DEALLOVES
28 | Engagement

That afternoon Dera was still busy with her work in the office as a secretary. He was checking some important documents before he later gave them to Nanda.

In the midst of his busy life, suddenly there was a knock on the door.

"Yes, comein!" sahut Dera from within.

A man opens the door and enters Dera's room. It was the CEO who came.

"Dutch?"

"Dear, ehm-you're busy, huh?"

"Lumayan."

Nanda was closer to Dera's position now.

"Splitting.. I really want to show you something."

"Oh yeah, what?"

"Sorry Ra, but I think you need to know about this, too." Nanda handed over a card like an invitation.

Dera also put the document that he had been holding onto his desk and turned to see something given by Nanda. As soon as he opened it and read the contents, he was completely speechless. Like just the tightness that felt in his chest right now. Because the card he holds and he sees today is an invitation to Al and Natasya's engagement.

Nanda hugged Dera's shoulder from the side and rubbed her gently. He knows now Dera must be feeling bad.

"Ra, are you okay? Yes, you missed him!"

"..."

"Darling?"

Dera was like trying to hold back the cry that should have flowed from her eyes since then.

"I'm-I'm gapapa kok Nan."

Nanda also brought Dera in his arms. Dera could only accept that and muttered inwardly.

"Dera, what is it about you? You should be smart! Now that Al can be happy with his own life, he has moved on from you. He found the best choice of his heart according to the wishes of his parents. Then what else? Maybe you should also be happy with the good guy who hugs you now."

"Darling, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ruin your mood today. But I can't possibly not tell you. The show's tomorrow's malem."

"Would you like to come to the show?" tanya Dera was still in Nanda's arms.

"They've invited me in particular, there will also be many of my clients. Actually if I have to come, I want to invite you to make my damping. But, if you mind, we don't have to go there."

Dera also released Nanda's embrace.

"We can come there anyway" said Dera loudly.

"Are you sure? Are you sure of gapapa?"

"Manda.. I'm gapapa. We have to respect the good intentions they invite us, right?"

"But, I just don't want you getting sicker if we go there later. If you can't, don't make it, darling. It doesn't matter if we don't come."

"I promise. I'll be all right, Nan."

"Okay, it's up to you."

---

The next day, after finishing work at the office, they were preparing to attend the event.

That night Dera looked so graceful with her pastel-colored dress, as well as her long hair that was neatly carried. Natural makeup makes her face more radiant and fresh.

Nanda's gaze could not change since he first saw Dera's appearance at that time.

"Come on Nan, I'm ready."

"It's not a dream, is it? I can see the angel in front of me now."

"Nan-"

"You're so beautiful this malem is Dera. I'm sure, even you'll be prettier than the one with the show."

"You like to overdo things when you praise people."

"It's just you to do it."

"OKAY. We're leaving now, right?"

"Yes Beautiful. Come on!!" Nanda held Dera's hand to her car.

They finally reached the venue. The Al family rented a luxury hotel specifically for the engagement. Actually Al also certainly felt forced to live it all. But Al probably had no other choice.

Dera and Nanda entered the venue. It looks beautiful decoration, full of flowers, but still looks elegant. All kinds of decorations and furniture arrangement make the event seem more luxurious. There were also many important people present.

"Dear, how? Do we stay here or do we go home now?"

"Manda.. We just got here. Masa' do you want to go home again? I'm Nanda's gapapa."

Nanda's hand couldn't even escape Dera's waist. He has been holding Dera ever since.

Shortly after, a client approached Nanda.

"Sir Nanda, you came too?"

"Ah yes Mr. Doni. We haven't seen you in a long time."

"Yes. The last time I remember it was that meeting time in Lampung. It was a few months ago. Long time."

"Oh yeah. That's right, sir."

"You didn't come alone, so there's already a suitable option. Pretty girl next to you this-"

"I forgot to introduce him. He's Dera, my secretary."

"Secretary?"

"Yes.. My secretary and lover."

"Gee.. I have guessed. It can't be just a secretary. Looks like Mr. Nanda is also a victim of love location yaa."

"A little more so, sir. You yourself come alone or ...."

"Oh, sir."

"I'll excuse you first."

Dera and Nanda continued to tour the hotel enjoying the party atmosphere. Nanda didn't let Dera be alone or bored.

"Dear, what if we go there? Not too rame there. I know you're not the one who likes crowds."

Dera nodded as well.

When Dera followed Nanda, her eyes met Al's eyes on the stage, accompanied by Natasya. Their gazes were like hinting at each other's turmoil.

"Darling, are you here? Why do you have to be here? I can't do this in front of you, honey." muttered Al inwardly.

"Al why you?" ask Natasya.

"Swort.. You sure we should do this? I swear I can't Nat, I can't, Dera's there."

"How else is Al? You can't ruin this show either, right? We can figure out our next plan after this. We're just fiancee now anyway. This isn't a marriage."

The guests alternately approached Al and Natasha to congratulate him.

"Dera, will you wait here? I want to meet them first, and say congratulations and love our gift to them. After that, we can go home."

"Nan, I'm coming with you."

"What's? You certain? Honey, you don't need-"

"I'm sure. I'm gapapa. I have to congratulate them too, right?"

Dera and Nanda meet Al and Natasha together. Nanda did not forget to still not release Dera's hand from his arm.

The atmosphere began to tense when the two couples faced each other.

"Mr Al Putra Darmajaya, I congratulate you on your engagement. May you be given a smooth running until the wedding. I hope also after this you remember not to disturb my lover anymore. Oh yes, this is a small gift from us." said Nanda confidently.

After that it was quiet. No one spoke until Dera opened his voice.

"Congratulations Al. I'm looking at you now."

Al shakes. He also spontaneously grabbed Dera's fingers and held them tightly.

"Ra, you know what? I don't want us to be like this at all, honey."

"Help Al, take me off!" Dera tried to release his hand from Al's grasp.

"Take off Dera now!!" Nanda pushes Al and forces his hand to slip from Dera's.

"What's your problem??" al's wrath on Nanda.

Natasha tried to calm Al down, "Udah Al. Enough's enough! You can't be rash."

"Let's go, baby" Nanda grabbed Dera and took Dera away from there.

After some distance, Nanda now looked at Dera deeply.

"You're gapapa?"

Dera.

Nanda held Dera so tightly.

"Nan, I'm gapapa."

Nanda let go of his embrace and turned to grab Dera's face to get closer to her. Instantly Nanda's soft kiss landed on Dera's lips.

They didn't realize that Al was still watching them.

In the middle of the kiss, Dera still had time to talk to Nanda.

"Nan, there are a lot of people here."

"I know, sweetheart. So why? They're not gonna kick us out now. They know we're a couple."

"Ehmph-but Nanda-"

Nanda let go of her kiss and clasped Dera back tightly. He inhaled Dera's neck deeply, feeling Dera's body scent slowly.

While Al who witnessed the sight had felt the wrath to the crown. He does not accept other men touching and even fondling his favorite girl. Al's hand had even been clenched. He cursed and almost approached Dera and Nanda.

"****! Fuck the people!" Al almost moved.

"Al, where are you going? Inget Al, don't look for a fuss here!"

The intention of Al was prevented by Natasha.

... ... ...

Nanda tried to calm down Dera who was being hit by the current turmoil. In his arms, Nanda said, "We can go now, we don't need to stay here for long."

Nanda takes Dera out of the hotel where the event is. Arriving near Nanda's car, Dera suddenly releases Nanda's armband.

"Darling??"

"Nan, I-" Dera's tears began to flow.

"R.. Honey, are you okay?"

"Sorry-your-name"

"Whether??"

"Nan, can you stay with me now? I'm going to be alone."

"God. No Ra, I can't possibly spare you by yourself right now."

"I beg Nanda. Please.."

"So. I can't, honey. It won't."

Nanda was back to Dera. Dera was crying in Nanda's arms.

"It's OK. You can cry as much as you can in my arms whenever you want, Dera."