The Season of Reaching the Stars

CHAPTER 24

NIKO reunites with Luki in an apartment elevator a week later. He handed me his jewelry exhibition invitation. Luki said she's coming. Then Niko added, "take Laura." Luki agreed to Niko's proposal. She had no idea the main reason Niko invited her was to meet Laura again.

The next week, Luki takes Laura to Niko's jewelry exhibition. Laura did not expect that she would be invited to the jewelry exhibition, because if she knew, of course she refused. So, when she saw the poster of the NF Jewelry jewelry exhibition in front of the entrance to the hotel ballroom, Laura again felt nervous. It's been a week since he tried not to go to Luki's apartment. He does not want to meet intentionally or not with Niko.

Laura stopped her steps at the front door. Luki turned to look at Laura in confusion. "You don't want to come in?"

"You never said you were taking me to a jewelry show" Laura lamented. Especially the Niko jewelry exhibition.

"I thought you'd like it. Come on, you can choose the jewelry you want. I will definitely buy it for you," Luki tried to comfort Laura. "After all, I promised Niko I'd attend the show."

Laura surrendered. "alright. I'm doing this for you."

Inside the exhibition hall there was a crowd of people. Some of them come from above. Most of them were admiring Niko's work that was plastered in glass boxes. Laura saw Niko overwhelmed talking to several people at once. Laura smiled slightly. Since the school era until now, Niko has never gone unnoticed.

A reporter photographed Niko along with one of her jewelry collections. Luki's approaching Niko. Laura clasped her handbag tightly. He had to pretend he didn't know Niko again today.

Just as Niko saw Laura, a reporter asked her, "what makes you want to be a jewelry designer?"

Niko smiled without taking her eyes off Laura, she said with certainty, "I've loved jewelry since childhood. Initially it was just a hobby, but over time I seriously wanted to pursue it. The opportunity came because a girl helped me achieve my dream."

Niko's gaze softened. She looked at Laura. Hearing the comment from Niko's mouth, Laura looked away. He can't control his feelings. Shocks after shocks struck his heart. Shocked, shocked, sad, angry, haru, everything becomes one.

The reporter smiled at Niko's reply. "And where is this woman now?" Ask curiously.

*("I was looking at him.")* Niko said in her heart. He saw Laura. Niko understood. Laura doesn't want anyone to know her.*("well, for a while I'll follow your will, Laura.")*

"Secret," said Niko smiling full of mystery. "And if you don't mind, I'd like to go around greeting the guests first."

The reporter laughed. Niko walked towards Luki. "It's good that you came, Luki. You too, Laura."

"Great exhibition" said Luki.

I finally looked at Niko again. The pair of brown eyes looked at him gently. He recalled their first meeting. "Congratulations, Niko" said Laura sincerely.

"Thank you....Laura." - Laura." Niko squeezed her own hand in her pocket. She was eager to hug Laura right then and there. Laura's face was still the same as she remembered. Niko could not remember how long she had wanted to hear Laura's voice. A week ago when we first met, I was too shocked to hear it. Now she was really happy to hear Laura's voice back.

"You two have a chat, please," Laura tried to dodge. "I'm going to go to the food first." Without the consent of the two, Laura breezed away.

Luki smiled shortly. "That's Laura. All he has in mind is food."

Niko curious. "Laura really likes food?"

Luki sighs. "Laura is a pasta chef. Wherever we go, he always tries food first."

*("I should have expected it,")* thought Niko. "I want to try the cooking."

"You should come to Antonio's restaurant sometime. Laura works as the head chef there," suggested Luki.

("Thank you, Luki".)Niko smiled. "I'll definitely try."

 

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Laura tried to calm herself down while taking some food to her plate.

His hands are still trembling. When he started eating, he couldn't feel anything. Matanys stared at the crowd who were looking through Niko's jewelry collection. Strange, he thought, he didn't see Erika everywhere. Maybe Erika is not present today. Niko shouldn't have said anything about the other girl helping her dream to reporters. If Erika knew, Erika would be jealous. Although eight years had passed, Laura still felt guilty for accidentally pushing Erika from the stairs, so Erika could not walk. Laura knew that feeling. He experienced it two years ago too. Really painful. Laura did not plan to be at this exhibition for too long. He does not want to risk being recognized by others. Especially Erica.

Laura walked around from one piece of jewelry to another. There are some that he recognizes from Niko's previous work. His eyes were stunned when he saw a necklace that won a prestigious race abroad. Niko is already a successful jewelry designer. Laura never doubted that Niko would be successful in any field.

Suddenly Laura's eyes were glued to a ring in the glass cabinet. Laura approached. His hands tried to touch the layer of glass that covered the ring.

Star rings made by Niko.

Eight years ago, Laura saw the design, now she can see the real work. Laura's palm approached her lips. His eyes began to glaze over. He was silent not moving.

That's how Luki found Laura. Struck at a ring. Niko followed behind him.

Luki approached Laura and touched her shoulder. Laura was flabbergasted and looked at Luki with a slight aghast. "Do you like the ring?" Ask Luki.

Laura could not answer.

"Niko," Luki turned to the man behind her, "it seems that this ring of yours stupefied Laura. I want to buy it. How much?"

Niko shook her head. "Sorry this ring is not for sale. Included in my private collection."

Luki was a little disappointed. "I'll pay whatever it costs."

looking at Niko's star ring again. He only hears vaguely Niko and Luki's conversation. Laura looked at the seven stars surrounding the ring. In one of these stars are several letters. Laura narrowed her eyes. In the top three corners are three letters. A.L.A.

Laura did not know the meaning of the initials. Then he accidentally saw the other two letters in the bottom two corners. He could not help his surprise. When read clockwise from the top corner, the letters become L.A.U.R.A. Her name. Laura subconsciously dropped her bag.

Luki turned to face Laura. Laura's realized. "Sorry," he said. He rushed to get all the falling items scattered from his bag. Luki bowed and helped him. After all her stuff returned to her bag, Laura looked at Luki. "I'm not feeling well, Luki. I want to go home now."

Luki looked at Laura's pale face and immediately agreed to her request. "alright. Sorry, Niko. We go home first."

Niko was about to touch Laura, but Luki had already taken her away. Niko looked at the two who vanished from behind the door. Niko looked at her star ring, her smile expanding slowly. Laura saw the ring.

As she was about to join the other guests, Niko saw a piece of paper scattered on the floor. He picked up the small paper. Probably fell out of Laura's bag, she thought. He opened the fold. Two words are written there. There are some letters that are slightly missing, but Niko can still read and recognize them. 'DON'T GIVE UP'. Own writing.

Niko smiled faintly. It's been all this time, but Laura's still carrying it. Just like he still carries Laura's sketchbook wherever he is. Laura still likes it. The thought made Niko happy.

"You look so happy" said someone behind her. Niko smiled at the sight of her parents. His hand put the paper he held in his pocket and then hugged papa and mama.

"I'm glad you guys came" exclaimed Niko happily.

"We won't miss it." She looked at her son with pride. "Mama's proud of you."

Niko saw mom wearing her latest work necklace.

"Mama's friends never stop praising the jewelry you wear. They're all jealous because mom has her own jewelry designer."

Papa laughed at my mother's words.

"Congratulations, Niko," said the father, addressing him.

"Thank you, pa." All opposition between Niko and papa ended after Niko won the Tiffany contest. Since then, papa no longer regrets Niko's decision to choose a career in jewelry. Now he is proud that his son is even more famous than he is.

 

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"Laura, call for you!" Maya screams at the kitchen.

It's still morning. The restaurant will soon open. Laura walked towards the restaurant dining room. "From who?" Laura asked Maya.

"Say from Niko," said Maya.

Laura's heart flinched once.*("how did Niko know I worked here?")*

begging Maya not to take the next call from the same person. Maya scrunched her forehead in confusion. "Why?" Ask.

"He's someone from my past who doesn't want me to remember back" Laura said. "Please help me yes, take it."

After all, Laura did not understand why Niko called her. He thought the act of pretending not to know him was enough to make Niko not approach him anymore. Doesn't he have Erika? Why does he still have to bother her?

Maya looked at Laura's ferocity and nodded. "I'll say you're busy."

"Thanks, ma'am." Laura's back in the kitchen.

Maya picks up the phone and tells Niko that Laura is busy and unobtrusive. On the other end of the phone, Niko was a little disappointed. "Well then, I'll call again. Thank you." Thank you."

Niko looks at the Antonio Restaurant website from her computer. An Italian restaurant in the suburbs. It has been standing for over ten years. It is known as one of the Italian restaurants recommended by food critics. Niko looked at the photo gallery on the main site of the restaurant. His view falls on the picture of the restaurant kitchen. She imagined Laura working there and smiled.

In the afternoon, Niko called again. He was rejected back. This time, Laura came home.

The next day, Niko tried to call early. The answer remains the same. Laura's busy. Laura is home. Laura is not in the restaurant. Or Laura's in a meeting.

On the fourth day Niko comes to the conclusion Laura does not want to take a call from her. "Is Laura busy?" He was on the phone on the fifth day. He wanted to make sure again.

The voice on the other end of the phone sounded faint. "I don't want to lie anymore." Said. "sorry. But can you not call here again? Laura doesn't want to talk to you."

Niko's guess is right. Laura won't talk to him. Laura wants to avoid it. "alright. Thank you for your concern all along" Niko said as she hung up.

Niko stared at the star ring on her desk.*("if Laura didn't want to see me, I'll see her")* her determination.*("the waiting period is over. I can't wait any longer")*.

Niko called David. Shortly after, David came to his office.

"You called me, Niko?" Ask. Niko nodded. "I need your help." "Sure," said David.

Niko smiled and explained what kind of help she needed.