Chapter 10: Chapter 10

Alex thought about his friend's advice. Precious who he knows is a person who doesn't like to tell her personal problems even though she often expresses her feelings. Precious is also a person who likes to keep all her problems to herself, maybe she's just a stubborn person and thinks she can do it all by herself or maybe she doesn't know how to ask for help. That's why what Robert said feels right.

After office hours are over and everyone starts returning to their respective homes. Alex stood by his car waiting for Precious to get out of the office. Although many eyes looked at him and began to whisper, Alex didn’t pay little attention to it. He just focused on waiting for Precious.

Until finally his eyes caught Precious coming out of the office. Alex immediately ran to Precious. And with a big smile that appeared in both corners of his lips, Alex invited Precious to go with him.

"Let's go see the sea." Invite Alex

" What?" said Precious confused, glancing around

Precious looks worried because people look at her and Alex. But Alex did not seem to care about all that. Alex instead confidently took Precious's hand and carried her into his car.

Before going to the beach, they stopped at a mini market. Alex also bought a few bottles of beer and snacks. After paying for his groceries, Alex returned to continue their journey. Until finally they arrived at the beach.

The sound of waves and sea breeze greeted them as soon as they got out of the car. Precious goes ahead of Alex and starts looking at the sea with a deep look. Precious really enjoyed the sea breeze that hit her skin so she closed her eyes to feel it.

Alex smiles seeing Precious enjoying this. Alex also brought beer and snacks that he bought before. They also sat and opened beer to accompany them. While drinking beer accompanied by snacks. Initially they only drank without speaking a word until 20 minutes passed and they began to feel comfortable to start talking.

"Actually, why did you suddenly invite me to the beach? Are you bored or just really want to ask me out? Do I take you to the beach so often at night that you can't think of anywhere else? Or do you really have a problem? " asked Precious

"I don't have any problems, I'm just doing this because I saw you crying earlier. I don't know how to cheer you up other than taking you to the beach. " Said Alex

Precious smiled faintly at Alex's words. She also took a half-filled beer bottle then stood up and walked to the beach. While holding a beer bottle Precious walked straight into the ocean. The water began to wet her feet and then up to her ankles and continued to rise until her knees sank. Precious wants to keep going but Alex holds her back. Alex holds Precious's hand while looking at her with beautiful eyes shining.

"Don't go any further, it's dangerous." Said Alex

Precious smiled faintly and then she dropped backwards. Alex who held it fell, too, until they were soaked. They looked at each other as they stood up. This time Alex holds Precious's waist so he can hold it when Precious plans to fall back again.

"Have you ever fallen into a black hole? You really want to run but instead end up falling into it again. Maybe it's karma because I don't listen when someone tells me to stop. Even though I know fire is very hot and dangerous, but I still jump into it. ” Said Precious

Alex silently listened to Precious talking. Precious who was soaking wet looked fragile and her eyes seemed to contain a lot of sadness. Alex could not speak because he was not good at stringing words. He could only be silent and listen to Precious.

"You don't want to say anything? Why haven't you changed a bit? You’re still hard to read the atmosphere. " Said Precious

"I really am not good at talking. I don't know what to say to make you feel better. " Said Alex

"You really are stupid, right now you don't even have to say anything just ..." Precious said

Their eyes looked at each other closely. Alex's pupils trembled as Precious drew closer to his face then began to kiss his lips briefly. Alex could feel his heart beating fast and his blood starting to boil. Something felt like he was heating up inside him. A kiss turned into an intense kiss until they looked at each other awkwardly.

"You just have to do this." Said Precious continued her interrupted words before

Precious then pushed Alex away from her. Then they sat back on the beach and drank their beer. They sat back quietly and only occasionally glanced at each other. They also began to feel awkward until they finished 3 bottles of beer without saying anything.

Although they still feel awkward, Precious is trying to break the ice. Precious then lay down and leaned her head into Alex's lap. Alex feels even more awkward because his heart is ready to explode. But when he saw Precious lying on his lap he began to feel more comfortable. Alex then looked at Precious who was trying to sleep on his lap by closing her eyes.

"If only you had been there to hold me, maybe that wouldn't have happened." Said Precious softly

"Alex, do you still like me now? Even though I no longer shine like before and have many flaws. " Said Precious, who opened her eyes and looked at Alex

"I will still like you, both then and now everything is still the same because you will always shine in my eyes." Said Alex, smiling

Precious closed her eyes again and slept on Alex's lap. After Precious fell into a deep sleep, Alex carried her to the car. Alex drives his car and stops at a nearby motel. Alex then booked a room and carried Precious on the bed. He enveloped Precious and caressed her face gently.

" Good night." Alex said, smiling thinly

Alex then took a pillow and slept on the floor. Although uncomfortable and cold, but he still slept with a smile on his face.

***

Loud music echoed through the room. Colorful lights and flickering lights up the atmosphere. In a bar full of people partying and having fun forgetting all their problems. A place where everyone releases stress and has fun freely. Stella, who is Robert's secretary and also someone who is always trying to catch up to Alex.

She who has beautiful, plain eyes with shoulder-length brown hair. Stella, who always showed the attitude of an innocent child in the office, was sitting in front of the bartender with a glass of Vodka.

Stella looked very drunk after finishing a few glasses of Vodka. She looks messed up with messy hair. She drank another glass of Vodka in one gulp. Stella began to cry then laughed with tears that kept flowing down and wet her cheeks.

"Did something happen? Why are you being messed up like this? " asked the bartender intimately

"Do you remember the man I brought here? Today I saw him carrying a girl into his car. Isn't this unfair ?! I chased him for a year and he didn't even see me. But a new girl came and immediately got all of his attention. " Stella said

"What do you like about the manager? He doesn't look cool at all and looks like a loser. He has no charm at all. " Said the bartender