THE LOVE OF MY LIFE
94. Meet the past

Meanwhile, on the other hand, precisely in the office.

Adrian was still struggling with the computer when the sound of knocking on the door made him distract him.

"Will Nayla come today?" ask a woman who is none other than Lucie.

"No" replied Adrian again directing his gaze to the computer in front of him.

"Then tomorrow?" ask Lucie again.

"Come on," replied Adrian, raising his shoulder.

"Do you not know the schedule or do you not want to tell me?" lucie's snort is getting upset.

"The second one" replied Adrian indifferently.

"You're being a bitch just like Rose. The only difference is you're in the male version" Lucie said, slamming the door.

"Haahh,,," sighed Adrian slowly.

"If only I could do something so you wouldn't have to come tomorrow, Nay" murmured Adrian quietly.

Adrian stretched his body, then glanced at the side of the room where the heaps of presents were.

Pensive for a moment, Adrian decided to deliver the gifts as soon as his work was done.

The knock on the door was heard again, Lucie appeared again and this time approached Adrian, thrusting a green box with a gold ribbon and a letter tucked there.

"For Nayla, and it was delivered directly by the person who wanted to give it to Nayla" Lucie explained.

Adrian accepts it and reads a familiar-sounding name written in the corner of the box.

"Val, huh,?" adrian's forehead creased as if he wanted to remember something.

"You know him?" ask Lucie.

"No, it's just that I feel familiar with this name" replied Adrian.

"Ah, thank you for delivering this," said Adrian.

"It's no problem" Lucie replied smiling. "Oh, I leave this for Nayla" he added, offering a small paper bag.

"Is there anything I should tell him?" ask Adrian.

"No, just give it to him without saying my name" Lucie said.

"All right" replied Adrian.

As if nothing happened to the two of them, Lucie behaved normally and immediately left Adrian.

Adrian looked back at the box and put it in a large paper bag that he would take to Nayla's apartment after work.

*********

At the same time, but in a different place, Rory and her friends walked together to the lobby where Nayla was waiting.

"Have you planned when you would propose to Nayla?" ask Kevin.

"I haven't come up with an idea yet" answered Rory listlessly.

"I thought of one place, only it was a little tiring to get there. But, I'm pretty sure he'll love the view" Nathan said.

"Why did I think of that place too. The place even looks beautiful at night" Martin said.

"I was thinking of another idea" Ethan said.

"I can guess about the place you're thinking about, and well, it's true that place is beautiful, but my idea is different" she continued.

"What's that?" ask Rory curiously.

"We all know Nayla is very good at singing, it's just that she hasn't told us and we pretend not to know,"

They slow down their steps to listen to Ethan, occasionally nodding a sign of understanding.

"Then?" ask Rory.

"We set it next for us, make it look like we have an obstacle to perform immediately and ask Nayla for help to buy time by singing, after she reaches the end of the song, Rory could have done it by then. And,," Ethan flicked his finger.

"We're out for our show, as well as our support for Rory and Nayla" explains Ethan.

"Have you just eaten the wrong drug or something?" welcome Thomas.

"Or did your head hit?" timpal Nathan's.

"Woi,, rough sakali. What's wrong with my idea?" ethan's murmur.

"The idea is perfect, it's just that I never thought it would come out of your mouth thinking about food" Kevin replied.

"Sad, you just can't think of anything good, why corner me?" ethan's lips.

"But there's one problem if I use your idea" Rory said.

"I'm not sure Nayla would do it, and it's singing in front of people. He's even been hiding his identity all this time" Thomas said.

"You mean, he'll quibble to refuse?" ask Ethan.

"One of them" replied Thomas.

"Easy," Ethan replied with a big smile.

"We asked him to play the guitar and sing while we were there. He has a guitar, and we can use that as an excuse" Ethan said.

"Just don't force it" replied Rory.

"I agree with Rory. Despite everything that has happened, asking him to do the thing that keeps him fighting the discomfort in his heart is very unpleasant" Martin said.

"I also know that, we just offer, if he refuses, yes, that's it," said Ethan raising both hands.

They nodded in agreement, and immediately approached Nayla who was waiting in the lobby. However, they instead find Nayla stepping out in a hurry, making them reflexively run out to chase.

Nayla approached a dark-skinned, fierce-looking middle-aged man who was seen just picking up a used bottle. Those who saw it were trying to catch up to Nayla, worried if something bad happened.

"Why he likes to approach danger anyway" Ethan grumbled.

Nayla grabbed the man's arm and made the middle-aged man turn his head with a frown.

"Uncle Jag? Don't you?" ask Nayla.

The man's forehead wrinkle gets more noticeable as Nayla calls his name correctly, trying to remember who the person who knows his name is.

"Sorry, miss. You who? Do you know me?" ask her with her heavy voice.

"This is right Uncle Jag right?" ask Nayla to make sure.

"Yes, right," he answered.

The touch on Nayla's shoulder made her turn her head only to realize Rory and the others had been behind her. Giving a wary look at the middle-aged man who was in front of them.

"Sorry, miss. You seem to have misunderstood me" he said, uncomfortable with the intimidating look he received.

"No, I'm not wrong" replied Nayla, letting go of Jag's arm.

"The uncle himself told me I was right" he added.

"But I don't know you, miss," he replied politely.

Rory and the others set their sights on Nayla, then returned to Jag, lowering their guard.

Jag tries to remember, but returns to groaning slowly.

"Does uncle remember brother Nicholas' sister?" Nayla asked again.

Nayla's question instantly widened Jag's eyes, he looked at Nayla from top to bottom, then back up again, stopping in Nayla's eyes.

"Louise?" guess a little doubt.

"Master, uncle. I know my uncle still remembers me," Nayla greeted as she let go of Jag's hand.

"Oh my god, I don't recognize you at all, you're so different" he exclaimed.

"The little girl at the time turned out to be this big, the last time I saw, it was a few years ago" he added.

For a moment Jag glanced at Rory and her friends, and refrained from asking overly sensitive questions.

"Do you live here?" tanyakanya.

"No, uncle. But, those who live here," answered Nayla as she moved her hand pointing at Rory and her friends. "We're friends" he added.

"How's uncle been doing all this time? Where does uncle live now?" ask Nayla.

"Very good. I still live in the same house and in the same place" replied Jag smiling warmly.

"Then, what about uncle's job?" ask Nayla again.

"I do any job. They no longer need the energy of an old man like me," always laughed crisply.

"Ehmm, I don't mean anything, but if uncle wants, it just so happens that in the apartment where I live is in need of a security guard. I can recommend uncle there," said Nayla.

"You're still sweet, Louise. Sorry I had to refuse. I really appreciate it, it's just there's still something I have to do here and it can't be left out" Jag said carefully.

"I understand, uncle. Uncle can meet me anytime through them" Nayla said.

"alright. Ah, I have to go, it's so good to see you again, Louise. And you look okay makes me very relieved" he said sincerely.

"I'm also happy to see Uncle Jag again. Be careful uncle," replied Nayla.

Jag nods politely at Rory and the others to leave the place. When Jag took a few steps, he turned his head and looked back at Nayla.

"I just realized, you look a lot like him, Louise," said Jag, smiling sincerely and then leaving.

"Who is he?" rory asks after Jag disappears from their sight.

"Supervisor of the construction workers when the building is built" Nayla replied calmly.

"This building? You mean the building we live in?" nathan was surprised.

"True, the first time I knew him was when I came here to deliver my brother's left behind" Nayla explained.

"Did you look uncomfortable when you first came here?" ask Rory carefully.

"To be honest, yes," Nayla replied.

"Why didn't you say it? We even forced you to stay here" Rory said, feeling guilty.

"That's okay, Roy. I'm fine now" Nayla argued. "I'm just grateful to come to this place again" replied Nayla while facing Rory.

"Since I came back here, my fear has gradually disappeared. Even my questions that I had been holding for many years were answered, even more so I'm with you, what else do I want?" nayla smiled.

"Yuk ah, we're going,"

Nayla said quickly as she pulled Rory's hand towards the car that was waiting for them. Not letting them get their argument out.

A few minutes later, they arrived at the apartment. Nayla lets them in and sits on the available sofa.

"This place feels comfortable" Ethan commented.

"Do you always drink coffee?" martin asked when he saw the coffee machine on the counter.

"Yes, that's it. That's my way of staying focused on my work" replied Nayla.

"I don't have much to serve. But, I can make you coffee if you want" said Nayla.

"I'm not resisting," said Ethan quickly.

They laugh lightly with Ethan's attitude that can melt away awkwardness. With that, Nayla prepared seven coffees including for herself.

"Can I have a look around, Nay?" ask Ethan.

"Sure" answered Nayla.

Rory helps Nayla prepare a cup of coffee for everyone. While others are busy looking around every corner of the apartment.

'This room feels comfortable, but feels empty. There's nothing to do with Nayla's personal life, Martin's inner self

Ethan walked towards the hallway which had four doors facing each other. He opened one of the doors, which turned out to be a room. His eyes turned across the room and intended to open to see the inside, curious.

However, just as Ethan was about to open the door, another hand quickly closed the door, and immediately Nayla stood in front of the door.

"For this room, you can't see it" Nayla said.

"Why?" ask Ethan.

"No way" replied Nayla.

"Tell me first what the reason is" Ethan replied curiously.

"It's my work space, and inside it's too horrible to see because I haven't tidied it up yet" Nayla explained.

"Uhm, more precisely Adrian has not come to tidy it up," Nayla ralat.

"So Adrian can and I can't?" ethan asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Oh, comeon. Inside is too messy. Why don't you just sit sweetly on the couch," Nayla said.

"And now I'm also curious about what you're hiding inside" said Kevin.

"Now you're being a bitch, Kevin," Nayla murmured.

"Then, just open it and let us see, and he'll be quiet soon" Martin said.

"Roy, can't you help me this time?" lamented Nayla glanced at Rory.

Rory simply raised both of her hands in surrender.

"Two opponents four will have no chance of winning," replied Rory smiling amusedly.

"You're just taunting me instead of helping me persuade them" Nayla said.

"If it's messy, we just need to tidy it up. Aren't six people going to make the job easier?" sela Thomas started to chuckle.

"Thank you, you're not helping at all," said Nayla.

"Then, open it" Nathan persuaded.

Nayla was now faced with four people staring at her with pleading faces. Until he has no other choice. Giving up, Nayla sighed softly, then stepped away from the front door, letting them open the door to see her study.

...****************...