Ryan was confused himself. How could he not even notice his boss was gone? Ah, maybe because he was too focused on finding his lover, so he didn't pay attention to anything else.
For a moment he realized that he was talking to himself. Several passersby looked at him with smiles and shaking their heads.
"Unlucky. They might think I'm crazy," he cursed.
Ryan looked around, looking for someone who had the heart to leave and embarrassed himself.
"Gosh, how could he just chill in there when I was almost going crazy with fright. What a cursed boss." Swearing still strayed from his mouth.
He immediately rushed to his boss.
However, just a few steps he had passed, the cell phone in his pants pocket rang. Immediately he pressed the green button on the screen when his lover's name appeared there.
"Honey… where are you anyway? I've been waiting for you since this. Don't tell me you're still in the office." The woman's voice on the other end of the phone started to rise.
"I-I've been at the mall, really, honey. Where are you?" Ryan looks panicked when the phone just disconnected.
"Ow...." Ryan groaned as he felt a pain in his shoulder. "Damn it, who are you—" His words were cut off when he turned around and saw the woman who was staring at him intently.
"Uh, honey." Ryan rubbed his shoulder which was still sore.
"It's crazy, my girl's power is like a bouncer," Ryan complained in his heart.
"Where have you been? It must have been Rendra who was holding you back, right? Where is he now? Let me do the math with him." Malika already pursed her lips.
"What? Who's that girl? How come, I kind of know, huh?" Ryan followed the direction of his lover's gaze. His eyes again caught the figure of two humans who were sitting opposite each other.
"Dear. Let's go, let's go!" Ryan grabbed Malika's arm when she was about to walk over to her cousin.
"Can kill me if the boss's alone event is disturbed."
"Just a moment, honey. I think I know the girl who is sitting with Sis Rendra." Ryan added in his heart.
"Honey, we'd better get going. While Rendara is not aware of our existence. Rarely, we can be together." Ryan's grip still hasn't left his lover's hand.
Malika looked at Ryan and seemed to be thinking. I think what Ryan said was true. During this time, they did not have time to walk alone. When they planned it, Ryan often canceled their plans for work reasons. Malika knew that it was all because of her cousin who was her lover's boss.
Malika often made protests to Rendra. However, the man was always indifferent to respond.
"You're right, my dear. Here's your cellphone." Malika immediately grabbed Ryan's cell phone. After pressing the button on the side of the cellphone, he put the flat object in his lover's bag.
"It's safe now." Malika took Ryan's hand and left the place.
"Anyway, today is the day for the two of us." They walked away laughing.
They were imagining Rendra's annoyed face when he couldn't reach them. Moreover, Rendra's car keys are in Ryan's hands.
Rendra was still busy to watch Aleeta who was finishing her food. The woman's appetite was quite large compared to the women he had met so far.
"It looks like your food is very good," said Rendra, making Aleta stop eating again.
"Ehm... that's because I haven't eaten all day." Aleeta's face was flushed with shame. It was a rare sight for Rendra. Normally he would only see the cold expression of the woman. However, even an Aleeta could blush like that.
A little teasing might be fun, right? Rendra thought excitedly. It was a rare sight for him to see the woman's embarrassed expression.
"Oh, haven't eaten since morning. I think you did eat a lot."
Aleeta choked on hearing a statement that was quite frontal from Rendra.
"Unlucky. Hasn't he learned not to say everything that's on his mind? Since the first meeting Ryan's assistant has been easy on me. But can't he close his eyes and take care of my feelings? It sucks", Aleeta thought, cursing Rendra.
"You don't have to swear in your heart. Say it straight, while I'm still here." Rendra smiled widely as if what he said was not a difficult matter.
However, success makes Aleeta a cake. She had only met Rendra a few times, and had never thought that the man would be so brave. Ah, the woman should have been able to predict when the man appeared brave in front of his boss.
"You're not eating, Mr. Ryan?" Aleeta stared intensely at Rendra. Quite curious why the man just sat watching him finish his food.
Rendra laughed. "As long as you eat, I'm full."
Aleta was silent for a moment. Then, completely stop eating. It wasn't that he had lost his appetite, but that the dish had run out. She could have asked for more, but the man in front of him would definitely insult him, right?
"If you still want more, go ahead. I won't blame you. Doesn't it take a lot of effort to ignore my handsome, hm?"
Aleeta looked calm. There was no longer the embarrassed face she had shown earlier. "Ehm, sorry Mr. Ryan, looks like I have to go now," said Aleeta after pretending to look at her cellphone screen. Fortunately, a notification came in, thus strengthening his alibi. Even though the incoming message is actually from an unknown number. About him who got a give away prize of IDR 50,000,000.00.
"Looks like you're busy. I won't hold you back. I'll still be waiting here for Malika for a bit."
The woman stopped her movement just as she was about to leave. She seemed to have heard the name somewhere.
Ah, isn't the woman I met earlier also named Malika? However, is she really the woman Ryan meant? It seemed he wasn't waiting for someone. Aleeta wondered in her heart.
"You can go Miss Aleeta. I'm used to being alone." Rendra peeked a charming smile that made the woman amazed.
Honestly, his departure was because he felt uneasy around Ryan. However, she tried his best to ward off the strange feeling that had begun to creep into his soul. Especially with a smile that makes the man more charming many times over.
Aleeta hastily stepped away from the place. Before the strange feeling in his chest rose.
Rendra seemed to stare at Aleeta's departure, until her shadow disappeared among the crowd of visitors. The man turned his attention to the phone screen. His fingers were busy looking for the assistant's name, then called him.
"Argh, dammit!" Rendra was annoyed after dialing Ryan's number many times. However, the destination number is still not active.
Unable to understand the man then contacted Malika. However, again the same thing happened. It seems that the lovebirds conspired to upset him for always disturbing their date schedule.
"Okay if that's what you want," growled the man with a smirk on his face
After sending a short message to his assistant, Rendra seemed to be calling someone. Not only leaving him, even his car was also brought by the assistant. It was the disobedience that succeeded in making his anger rise.
Meanwhile Ryan and Malika seemed to be enjoying a movie at the cinema. Still in the same mall. It's just that they agreed to turn off each other's cell phones. Let them enjoy a short pleasant togetherness today. To welcome the punishment who knows what tomorrow.
"What are you doing, honey? The film isn't great or are you bored with me, hm?" Malika put on a sad face. Even though she wanted to enjoy the day with his lover, it seemed that the man was thinking about other things.
Ryan bristled. Aware of his attitude that made Malika disappointed.
"Of course not! I'm so happy to be with you. To hell with Rendra and all the punishment I'll receive tomorrow."
The man hugged him tightly. He showered his entire face with short kisses, before leaning Malika's head on his shoulder.
Malika's face immediately lit up with happiness. It's been a long time since they last made out Ki. Whenever there was an opportunity to meet, Rendra would immediately call Ryan and ask him to work overtime. Truly an uncouth person.
The next day the sun seemed to be hiding shyly behind a gray cloud. Just like Ryan who was avoiding Rendra. Not out of guilt after leaving the man penniless, but out of fear of the punishment he would face.
"Where, huh," Ryan muttered from behind the wall. Half of his body was behind the wall. Only his head appeared to see the situation.