The Season of Reaching the Stars

CHAPTER 22

Part five (re-meeting) Laura 26 years old. Niko 26.5 years.

NIKO FARELI exited the airport arrival door with a long sigh. It has been almost four years since he last returned home. This time he came home to settle down.

Niko's hand pulled the suitcase. He was wearing a black suit with a dark blue shirt and sunglasses. But as soon as he saw the afternoon sun of his country, he took off the glasses he was wearing. After almost eight years of moving around the country and changing seasons, Niko longed for the heat of Indonesia.

A flight attendant passing by beside her smiled at her. Niko smiled back. Wherever Niko went, there were always women who smiled and admired her. Niko admires the beauty of the flight attendant, but there is always something lacking. His heart was not moved. For eight years he had not met a woman who could make his heart stop beating for a moment, then beat fast.

Despite her successful career with two jewelry stores in Paris and one in New York, Niko felt that there was something lacking in her life. Niko looked around for someone when she found him, she smiled.

"Niko," said the person who greeted her. "Welcome back. How's your flight."

"Comfortable. Thank you, David."

Niko met Davit for the first time three years ago, when the young man was still an apprentice at Bardeux Jewelry. Niko loved the jewelry she made. David was a great jeweler. His work never disappoints Niko. Especially the design model. They seem to understand each other. So, when Niko opened a jewelry store in Paris, she took David in. And now, two years later, David has become a personal assistant and good friend.

Success in three stores makes Niko want to open a jewelry store in her own country. And since David is also both from Indonesia, Niko invites him along.

"All the jewels from Paris have reached our store" David gave a report as he walked through the crowd. "If there are no obstacles, you can officially open your store next week. Maybe next month we can hold a jewelry exhibition to promote NF Jewelry."

Niko agreed. "Good capsule, David. You take care of all the details. If it's final, give me the proposal."

Niko Fareli Jewelry was first established in Paris. After two years of working for Julien, Niko decided to open her own business. And Julien fully supports that proposal. Julien believes Niko can succeed. In a short period of time, Niko managed to earn a double profit. And he decided to open his second store in Paris, then in New York with the help of George Finley, who has now become a great theater performer. Niko sat in the front seat of the theater when George played his first role. With the relationship of George and his father, Niko's store in New York can grow rapidly.

"You haven't been back here in a long time, have you?" Ask David. "Yes. Last time I came back here was when I had my school reunion party." Niko recalls her sadness at that time because Laura did not come.

David continues with plans to increase sales of Niko's new store. Niko listened to David's proposal seriously. Suddenly, Niko's eyes stopped. A girl wearing a flower-patterned dress made her stop stepping. His heart stopped for a moment. Niko closed her eyes, then opened them again. The face is still there. Laura. Maybe he was dreaming, but he wanted to grab that face.

Niko let go of the handle of her suitcase to David's surprise and immediately stopped talking then Niko ran as fast as she could among the crowd. "Laura!" Calling short. Breathing gasps. Niko saw the girl enter a black car. When Niko was about to approach the car, the shadow of the girl had already disappeared behind the car door.

The car carrying the girl she suspected Laura had darted away. A few moments later, David approached her. "Niko, are you okay? Why are you running so fast?" David looked at Niko in confusion.

"I think I saw people I knew. So I chased after her," Niko explained, still out of breath.

"You met that guy?" David was half confused. During his time with Niko, never once did his boss look as desperate as he is today.

Niko shook her head. "No."

"You want me to buy you a drink?" David's Proposal.

"Not to." Niko's breathing has begun to be regular. "Maybe I'm wrong to see people. Let's go."

David just nodded.

 

*****************************

"So, how was your second honeymoon in Italy?" A few kilometers from the airport, in a black car, Laura smiled at papa and mama.

"You're right. The food is so good." Mom smiled. "We met Alberto there. She's still trying to match her granddaughter up to you."

Laura grimaces. "He hasn't given up yet?" "I don't think so," said the mother, laughing.

"How's your restaurant?" It was my turn to ask. "You're not doing anything too exhausting?"

Laura pouted. Papa and Antonio are always worried about his health. As if he were fragile. Though already one knows Laura can walk normally without any problems. At the restaurant, Laura was not allowed to stand for more than an hour. At his parents' house, Papa always told him to sit down. Thankfully, Laura did not live there every day. Otherwise, Laura could be annoyed by being bored. In her old home Laura is free to do what she wants. Papa still insists Laura stay with him. But Laura knew she wouldn't stay at home in a big house with a lot of helpers, so she didn't have to do a single piece of homework. Laura was already used to doing things herself, so it felt strange that someone else was working on it for her.

Mama finally managed to convince papa that Laura would be happier living in her own home. Eventually Laura compromises, every day of the holiday will be spent at her parents' house, and every working day Laura will stay at her old house.

Laura looked at papa again. He knew that Papa was really worried about him. Laura smile. "Restaurant is crowded. I take good care of myself. How not, if Antonio is also like a prison warden who yells at me when I stand up?"

Papa nodded in agreement. "Good."

"Tonight you're staying with us, right?" Mom clasped Laura's hand half begging. "Mama missed you. We haven't seen each other in two weeks."

Laura could never refuse my mother's request. He nodded.

Mama smiled happily. "Mama will tell me about my mother's experience in Italy."

Laura heard my mom tell me a long story on the way home. Laura is happy that mom and dad are back safely.

 

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

David stopped his car in front of an apartment complex. "Rafael's apartment consists of four apartment buildings, two swimming pools, a spa, and an open tennis court."

Niko took out her suitcase from the trunk while listening to David's explanation. Actually Niko planned to build his own house, but did not get a strategic location. So for a while he asked David to find an apartment.

"Thank you for finding me an apartment, David." It was already night and Niko wanted to rest. After visiting her shop, Niko was satisfied.

David nodded. "This is the key to his apartment. Your room's in building A, fourteenth floor. Your car will be delivered tomorrow morning."

Niko took the room key from David's hand. "Thank you again for taking care of everything."

"Together, Bos." David smiled as he got into the car. Niko can't wait to take a shower and rest. The elevator door opens and Niko enters. On the second floor, the elevator door opened again, a man entered. The man looked at Niko's suitcase. "You're new?"

Niko looked at the man. "Yes. Just got in today." Niko held out her hand to get acquainted. "Niko Fareli, live on the fourteenth floor."

The man welcomed his handshake. "My room is on the top floor. Fifteen floor. My name is Luki Rafael."

"Oh, you own this apartment, don't you?"

Luki smiled. "Actually my father owned it. Try the spa sometime. It can really relax you. It's on the second floor."

Niko nodded. "I'll try it."

Luki watched the man before her with great enthusiasm. The top two floors are the apartment rooms with the most expensive rental costs. "So, what's your job?" Niko laughs. "Are you interviewing every resident of your apartment?" "Only what makes me curious" Luki replied without feeling guilty.

"I own a jewelry store" explains Niko. "NF Jewelry. Tokoku will open next week. Come if you have time."

"I've heard the name NF Jewelry before. In Paris if it's not wrong" Luki said while trying to remember.

"You're right. I have two jewelry stores there" said Niko.

Luki's impressed. "Wanted to join the Rafael group and open a jewelry store at my hotel?"

Niko realized the seriousness of the words of the man in front of her, but subtly rejected the proposal. "I'm sorry, for a while I haven't been interested in working with anyone else."

Dancing once, thought Luki. No one has ever refused to work with Rafael Group. Luki took out her business card. "Call me if you change your mind. Can I get you your card?"

They also exchanged business cards. The elevator door opens on the 14th floor.

"Your floor" said Luki. "It's nice to meet you, Niko."

"It's good to see you too, Luki."

 

************************

"This steak is so good." Laura chewed her food slowly. "You think I can have the chef deliver the recipe to me?"

Luki looked at Laura while laughing. "I'll try to ask for it."

"I'm just kidding, Luki." Laura cut her steak again. They were having dinner together at a newly opened restaurant. Luki usually comes to Laura's restaurant for a meal, but this time Luki wants to bring Laura to try a new atmosphere at a restaurant other than her restaurant. And the first word that came out of Laura's mouth was the recipe she was eating.

"Four more days you have a birthday, right?" Ask Luki. "What do you want for a gift?" "I don't want any gifts" Laura replied.

"Last year you said the same thing. And I obey you. But this year I want to give you a gift."

"Luki.." -...."

Luki's been trying to interrupt her, "I never gave you a gift." Luki looked at Laura's face in earnest. "I want to give you something you like. Something you really want."

Laura put down the fork and the knife she was holding. "Oh, Luki. I didn't mean to refuse you a gift. It's just, I already have what I want. I got you, papa, and mama."

Luki sighs. "Didn't you want something? Strolling ticket? A car?"

Laura laughs. "Don't be silly. I can't drive a car."

"There must be something you want. What do women usually like? Uhm. How about some jewelry?"

Luki nodded.

Laura remembered the jewelry design many years ago. "alright. Then I want a star ring."

Luki laughed happily. "I'm gonna give you the nicest star ring you've ever seen."

"Thank you" said Laura.

 

**************************

The NF Jewelry store is in the city center. Luki stops her car in a three-story building in exclusive kawasa.

"Good morning," a female employee greeted Luki at the entrance cordially.

"Good morning," Luki replied.

The interior design of Niko jewelry store is really interesting. Some glass cabinets show the latest models of jewelry. In the middle of the room there are dozens of glass tables neatly lined up to form several circles. Each circle represents its type of jewelry. Necklaces, rings, bracelets, and earrings. Luki felt like she was in another world. The world of jewelry is full of sparkles.

Luki met one of the male salesmen standing behind a glass table displaying various interesting rings. "good morning, sir. My name is Surya. Can I help you?" Ask the friendly salesman.

Luki saw the rings on display inside the table. "Ehm.actually I want to make my own ring design. Can you call Niko? I want to see him."

"May I know your father's name?" Surya asked while picking up the phone.

"Luki Rafael."

"Please wait, sir." Surya pressed a few buttons and spoke to someone.

"My boss will be down in a minute" he said, hanging up.

"Thank you, Surya."

Shortly after, Luki sees Niko coming down the stairs.

"Hi, Luki," said Niko kindly. "You're coming."

"Yes. Tokomu is really charming," praised Luki.

"Thanks" said Niko. "You want to buy jewelry?"

"Actually I want to buy a ring," Luki said. "But I want the ring designed from the beginning. I want a new ring. Which has never existed before. Can you do it?"

"I can do it." Niko looked at Luki calmly. "But the price is definitely more expensive than the ring already in existence. You don't mind?"

Luki. "Price is not a problem."

Niko takes Luki upstairs, where her office is. Niko took out a piece of drawing paper and took out her pencil. "So, what kind of ring do you want?"

Luki did not expect Niko to be able to design either. "I want a ring of stars" Luki said later.

Niko dropped her pencil. "A ring of stars?"

"Yes," Luki replied while nodding. "Is there a problem?"

Niko smiled and shook her head. "No. Of course there's no problem. What do you want details like?"

"Ehm..perhaps a star in the middle of a ring with a diamond in it" Luki explained.

After hearing Luki's description, Niko started drawing seriously. Luki watched the man in front of her with interest. A shop owner and jewelry designer. A combination that he rarely encounters.

A few moments later, Niko put down her pencil. "It's still a rough sketch. If you like it, I can design it in my computer program and send the results to your e-mail address. If there's a change, you just call me and I'll change it." Niko gave the picture to Luki.

Luki's speechless. Niko's design was really good. Niko drew a diamond surrounded by five stars. "This is good. I like it."

"Then I'll just send the last picture to your e-mail address. If there's no more trouble, I'll just work on it." Niko kept a picture of the ring on her desk.

"Can you do it in three days?" Ask Luki. "I want to give it to someone on his birthday."

Niko understood. "If you've approved the final sketch, I can do it in three days."

"I hope she likes her ring," Luki said slowly. "I've never done anything to her before."

"I think if the person you want to give you this ring likes you, he'll like your gift too" Niko said.

Luki laughed at Niko's diplomatic words. "Yes. Youre right. He'll love it." "Whoever that woman is, she's really lucky" Niko commented.

Luki. "No. I'm the lucky one. She's a special woman."

In a moment, Niko feels jealous of Luki for having a special woman in her life. Niko had already seen hundreds of men smiling happily as the woman beside her wore Niko jewelry. But he himself had never given his work to a woman he liked.

After her encounter with Luki, Niko concentrates on designing Luki's star ring on her computer. An hour later, Niko finished working on the final sketch and sent the image to Luki's e-mail address. Niko was just about to make coffee when her office door opened.

"Surprise!" The man who opened his office door.

Niko laughed happily. "Julien! You're coming."

Julien sat on the guest bench relaxed. "I like your new shop." "thank you. You want some coffee?" Niko Tawar.

"certain." Julien took off his jacket. "I heard you're going to have an exhibition in two weeks."

"You can come?" Tanya Niko hoped.

Julien shakes. "sorry. I can't. That's why I'm coming now. Oh yeah," Julien delivered a jewelry box to Niko, "your order's raw diamond."

Niko put two of her homemade coffee on the table, then took Julien's jewelry box. "Thanks, Julien." Niko examined the raw diamond closely.

"I got it with great difficulty." Julien smiles. "It's perfect for your star ring's last piece of diamond, isn't it?"

For six years since it was first made, Niko's star ring now has 34 diamonds. There remains one main corner. Niko wants a perfect diamond that fills her. When Julien says he wants to go to Africa to buy a raw diamond, Niko asks him to find a very beautiful diamond for the last piece of his star ring.

"I can't linger" Julien continued after drinking his coffee. "Later in the night I have to go back to Paris."

"Hopefully succeed with your next collection." Niko shook the hand of Julien who was about to walk out the door. Niko looked at the man who had been her guide for eight years. "I'll go to Paris to visit you when the store is stable. If you need my help, don't hesitate to call me."

Julien hugs Niko briefly. "You're the best student I've ever had. Take care of yourself, Niko. See you soon."

 

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Niko turned the third floor of her shop into her study. After Julien's departure, Niko impatiently began to wear her magnifying glasses and mark the raw diamond she had received for cutting.

The work of cutting diamonds requires high concentration and precision. Niko loved every second of it. Although the process can be done by others, but often Niko do it himself. He did not mind sitting for hours and scrutinizing the diamond he had cut until it became a perfect shape.

The cutting process begins with marking the raw diamond that will be cut. Then using a special saw, the diamond is cut. After that the diamonds are formed and honed. There should be no errors in every process. Because one mistake will lead to a piece of worthless diamond.

"You still here, boss?" David looked into his boss's office.

"The other employees have gone home?"

David nodded. "You haven't been down since Julien came."

"You go home first" Niko suggested.

David smiled and walked out of the room. His boss did not know the time if he had worked in his study. But David knew his boss liked what he was doing.

Shortly after her assistant left, Niko's phone rang. There's a message coming in from Luki. He agreed with his plan. Niko wrote a memo to her assistant. He'll have his assistant work on Luki's star ring.

When putting the last diamond into her star ring, Niko was satisfied. For a while he looked at the ring. It took six years to complete all the diamonds in the ring. Now the ring is perfect.

Niko puts a photo of Laura she took at a school reunion next to her star ring. He linked his palms in front of his chin and lingered for a long time looking at his creation that night. ("How do I search for a star among millions of other stars?") Her thought. ("The only way is to make the star shine brighter than any other star. Thats problem. Laura is not the type of woman who stands out. He'd rather hide behind the crowd").

When the wall clock shows twelve o'clock at night, Niko stops staring at her star ring.

("Maybe it's time I let you go)" he said in his heart.

Niko put a picture of Laura in her desk drawer, then closed the box where her star ring was.