PART 34 ~ JUST KIDDING

Twenty minutes passed, Erland still couldn't find Briel. He was tired and feeling restless at the same time.

'What happened to her now? What if she got bullied by those thugs? What am I going to explain to her father? ' mumbled Erland.

Erland had searched every end of the traditional market building but he could not see where Briel was. Erland didn't even bring his mobile phone. He forgot to bring it.

"Hey, monsters!" said someone.

Erland turned around, he was flabbergasted at the figure in front of him.

"Oh, you so care. Come here, bring these groceries. My hands are sore," said the person as she handed a plastic shopping bag large enough to Erland.

Erland ignored the plastic. He looked suspiciously at the person who was none other than Briel. Erland was surprised because Briel didn't look scared. Erland also didn't see Briel's messy appearance.

"What happened to you?" Erland asked curiously.

"What could have happened to me? I'm shopping, here are my groceries," said Briel calmly as she showed her the large red plastic.

"Really? Then, what do you mean by saying you were bullied by thugs?" Erland asked, his clenching his fists.

"Ha-ha-ha..." Briel laughed loudly, making Erland's body stiffen. He just realized one thing, he had just been fooled by Briel.

"So, do you believe it? Oh, or are you here because you were worried about me after hearing what I said? You idiot, I was even joking, but you took it seriously. I was just kidding you to get you to come for taking this groceries--" Briel's words stopped when Briel realized Erland was looking at her unusually.

"That's enough! Whatever happens to you, don't ever contact me again. Even if it's the truth, I won't care!" shouted Erland full of annoyance right in Briel's face. It made Briel's body stiffen.

"Are you angry? Why? I was just joking," said Briel in shock then chuckled awkwardly.

"Listen to me, even if you are threatened, or even if you are raped, I will never care about you! Don't ever bother me again! Waste of my time!" Erland growled and left Briel just like that.

Briel's heart skipped a beat. She only intended to prank Erland so that Erland would come to her and help her carry her shopping. She didn't expect Erland's response to be so unexpected. Isn't Erland's anger too much? thought Briel.

'Why is he being so serious? He couldn't tell which one was joking, and which one was serious. He's too old-fashioned, and takes everything seriously,' thought Briel in surprise.

'Ah, these groceries, who will bring it? Why did he leave? It sucks!' Briel grumbled.

Briel will take the groceries to the car first because she doesn't see Erland's mother. Briel decided to wait for Erland's mother in the car.

Arriving at the parking lot, Briel did not find Erland's car or Erland there. She looked around, maybe she remembered wrong even though she was sure that Erland's car was parked where she was currently standing.

'I remember, he parked his car here. But, where did he go? Did he go from here? ' mumbled Briel as she remembered the last time she got out of the car when she arrived at the market.

Briel took her mobile phone. She called Erland's but until the waiting tone ended, Erland didn't answer the call. Briel tried to call Erland's for the second time, and again there was no answer from Erland. Briel growled, she was annoyed that Erland ignored her.

'Is he a man or a woman, anyway? Just being bullied like that is already angry. How dare he leave me here, when his mother is here too!' Briel grumbled.

"Briel!"

Briel turned around when someone called out to her. She saw Erland's mother approaching her with plastic shopping bags in her hand.

"Why are you here?" said Erland's mother.

"Um... That, I didn't find mommy in the market, so I decided to wait here," said Briel.

"Where's Erland?" asked Erland's mother.

"I don't know, I came here but his car is not here," said Briel awkwardly. Briel knows why Erland left her and his mother in the market. Erland must be angry after what happened.

"That child, just waiting for a moment, but he has left his Mommy!" said Erland's mother, annoyed.

"Yes, I have. I will call a taxi, maybe Erland has important business at the office," said Briel.

Erland's mother sighed. What Briel said might be true, that's why Erland left first.

They returned home by taxi.

*** Time passed, the taxi that was carrying Briel's mother and Erland finally arrived at Erland's residence. Briel saw Erland's car parked in the garage of the residence.

Erland and Briel's mother got out of the taxi. Briel helped Erland's mother carry the groceries and put them in the kitchen.

"I'm going to my bedroom first," said Briel and hastily left Erland's mother who was still in the kitchen.

Briel went to her bedroom. She didn't see Erland. However, as soon as she entered the dressing room, Erland was seen coming out of the bathroom.

"Hmm... How dare you leave your mother and me at the market," said Briel.

Erland didn't say anything, he went to the closet and took his clothes. He's getting ready for the office.

Briel clenched her fists. Erland didn't answer her words. Normally, Erland would reply continuously when she spoke. Looks like something's not right, thought Briel.

'Is he still angry? ' thought Briel.

'Ah, whatever if he's still angry. What do I care about him? Wouldn't it be nice if he didn't talk much? That way, he won't spoil my mood,' muttered Briel and went to the bathroom.

Erland's mobile phone rang, Erland took his mobile phone and answered the call.

'Yes, hello? ' said Erland.

'I've found the interior designer you asked for. She is my friend. Are you busy this morning? She happened to be free, and was able to meet you,' said the person who was none other than Erland's friend.

'Tell her to come to my office at lunchtime. This morning, I have work,' said Erland.

'Okay, I'll tell her. '

'Yes, thank you,' said Erland.

'Wait a minute, are you alright? ' asked Erland's friend.

'Yeah. If nothing else, better keep your mouth shut!" Erland said and ended the call.

Erland started to put on his clothes.

Without Erland knowing, in the bathroom, Briel was quietly listening to what Erland had to say.

'Looks like he's not mad at me. Even to other people, his attitude is very cold, isn't he? Yesterday he talked a lot because something was wrong with his head. Maybe, while on a business trip he hit his head,' murmured Briel.