After returning from her parents' house, Zulfa now parks her car at a chocolate shop that is very popular with many people. It can be seen, the buyers are classified as children to adults. This was all because of Dea who was whining asking to be brought gifts from her return.
No pain, no special day too, most troublesome human Dea!
She stepped into the store, accompanied by the ringing of a bell that was deliberately placed above the store entrance so that employees would know that a customer had left or a new customer had left the store.
The distinctive aroma of chocolate fills Zulfa's sense of smell, a distinctive aroma that can calm some people who are experiencing feelings of sadness. Believe me, chocolate is the best mood booster in the world.
"Jeje, don't run. Later you fall, there are many customers here, you will hit and fall."
Zulfa saw a small child wearing a light blue dress with a white moon necklace as an accessory. She knew the little boy. She is Jeje, a child who accidentally soiled her clothes the other day.
"Auntie? Finally, we meet again here!" Jeje shouted with joy when she saw herself who just stared in disbelief. Is the world small?
Zulfa blinked as Jeje started to tug at the hem of her shirt with her left hand, and the girl's right hand was already busy holding colorful lollipops, adorable. "Hey you, we meet again." She said very kindly, crouching down to match Jeje's height with her.
"Oh aunty, don't call me 'you', my name is Jesika Pamela Dante." She explained while pursing her lips feeling dissatisfied with what Zulfa had told her about her nickname.
Zulfa chuckled, then pinched Jeje's pointed nose gently. Sculptures are perfect for the size of a small child who may have just entered elementary school.
"Okay, I'll call you Jeje, just like you asked baby..."
Jeje looked at Zulfa enthusiastically. She is the son of a blend of Indonesian - British countries. Born in Indonesia and raised in a very standard Indonesian language. "May I also wear what's on your head, auntie?" she asked innocently while gently stroking the long hijab Zulfa was wearing, her gaze was so amazed as if one day she could wear it too.
"Of course--"
"How many times has Daddy told you not to disappear like this? What would happen if you were kidnapped by someone else?"
For the second time, Zulfa saw a man with a face that was so cold and seemed unconcerned about the environment around her.
"Maybe dad doesn't have the energy to chase after me. If I'm missing, just look at the police station and ask the police where I am," said Jeje while sticking out her tongue, she was very annoyed with her father who liked to play cellphones. Ah, to be more precise, her father loves to work, and all the important documents are on her cell phone.
Zulfa stroked the top of Jeje's head slowly. "If you talk to your father, you have to be gentle, don't be angry like that. Try to be polite even if you're upset or whatever you feel," she said in a soft tone of voice, aptly giving her the nickname of an angel of heaven.
Jeje looked into Zulfa's eyes, making Zulfa a little nervous. Did she say something wrong?
"Okay, aunty. Jeje is sorry, after all, Daddy is annoying, so Jeje is angry." Jeje replied she smiled sweetly.
Zulfa nodded her head. "Not sorry to me, sorry to your father."
Jeje turned to look at her father, then without further ado, she threw herself into the man's arms. "Forgive what I said to you, Father." She said, pointing at a beautiful smile.
Secretly, the man smiled warmly. It is very difficult to educate Jeje's behavior which sometimes drains her emotions and energy a little, especially the behavior of children who like to play and run around almost overwhelms her.
Zulfa stood up again, stood up again with an upright body. "Looks like I have to leave you guys, sorry I want to choose chocolate first. See you later, Jeje," she said with a sweet smile and turned around. She was happy to meet a little boy who admired the hijab.
"Aunt!"
Zulfa's footsteps stopped again, then she turned to look at Jeje again. "What is it?" She asked with a smile that still lingered sweetly.
Zulfa saw the man carrying Jeje walking towards her.
"For the second time, you can control Jeje, I want to pay for all the chocolates you bought in exchange," he said in an even tone.
"Eh?" Zulfa said in a low volume, she was confused. She didn't feel like she was doing anything special.
The man smiled, then whispered something to Jeje which made the little girl immediately ask to get out of his arms and disappear into a room that seemed only employees could enter there.
"Come on, follow my lead, don't be daydreaming in the middle of the road like that."
Zulfa who was still confused finally followed the man's direction, not forgetting to let out a resigned sigh from her nose.
"Here I have various types of chocolate and they also have a variety of flavors, I think you can choose several flavors from the recommendations that I will give."
Zulfa saw the man who started taking 10 boxes of chocolates, without exception and without looking at the price tag.
"Take this, this chocolate is a best seller. Imported chocolate, so you don't have to worry about the quality."
"You don't have to, sir. I can pay for it myself, after all, I only advise Jeje in simple sentences. I am very sincere in being able to guide your little daughter to be better," Zulfa refused gently. She didn't want to bother others about this.
"Oh yes, my name is Kevin Geolard Dante. Just call me Kevin or Dante, it's up to you." Kevin said despite the refusal Zulfa threw at him, he reached out for a handshake.
Zulfa showed a small smile, appreciating every word that Kevin said even though he didn't do the same to her. "I'm Zulfa Naraya." She said, staring at Kevin's hand that was floating in the air without any intention of retaliating. She didn't mean to be rude, she just wanted to keep boundaries with men other than Farel.
Kevin seemed to be nodding his head, understanding what the woman was leading and reaching for the paper bag that was in one of the drawers. "Accept it, I don't accept rejection," he said, handing him a paper bag that already contained a box of chocolates. "Forgive me." he continued after the woman in front of him grabbed what he had been given.
Zulfa's body froze with both hands each holding a fairly large paper bag. Should she accept all this? Why did Kevin give her chocolate? And why is it free? Why did the man just walk away instead of paying?
"Oh yeah, I'm the owner of this chocolate shop in case you're wondering why I didn't pay for all your chocolates, and here's my business card."
Zulfa jumped in surprise because suddenly the baritone voice sounded again and immediately turned around, seeing Kevin who was now smiling faintly while holding out a small black card, very elegant.
Seeing Zulfa who did not reach for his business card, Kevin immediately put it into one of the paper bags, then left Zulfa without a word without waiting for the woman's answer.
"He's... like a ghost," Zulfa muttered as he looked at Kevin's departure who entered a room.
Like it or not, she had to accept this chocolate. After all, sustenance can't be denied right? Surely Dea will be very happy with this gift. Yes, some chocolate for her too.
She better hurry to Dea's house so the chocolate doesn't melt, because it will take a long time for the chocolate to freeze in the freezer.
For a moment Farel's figure was forgotten in her mind. Let it be like this first, she was just afraid of being tired and finally giving up.
She had said from the start that in her life dictionary there would be only one marriage. And she will take good care of it.
Whatever happens, she must maintain her obligations, not to fall apart.
However, what is said in the heart seems only to be a barrier to sticking to it. Unknowingly, a sweet smile was printed on the surface of her face. Zulfa began to walk back out of this chocolate shop, she continued to strengthen her heart so as not to feel touched by what Kevin gave.
...
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