Arissa blinked a few times while she trying to sit up properly. She was assisted by Cristan who lay exactly next to her. Her right hand felt numb because it stayed in the same position all night long, without moving it at all.
She rubbed his face and tries to remember something. That day, it's the weekend. And she has nothing to do from work, but Arissa felt that she had forgotten something important that day. What is it? Arissa shook her head several times as she thought and struggled to remember what she had forgotten before.
Then, as she has just got struck by lighting in broad daylight, she quickly jumped from the sofa in panic!
Oh lord!
She remembers now!
Lavender Hill.
He had promised to help George by taking some pictures of their lavender field today!
Oh my… my..my… how could she forget of such important notice like this?
Arissa quickly looked at the clock on the wall. It's 10:00 a.m. Oh my ... She already late an hour late for the appointment! Quickly, she grabbed a towel and rushed into the bathroom.
Cristan, who saw her fast movements, was just utterly confused and had no idea why she has to rushed in flash speed like that. They ... just woke up, right? And it's the weekend anyway. Which means, no work.
In his mind, Cristan imagining to relax and spending his free time with Arissa after breakfast or making lunch together in the apartment, and during the afternoon, they can watch TV and have a chit-chat. But, seeing her so busy this morning, it looks like she has another plan to do today.
Cristan inhaled a deep sigh. Duh!
Her faint scent still lingers all over his body and hair. It's a scent of musk. It's still remained on the pajamas that he is wearing now.
Maybe he should make breakfast first for them both now. Lazily, he poured 2 glasses of instant cereal for himself and Arissa.
Arissa, who had just finished her shower and dressed up, grabbed her phone and called George immediately. Her heart was pounding wildly in panic while her face was frantically drawn with guilt.
After a while, George finally picked up the phone across the line and talked briefly about rearranging the schedule of his lavender farming photoshoot for that day. In the end, another deal was made, George agreed if Arissa visited his farm around 2:00 PM. where the sun won't be too hot and taking the shots would be much better because there wouldn't be too much noise * . After all, at 2:00 p.m., the lavender plantation will be closed to the public so there will no visitors and Arissa may take the photo freely.
After her calling, Arissa exhaled a sigh of relief and take a glass of warm cereal that was given to her by Cristan.
"Have a drink. You haven't eaten anything else since this morning…" Cristan said softly with soft eyes.
Arissa simply blushed and was touched by his little kindness and drink it slowly. Savoring the warmness inside the glass.
"Thank you…"
Both of them sat back on the sofa and drink their cereal in quiet.
"So, what is your plan today?" Cristan cleared his throat and decide to break the silence first.
"Mmm….. I had an appointment to take a photo of the lavender field which belongs to Santana family this morning. They will make some brochures for tourism and need my help for taking some photos to be uploaded on their official website… " Arissa explained briefly to Cristan.
Cristan just sat back quietly and listen to all her explanations. Shortly, after a while, he got up.
"Alright, how if I take you there?"
Arissa's eyes sparkled with joy when she heard his offer. The lavender field is located 1 hour's drive from the city of Mori. With the speed of Cristan's car, they may arrive faster. At least, thirty minutes faster from the appointment. Besides, Arissa can save more money rather than calling a cab to take her there.
"Really? Are you okay with that? The place is quite far, Cristan…"
Cristan just smiled and shrugged his shoulders.
"Yes, I have nothing to do today. Besides, I'm your manager. I need to be around you all the time, right? "
Cristan's lips curved upward as he said the sentence. The pain and sadness that she saw last night had completely disappeared. His face emanated with carefree joy and he seems more relaxed now. Made his handsomeness much more impactful to her now.
"Okay, get ready, I'll prepare some snacks for us. Think of it as a getaway and we're getting paid for that .. "
Cristan chuckled lightly before his figure quickly disappeared to the bathroom. Meanwhile, Arissa just nimbly herself and preparing some sandwiches for their lunch along the way.
.................................….
In 20 minutes…
A GT Turismo rolled down the winding road towards a hill north of Mori City. The weather was truly nice that day. The sun was shining and the sky is clear blue above their heads. Along the way, as far as their eyes could see, Arissa and Cristan enjoyed a vast sea of greeny trees on each side along the road.
With great enthusiasm, Arissa took some scenic photos as much as she could. Then, she put away the camera and enjoy the gentle breeze that blows her face on the field. She takes a deep breath and fills her lungs with fresh air as much as possible.
Seeing Arissa so carefree and enjoying her surrounding, Cristan smiled happily. He thought back to the unexpected incident last night when they unconsciously fell asleep and hugging each other until this morning. That moment was intimate. They have never been as close as it before. Slowly, a heat crept on his face and made him blushed.
Shit! What happened to me now? Cristan inwardly cursing himself.
Gosh, Cristan! Focus! You're driving now!
He scoffed and grumbled at himself.
Shortly after, they arrived.
.......................
The Santana family is widely known as one of the families that manage the lavender field that inherited from their ancestors through the generations. This plantation is quite extensive with an abundant harvest of lavender flowers every year and it is often used as the raw material for perfume or other beauty products. Another good thing about this plant is…
Lavender flowers are also proven quite effective as a mosquito repellent.
There are several lavender plantations in the world such as in New South Wales, Italy, and southern England but nothing beats the lavender crop produced by the Santana family in Fiersa City. Their distillation system is still done manually using that has been preserved for hundreds of years so that it can produce the purest essential oil from the lavender flowers. As in addition, the contours of the hills that stretch out widely when the flowers bloom are also very beautiful, so this field often uses as a location for filming or doing photoshoots for fashion models and pre-wedding couples who want to get married.
When they got there, George Santana has been waiting for them both with a beaming face. George himself is the 6th generation and the only successor of his family business and currently involves in business actively.
When he saw their arrival, he quickly spread his arms widely and hugged Arissa tightly in a crush-bone hugging as a friend. George knows about Arissa from Jojo, who often uses his lavender field as a regular location for his photoshoots.
Arissa hugged George back casually and introduced Cristan who came along with her that day.
After that, George invited them both to his house and talk more about the design theme and how they would imply the new brand that they would like to display for their new branding for the promotion in the future. As someone who expertise in visual design, Arissa has no difficulty communicating and understanding the grand design of what George had explained to her earlier. While Cristan only does some occasional chats and adding some ideas with George and Arissa professionally, especially when it is related to technical problems.
As a representative of the new face in his family business, George has a plan to make tourism their second source of income for their business, therefore, a new strong brand image was necessarily needed so their lavender field may attract tourists as many as possible while they can also sell aromatherapy as their icon and souvenirs of Lavender Hill. Arissa nodded her head while she writes down some notes of the details conveyed by George to her.
Then, slowly, time tickling and it shows 2 PM. It's time for Arissa to get work immediately and she is waiting patiently until all tourists walked out from the field.
Without saying a word, Cristan stepped out from the main house with Arissa and George.
As soon as George opened the door and they both arrived at the backyard, they let out a long gasped and their eyes widened like a saucer as they held their breath.
...........................…