The Untouched Heart

Chapter 64 - Praising as High as Heaven

I waited for him to come home as usual. He still comes home at night until I'm sleepy in the sitting room. But I woke up as soon as I heard the roar of his car engine. My heart started pounding faster because of the feeling of happiness.

Of course he was still cold and answered my usual greeting. He walked past me to the stairs. I followed him as usual. As we walked down the corridor towards her room, I quickened my pace and immediately hugged her body from behind. In this way, not a single worker will see us.

“Thank you. I was very helped in deciding which publisher would be right for my book,” I put my cheek on his back and heard his delicate heartbeat.

“Sama-sama.” He just stood there. His hand did not touch mine, but he did not refuse my embrace. It's a good development. “Until when will you hug me?”

“Ah, yes.” I tightened my arms before taking them off. He continued his steps to the room. I waited until he went into his room. Even though she did not turn her head towards me in the slightest, I was already content to be able to hug her for a while.

The publisher who gave me the most profitable offer belongs to the Official family. I didn't want to involve Zach in my work, so I refrained from asking him for his number. I sent a message to the publisher's representative for an appointment.

Hendra sent Mr. Oscar to accompany me as a person I can discuss with until the signing of the contract. I was very surprised when I came to the cafe where my appointment with the publisher, Officially there.

“You also participated in the discussion today?” I asked when I shook his hand.

“This is not my field, but I do not want to miss the opportunity to meet with a prospective famous writer like Brother,” he replied cheerfully. “Come, please sit, Brother, Sir.”

His colleagues explained to me the details of the profits they had revealed to the email. He answered all my questions and doubts well. The official does not lie. This is not his job because he was just listening.

They gave me a copy of the contract to study. I handed it to Mr. Oscar so he could learn every detail. We'll discuss it together when he's done checking it out. Hendra does not want a single point that is ambiguous.

“I know that Brother Hendra will agree to the deal we offer!” the official said when we were alone.

“What do you mean?” many confused.

“When Zach and I had dinner, we accidentally met Hendra who was eating with his business partner. As soon as Zach informed her that Hendra was his sister-in-law, I immediately asked him to persuade Sister to accept our publisher's offer,” he said.

“Kak Hendra praises Brother's writing as high as the sky. That's a rare thing. Rarely do family members enjoy their own family writing. That's when I found out that other publishers also saw something special about the sister's work.

“So I added some offers like the one my colleague had called earlier. And Hendra promised to appoint our publisher as the recipient of the print rights to Brother's novel. I don't want to lose face if my family finds out that I lost my own sister-in-law as our partner. And let other publishers win.” He shuddered slowly.

“You're too complimentary. Have you read that book?” I looked at him suspiciously.

“Of course it is! I like her so much! The main character is upsetting but I like the strong reason that Big Brother presented so I just agree with the choice he made. But I still hope she will be with her best friend, not her evil lover,” lamented softly. I smiled hearing it.

This conversation reminded me of the discussion I had with Hendra on the plane while we were vacationing in Sabang. It's been a long time since we discussed anything freely. We feel far away now. Can I make our relationship go back to what it used to be?

On the way home, I tried to contact Hendra. Twice the phone calls from me went unanswered. I just smiled at the phone screen. Never once had he not answered my phone or not returned my message. I ignored the sudden pain in my chest.

On Saturday night, I accompanied Hendra to an event. The celebration was not formal, so we could go around the room to talk to anyone without having to sit in the designated place. The servants would occasionally pass us by while carrying trays filled with drinks or snacks.

Hendra invited me to dinner first before mingling with the other guests. We sat next to each other on the empty sofa and finished our meal in silence. A waiter came and offered us a drink, and then took our empty plate.

“Wah, wow, we finally met also.” I heard a man's voice on my left. I turned my head and saw the man I remember meeting at the charity concert. “Mahendra Perkasa, I have long wanted to meet you in person.”

“Goodnight, Sir.” Hendra lowered his head in return for the man's greeting. His right hand bone was still being crushed, so he could not shake hands yet, while his left hand was encircling my waist so we stood so close.

“And I already know that I can't touch your beautiful wife,” he said as he bowed slightly towards me. I smiled and lowered my head in return. “We met at a concert event held by your mother. Did they not come tonight?”

“My parents attended another invitation,” replied Hendra politely.

“Aah, you share the task.” The man nodded slowly. I pray in my heart that tonight he will come with his wife or anyone, as long as he is not.

“Father didn't come with wife?” ask Hendra. The man laughed a little.

“My wife has just given birth to our child, so she can't accompany me for a while.” He searches around it. “I came with my assistant .. ah, that's it.”

“Congratulations on the birth of your son,” said Hendra. The man thanked me. “Oh. You came with Vivaldo?” Of course my prayers will not be granted.

“Lo? You guys know each other?” asked the man in wonder.

“Iya. He's my junior at campus.” Hendra just nodded his head at her and was not interested in looking at her. “Happy to talk to Father, my wife and I will greet other guests.”

“Of course. Go ahead. We just came, so I'll eat first.” The man shifted so we could walk past him. I didn't look at Aldo.

Hendra greeted and talked to so many people. As Papa's only replacement, I understand why he needs to make a good impression on all of our family business associates. He will have a lot to do with them when he takes the lead director's seat later.

We say hello to the people who were chatting with us at exactly nine p.m. Kafin was already waiting in front of the main door, so Hendra did not need to call to tell him. The atmosphere in the car was silent, none of us were talking on the way home.

“Why didn't you tell me that you and my parents met him at the charity concert?” he asked as soon as we were in the corridor to our respective rooms. “I remember that I called you that night.”

“There's nothing I need to tell you. Mama and Papa talked to the man they knew and no one cared about Aldo,” I replied half-truthfully.

“I was overseas and you guys met quite by accident behind my back. Really smart choosing the right time.” He looked at me coldly.

“You know that Mama took me to the concert. Do you think I'm crazy enough to dare to meet other men while I'm with them?”

“You slept with her, wasn't that crazy? Look at what your actions have caused. He kept staring at you no matter that I, your husband, was standing by your side earlier. Nor does it matter if there are others who see his brash attitude,” he said furious. Aldo did that? “I hate you so much right now.”

“Hendra,” I held my tears as hard as I could, “I deserve you to be angry and scorned. But don't say any words that don't come from your heart.”

“You think I'm not serious? I really hate you, Zahara.”