I'm not his lover

I'm curious. There was a sense of disappointment sticking out of myself who realized that I wasn't on the list of people who could be a backstop to Ace's problems. I tried to accept this reality by pulling and exhaling slowly. I need peace of mind. Don't I have no right to be angry? I'm not his lover.

Ace took a long time until finally said, "I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to bother. I'll tell you the details later. Now I hope you can focus on our destination here. Sorry if I ruined the atmosphere."

I was eager to shout, "Why do you think I'm going to bother? Of course not!"

But I finally gave up on those words. I also don't want to make the atmosphere worse even though I know Ace revealed the death of his father because Ace subconsciously wanted to talk about it. Ace wanted to express his sadness. Now, Ace is holding back as well. So I decided to respect his wishes.

It is different from when talking about the café construction plan. His eyes became brighter. I think Ace found a new life here. As a person who also wrote novels, I became delusional that the construction of the café was related to his father. I think there was something of a business idea and it had an emotional closeness to his father.

Ace explained the ins and outs of the exterior details to me. Ace said he was inspired by minimalist style only. Ace wants his café to look striking in a simple way from the outside. It's something that sounds paradoxical in my head. Usually, something striking has an eccentric design, for example, Victorian, Gothic, Fantasy, or extreme industrial style. But Ace chose minimalism? I don't imagine the outside will look eccentric just with the concept of minimalism. I replayed the sketch of the exterior drawing of his café in my mind. I know why I can't feel that such a design would be striking. There is a difference in experience in design between me and Ace. I'm back to being a minder.

"I don't understand the exterior design and interior, Ace, it's not too late to find new people to help you," I said when Ace stopped talking and I expressed my concerns.

I'm afraid, my lack of experience can ruin the mature design. I was worried that my lack of experience would take away the value of the art that should have been there, just because I couldn't see it or feel it. I understand Ace doesn't want to just create a café for business. The goal is more than that. Since I realized that implied purpose, I was so worried that I would ruin everything.

Ace looked at me with his gentle gaze. I was a bit surprised when he did. What does that gaze mean? Is he calming my heart or is he convincing me that I can? It's new to me, it's hard for me to believe that I'm capable.

As a Freelancer, I consider new opportunities that have promising future opportunities, but I also have to be rational, not carelessly take on projects. If it's something I really can't, it's better not to force myself. There was a precious experience that made me realize that I shouldn't have done something that wasn't mastered. I still have a lot to learn.

"You doubt again?" Ace asked, his face serious.

I frowned. "I would love to take this opportunity. I can get a different experience than I usually have, but usually, I just string together words, never build buildings," my trembling voice clearly expressed my fears and doubts.

"I didn't tell you to understand the details. I'm asking you just to photograph the progress. Report it to me every day," Ace said, still in a soft voice as if guiding a new child into the world of work.

I looked at Ace, trying to take his trust.

"I have explained everything to you. You know, I chose you because you're sensitive like this. I can be sure that you are the right person for me to trust."

Ace's voice made my heart warm. My confidence increased.

"Well, you finally smiled. Please, don't overthink. I've explained the technique and you understand, so just do it. All you have to do is follow the instructions," Ace said and his gaze affected me.

I snorted. If everything could go as easily as Ace calmed me down, then everything would go perfectly. I knew there would be obstacles and fear of facing obstacles that I couldn't predict.

"I knew there would be obstacles," Ace said. I jumped on hearing his words because Ace seemed to plagiarize my mind.

"But I don't want to retreat just because of those obstacles. I believe all obstacles can be overcome. Your presence on this project will help me overcome those problems later."

How can my existence here solve these problems? He is very confident. I was amazed at his positive attitude.

Ace turned to me, smiled, and said, "I leave the vanguard to you."

My heartbeat fast after hearing his words. The look in his eyes went directly into my eyes, making something that had never surged in my chest rise. It's like there are drums and drums raised.

Someone ran around a little behind Ace. My gaze fell on him. Because I was distracted, Ace followed my direction of view.

"It's a construction foreman, his name is Bayan. You can call him Mr. Bayan," Ace said.

Mr. Bayan was wearing a baseball cap, brown plaid shirt, jeans, and sneakers. Mr. Bayan smiled. His gaze fell on Ace.

"Why not tell me that you have arrived? I saw the back area there. I watched from afar, I thought it was just a passer-by. After a while, I just realized that this is you, sir," said Mr. Bayan in a friendly voice.

It's funny to also hear Ace called sir. Ace's age is much younger than Mr. Bayan's age. Ace looks suitable to be his son.

"I'm sorry sir, so it surprised you," Ace said.

"No problem," Mr. Bayan replied. "And what brought you here?"

Then Mr. Bayan looked at me. "Is she the one you appointed as the deputy?"

Ace nodded. "That's right, she's the one sir. So every day she will come here and see how it develops."

Mr. Bayan nodded. We then got acquainted briefly. Talk for a while then discuss the café project more seriously. Mr. Bayan took us to the rest area of the artisans. The resting place is very simple, made of a triplex.

I was more of a listener in this first meeting. They discussed the project for an hour. After that, Ace took me to dinner. Ace chose a restaurant that Barack Obama had visited.

"I want to try their colorful rice. The portion is enough for three to four people, so it can't come alone. The rice must be left a lot, and it's not good," Ace said as he parked his car.

"We are also just two. Do you think we can spend it? Obama came with his family and enjoyed it with his family."

"I'm sure because we missed lunch," Ace said, his gaze making me feel like I was being perceived as a woman who could eat a lot.

"Damn it! My appetite is not like that!"

"Oh? Let's see," Ace kept teasing me.

I'll prove that my appetite is not what you imagined.

"By the way, this is the first time we have eaten both of these things," Ace said, his eyes staring at various places. Ace explores the sights and architectural arts of the restaurant. Semi outdoor restaurant design. There was a small pond of goldfish swimming around not far from us. The scenery provides an infinite landscape. There are the tops of the Prambanan temple can be seen from the point we are at.

"Yes yes. We never eat when we meet. At most drink coffee and you smoke as long as we talk," I said. I am also interested in the scenery around the restaurant. There is Mount Merapi like a background that was deliberately created just for restaurants.

"This place is special, hopefully not just because of the scenery," I said.

"I agree. Hopefully, the taste of the cuisine is also under the reviews," said Ace.

I nodded. Ace reminds me of reality, certain reviews are deliberately ordered to improve marketing. The restaurant chose a well-known public figure like Barack Obama and quickly became famous. Sometimes this type of marketing is not comparable to the taste.

"If it wasn't comparable, I would never come back again," I muttered.