The Worry (4 March)

Another Friday came, and after his job was done, Victor went to Evelyne's uncle's restaurant where Jovan worked. The restaurant was crowded in the afternoon. There were more people coming in than leaving, giving Victor the feeling that he might disturb the work. So, he decided to just visit, then wait until the restaurant became less crowded.

"Hey, Vict. Long time no see," Jovan noticed his arrival and welcomed Victor while platting his cooking.

"Indeed, long time no see, Jovan," replied Victor. He then looked at the cashier. "Can I have your special menu for today? Anything will be fine."

"Alright sir. I suggest you have this baked potato, are you okay with it?" The cashier pointed to a menu in the book.

"Okay, I'll have it."

After paying the bill, Victor went to a table at the corner and had a seat, looking outside through the window. The sight outside was indeed beautiful and calming. Victor found it easy to lose in his mind.

Two hours passed and people in the restaurant slowly decreased, so Jovan had a chance to have a talk with Victor. "Another busy day, huh?" Said Victor as JOvan sat in front of him.

"You talk as if you are not busy, Vict. How's your day?" Jovan chuckled.

"As you said, I am also busy. But everything goes well, so I'm good." Victor smiled widely. He then examined Jovan's expression that didn't look really good, even though VIctor was sure it wasn't because Jovan was sick. "Anyway, what happened? You don't look really good."

"Oh, really?" Jovan scratched his head. His friend really knew him after all, so it was no use to hide anything. "Well, it's about Elanor."

Victor raised an eyebrow when his sister's name came out. "Did she do anything stupid? You know, she was clumsy, so things will always happen," said Victor, making Jovan laugh.

"Yeah, you're right. But it's not about her being clumsy. She's super busy lately, more than she used to. And I worry about her, especially her health. Can you at least check her condition?"

From Jovan's explanation, Victor could understand how he felt. Evelyne was also so busy lately and he was worried as well. He only hoped that the competition ended so she could rest more.

Back to Elanor's case, Victor then remembered about his meeting with Elanor before. He noticed that she didn't look really good that time, yet he considered it normal. "Ah, so that's why she looked tired when I met her the other day? Alright. I'll examine her and give some vitamins."

"Thank you so much! I will make sure she'll have a good rest." Jovan smiled in relief that Victor would help. At least he could be at ease regarding Elanor's health.

But from his smile only, Victor could sense that Jovan was still worrying about something. "Is there any problem? You are still thinking about something else, aren't you?"

"Ah… Well…" Unlike before, Victor hesitated to tell the problem. "Well, it's still about Elanor… But… I don't know how to say it."

Victor sighed. His friend was really timid when it came to his feelings. Moreover to his sister, Elanor. "What are you worried about? Just tell me. Even though she's annoying, I'll help you."

"Well, it's about her client," Jovan began his story about his worry toward Elanor. There was one client that she met frequently at this restaurant. "I'm afraid that… she'll like him, and abandon me."

'Ah… so he's afraid that the past will repeat itself? How stupid.' In the past, there was a girl, called Rachel. She was the one who raised Jovan as well as who abandoned him. Until now, that was a past that Jovan was afraid of. Even mentioning that girl's name was enough to ruin his day.

"Hey, do you want to know something?" Victor grinned. "Elanor is head over heels for you already. She won't abandon you. Never!" Victor sure about it. The Elanor he knew was crazy about Jovan. She talked about him every moment she had.

"Really?"

Victor nodded. "Why do you think she would abandon you, just because she is close with her client? She won't do it." Victor was sure about it because Elanor was busy talking about Jovan whenever. He rarely met her before, yet thanks to Jovan he met her more often. And everytime he met her, she would ask him about Jovan. That was how the first few days after Elanor knew Jovan went.

"Ah… I see… I worry too much for no reason then." Now, Jovan was completely relieved. "Thank you, Vict. Anyway, I hope you and Eve have a good relationship as well."

"Hahaha.. Thank you…" It was Victor's turn to be awkward. He was still in an awkward situation with Evelyne since that night.

That awkward laugh of course caught Jovan's attention. "You hide something, right? Now, it's my turn to ask you. What happened?" Jovan was in serious mode, interrogating his friend.

"Uhh…. Well…. It's just awkward between me and Eve. Just it." Victor tried to stay calm and cool. Yet he didn't realise how red his face was.

"Awkward? Why? Do you fight?" Jovan frowned. This was his first time hearing that Victor felt awkward. Yet his reaction was different from Elanor, who teased him so much. Jovan was more worried.

"Ah… no… It's not a fight. How should I tell you?" Victor rubbed his head, thinking of a way so he didn't have to tell what happened completely.

"Just tell me. I told you mine, so you have to tell me as well!"

There was nothing Victor could do when his friend forced him in such a way. 'Is he well aware of what his face looks like? I guess I understand why Elanor likes him so much.'

Being weak with Jovan's baby-like face, Victor had no choice but to tell him about that night, when Evelyne confessed to him. He didn't hide anything from Jovan, including how he responded to her that night. At the end, his face was completely red, due to the embarrassment.

"Whoa… Vict! You finally told her!" Jovan looked so happy for his friend.

"Yes, but can you please keep it a secret?" Victor looked away, avoiding Jovan's eyes to hide his blushing face.