Trapped by Pandora

Chapter 2: The Taste

Today is the first time Beryl has set foot on Monzana Enterprise as a President Director in her papa place. Entering the doors of the company lobby, several employees greeted. A bespectacled man, two years younger, stood in front of the reception desk and welcomed his arrival.

“Good morning, Mr. Beryl!” eijaz, the personal assistant. In addition to Eijaz, there were several other employees standing lined up in the reception area bowing their heads as a sign of respect.

“Again!” beryl replied with a firm tone and a wide smile.

“What is my schedule today Eijaz?” ask as they step into the elevator.

“This morning there are several meetings that you must attend Mr. At nine o'clock there is a meeting of the Board of Directors to discuss the performance and development of the company in the last six months. At twelve o'clock there is a meeting with PT. Indonusatama related to the project of building a five-star hotel in Bali. And lastly, at three o'clock there is a meeting with PT. Alamjaya related to the procurement of furniture industry raw materials to be sent to London.”

Eijaz was a very detailed and thorough man in every work he did, which is why Mr. Moazzam trusted him so much. His honesty, tenacity, persistence and loyalty to the Monza family cannot be doubted.

“Please prepare all the materials on my desk. I will learn it one by one before the meeting starts,” Beryl said before entering her study on the seventh floor of the Monzana Enterprise building.

“Good sir,” Eijaz rushed to the worktable located not far from Beryl's room.

Beryl studied one by one the meeting materials and documents needed for today's meeting. Apparently, life at the age of forty-six years was only colored by work, work and work. For some people, his life seems very boring. There is no time for fun to indulge, but surprisingly Beryl enjoys it very much.

“Oh My GOSH, Beryl!” Beryl put down the document that was being read when she heard her name called out loud. His eyes turned to look at someone standing at the entrance of the study. A clean white woman with brunette hair on her back and left to be unraveled. Light blue dress along the knee, white knit bolero and high heels in line with the bolero increasingly show glowing skin.

“Yes God, this is really you! I can't believe, I thought my Papa was lying!” Mayfa Zora hugged Beryl who was still sitting in her big chair.

“I miss you so much,” he continued while staring at Beryl's face after releasing a hug.

“Zora, what are you doing here?” Beryl is troubled by Zora's unexpected appearance.

“Can't I visit you here? I want to be sure of the truth of the news I heard. We'll be engaged soon, right? So there's no harm in me meeting you here.”

“Zora, please!”  Beryl held onto both of Zora's arms and pushed her away.

“First, this is your office, not your home that you can freely enter at any time. Second, your joke about fiancee, it's not funny!” Beryl stared intently at Zora half intimidatingly.

“You better get out of here soon, I have a meeting.”

Beryl came out of her study just as Eijaz was about to enter to say that the Directors were waiting in the meeting room.

Zora gulped, Beryl's attitude towards her had not changed. Still as it used to be, cold and indifferent. However, Zora still never gave up on her love. They have known each other since they were in elementary school. Beryl was very kind and attentive. That's what made him fall in love. Zora asks her father to be educated in the same place as Beryl. Beryl's attitude suddenly changes when Zora expresses her feelings on their high school graduation day.

Beryl who was gentle, considerate and affectionate changed one hundred and eighty degrees. The more days the man is getting away and difficult to achieve. Love has blinded Zora, she doesn't care about Beryl's changing attitude. The more Beryl drifted away, the more Zora became eager to get closer, her determination was already unanimous.

^^o^

Alin arranged the food he cooked on the dining table. Macaroni soup and rolade his papa favorite chicken. A glass of warm orange juice is also not forgotten to be served. This morning Alin had no activities at the clinic, so after breakfast he would accompany his father to the orphanage they frequented.

“Papa, let's have breakfast!” call him.

There was a wheel chair being moved. Her father was paralyzed by an accident seven years ago. The motorbike driven was hit by a car at high speed from the side, the papa bounced then fell hard with both legs crushed by the motor. Her father suffered spinal injuries and a broken leg. Mister Vishaka should still have hope of recovery after surgery if routine physiotherapy, but his spirit faded when Alin experienced severe depression coupled with the departure of his beloved wife due to pain suffered. It was a terrible blow and it was unfortunate that Mr. Vishaka was unable to bear the heavy burden.

“Come Pa, eaten! This Alin already masakin Papa's favorite food,” Alin put a bowl on his papa table. Mr. Vishaka's eyes sparkled and inhaled a very fragrant aroma of cooking, reminiscent of his late wife.

“Hmmm, this is so delicious! Exactly like your Mama's,” he said after tasting Chef Alin's macaroni soup.

“If so, Papa should eat a lot. Be healthy and strong!” Alin raised both arms in the style of Popeye made Mr. Vishaka chuckle.

“If you are smart to cook like this, your husband must be happy,” said Mr. Vishaka.

“Yeah Papa, why the hell is that discussed again? Alin has said that he will not marry before Papa gets married.”

“Do you think anyone wants to be with Papa? This papa will only be troublesome, so be sure!”

“Sst, What is this Papa talking about? Papa is still handsome, not less the same Hollywood actors like Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt. Anyway, why don't you open your heart to Aunt Naima?” Mr. Vishaka put down the spoon for a moment, his daughter's babble was a little teasing.

“Naima is too good for Papa, he can get the better of a crippled man like Papa. He had to pursue his dream, not just dwell in an orphanage forever. Living like a prisoner, Papa doesn't want him to waste it.”

“Pa, Aunt Naima's dream Papa. Only Papa who does not want to open the eyes of Papa's heart even a little. And about the orphanage, I don't think Aunt Naima feels imprisoned. The orphanage was his life, it was not something in vain. Papa told me that Mama and Aunt Naima grew up in the same orphanage. They aspire to keep and develop the orphanage together so that the children's lives are better in the future. Where's the futility, Pa?”

“Alin, enough!” Mr. Vishaka could not hear his son's words anymore. He knew what Alin said was true. I don't know if he doesn't want to open his heart because he still loves his late wife or because of insecurity.

Naima Larasati is the girl who first expressed love for her when they were young. Unfortunately, Mr. Vishaka has made a heart for Zivaa Ataya, a friend and brother after Naima. She prefers Zivaa even though she knows that Zivaa's love at the time wasn't for her. Naima was married, but her marriage ran aground.  The marriage lasted only six months. Naima filed for divorce from her husband because of KDRT.

“Then Papa also does not need to discuss my marriage. My decision is round. I'd be married if Papa was married to Aunt Naima, period. Case closed!” Alin was stubborn, just like his papa.

They continued to eat in silence, there was only the sound of the clanking of spoons and forks accompanying. Each was busy with his mind wandering somewhere.

^^o^

“Mr, Mr Beryl!” call Mr. Adhitama. Beryl blinked both eyes. It was realized that the business partner was still standing before him and was talking about something.

“Ah yes, sorry! Where did you get to?” Beryl tried to recall their last conversation.

“I will immediately send the proposal of cooperation to the office of the Master, hopefully this cooperation can run well,” replied Mr. Adhitama straightforwardly.

“Of course! I wait for the proposal.”

“Alright Mr. Beryl, then excuse me first. Nice to meet you!” Mr. Adhitama said goodbye and then shook Beryl's hand.

Beryl stared at Mr. Adhitama's departure until his figure was no longer visible in the front gallery of the restaurant. His eyes returned to the bookstore. His heart was moved to step there when he saw the children running around in the store.

“Master, we go to..,”

“We go to the bookstore first!” cut Beryl before Eijaz finishes his sentence. Of course Eijaz could not go against his master's orders. He followed the footsteps of his young master, without much question.

Beryl spread her eyes all over the store. The person he was looking for had not met. He told Eijaz to wait in front because he did not want his assistant to follow him all day. His footsteps slowly landed on the fictional area. The word heart led to approaching a bench around the area because it saw children gathered there. The fragrance of lavender lulls the sense of smell, fresh and soothing, making it comfortable.

“Dok-ter Alin,” the crown prince of the Monza family was venturing to greet first even with a restrained nervous voice. While the summoned girl looked up at him, looking at him stunned.

“Ehm, remember me?” Beryl.

“Mr Beryl Monza right?” the girl remembered him well.

“Fiiuuhh, thank God that Doctor Alin still remembers me.”

“Of course, your kids are amazing kids, so it's easy to remember,” a smile expands on his lips, making the vibrations all over Beryl's body increase even more.

“What are you with kids?” Alin glanced behind Beryl, but did not see any of the three children.

“Oh no, I happen to have a meeting with a client at the front restaurant. I want to buy them a book, and accidentally see a Doctor here,” he said.

“Oh so, I guess they are here. How is Kika, does her tooth still hurt?”

“It looks like it doesn't hurt anymore, he's been chatty as usual. In fact, he eats ice cream more often now, he said let his teeth healthy,” Beryl chuckles considering the behavior of his youngest child using the reason for tooth pain in order to be allowed to eat ice cream as much as he wants.

“Yes God, it must be because of me, right?” alin's eyes are breaking and hearing Beryl's words.

“Hahaha, perhaps,” somehow Beryl liked Alin's surprised expression so much, her look was so adorable.

“Sorry! I felt guilty,” Alin put the book he was reading and cupped both palms in front of the chest as a sign of apology.

“Ah, forget it. His name is also children. Do you have no schedule in the clinic today?” The young master Monza did not want to add to the guilt of the beautiful woman in front of him.

“Hmm, actually today is the day of my Papa visit to the orphanage. So, I prefer to accompany her and spend time together with the orphanage children,” Beryl turns attention to the children who are sitting cross-legged on the floor near the latest comic displays. He did not think that they were children from the orphanage, at first he thought that the children were Alin's nephew. There was a hint of admiration veiled in his heart. Not only beautiful, but the heart of the hairy-eyed woman was as beautiful as the look of her face.

“Oh yes, you said you wanted to find a book for children. What book to look for?” alin's voice rang out his dream.

“Entah, I don't know yet,” replied Beryl as she rubbed her temple.

“Do you want to help me?” Beryl asked.

“I?” Alin pointed at himself.

“Iya, it seems like Doctor Alin knows the character of my children,” deep down Beryl hopes time can be a little on his side.

“Ehm, alright.”

Alin accepted his request. They spend time scouring every bookshelf from children's fairy tale books, comics, teen novels, hobbies even to stationary areas to buy some school supplies. Comfort tucked in Beryl, his youthful passion re-emerged as if he had just stepped on in his early twenties. Although there was still awkwardness between them, but the distance of age that stretched so far as not visible.

“Well, I think it's time to take these kids home. Once again thank you,” said Alin when they were in front of the cashier table. Initially, Alin refused when Beryl was about to pay for all the groceries. However, Beryl forced under the pretext of being a gift to the children of the home, Alin was not able to hold it.

“I also thank you for the help,” said Beryl mince words.

“We'll excuse you. Come children!” Alin sauntered leaving Beryl who could not stop smiling happily. It turns out that finding happiness is so easy and simple.

“There is a task for you, find out which orphanage was visited by Doctor Alin!” beryl orders Eijaz who is already standing behind her.

“Good, Master!”

***