"Dhe, isn't that Radit?"
That question made Dhea turn her head quickly towards the entrance of the Starbucks outlet located at Level 21 mall.
Dhea should feel happy today, because she can finally meet and share stories with her best friend, Clarinta.
However, Clarinta's question just now, which unfortunately turned out to be Radit, her ex-lover, made Dhea suddenly have a bad mood.
Especially, when their eyes met accidentally and Radit confidently approached her.
"Hi Dhe, long time no see," said Radit greeting Dhea then immediately pulled a chair at another table for him to sit down.
"Oh? Hello... Radit," Dhea greeted back awkwardly.
"How are you?" asked Radit then turned to Clarinta. "Clarinta too, how are you?"
"Fine, we're both really good," Clarinta replied.
"So, is it just the two of you in here? Is it okay if I join here?" asked Radit, to which Dhea only nodded her head.
“Radit… how come you are in Bali?” Dhea asked, after Clarinta, her best friend, had signaled that she would not participate in the chat and chose to focus on the cellphone.
"Oh, I have work to do, and I go for a walk with my friends," replied Radit. "That was the one who came with me, are all of my friends at work.
"Would you like me to introduce you to them?"
"No, no need. What for, huh? I'm not comfortable anyway."
Radit seemed to nod his head, trying to understand, before asking again, "What is your schedule right now?"
"Well, my busy life hasn't changed, Dit. I still struggle with college and work.”
"Not going anywhere? Traveling somewhere, maybe?"
"Hmm? My job is traveling. Pretty good free traveling even paid."
"Don’t you have a tour anymore? Would you like to show me the way around Bali with you?”
"Yes… you can. Just call to my office. You can request me as your tour guide later if it's right that I don't bring other guests."
"I received a call in a moment, Dhe," Clarinta interrupted when Radit looked like he was about to open his voice.
"Oh? Okay Rin," said Dhea welcome.
"Well, I think it can be directly personal," said Radit after Clarinta walked away.
"I can't, Dit, because it's already in the contract. I can't guide guests personally," said Dhea.
"Yeah, just say a friend or a boyfriend. Don't say guiding, but let's just go for a walk."
Dhea grimaced when she didn't know what else to say and felt grateful when Clarinta was back again.
"Who’s that? Your boyfriend?" Dhea asked Clarinta.
"Yeah, who else right?" Clarinta replied wistfully.
»Guide Me to Your Heart«
Hannan looked around as he entered the Starbucks store at Level 21 mall that afternoon.
Earlier, he was already on his way to the architect's office owned by his best friend, Daffin. But when that man said that his girlfriend's best friend asked for help and he would come here later, Hannan couldn't help but obey.
The help that was asked for was not trivial, being a fake boyfriend of someone who her best friend called Dhea.
Hannan didn't know which girl named Dhea was, and felt grateful when he saw that Clarinta, his best friend's lover, was also there.
Thus, it made it easier for Hannan to find which Dhea was, and of course, accompanied by eye signals from Clarinta.
"Hi Love," said Hannan to Dhea then kissed the girl's forehead.
It was beyond his plans. But when he saw the man he thought was Dhea's ex-lover was still there, he didn't think twice about skinship.
While hoping that after this Dhea would not kick him into the sea.
"Hi," Dhea replied as she turned to the left, where Hannan was sitting. The reply was a bit stiff according to Hannan, plus that girl's surprised face.
Afterward, Hannan greeted Clarinta and asked when the girl's lover would come.
"Hannan, what time did you meet Daffin earlier?" Clarinta asked after she said that her boyfriend hadn't come yet.
"Two o'clock," replied Hannan. "But earlier Dhea asked me to come quickly, so I come earlier."
Clarinta also said that her boyfriend would come soon and Hannan answered with a few nods of his head.
After that, he turned to Radit and looked at that man with a cold gaze.
"Who is he, Honey? Your friend?" Hannan asked Dhea.
"Oh yes, I forgot!" said Dea. "Hm… this is Radit," Dhea answered doubtfully to Hannan, then turned to Radit and said, "Radit, this is Hannan, my boyfriend."
Hannan and Radit shook hands and then said their names again. On purpose, Hannan showed his dislike for Radit.
“Is Radit that the ex-boyfriend of yours that you talked about?” Hannan asked after he had looked back at Dhea.
“Ng… did I ever tell you? I forget it, haha. But… yes… Radit is my ex-boyfriend,” answered Dhea, grinning.
"Oh? Or it was Clarinta who told the story? I forgot too. Did you guys make an appointment to meet in here?"
"Eh? No, no. I made an appointment with Clarinta earlier, just like what I said to you this morning.
"We accidentally meet here just now. Radit just came here when he saw Clarinta and me here."
Hannan nodded his head in understanding, and then his eyes scanned Radit with a cold gaze, before returning to look at Dhea gently.
"I want to order coffee. Do you want to drink more? Coffee or something?"
"Chocolate frappe, please. I've been drinking coffee earlier."
"Clarinta?"
"No, thank you. I'm just waiting for Daffin to come here."
"Okay, wait a moment, Love."
Hannan rubbed the top of Dhea's head gently before leaving. He mentioned his order to the barista, and then chose to stand near the order-taking counter.
His gaze was directed at Radit who invited Dhea to chat, which seemed to be a bit of an argument.
There was a slight feeling of dislike in Hannan's heart when he saw Dhea being treated like that by her ex-lover.
Moreover, after Radit passed, Dhea was like someone tired because she immediately laid her head on the table.
"Tsk! What an opportunity-seeking boy!”
Dhea's cursing was heard by Hannan who had stepped closer, immediately making him ask, "Who? Me?"
Dhea couldn't hide her surprise, and it was funny to Hannan, even though he didn't want to show it.
The man who works as a lawyer put down the chocolate drink that Dhea ordered before sitting back in the chair earlier.
"Eh? Ng… no, not you," Dhea stuttered because, for some reason, Hannan's aura was so strong that it made her unable to move.
Dhea saw Clarinta chuckle, before she finally saying goodbye because she wanted to approach her boyfriend that just comes.
Leaving Dhea alone with Hannan.
"So... not me?" asked Hannan, still with a slightly intimidating look, but one hand gently stroked Dhea's head.
This treatment had made Dhea complacent for a moment because the light strokes seemed to spoil her.
What's more, it briefly took shelter in her neck.
Dhea didn't know if it was intentional or not, because she couldn't even read the meaning of her pretend lover's gazed.
However, she enjoyed all Hannan's treatment for her because it was only to convince Radit who seemed to be still staring at them.
"Um… by the way, thank you, Hannan, because you have already agreed to Clarinta's request to help me this afternoon," Dhea said after Hannan finally pulled his hand, and Dhea could breathe a sigh of relief.
"You're welcome. Glad to help you," said Hannan. “Clarinta told me about you and your ex earlier, so I was able to connect and want to help you.
"If his behavior has made you uncomfortable, you can report him to the police."
"Huh, it just is wasting my time. I'd better focus on my studies and work."
"Oh? Where do you work? How come Clarinta never said that her friend was already working?”
"I'm a tour guide, my base is in Kuta. I study at night because I often guide guests from morning to evening."
"Aren't you tired? Can you concentrate on your studies?”
"Thankfully, I can, even though I'm really tired. But it works right? It's impossible if you're not tired.
"But because I work for traveling, I just enjoy it. Because they say work should be enjoyed so it doesn't feel like a burden."
"Well, maybe next time we can walk out together?"
"Walking by foot, Sir?"
Hannan snorted softly because his joke turned out to be a joke too. And it feels like… he's enjoying his leisurely chat with Dhea this afternoon.
***
