Not far from Lassie left, Basten sat next to me–where Lassie had sat before. I felt uncomfortable with his being too close to me. Not because I didn't want to talk to him, but because I didn't want the other workers to see us.
"It's been a long time since we don't greet each other," said Basten, who started the conversation. I didn't know how long we've been silent to each other–there's no talk between us. "Mmm, how are you now?"
"Mmm, good. Very good!"
"Thank goodness you're okay. I thought you would ...."
"Would! What do you mean by saying would? What will happen? Frustrated? Sorry, I'm not the kind of girl who cries easily and gets depressed as you mean."
"Why are you pouting when you see me, you don't like it?"
"What do you mean? Does my face look sullen?"
"You don't need your face to describe it. The way you look and respond to me just doesn't seem enthusiastic."
"Which question really needs a response from me? Really, my answer is needed?"
"Enough! I don't want to argue."
"Fine. If there's nothing more to say, I'll let you go to my room first."
"Just a minute, Claire!"
"Please let go of your hand, Basten! I don't like passersby." His fingers gripped my arm so tightly that I couldn't let go.
"There's no one here. Just a few plants and maybe a gecko."
"Still, they're created beings too," I said nonchalantly.
"Tch, you're really cute!"
"It means?"
"Yeah, just think for yourself."
For some reason being this close to him made my heart beat fast. This feeling has not completely disappeared, but hatred was also burning.
I turned around and then walked. He deftly confronted me, standing right in front of me.
"How did you get married to Achille?" Both hands held the frame of the door, blocking the way for me to go through.
"Oh, so you want to know or pretend you don't know?"
"What do you mean?"
"Isn't this all you doing? You are selfish!"
"I'm not selfish. I know what I did then was wrong."
"It's good that you know it's wrong."
"Study there has been my dream for a long time. I can't just let it go."
"So, sacrificing someone else then humiliating her?"
"I just couldn't think straight at the time."
"Oh, I see! And now you can think clearly? So, what do you want to do?"
"I still don't understand, why did you two get married?"
"It's not important that you know why. You should know that at this time I am Achille's wife."
"I know, but you are mine."
"You know, Basten! I'm married." While lifting his ring finger and pointing it in front of him.
"This must be a lie!" He grabbed the ring on my finger, but I quickly dodged.
"I know you still love me, don't you? Don't lie to yourself."
"Loving a creature that has no heart, will only torture me. I prefer to love the destiny that has been given to me at this time. It's safer."
"Let's prove how long you can endure with your fake love. Are you sure Achille loves you?"
Deg!
My heart beat fast. That question was enough to slap me. Indeed, in the past few weeks, Achille and I have not been close. In fact, he never smiled at me. Me too, I didn't know I can't know what my heart was like for him right now.
He's quite cold. However, he's been acting pretty good lately, despite going through some drama with him. Honestly, I also didn't know what the end of our marriage will be. I was still going through it even if it was not easy. I was sure this must be the best for me.
"As time goes by, he will accept me."
"Hahaha... sure? Looks like you're starting to have doubts about your own words."
"Sorry, I have to go! I have no time to talk to you, right now."
Honestly, this heart couldn't just forget this guy in front of me. But, I have to try to get rid of it slowly from memory even though it's hard. The time with him used to be very imprinted on this mind. I didn't know if I can or not.
Though, since he was not here, I had been able to forget about him. The image of him was barely there. My days were only shadowed by Achille. However, all of that instantly vanished when he reappeared in front of me and gave me new hope.
"You should know, I still love you, Claire!"
I didn't care what he says. I turned the other way. I'd rather avoid him than listen to his words. I walked briskly and didn't look back, hoping he wouldn't follow me.
I was surprised when I turned Miss Lassie in front of me. My heart was pumping again. Did she really hear our conversation?
"Miss Lassie, what are you doing here?"
"So-rry, Miss Claire! I meant to bring you some snacks."
"Lassie, did you hear everything?" I asked her again with an emphasis on tone.
"I'm so sorry, Miss Claire. I overheard everything. I didn't mean to stalk your conversation."
"It's okay. Miss Lassie, you don't need to apologize. You need to know too." Basten came up to us and smiled bitterly. "If it is necessary, everyone in this house should know," Basten said.
I looked at him with an angry look. "You are selfish, Basten! What a disgusting man! What do you mean by that?" I hit his shoulder with both of my hands with a furious look. Almost clear water jumped from my eyes.
"To let everyone know."
"Sorry sir and Miss Claire, I left it here, the meal!" Miss Lassie walked hastily and left us alone.
I also rushed to leave Basten without looking back.
I saw Miss Lassie was busy in the kitchen, I went over to her. "Miss Lassie what are you doing?"
"I'm preparing food. It's getting late."
"Where are the others? They're not helping you?"
"Some have gone to the market, to buy less material."
"Fine. I'll go to my room first."
"Yes, please!"
***
I glanced at the clock on the wall. For almost three hours I lay in the room. The desire to go out disappeared because Basten was still in this house. I just didn't want to be too intense with him–making things uncomfortable and messy.
The sound of a car entering the yard. The sound was very familiar to the ear. Hurriedly, I got out of bed and peeked through the bedroom window. I was curious and just wanted to make sure it was Achilles.
I turned and looked at my face in the mirror to make sure I didn't look like I had just woken up. After assuming everything was fine, I headed downstairs intending to greet him.
"What about the meeting? Is everything okay?" Approached and accompanied him to sit on the sofa.
"Everything is fine."
"I'm pleased to hear it!" I continued.
He was already sitting on the couch when I went downstairs. I grabbed his bag and was about to put it into the room.
"Where are you going?"
"Going to the room!"
"All right. No need! Just sit here. Soon all my family will be here to eat together. You just came down here. Aren't you tired?"
I stopped walking and sat back down.
"By the way, you look changed today."
"What do you mean?" I asked him not understanding.
"Yeah, just tonight you greeted me and asked me to talk about the office. I think you're starting to care."
"Yes. Because I'm currently a private secretary. So, I should know my job and duties."
"You don't have other purposes, right?"
"No," I muttered. That's how he was, always suspicious of my attitude towards him. Couldn't I be nice?
My forehead furrowed when these eyes caught the figure of the man standing not far from behind Achille. His sharp eyes looked at us. I glanced at the man beside me.
Not long after, my father and mother-in-law joined us at the dinner table. Meanwhile, Basten has been sitting with us for a long time.
Since returning from Australia, he looked different, more daring to approach and say something without thinking about the effect.
Back then, he wasn't like this. He advised me to get married immediately to avoid adultery.
In fact, I learned a lot from him about everything.
However, right now all my assessments of him were wrong. He was not as good as I thought.
"Sorry, I want to go to the room for a moment, change my clothes first," said Achille. He stood up and grabbed his bag.
"Let me help you!" I offered to carry the bag but was turned down.
"No need. It won't be long. After that, I'll be back here." He walked towards the room.
My mind was still haunted by Basten's words this afternoon. Maybe he was right. Achille didn't have the slightest bit of his feelings for me. After all, we were forced to marry. These eyes glazed over at him who was walking up the stairs.
"I also take a minute, Mom ... Dad!" Basten immediately spoke for permission as well.
"It's okay. Let's eat first!" Mother said.
I obeyed. However, my gaze fell on the figure of someone walking toward our room. Basten! Why did he come to our room?