Meanwhile, the girl that Rizal and Evelyn were talking about was far away, just silently looking out the window of a car that was moving at a moderate speed.
Lova lifted her legs on the passenger seat with her fingers bitten several times because of her daydream. Last night's incident made her think about unimportant things.
"I love you, Lova. I really, really love you."
Lova shook her head. I hope that sentence will leave her mind.
"Darl."
The girl immediately looked at Alder with an annoyed look. "Call me with the right way," snapped Lova, not liking it.
Alder smiled. "What's wrong with you? Why you just silent?"
The girl snorted and didn't answer Alder's question. Looking back at the road that was left behind.
"Thank you. You came again like that time."
Lova was stunned. Then turned to Alder who was focused on the slightly bustling street with a smile.
"I know you don't hate me. Don't think about things that only you are worried about. Those people can only judge, it's us who live life. Why should we really care about what they say, if we are happy what do they want?"
Lova still silent. There was no sign that Alder would stop chasing her. The man seemed to have no any problem with her curt attitude. In fact, he got closer and uttered sentences that made Lova's breath catch in her throat.
"I must have said something wrong last night. Sorry for making you think so hard."
Lova did not have time to refuse the grip. Her fingers were entwined warmly between the fingers of the man who was driving back with one hand.
"But you know, right? The words of people in the subconscious are usually more honest. Whatever I said last night, it's the truth. Because even now, what I'm doing, is honesty that you don't need to doubt anymore."
There are no words that Lova can say to reply to Alder's words. Her body seemed to float at this moment. Lova's head is spinning.
She glanced at the grip, the warm hand that made her heart beat now entwined perfectly in her little fingers.
While Alder smiled faintly behind the wheel. Of course Alder was well aware and remembered last night's incident.
Remembering clearly how Lova came with a trembling voice calling his name. Hugging Alder's body who was shivering from his fear of the dark. Remembering how Lova wiped his sweat-drenched face. And soothed him to sleep.
Which Alder also clearly remembers, how Lova's hands cooled after hearing his words about what he felt for the girl before he actually fell asleep.
Making Alder even more sure, Lova was also considering his feelings.
***
The days went back to normal. The sun still warmly welcomes the morning, while the moon shines so sweetly brings the night. And the stars faithfully accompany the night sky.
But all was dark for Lova. Her steps are always in the shadow of Alder. Either way, Alder was always visiting her room.
Lova thought that this was punishment for her lie back then about holding hands and kissing to Alder. Gustian suddenly gave her a lot of work.
Even though Lova is a workaholic, oh no, crazy month-end bonuses that make her a workaholic, Lova never thought she would work on five novels in one month.
"You want to make me a virgin ghost, don't you?"
"Why is that?"
"Huh, this translations… oh gosh, sir. You never gave me this much." Lova could barely hold back her tears.
"Last month you finished three novels, right? And the results are very satisfying. That's why now I believe in you for these five novels."
Lova bit her inner lip to suppress her emotions when she saw the innocent smile of this team leader.
"Eh, but by the way, is there really a virgin ghost in Indonesia, Lov? Isn't that only in the dramas that Evelyn and Lita often watch?"
Lova rolled her eyes lazily. "I am, Sir! I'm the one who going to be a virgin ghost, soon!"
Gustian jumped because of Lova's scream.
"Why don't you feel sorry for old maid employees like me? Even my future husband is still blur because of the long work." Lova's face twisted sadly. "Well, I want to work again."
The woman turned and was about to leave Gustian's room. Although suddenly her steps stopped in shock after hearing Gustian's words.
"It's already in sight. You're the only one who's still shy about accepting it."
Lova's eyes rounded and immediately turned to Gustian who smiled mischievously without seeing her.
"Sir Gustian?" Lova called out the long name of her team leader. Gustian glanced at her with a wider smile.
"I'm good at keeping secrets, Lov." Gustian chuckled after doing strange things with movements like closing the zipper in front of his mouth. "Moreover, this is about the big boss, it's a company secret," continued Gustian quietly.
"Whoa!" Lova didn't know what to do with her leader. Also Alder!
***
Lova knows that Alder is a young conglomerate. But Lova really didn't expect that this child would have this big of an influence on those around her.
Lova's mouth gaped open with eyes that seemed lazy to open because of the vision she was now seeing clearly.
Since when did Evelyn get close to that kid?
Alder seemed to be conversing with Evelyn after coming from the cafeteria for lunch. They look so close. Just look at the laughter that emerged from the two.
Lova squeaked with a lopsided smile when she saw Evelyn walking towards her desk with a happy face.
"That's great, huh. Your friend has to work so she doesn't have time to eat lunch, but look at you, having fun from the canteen together with that big boss."
Evelyn turned her head with a strange smile. "Why? Are you jealous?"
"Yes! I'm jealous of you."
"Geez, I'm still very normal. I'm straight."
Lova sighed in exasperation. "That's not what it means. You've rarely invited me to eat sate padang jumbo again."
"Eum, what should I say? You're very busy with work. And after Alder became the boss here, the food in the canteen menu was really delicious, try it. I don't have a strong faith."
Lova lifted her upper lip with a very annoying face. "Are you being seduced by Alder? Or maybe you were given something to be close to him?" pointed Lova probing.
"You think I'm like a human in prison who was investigated by [1]Najwa Shihab? Take bribes like that, duh. That's called corruption, Lova. It's really rude for a friend to say that."
Evelyn's face made Lova feel guilty. "Why are you so melancholic? Uh."
"I'm a girl, Lova. My heart is fragile. Very girly, right?"
Lova wanted to throw a pile of novels at the feet of her best friend, who was now chuckling in triumph.
"Yes! The hearts of women nowadays are very fragile, the fragile ones are like glassware."
Lova returned to her desk. Now Evelyn who pulled her chair closer to Lova who was back in focus with a manuscripts of two languages in front of her.
"Oh, but really, Lov. Alder is a nice man. He's more mature than I thought. It doesn't look like he's much younger than us."
"Oh yes? And then?" Lova replied to her friend's words with a lazy tone. Lova didn't mean to ignore Evelyn, but talking about Alder made her lose her sense of speech.
"Is there really no feeling from you after you stayed together at the hotel a week ago?"
"I'm not in the same room as him, Eve. My room with him is next door. We sleep in different rooms. Noted it!" Lova seemed to keep her voice from being too loud because of emotion.
"Who said you were in the same room as Alder? I'm just asking how you feel." Blame Lova who misunderstood Evelyn's words.
"Yeah, why do you have to say stay together anyways? You make me misunderstanding."
"Is there really anything happened at that time, Lov?"
"No!"
"Seriously?"
"YES!"
Evelyn pouted in disbelief. Lova just waved her hand, letting her best friend think as she wished.
"Alder," Lova turned to Evelyn. "He really loves you, Lov. His eyes always show that he is happy whenever I talk about you."
Lova is silent. Gazing fixedly at Evelyn who was now smiling with a serious face.
"I forgot to ask about what happened to you guys seven years ago. So stunned by Alder's smile every time he mentions Arlova Zemira's name."
Lova swallowed her saliva. Suddenly her heart throbbed, making a pleasant pain.
"I'm happy, Lov. I'm happy that my best friend is loved so sincerely."
Who knows! Should Lova let her heart beat abnormally like this every time she talked about the figure of Alder, or should she admit to Evelyn that Alder had been in her head for a long time?
She's not ready for a confession.
[1] Najwa Shihab is one of smart presenter in Indonesia