The Horizon Boundaries

Ch.69 Outdated Albums

Ms. Artika opened the door, welcoming the arrival of Ken and Maisa. He hugged the girl, cipika cipiki. Both of his hands pushed the pair of lovers to the dining table.

"Where's Bang Miki? Is it not here yet?" Ken looked inside.

"Oh, your brother and Helen had dinner together outside" Artika replied.

"Dad! You traitor!"

"Hm... So you don't want to have dinner with us?" Ms. Artika put on a creepy smile. Ken cleared his throat, walked ahead of his mother, pretending not to listen.

Brian was waiting there. He smiled at Maisa. "How are you, Sa?"

Maisa returned her smile. "Good, Om."

"I heard you're living alone now. It turns out you're an independent child, yes," Brian said again.

The girl just laughed. He looked towards Ken who was sitting next to him. Moving his eyeballs towards Brian.

"I'll explain it later" Ken whispered into his ear.

Maisa looked at the steak in front of her. Both hands took a fork and a dinner knife. The plate in front of him was taken over by Ken and replaced with a steak plate that had been cut into pieces.

The girl smiled slightly, feeding a piece of meat to her mouth. Ms. Artika smiled to herself with the closeness of both of them. Ken who used to not care even tend to stay away from women, now wants to open his heart.

Ms. Artika picked up a small plate of vegetable salad and gave it to her. Maisa nodded, smilingly saying thanks. Shortly after, Brian handed me a small plate of fruit pieces. The girl accepted it with a smile.

"Eat a lot. Don't worry. Think of it as your own home" said Brian.

Maisa still put on her smile. Ken has a warm family. He remembered when his family was complete, his father, mother and Kio liked it that way. But that mood was never felt in his family again.

"Do you want to see Ken's childhood photo?" said Ms. Artika.

The four of them sat in the family room. Ken was surprised to hear it. Ken shook his head and moved his hand not to reveal the photo. He does not want to open up the disgrace of the past.

Miss Artika ignored Ken's gesture. He hummed, looking for a photo album stored in his room.

"Heard you got an offer to go to Paris. That was amazing. Do not let the opportunity pass you by," said Mr. Brian casually. He sat on the sofa, befriending several books in front of him.

"I'm still thinking about it, Om. I also told my father and got his permission." Maisa smiled faintly at Ken's father's words.

Brian is exactly like his father. Hobbies to read books. What does his father do now? Is it still related to the book.

"And Ken, don't waste your time. Aren't you ashamed of Maisa? Don't get left behind by her."

Ken was just grinning, scratching his hair that wasn't itchy. His hand held Maisa's hand. No matter if his parents are there.

Ms. Artika came with an old, age-eaten photo album. He sat next to Maisa. There are photos of young children wearing pink knee-length tutu dresses and hairpins of similar colors. Her cute face looks sullen.

Maisa observed the photo once again. Why was the photo similar to the man sitting next to her. Ken threw his face away as he looked towards her.

"Don't tell me it's Ken" Maisa said slowly.

"Fu.fu... Your guess is absolutely right. I used to want a girl. Isn't she so cute." Ms. Artika smiled widely, clenching her hands together.

Laughter spouted from the girl. He held his stomach. Tears came out of the corner of his eye. Ken looks upset. He pulled the girl's hand.

"I'll take him home now." Ken dragged the girl away before getting answers from her father and mother.

Both of them sat by the window. Ken ordered a cup of americano and a glass of iced cappuccino latte for Maisa.

"Sir Ken hasn't explained that yet."

"Oh that. Papa has his own information network. But when it comes to the projects your father is working on, I have a hand in them. I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

"Project?" Maisa frowned. This seems to be the project that her father talked about a while ago. He looked hard at Ken. Guilt seemed to come from his face.

Should he be angry with her. The man was also involved in a great quarrel with his father. But Ken just wanted to help her. A little bit of worry in the day. Maisa sips her cappuccino ice.

"That shall pass, brother. I don't think my relationship with Papa is going to work out. Even though Ken didn't interfere, the events of that time could have happened in the future."

"Sorry, Sa!"

Again, he made Ken worry about him. Maisa held the man's hand. Telling himself it's okay.

...****...

Maisa steps her foot into the resto her father told her. He tried to get his heart in order because he did not know what would happen. Mr. Chandra has come first.

Maisa pulled the chair in front of her. Mr. Chandra gave her the menu book. He chose seafood fried rice and kangkung.

"So what did Papa ask me to come here?"

Mr. Chandra seemed to think for a moment. "You'd better go home."

Maisa tilted her head. Didn't he hear wrong. But for what? It's not that his dad doesn't like it when he's there.

"I don't like to look like a parent who ignores their child" he said briefly.

Maisa laughs ironically. "Is it because of Brian again? Why is Papa doing this to me? I'm not something that can be thrown away if I don't like it anymore."

Mr. Chandra was silent. It made Maisa even more hurt. If he returns, his father will change. Maisa bit her lip until it bled.

Mr. Chandra flinched at the sight of blood. He took a tissue and handed it to the girl. Maisa accepted it in silence.

"alright. I'm going back. But I'll leave when this semester's over."

I don't want Maisa to take it one step further. I don't know what will happen in the future. At least he'll try it one last time.

Chandra nodded in agreement. He watched the girl. The boy has changed. Not as whiny as before. Nor did he ask to forgive her again. He asks nothing of her, but returns everything she gives.

Look Maisa's eyes look cold, not warm like before. Because he had gone too far to hurt the boy.

Mr. Chandra drove Maisa back to the rented house. He looked at the little house. Crossing his mind, was the child living alright?

Maisa felt Mr. Chandra was too long standing in front of the house. "Will Papa come in first?"

"No need. Tomorrow Aron will help you move things home."

"No need, Pa. I'll bring enough of your stuff. So there's no need to bother calling Aron."

"All right!"

Mr. Chandra's car disappeared behind a corner of the road. Maisa took a deep breath. Hope the decision is right this time.