CHAPTER 3

ANNIE POV

"Mia, go take a bath, I'll make dinner for us" I said and walk to the kitchen. Me and mia live in small little house. Anthony and I bought this house when we married. This house had a 2 bedroom, 1 for me and Anthony, and the other one is Mia. I love at the first sight when look at this house for the first time. I'm typicall person who don't think money is everything. And I'm glad Mia same as me. We both like simple thing, not money oriented. "owkaay mom, I'll be a minute" she said.

When I'm done with the dinner, Mia come and sit at the chair and grab her food. She loves chinese food just like me. "Mom, how do you think about Arthur?" suddenly she said. "Oh God honey, he is just strangers, no need to think, I just helping him, borrowing him a pen" I said and take a sip of a glass of water. "Mom, he's looking good, why on the earth he's taking his time only just want to borrow a pen from you. Just think Mom, its so cliche" she laugh. "Thats I meant, i don't know why he want to talk with me, while I was just sit there and hearing with my headset"I responded her. I added to her "just stop talking about him, he just stranger you know? Anyways how about tomorrow? Do you have any schedule after school ?. Mia take a spoon of her food and said "I think there's nothing schedule for tomorrow, what's wrong Mom ? I said "Don't forget tomorrow we have to meet with Inda". "Place as usuall Mom ?" she said. "Likewise" I smile to her. How I love how my relationship with my daughter.

Inda is my bestfriend from a long time ago. She's more than a friend to me, more like family than my real family. Mia loves her too. Usually me, Mia and Inda hang once a month. The three of us is like sister. Mia is the little and Inda is like my young sister. She already married. She's married with Andrew, her schoolmate. She have a cute baby, Hana and Mia always pretend Hana like her sister.

"Miaaaa get up, your gonna late for your school" I knock her door and going to the kitchen to make breakfast for both of us. 20 minutes later Mia come and greeting me " Morning Mom, whats for today ?" "Eat your cereal or do you want omellete ?"I said. She shook her head " No. cereal will be fine Mom". "Come on finished your breakfast, I'll take you to school" I said while I prepare her lunchbox.

After Anthony died, I got job in the library. I love work there. A quiet environment, not many people come. Although the salary is standard, but I like work over there. My boss, Mrs Tina, she's 55 years, she have 3 child and 2 grandson. I love her, She's look like mother figure to me. Since my mother ditch me, don't care with my well being, opposite with my real mom, Mrs Tina is different.

"See you at Crystall honey, don't forget your lunchbox" I said and kising her forehead. "okaaaay Mom, Love you" she give me the helmet and run to her school gate. I start my motorcycle and go to library my workplace. When I arrived at library I park my motorcycle in my usuall place, then go inside to the library. It's still 08.00 in the morning, not much people come to library, and its Monday. I sit at my place and turn on my computer.

On monday usually I have to tyding up the pile of books. While I'm focusing on it, I hear the door open, I ignore it because I know usually people just looking for me only for asking something about books, or needs help. "Sorry, can you help me?" a man voice startled me. I lookup and see a man standing on my table. "yes, can I help you?" I said. The man smile then said "Do you forget me ? we met yesterday, at the cafe? near bookstore?" I try to rekon him, and I smile said "Okok, I remember you. Arthur right ? what can I do for you ?"

"Can you find me a book about Financial Statement ? he said. "Wait a moment .." I type my computer and start searching. After find I walk to the book section and give him 3 kind of books. He take the books then looking back at me and said "how can I borrow this book?" I point to the women in the administration near to the door and said to him "go to her and ask her" then I walk to my business things again. He grab my wrist and said "Do I bother you ?" I'm looking confused at him "What do you mean ?" "No. Just asking because you left me here" he said with his deep voice. I just smile and smile "Ok. Come on I'll help you". We walk together to the adminstration. "Thank you Lia" I said to my co worker. She just nodded and smile and giving glance to Arthur who next beside me.

I walked with him to the door, when we reach the door he said to me "Annie can I have your contact, anyways I have any questions about library?". I give him our library and smile "you can contact this number if you have any questions". He look offended and look sad. I just curious and not thinking much about it and smile to him "have a good day Arthur".

Time passed and its already 4 at noon. Mia message me and ask me to pick her up at her school.

Mia : Mom, pick me. I'm done

Me: Owkay, wait me at usuall

Crystall is my favourite restaurant. Me, Mia and Inda always meet here. We love to meet here because the place is cozy. The employee already recognize us. We have our seat there. When we come, Inda already there. "Hey guys ... what took you so long " she hug me and Mia. "Just traffic a bit" I said to her. "I already order for me, why dont you and Mia take yours" she said. The waiter come and take our order. "Aunt Inda, you know what, yesterday Mom met someone" Mia said. Inda looking at me and said "Spill it". I just laugh and said "Come on, just stranger borrowed my pen. It's not a big deal". Inda look at Mia "How is that guys ?" Mia whisper and said "Oh aunt, he's georgeus, handsome". Inda spit her drink "Hei .. heiii ... come on Annie ... what's wrong with you?". I drink my water then said "come on guys .. Mia stopped it ... Inda ... like I said .. Its just a stranger". They all laugh looking at me. I just rolled my eyes and smile.

When we back home, I put my jacket then tell Mia "don't sleep late honey .. you know tomorrow you have to school". She hug me and said "I love you to the moon and back Mom, your the bestest Mom ever" I kiss her forehead and said " Honey you are my everything, Good night darling". After I locked the door the I go straight to my room and take a shower. I take my PJ's then up to my bed and turn on my tv. Suddenly my hp vibrate. I look it and see an unknown number sending me a message

Arthur : Sorry disturbing you, Its me Arthur. Are you still awake ?

Me : Arthur ? how can you get my cellphone number ?

Arthur : I have my way

Me : What do you want Arthur ?

Arthur : Just want to say Good night Annie

Me : Good night then

I put my phone back to my night table, grab my pillow. I can't sleep, I just thinking about my meeting with Arthur. I just don't know what he want, why in these several days we meet. After Anthony died, honestly I never think about other man. Even Mia always said its Ok. I just feel its not right. We had been for 13 years together. I just treat Athur like everyone I meet. But deep inside my heart I just don't know. There is something about him that bothering me.

The next morning as usuall with Mia when I arrive at my work my phone vibrate, I checked and see Arthur send me message

Arthur : Good morning Annie, have a good day

Me : Good morning Arthur, hope you too

I put my phone back to my bag and focusing to work. Lunch time, I think today I'm gonna eat sandwich. I grab my purse, then walk to the buy sandwich that I need to boost my mood. I walk to the park next my library and sit at the bench. When I open my sandwich, someoen tap my shoulder "Hei, you here alone ? mind if I sit ?" I'm shocking look that its Arthur. "No .. no.. actually its okay" I said. My heart beat faster looking at him and wondering what in the hell he doing here.