The Dream of the President

Old Friend

Shasa finally felt the ride of the level bus. He seemed very happy to have a new experience riding public transportation in other countries. Passengers of this level bus, it looks not too crowded so Leo and Shasa can still sit at the top of the bus. Both had changed buses to other routes and now they have arrived in a large white building.

"What's this place, honey?" Ask Shasa.

"This is my favorite place. A place that changed my mood for the better. Come on, baby." Leo took Shasa by the hand and invited him into the building. Inside it all shades of brown and minimalist. The place is so quiet and peaceful.

"Gee..." Shasa was flabbergasted to see a tall bookshelf towering up to the roof of this building. All the books are neat and very beautiful in view. There was a staircase around the building. "It's a library?" Shasa looked up at the row of tall books. "Ah... I know, this is why you made a private reading room in your room with a glass roof. It's exactly like this place."

Leo smiled. "Yes... Any mood I'm in is not good, I'll go here. The place is quiet, away from the noise. Each visitor is busy. Of course, I'm comfortable here. Even if I was sad, no one would care and ask me."

That's how Leo grew up. The moment he felt unnoticed by his parents, he would flee here. No one cares about you whether you're angry, disappointed or whatever. Leo learns to heal on his own. Maybe that is also the reason why Leo closed himself off from others and chose to hide alone.

*****

Leo and Shasa rest while enjoying lunch. They dined at Leo's favorite noodle restaurant just a few meters away from the library. Both ordered noodles according to their taste. While waiting for the food to be ordered, suddenly someone approaches Leo and Shasa's table.

"Leo?" Greet the woman.

"Chlory?" Leo was quite surprised to see the woman.

"Where have you been? Long time no see you." Connect the woman with a smile on her face. She looks beautiful with brown hair. Her appearance looked typical like the look of the country's women.

"I moved somewhere." Hearing Leo speak to the woman, Shasa stared intently at Leo. "Ah, this is my wife, Shasa."

"Wife? You married? Hey, I thought you'd marry me..." The woman glanced at Shasa who was already staring fixedly at her. "Ah... Meet, I'm Leo's schoolmate, Chlory."

Shasa and Chlory shake hands. Shasa tried to smile, but his heart was curious about Chlory's words. He guessed whether Leo had plans to marry someone before marrying him.

"Do you like eating at this restaurant? Ish's... Your taste never changes." Ledek Chlory on Leo.

'Who exactly is this woman? He even knew that this was Leo's favorite restaurant.' Inner Shasa was curious.

Leo smiled faintly. "Who are you going to have lunch with?" Ask Leo.

"alone. I happen to have a business nearby, so I'll just stop by."

"Join here." Take Shasa with a smile. If this woman ate with them, Shasa could take the opportunity to dig up information from her.

Leo was surprised by Shasa's sudden attitude of inviting Chlory to share a table with him. Likewise with Chlory who is confused what to answer.

"Is it okay if I join you?" Reply Chlory awkwardly.

"It's okay. You'll be lonely eating alone." Shasa again.

Chlory glanced at Leo, trying to read his expression. But, he could not guess anything from that flat Leo expression.

"Ah, fine then."

Shasa allows Chlory to sit in Shasa's position, while he moves to Leo's side. Chlory orders food to the waiter. It was a bit awkward sitting in front of Leo and Shasa, but he tried to melt the atmosphere.

"How long have you been married?"

"Less than a year." Answer Shasa quickly.

"How did you get married? Did Leo get to you first?"

"Gee... You can even talk about love." Chlory taunts Leo, then she glances at Shasa. "You're so great. Do you have any fire energy to melt this iceberg?"

"Haha... I wonder how close you guys used to be." Shasa interrupted through his laughter.

Before long, their food one by one reached the table. They slowly started to enjoy the food. Leo really misses the taste of noodles here. It was customary, if Leo were to pay a visit to the library, he would definitely eat noodles in this place.

They had finished eating the food perfectly and relaxed for a moment.

"I'll be going to the toilet for a minute." Leo got up from his seat, leaving Shasa and Chlory both at the table.

"Miss, I'm curious about what you meant by those words." Shasa whispered a little.

"Which words?"

"So you said, I thought you were going to marry me... But you didn't continue your sentence. Did Leo have plans to marry someone?"

"Haha... Shasa, how long did you know her before you got married?"

"I'm not sure. It's only been a few weeks."

"Well, hahahaha. Look, because Leo used to be allergic to women, so I thought he was going to marry into that boring life. I never thought Leo would get married."

'What? Haha... Turns out I really married an iceberg.' Inner Shasa.

"But I'm sure that if Leo marries a woman, it must be because that woman has made Leo find his own life."

Shasa is relieved not to play. He smiled at Chlory. But, then Shasa thought of something again. Shasa wanted to open his mouth again to ask, but Leo had already returned to his seat.

"Chlo, Shasa and I will go first. It's okay, right? I've paid for all this food." Leo spoke immediately upon his arrival at the table.

Chlory nodded. "alright. Thank you for the treat. I'll send you a wedding present."

"No need to bother, Chlo." Reply Leo. "Dear, come on." Leo extended his hand.

"Chlory, see you later." Shasa pamit's. They both left Chlory alone.

In front of the restaurant, Haris and Lita's assistants were already waiting. Lita swears that if Shasa refuses to take the car again, she will call Niko immediately. Niko would definitely not let Leo and Shasa ride in public transportation like that.

Thankfully, everything went well. Shasa got into the car without the slightest refusal. They went to the last place they would go today.

"Darling, how close are you and Chlory? Looks like Chlory knows a lot about you." Shasa asked on the sidelines of their trip.

"Chlory's the only one of my friends who treats me normally even though she knows who I am. He has the same nationality as us, only he has lived here for a long time. Of course, he knows my family."

"Anybody treat you abnormally?" Shasa asked again.

"much. They started approaching me in any way. Sometimes they ask me for help with something, but then leave after they get it. They were good in front of me, but their hearts were not sincere. Only Chlory treats me like a normal human being, who can nag or beat me for doing wrong, even though she knows how scary my family is. He's not friends with me for a profit."

Shasa looked at Leo and hugged him. He tries to calm Leo down and reassure him that Shasa will remain by his side today, tomorrow, and beyond.

*****

seriate...