Me Before You
Chapter 6

This morning, Ferdinand Smith wanted to visit one of his friends who was a manager in his office. When the elevator stopped on the seventh floor, the man came out with both hands in his pants pocket.

Yeah, this morning Ferdinand wants to see Louis Adrian or maybe the familiar one called Adrian. This Adrian is a friend of Joshua and Ferdinand. The man in charge of Joshua's work and Ferdinand⸻ the main key to his work is Joshua, if Joshua does not do it right it will affect Ferdinand, as well as him.

Living in a big city made Ferdinand realize something, too many people piled up in one place was not good. This small city will vanish into the sea of men if it is left for a long time. Yeah, it's also the capital, surely everyone will end up running to Wellington when there's nothing.

Before entering the manager's room, of course Ferdinand knocked on the door first. Even though Adrian is his friend, he must know his position in the company.

"Adrian, it's Ferdinand" Ferdinand said after knocking on the door. After getting approval, the man entered Adrian's room.

"Hi, Fer! Long time no see after Joshua went on vacation." it's Adrian. He just hung his suit on the stand coat. I just came to the office. Adrian invited Ferdinand to sit down. "What does it take this early in the morning to see me?"

"Actually I do want to talk to you about something, but there seems to be a problem that needs to be addressed quickly." Ferdinand paused for a moment on his sentence, then he continued, "it's about Joshua, by the way."

Adrian frowned. "What's wrong with her? Did something happen to her?"

Ferdinand smiled in anguish. "She only needs her vacation time, at least two weeks is over two days."

"I'm sorry to say this, but I need him. You know for yourself, right now people are questioning its existence. Moreover, we need to select some of the incoming manuscripts. I think we really need him."

"But Adrian, Joshua is not doing well at the moment. Insomniasnya has not disappeared and the doctor himself once said that if left unchecked, most likely Joshua will suffer from Alzheimer's at a young age." reply Ferdinand defended Joshua. That's true, Joshua was diagnosed with Alzheimer's if his insomnia does not go away. Joshua didn't know about this at all, but the doctor told Ferdinand.

Adrian also lowered his head to fold his fingers, thinking about what decisions should be taken when faced with problems like this. Choose his friend or stick to the stand.

"He also said he would approve your request at that time, if the vacation time was extended." continued Ferdinand again, trying to convince Adrian to give a chance to Joshua. "He only took two extra days to solve the problem."

It's not easy for Adrian to make a decision right now. He must think everything through carefully. Coordinate with your bosses before deciding what decisions to make.

"For now, I can't decide. I'll call you later." Adrian said. As he was about to get up from his seat, Adrian remembered that Ferdinand's goal was not just to convey Joshua's message. "Oh yeah, what were you talking about?"

"Ah. That's it. Almost forgetting." he said with a flick of a finger, then he continued, "I heard Angela went to her cousin's place in Gibbston Valley, I thought she was going to meet Joshua."

Angela is Adrian's girlfriend. He also recommended a vacation spot for Joshua. It just so happened that his cousin's family had lodging in Gibbston Valley.

Adrian shrugged both shoulders. "Yes, he just arrived this morning. He told me." the man explained.

"Ah so." said Ferdinand then, then the man continued, "is there anything until he goes there?"

"His cousin was sick, so he was asked to look after his cousin."

"Then the wine bar?"

"Stay open. Just in-handle his parents."

"How long has he been gone?"

"He didn't tell me, I thought he'd be gone long enough."

"Pity once left girlfriend." jolly Ferdinand who made Adrian laugh crisply.

"I'm still better than you, Fer! You better hurry up and find a girlfriend."

"Ah, shit.I got it again."

Adrian laughed at his friend, a moment later his face turned serious again. "Reply back to work! I have to go to the director's room to talk about Joshua."

...-οΟο-...

"Monica!" call Alex Frances from the parking lot. The man waved his hand when he caught the figure of Monica who had come out of his school building. Because their school is one neighborhood, Alex, who has gone home first, waits for Monica to come home in the parking lot. Earlier, Monica had told Alex that she came home a little late because of additional lessons.

Hearing the call of her sister, Monica immediately approached Alexander Frances in the parking lot. As Monica knows, her brother already has a SIM, so she is allowed to take the car by their parents.

Today Monica was picked up by Alex. Usually he was just picked up by his uncle and aunt who lived in the city. Monica and Alex were deliberately entrusted both their parents in the place of their uncle and aunt, because their parents wanted their two children to take a good education in the city. So that their insights are not only limited to Gibbston Valley.

"Monica where are you going today?" alex asked after they were in the car, while the man heated up his car.

"If you go home, how? Angela asked for study company."

"OK... But I'm going to the cake shop first, right? My friend told me to come, tomorrow I'm off for the Olympics."

Monica also agreed to the request of her brother. Monica almost forgot that tomorrow her sister was leaving for a swimming tournament. Surely later at home will be crowded the arrival of his sister's friends.

Their car is now leaving the school. Speed is standard.

"Alex, can I open the window?"

"certain."

Monica opened the car window. He attached his side to the side of the car, his hands stretched out to enjoy the wind outside. It feels free these days. No one hit him with the same piercing stare he used to be, no trash in his locker, nor any more terrible events since he told the teacher his friends' behavior. However, the unfortunate thing is... Monica's lost her sunshine, Joshua Spencer.

Joshua will not be able to accompany Monica in difficult times, because soon the man will leave and leave a trail of great memories in Monica. The presence of Joshua who though only as intense, makes Monica relieved and feel no need to worry if experiencing difficulties again. Joshua Spencer is like an angel to Monica.

In addition, Joshua Spencer is the reason Monica has survived to this day.

He hopes to meet Joshua Spencer again. Whatever the circumstances. If one day he is allowed to meet with Joshua, Monica wants to help Joshua as a form of thanks, because the man already cares for Monica.

"What extra lessons?" ask Alex on the sidelines to focus on driving. Monica began to look away so she could look at Alex.

"Mathematics." said Monica lightly.

"Mrs. Lee?"

"Mm." replied Monica briefly. Then the girl turned her eyes back to the streets.

"I heard you were bullied. Why not a story?"

Ah, it has spread to the SMA next door. Inner Monica.

"I'm fine, Alex. I have a friend who makes me strong anyway."

"You should have told me. If you tell me I could sue them for bullying my sister."

Monica sighed. He looked up and looked at Alex again. "That's what I'm afraid of when I talk to other people about my bullying. It's likely that I'm not the only one affected, but the people around me are affected as well." Monica bit her lower lip. Then he said, "after all what they say is true. I'm not part of your family."

As far as Alex is concerned, Monica's thinking is adult. But, for a matter like this, Alex did not expect that those words would come out of Monica's mouth. This little girl who had been considered his biological sister even opened up the facts about old wounds.

"You're still my sister. You're part of us. No matter what happens." said Alex, even though he's currently driving, Monica can feel the words make her goosebumps. Firm and meaningful.

Monica turned her face away. The girl thought for a while, then she asked, "what happened to my parents, Alex? Are they still alive? Or was I accidentally thrown out? Was my life that miserable until they dumped me?" Monica continued to raise questions that made Alex sigh violently.

"Monica enough! I was driving. We can discuss this after meeting with mom and dad." for the first time Monica heard the clash of an Alex Frances who had always loved her, spoiled her, gave her all the affection of an older brother. Monica was surprised to hear these words, she turned to look at her brother with teary eyes.

"A-Alex.." It's his fault. Monica's too much, she should know the situation by now. Monica is too cornered by her older sister who knows nothing about her life.

"M-Monica... Monica."

Alex was staring at his sister. His hand tried to hold the brother's hand, trying to calm him down. Just as he grabbed the sister's hand, the traffic light at the end of it turned red. Alex intends to step on the brakes to lower the speed of the car, but what happens instead.

It all happened so fast. Even the two never thought bad things would happen to them.

It feels like a movie spin that comes to mind. Then everything went dark. All that was heard was the sound of people shouting followed by the sound of loud rubble.

After that, everything disappeared.

...-οΟο-...

"We couldn't save Alex. His head hit hard enough."

Those words entered Monica's ears when she had just returned from her consciousness. For a moment, the little girl guessed where she was. The room was quite crowded with crying sounds. My eyes are trying to move, but unfortunately his body is not good in responding. His body still feels pain, especially in the head.

Did something happen until his whole body hurt like this?

"Alex.." The voice instantly filled Monica's witty. Like the voice of a woman crying. Over time the voice sounded hysterical, to make Monica's ears hurt and she went back to sleep.

A few weeks after waking up from her long sleep, Monica was like a dazed person. He didn't know the people in the room, he didn't even know who he was. Monica looks like a lost fool.

He knows nothing.

He can only cry.

...-οΟο-...

"Monica!" the call made Monica gasp, right at that moment the door of her room opened. The girl automatically directs her gaze to the door of the room.

"Raw!" exclaiming Monica got up from her bed, then ran a small approach to the cousin. "When did you come?" tanyanya after hugging Angela briefly.

"just now. How you doing, hm? I heard you fell unconscious" Angela said, looking at Monica's body in turn, making sure her cousin was okay.

"I'm fine, really." replied Monica because she felt uncomfortable being noticed. Then the girl pulled Angela to sit by her bed. "Why didn't you say you wanted to come." Monica started to frown, though,

Angela smiled broadly. "Surprise! I want to make a surprise!" yells.

"You staying here?"

"The plan is so. Take care of you." he joked.

"I'm an adult, Angela. I'm not a kid."

Angela rubs Monica's hair. "You still need surveillance, baby" he said.

Monica sighed. "Why does everyone treat me like this, anyway?"

Noticing Monica's change in expression, Angela immediately clasped Monica's hand. Then his eyes looked into the girl's eyes. "Because everyone loves you, Monica. They don't want to lose you." Angela's hand raised rubbed Monica's cheek. "We all love you." she said.

Back Monica sighed, a second later she smiled. "Thank you." Said.

Angela smiled broadly, then the girl clapped her hands together. "Well, after this will go down? I brought something from the city specifically for my beloved cousin."

"M." Monica also nodded.

Then they got up and came out of Monica's room, to go down to the kitchen.

...-οΟο-...

Joshua Spencer is trying to focus on laptops. He was still trying to do his job, although still as before, the cursor was left to blink.

To be honest, Joshua's mind wasn't so focused. For some reason, the man was still thinking about Monica Frances.

Feeling riled up, Joshua let out a rough sigh. If this continues, he will not be able to return to the city. But for now wouldn't it be better to think of Monica? The girl was like a person lost in the midst of the affection her family gave her.

Ferdinand said it was better to spend his holidays than to think about work. But, somehow Joshua's mind even said otherwise. His mind began to rebel, having Joshua do something on his laptop.

Long struggling with thoughts, Joshua finally closed his laptop and then rose from the desk. Looks like the streets in the vineyard can make his mood better than having to stay in the room.

The man came out of the room, then down the stairs and out of the inn. Just as Joshua came out, he was greeted with a sparkle of sunshine, making Joshua raise his hand to keep the light from entering his eyes.

Not yet how many steps he walked, Joshua's gaze vaguely saw a girl coming towards him, making the man squint to sharpen his vision. The girl was getting closer and closer, approaching Joshua with a distinctive smile on her face.

"Angela?" mumbling Joshua.

"Hi, Josh!" greet the girl is friendly. The girl was Angela. "How was your vacation?"

"Not so good." Joshua said. "By the way, why are you here?" asked Joshua a little curious to see Angela's presence here.

"I looked at my cousin. Monica Frances's. I thought you guys knew each other" Angela said, shrugging both shoulders.

Joshua almost caught up. Listen to Angela's statement. Why is the world so narrow? Joshua thought to his surprise.

"You mean, Monica who lives there?" ask Joshua again by referring to Monica's house, trying to make sure.

"Yes. Who else is Monica, hm?" sahut Angela. "Who do you think you can get these holiday and lodging recommendations from? Adrian's? Adrian just asked me, so I told my brother's place. Did Adrian not tell you?"

It turns out that Adrian hid the facts behind this holiday. "He is so, likes to be unclear." said Joshua while the mangosteen with his face bent.

Angela laughed in response to Joshua about her boyfriend. "You chattering? I brought roasted lamb and wine."

Joshua agreed, so the man walked to the guest chair in front of the inn building.

"So this is all your family, huh?" joshua asked Angela after they sat down, while Angela arranged the food and poured the wine. Well, the girl had already prepared it before going to Joshua's place. He borrowed two glasses for wine and a food box at Monica's house.

"Yes, that's it. We got the same ration, the Monica family stayed in the village, while my family chose in the city."

"Ah, so." murmured Joshua.

"Actually Joshua.." said Angela slightly hanging up, a second later she continued, "Monica is my only cousin left."

Joshua frowned. He did not understand the meaning of Angela's words.

"Monica she.." again, Angela hung up her words. Whether it was intentionally making Joshua curious or not. Not long after the girl sighed. "Lately his memory has returned and we are afraid that it will have a devastating impact on Monica. Especially the trauma."

"You mean?"

"She had a bad experience, bullied by one school because she wasn't part of Frances' family."

...---...