For a moment, in an uncertain span of time, Andreas could only remain silent. Vlora’s questions pierced, penetrated, and permeated. They penetrated Andreas’ chest and squeezed the pulsations within.
The air escaped. Andreas felt suffocated.
Everything was out of his control. No matter how clever Andreas was in assessing his interlocutor. It didn’t matter how clever Vlora was in controlling herself to become an unreadable person. In reality, they were still ordinary people with their own wounds.
Andreas and Vlora were like mirrors and their reflections. They stared at each other and found duplicates, though for different reasons. Both were children from families that were not whole.
There had been betrayal, there had been tragedy. Both had deep wounds in their hearts.
Now, after Vlora had said it, Andreas’ memories came back. He realized that throughout his life, there had never been a welcome awaiting his return.
There was only Amanda. Never Bryan.
Oh, not that Andreas wasn’t grateful. But aren’t humans by nature greedy creatures? Especially greedy for what should rightfully be theirs.
Andreas didn’t know what that felt like, but it seemed that Vlora did. Judging by Vlora’s words, it seemed to be a joyful thing.
“Of course.”
Everything disappeared from his mind. Andreas’ prejudices and anticipations melted away at the same time as his embrace engulfed Vlora.
Heavy. Full of risks. But everything had its price.
Andreas decided to trust Vlora. Logic was put aside; this time he would follow his heart. At least his instincts told him that everything would be okay.
Meanwhile, in another place, far from the peace that surrounded Andreas and Vlora, Jonas was immersed in the hustle and bustle of the nightlife. It seemed to be the only activity he could do to quell the emotions that had been simmering all day. He was restless.
Heat enveloped him. Alcohol burned from the inside and sweat splattered.
Jonas squeezed the empty glass in his hand. No matter how much he drank that night, Andreas’ disgusting face still lingered in his mind.
Damn it!
The glass became his outlet. Jonas placed it on the bar table and half slammed it down.
A few guests and a bartender looked at Jonas. Just a glance, for they were wise enough to assess the situation and not want to provoke over something useless.
Jonas turned away. His gaze focused on a group of women sitting at a table. They were laughing and seemed to be enjoying the evening.
Among them was a woman who caught Jonas’ eye. She was beautiful and managed to make Jonas stand up.
His steps were a little unsteady. Jonas walked amidst the flickering club lights and the influence of alcohol.
Jonas’ presence silenced the laughter and joy. The women collectively looked in his direction and fell silent with changing expressions.
“Nadine.”
Jonas’ hoarse voice caught the attention of one woman. She turned and her eyes widened in surprise.
“Jonas.”
They locked eyes for a moment in silence. Nadine’s friends could clearly sense the situation. They exchanged glances and decided to get up.
“We’ll be downstairs, Na.”
Nadine tried to intervene, but it was too late. They had already left her behind and Jonas blended seamlessly into the dance floor.
Embarrassed, Nadine couldn’t do anything as Jonas sat next to her. She took a breath and found a question greeting her.
“How are you doing?”
Nadine shifted uncomfortably. Jonas’ wild eyes seemed to roam all over her body. She felt uncomfortable but tried to maintain a polite demeanor.
“I’m fine. And you?”
The counter-question was just a formality, but Nadine couldn’t help but look at him.
“I don’t think so.”
Jonas exhaled deeply. He leaned back and looked up. He nodded.
“It’s been a rough day.”
This time Nadine turned to him. “Why?”
“Are you interested in my day or its cause? You probably think it’s Andreas’ fault, don’t you?”
Nadine didn’t answer. Jonas guessed her thoughts quite well.
Silence surrounded them. Jonas didn’t need Nadine’s answer if he was sure of his guess. It was too easy and also… painful.
Jonas closed his eyes. His face looked tired as he massaged the bridge of his nose.
Always Andreas. Was Andreas the only thing on Nadine’s mind?
Nadine felt uncomfortable, especially when she saw Jonas’ disheveled state and realized how confused he was.
The suit was no longer neat, it was somewhat disheveled. The tie around his neck was loose and hanging haphazardly. His shirt, disheveled and with a few buttons undone.
A real mess. Surely Nadine wasn’t wrong in assuming that Andreas was the cause of Jonas’ difficult day. In fact, there was only one person in the world who could make Jonas like this. Only Andreas.
Nadine’s uneasiness grew, especially when she heard Jonas’ faint sigh.
Nadine grabbed a bottle of mineral water and poured it into a glass. Shuffling a little, she spoke softly.
“Drink first, Jon. It seems you’ve had too much to drink tonight.”
Jonas groaned and accepted the water offered by Nadine. He gulped down every drop greedily and then sighed in relief.
“Maybe you should go home now, Jon. You really look exhausted.”
As she put the empty glass back on the table, Nadine found her hand being held by Jonas. She turned around and was surprised when Jonas kissed her without warning.
Nadine’s eyes widened. Both hands went up, ready to push, but Jonas himself ended the brief kiss.
“You-”
“I love you, Na.”
Jonas’ warm breath caressed Nadine. The sentence was spoken right in front of Nadine’s lips and made her shiver.
Her eyes misted over. A look of emptiness hinted at sincerity.
Wasn’t it really heartbreaking? It turned out that Jonas not only lacked the recognition of his family, but the woman he loved also chose the brother he despised.
Again and again. Andreas became the culprit for all the frustrations that befell Jonas.
How long must Jonas endure this situation? Does he have to live in the shadow of Andreas forever? Is it true what people say, that he is just a lucky child, living a life incomparable to that of Andreas?
Jonas had done everything in his power. He proved to the world that he was a child to be proud of. Not only was he a source of happiness to his parents, but he was also intelligent and reliable.
But why? Why was Jonas still despised? Ironically, he was rejected by the woman he loved for reasons that ran deep.
Nadine loved Andreas. No matter how many women passed through Andreas’ embrace, she remained in love.
“I love you so much.”
Jonas’ soft voice conveyed pain. Groans wrapped around the agony he had truly endured for so long.
“Jonas.”
Jonas looked at Nadine. Intense and full of hope. All he wanted now was for Nadine to see into the depths of his heart. Truly, he loved her.
“Be mine, Na. I will make sure that everything I do is only for you. Whatever it is, I will never leave you.”
Nadine was taken aback by the unexpected confession. She swallowed hard and didn’t know what to say.
The guilt made Nadine powerless. Her chest felt heavy and she couldn’t do anything when there was no hint of emotion in her heart.
Oh, God. Nadine felt sinful. Not that she didn’t know how much Jonas had loved her all this time, but what could she say? She had given her love and her heart to Andreas.
“Jon-”
“I will make you happy.”
But this looks weakened Nadine. Even the heartfelt expressions and words penetrated the untouched depths of her soul.
Nadine returned Jonas’ gaze. Her hand slowly rose and Jonas prepared himself for rejection.
“Jonas.”
No. Nadine didn’t push Jonas away. She didn’t reject Jonas. Instead, she gently stroked Jonas’ cheek.
Jonas was stunned for a moment. He blinked and then took Nadine’s hand.
This time there was no surprise for Nadine. She closed her eyes and surrendered to Jonas’ embrace.
Lips met lips. The kiss turned into a passionate exchange.
Nadine opened up and realized something. Maybe a new story could only be written with someone new.
*
“The date is set, sir. Next Monday.”
Frans’ answer was only met with a nod from Andreas. He waited, but in fact Andreas had nothing more to say.
“What shall I prepare, sir?”
Andreas lifted his face and smiled nonchalantly. “No need. You don’t need to prepare anything.”
“What do you mean, sir?”
“You don’t have to be so tense, Frans,” Andreas said without answering. He sighed and suggested something that confused Frans. “How about taking a little rest? I can see the tension on your face.”
“Sir, I-”
“Ah! I almost forgot something.”
Frans held back the words he wanted to say. He waited for Andreas’ next words.
“I will invite Vlora to the meeting.”
This was unexpected for Frans. So, it was understandable that his eyes widened. His expression showed shock and disbelief.
“Invite Mrs. Vlora?”
Andreas nodded in the affirmative. “Yes. Why? She is my wife. There is no prohibition if I invite her.”
“True, sir. Indeed, but-”
“Don’t worry. Vlora may have no position or interests, but I’m sure there’s a grandmother who wouldn’t mind seeing her granddaughter-in-law.”
Frans couldn’t argue. From the few brief meetings, he knew about, he could guess how wholeheartedly Ningsih had accepted Vlora. What else could he do? Disagreeing wouldn’t change Andreas’ decision.
Interestingly, this was the first time that Frans and Andreas disagreed. Usually, they spoke with one voice and made the same decisions.
Frans could only sigh. Unintentionally, but in his eyes, Andreas now looked like a man intoxicated with love. So intoxicated that Andreas would make sure Vlora was near him at every opportunity.
Andreas proved Frans’s verdict to be true. When night came and he entered the room, the first thing he did was to approach Vlora.
Vlora was combing her hair. She saw Andreas in the mirror.
“Come with me, Vlo.”
Andreas stood directly behind Vlora. His hands landed on Vlora’s smooth shoulders, covered only by a thin strap of a nightgown.
As an opening statement, Andreas’ words were a bit confusing. It was reasonable for Vlora to ask.
“What do you mean?”
Andreas met Vlora’s gaze in the mirror. “Next Monday. I thought you’d like to see the show at the shareholders’ meeting.”
Vlora took a breath and the comb resumed its movement. She nodded gently.
“As your wife, I will accompany you, of course.”
*