"Damn! Why did I forget to tell him before I came here?"
"What is wrong with you, Claire?" They turned to me.
"Achille called me."
"Just answer his call. Maybe he has something important to say. Why don't you answer the call?"
"The problem is I forgot to tell him I am here."
"Is that a problem? Really! if, you go everywhere you have to tell him?" said Audy.
"Yes, of course it's a problem, Audy. At least, Claire told him. If something happens to Claire and her husband doesn't know, Achille will be even more worried. One day you'll understand it!"
"I think I'll feel constrained, if I go anywhere I have to tell. My parents never had a problem with me, where do I go and with whom. The important thing is I can take care of myself.
"Audy ...." Nawa began to stare annoyed.
"Ok ... Ok ... Sorry. Correct me of I'm wrong."
"Please sympathize with your fellow friends! We have no right to judge people's lives."
"Oh, Okay. I understand."
"Keep your voice down, Audy!"
"Yes, Miss Nawa ... Why are you all getting sensitive like this?"
"Can you shut up?"
"Ugh, your face is too scary when you're angry!"
Nawa approached me–who had been looking confused.
"Please have a sit, Claire! Do you want to talk to us?" I obeyed then sat down.
"Why didn't you answer the call?"
"My mind is messed up when a call comes in from Achill. So, I didn't have time to answer."
"Perhaps he's worried about you because there's been no word from the people of the house."
"Yes. Maybe Atma is right."
"Husband worry about his wife! Wow, it means he's very romantic and amazing. Or maybe, he's missing you. Isn't that right? When am I be like that, missed by my lover."
"There's Joseph. Why don't you go on a date with him?"
"Joseph! Who? The security guard at our campus then? Are you kidding me? Ihh ... no ...."
"Hahaaha ... I'm sure you two will be a perfect match."
"Are you satisfied mocking me? Looks like you really enjoy making fun of me." Audy pouted because she was betrothed to Joseph.
Seemed, Atma still remember very well when we came into the campus gate and met Joseph. The guy winked at Audy. That was what made Audy no longer want to go through the door where Josep was guarding.
"It's not good to make fun of each other. The fellow singles just like you two have to share the pain with each other, not criticize."
The phone in my hand suddenly rang again.
"It is a call from him? Please answer it!" Nawa asked me to answer the call.
"Okay."
I got up from my seat and stepped away from my friends. I feel uncomfortable when friends overhear our conversation. Before I could answer, the call suddenly disconnected.
"Why? You hung up again?"
"The call is disconnected." I sat back down with them disappointed.
"Then you may tell him by message."
"Fine. I'll try."
I typed a message to send to him.
[Sorry, Achilles. I forgot to text you last morning, when I wasn't home.]
Achille is typing ....
I was anxious about what he would answer.
[Where are you now? I'll pick you up!]
My brows furrowed upwards. Am I not wrong reading the message? I blinked repeatedly. However, I didn't read it wrong. This message was right from him. Why did Achille suddenly turn to be polite?
[No, thanks. Right now, I'm on my way home.]
[Share your location from the google map, now!]
I was shocked. Looks like I misjudged him. He didn't turn to be polite. It's possible that he will come here and scold me.
I was getting worried. Everything felt more complicated because of the mistake I just did.
"How was your chat on message with him?"
"He offered to pick me up."
"Well, my guess was right. He was very sweet and also romantic," said Audy with pursed lips.
"But, I declined the offer." I replied to Audi's words.
"What! Why did you refuse it?" They replied at the same time with a serious look at me.
"Even though he already offered to pick you up!"
"But, I think there is something weird. The reason is, he asked me to share the location. I'm just worried, if he came here not to pick me up properly, but by force or yelling."
"Geez, Claire! You're being too much! How come that's the way you think! Probably, he really want to pick you up, no other intention."
"The thing is, as long as I'm with him, he seems cold and indifferent. I also didn't tell him that I was here with you guys."
"Then we can't help you, Claire." Nawa looked at me with pity. "You'd better go home and apologize at the same time. Usually, guys don't make a small problem big when the girl apologizes."
"I'm so sorry. In fact, this morning, I had intended to tell him, but I forgot." With a disappointed look on my face, I cursed myself.
"Does he often get angry?"
"Not often. But once, I saw the anger on his face and I was really scared at the time."
"We hope you're okay."
"Then, I'm going home now. See you all!"
"See you too."
I got up from my seat hastily. I was worried that he would change his mind and I would be scolded.
"Where are you going? Home?"
Not five steps away from my friends, I stopped my feet when I heard the question. I think I know his voice very well. This chest rumbled violently when it wanted to turn towards him. I turned around slowly and my eyes widened for a moment.
"A-chi--lle!" My breath catches up with each other, somehow describing how I feel right now.
How long has he been there?
So, he was the one sitting behind me? Our conversation, did he hear everything? Oh my God, I could die!
"Yes, that's right. What you just said is my name. Where are you going? What's the rush?"
"Have you been sitting there for a long?" I ask and still don't understand how long he was been here.
"I don't remember at all how long it's been! It doesn't matter how long I've been here. Have you finished your conversation?"
"Y-es ...." I was both ashamed of myself and worried.
"Then I'll take you home." I just obeyed, no more words after that.
I glanced briefly at my three friends while waving to them as an expression of saying goodbye. Their eyes also rounded and their mouths opened. Maybe they were in shock too.
I followed him to the car. After getting in and leaning my head, the car sped down the road. We haven't spoken in a few minutes.
I kept silent, only answering questions from my friends in the WhatsApp group. They were curious about what this polar man was doing to me.
"I've heard all your talk with your friends. Don't worry!" said the cold man for a moment.
"I'm so sorry for that, Achilles!"
I hope I didn't do any mistake. I looked down in shame. I didn't know how long it took him to hear my conversation with my friends.
"I still wonder. When I'm angry, How does my face look like. It is creepy?"
"What? No ... No. It's not true!"
"So, like what?" he looked at me then looked back at the road while driving the car.
"I don't know. It's normal." I don't know what else to answer. I'm really confused and scared.
"But, you told your friends that I was scary."
"Oh, that ... I'm just sa-ying, I was shocked and scared at the time."
"Hmmm. Not like a monster right?"
"Huh? No. Who said? I didn't say that."
"Calm down! I was just guessing." He seemed to notice I looked panicked and nervous.
Honestly, I rarely see my father's angry face, almost never. Because he never scolded us by yelling. So, I was very scared when I saw Achille's face yelling and getting angry at me.
There was no conversation between us after that. His eyes returned to focus on the road.
I turned to my phone which had been ringing ever since. Some messages have not been read. I swiped the screen and read it. I was not very enthusiastic about the contents of their chat. Just casual chat, between women.
After a while, we arrived. The car enters the yard.
"Mr. Achille. Have you arrived? Claire is with you, sir?"
"Yeah, he's in the back." Achille suddenly frowned as he looked back.
"Oh. I thought Miss Claire was missing or something. I've been looking for you Miss Claire. Where have you been?" She walked over to me with a little stride.
I smiled at Miss Lassie's words. "I was out, wanting to take a walk and get some air outside." Every now and then, my eyes glanced over to Achille who didn't care about our conversation.
"But how did you two get home together?"
"I meet Achille at one of the restaurants. So, we went home together."
"Oh, I see. Thank goodness. Nothing happened to you. I was really worried since this morning."
I smiled back after hearing Miss Lassie's words. I went to the room, where Achille had already get into.
"It seems, you are still thinking about that cowardly man." He was now right next to me when he closed the bedroom door.
"What do you mean?" I frowned and turned around.
"Well, the proof of this photo is still in my room." Handed me a torn photo.
I was stunned for a moment before taking the torn photo of Basten.
"I've already thrown this in the trash. How come it's in your hands?"
"It doesn't matter, why. So you're still expecting that guy?"
"I even regret letting him come into my life." The annoyance in this chest suddenly popped up remembering him again.
This well-built man was still looking at me intently as if probing.
"He's not worth thinking about. He's selfish-only thinks about himself. For the sake of his career, how could he just leave you."
I felt anger on his face when he said it. Maybe he was also annoyed with his brother's attitude. Who knows.