The Untouched Heart

Chapter 99 - The Great Temptation

Not wrong anymore. Hendra wants to kiss me. When our faces were so close, I closed my eyes. I can finally feel her kiss again. Goodbye three long years. But I did not feel his lips, but a swab at the corner of my lips.

“There's sauce. You eat like Hadi.” He took a piece of tissue and helped wipe my lips again. Men. Jing. Ex. Kan's. Se. The ka. Li's. “What's up? Why do you look angry?”

“Nothing. I have to go to the bathroom.” I'm standing. But he took my hand and I sat back in one pull. And I got what I wanted. He kissed my lips. One of her hands wrapped around my body and pulled me closer.

After my surprise was gone, I returned the kiss. He didn't give me his signature kisses, just short kisses so we wouldn't cross the line. When he put his face away, I still wanted him. But I managed to refrain from asking for more.

I opened my eyes and looked into both of them. I will never forget that loving look. I smile. One of his hands was stroking my cheek. My eyes were closed enjoying the warmth. “Why did you return my kiss? You should have avoided me earlier. I hate you every time you give me a confusing signal.”

Whahuh?

“I need to go to the bathroom.” He took our two empty bowls and stood up. What did he mean by that? I gave him a confusing signal? I obviously wanted a kiss. Instead of giving me a chance to talk, he left. He still is. Conclude yourself, then decide everything yourself.

Not wanting to do any more foolishness, I chose to go into the room and get ready for bed. Let him think about me, I don't care. He kissed me, he got angry too. Truly a man I can't understand his way of thinking.

The laughter of the children woke me up that morning. I looked towards the door. This is the second morning they didn't enter the room to see me once they woke up. That fake aura has taken all of Hadi and Dira's attention away from me.

I took a shower and changed clothes before I left the room. Hadi and Dira immediately greeted me with good morning. I returned greetings from them. When Hendra and I met, I immediately threw away my face, not wanting to see it.

But everything changed when we left without the puppy. Finally, I didn't need to hear the children calling out his name which made my head hurt. Hendra did not want to mention the name of the place we were going to. I just need to look towards the directions he followed to find out our destination. Whoa! The kids will love this.

“Mama! Mama!” Dira sitting behind me cheered to see a giraffe approaching the car.

“That giraffe! Yes, ‘kan, Ma?” ask Hadi enthusiastically. I justify. “Ah, that's zebra. Papa, can we get out and get close to them?”

“Not here. There is a special place where we can hold them, even feed them,” replied Hendra. I understand what he's worried about. We could have opened the window. Everything around us was tame animals, but the children were just the two behind. No adult would help if anything happened.

“Really? I can hold a zebra?” ask Hadi impatiently. Hendra.

I feel proud every time Hadi mentions the name of the animal he saw correctly. He has done everything well. Dira tried to repeat every animal name spoken by his brother. But the rest he just laughs at the animals that come near the car glass out of curiosity.

As we entered the next location, I looked at Hendra with worry. He understood and pointed towards the button that was on the door. He had already secured the window glass button for the children to accidentally open it. We're in the wild animal section. Although I like to see tigers and lions up close, I don't want to take any risks that could put my children's lives at risk.

The first place we went was a panda location. Hadi cheered happily at the sight of the white and black haired animal being brought near us. As promised, he could also feed them. The officer provided it. Dira laughed to himself in Hendra's arms whenever he touched their heads. In just a moment, he immediately pulled his hand back.

I wanted to forbid but I could not bear to see her happy face. So, when Hadi asked Hendra to buy him a panda doll, I allowed it. We also visited a place where there were small animals. It reminds me of a puppy in the villa. I don't know why I felt sorry for him for being left alone.

“Papa, so many birds in this place!” cheers when we are in the next place. An officer followed us from the entrance to answer all my son's questions.

I was so grateful from the beginning that we arrived at this place, Dira never once asked me to carry her. I'm not sure I'll be able to take him here and there all day. Hendra is a really good father. He can now get along with the kids even without Ara present, ah, I mean the puppy.

The trunk of the car is full of stuffed animals belonging to Hadi and Dira. I stared at Hendra in protest. We had a big fight when he was going to buy a third doll for our two children. But Dira who laughs on the sidelines of our debate melts my heart. Where will I put all the dolls in our house?

For dinner, Hendra didn't take us home. We went to a very unique restaurant. He had ordered a table in the middle of the pool, but I refused. The night air was getting colder and I didn't bring a jacket for me or the kids. He did not refuse when I asked us to sit at one of the tables on the ground floor.

Hadi wanted to eat pizza, so Hendra ordered a variety of western specialties. Pizzas, burgers, spaghetti, and salads. The food served turned out to be very tasty, not disappointing like most similar restaurants. Or it could be that the Hendra choose is their best menu. He must have eaten here many times while on vacation.

Recalling his remark that he stayed at his villa once a month for a vacation, made me wonder. Did he ever date a woman to this restaurant? Or stay alone with a woman in her villa? Ah, why am I thinking that? We're not together anymore. He has the right to date anyone he wants.

“What's up? Is the food bad?” ask Hendra. I looked at him, then shook slowly. “You can order other food if there is one you like.”

“No. This is enough. The food is good.”

“Zahara?” Someone said my name. I lifted my head and saw Dicky standing behind Dira. “Ah, correct. Its you. Hi, Hadi, Dira.” He rubbed my daughter's head. Dira raised his head to see who touched him, then shouted in panic. Before I did anything, my daughter surprised me.

“Papa! Papa!” He extended his hand to Hendra. His father immediately lifted him from his seat and hugged him. He looked for a moment at Dicky and then buried his face in Hendra's chest. This guy really doesn't understand the word no.

“I told you, don't touch my daughter. She doesn't like being close to strangers,” I said don't like. Dicky raised both his hands apologizing.

“Who is this guy, Za?” asked Hendra in a cold tone of voice. I swallowed heavily.

“Ah, forgive my sassness.” Dicky stretched out his hand. “My name is Dicky. Ye? Ah, a minute, a second. I know that face. You are Mighty Mahendra, right? Successful entrepreneurs it.” Hendra did not take his eyes off me.

“We were eating together, and my daughter was scared. Can you leave us? I want Dira to finish her food quietly,” I said as polite as possible. She looked towards my daughter who was still comfortable in her father's arms.

“Good. I just wanted to say hello to you guys. I sat there with my friends.” He pointed in the direction where his friends were. They waved to me. There was no Helmut among them. “See later. Bye, Hadi. Hendra.” He patted Hendra on the shoulder.

“Daah, Om,” replied Hadi politely, then he continued to enjoy his pizza.

Hendra still looked at me sharply. What else is my fault? It wasn't me who invited the man to come near our table. It wasn't me who let her touch my daughter. And if he forgets, he's the one who brought us to this restaurant. I lowered my face, unable to resist his gaze. Looks like my life is in danger tonight.