that, Renan escorted Carnations to his apartment.

“Where do you live?” ask Carnation.

“I haven't booked a hotel.”

“My apartment has two rooms. Just stay there. After all we stayed in the same house all this time.”

“Boleh, to save expenses,” said Renan then entered into the apartment Anyelir.

Carnations just chuckle. Impressed frugality. But, who knew that man was a successful CEO.

Renan looked comfortable with Carnations. The two years of living together in Singapore made them quite familiar. After cleaning themselves, they enjoy hot chocolate on the balcony of the apartment.

“Are you taking care of your divorce?” ask Renan.

“Ya,” Reply Carnation briefly.

Renan took a look at the face of Anyelir. “You still love him?”

“Do not discuss about love!”

“But it is still clearly visible in your eyes. Haven't you seen him again?”

“Already. Just met him.”

“Then? How did she react when she met you?”

“He wants to refer.”

“Is there no hope you guys unite?”

“Didn't you say he loved you so much? Don't you ever think he had another reason until he divorced you? Moreover, now he's asking you to refer.”

“I thought like that. But he said something painful. She fucked me, then divorced me. Even he said there were still other men who would pick me up! If I forgive him, it could be that something like this will happen again. He will think, after apologizing, then the problem will be resolved. No, I want to fight against fate by saying something like this will happen again in the future. But I just don't want to get hurt a second time. Although, it is still in the form of a presumption."

Renan raised his eyebrows next door. “Yes, you've told me that a few times. I got to memorize the dialogue,”, Renan said. “But your husband's fault is not cheating on you or lying to you. If that happens, it could happen again in the future. He divorced you for no reason.”

“He divorced me out of boredom with me. Last before the tragedy, she was hugging a woman!” ketus Carnation.

“Didn't you say there's no love in Kris's eyes?”

“Tak knows. I've forgotten! Finish hugging another woman. Then make love to me. She also danced with another woman. Perhaps, the affection he showed me was meant to cover up his affair. When he got bored, he let me go.”

“But now he's asking you to come back to him,” Renan said.

“That's because now I'm different! I'm being myself, I don't need anyone else to manage me anymore. His possessive attitude has been holding me back all this time. Not many even know that we are husband and wife. Maybe, she would tell others that she was single!” anyelir said cynically. “Maybe, too, she wants to re-refer because she feels challenged by me now!” he added.

“From the thrill of it you told me about it. It's obvious you still love her.”

“Not love! But hate!” anyelir corrected Renan's words.

“Yes, yes, yes. What name! We've had a conversation about your husband.”

Renan took the hot chocolate and sipped it. Carnations saw every elegant Renan move.

“You, really don't want to marry me?” ask Carnation.

Renan. He almost spouted the hot chocolate he was drinking. “Didn't we agree to end this matchmaking?”

“But I don't mind having a husband like you.”

“Didn't you say trauma with marriage?”

“Not if with you,” said Anyelir staring at Renan seriously.

Even though he doesn't love Renan. However, he was willing if he really had to be his wife. Don't expect to go back to Chrysanthemum. Renan has helped him a lot, he is willing to spend the rest of his life with Renan. He also wanted to pull Renan from the dark abyss. Pulling the man towards the light, holding his head up on the world.

Renan just laughed. He cupped her face and kissed her forehead. “You've been considered my sister, as well as my best friend. Don't change the status of our cousins. You know it's never gonna change. Although, I'm just dad's adopted son.”

“Do you not want to try? We're both hurt. At least, you'll make Uncle Petra happy. He wants us to get married.”

“Think once I marry you, have children and age together. But the heart cannot lie. I don't love you, and you don't love me. Although we force married, it will only be a pretend marriage.”

Though the heart can change. Many love stories begin with a contract marriage that ends happily. However, they do not live in a world of drama that from prestige to love. Not from hate to love.

Carnation's eyes were sad, she drew closer to Renan and began to hug her cousin. Renan didn't reject Anyelir's embrace. “If you need my help, you can come to me anytime. I know you've been trying hard, I know you want to make Uncle Petra happy. I know the huge burden you're carrying. I will always be by your side. I'll protect you.”

“Thank you, shouldn't I protect you?”

“Yes, you can stand next to me. You can beat Kris if she bothers me.”

“Yes, we will help each other.”

Carnations unravel the embrace, he who is an only child feels has the figure of an older brother. Unlike the Chrysanthemum that had been beside him. Chrysanthemums have treated him well all along. However, Chrysanthemum's feelings for her are different from Renan's feelings for her.

They went into their own rooms. Carnations closed his eyes, in contrast to Renan who was looking at a photo of someone on his cellphone screen. Staring at that person was full of longing. She must let her love end, she knows her relationship will be opposed by her father. Not only opposed. Their love would also hurt their father.

Petra had no idea that Renan had a girlfriend all along. However, Renan had never dared to show Petra. Only Carnations became the outpouring of his heart. Anyelir also knew, his uncle would not agree if Renan with his lover.