Chapter 15

Alondra was not sleepy so she kept busy looking at the ceiling. When he can't sleep like this, he thinks about his parents and Mathilde. Because he misses them. And on top of that, he felt something strange in the hand that he had touched twice before. He was curious about what that person looked like.
Leandre was caught in the rain. He didn't know if he was going to stay at Nicholas's house or not because the highway was too slippery and he couldn't see the road, but he had come so far that it was tiring to go back to where he was before. So he drove slowly and he could still feel the essence of whoever's hand was holding him. He didn't know why he still felt that way. That while he was driving it was as if his hand was still resting on it. After an hour of driving, he reached Nicholas's house. He saw him outside the gate standing with an umbrella.


After coming to a halt, Nicholas approached his car. And Leandre went out because he had been hungry for quite some time. So Nicholas invited him to accompany him inside the house. He had no idea when the rain would stop, which was accompanied by thunder and lightning. They were inside the house in a matter of minutes. Leandre was already sitting on the couch in the living room, his two feet resting on the table.
"I assumed you weren't coming? I also assumed you died on the way," Nicholas said solemnly.
"Damn you, Nicholas! Are you planning to kill me, or do you want me to die?" Leandre asked, frowning.




"It doesn't matter. What do you want me to think? It's raining so hard that you didn't even call again? Of course, I'll think badly." replied Nicholas.
Leandre is touched by Nicholas's concern towards him. This person still has a little mercy left for himself. Because he always teases and angers him every day. He gave him food and placed it on the table.
"Eat now. You even made me a maid with that." Nicholas complained.
Leandre burst out laughing.
"Did I think you were sincere in serving me? Why do you have so many complaints about that?" said Leandre.
"I didn't say anything that I would serve you and prepare you something to eat. I just noticed that you are pale and thin. Are you running out of money?" asked Nicholas.
Leandre sighed. He didn't know why he suddenly lost his energy. He's the type who's always tired at work. He didn't know if he was healthy or sick. It's like he can't remember the last time he ate. So he sat down properly and ate the food that Nicholas had prepared. After a few minutes, he finished the food and felt like he couldn't breathe because he was so full.


"How many days have you been without food, Leandre? From what I can see, it seems like a month. Look, you've consumed everything I prepared for you. It seems like today is your last day." said Nicholas.
"Shut up! You're saying a lot there. Of course, I don't want to die. I want to get married again and have children." Leandre answered in a serious voice.
"Really? You can't get married again and have children because you have no plans to find someone else. I want to think that you can't let your ex-wife go." said Nicholas.
He was speechless. Leandre pondered what Nicholas had said. Why? Fact, he can search because it has been a year since his relationship with Jade has soured. Others are substitutes who have not yet separated. Perhaps what Jade did to him made him lose interest in dating women because they were all cheaters. One's sin is the sin of all. He doesn't want to experience what  Jade did. If he hadn't been used to pain, he might have committed suicide a long time ago.

"You don't know what it feels like at that time. Another sin can't cover what happened. I don't tend to do wrong just because I was hurt by the same mistake." answered Leandre.
"We're not talking about mistakes here. What I want to say is why didn't you find a sensible woman so that you can be happy forever? Why do you have to be stuck in the past and a relationship that has nowhere to go? Even getting a divorce if you haven't done it yet. Because you still love that woman too much right? It's easy to do something if you want to do it but I know something is stopping you from doing it. Pride? It doesn't seem like it. Love? Yes. You don't want to let go of someone if you love them even if they hurt you over and over again." Nicholas said seriously.
"Why can't I do it? Back then that woman was not only a cheater but also a liar," answered Leandre.
"Why?"

"I found out she had a child with her former relationship without telling me because this morning my stepfather came to my office with a five-year-old boy with him. I brought Jade's father home and they both met, and Jade was very angry, and I found out everything. She knelt before me to forgive her, but I left them there and went to the city alone," Leandre explained.


"See? No matter how much you love a woman like that, you can't trust her. You shower her with your love, but all you get in return is heartache and resentment. So now you should send her home to them and file for divorce. Because your life hasn't been healthy since you met her. That's just going to make you suffer," Nicholas explained.
"I'm sending them home because I've only recently realized my worth; you're all there, and I can live without her by my side," Leandre explained.



"You need a beer?"
"Yes, please. I need to get this off my chest because I admit I still love her despite everything she's done to me," Leandre said as he leaned back on the sofa.
He had a bucket of beer in front of him a few hours later. He wanted to drink and get drunk to temporarily forget the bitterness in his chest. Even if he doesn't admit it to himself, even if he always claims to have moved on from Jade, his mind knows he still adores her. That's why he's in so much pain right now: this is the first woman he's ever loved so deeply. He wishes for a woman to come into his life and take her place in his heart.

Leandre knows that there are still many sensible women today. Maybe it's not time for him to experience being happy with the woman he loves. The pain experienced is better because, in the end, he will also be happy. It was late at night and Leandre still hadn't stopped drinking. Nicholas lets him drink in front of him while watching a television show. Even better is this man who is very lucky in married life. Has a loving wife. So he didn't want him to experience what he experienced because it was so hard and painful. He poured out so much love that he had almost nothing left of himself, but still, nothing happened, there was a woman who had no feelings. But when they are caught lying, they will just cry as if they were the victim. Leandre didn't realize that he was already drunk so he lay down on the couch and closed his eyes. So he woke up the next day feeling like his head would split open from the pain. They slowly got up and leaned his back on the sofa. There is no one in the living room. And the bottles of beer he drank last night were gone too. He had a blanket and a pillow and he also saw that he was wearing different clothes. Even though his married life was not lucky, he is still lucky despite everything because he is a good friend.

He saw Ninette carrying a bowl and placed it in front of him. Leandre was suddenly embarrassed because Ninette always caught him in this state.
"Are you awake? I made you some soup for your hangover," he said and still laughed.
"Thank you. You shouldn't have bothered. When did you come?" asked Leandre.
"It was five o'clock this morning. And I saw you sleeping here without a blanket so I ordered Nicholas to dress you so you can sleep comfortably. Is there a problem? Why do I always notice that you are drunk?" Ninette asked.
Leandre fell silent and bowed.
"Nothing," he answered so that their conversation would not be long.
"A person will not get drunk if there is no problem. Do you know that it is forbidden for the body to get drunk? Whatever problem you have, it is not alcohol that you need, let go of something that is weighing you down. You do not deserve to be treated like that. There are many beautiful things that you should experience." Ninette said smiling.

Maybe Ninette had no idea was he is experiencing right now. Nicholas maybe didn't tell her what happened. That's why she is clueless about why he is always drinking or maybe she is aware but unable to open up.
"Thank you, Ninette."
"You're welcome. Sip some soup first. To warm your stomach. And by the way, Nicholas is already in the office." he said and left.
Leandre shook his head. Why didn't Nicholas wake her up so they could leave the house together? Ninette caught up with him too groggy.


Leandre no longer knows where his clothes are. But he stood up and didn't bother to look for it. He just shouted to say goodbye to Ninette who was going home. He got into his car and drove away. He was driving slowly because his head still hurt from the hangover.
After some time he reached their house. He got out of the car and went inside his mom's house. He didn't even get to the living room when Emerald stopped him with a raised eyebrow staring at the clothes he was wearing.
"Where did you stay twenty-four hours?" Emerald asked.
"Why? I think you're like an investigator now?" asked Leandre.
"Nothing. I'm just curious as to who the woman who answered my call is. I know it's not Jade because her voice is different." Emerald said and looked closely.
Leandre frowned. Who is this woman that Emerald is talking about? Maybe Ninette answered his phone because of Emerald's repeated calls.
"Why did you call me? What do you need?" asked Leandre.
"Answer my question first. Who is that woman?"
"That's my friend Nicholas's wife. I fell asleep on the couch maybe she must have been taking my phone and answered your call. What did she say?"
"Nothing. She said she is your friend's wife. I thought you had another woman." Emerald answered smiling as if there was a certain spark in her eyes.
"Why are you happy?"
"Of course. I will be happy to know if you love another woman already."
Leandre just shook his head.

And he continued to enter the house.
"When are you going to find a girlfriend? I want to be the first to meet her." Emerald said as she followed him.
"I didn't look for a date, Emerald. So please don't ask." Leandre answered and continued to enter his room.
He was about to close the door but Emerald pushed it and entered his room as well.
"Where are you going? I'm going to get dressed. Do you want to see my abs?" Leandre said laughing.
"No way! I just want to talk to someone right now. I was alone here earlier." Emerald answered and sat on her bed.
"Where are they?" asked Leandre as he looked for clothes in his closet.
"Mommy went out and went to see someone. She just went with Geo because he was also going to the city. And they sent Cheska to the university too." Emerald replied.
"Then why don't you wander around the city? Shopping. Stroll around so you don't get bored here at home."
"I don't have anyone with me. Besides, I don't have any friends here yet. I want you to be with me." Emerald answered and hugged him.
"Why didn't you come with your husband and support him in what he wanted to do? I have worked at the office today," answered Leandre.
"I'm always supporting him in all the things he wants to do. But as of this moment, I don't want to be with him since meeting about business is bore me." Emerald replied.