The Story of Us

First Struggle - She's Avoiding Me

Xander POV

It’s been a couple weeks, since I met her. It’s hard to meet her. I know where she work, I even go there, but it’s not like she’s always in the office. Apparently, she’s their best counselor, so her schedule is full book for a month including weekend. Can you believe it?

I just got back from her office, AGAIN. I don’t even know how many time I go there. Physically I’m tired, mentally I’m excited. Laying down in living room, made me think a lot of things and some question pop up in my head. Why we met again? Why I decide to marry her at that moment? Is that even possible? I think I need to talk about this with someone else.

All that I know, that I really need to have a conversation with her. I don’t want to get married and never have a chat with my wife, or married just for strengthening company. Why do I have to sacrifice myself for that?

It’s not like I’m dense or what, but somehow in the corner of my heart I know that she is avoiding me. Why is that? Is it because my background? I do have a love-hate relationship with my background.

A ringing from my phone, wake me up. It’s my mother.

“Hi, Mom?” I answer my phone

“Hi, Alex. Where are you right now?” She called me Alex. I told her that I don’t like it.

“Home.” I replied, just to keep it simple.

“Good. So, Alex… You know I want to introduce you to someone...”

“Mom, can we talk about this tomorrow? I want to talk to you about something” I cut her before she continue. I know where this is going, arranged marriage. AGAIN.

“Why? Can’t I talk to my son?” She asked, a little bit annoyed that I cut her,

“Mom, please…” I beg her

“Fine Alex. I’ll be waiting for you at home.” She said and sound excited. I feel bad that I rarely visit her.

“Good night, Mom”

“Good night, Honey”

The phone call with my mother make me realize that I can talk about this with my mom. It’s better to talk with her, she’s a woman and a lady before she became a mother. I do trust her than other persons. Tomorrow will be a long day for sure.

~

Today I will talk with mother about everything. She better stop pushing me to another arranged married. It’s mentally tiring, especially with the flirty one. I do love my mother, but somehow she’s a little bit overwhelming for me to handle. I have this feeling that I will have a long talk with mother. After have some shower and breakfast, it’s time to go. Its take around 30 minutes from my penthouse to mother house.

No matter I saw this house, it’s still overwhelming for me. It’s ridiculously big. Well, it’s a mansion not a house, what can I say.

“Mom?” I called her loudly.

“Hi, Sweety? You look handsome today”

“I always do mother”

“Don’t be so conceited. Have you had breakfast? I made your favorite?” She said. Mom really enjoy cooking, and her food is divine. What can I say I like it.

“I do had breakfast. What did you cook mom?”

“Sandwich, Bacon and eggs” She said and she look at me with a smile.

“I’ll take the offer, mom” I can imagine the taste. I know it’s simple dish, and I do missed my mom cooking.

“Good! Sit, honey” She said excitedly, then start preparing my breakfast.

Not long after, she already sit beside me behind the counter, with a plate of breakfast in front of me.

“So…what is it Alex?” She said, without any courtesy.

“What mother?” I ask her confused. I’m totally enjoying my breakfast.

“You say you want to talk today. Is it something to do with a certain someone?” She asked with a grin in her face. She already know didn’t she.

“What are you talking mom?” I replied keep pretend that I don’t know anything.

“Hm…. Jade is it?” She start guessing and she’s right. That’s a mother for you.

“Seriously, mom? How did you know?”

“No matter how I know it. I just know. What a happy day! My baby boy falling in love. Will she be the future daughter-in-law?” She look happy. Genuinely happy.

I’m sighing seeing my mom reaction.

”Mom…I’m not even held any conversation with her. It’s like she avoiding me? I even go to her office just to talk to her, but she never stay in office. Always outside doing something that I don’t even know what” I told her about my problem.

“No wonder. You’re too aggressive, dear. Don’t you think that she is afraid that you keep pushing like that?” She said

“I have to. If not she will disappear again. I don’t want that. After all this years I found her again.”

“You know, Alex. To be close to a woman like her, you need all the patient that you have maybe more. It won’t be easy and never will, but it will be worth it” She said with a calm voice.

I know that but I do want to make it quick. I can’t wait anymore. I’m already waiting for her for years. Mom’s word keep ringing in my head. She’s right. It just…..hard to admit.

“Alex. Are you serious about her?”

“I do, mom”

“So, you want me to stop all the arranged marriage?”

“I do. Please stop all of that. I want to find my way with her and I will try it until the end.”

“Fine. You win. I do want you to be happy. If you will be happy with her. I won’t ask you the attend any arrange married.”

“Thank you, mom” I replied, then smile to her and kiss her check. My favorite person, my mom.

Jade POV

It’s hard to play hide and seek with him. He’s been coming to my office for the last couple weeks and keep looking for me. Didn’t he realize that I don’t want to meet him. How long do I have to keep playing this game. I’m tired. I do hope today he won’t be coming.

As work keep steal my focus I don’t realize that the day is over. Something is weird. What is it? As I keep thinking about it again and again.

“Jade? No prince charming today?” Jean asked. I just realize that he’s not coming today.

“I think so….” I reply

“Is it weird?” She ask then look at me with a grin

“No. Why are you asking that?” I ask her, and I don’t like her grin

“Hm… It just weird not seeing you playing hide and seek. It’s become an amusement for us though.” She replied with her elbow in my desk and her face in her hand.

“Us? You mean the office? Oh… what have I done?” I said with my hand rubbing my face

“You know. I do like his effort. He really look like want to talk to you. Why you meet him and have some talk?” She said ask me with an innocent face. I hate that face.

“It’s not easy. Not for me, not now. I just need some time to prepare myself.”

“How long do you need? Will it ever enough for you?” Will it ever enough? I can’t answer that, and I just stay silent from her question. I don’t know how to answer it.

“I know you can’t answer it, because it won’t be enough. It’s just your excuse because you’re scared to face him and a problem that come with it.” Jean said to me calmly and smile. Then she get up from her chair and leaving me in my desk to think.

It’s been two weeks since the last question that Jean asked me keep ringing in my head like a siren. It’s like telling me to consider my decision again and again.

It’s been two weeks since the last time he show up in the office. I do wish that he’s give up, but I know he won’t be. It’s in his character. Do I need to go to his office? To talk to him? I don’t know what I should do. My heart says to talk to him, and my head says to keep ignore him.

What should I do? Today work not even any better. I keep make a mistake since I can’t focus. My supervisor even ask me if I have any problem, and let me go home for today. I think it’s better to just go home. I need to refresh.

I quickly tidy up my desk and walk to the elevator. Not long the elevator open up then I push the ground floor to go home. Not long after I arrived in ground floor and walk to lobby, before I crash with someone, and my bag fell on the floor.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t see you.” He said then pick up my bag

“It’s my fault. I didn’t see you coming.” I replied tried to pick up may bag but he beat me

Then I tensed my body and saw who was standing in front of me. What can I say. He’s here. Alexander Thompson is here, standing in front of me.