Chapter 4 Expecting Too Much

Morning came back to Aleta who had just finished cleaning her body. You could say she had woken up early. For some reason, she was excited because Ansel had asked her to make breakfast this morning. For that reason, she wanted to get ready to make Ansel a special breakfast. In fact, she had already looked up a lot on the internet about good breakfasts.

Aleta walked out of her room with cheerful steps. She walked down the stairs and headed to the kitchen. In the kitchen, she saw Aunt Nani there.

"Good morning Auntie!" greeted Aleta.

Aunt Nani turned her face to Aleta. "Good morning Aleta! Wow, it looks like you're really happy right now. What's wrong?" asked Auntie Nani.

Aleta was stunned by the question. She was getting nervous at the moment. Should she tell the truth?

"Hmm, it's nothing, Auntie. Aren't I usually like this?" Aleta replied.

"Hey, you can't lie to me. I know there's something going on. Come on, just tell me," said Aunt Nani.

"Well, I'll tell you this. I'm actually quite happy that Ansel wanted me to make him breakfast. That's why I'm a little happy," explained Aleta who lowered her face in embarrassment.

"Huh? Really? When did he ask for that?" asked Aunt Nani.

"Ansel asked for it last night when I made him something to eat last night because he was hungry," Aleta replied.

"But, Young Master has already left for the office. I also offered to have breakfast with him. Young Master said he didn't want to," explained Aunt Nani.

Aleta was shocked to hear that. Did Ansel just want to play a fool by asking her that? But, last night Ansel had asked her with such a serious face that she wondered if it was true.

"Has it been a while since he left?" Aleta asked.

"Not long at all. Maybe about half an hour ago. Aleta, I'm sorry to say this. You shouldn't put too much faith in what Young Master says. It's not that I want to provoke you. But I know how he is," said Aunt Nani.

Aleta thought about what Aunt Nani had said. Was what Aunt Nani said also true? She shouldn't have trusted the man's words right away.

The house phone suddenly rang. Making the two of them look at each other.

"Let me answer it, Auntie," Aleta said as she walked towards the phone.

She picked up the phone.

"Hello. Who is this?" Aleta asked.

"It's me, Ansel," Ansel replied

Aleta was stunned that Ansel had phoned. She knew why Ansel was calling on the landline. Because he didn't know what her cell phone number was. Because he never asked her either. Moreover, at this time the man's tone of voice had returned to what it was before. Very cold, unlike last night.

"Oh, yes. What's wrong?" Aleta asked

"Bring me lunch later. Bring it to the office," Ansel replied

Aleta furrowed her brow at Ansel's request.

Is this guy trying to fool me again? ~ Aleta's mind

"Did you just want to fool me again like this morning? You said you wanted me to make you breakfast. But instead you've gone to the office now. Sorry, I can't be fooled a second time," Aleta explained.

"I didn't intentionally skip breakfast this morning. I had to rush because I had an important meeting," Ansel replied

Aleta became silent hearing Ansel's words. It turned out that the reason was like that. But can that be believed? Ansel didn't lie, did he?

At the other end, Ansel looked confused because Aleta never answered his request.

"Aleta? Are you still there?" Ansel asked

Aleta immediately snapped out of her reverie.

"OOh yeah. I'm still here. Alright, I'll bring lunch for you later. I'm hanging up," Aleta replied as she turned off Ansel's call.

Aleta returned to the kitchen with a face full of indecision. This made Aunt Nani wonder why Aleta was like that.

"Aleta, what's wrong? Who called earlier?" asked Aunt Nani.

"Ansel just called, Auntie," Aleta replied.

"Young Master! What did he say?" asked Aunt Nani, who was quite surprised that the young master had called. Because the young master had never done that before.

"Ansel asked me to make him lunch and told me to bring him to the office later," Aleta replied.

Aunt Nani was again surprised by what Aleta said. "Are you going to make it?" asked Aunt Nani.

Aleta nodded her head slowly. " Yeah. Of course I want to. He's my husband. I have to do what he says, don't I," Aleta replied.

"But, Aleta. Aren't you afraid that the young master will do something to you?" asked Aunt Nani with a worried look on her face.

Aleta smiled slightly. She touched Aunt Nani's shirt. "Auntie, don't worry. Nothing will happen to me. I can take care of myself," Aleta replied, assuring Aunt Nani that she could go by herself.

Aunt Nani let out a harsh sigh. "'Alright. If you say so. But you must remember to take care of yourself. I still can't fully trust Young Master," said Aunt Nani.

Aleta nodded her head slowly. " I see. I'll keep that in mind. Thank you for worrying about me. By the way, I'd like to ask you not to tell my mother-in-law about this," Aleta replied.

Aunt Nani wrinkled her forehead. "Why?" asked Aunt Nani.

"She shouldn't know about this. I'm sure if she finds out about this, she'll follow me straight away. I'm worried that if Ansel messes up, she'll see it. It will be a mess if that happens," said Aleta.

Bini Nani was surprised again. "How could you care about Young Master's reputation? If Madame finds out about it, let her. Let her know how her son is doing," protested Auntie Nani.

Aleta shook her head quickly.

"No, Auntie! I don't want she to think about it later. She has asked me to change Ansel's behavior. I've already agreed to that. I don't want a big problem to arise because of a small problem," said Aleta.

Aunt Nani looked sadly at Aleta. She hugged her body tightly.

"You are too kind, Aleta. I'm proud of you. I'm happy that you're here. You never take revenge for what others do to you. But I just want you to take care of yourself," Aunt Nani explained.

Aleta released the hug and looked at Auntie Nani with a big smile. "I'll remember what you told me. Thank you," Aleta said.

Aunt Nani just nodded her head slowly.

***

At exactly eleven o'clock in the afternoon, Aleta arrived at Ansel's office, Desmond Group. Aleta immediately walked inside. She first went to the reception desk to ask where Ansel's office was since he hadn't told her.

"Excuse me!"

"Yes, Miss. What's wrong?" the receptionist asked.

"I'd like to see Ansel. Eh? Young Master Desmond. Where is the room?" Aleta asked.

The female employee looked her up and down. "Are you his sister?" she asked.

Aleta shook her head. "I'm not his sister, I'm his wife," Aleta replied.

Suddenly the employee was surprised by what Aleta said. Seconds later she suddenly laughed out loud.

"Hahaha, Hey, Miss. Don't joke around. If you want to confess, don't do this either. This is too much you know. Hey, everyone! Look at this, this little girl is saying that she is the wife of the president," she explained which made everyone move closer to her.

"Wow, how could the president want a child like this!"

"Even though her face is very pretty, she's a con artist. She's just making claims!"

"Hey, be self-aware. How could our president be your husband? That's ridiculous!"

Aleta clenched her hands tightly. She had never expected to get something like this when she came to Ansel's office.

Did Ansel send those people to insult me on purpose? Maybe he doesn't want people to know that I am his wife? ~ Aleta thought

"Madame!"

Everyone immediately looked at the man who approached Aleta. Aleta remembered who the man in front of her was. It was Ansel's personal assistant, Jeffrey.

"Jeffrey?" called Aleta

"Why is you being here?" asked Jeffrey.

"Ansel told me to come here to make him lunch," Aleta replied showing Jeffrey the paper bag she was carrying.

"I see. Let me take you to the President's office," Jeffrey invited.

Aleta nodded her head. " Okay!"

Jeffrey began to lead Aleta up the elevator to Ansel's room. Before the elevator doors closed, Jeffrey gave the group of people a death glare.

"Why are you surrounded by so many people?" Jeffrey asked.

"They didn't believe that I was Ansel's wife. That's why it happened like that," Aleta replied.

Jeffrey let out a harsh sigh. "They really went too far. They should be punished later," Jeffrey complained.

Aleta shook her head slowly. "Don't be like that. Don't do anything to them. They don't know the truth anyway. That's why they think that way. Don't blame them anymore," Aleta said.

Finally, they arrived in front of Ansel's room. The door wasn't closed tightly. This allowed Aleta to see what was going on in there.

Suddenly Aleta widened her eyes at the sight in front of her. In front of her, Ansel was kissing each other passionately. Aleta could feel her heart beating rapidly.

Aleta walked over to Jeffrey who hadn't moved yet. "Please give this to Ansel later when the activity is over. If you'll excuse me," Aleta said as she left Ansel's presence.

Jeffrey became curious immediately. He slowly followed Aleta's way to peek at what she was actually seeing. Suddenly, his eyes widened at what was happening in front of him.

"Young Master really hasn't changed at all," Jeffrey murmured.

Love At First Sigh

Aleta ran quickly down to the ground floor. Her heart felt very tight at the moment. Why did she never have a good love story? It was always like this. Was it because she already had feelings for her husband, so she couldn't see Ansel with another woman?

But what could she do? Ansel didn't like her. She couldn't possibly reprimand or scold him for cheating on her. Because from the beginning, their marriage was just an agreement between two parents running a business.

Aleta continued to run so fast that the people in the company looked at her strangely. Until because she didn't see the situation around her, she accidentally bumped into someone in front of her.

"Ah!"

Aleta was already preparing to feel the hard ground. But, she had closed her eyes for a long time to endure the pain, but she never felt it. So she began to slowly open her eyes to see what was happening.

Suddenly Aleta's eyes widened when she saw a handsome man in front of her eyes. Their faces were so close that they were glued to each other. Until finally Aleta realized her position and immediately broke away from the man.

"I'm sorry! I didn't see the road and ran straight into you," said Aleta who cursed her stupidity for bumping into random people.

"You don't need to apologize. You didn't hit me intentionally because you were in a panic," the man said.

Aleta was stunned to hear what the man said. She wrinkled her forehead because she was quite confused by what he said.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"What I said is true, isn't it? You are currently saddened by something that happened to you. That's why you're confused. I'm sure you saw something you didn't want to see that made you run away like that," the man explained clearly.

Aleta was speechless. Why did this man in front of her know so much about what happened to her?

"Are you psychic?" asked Aleta with an innocent look.

Suddenly the man laughed at what she asked him. "You're funny too. I'm not psychic. But I know a little about women. Oh yeah, do you want to follow me to calm down? Because it looks like you're still frantic at the moment," the man invited.

Aleta looked warily at the man. She still remembered the lesson of not accepting help from strangers easily.

Seeing Aleta's gaze let him know what she was thinking.

"You take it easy. I'm not a kidnapper you know. Oh right, to make it more familiar, I'd better introduce myself first. My name is Alex. How about you?" asked the man named Alex while extending his hand in front of Aleta.

Aleta hesitantly took the man's hand. "Aleta."

"Wow, you have a nice name. Do you know the meaning of your name?" Axel asked.

Aleta shook her head because she didn't know what her name meant.

"Does it matter?" asked Aleta

Axel nodded his head. "Of course. Like my name Axel, which means peace. Your name also has a meaning. Aleta, which means a woman who protects people like an angel with wings," said Axel.

Aleta was quite surprised to hear the meaning of her name. "Wow, really? But it doesn't seem to suit me," said Aleta.

Axel immediately shook his head. "No! That meaning suits you. Maybe you just haven't realized the meaning of the name yet. How's that? We're getting along pretty well, aren't we? I just want you to unburden your heart. We can chat at the café ahead if you still don't believe me," Axel explained with a faint smile.

Aleta thought about the offer from the man in front of her. It seemed like there was no harm in accepting Axel's invitation. She also didn't want to go back home right now. There she would think about Ansel's behavior which really upset her.

For this reason, Aleta immediately nodded her head after thinking for a long time. "Okay, there's nothing wrong with going with you," Aleta replied.

Axel looked happy that Aleta agreed to his invitation. "Alright, let's go there," said Axel.

Aleta and Axel walked together to the cafe in front of the company. Suddenly, Aleta was stunned when Axel grabbed her hand as they were about to cross the road. Honestly, Aleta had never experienced anything like this. Because she had never been too close to a man.

Finally, they arrived at the cafe and chose a seat by the window. A waiter immediately approached the two. Aleta could see that the waitress was blushing at Axel. Well, the man in front of her did have a handsome face.

"Order black tea and chamomile tea," Axel said.

"Okay! Please wait for the order!" The waitress immediately left with an embarrassed step. It became apparent that the waitress liked Axel. It made him chuckle softly.

"Why? Is there something funny?" asked Axel, who was quite confused because Aleta suddenly laughed.

"Nothing! It's just that I found the waitress funny. It's obvious she likes you," Aleta replied.

Hearing Aleta's answer made Axel chuckle softly. "That's what I'm used to. Oh right, I don't think we should talk formally. I think we're the same age although I can see that you're younger than me," Axel explained.

Aleta nodded her head slowly. "That's fine. That's better too. You helped me earlier," said Aleta.

"Helped you with what?" asked Axel with a confused look.

"Earlier, you saved me from falling to the ground earlier. I can already imagine how painful it would have been if I had fallen. But luckily it didn't happen," Aleta replied with a slight grin.

"It was dangerous though. If you had fallen to the ground earlier, you might have suffered an injury to your tailbone that would have made it difficult for you to sit or relieve yourself," Axel said.

Aleta widened her mouth slightly at Axel's explanation. "You know quite a lot about health. I'm scared when I fall," Aleta said.

"For that, you have to be careful. Even though you're in pain, you should still pay attention to your condition too," Axel replied.

Aleta smiled slightly. Axel's words made her somewhat calm at the moment.

"Excuse me! Here's the order!"

The waitress began placing her cup on the table.

"Thank you!" said Axel as he smiled faintly at the waitress.

The waitress immediately looked nervous at being given a smile by Axel. "Yes, you're welcome. Please enjoy!" The waiter quickly walked away with a distorted look on his face.

"You made her misbehave again just with that smile," Aleta commented.

"I just gave them a smile to show my appreciation for their hard work. They're trying to support themselves here. We should appreciate their efforts, shouldn't we," Axel explained.

Aleta smiled slightly. Axel was truly a good man. Even he was considerate of his surroundings. No matter who he was with, the man would still be kind and would always show that smile that made people calm. Very different from the man she knew.

"Oh well, why did you order chamomile tea?" Aleta asked with a surprised look.

"Oh, it's for you. Have you ever tried drinking this tea?" Axel asked.

Aleta shook her head. "I didn't even know that chamomile flowers could be made into a tea like this," Aleta replied.

"You're lucky to meet me then. You should try drinking this tea. I guarantee you'll love it. This tea is very effective to make people calm. Try it!" hungry Axel

Aleta immediately grabbed the cup of tea. She slowly drank the tea. Before drinking, she already felt calm when she inhaled the fragrant tea. Especially when she started to sip the tea, she could feel her throat getting warm. She suddenly felt her blood flowing well, making her feel that calmness. For a moment, she forgot about the problems that happened to her.

"How was it? Did you like it?" Axel asked.

Aleta nodded her head strongly. "Yeah, this tea is really good. Not only does it taste good, it makes me feel calm. I've never tasted tea like this," Aleta explained with a big smile as she took another sip of the tea.

"It's good that you like it. You really should drink that tea often. It's not just for calming your mind. It also helps us sleep well," Axel explained.

"Wow, you're really good. You're very knowledgeable," Aleta praised.

Axel smiled at the compliment. "Thank you for your compliment. I feel happy when you compliment me like that," Axel said.

"What the heck? I'm sure a lot of people have said this to you," Aleta retorted.

You're right, Aleta! Many have complimented me like you said. But, somehow when you say it, it feels really special. It feels so good to hear it from you directly~ Axel's mind

If anyone thinks Axel likes Aleta. The answer is yes, that's right! Axel had liked Aleta since their first meeting when he helped Aleta who almost fell down because she bumped into him.

For some reason, he loved seeing Aleta's beautiful face. When she cried earlier, he wanted to wipe her tears away. Telling her that if she didn't need to cry, he would protect her. Love at first sight, that's what he felt right now for Aleta.

"Are you still in high school?" Axel asked suddenly.

Aleta gasped as the question was thrown at her. "No, I'm not. I graduated last year," Aleta replied.

"Oh, I thought you were still a schoolgirl. How old are you?" asked Axel.

"I'm 19 years old," Aleta replied.

"Oh, then that means you're currently in college," said Axel.

Aleta's face immediately turned sad when she heard the word 'college'. She shook her head weakly.

"Not really. I'm not in college either," Aleta replied

Axel could see her sad look. Actually, he wanted to ask Aleta why she didn't go to college. But Aleta had already gotten up from her seat.

"Please excuse me. Thank you for inviting me here. You're a good person, Axel. I'm glad I met you. Bye," Aleta said as she walked out of the café.

"Eh?! Aleta, wait!" shouted Axel who just remembered that he wanted to ask for Aleta's number.

But he was too late because Aleta had already gotten into a taxi and left. Axel let out a rude sigh.

He wondered why when she mentioned college, Aleta immediately changed.

"What really happened to her? Why is she suddenly like that? I'm getting curious about her," Axel muttered.

His cell phone rang in his jacket pocket. He quickly picked it up and answered it.

"Yes, Mommy. I'll be there now," Axel said as he turned off the call.

I hope to see you again, Aleta. When I see you again, I'll ask you why~ Axel thought.