Dark Clouds

“Lavelle, let's have dinner. Theophile made this soup but, I'll be the one to help you eat this chicken soup because Theophile has other things to do today. He asked me to help you eat.” Daniela gave her a tray containing a bowl of chicken soup, warm milk still steaming hot, rice cooked with lots of water so that it has a soft texture so that Lavelle doesn't need a lot of effort to make it smooth, as well as a bottle of natural vitamins derived from natural strawberries and a bottle of antidepressants, only three items remain.




Lavelle seemed reluctant to open her mouth because, after she was unconscious for one day and one night, Lavelle couldn't say a word. Even so, Daniela immediately lifted the bowl with the sunflower pattern and persuaded Lavelle to immediately open her mouth for dinner.




Lavelle shook her head slowly, refusing the food. She didn't like that dinner. She just wanted to sleep and curse herself for being an unlucky person in this world. Lavelle didn't understand why she was born if she had to be hurt like that all the time. This is not a dramatization. However, it seems that every new movement is not free from hatred.





Daniel took a deep breath. “Theophile seems so genuinely in love with you that he didn't even sleep last night just to keep you here, and in the morning, he woke up immediately just to make you a hearty breakfast. Please respect his feelings for you, Lavelle. I can see the look of love in his eyes for you. I know he loves you and will always try to give the best to you. And… what's more, he also felt so guilty when you fainted after he took you to that library.”




Lavelle took a deep breath, still reluctant to speak.





“I understand you still can't fully assume everyone is a good person just because of their impressive treatment when they first met. However, it wouldn't hurt if you appreciated every bit of it?” then asked Daniela.





“I'm just scared of it.”





“You just need to appreciate it, to return the love you can think about for yourself later. I am your close friend. If you really fall in love with him too, I will support your relationship to a serious level, but, if Theophile hurts you again, I will be at the forefront to beat his thin jaw so that his jaw slips.” Daniela seemed in denial.





Lavelle chuckled.





“Well, smile. Don't cry all the time. I know you are a strong person. Resistant to slam, kick and punch. Now let's enjoy your dinner,” said Daniela later.





Lavelle nodded as she remembered the words from Theophile a few hours ago. Lavelle received the spoonful of soup from Daniela, and chewed the carrot shortly after. Her tears started to flow again for no reason, making Daniela panic for the umpteenth time, even though Lavelle had just laughed because of the joke.





“Why are you crying again? Is this bad?” asked Daniela in surprise.





Lavelle shook her head with tears streaming down her face. 









“Lavelle, did I speak wrong? Listen to me, I love you so much… let's rise together, you don't have to think about that bad guy. All you need to think about is your future, Lavelle. Your future is more important than anything, you have to be able to heal whatever happens,” Daniela said, then wiped away Lavelle's tears.





Mark nodded, confirming Daniela's words. “That's right, Lavelle. In this world, there are still many people who love you sincerely, and you must realize that you are a precious thing. You don't have to cry because of that irresponsible man, forget him. Because the more you remember it, the more you hurt yourself.”





“You are precious, Lavelle. You are very precious to the people who love you.” Daniela hugged Lavelle again after placing the bowl of soup on the nightstand.





“I'm not crying because of that damn man, I'm just crying because I realized how weak I am, I'm so weak in this face, even though I've always looked fine. I'm so weak...."




Mark sighed, then handed her a box of chocolates wrapped in aluminum foil. “Listen, I already bought you some really delicious chocolate, you still remember what I said a while ago? Eat this chocolate if you feel upset, because chocolate has good content to reduce anxiety. And what's more, chocolate can treat irregular mood swings.”




“Yes, it is true. In fact, you always tell me to eat chocolate when I really can't stop worrying. Now you should try it because it is very useful. Your mood swings are so bad and it's not good. Try that chocolate after dinner.” Daniela smiled.





Lavelle took a deep breath. However, her tears still flowed freely as if reluctant to stop.





“Thanks to you guys, because you are always by my side when I have a problem. I'm so grateful… you guys are my best friends,” Lavelle said quietly.





“It is my duty, Lavelle. After all, you are always there when I'm in a big problem. Let's just say this is indeed a return from us,” Daniela replied later.





“Don't cry all the time, your eyes swell just from crying. Now you have to be able to make up your own mind that you have a more important purpose in life,” said Mark, then immediately sat on a warm and soft sofa at the far end of the room.





“Lavelle is a strong girl,” Daniela replied again.





“Shouldn't strong people cry?” asked Lavelle between sobs.





“I mean, you are a girl who has a strong persona. Don't let fragility overwhelm your heart,” said Daniela later.





“By the way… where is Theophile?” Lavelle turned her watery gaze to Mark, who was relaxing at the far end of the room enjoying a fresh watermelon with melted chocolate.





“Umh? Theophile?” Mark repeated.





“I want to thank him because he looked after me last night,” Lavelle said quickly, as if not wanting to be a misunderstanding.





“He's on other business in another city. Maybe he'll come back tomorrow morning. Now you just need to finish your dinner.” Mark answered, then returned his focus to his watermelon.





+++







“I noticed you've been sitting here, maybe even an hour you've been here. Aren't you tired of sitting here and thinking?” A question came from a voice that Lavelle almost knew by heart, along with the thick blanket covering her bare shoulders.





Lavelle turned. “I just looked up at the beautiful night sky. By the way... why did you come here to reprimand me? I just want to see the stars in the sky.”




Theophile smiled faintly, gently caressing the top of Lavelle's head, then he lifted his head and looked up at the stars in the sky. “Thousands of stars in the sky seemed like a glimmer of hope, scattered among the dark clouds. Do you like it?”





“Of course, I like it. Why are you asking that? Are you going to try to get a star and dedicate it to me?” asked Lavelle jokingly.





“Do you want a star? If you wish, I will endeavor to grant your wish,” Theophile replied with a nod of his head.





“I'm just kidding, Theo. Besides, I don't think there's any way you'd fly into space just to get a star,” Lavelle said later.





“Don't be so serious, I can even dedicate a magic star to you,” Theophile said with a slight laugh, then tossed Lavelle's hair loosely loose.





The girl with silvery blonde hair scowled in annoyance, then pursed her lips in annoyance at Theophile's disturbing behavior. 





“You're so cute when you frown like that.” Theophile laughed even more then.





Then he took a can of drink from the bag of box he was carrying and then stuck the can that looked like it had just been taken out of the fridge against Lavelle's cheek until the girl shivered slightly.





“You drink pear juice, don't you?” asked Theophile then.




“I prefer coffee with 100mg of caffeine and a little bit of heavy creamer mix. But I also drink whatever I find delicious,” Lavelle replied.





Theophile immediately unsealed the can of drink, which immediately splashed the soft looking soda foam. Theophile handed the can to Lavelle and didn't wait any longer for her to take a sip of the canned pear juice, while Theophile opened the can himself. 





“Drink the juice that is in the refrigerator. All juice drinks are made from natural fruits without artificial sweeteners. We distribute and process them ourselves. And the pear is said to be a fruit that contains vitamins B, C, K, and magnesium. It sounds pretty good, right?” Theophile asked before taking a sip of his juice.





“Yeah, pretty good.” Lavelle nodded.





“I would think about asking one of my younger brothers who is very good at every field to grow matoa fruit, or fruit which is rare but very beneficial to living beings,” said Theophile.





“Matoa? What clan is that?” Lavelle repeated.

Theophile gave a faint smile. “That is the name of a fruit that is classified as rare and rarely found. I once read in a book in the library that Indonesia has a fruit. Maybe I will send some of my brothers to buy the fruit from there.”





“Is there such a fruit?” Lavelle repeated, raising one of her eyebrows.





“Of course, there is. Maybe it is in London and there is the fruit. The fruit is like lychees but not lychees,” replied Theophile.





“Oh… I don't understand about that,” said Lavelle, pursing her lips.





A moment later, there was silence between the two of them. Theophile was busy watching some of the maids who had started cleaning the royal garden area because the bell was about to ring, signaling that it was the turn of the day.





“Theo,” Lavelle called to the handsome man a little awkwardly.





“Call me dear.” Theophile smiled mischievously without knowing that Lavelle's face had already heated up wildly. 





“I just wanted to thank you for being nice to me while I was here but, you are a bit annoying.” Lavelle sighed and shifted her gaze down there.




Theophile laughed once more then stroked the top of Lavelle's head gently. “I don't think it's a big deal, I'm very responsible for your comfort here, Lavelle. And you must already know how much I love you?”





“I also want to apologize for always making you feel guilty. However, I also feel that you don't understand my past. I am truly grateful for your help so far.” 

Theophile now looked at Lavelle and asked the girl to look at him just to see how sincere the sincerity was in Theophile's eyes. Theophile nodded, slightly worried that Lavelle would abandon him and walked away from him after saying at such length.





“Do you really want to go home and meet him? Don't you hate it?” asked Theophile, demanding reassurance from Lavelle, holding the girl's shoulders tightly.





“What for? Aren't you always holding me back? After all, I don't even feel so worthy going home if the man is at home too,” Lavelle said sadly. 





Theophile took a deep breath, seeming very understanding of how Lavelle was feeling right now, swirling between the doubts.





“I didn't mean to hold you back but, honestly, I'm afraid when you return to your world, you won't see me again. Is it really wrong to feel comfortable in your presence? I'm half-human too, can't I love you? Isn't this a question as difficult to answer as the hard-to-reach stars in the sky over there? And I'm also worried if they hurt you again,” said Theophile in a tone so soft it was almost a whisper.





“Theophile....”















“Brother Jeffrey is home, Theo. He wants to meet you,” said Mark, who entered the balcony without permission.