Leah Riady, Story Life!

Chapter 6

Twenty minutes later, with an exasperated heart, Leah sat at the table with Daffin while Nathan was busy with his camera. What has happened? Leah muttered to herself. Nathan should be sitting in one table with her. Listen to romantic music by the band La Rouge. Why now I'm the one sitting with this guy?

The atmosphere at the cafe where La Rouge was playing was a little dim. Leah and Daffin sat at a round table in the light of a candle swaying in the breeze. Leah watched Nathan, who was still busy taking pictures. Nathan's forehead creased as he watched the shot. Leah smiled to herself. Nathan loved his job so much, was always serious about it, and Leah loved it. Leah snorted again. La Rouge songs, cafe atmosphere, little candles on a round table ... all create a very, very romantic atmosphere. Leah regretted even more that the one sitting with her was Daffin, not Nathan. She had hoped that Nathan would confess her love and that they would become lovers ...

"Have you known him  for a long time?" Daffin's voice suddenly interrupted Leah's reverie.

Because of this vampire-like creature all his dreams were shattered! Are people not allowed to dream nowadays?

"Have you known him for a long time?" Feeling not being responded to, Daffin repeated his question.

"Yes," replied Leah shortly.

"Know where?"

"At the exhibition."

"What exhibition?"

"Jewelry exhibition."

"How long has it been ..."

"Ssshhhtttt!” Leah interrupted Daffin's words. Like an interrogation of a government official if you just want to make a passport!

Daffin smiled and turned his attention back to La Rouge. He took out a cigarette and lit it. Leah glared. Oh no, she should have asked for a seat in the section no smoking! She looked at Daffin in a huff. Daffin seemed indifferent to Leah's irritation. He took a deep inhale and blew the smoke upward.

"You're so beautiful tonight ...," said Daffin, unyielding. "You are specially dressed to go with him, huh?"

Leah growled in annoyance. Still dare Daffin to tease him. Daffin turned his head, watching the expression on Leah's face.

"If I asked you to go, would you dress up this pretty too?" he asked with a smile. It was obvious that the smile was a playful smile to tease Leah. Leah fell silent. Before he had time to answer this question, Nathan had already flung himself down on the empty bench next to Leah.

"It's also finished ..." said Nathan, watching the results of his camera.

"Good, good?" asked Leah.

"Which one?" asked Nathan with a frown.

"The photos?"

"What pictures are you?" asked Nathan again.

"Why, didn't you just finish taking the La Rouge photo?" Now Leah was also confused. Daffin watched the conversation with an amused smile.

"Oh ... oh yeah ... I ... I forgot." Nathan smiled nervously. "This is great ... You ... you want to see?" Nathan thrust his camera at Leah. Leah pressed her body towards Nathan.

Wait ...!

Nervously, Nathan stood up quickly. The glass on the round table was knocked over by him and shattered.

"Sorry ... sorry ...," he said regretfully. Daffin laughed softly.

Leah glanced at Daffin. How dare he laugh at Nathan!

"We ... let's just go home ..." Nathan got up from his seat. Leah followed in disappointment. was expecting a romantic date with Nathan. Daffin's chair shifted and Daffin also stood up.

"An ... you want to go home too?" asked Nathan. Daffin nodded.

"Come on, Nathan!" Leah took Nathan's hand. This action shocked Nathan. His camera slipped off his shoulder and was swiftly caught by Daffin.

"Be careful ... This is an expensive camera." Daffin returned Nathan's camera. Nathan laughed nervously. "Eh ... oh ... yes ... Th ... thank you."

Leah didn't comment. She took Nathan's hand again. Without saying anything, Leah and Nathan left the cafe and walked away. Daffin also came out of the cafe and hailed a taxi. All the way home, he mused. Think ...

***

"That Leah ... what kind of girl do you think she is?"

Hadrian and Daffin are currently at Groom's Bestfriend, fitting suits for Hadrian as well as for Daffin.

"Why are you wondering?" Hadrian looked at Daffin in the mirror. Daffin knit his brows. "Just wanted to know more about bridesmaidsAudrey's."

Adri smiled a little. The image of Leah — his friend and Audrey in high school — flashed through his mind. “Leah is a very cute girl. She is always there to help anyone. Sometimes, she was so good that he was used by others. I often get angry with Audrey for asking Leah too often. But, Leah herself never got angry with Audrey, even though I know she was really upset ... ”

Daffin smiled too. "Yes, she is indeed a cute girl."

Hadrian turned to look at Daffin. "You don't ..." he didn't finish his sentence. Hadrian looked suspiciously at Daffin. Daffin's smile grew wider. Her eyes were shining with meaning.

"Hmmm ... that's fine. Bridesmaid with bestman... ”Hadrian chuckled. Daffin chuckled too.

"Know about Nathan?" asked Daffin when his laughter died down.

Hadrian shook his head. “I don't know what… Audrey really doesn't like Nathan. According to Audrey, Nathan was not the right man for Leah. I've never seen anything called Nathan myself. ” Daffin nodded his head.

* * *

Leah's forehead throbbed. She is sitting in her study. In front of her, Anna sat babbling at length. Since the phone slam incident first, it seems that Anna has come to Leah's office.

"Wow ... you're not bad too, Le. But it's still lacking when compared to Tania Smith, my friend in America. She is a very popular jewelry designer. J-Lo often wears her jewelry designs, you know! "

It had been two hours that Anna had been babbling like that. She said she wanted to talk about Audrey's wedding decorations. Somehow she got the impression that Audrey was entrusting this important task to her. Leah closed her eyes, trying to defuse the anger that was slowly rising to her head.

"So now what are you doing here?" She asked in a controlling voice.

"Oops, yeah ... sorry ... I forgot ..." Anna smiled, showing off her big teeth. Her curly hair rocked furiously as she laughed. Leah shuddered at the sight.

"You know, Leah ..." Anna took out several rolls of paper from her bag. She removed the picture of Leah's jewelry design (Hey !!!) from the table and unfurled the roll of paper. Leah watched what was behind the scroll.

“Well, this is Anna's wedding design that I made. Here we will put colorful crepe paper, over there we will use balloons, then we can also put little plastic flowers here ... ”

Leah closed her eyes again. Colorful crepe paper? Balloon? Little plastic flowers? What the heck? Did he think Audrey's wedding was a children's birthday party? Why not just invite the clown to a party?

"Ann ..." Leah tried to adjust the volume of her voice. "This is a wedding party, isn't it ..."

"I know it's a wedding party, that's why I made it like this. In America, you know that this kind of wedding design is popular ... ”With colorful crepe paper? Balloon? Plastic flowers? The correct one?

Leah tried to smile. "Then, let's talk to Audrey first ..."

"But said Audrey, she entrusted the wedding decoration to us both," cut Anna stubbornly.

"Nonetheless. The married one is Audrey, so she should know what the wedding decorations are like. "

End of discussion.

The ringing sound on Leah's cell phone left Anna, who had begun to protest, speechless.

"Hello ..."

"Leah, is she there?" it was Audrey's voice. Leah already knew who "she" Audrey meant.

"It was two hours ago," Leah replied, suppressing her anger.

"If he's still desperate to decorate my wedding, just invite him to the decoration artist."

"She wants it?"

"Persuade her ..."

"Why should I persuade her?"

"Pleaseee ..."

Leah took a deep breath. He could at least refuse a request followed by a please longlike this.

"Okay, I'll try."

"Love you, you're the best ... Mmuah ...!" Audrey's voice was immediately cheerful and relieved. Leah put down her cell phone and looked at Anna. "Audrey said we should consult the decoration artist." Anna's eyes rounded. “What decoration artist ? I'm the decoration artist! Audrey has already entrusted everything to me. You must be lying! You know?

Leah exhaled, louder this time. "Try calling Audrey." Anna immediately contacted Audrey. While tapping the number on his cellphone, her mouth muttered irritably.

“Hello, Audrey, how come you told me to go to a decoration artist? I'm the one who will decorate your wedding? ” Leah tried to harden her ears, but she could not hear one of Audrey's words. Audrey and Anna talked for a long time. During the conversation, it was seen that Anna's forehead frowned dramatically. Some time later, Anna ended the conversation with a disgruntled face.

"So?Leah raised an eyebrow. Anna's face was so dirty. She immediately grumbled in a high voice.

“I don't understand Audrey! I'm the decoration artist, so I should be designing the party decorations! Besides ... "

" So what did Audrey say? " Leah interrupted impatiently. Anna snorted in annoyance. "We have to discuss the decor plans with the decoration artist." Her voice sounded very, very dissatisfied.

"We're walking now." Leah immediately got up.

* * *

Mr. James, the decoration artist, is a very patient person. He had been sitting across from Anna and Leah for more than four hours, listening to all of Anna's absolutely ridiculous ideas. Not once did he seem upset or impatient. Leah was amazed at his patience. Maybe Mr. James has had many magical clients. Even though Leah's Anna's designs are all weird. It seemed that her face had changed colors, from purple to green to even red, in an effort to hold back her emotions.

"So, if what I catch, Anna wants a very memorable party decoration?" asked Mr. James slowly.

"Yes ... That's what I tried to explain earlier. This Audrey party is not a party of kicks, everything has to go perfectly. I don't want a party to be tacky, cheesy. This party should be a party that is remembered for all time, ”said Anna.

Leah gave a small snort, remembering Anna's decoration idea. Balloons and crepe paper. That's what we call tacky and tacky parties!

Mr. James shows some of the decorations he has designed. Anna watched everything quickly and then shook her head dramatically.

“It doesn't match! Everything doesn't match! " She said, throwing Mr. James's decoration design. Mr. James frowned. If he had been looking very patient since earlier, now his face was heartbroken.

"Maybe there are other suggestions from Mr. James ...," Leah hurriedly intervened. Even though he was really upset with Anna, he didn't want to see the bloodshed between Anna and Mr. James. Correction, he did not want Mr. James to sulk and refuse to handle Audrey's wedding decorations. As for Anna ... really dumb! Mr. James took a breath, seemingly trying to control himself.

"If I can help, Audrey is a drama queen. She is active, cheerful, and always wants to be the center of attention. Meanwhile, Hadrian was a very mature man. The person is calm and in control, ”explained Leah. "Can Mr. James guess what kind of decoration design would suit them?"

“You can also use real pastel flowers. To show the personality of the groom. " Mr. James nodded his head. "Then for the active bride and drama queen..."

"How about adding Swarovski crystals? "Audrey loves crystals ..." Leah suggested.

Mr. James's eyes lit up. "Very good. A mix of pastel colored flowers and crystal sparkles. It will be so beautiful! ” he said excitedly. Leah smiled and glanced at Anna. Anna is frowning. Seemed annoyed at not being included in their discussion.

"Hmm ... Anna, what do you think?" Leah asked, trying to involve Anna in this conversation.

"Yes, it's up to you!" She replied curtly.

Leah paid no heed to Anna's harsh reply. "Then, can Mr James design the decorations?" Mr. James nodded excitedly. "By now I can imagine the rough picture. Later, after I take the picture, I'll send it to  email  Leah's. "

"Okay then. Thank you very much, Mr. James ... ”Everything was going very well. It was only Anna who poked because she was not involved in the final discussion. But Leah didn't care. Enough of the sticky and tacky ideas it offers. Leah didn't want Anna to ruin Audrey's party. He will do everything in his power to prevent that from happening.

* * *

When Leah came home, Airin was sitting on the living room sofa and was scribbling a piece of paper in front of her.

"Hi, Le!" said Airin.

"What are you doing?" Leah poked her head, saw what Airin was doing on her sheet of paper.

"This ..." Airin removed his hand from the paper. Shows a rough image of a ring. "Again there is an idea."

Leah nodded her head.

"What do you think?" asked Airin.

Leah's eyes narrowed. “Here you can add more decorations. So it won't be too quiet, ”She said pointing to the right of the ring.

Airin nodded. “That's what I thought earlier. I just haven't thought of a suitable decoration ... "

" The motive is just the opposite of the left. I think it's okay ... ”

Airin's eyes grew bigger. She nodded excitedly. "Yes, yes. Thanks, Le! " Leah smiled back at Airin's enthusiasm, then went into her room. The sound of an email incoming prompted Leah to approach her computer. Apparently, Mr. James's design was finished. Leah opened the file and stared in disbelief. What a beautiful design! Mr. James can really translate an idea into a very beautiful design. Hurriedly she painted the draft. Right now he'll drop her off at Audrey's. Leah came out of her room again.

"Where are you going, Le?" asked Airin.

“I'm going to Audrey's house. Would you like to see the decoration design for the party, ”he replied while showing the paper he had just printed. Leah opened the apartment door. Right in the apartment next door, Daffin looked as if he was just about to enter his apartment.

"Hi, Leah ...," he said. His steps caught in the sight of Leah.

Leah smiled. "Hi!" The beauty of Mr. James' design made Leah feel very happy. She forgot to be mean to Daffin.

"Where are you going?" asked Daffin.

“To Audrey's house. I want to give you a look at the room decoration design for the reception later, ”She replied with a smile. He showed me the draft he had printed. That beautiful design.

"I'm coming ..."

"What are you doing?"

"I'm the bestman, so I have to be involved with all this marriage." Leah had no other choice but to nod. When they got to Audrey's house, Audrey's parents welcomed them. He said Audrey had just come home and was taking a shower. Leah, Daffin, and Audrey's parents sat in the living room.

"So, this bestman is Hadrian's..." Aunt Reina, Audrey's mother, looked at Daffin with a judicious look.

"Yes, Aunt. I'm Daffin. " Daffin nodded politely. He carried himself very confidently. Leah snorted. When is this guy not full of confidence? Aunt Reina smiles to herself. Her gaze shifted to Leah, then back to Daffin, then back to Leah. Leah's heart was immediately alert. She was very familiar with Aunt Reina's character. Understandably ... she and Audrey have been friends since elementary school. When you smile like that, usually a silly idea will come out of Aunt Reina's mouth soon. Well, at least it was ridiculous for others. Aunt Reina herself will be very serious about her ideas. "Why don't you guys just go out together? Who knows, later you can catch up with Audrey and Hadrian ... ”That's right! Don't know where that super-duper-ridiculous idea came from?

Leah immediately became embarrassed, not knowing how to respond. He heard Daffin chuckle beside him.

"I wish, Auntie," Daffin responded insolently.

What ?! Who wants to go out with him?

"I'm also trying. Please pray for me, ”continued Daffin again.

Aunt Reina nodded. Uncle Widanta's dad Audrey, also nodded his head. Both of them smiled in support of Daffin's efforts.

Leah didn't like this atmosphere. Aunt Reina and Uncle Widanta must know that Leah is in a relationship with Natha. Well, at least hope to have a relationship with Nathan.

"Om, Auntie ... actually I ..."

"Leah, Daffin!" At a time like this, Audrey called out to them. Terrible timing , Audrey Lohia!

Leah ignored Audrey’s call and was still trying to explain her situation to Audrey's mom and dad. "So actually ..."

"Leah!" Audrey's voice sounded impatient.

"Come on, honey ..." Daffin tugged gently at Leah's arm. Leah looked at him and growled. Behind him, she could feel Aunt Reina and Uncle Widanta elbowing each other while smiling quietly.

"What are you doing?" Leah spat out when they were in Audrey's room. Daffin just smiled with an innocent face.

“Why do you always have trouble with Daffin? You have to get along, at least until my wedding is over. " Audrey's forehead frowned.

"He was the one who was insolent first. Act as if we are approaching again! ” Leah put on a grumpy look.

Audrey smiled. "I still agree that you guys are together. Daffin is much better than Nathan. " Daffin's smile widened. Glad that Audrey was on her side. Meanwhile Leah looked like she was about to pass out. She snorted irritably, "Tired of talking to people who are not sane!" She grabbed her bag and took out a paper containing Mr. James's room decoration design.

“Alright, don't talk about things that can make me angry! I'm here to show you this! If Daffin comes here it's just a part of it! " he sneered at Daffin.

"Ooh ..." Audrey's breath caught at the sight of the design. "Very good, Le ... Swarovski, again ..."

"This is the result of a long debate with Anna," said Leah. Remember Anna, she also remembered that she had not told that one creature about this decoration design.

“Anna? Who is Anna? " Daffin is confused.

"You don't want to know..." Leah shook her head.

Audrey smiled slightly. “Anna is my distant cousin. She just came back from America and said there she was a wedding organizer professional. So she asked herself to be a wedding organizer for my party, ”She explained.

“Did she ask for your party decorations using crepe paper and colorful balloons? Can you imagine? " Leah is still very upset because of her long debate this afternoon. “And she's not very polite to Mr. James either. Fortunately, Mr. James wasn't angry, instead she made a really good decoration design ... ”

Audrey looked back at the decoration design. “Really good! I have to tell Adri first. " She grabbed her cell phone and immediately called Adri. While Audrey talked to Hadrian about her party decorations, Leah looked around Audrey's room. In the past, she used to spend the night in Audrey's room a lot. But it's been a long time. As Leah can remember, the last time she stayed over at Audrey's house was when they were both in high school. After that he went to Japan to study there, and after returning from Japan the busy work that was never ending made them seldom do any more overnight stays. Leah grabbed Bebe, Audrey's teddy bear whom she often borrowed to sleep when she stayed over. Daffin watched Leah with a small smile. Leah, feeling cared for, blushed to herself. Suddenly her eyes landed on the pink box that was placed on Audrey's desk. She felt the lid of the box. Beautiful box with sweet ribbon detailing. A photo of Audrey and Hadrian is taped over the lid of the box.

Leah remembered this box. The story is that she and Audrey used to provide a special box to keep all the memories with their respective boyfriends. Whether it's Valentine's cards, Christmas cards, birthday cards, love poems, restaurant receipts, or movie tickets together, everything is stored there. Leah's box itself has gone nowhere. Her love relationship has never lasted. In stark contrast to the Hadrian-Audrey love affair. Even though this box had been stored in the warehouse many times and then taken out again, then put back in storage — because Audrey and Hadrian kept on going so many times — nevertheless it ended up taking the throne again on Audrey's desk.

"See what?" Audrey patted Leah on the shoulder.

"I borrow this huh ..." Leah lifted the box.