The Rhyme of the Depositary

146 - SEASON 2

No one ever thought Daniel was planning a wedding so quickly. He wants the marriage to take place two months from now. Alice, Jasmine, and Rachel were shocked to hear this news. They never think Daniel's the one who's in a hurry.

"I just don't want my baby to be born before I officially become her father."

That was the answer Daniel gave as Rachel asked in astonishment. Rachel's visiting Alice's house tonight. The three of them sat in the backyard, enjoying the coffee and special snacks Rachel brought from home.

Only Jasmine was invisible. The woman chose to stay in the room, feeling uncomfortable to sit with all of them. He said he needed more rest. Alice who knew the awkwardness of the woman chose to just silence Jasmine's attitude.

After all, Jasmine still doubted the decision to marry Daniel. He must currently need a special time to ponder over everything. It is too surprising to realize the fact that they will soon be united in legal marriage.

"Are you sure Jasmjne is pregnant with your child?" rachel asked seriously. Even though he already believes that reality, it does not mean that everything does not need strong evidence.

"Jasmine promised to do a DNA test tomorrow. I'm actually sure she's pregnant with my son. His attitude and response clearly look that way. Even so, I still need to take definitive proof!"

Daniel's gaze wandered far away. Look at the dark night sky. There are no stars and no moon. Only the lights of the city buildings were twinkling in the sky.

Winter is soon passing. The temperature was no longer as extreme as before. Daniel hopes his son will be born in the summer.

"Strong evidence like that is necessary. The laws in our country are very strict about children, Daniel."

"Yes. Indeed indeed. What about you, Rachel? Are you pregnant?" daniel asked to shift the topic.

A timid smile appeared on Rachel's mouth. The woman seemed to have a brighter aura than before. Alice who was sitting next to Rachel touched her soft shoulder and glanced at her with a seductive look.

"You're pregnant, aren't you?" Alice ascertained. Alice's eyes showed happiness. He began to guess, surely his friend was keeping a happy secret.

"Yes. Eight weeks. I just confirmed it three days ago!"

Rachel's face was glowing. New happiness danced in both her beautiful eyes. Next to his hand gently stroked his stomach which still looked flat. Next to her, Alice shouted hysterically. He hugged his friend with a burning feeling of happiness.

"Yes God. Finally …." Alice hugged her friend's neck tightly, making Rachel feel breathless. He pushed Alice's arm a little rough and warned her with a piece of straw. Being hugged with such strength was really not something that could be said to be pleasant.

"You're gonna be a mother. Imagine that!" Alice remained hysterical. She patted Rachel's shoulder hard, not caring about her friend's distracted face.

"I'll give birth in three months. After that, Jasmine, Daniel, and you, Rachel, will all follow me into parenthood. This is really a very rare coincidence." Alice rubbed her face with satisfaction.

There is nothing happier than getting some good news with friends. Especially Rachel. She had already lost a fetus due to a past incident with Alice. Until now, Alice still remembered all that and felt sorry for accidentally making Rachel in a difficult position so that the woman also felt the effects of Alice and Klayver's anger.

It's all the past. But the past has made Rachel lose her fetus, even almost losing her uterus. Luckily, Rachel was still being helped. If Rachel really lost her womb, Alice no longer knew how much guilt she would have to feel. It was all too scary to imagine.

"You really are like a child, Alice. Do you like mass pregnancies? Your brain is starting to get messed up." Both of Jasmine's eyeballs spun around in a slow motion. Staring at his friend who has always been easily hysterical about something.

"Only if the pregnancy is related to those closest to me. Daniel, aren't you also happy about Jasmine's pregnancy? After all, you're a father-to-be." Alice pointed at Daniel, revealing back their previously discussed topic.

The atmosphere became a little awkward as this discussion began to lift. Rachel who was beside Alice could only squint, trying to remind Alice indirectly if the discussion was very sensitive.

Presumably, Alice could not really catch Rachel's intentions. The woman stared back at Rachel without the slightest guilt. For some reason, lately since Alice became pregnant, Alice's emotions are less sensitive in dealing with others.

"Come, Alice. Right now my feelings are uncertain. I hope the DNA test did show the fetus was mine!"

Are men this complicated? A day said what, a day later changed again. A moment of this opinion, a moment later changed his opinion. Really dizzying.

"Yes. I'm certain. Only, there was still a little doubt in my heart about the truth. It's like my logic requires a certainty, even though my own conscience has accepted that fact. You understand what I mean?"

"No. You're too confusing!" Alice quickly denied.

There was a sense of inadmissibility when Alice heard that Daniel doubted the child Jasmine was carrying. For Alice, Jasmine was already her friend who had a special standing. How could he possibly be silent if his friend was cornered like that?

The night wind was increasingly rustling, carrying cold air that was pounding the bones. Alice tightened the warm sweeter lining her base shirt. He raised his sweeter collar and shuddered slightly, feeling the weather tonight was quite disturbing his comfort.

Although the three of them felt uncomfortable, but none of them tried to propose entry into the house that offered warmth. For them, talking about sensitive issues like this is more comfortable here. Away from unwanted listeners. Like a waiter who is still passing by, for example.

Caterine had come to interject their togetherness by bringing a large pot of coffee that he had just made. The waiter politely left the teapot without a word and returned to the kitchen through the back door. He knew his employers and friends needed enough privacy. It would be nice if he gave them space to talk in private without disturbing them at all.

"Actually, you're ready to be a father and husband, not yet, Daniel?" Alice asked the question again. He looked at the man intently, wanting a real answer.

It is not easy for a man to become a father and husband suddenly without the slightest preparation. Alice realized that. He just wanted to make sure of it by hearing it from Daniel's mouth directly.

"Come, Alice. Everything happens suddenly. I just don't know how to handle it. What was clear, the only thing I would maintain was the child that Jasmine had conceived. I can't let my son grow up outside of my upbringing. I'm also not too sure Jasmine's environment can make my son get a good education. That's why this marriage happened" Daniel explained at length. He had not expected to be attacked by a question like this by Alice. Who would have thought a woman who used to have a story with him could be that detailed in asking questions.

Rachel behaves better than Alice. He was more like a loyal listener. Only occasionally did he respond to their conversation. As a friend, Rachel felt her capacity to interfere in Daniel's affairs was limited. According to Rachel, a man usually does not like too much if too meddled in his life.

"Do you think your marriage could work?" ask Alice again.

This time, it was not only Daniel who was staring at Alice with puzzled eyes. Rachel did the same. Both of Alice's friends seemed to be compact in judging Alice without words.

"You can't ask about something that hasn't happened, Alice. Daniel is not God. He doesn't always know what's going to happen in the future."

Rachel increasingly does not understand the mindset that Alice has. He nudged Alice's right shoulder, gesturing if the friend had asked into the private realm. A question that Alice should not ask.

"Hey. Oi. I'm just asking, okay? Why are you being so sensitive, Rachel? Haven't you been asking me that kind of personal stuff too many times?"

Rachel could only massage the side of her face, calming down as she could in response to Alice's attitude like this.

"That's different. You're ladies. Talking with other women is natural to the root of the problem. But what you're asking this time is Daniel. He is still a man who has limitations in responding to every personal question. Don't equate me with her." Rachel's eyes looked even more sharp at Alice. The woman was already tired of warning Alice with body movements. He was now blatantly reprimanding Alice.

Alice's lips only formed the letter O long enough. He chuckles a little, realizing he's been asking Daniel too personal questions. It seems like Alice has often lost control lately. It is only natural that every action is uncontrolled.

"Sorry, Daniel. I didn't mean to interfere in your affairs to such a detail. The point is, I just wanted to warn you not to do violence to Jasmine. However, even though that woman has great martial skills, it does not mean that she can be used as an emotional outlet. You know what I mean, don't you?' Alice sounded serious. He looked at Daniel with the end of his eyes, seeking certainty.

That was what Alice and Jasmine had been raving about all this time. They feared the marriage Daniel offered would only be a miserable form of imprisonment for Jasmine. Imagining it all makes Alice feel uncomfortable on her own. He, however, must be able to make sure that Daniel is not a cruel person.

"Maybe I'm not exactly a good man, Alice. But obviously I'm not completely a gentleman."

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