The Marriage Order

S3 Seeking Protection

Reynand Pov's

"Drink!"

I put a cup of chamomile tea on the table. Sheryl looked up, then moved her eyeballs following me who immediately sat in front of her.

"Rey ...," he said with a hanging sentence as if hesitant to answer me.

"Drink first. The tea will help you ease your mind" I said again telling him to drink. Ever since Sheryl came, she hasn't stopped melting her tears. And just a moment ago he was willing to stop his crying.

Sheryl lifted the cup and brought it close to her big nose. "Chamomile?"

"Yes. That's chamomile tea. Kayla gave it a few weeks ago, but I rarely drink it. Alcohol is more interesting" I replied with a smile.

Sheryl just kept quiet, then sipped the tea. "Thank you, Rey," he said, returning the cup to the table. He put on a stiff smile at me. Maybe because his mood has not completely improved. "You better cut down on your bad habits."

"After I recover, I rarely take a cigarette."

"I mean alcohol," she said.

Hearing Sheryl's words left me speechless for a moment. "Yes, okay. If that's what you want," I say at last.

Sheryl raised both corners of her lips. This time it looks more sincere. "Not for me, but for you."

"O-okay," I said with a smile on my back, "hey! Why talk about me?"

The woman snorted and then poked. "Can't you?"

"No. Of course I can. I like you watching me" I said. At first glance I saw her cheeks that were instantly flushed, but that was not her main point right now.

"Sorry to bother you early in the morning. Actually I don't want to involve you in this matter. It's just that in the middle of the journey, I felt unable to hold it back until it led me here," he said suddenly.

"I told you before, right? You can count on me anytime. Besides, you said we were friends yourself."

"I'm so embarrassed. Really am! And that hug .. you shouldn't have done it." Sheryl replied with a sorry look.

"I love you. Is that not enough for you?"

"Rey, I really can't get back at him" he said.

I realized Sheryl wasn't comfortable talking about us. Quickly, I switched the conversation, "That's it. Forget about that. I just don't want to see you sad right now. Your grief must still have something to do with Baruna, right?"

Sheryl answered him with a nod. His slightly calm face returned sad.

"My situation is getting more complicated, Rey," he said, immediately making my eyes round the focus on him.

Slowly, Sheryl started telling stories. It happened last night until this morning. His family finally knew the problems that were going on between him and Baruna. Her father defended her, but also blamed her for being close to me. The situation worsened when Baruna said he would return to Indonesia. But he is not alone. Baruna will bring her women and her biological children to live with them. Worse, Father and Aunt Meri even agreed to the crazy idea.

Baruna's words to Sheryl really inflamed me. My heart rumbled, unable to hear that story. It seems that my threat to take Sheryl was not heard at all by Baruna.

"Really! Is he crazy?!" I snorted in annoyance.

"Rey ...."

"I'm sorry, but this is too much, Sher. Can you just take it?"

"No." Sheryl shook her head, "but my anger doesn't seem to mean anything to her. The boy and Fely have changed him, Rey."

Damnit damnit! Did Baruna not think about Sheryl's feelings at all?!

My body instantly nodded. I got up from my seat. Staring sharply at him. "Then come with me now!" I said.

"Where?" sheryl asked looking confusedly staring.

"Meeting Father and Aunt Meri."

"For what, Rey?"

"How can you allow those two to enter your family just like that?! I'm really sorry. If I knew it was like this, I would really never let go"

"Rey, please don't talk about the past" he said, locking my mouth. Sheryl then goes on to say, "I think you know exactly how dad is, Rey. It will not be easy to change that decision. And again, it feels like I'm tired enough to not want any fuss with Daddy and Mommy."

"But you're crying in front of me. I can't just shut up! As parents, they should better understand your position!" my protest did not accept Sheryl's words as if resigned to accept it.

"And as sons-in-law who love their children, they expect something from me."

"You mean?"

The deg!

I didn't think it through. Their families are crazy!

We spoke a thousand languages after that conversation. The atmosphere in the living room finally became quiet. I can't comment much. If Baruna has arrived in Jakarta, maybe I will beat him all out.

Our silence was suddenly broken by the sound of Sheryl's cell phone ringing. He grabbed his phone from the bag. But Sheryl just stared at the screen without answering the call until the ring stopped by itself.

"Rey, I'd better get going now," he said suddenly as he put his phone back in.

"Where to go?" my many.

"office. My dad just called. It seems he's suspicious because I haven't arrived yet, but he left first."

"I'm sending, huh?"

"No need. I brought my own car," he refused.

I nodded in understanding, unable to stop it. "Then I'll take you to the parking lot."

Sheryl drew her line of smiles, then nodded her ass.

***

Sheryl Pov's

Time home. I looked down, cleaned things up. It feels lazy to go home. Today it was confirmed that I would meet Baruna.

Brak!

I flinched and immediately raised my face as the door of my room opened and Brother Reza gallantly barged in with his face bent. He then stood looking at me with a sharp look.

"Is everything Papa said true?!" he asked, without giving me time to protest for slamming the door.

Even so soon the news about me approached Brother Reza. This morning I told my mom.

"What did Papa say?"

"Baruna. He has children outside of marriage" he said.

I nodded slowly. Reza looked very angry. Instantly crashing the table with his hands.

"Curtain! Why did he never talk about it?! Really shit!" he cursed with anger.

"Mas Bar hasn't known that long."

"Stay away! He really didn't say this before. Does he still think I'm a friend, huh?!"

"He wouldn't have said it if he wasn't pressed."

I immediately grabbed the bag from the table. Walk towards the door. But my steps were held back because Brother Reza pulled my hand.

"Sheryl, I'm sorry Brother that you rarely pay attention to you. From now on, never hold your own problems. From now on, brother will always defend you."

Hearing Reza's words made my tears melt again. But I can only nod in a position behind him. I couldn't bear to look at him and look at him.

"You don't go home alone, I'll take you."

"Aren't Brother and Papa having a meeting with a client at seven?" I glanced at my watch which showed at five in the afternoon.

"All can be arranged, Sher."

Brother Reza is so pushy. I can't refuse him at all. He finally drove me home.

.

.

.

Twenty minutes later ....

My gaze suddenly widened when I saw a car I knew parked in the yard. Reza's sister, who was also looking, immediately stopped the speed of her car right beside her. In a hurry, he opened the door. Walking with the water full of anger.