"Not at all. Every day I've been surrounded by children. After all, there are still my younger siblings who can produce cute nieces and nephews for me," Ozora replied casually but in fact she was also jealous every time she saw Geona's pregnancy. As a woman she also wanted to have a child born from her own womb but she was afraid that her husband would be like her stepfather or the man who has abused her.
"Won't you be lonely?" A short question but containing an emphasis for Ozora to rethink her decision.
"Not at all. I've become friends with that loneliness and I'm immune to it. You should be asking that question to yourself. You are 35 years old. Why are you not finding a wife?" Ozora reversed the question to dispel the worry in her heart that suddenly came.
"I don't know. I used to have a lover and she left me because I am a picky man. Now the woman I like is very hard to conquer. Maybe it will take time for me to prepare myself to be a good husband and father."
Eldrick's answer actually made Ozora curious. She didn't expect Eldrick to be with another woman.
"Are you in love? Who is she? I promise I will help you to get her," Ozora answered enthusiastically. If she could not get married then she would help those closest to her to get married.
"No need. I have to try myself. I can definitely win her heart. That stubborn woman will definitely fall in love with me."
"Okay. I hope that you will find the right woman to accompany you. Just look at Nicko and Othniel! They have found the right wife. You deserve to be happy like them."
Eldrick who was focused on driving grabbed Ozora's hand and held it. "So are you, Ozora. You deserve the happiness like Geona."
Ozora was silent. She let go of Eldrick's hand and chose to turn her gaze to the street.
***
After taking a shower, Ozora dried her hair in front of the dressing table. She smoothed each strand of her curls with her fingers. Ozora looked at her face in the mirror while rethinking what she said at his sister's house. Is it true that Ozora didn't need a marriage? Almost every day Ozora felt lonely but she tried to be strong and face reality. After all, no man would want to marry a woman who has been raped by an adult man. For Ozora there was no man to trust other than Jacob, Daven, and the head of the orphanage. Suddenly she missed daddy Ernest and wanted to visit the orphanage where she used to live.
"I don't need a man. My life would be fine without marriage. I am a strong and independent woman. Depending on men will only make me a crybaby." Ozora spoke to herself while looking at her reflection in the mirror. She always strengthened herself with words like that.
"Instead of worrying about marriage, I'd better contact daddy Ernest. I haven't been there in a long time."
Ozora reached for her cell phone which was on the table. She looked for Mommy Bella's number and immediately dialed.
***
Not much different from Ozora. The man named Eldrick took off his shirt and was ready to take a shower. It felt like the sweat stuck to his body made him uncomfortable. Eldrick went into the bathroom and turned on the shower. His plaid belly was getting sexier because of the warm water. Eldrick's wet hair also looks more charming. His strong hands grabbed the towel and wrapped the soft white cloth around his waist.
After finishing his bathing ritual, he came out from the bathroom and a message came into his cell phone. Shayna was standing at the door waiting for him to open the door. He quickly put on his clothes and covered it with shorts and a T-shirt.
"What are you doing here?" Eldrick's questioning and gaze did not indicate that his secretary's arrival was not welcome there.
"It's Saturday, sir. I purposely came to accompany you on the weekend. I've also brought dinner for us." Shayna showed a food container.
It was no stranger to Eldrick. Often his secretary did pay more attention to him even though he knew Shayna was only using him as an outlet. But today he refused Shayna's gift because of his bad mood.
"I'm full and want to rest. Go home and bring your food."
"But I already bought it for you."
"No one told you to do that. Hurry home because I'm sleepy."
"But, sir... Miss Claire said..."
"Go home or I'll fire you right now."
Eldrick was forced to issue a threatening sentence because the woman was so adamant about accompanying him to dinner. The only threat Shayna feared was being fired. She did not want to lose her job. She could have looked for work elsewhere but she did not want to. Shayna had a personal ambition to conquer many handsome men and one of them was Eldrick.
Various attempts have been made by Shayna. Starting from beautifying herself, doing a very good job, and always being gentle with men. Yet Eldrick was not captivated at all and he was very different from many of the handsome men that Shayna knew.
"Still not going home?" Eldrick gave a last warning.
"Yeah, I'm home." Just as Shayna turned around, the man had locked the door.
"What's wrong with him? I will never give up on getting your heart Eldrick. No handsome man can refuse me," Shayna said to herself. Actually Eldrick knew the reason Shayna was hunting for a handsome man, that's why he didn't want to let his guard down and become a victim. Who could resist Shayna's temptation? Fortunately, Eldrick has been attracted to a tomboyish woman named Ozora. If not, maybe he will be deceived by the charm of that handsome man-hunting woman.
18 months have passed. Eldrick and Ozora's friendship grew closer because Othniel and Geona often brought them closer through Ghana and Ghava, their one year old twin sons. But somehow Ozora never wanted to open her heart to Eldrick. Maybe she didn't love Eldrick yet or she was deliberately denying her feelings for the man trying to get close to her.