WHEN YOU'RE CLOSER

CHAPTER 12

I've been hoping that Ravi won't return to my cafe anymore. And thankfully, I haven't seen him for a week now. With that, I've been able to breathe just fine. It seems unfair that I've been neglecting my own family, yes, however, what they did to me is not something that you could forgive easily. 

The feeling of denial, grief, and betrayal was all combined and thrown all over you. And it damaged me. Severely. Especially if your own family was part of who did it to you. 

I loved them. I truly did. But love was something that would truly hurt you if things turned in another way when you would not expect them to be. And it did. Badly. 

"Aster," called Loly who just came into the kitchen seconds ago. "Someone named Ravi was looking for you. He said you are his sister. Is he even telling the truth? I thought you didn't have any family?" she asked after another. 

I didn't mind her and walked fast to where Ravi was. I am annoyed. He never listens. 

"Does my warning mean nothing to you?" I angrily asked. "What the fuck are you doing here?" 

He didn't seem bothered by my presence and signaled me to be seated on the opposite side of him. "Be seated and listen to me, Aster." 

I did what he said. "What now?" 

He exhales first and says, "Mom and Dad want me to bring you home." 

"You know the answer to that already, so why are you here?" 

"I know that, yes. That's why I am warning you right now, Aster. They will do anything to bring you home. Whether it's me or them who'll do it. And you know what will happen next." 

I laughed bitterly. "Are they not done ruining my life? Answer me, Ravi. Until when will they stop ruining me? Their daughter, Ravi. When?"

"I'm sorry." 

I scoff, "And here you are again, telling me you're sorry yet you can't do anything. How funny is it to make me assume that you'll do something for me? Last time you offered that you'd protect me. Now, prove it to me. Protect me. Don't let them find me. Just this time, don't let them ruin your sister again if I am one to you."

"I'll... do my best, Aster. I promise you, I am doing my best." He held my hand tightly and looked at me sincerely. 

"Make me believe you, Ravi. Do not disappoint me this time." 

He nods. "I'll go now since you won't serve me anything here." He laughs. "Thank you, Aster. I am aware of what I did back then and believe me when I say I'll make it up to you. Just please... be my sister again." He smiled bitterly while looking intently at me. 

I shook my head. "Don't get your hopes up, Ravie. That doesn't change the fact of what you have done before." 

He nods inwardly. "I understand. But still, I won't change my mind." 

He left after that and I was left still sitting, staring blankly at nothing. The last time I believed in you was when you also let me face hell. 

"I'll let you do the closing for now, Loly. And you can also go home after me." I said without looking at her. I got my things in the kitchen and went out to my cafe. 

"Love?" called Landon who was surprised to see me sleeping on his sofa. "You're here?" 

I sat down and nodded to answer him. "Surprise?" 

He smiled. "You could have told me that you're here, love." 

"Sorry, I barge in here without telling you." I smiled apologetically. 

"You can come here anytime, love. You know that. But what I'm saying is, you should have told me so that I could go home as fast as I could. It's past dinner now. Hey, did you eat already?" he suddenly asked. 

I chuckle. "Come here and just hug me, hmm?" I pouted and opened my arms to welcome his warmth. 

He pouted as he followed my request. He hugged me so tight that I couldn't help but laugh. "I hope I'll come home like this every time. It's nice to have you here, love." 

"Recharging?" I gently asked as I caressed his hair. 

I felt him nod his head. "I missed you." 

I smiled. "Me too." 

"Am I too clingy?" he asked and even though I couldn't see his face, I could see his pout. 

I shook my head. "I'm the one who's more clingy, love."

"I can see," 

"And your clinginess is a part of you. A part of what I love about you. Don't bother thinking that I won't love it. You are not my Landon when you are not clingy, remember that." I pinched his nose when he let go of our hug. 

"My Aster knows how to make my heart beat so fast." He shyly said and grabbed my hand to bring it to his chest. "Feel it? It's beating that fast whenever I'm with you." 

"Isn't that weird? We have the same rhythm of our heartbeats." I smiled at him. 

He laughs. His heartbeat became more rapid. "Stop flattering me," he muttered and pouted. 

I ended up laughing as his face became so red. "Okay, I'll stop now. Let's eat now. Oh, wait, you ate already, don't you?" 

"I could eat again." He firmly stated and stood up. "What do you want?" 

"Let's just order, okay? I'm craving something right now." I said and smiled happily. 

"Delivery?" I nod. "Okay, then. What is it? What does my Aster want?" he asked softly.

"Pizza!" I loudly yelled excitedly. 

He shook his head at me and laughed. "Pizza it is." 

He became busy ordering pizza online while I was lying on his sofa. It's comfortable here. I don't want to go home. 

"Why are you suddenly sad? Is there any problem?" he asked worriedly. He was done with his phone so he lay beside me and took his chance to hug me. 

I shook my head. "Don't worry about me," I said lowly. "How's work?" 

"You're changing the topic," he pointed out. 

"Answer me first," I demanded. 

He giggles. "Fine. Well, work's tiring, as usual. Too many cases needed to be handled as early as possible. I suddenly want to file a vacation." 

"You've been filling a vacation too many this year, Landon." I shook my head at him. "You'll be fired when you'll file again." 

"Not gonna happen though." He confidently said. 

"And why is that?" I raised my brows at him. 

"Because I'm the owner, love." He said with conviction. 

My jaw dropped. "What the fuck?" I whispered. 

"You don't know?" he asked surprised. 

"Uh, how would I know if you didn't say anything to me about that? You only said you're working! Not being the owner!" I hysterically say. 

"Oh," he muttered. 

"Yeah, oh," I mimicked him. "We've been together for months and I don't even have any idea about that?" I disappointly said. 

"Well, now you know it." He shrugs. "How about you? Something to share about your day?" 

It took me a minute before I could speak. "Uh, well. It's still usual. But honestly, can we go back to the beach? 

"Now?" 

"After the pizza." I smiled innocently which made him laugh.