The Season of Reaching the Stars

CHAPTER 26

THE NEXT day, Niko visits Antonio's Restaurant again. Maya found him.

"Laura didn't come in today. He took a leave of absence" he said. "Go home." "Until when?" ask Niko curiously.

Maya is a little sorry to see Niko who is constantly watching the kitchen door. I hope Laura gets out of there. Niko had been waiting for hours.At last Maya sympathized and approached him to tell him that Laura was not coming in. "Maybe until next week." Maya looked at the man in front of her with sympathy. "Go home. Come back next week."

Niko paid for her order and walked out of her restaurant. Laura completely stayed away from him. Niko took her cell phone.

"Luki Rafael," said the voice at the other end of the phone.

"Luki, here's Niko," Niko called from behind the wheel. "you remember that cooperation offer you made when we first met?"

"Of course" replied Luki.

Niko stared into the darkness of the night. "I agree to your offer."

Luki sounds happy. "I'm glad you agreed."

"When will we meet to discuss this partnership?" ask Niko.

"I have a family event tomorrow night" Luki said. "How about the sore? In the restaurant apartment?"

"All right," said Niko. "See you tomorrow afternoon."

 

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

The next afternoon, Luki meets Niko at the apartment restaurant. "So, what made you change your mind?" ask Luki curiously.

*(Laura)*Niko smiled. "I like your hotel. I've seen it. I can make your hotel special jewelry design. I also want to open a branch of my shop in your hotel." Luki looked at Niko sharply. "You really thought about it."

"Of course."

"You have two stores in Paris, one in New York, and now here." Luki lays out what she knows about Niko's business. "Your luck last year increased very sharply, didn't it?" Luki has never been a businesswoman without knowing her potential business partner.

Niko smiled. "But not half of the profits earned by Rafael Group this month."

Luki smiled back. He knew he was dealing with a person who could not be underestimated. Had Niko Fareli been his business opponent, Luki would have surely come up with an exciting new challenge. Things that he had not felt for a long time, but working with Niko was also a challenge. Luki felt that there was still another reason why Niko wanted to cooperate with her. It doesn't feel that easy that Niko can change her attitude. Joining Rafael Group or not, Niko has been successful. He doesn't need fame anymore. Luki decided not to know the reason today. There's still another time.

"I'm going to submit a proposal for cooperation next week" Luki said.

 

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

Laura gets off papa's private car in front of Luki's apartment. Today is her parents' wedding anniversary. He came to pick Luki up for dinner together at their parents' house. Laura just went shopping. Papa's private driver will pick up papa at his office then return to pick up Laura and Luki at the apartment.

Laura walks into an apartment restaurant, where Luki promises to wait for her. Laura looked at Luki. But he also sees Niko with him. After desperately trying to avoid Niko, he meets her again. Laura was about to leave the restaurant, but Luki caught up with her.

"Laura!" Luki.

Niko turned around and looked at Laura. She smiles. Laura must not have expected Luki to be with him. As usual, seeing Laura can ease her longing after yesterday not meeting her.

"Sit down." Luki pointed to the seat beside her.

Laura sat down slowly. "Of course not."

"I've already ordered coffee for you," Luki said as she waved at one of the maids in front of them.

Niko looked at Laura sharply. Laura avoided Niko's gaze. Laura forgets that Luki doesn't know about her dislike of coffee. After the incident at the hospital when Luki made coffee for him. Luki never made any more coffee for him. And Laura always orders a drink first before Luki orders it for her.

A cup of coffee arrived in front of Laura. His hands hesitated to reach for the cup. He couldn't possibly be straightforward with Luki right now. Especially in front of Niko

"You didn't drink your coffee?" ask Luki wonder

Laura tried to smile. "I'll drink it when it's colder."

Hp Luki reads. Luki picked up her phone. After apologizing to Niko and Laura, he walked out of the restaurant. Laura looked down at her coffee.

"He didn't know you didn't like coffee" Niko said later. "You pretend you don't know me. What else are you hiding from her?"

Laura looked at Niko sharply. "It's none of your business. It doesn't matter if I like coffee or not. If the person I like gives it to me, it doesn't matter, does it?"

Niko did not answer.

Laura raised her fingers and tried to touch the handle of her cup slowly. When her hand was about to touch the cup, another hand had already taken it from Laura's hand.

Laura sees Niko drinking the coffee in her cup. Then when it's done. Niko returned the cup to Laura's front.

From the back of the restaurant, Luki notices it with confusion.*(why did Laura let Niko drink her coffee?)* His astonishment grew so much that he hung up on her and returned to his chair. "You've been drinking your coffee?" luki asked, luring Laura's answer. "I order one more cup, huh?"

"No, no, no" answered Laura quickly. "I'm not thirsty anymore."

Laura's answer made Luki even more confused. Slowly, unbeknownst to the two, he looked at Niko, then back at Laura. Luki saw Niko staring at Laura with a look full of sadness. *(Why is Niko staring at Laura like that?) ask Luki inwardly. *(Laura also seemed to avoid Niko's gaze. Bizarrely. They met a few times, though.Or.).*

"Niko," said Luki turning her attention, "you never told me how you got to know Julien Bardeux."

Niko removed her gaze from Laura and looked at Luki, her smile expanding slowly. "A girl waited hours to submit my plans to Julien."

"Oh, really?" Luki seems interested in Niko's story. "She must be a special girl."

Niko looked at Laura. "Yes. She's a special girl." Laura looked up slowly and looked back at Niko. "A fascinating story." He decided to play his purapine role. "Maybe one day I can meet him."

Niko laughed short. "I'm sure you can meet him."

Luki's phone rang. Papa's private car has arrived in front of the apartment. Laura breathed a sigh of relief. He doesn't know how much longer to pretend he doesn't know Niko.

"Papa was already in front of the apartment," Luki told Laura. "Sorry, we have to go first. Next time we talk again."

Niko stood up to take Laura and Luki away. From inside the restaurant he saw a middle-aged man in black clothes smiling at Laura, and hugging her. Niko had seen the picture of the man in a business newspaper a few days ago. Charles Rafael.Dad Luki. Laura's relationship with Charles Rafael seems to be very good. Niko felt a little jealous. Niko sees Laura and Luki and Charles Rafael riding in a black car.

Niko took the elevator to her apartment. It seems that more and more days Laura is getting better at hiding her feelings. Niko changes her clothes and picks up her tennis racket. For the next hour he unceasingly hit a tennis ball coming out of the throwing machine.

Breathing gasps. His body was full of sweat. The jealousy in his heart began to subside. She now realizes that she not only likes Laura, but also loves her.

Niko hits the last ball coming out of the engine with all her might. *(It's over)*Niko took her towel and walked out of her apartment tennis court.