Alice who decided to wait for the little boy turned around and called her for help. But sadly, Alice did the wrong thing because the little boy didn't come and show himself.
"Hi? I think besides you a shy child you are also a brave child. Look, you're not looking for me at all when I've left you alone in a dark place like this. You are a great boy!"
Alice spoke to the boy who seemed to be seven years old.
Alice did not hesitate to praise the handsome little boy. From the boy's appearance, Alice could tell that the boy was from a rich family.
Alice stretched out her hand again to invite the boy to come out from under the bartender's table. But the persuasion still failed because the little one didn't budge.
'Which madman would bring such a small child to such a place? You bastard!' Alice muttered in her heart.
"Come on sweet boy, get out of there!" said Alice again but the boy didn't do what Alice asked him to do.
"Alright, I admit my defeat, little boy! I'll be there with you!" said Alice and then went under the bartender's table and sat down next to the little boy.
The cold room temperature and dim lighting made Alice even more sleepy. But her drowsiness disappeared in an instant when Alice's ears heard the erratic grinding of his teeth. And the voice was heard coming from the little boy in front of her.
"Are you afraid of the dark? Or are you cold? Gritting your teeth makes me want to laugh! Come on, son! Come closer to me!" Alice again tried to seduce the little one who remained silent.
Alice could see clearly, the little boy's defense at the offer of a stranger who tried to approach him.
"Good, keep it that way! I know you're scared of me because I'm a stranger to you, right? But like I said earlier, come closer to me if you're scared or cold. I want to help you, kid!"
Finished speaking, Alice closed her eyes to sleep. Before falling asleep, she still had time to take a breath and remember every incident she had experienced until tonight.
From the start, Luna had arranged herself to accompany strong investors to drink. Plus she's locked up because she can't audition for commercials tomorrow. And now, she had to sleep under the Bartender's table with a stubborn little boy beside her.
"Hah, my life is so perfect, God. Even now you are still giving me problems so that I will continue to learn to understand what the meaning of life that you have given me is!"
Alice still had time to give thanks and laugh, before her eyes drifted into a deep sleep.
***
Alice fell asleep for a moment and soon she woke up with her legs cramping. Alice tried to move but was held back by something that seemed to bind her.
Alice opened her eyes and saw the stubborn little boy curled up tightly hugging her legs.
Alice could hardly help but laugh. No matter how tough the child's character is, he is still a child who needs protection from adults.
It can be likened to an abandoned kitten, which will be alert when approached. And if he receives even the slightest bit of kindness, then the kitten immediately follows the good man as if seeking protection and comfort.
Alice can't help but touch this cute little one. Alice's hand slowly touched the little one's forehead. And suddenly Alice gasped when she felt the boy's hot forehead.
Alice immediately checked the rest of the child's body. Hands, feet, and everything did not go unnoticed by Alice.
"Are you sick, son? Why are you silent? Why don't you tell me?" Alice asked anxiously.
"This is terrible! If you stay here with a fever like this, your life could be in danger, son!"
"And unfortunately that old maid Luna definitely won't let the bar owner open this place until tomorrow! Alice muttered as she thought of a way to get the little boy out of here.
Slowly, Alice let go of the little boy's arms that had been tightly embracing her body.
Alice opened the gray blazer below the waist that she was still wearing to make a blanket and covered the cold lower body of the little one.
Alice wet the handkerchief that she took out of her blazer pocket earlier and put the wet handkerchief on the little one's forehead.
After the first aid efforts for the little one were finished, Alice repositioned herself next to the little one.
Alice grabbed the little boy's hand and placed it on Alice's cheek to warm the cold palm. While gently patting your little one's arm to make his sleep more comfortable.
Alice's eyes, which were already very sleepy, were tightly closed while hugging the tiny body beside her.
"I don't know why a child as small as you can come to a place like this. I also don't know what I would have done if I saw the old man who let you suffer to this extent in front of me,"
"Maybe I'll kill him for endangering the life of a tiny little kid like you, kid!"
Alice kept talking to herself in front of the little boy who was fast asleep hugging her.
Without ties, without introductions, it feels like Alice is already very close to the little boy.
***
'When I had to lose love and my child, and I thought it was only my life that was unfortunate because I couldn't hug my child. This child came on a cold and dark night like now, only to intercede for God to have mercy on me in my poor life,'
'When all my family ignored me and dumped me, a little child I didn't know at all came to be my sleep tonight,'
'Thank you, God. At least there's still a reason for me to smile tonight,'
Alice muttered to herself as her eyes began to close.