"Why are you so sure that Mrs. Susan will listen to you?" Celine asked.
How could Celine not be surprised, Mrs. Susan was famous for her attitude that was difficult to compromise and was so firm, but this man had very confidently said that he would help her to get the permission.
Was this guy used to bragging carelessly? Or, is there a relationship between him and Mrs. Susan?' Celine thought.
"Is it questionable?" answered Darren.
"Forget it! You can never be serious," said Celine.
"Ha ha ha ... Me and Susan are good friends. We were classmates since high school."
"What?" speechless Celine blurted out the word.
"Why were you so shocked like that? Is there something wrong we being high school friends?" Darren asked, a note of annoyance in his words.
"Yes, naturally I'm surprised, you and Mrs. Susan were friends since high school, then how old are you now?" Celine asked.
"Do I look old?"
"Ah, not really. Well, if you don't want to answer, it's okay."
"I'm 26 years old. Not old, right?" Darren replied confidently.
"26 years? You are already at the age of an uncle, do I need to call you uncle now onward?"
"Hey, we are only 8 years apart, why do you want to call me 'uncle'?" retorted Darren. This time he was really irritated at Celine's annoying thought process.
"Ha ha ha ... Just kidding, confess that you don't like being called uncle. Why do you have to bring up the age difference? Besides, isn't that too far?"
"No, that's normal. Look at some siblings whose age difference is even up to 13 years, then do they have to call each other uncle and aunt?" asked Darren.
"All right, I'm just kidding. Don't be angry like that, you won't be handsome anymore," Celine teased.
Hearing the word handsome managed to make Darren blush once again. It was ridiculous actually, just a compliment he was used to receiving could make him happy and blush when it was said by this little girl. Usually he didn't even like to be praised about his appearance.
"I'll go into the office first, if you want to help me get permission from Mrs. Susan, please," Celine continued, and was getting ready to open the door.
"Thank you, uncle," Celine blurted out teasingly and made a run for it immediately.
Darren clearly heard Celine's laughter, who noticed that she had tricked him. But Darren laughed happily. He waited until Celine's back disappeared into the office, then he started his car to leave the place.
'Maybe my first date was not meant to be beautiful,' Celine thought as she walked into the building.
_
Time went so fast, it didn't feel like it was just a three months of closeness between the two of them since the meeting at that time.
Now, Darren and Celine were getting closer. In fact, it can be said that the two of them have established a relationship in the approach phase which means that a special relationship was on the way. Convenience was what brought them close to this stage.
Not only through chatting, but the two of them also often hang out and spend time together. Celine's parents were really curious about the man who was currently getting close to their daughter who was the second name to ignorance and didn't actually spare a thought about men's affairs. They still remember when Celine was in high school in grade 3, a man came to the house and begged Celine's parents to persuade their daughter to open her heart to him.
At the man's endless pursuing, Papa and Mama Celine could only laugh. And, this became a subject for her parents to repeatedly tease their daughter. They would say that they will lose their carefree Celine, and will soon be proposed by a stranger.
At that time, Celine only responded to her parents' teasing by saying she was not interested in a relationship at that time. Not only that man, even some of his childhood friends, as well as fellow youths at his church approached Celine. Their efforts couldn't melt Celine's heart about love at that time. And in fact, when she started working, there were also a few men trying to chase her, and at that time also Celine locked her heart, meaning complete rejection who ever may be her pursuer.
Well, she was someone who had closed her heart and guarding it securely for a long time, it would be difficult to destroy that door.
At the end of November of that year, Darren asked Celine to meet up. Still in the same place, namely The Edge Restaurant, unknowingly that place had become their favorite place.
"Tonight, I'll pick you up," said Darren.
"Okay, at the usual place?" Celine asked as she was about to get out of Darren's car.
The usual place was, in front of Celine's estate entrance, which meant, not being picked up at the front of the house.
Given that she was only 19 years old, Celine intention was to hide her relationship as long as she could. 'We weren't in a special relationship anyway, at least not yet,' Celine thought.
Night was slowly approaching as the sky seemingly turned darker, she didn't know why there was something strange about her feelings at this time. Her heart was beating faster, even though this was not their first time to go for a dinner together.
When Celine was about to send a text to Darren, she suddenly heard the sound of a car stopping in front of their house.
Not long after that, a series of door knocks could be heard.
"Knock knock ....!"
Mama, was the one who immediately stood up and opened the door. In front of the door, a man stood tall in his typical smart casual outfit.
Before that man could greet and introduce himself with the friendliness he had, Ririn, Celine's mother spoke first.
"Sorry, who are you looking for?"
"Good evening Auntie, I am Darren, Celine's friend. I want to find Celine, we already have an agreement," said the man who was wearing glasses, not forgetting to smile as a form of hospitality.
Sihar, who was sitting in the small living room of their house at that time, immediately looked at the man while fixing his glasses, so that he could clearly see the man, who was able to take his daughter out would look like.
"Huh !!!" Sihar pressed his lips together, not showing whether he liked it or refused, as the middle aged man didn't say anything other than just chuckling once.
"Emph, Celine is in her room. Please come in and sit down first, I'll call Celine," said Ririn kindly.
Celine was actually peeking outside, from the corner of the hallway - from where one could see clearly into the living room as well as at the door - she was very worried about her parents' reaction to Darren.
"Uhhh, did he want to die? Why did he come to the house, didn't I say I would wait at the usual place? What will be their response? Would my parents let me go out with Darren?" Celine clicked worriedly. "Yes, of course Papa won't allow it. What's more, he doesn't know Darren," Celine continued muttering, answering her own questions.