Aster Veren
Episode 57's

- Ansel

When the time has shown at 02:00 in the morning, I see Aster still asleep in his sleep with a sideways position facing me who has been sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Beautiful dream ..." I muttered as I rubbed his forehead before leaving my room.

Now my head hurts again, I continued in my heart, feeling the throbbing in my heart.

I tried to fall asleep, but still couldn't sleep well. After all who can sleep well after hearing bad news from our confidants? Especially with my family.

As the next successor of the family I must do something to protect my family, provide security and comfort for them until my position can be handed over to the next successor more deserving.

I stepped my foot into my mother's office, which is now my work space, a mess. My mind is watching the heaps of files that are still mounting on my work-line.

"I didn't even have time to change my clothes" I continued muttering, noticing my black shirt and pants that I hadn't changed.

I let out my tired breath before continuing my work, however I have to finish all the remaining work before my scheduled meeting with Ian Alterio arrives this morning.

Ian Alterio was Carel's father, he invited me to his residence to discuss something that even I didn't know was important or not.

But from the call I received yesterday afternoon, I can hear a serious voice that makes me speculate that my meeting with him this morning was very important. And I can't refuse the invitation.

Jrass...

The sound of rain accompanied me this morning, I hope Aster sleeps well. My mind remembers how it is very difficult for Aster to fall asleep if he hears the sound of rain, let alone heavy rain with lightning.

"... Despite having undergone several therapies and going to a psychiatrist, it seems that the trauma cannot disappear easily." I muttered while looking at the window of the room that displayed the rain speck outside.

The shadow of what happened a few years ago is back in my memory. As my eyes watched for myself how my daughter was treated harshly by Tesar, Arsel's explanation of the nightmare Aster had experienced due to severe trauma in his past, and even that was because of Tesar.

I quickly shook my head to remove all those bad memories, because if I imagined constantly for a long time I could get out of control. After all, it has passed, what is important now is my togetherness with Aster.

***

- Wanda

"Look who's coming." I said when I saw Aster enter the dining room with a light blue knee-length dress patterned with flowers at the end. She also looked beautiful with her black hair braided and was given a flower clip near her left ear.

"Sister Aster!" Shouted Khael directly hugging Aster's body who was about to walk towards the empty chair near me.

"Khael, today you also look handsome and adorable huh." He returned my son's embrace with a big smile.

"Hhehe..today play with Khael again yes," he said with a big smile.

"Of course." Aster also smiled sweetly in response to Khael's invitation.

"Sama Carel too." The truth made Aster surprised.

"Eh? Ca–carel?"

"She said she wanted to come again."

"really? Why didn't he tell me?"

Look at those two kids, they look like big sister huh. It was adorable to see the two of them chatting with such various expressions, especially Aster. I don't know how many expressions he's made, it's worth Carel and Arsel are very happy to tease Aster.

His face is easy to read.

"Aster!" Arsel's shout shocked me and the two children as he appeared suddenly on the doorstep.

Long live, I just talked about it in my heart.

"Papa," said Khael slightly shouting as he ran towards Arsel who also ran ... approached Aster? With a happy expression?

"How are you? Sorry I just got to see you. Ah, I miss you so much. You're still the same as you used to be, aren't you? Are you eating right? Why does your body still look so small? Did that guy feed you right? I shouldn't have easily entrusted you to her ...." Arsel asked repeatedly, it seems that he was very happy to meet his nephew again until he forgot himself so in front of his son.

I still remember how he took care of Aster when the child was sick, even his affection for Aster had not changed in the slightest. When I was pregnant with Khael, she was very chatty about having a daughter like Aster, but the one that came out was even a little whiz.

"Anu–paman," said Aster stopped Arsel's chattering with a red hue on his face.

"Yes?" Replied Arsel looked at his niece's face that was already blushing thoroughly while smiling faintly at him.

"Aster is coming down." Clearly, while glancing at Khael who was already teary because he was ignored by his father.

Ah, this is the first time he has seen his father's true nature. My mind watches father and son in turn.

"Ah, sorry." His words immediately lowered Aster, then glanced at his gloomy-looking son standing not far from him.

"Papa doesn't love Khael." The boy's murmur shocked Arsel and immediately grabbed Khael's body into his lap as he was about to run towards me.

"Ma–mana maybe papa doesn't love you." The kilah defended itself.

"Lied." Her grunts looked annoyed with that adorable face of hers.

"... Where's papa?" Aster's question drew my and Arsel's attention.

"Yes, where is Ansel's sister? Shouldn't he come with you for breakfast together? But I haven't seen him since." Then I asked after preparing a sandwich for our breakfast while Hana was busy preparing lemon tea for me and Arsel, not forgetting to prepare milk for Khael and Aster.

"Maybe he went to the office with Tomi. I just saw Rigel who was busy checking all the files in mom's study, I mean big brother's office." He answered while holding Khael near Aster after confirming his last words.

"Papa is very busy ...." Aster muttered looking moody made me grieve with the change in his emotions.

She was able to laugh and smile again after crying yesterday. But now his gloomy face returned again quickly. Was he like this too? When her mother and grandmother died, I couldn't even imagine it.

But Arsel said Aster lived with his neighbors, perhaps those who filled Aster's loneliness and comforted his grief as well when his mother and grandmother left him alone.

Little children seem to live in this vast world without affection .... I quickly shook my head to shake all my bad thoughts.

Nah! what did I think just now? Now he lives with his family, surrounded by good people who love him with a lot of affection. Why am I worried? I should be grateful that Arsel found it, and took good care of it, I continued still in my heart.

"Eh? Uncle's coming home today?" Aster's voice blew my daydream.

"Yes, uncle has to finish uncle's unfinished work .. when I still want to be here with Aster." Clearly Arsel with his gloomy expression after drinking his lemon tea.

"If so Khael should go home too?" Khael asked with his innocent expression after drinking the milk Hana had served him.

"If you still want to stay, papa will ask Hana and Eric to stay. So this afternoon you're coming with Eric back home with Hana." Clearly while stroking the top of Khael's head who was already smiling widely with his sparkling eyes.

"Take it! We can play until we're satisfied, Aster." Her speech was so adorable filled with spirit.

"Before that finish breakfast." I started talking before drinking my lemon tea.

"Is Brother Wanda also going home with uncle?" Aster's question made me glance at him and meet the beautiful-looking bead.

"Today I'm going to the hospital." My reply felt guilty for not being able to accompany him to play with Khael.

"It's okay, Khael will stay here playing with Aster." Khael said with a sweet smile to Aster made him smile, as well as me and Arsel.

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Thanks for reading...