Chapter 43: Chapter 43

A man wearing a slick gray suit was seen getting out of his car, walking slowly towards his restaurant. Once inside, he walked towards a room.

The door opened with a slow motion, and the man walked in, making another man sitting behind a table with a laptop in front of him immediately turn his face towards the door.

"Reno?"

"Hello Akbar." The man called Reno smiled warmly, then shuffled over and extended his hand, asking for a shake. "How are you?"

"I'm fine, please sit down." Akbar pointed to the chair in front of him. Reno nodded briefly.

Akbar closed his laptop and moved it to the side. The middle-aged man folded his hands on the table, his gaze was now focused on his guest, who was none other than his best friend.

"By the way, why are you here? How come you haven't heard from me in a while?" Akbar started the conversation.

"I didn't intend to come here either, Bar, but I happened to be passing by, so there's no harm in stopping by, right?"

"Who's going to tell you no? It's your restaurant." Akbar chuckled softly, as did Reno. "Do you want something to eat or drink? Let me call one of the waiters."

Reno shook his head. "No need, I'm only here for a moment. How's the restaurant? Going well? Last month's revenue went up quite a lot, can you guarantee to meet the target this month?"

"Definitely. The customers are getting more and more crowded every day. I think this month's turnover will also increase again, even more than the target."

"Oh yeah?" Reno raised one eyebrow. Akbar nodded. "Good then, I have nothing to lose by giving this restaurant to you, Bar. After looking around, you're the boss here, aren't you?"

Both Reno and Akbar burst out laughing. They laughed and couldn't stop their laughter. The two men were already good friends.

The famous restaurant, which had branches everywhere, was owned by Reno, a successful and well-known businessman. Since Reno had so much to do and it was impossible for him to handle everything at once, he asked Akbar, his best friend, to take care of one of his restaurants. Fortunately, Akbar agreed, at the time, Akbar didn't have a steady job. Therefore, when Reno offered to take care of one of his restaurants, Akbar gladly accepted.

"I believe that you can make this restaurant more advanced. I'm happy to work with you." Reno complimented him with a friendly smile, making Akbar immediately wag his hand.

"Ah, you can do it, No." Akbar chuckled. "I'm really lucky to know you. You're a good person, actually giving up my position as boss here is a bit much in my opinion."

"No problem, I trust you. You're also good at handling everything related to the restaurant. It's better not to discuss this anymore."

"Oh yes, what about Rian?"

"What do you mean?"

"Your son is already in the twelfth grade, right? Do you want to continue your studies or what?"

Reno nodded slowly. Oh, about that, I leave everything to Rian directly. I don't want him to be constrained by his father's choices. He has his own path, I'm sure he will succeed later, following in my footsteps."

"I hope so too," Akbar said.

"What about your own family? Is it okay? No problems?"

"Thank God, it's fine."

Reno nodded in understanding. The man was silent as he gazed at his surroundings. Until he finally remembered Cakra. Reno glared for a few seconds. Wait a minute, didn't Rian tell him that Chakra worked here, right?

"Bar, I have something to ask you."

Akbar furrowed his brow. "What do you want to ask?"

"About your employees. Is there anyone named Cakra?"

Without thinking to remember, Akbar nodded his head. He knew all the names of the employees by heart.

"There is, he's part-time here. Usually starts from half past five until ten at night because he's still in school." Akbar paused for a moment. He looked at Reno, who was very focused on him. "If I may know, what's wrong with Cakra?"

"I asked you to triple his salary."

"Triple?"

"Yes."

Akbar was wide-eyed. "Are you serious? Three times as much? He's only part-time here? If I increase his monthly salary like you want, the salaries of the full-time employees here will also fall."

"I know, but you have to do what I want."

"What's wrong?"

"You already know, but are you oblivious or insensitive? I don't know. I can't tell you about it right now, but the point is, don't forget to raise the salary of the employee named Cakra."

Yes, most likely Akbar did not remember. As best friends, of course they both knew each other's lives and personalities. The good and the bad were obvious. When Reno married a woman who already had a child, Akbar also knew. And it was possible that Akbar didn't remember who Cakra really was.

"I just want to say that, then I'll take my leave. Thanks for your time, next time we'll meet again and talk as much as we can. Waiting for the right time is sometimes very difficult."

"Then let me take you to the front."

Akbar had intended to stand up from his seat, but Reno raised his hand, stopping Akbar's movement.

"No need to overdo it, I can do it myself. You just continue your work."

"But—"

"I'll leave first, see you later, Akbar."

***

"It's okay, Nez, I'm fine. Don't overdo it like this." Cakra threw his head back just as Inez was about to return to wiping the cotton swab that had been poured with alcohol towards the corner of his torn and bleeding lip.

Inez shook her head. "I'm not done yet, I'll get an infection. Come on," she said, not wanting to budge.

"Already, it hurts."

"If you know it's sore, why did you have time to fight?" Inez was annoyed, she pressed Cakra's lips so hard that Cakra groaned in pain.

"It hurts, Nez, you can slow down." Cakra protested, and he looked at Inez unhappily.

"One more time I see you fighting with Rian, get ready."

Cakra noticed Inez, who extended her fist towards him, making Cakra immediately glare.

"Are you threatening me?"

"I have to if you're hard to tell."

"I didn't fight with Rian."

"Yeah, not fighting, but fighting," Inez replied, rolling her eyes lazily. Cakra rounded his eyes again.

"Really, he hit me."

"And you just kept quiet?"

"Just to be safe," Cakra replied, defending himself. "I don't want to go to counseling room. again, after all, Rian only hit me once."

"What a boy!" Inez growled in annoyance. "I told you so."

"Why?"

"What did Rian say to you?"

"Oh, about that." Cakra took a deep breath. His beautiful eyeballs glowed, and he looked at Inez carefully.

"What the hell?"

"I already told you, I'm okay with dating as long as it's not public. Why does Rian know now? I don't want everyone to get excited about it."

Feeling accused, Inez shook her head while glaring. She did not accept this. "I didn't talk to anyone," she said. "Except for Ghea."

"Then your friend talked to Rian."

"It could be, they also seem to meet a lot lately."

Cakra sighed softly. "Let's not talk about this anymore, I'm dizzy."

"I want to ask you something."

"Ask what?"

"Are you just forced to accept me, or do you really love me?"

Inez's straightforward and blunt question made Cakra ponder. The boy noticed Inez's beautiful face. He swallowed his saliva. Then he cleared his throat softly.

"You know the answer, Nez."

"Oh." That was all that came out of Inez's lips, she nodded her head while smiling bitterly. "Okay, I get it."

"I'll go to work first, okay? I don't want to be late." Cakra grabbed the backpack that was lying beside him, got off the school medical bed, and then stood up while looking at Inez.

"So fast, I want to be alone with you."

"But I can't skip work," Cakra replied. "I don't have time anymore."

Inez could only sigh through her mouth.

"Okay."

"Don't be cranky, I'm working so I can pay your debt, Nez."

"Ish, I'm not collecting. Just let the debt go, I'm sincere. What do you care about me anyway?"

Cakra relaxed his shoulders. "I don't know, feelings can change."

"So you really like me already?"

"No." Cakra shook his head.

Inez chuckled softly. Her gaze immediately turned sardonic. "Well, go work. Make a lot of money for our marriage capital later."

"Nez..."

"Just kidding. I take it very seriously." Inez chuckled softly.

"I'll go first."

"Be careful on the road."

"You too." Cakra smiled slightly. Then he walked slowly to the door of the medical room. Before exiting, he turned around to face Inez.

"Why, did I miss something?" Inez folded her forehead, then her gaze wandered around the room.

He smiled slightly. "You're the reason I joined the basketball club, Nez," he said softly, before finally continuing his steps.

Inez was dumbfounded at her place. What did he just say? He joined extracurricular basketball because of her? Inez was being used as an excuse. But why? Because Inez likes boys to play basketball? Inez didn't think she had ever discussed this with Cakra. How did that guy know that?

The corners of Inez's lips immediately pulled up. She doesn't care where Cakra got the information from. The important thing was that Inez's feelings this time were made to soar just by the simple words that came out of Cakra's lips.

If Cakra joined extracurricular basketball because Inez liked him. Doesn't that mean he has similar feelings for Inez?

Oh my God!

Inez let out a stifled squeal.

Meanwhile, Cakra quickened his pace towards the school parking lot. His lips were twitching. Siaal, what had he said to Inez? His cheeks suddenly felt hot. He felt ashamed of himself.

***

Dating but feeling single. That's the perfect sentence to describe Inez right now. One week had passed, but Inez didn't feel any significant changes. And that makes her very upset.

She and Cakra were already dating, but Inez didn't feel that way. Cakra was too busy working and studying, making Inez feel very annoyed. But Inez also didn't want to make Cakra uncomfortable if she said that.

How could Inez go on like this? No dates, no going to the movies, no jokes that cause laughter, or what she was looking forward to the most, Cakra being romantic and flirting with her. No, Inez didn't get any of that from Cakra.

Cakra is really a stiff boy, he can't make romantic statements like most boys. Making Inez experience inner pressure. But, Inez still doesn't want to separate. Cakra was hard to get, it would be a waste of her struggle if she let him go. After all, Inez really did like him.

Besides being busy working, Cakra's time is really very limited. He works straight after school and finishes at ten o'clock at night. On weekends, Cakra would work full time from morning until night. There was no time at all for Inez. At best, they only meet at school, and even then, they can't stay long because the break time is very limited.

Would it be okay if Inez objected to this? Everything really didn't meet her expectations. Cakra wasn't romantic at all. Not to mention that he didn't have a cell phone. Gosh, it's so advanced, and that boy doesn't have a cell phone? For whatever reason, Inez has yet to find a teenager today who doesn't have one of those flat things.

Because of that, of course, Inez found it difficult to exchange information with Cakra. In fact, Inez really wanted to be noticed by Cakra. At least give her news and show her sensitivity. Even if it's just a little bit. Yes, a little, Inez doesn't want more than that.

About their relationship, all students already know the truth. At first, Cakra was difficult to accept and felt uncomfortable because he was often the center of attention. It was different with Inez, who was used to it. But slowly, the hot conversation has begun to fade, and rarely brings it up again. Making Cakra a little relieved by that.

"I feel like I'm still single, even though I'm already dating you." For the first time, Inez spoke up when Cakra arrived. Inez asked him to meet her at the basketball court during the second break.

Cakra sighed softly. He grimaced softly. Actually, he felt bad, but what else could he do? The time Cakra had was so limited.

He rubbed his neck while clearing his throat. His gaze returned to Inez's face.

"About that...

"No, I can't blame you either." Inez hurriedly cut off Cakra's unfinished speech. Cakra immediately fell silent. Inez smiled slightly.

"Nez, if you don't be—"

"What?" Inez cut in again. She ruffled her waist while raising her chin. She gave Cakra a sharp look. Meanwhile, Cakra remained silent. "You've said that too many times. I don't want to hear any more of that. I don't want to break up with you."

"But I don't have time for you, Nez."

"I can understand."

"You must be bored. You can leave if you're sick of it all." This time Cakra said it all, not letting Inez cut him off again.

Inez took a step forward, her face looking up. "Do you really want to break up with me?"

Cakra was silent, he didn't dare look at Inez's face, especially her eyes. Turning his face away, Cakra backed his body back and sighed heavily. If he was honest, he didn't want to end this relationship with Inez. For some reason, Cakra found it difficult to do that. Being around Inez made him comfortable.

Inez's lopsided smile formed, adorning her beautiful face. "Why are you silent? I'm asking you."

Cakra still kept his mouth shut.

"Your silence means you also don't want to break up with me. Whether you realize it or not, you're already in love with me, Kra. Your heart is already comfortable with me. And once again, I hear you tell me to stay away from you, let alone ask for a breakup, you will receive my anger."

Sighing softly, Cakra moved slowly to the stands and sat down on one of the seats. Inez followed his lead and sat next to him.

Cakra turned his head to the side. Staring deeply at Inez. "Can I ask you something, Nez?"

"Ask what?"

Cakra didn't answer immediately, instead, he brought his face closer to Inez's. The distance between their faces got closer, making Inez suddenly freeze with a heart beating hard, almost exploding. Inez swallowed harshly.

What would Cakra do?

The two teenagers' gazes clashed. The distance between their faces was eroding. Not only Inez, but Cakra himself also experienced the same thing, his chest was beating very strongly.

"Ca-Cakra..."