MY LOVE

In Office

Amanda's heart fluttered again as Jeffrey approached her and sat down next to her.

"Why are you here?" asked Jeffrey.

Amanda tried to neutralize her racing heart. Being close to Jeffrey made her heart really unwell.

"My father is being treated here," Amanda replied.

"Why are you here?" asked Amanda, causing Jeffrey to give her a disapproving look.

"Why?" asked Amanda confused.

"I'm not your father, Amanda!" insisted Jeffrey.

"So what? Should I call you Om?"

Jeffrey rubbed his face roughly. In his entire life, this was the first time anyone had called him "Om". It wasn't that he didn't like it, but he felt he didn't deserve to be called "Om".

"Just call me Jeffrey."

Amanda shook her head, "It's rude," she refused.

"That's okay. Just call me Mas," Jeffrey said, making Amanda's eyes go wide.

"Your wife will scold you."

"I don't have a wife."

Amanda glared again in shock. How could that be? Have a child but no wife?

"And Gavin?" Amanda asked confused.

"My son," he replied lightly.

"Adopted?"

"Conceived."

Amanda's brain spun for a while. Digesting Jeffrey's words confused her a little. So, did Jeffrey divorce his wife? And the custody of Gavin went to him?

"My wife died giving birth to Gavin," Jeffrey said, as if he understood what Amanda was thinking.

Amanda was shocked again when she heard Jeffrey's words. She glared in shock, while covering her gaping mouth.

"My condolences, sir," Amanda whispered.

Jeffrey smiled wryly. His head tilted upwards, remembering the heartbreaking events of one year ago.

"My wife was stubborn. The doctor suggested a cesarean section, but she refused. She wanted to give birth to Gavin vaginally, because she was afraid of seeing the operation knife, she said. I don't know what was going through her mind at the time, until she was desperate to have a normal birth."

"Why didn't you just put her under anesthesia?" Amanda asked.

Jeffrey shook his head, "At that time there was one doctor who said that my wife could still give birth normally, but she might be in a coma for a few days. But in fact? My wife was bleeding heavily, and died that night." Jeffrey's eyes glazed over, the tragic events of one year ago really made an impression on his heart and mind. Jeffrey still vividly remembers his wife's lifeless body lying on the bed. The cries of his parents, the screams of his wife's parents, really gave a deep wound and trauma to Jeffrey Antonio.

Amanda reached out her hand to rub Jeffrey's shoulder. She understood how he was feeling right now. Who wouldn't be saddened by the sudden death of a loved one? Especially since they had just gotten married, and their baby had just come into the world. "He hasn't had time to see Gavin, hasn't had time to hold Gavin, hasn't had time to breastfeed Gavin. But God already took him first. Indeed, the day of death is not on the calendar. But it was too sudden for me and Gavin."

Amanda stiffened. Her body suddenly stiffened when she heard Jeffrey's words. Her hand on Jeffrey's shoulder also slipped away. It made Jeffrey look at her questioningly.

"Why?" asked Jeffrey confused, when he saw Amanda's tense face.

Amanda fumbled, then replied, "Ah, no. I'm just sad to hear your story."

Jeffrey smiled sadly, his hand wiping away the tears that had escaped after he had held them back. "I'm sorry, I told you so much. I never brought it up before, since my wife died," Jeffrey said, making Amanda smile sweetly.

"No problem. From now on, you can tell me as much as you want. Think of it, we've been friends for a long time. Okay..." Amanda said.

Jeffrey snorted again, "How many times do I have to say this? Don't call me Sir," he said annoyed, making Amanda chuckle amused.

"Okay Om Jeffrey," Amanda teased, making Jeffrey even more annoyed.

"I'm still 27 years old, Nda!"

"27 years old deserves to be called Om-om," Amanda retorted.

"Whatever you say," annoyed Jeffrey who eventually gave in. He was too lazy to argue with a woman, because he was bound to lose in the end. Yes, like the common slogan that women are always right.

"Oh yeah, why is Om Jeff here? Who's sick?" asked Amanda.

"Gavin," Jeffrey replied, taking Amanda by surprise again.

"Why didn't you say so earlier!" growled Amanda, hitting Jeffrey hard on the arm.

"Aww," Jeffrey cried.

"Come on. Take me to Gavin's room!"

***

Amanda slowly opened the door to Gavin's hospital room. Inside, there were two middle-aged women trying to calm Gavin who was crying.

Hearing the sound of his son crying, Jeffrey rushed in ahead of Amanda.

"Why is your son crying?" asked Jeffrey, as he took Gavin from his mother's arms.

"He vomited, sir, when I fed him." Said the middle-aged woman who was an ART at Jeffrey's house.

Jeffrey stroked Gavin's back. The toddler was still crying bitterly, and Jeffrey couldn't bear to look at him. Moreover, his cheeks and eyes were already red.

"Uh, look, who's here," Jeffrey said, pointing to Amanda, who was still standing at the door.

The two women immediately looked at Amanda. They were so busy that they didn't realize Amanda's presence.

"Uh, there's a girl. Come and sit down," Mrs. Jeffrey said kindly.

Amanda smiled and nodded her head. She then walked over to Mrs. Jeffrey to shake hands.

"Jeff's girlfriend, right?" asked Mrs. Jeffrey, making Amanda immediately glare in surprise. .

"No, Mom. That's Jeff's friend," Jeffrey replied.

"Close friend or life friend?" teased her mother, making Amanda laugh awkwardly.

"I'm just a friend, Ma," Jeffrey argued, looking annoyed, making his mother laugh.

Realizing Amanda's presence, Gavin, who was crying, now immediately fell silent. The toddler immediately stretched out his hand, asking to be held by Amanda. With great pleasure, Amanda immediately took the toddler in her arms, then kissed his cheeks.

Seeing that, of course, Jeffrey's mother was stunned. This was the first time she had seen her grandson melt in someone else's hands. Usually, Gavin is always fussy if he is held or carried by someone else. That was also one of the reasons why Gavin had not had a nanny until now.

Amanda brought Gavin to the front of the bedroom window to see the view outside. Then she held the toddler as she sang him a lullaby.

"Where did you meet him, Jeff?" asked his mom.

"At a restaurant," Jeffrey replied.

"How long have you known her? How did she get close to Gavin?"

"Just last night," he replied, making his mom look at him in surprise.

"How did you get so close?" she asked in surprise.

Jeffrey shrugged his shoulders. Then replied, "Jeffrey's surprised too."

After successfully putting Gavin to bed, Amanda laid the toddler on his bed. Then she joined Jeffrey's mom on the couch.

"Have you eaten yet?" asked Mrs. Jeffrey.

"Already Auntie," Amanda replied, with a friendly smile.

"What's your name?" asked Mrs. Jeffrey.

"Amanda," Amanda replied, extending her hand.

Mrs. Jeffrey returned Amanda's hand, smiling sweetly. "I'm Saskia. Just call me Aunt Kia," she said.

Now Amanda knew why Jeffrey's face was as perfect as a fairytale prince. Even his mother still looked very beautiful at her age. Amanda wondered what Jeffrey's father looked like. Until someone as handsome as Jeffrey could exist in the world.

***

For three days, Amanda's father had been hospitalized. After receiving permission for one day, Amanda returned to her routine as an employee at the Food World Company. This morning before leaving, Amanda took care of her father. Feeding him and taking him to the bathroom. There was some awkwardness between the two of them, but Amanda was able to overcome it all by continuing to talk to her father.

Arriving at the office, Amanda made her way to the public restroom. But as she was about to enter the women's restroom, Amanda accidentally bumped into a man who was familiar to her. The man entered the men's restroom which was located next to the women's restroom.

Being very curious, Amanda chose to hold her urine. The woman then stood in front of the women's restroom, waiting for the man to come out of the men's restroom. Luckily, the restroom was quiet at this time.

Five minutes later. The man came out of the toilet with his head bowed looking at the clock. Without further ado, Amanda immediately approached the man, making both of them immediately cry out in surprise when they realized who the person in front of them was.

"Oh my! Why is Om Jeff here?" asked Amanda, rubbing her chest which was still beating fast.

"You're just shocking me!" growled Jeffrey. "Why is Om Jeff here?" Amanda asked again. Jeffrey frowned, then replied "This is my office. It's only natural that I'm here," he replied, making Amanda's mouth open wide. "Wh-what? Om Jeff works here?" asked Amanda nervously.

Jeffrey nodded. He looked strangely at Amanda's face, which seemed to be confused. After a few moments of digesting, Jeffrey managed to remember Amanda's words three days ago, which said that the woman worked in one of the well-known companies in the Jakarta area.

"You work here too?" asked Jeffrey with a shocked face.

Amanda nodded. "What a small world," she muttered.

"What department do you work in?" Amanda asked.

"I don't know what department the President Director is in," Jeffrey replied lightly.

Suddenly, Amanda immediately closed her mouth with her eyes bulging in shock. An event that was completely unexpected. Jeffrey, a widower whom she met a few days ago, turned out to be the President Director of the company that oversees him. Amanda did not expect that the person who was always praised by her friends was Jeffrey Antonio. The man who had stolen her attention lately.

Amanda didn't know whether this was a blessing or a disaster for her. Because if her friends knew that Amanda was close to this man. Most likely, Amanda will end up battered. Because Arumi and Sari were big fans of Jeffrey.

"Om, I beg you. Don't let people know that we know each other," Amanda pleaded with a pleading face. But Jeffrey replied with a lopsided smile.