Brian kept his promise, and they only showered together without doing anything else.Nadine was surprised when she suddenly saw Ricky sitting cross-legged on the bed, smiling at her and Brian. "Aren't you sleepy yet, sweetheart?" Brian asked as he approached Ricky after folding the prayer mat and sarong he had worn onto the chair. He then lay down beside Ricky and hugged the chubby little boy."Ricky wants to sleep with Papa and Mama, okay?" Ricky asked, receiving a nod from Brian."Of course, sweetheart," Brian replied, then lifted Ricky onto his stomach. With both of Brian's hands holding Ricky's, Nadine looked at the two most important men in her life with tears in her eyes. It still felt like a dream to see the bond between these two men from different generations, playfully interacting.After playing around for a while, Ricky seemed sleepy. Gently, Brian stroked Ricky's back until he fell asleep soundly on Brian's chest. Nadine slowly lifted Ricky's body and arranged him comforta
"What are you doing here, Nadine? Are you here to mock me?" Dave said sarcastically, with a sardonic smile at the corner of his lips. Dave's gaze was sharp as he looked into Nadine's eyes. He acknowledged that Nadine looked even more beautiful and appeared happy—of course, she had just married Brian, the man she loved, a few days ago. Meanwhile, his fate now was to rot behind bars."Why didn't Brian come with you? Don't tell me you came here without his consent?" Dave continued, giving Nadine a piercing look as she stared back at him with sadness. Nadine's eyes welled up with tears upon hearing Dave's cold words. Before answering, she observed Dave's disheveled appearance. The warm looks and attitude he used to have towards her had turned cold and frozen now."Brian is waiting for me outside," Nadine replied briefly. She scanned the entire visitation room, which appeared empty. In the square room, there were only the two of them. The visiting hours had passed two hours ago, but Nadine
During dinner, Brian expressed his desire to go on a trip to Jatim Part Street Zoo in Malang. Since the next day was a Saturday-Sunday, Brian planned to invite all the family members to join him."Well, tomorrow we'll depart from Surabaya in the afternoon after Papa and Papa Henry come home from work, and after Gaby finishes school," Brian started the conversation."That sounds great. Since you're not at the office yet, you can take Ricky out for a fun day," Amanda replied enthusiastically and ruffled Ricky's hair, who was sitting on her left."All of us, Mama. Mama, Papa, and Gaby too. Papa Henry and Mama Athalia can let Nadine make the call," Brian explained, which was met with excitement from Gaby."Hooray, a trip!" Gaby cheered and pinched Ricky's chubby cheek affectionately. Irritated, Ricky pulled Gaby's finger and bit it. Gaby yelped, pulling her finger away from Ricky's mouth in pain. Instead of receiving help, the entire family in the dining room burst into laughter."Sayang,
Saturday noon, Amanda, Nadine, and Gaby had already prepared the supplies they would take for their vacation: clothes, snacks, drinks, and all of Ricky's necessities, including his formula milk and bottle.Athalia arrived with Henry, bringing along three stacked tiffin carriers. Athalia had intentionally cooked rendang, capcay (stir-fried vegetables), lodeh (vegetable stew), crispy shrimp, sweet and sour carp, and not to forget, rempeyek (crispy peanut crackers)."Wow, Athalia, this is quite a feast. I'm sure these are our favorite dishes," Amanda commented while assisting Athalia in carrying her tiffin carriers. Amanda admitted that Athalia's cooking was the best. Since high school, Athalia had been skilled in the kitchen, and Amanda had learned a lot of non-Javanese dishes from her."Don't worry, Mom. We don't need to go through all this trouble. In fact, Brian has booked a villa in Malang, and the meals will be provided there," Nadine explained as she hugged Athalia and gave her a
An hour later, Brian and Nadine emerged from their room. Ricky was playing with Athalia and Henry in the living room."Has Ricky eaten?" Brian asked, positioning himself next to Ricky, reaching for some Lego pieces, and starting to build a car."He ate after his bath. I fed him," Athalia replied with a smile as she noticed Brian and Nadine's wet hair and radiant faces. Henry cleared his throat while observing Athalia paying attention to her daughter and son-in-law with a smile."Going on another honeymoon?" Henry whispered to Athalia. Athalia blushed, then playfully pinched Henry's arm, causing him to wince. Nadine and Brian turned their heads to Athalia and Henry with puzzled expressions."Nadine, your mom is suggesting we go on another honeymoon, while we're here. Your dad and I fell in love in this cold city!" Henry quipped, laughing loudly as Athalia pinched him again."Wow, Mom and Dad were once dating?" Brian asked excitedly. However, inside, Brian felt a bit envious because he
One month later...Nadine had been experiencing happy days since officially becoming Brian's wife. She decided to quit her career, even though Brian didn't object. Whatever choice Nadine made, Brian would always support her. However, when Nadine decided to become a full-time homemaker, Brian secretly cheered in his heart because, deep down, it was what he truly wanted. He just didn't want to impose his desire on her.Every morning, Nadine woke up early to prepare breakfast with Darmi, even though Amanda had repeatedly told her not to because Darmi was already taking care of the kitchen. Nadine insisted on doing it herself."Come on, Nadine, let Darmi handle the cooking," Amanda said when she found Nadine earnestly working with vegetables and kitchen spices."It's okay, Ma. Besides, Nadine is just helping Darmi, and Nadine wants to cook specifically for Ricky. That boy is picky with his veggies, so Nadine is deliberately making them more appealing for him," Nadine replied as she arrang
"Is that so? Mama forgot about Gaby just because Nadine is here," Gaby protested, wearing a pouty expression as she shoved food into her mouth."Hehe... Sorry, it's not that Mama forgot. You're the one who should decline when Mama invites you to go shopping. You prefer Brian," Amanda explained with a teasing smile."Alright, alright, you two are always arguing. It gives Papa a headache," Cakra intervened, trying to mediate the debate between Amanda and Gaby."Don't worry, Gaby. Besides, Kak Nadine isn't interested in driving her own car," Nadine said, instantly disappointing Amanda."Alright, it's up to Nadine then, but Papa's suggestion is that Nadine, you should get a car and hire a driver," Cakra replied, gaining approval from everyone in the dining room. Brian and Cakra left for work in their respective cars, even though their offices were different, and Brian preferred to drive himself. Plus, for the past two weeks, he had been coming home for lunch with Nadine.***In Brian's of
"How are you, Brian?" Sandra said as they were in Brian's office. She smiled warmly while scrutinizing the handsome man who might still hold a special place in her heart. It had been two years since they last met, and Brian had become even more attractive and influential, now the CEO of a large company. Sandra hadn't expected to meet Brian again in a business collaboration like this, and she hadn't prepared herself to see him again after the heartbreak they experienced two years ago."I'm good, how about you? It's been a long time since we last met," Brian replied amiably, offering Sandra a bottle of cold drink from the fridge. Brian then sat on the sofa opposite Sandra."As you can see, I'm good," Sandra replied, shrugging her shoulders after accepting the drink from Brian. After some small talk with Brian, Sandra intended to say her goodbyes promptly. She didn't want to linger with Brian any longer, fearing that the love she had tried to bury deep inside her would resurface."Oh, ha