The Gray Autumn's

N'evitez Pas

Unusual warm atmosphere at the breakfast table. For the first time in a long time, Keanu can joke around and share a laugh with Arumi, despite their chatter using mixed language.

"I'd love to meet Dinan, but unfortunately he's not in this town" Arumi said. The affection for her nephew on that one is indeed extraordinary, in contrast to Jenna who is not too close to him. When Jenna grew up, Arumi moved to Paris.

"He sends you a greeting, Arum," said Keanu as he continued to eat his breakfast menu.

"Then, what are your plans today, Arum?" Puspa also spoke.

"Of course, maybe a visit to the store. I miss that place so much" replied Arumi.

"Tante can come with us" Jenna said. Autumn and Darren were silent. The two did not understand the conversation that was going on. "How, Elle? Today we take Aunt Arumi to the store, let her see how diligent you are," Jenna turned her eyes to Autumn.

"really? I would be so happy if Mom could see my hidden talent" Autumn said confidently.

"You're laughable, Elle," led by the sister who immediately replied to a throw of a sheet of tissue in the form of a small roll.

"Hey, you guys," Arumi's protest was firm but still in a friendly tone. "Remember, ce n'est pas Paris (this is not Paris)." The woman shook her head inexplicably with the attitude of her two children who had both grown up. However, the behavior of Autumn and Darren is like a teenager.

"Darren who started first, Ma'am," Autumn defended herself as she turned to the smiling sister mocking her. "Vous test vraiment ervant! Pourquoi etes-vous venu ici? (You're a fucking bitch! Why are you coming here?)," muttered Autumn. Some time did not meet with Darren, did not make him feel homesick for the twenty-year-old.

"I won't respond to your words, Elle" Darren said calmly. While Autumn only replied to him by sticking out her tongue. The behavior of the two of them again makes Arumi have to return to glare sharply as a signal for the two to immediately stop the silliness. While Puspa and Jenna just laugh amusedly.

The other with Keanu. He who was carrying a cellphone to the dining table, was busy with the square object earlier. "Continue breakfast, Pa," said Puspa affectionately. He touched Keanu's arm, making the man immediately turn his head. However, not long after a call came in. Keanu also moved from the dining table because he had to answer the call.

"My brother has always been busy for a long time" Arumi said after Keanu's death.

"Yes, you're right. My husband is a workaholic, even though he already has a representative but still ...." Puspa did not continue his words, because soon the husband appeared again there. Keanu sat back in his chair. "Is there a problem?" ask the little lady.

"none. Irawan called me just now. He is in charge of resorts in the Thousand Islands. He said there was a foreign businessman who wanted to meet me on business" Keanu said.

"Well, that's very good news" Arumi responded.

"Yes. It just so happened that today I was going to the office, so we were going to meet there. I'll be leaving in an hour" Keanu said as he sipped his drink. He had already lost his appetite because it had paused a few times.

"This morning?" puspa protests.

"Yes, because it will be noon I have to meet with Moedya," he said, making Arumi prefer not to participate in the husband and wife chat.

"Unfortunately yes," Keanu replied calmly with a smile on his face, making Puspa unable to refute any longer. "Mama knows it's not just entertainment for both of us" the man said, glancing at Arumi.

"Yes, Moedya was indeed happy fishing a long time ago. Is the lake still there, brother?" a flash of sweet memories are present in Arumi's memories. However, before long the sweet memories disappeared when he remembered the time to cry and mourn the departure of the man who had now become Diana's husband. Arumi smiled faintly, then shook her head slowly. He shouldn't have remembered anything related to Moedya. His arrival to Indonesia this time is not to remember the past, although there are some memories that are impossible to get rid of. One of them is the Sweet in Jar cake shop.

The shop has changed a lot from the last time Arumi handed it over to Puspa, and is now managed by Jenna. They even have a lot of employees. Arumi noticed the skilled hands that were so deft in processing the sweet smelling delicious.

"I've always spent time here, Mom. Two weeks went by unnoticed, though I did not understand what they were talking about every day. Not many of them are fluent in English, especially French. But I like this place. When I get back to Paris, this store will be the place I miss the most" Autumn said with the same gaze fixed on them in the kitchen.

"You're right, Elle. I felt something like that before too. Know it? I spent three years alone here" Arumi said with a smile on her pretty face.

"Why do you have to be alone? Are you trying to avoid someone?" autumn glanced at the mother.

"Yes. I avoided it with reason to reflect. But it turns out I was wrong. The more I stayed away from him, the more he slipped out of my grasp. Then it all ends ...." Arumi took a deep breath and flicked it slowly. The bitterness is back to disturb the heart. However, Arumi immediately dismissed all by remembering the handsome face of Edgar. Yes, Edgar has fought hard for him.

"Is that man Uncle Moe?" ask Autumn without further ado.

"Yes. That man is Moedya. Arjuna Moedya Aryatama's. He was the first man to catch my attention, after I returned from France," Arumi replied to her daughter's glance and smiled. "That's it. I don't want to talk about it anymore. It's just the past. As beautiful as any moment I have passed with Moedya, it will mean nothing. You know why, Elle?"

Autumn shook her head slowly. While his gaze was still fixed on the mother.

"Because of the fact that I spent the rest of my future with your father, Edgar Hillaire," Arumi explained. "If you do love Mr. Royce and wish you more than your beautiful story, then I suggest that you stop to avoid. Face any weight of problems that become a stumbling block on the journey between you and him. After you feel that you have fought hard, then see where destiny will take you both. At least you don't feel sorry for being a coward who ran away from problems, and did nothing to find a solution" explained Arumi at length, making Autumn speechless and thinking about all the words of the mother deeply.

Meanwhile, Keanu had already arrived at the office. As planned, he would meet with the foreign businessman there. Keanu was ready in his room. This was not the first time he had received such an important guest in that one month.

The sound of a knock on the door made Keanu rush to tidy up the shirt along with the blazer he was wearing. After that, his secretary came in and informed him that the important guest he was waiting for had already arrived at the office. Keanu immediately got up from behind his desk and walked gallantly welcoming a man who had just entered.

"Welcome to my office, Mister," welcome Keanu to be friendly and authoritative.

"Thank you very much. Your office is awesome. I hear you also have French blood," the man replied no less kindly.

"Yes, that's right. My father was from there, "keanu said. He pointed his right hand towards the chair, as a gesture for his guest to sit down immediately.

"Good, because that means we can talk in French only. My name is Benjamin Royce."