BEAUTIFUL

Together with Cloud, I boarded the horse carriage, which several soldiers escorted. We walked through the densely populated areas of the city. I saw the widening of the road and rebuilding houses of the people who had been evicted. Cloud gave me a plan.

"This is a city redevelopment plan. Residents' houses will be rebuilt to be tidied up. This construction will house the residents affected by the redevelopment in a large house located in the south of the city. There we will open a massive land. So that residents not only get new houses, they also get a salary from opening new land."

"You are kind enough to give work to your people, Cloud. Thank You." I was amazed by what he did.

"This is my responsibility, Ara. And I should be the one thanking you."

He smiled again, making my heart melt when I saw a sincere smile from him.

Cloud, please don't awaken the feelings I've been holding back.

I can't seem to see the look in his eyes. His blue eyes seemed to hypnotize me. I quickly looked out of the window.

Oh God, help my heart...

I saw him smiling to himself, then turned his gaze out the window, looking at the city's construction. His left hand began to reach my right hand, and he gripped it. The longer the grip, the tighter it feels. At the same time, his right hand rested on the side of the carriage window.

Cloud is still shy with me. Not like Rain, who is so aggressive. They are very different in terms of attitude and personality. But what I believe, no matter how strong they are, they are also ordinary people who need a place to lean on and anchor.

I enjoyed my trip with him. I just let what Cloud do to me, and I don't refuse. I enjoy this storyline, but I don't know where to take it.

A few hours later…

A few hours after seeing the progress of our big project, Cloud took me to visit a diner. When we got there, the shop owner warmly welcomed us.

"Go ahead, Prince Cloud. Please, Miss Ara."

The owner of the diner served us his special dish.

"Prince Cloud, I heard that you already have a partner. Is this Miss Ara?" asked the shop owner.

Errr…

I immediately turned to Cloud. Cloud seemed to smile and didn't answer.

"You are very lucky, Miss, to have a partner like this Cloud Prince. He is very protective of his people. We often get help every month, and it is Prince Cloud himself who goes directly to the streets."

"You praise me too much." Cloud looked at the tavern owner with a smile.

"I'm just telling the truth, Prince. May your relationship be blessed by the Almighty."

The shop owner then said goodbye and withdrew in front of us. Cloud seemed to be smiling to himself. It looks like I need clarity on what the shop owner said earlier.

"Clouds?"

"Ara, sorry. Maybe this surprises you."

"You mean?"

"Eat. We'll talk later."

Cloud asked me to eat my food before it got cold. He always keeps me in a loop of riddles that make me wonder. I don't know when Cloud will open the veil for me.

***

After finishing lunch together, Cloud took me to the harbor. We continue our work there.

I gave her a sketch of my kebaya dress design. He also gave suggestions and opinions about my design. Some I add, and some I subtract. Cloud certainly knows better about the taste of the fashion market in this country.

We sat together in the open space but under the roof. The sea breeze in the afternoon was getting stronger and stronger, making my hair roll untied. I tried to roll it back.

"It's okay, Ara. Just let it flow." Cloud said while sipping a cup of coffee.

I let it be swept away by the sea breeze while continuing my sketch of the design. I peeked earlier to see if Cloud always pays attention to me. I don't know what was on his mind, and I kept working.

"Excuse me."

A middle-aged man came with a violin in his hand. The man was wearing a black suit. He doesn't seem to be from the lower classes. Her clothes are so elegant and luxurious.

"Nice to meet you again, Mr. Mozart."

Cloud stood shaking hands with him. I also stood up and bowed slightly to the middle-aged man without shaking hands. Seeing what I did, Cloud was astonished.

"Introduce yourself, Ara. Mr. Mozart is a musician from another country who lives in this country. He is my friend and mentor in music," said Cloud, surprising me.

"You can make music?" I asked Cloud.

Cloud just smiled as he put his hands in his pants pockets. It was the middle-aged man who answered.

"If it weren't for Prince Cloud, I wouldn't be like this, Miss."

The middle-aged man added to my list of puzzles about Cloud. I'm curious what abilities Cloud has mastered so far. I turned to him, but Cloud just stayed silent. Meanwhile, the middle-aged man who claimed to be Mozart seemed to tell Cloud. I have an idea about my next show.

"Prince Cloud, how about we invite Mr. Mozart to the palace to fill the event at the show later?" I asked Cloud.

"It is an honor for me to be able to enter the palace, Miss Ara." Mozart put his right hand on his chest.

"Good idea. I'll reconsider later. But now, it seems that it would be better if Mr. Mozart accompanied us to dance."

"Dance?!" I asked, surprised.

"All right, Prince. With pleasure." The middle-aged man named Mozart complied.

"Come on, Ara. Dance with me."

"B-but…"

Cloud pulled my hand. He tidied up all the drawings of my designs and asked the guards to guard them. I invited him to the middle, to the wide field by the beach. Cloud wanted to ask me to dance. His hands wrapped around my waist.

"Relax yourself, Ara. And wrap your arms around my neck."

I complied with Cloud's request. Mozart began to play his violin. His tone was so gentle that it made me fall into the atmosphere.

Cloud looked at me deeply and made me unable to move. When I tried to look away from him, Cloud stopped him with his finger and asked me to look back at him.

The sea is now a witness between Cloud and me.

I enjoyed the notes that the violin played. Before I realized it, my head was already resting on Cloud's broad chest. Cloud didn't deny it either. He even held my head gently and stroked it. He let me enjoy the rhythm of his lyrical heartbeat.

Cloud, I...

I don't know why I can't resist this feeling. A feeling that now surrounds the heart and knocks at the heart. I felt helpless in front of him.

"Ara, you are so beautiful."

He complimented me with a sweet smile. I do not know what to say. He made my cheeks red, especially when he pulled me closer to his body. As if giving the code if I belonged to him.

Cloud, please don't be like this…