Aster Veren
Episode 195's

- Esther

After hearing all of uncle's plans and how the outcome of his discussion with master Albert was, it seemed like the plan that uncle had prepared to help Dean and Yuna failed.

Had uncle discussed his plan with me first, maybe the result could have been better. Moreover, of all the things I heard I really did not expect that the reason Mr. Albert could not help uncle was because of the economic reasons that were shaking his family.

But once I hear it, I will not believe it. Especially if I confirm it myself, would like to think about it many times even if the result remains the same, how could mister Albert say such nonsense?

If he doesn't want to be petrified, he can talk without bragging. Or if he wanted the rewards of his help, he could also say. But until the end the old man said nothing. My mind is upset.

"Emh, it seems that it is indeed difficult to ask for help with Dean's background like that. Moreover, Albert's master's family attaches great importance to that in accepting workers." I muttered while hugging my pillow and resting my body on the floor in a sideways position.

Well it is natural for Mr. Albert to attach importance to the background, especially his family is very famous in the media. They are not artists. I continued in my heart while taking a deep breath.

"What's not it anymore?" Yuna's voice startled me, my reflexes rose from my bedridden position and looked at Yuna who walked over to me after closing the room door with her tiny hands.

I forgot that if I shared a room with this boy and his brother, I didn't know how far this situation would go?

"Have you finished eating?" I asked back.

"Yes, my brother is done too. But she was helping Aunt Nina wash the dishes in the kitchen." He tried to get on the bed.

"really?" Ask me again while helping her up and sitting next to me.

"Yes. Brother Faren why not eat?"

"I? I'm not hungry yet."

"Eat a little so as not to hurt."

"Yes, I'll eat." I answered while rubbing the top of his head and showed him my best smile.

I saw Yuna looking agitated and stealing glances with her hands busy playing the edges of her clothes. I who saw him could only frown confused because I did not know what he was thinking right now. Is it so hard to say what he thinks of me? Until he keeps stealing such glances?

"Ekhem, Yuna?" I then decided to ask him directly.

"I—iya?" Answer with a little bit of interest.

"Is there anything you want to say?"

"Emh ... that, actually—"

"Yuna?" Dean's voice cutting off Yuna's words shocked me as well as the boy. I saw the man close the door and walk over to us.

"What's wrong with her?" Next ask me.

"Not knowing."

"Yuna wants to go watch tv!" He said suddenly as he got off the bed and ran out of the room in a hurry.

What is really bothering her mind? Why didn't he say it when Dean came in?

***

It was 10:20 at night when I woke up from my sleep due to a nightmare. After a bad incident a few days ago, I remember the bad memories of my father shooting at me.

I grabbed my throbbing head before turning to look at Dean sleeping on the floor along with Yuna. Before going to bed the boy whined he wanted to sleep next to his brother, so inevitably I couldn't force him to sleep with me on the bed.

Seeing those who were soundly asleep made me feel relieved. "Thank God if their anxiety has diminished." I muttered immediately down from my bed, intending to go to the kitchen.

Arriving at the kitchen, I immediately grabbed the glass and poured water into it. Then gulp it down and immediately sit my body on the chair I pulled out of the dining table.

... Why do I miss those moments now? How's uncle doing now? Was he sad when he heard the news of my death? I continued in my heart while clenching my right hand which was still holding the empty glass.

"You haven't slept?" Aunty's voice surprised me, I saw that aunt was already standing next to me with a confused expression.

"Auntie?"

"It looks like you woke up? Can I make you some warm tea?" He continued with a warm smile and walked towards the stove, intending to cook hot water.

"No need for aunt. Let me sa—"

"Here you sit quietly, okay." He cut my words. And pushed my body back to sit where I was.

I took a deep breath when I couldn't stop my aunt from making me warm tea. Though I don't want it, but if you look at the situation, it seems like aunt wants to comfort me.

"I'm fine aunt."

"I know." Aunty answered while turning off the stove and pouring the hot water into a cup of tea filled with sugar and tea leaves.

"But Aster ..is your sleep uncomfortable because of the one room with Dean and Yuna?" Aunt asked suddenly while giving her hand tea cup to me.

"Little." I felt a pain in my throat, it seemed like I was forcing myself too much to speak in a male voice. I didn't even notice that my voice was a little hoarse and my throat was also itchy.

"Talk like Aster, rest your throat for a minute." Said the aunt after being silent for a while.

"Auntie's right."

"Don't push yourself too hard, aunt doesn't want you to get sick again."

"Yes, I'm sorry to worry auntie." I said as I returned my aunt's warm smile. "But even so auntie, please still call me by the name of Faren okay. Don't let Dean and Yuna hear aunt calling me by another name." I made my aunt's smile fade.

"Ah, you're right."

I wouldn't be able to handle it until Dean or Yuna heard auntie call my real name. Moreover, Dean was also seen starting to suspect me because I had once refused to sleep in the same room, and this afternoon I was almost caught red-handed while changing my clothes in the room.

Because of that incident I felt my age was reduced by half. My mind as it reached for the teacup before me and took a sip.

"It's delicious." My words taste a different sweetness, let alone the unusual fragrance of the tea.

"really? Thank goodness you like it."

"What kind of tea do you use?"

"Itu—"

"What are you doing here these nights?" My uncle's voice surprised me and my aunt. I saw uncle approaching and sitting next to aunt.

"You awake?" Aunt asked, making uncle look at her.

"Because you're not next to me." Grunts uncle looks annoyed.

I who saw him could only smile amusedly at the behavior of this foreign-looking uncle. I've never seen my uncle behave like that during my stay with him, but somehow tonight I saw him.

He looks like a sulking little boy. My mind while drinking the rest of the tea in my cup.

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Thanks for reading...