~*~

What if not?" Zed asked which makes us look at him.

What does he mean by that?

I furrowed my forehead. "What do you mean? What are you trying to say?"

He places the teapot that has a coffee he was holding on the table. "Did your father say that it was a woman you are going to date today?"

"What?"

"He didn't tell you, did he?"

"Yeah, he didn't. So?” I asked, bewildered.

"Did he also tell you the name of the person you're going to date? or just a little background about the person. I guess, he didn't tell you either. So, come to think of it. Why didn't he say what and who you're going to date today? Maybe because it was instead of she.”

Seriously?

I laughed. "What are you talking about?”

"Come on. Maybe he didn’t tell you because if you find out, you won't do what he wants." Zed explains and I laughed eternally at what he said. Tobi and Gab also.

"Dude! What kind of theory is that?" Tobi. "Nonsense."

"Yeah, that is complete nonsense.” Gab agreed, shaking his head, and drinking coffee.

"Yeah. That's impossible. Do you think Dad will let me date a man? It will only ruin our family image then!" I defended.

"That's right. Maybe your suspicion is correct, Jake. Maybe the woman sent that guy to dump you." Gab laughs at the end of his line.

"Then ask your father later what's really true." Zed shrugged.

“Dude, you’re out of the world,” I said, chuckling.

Tss. It’s impossible. Dad will never gonna let me date a man. That was total nonsense. 

All of a sudden, my phone vibrated. I took it out of my pocket and checked the one who texted me.

My face lit up, a smile suddenly grew on my lips when it was Queenie's name I saw on my phone screen. I quickly open her text message.

/Hey, Jake. r u free right now? Badly need your company."

Of course, I am!

I immediately replied to his text.

"Who is that and your smile is so wide?" Zed asked me.

"I gotta go, guys. See you later." I said, stood up, and walked to the exit door.

"Hey, Jake! Where are you going?"

I just give them a short wave before I got out of the door.

Although something bad happened to me this morning, something good will happen today.

Because today I am going to date the Queen of my life. Well, she didn’t say it was a date, but for me, it is a date since shell going to be alone with me.

I start the engine of my car when I get inside and drove it away.

After a few minutes, I arrived in front of the gate of their house. Before I got out of my car, I redo my looks. Damn! I look like a beggar. A handsome beggar.

I noticed that I am wearing an ugly outfit. Tch!

Whatever. As long as my face is handsome, it's ok. That's all that matters.

Getting out of my car, their gate suddenly opened. From inside, she showed up.

"Jake!" She beams when she saw me. She is not alone. She is with Pipin, her dog.

"Hi, Elle." I greeted her while smiling broadly. As usual, she looks so dazzling even if she's just wearing something simple.

I'm melting without her knowing it.

"I was about to text you, but you're here already." She approached me. "Thank goodness and you have your free time today. I'm sorry, my brother is busy so I thought of calling you. I need to take Pipin to the clinic because she hasn't eaten for three days." There are sadness traces on her face.

"Hey, it's okay. Don't hesitate to call me if you need my company or help. For you, I'll make time." Damn! I guess I'm being corny right now.

"Hi, Pipin. What's wrong, huh? Are you sick?" I talked to her dog, caressing its head.

"Aw! You're the best, Jake! I'm glad that you are my friend! So lucky to have you!"

"Nah, don't mention it."

"Let's go?" She invited.

"Sure. Let's go."

Then, I led her into my car. I also get in the driver's seat.

"Is this car yours?" She asked me in surprise when I entered inside. Right. I haven’t told her yet that Dad has already given me my car.

Suddenly, I remember that crazy guy I met earlier. Yes. He is crazy. Indeed.

"Yes." I chuckled. I fasten my seatbelt.

"Really ! When did Uncle give it to you?"

"Earlier." I smiled.

"Good thing and uncle thought of giving you a car. You've been asking him for this for a long time." She chuckled.

"Yes. I didn't even expect him to give it to me now. I thought he would wait for my 21st birthday before giving me this. Let's go," I said, starting the engine, I drove my car away.

---

"It's okay. Don't worry. Pipin will be okay." I hold her hand because it's been shaking for a while. The two of us are sitting here now outside Dr. Sy’s room, waiting for the nurse to release Pipin.

"Do you think she’s okay in there?"

"Of course. She's is brave so don't worry. She'll be fine." I keep on telling her comfort words.

After a while, the door opened and the nurse came out. We quickly stood up.

"Nurse, how's Pipin?" Elle asked the nurse immediately.

"Please come inside, Miss. Doctor Sy has something to discuss with you."

"Okay." Elle looked at me. "Jake, Stay here. Wait for me."

"Sure. I’ll wait. Go ahead." I said and he went inside with the nurse.

I sat back in the chair while waiting for them to come out. I leaned the back of my head on the wall and closed my eyes for a moment when the man I’d met earlier and what he said suddenly sank into my mind again.

/I'm sorry, but your accusations against me are not true. I know it's hard to believe but, I'm really the one you're going to date here./

/Right. You are a man. And I am also a man. But we need to marry each other./

I opened my eyes and laughed a little.

"Marry each other, my ass. What a funny joke." I whispered, shaking my head.

But what Zed said also suddenly came to my mind.

/Did your father say that it was a woman you are going to date today?/

/He didn't tell you, did he?/

/"Did he also tell you the name of the person you're going to date? or just a little background about the person. I guess, he didn't tell you either. So, come to think of it. Why didn't he say what and who you're going to date today? Maybe because it was instead of she./

Another bastard saying absurd things, tss.

Never mind. I just don't think about that. I don't want to ruin the rest of my day.

After a while, the door of Doctor Sy's room opened. From inside Elle came out.

I immediately stood up from my seat. "Elle, how's Pipin? What did the Doctor say?" I asked her as I approached her.

"She's fine but she still needs to be observed. Doctor Sy is currently checking the condition of her stomach." She explains, sighing. I could see how her shoulders lowered.

"Don't worry. She will be fine, I believe."

"Thank you, Jake. By the way, can I ask you a favor?"

"Yes, you can. What is it?"

"I haven't eaten breakfast yet because I was so worried about Pipin and it's already 11 AM. I don't know what time Pipin's check-up will end. I'm really starving right now. Can you go out and buy food for me? I mean for us. My treat!"

I chuckled. "Why do you have to ask that? You just have to tell me you are hungry. Wait here. I'll buy our food."

"Thank you so much, Jake! Wait a second. Use my card." She was about to get her card in her wallet but I stop her.

"No. I'll pay. Just go back inside and wait for me. Pipin might be scared if you're not by her side." I said, smiling.

"Thank you so much, Jake."

"Okay. I'll be back."

"Okay,"

I smiled at her before I walked away.

---

I am currently here at a restaurant, buying our food for lunch.

"How much is all?”

"1,506.02 all, Sir." The crew said after I told him my order.

"Okay." I dug my wallet into my pocket but I couldn't find it. Damn! Where is my wallet?

"Hold on," I told the crew as I continued to dig my wallet into my pocket but I can't find it.

Shit! Did I leave it in my car?

Damn it!

"Ah, can I pay it later? I think I left my wallet in my car." I told the crew. This is damn embarrassing. He might think I'm a thief.

"I'm sorry, Sir. But I can't give your order to the cashier if you haven't paid for it."

"Then, can you wait? I'll just go, get my wallet in my..." I wasn't able to utter more words because someone suddenly handed him a card.

I looked at the person who gave him the card and immediately frowned when I saw the crazy man earlier.

What the!

What the hell is he doing here!

—