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The atmosphere in New York City was a little different than usual. The bright clouds with the sun beating down on them were now dark and moody. But even though it wasn't as bright as usual, Gabriella couldn't lie to herself that she was quite happy that her car had returned from the repair shop this morning. In fact, the vehicle that had accompanied her for several years was parked neatly in front of her boarding house.


A letter that read 'Thanks me later -Ken' and the car keys tucked into the crack of the door, slightly amazed Gabriella.

Instead of coming alone and putting on a confident face, Ken actually prefers another way. Which actually made Ken look cute in Gabriella's eyes.

The woman couldn't hide the smile on her lips since sitting behind the wheel. It had been a long time since Gabriella had been close to a man and fallen in love. Maybe about five years ago. Gabriella was still in college when her lover left her to be with another woman. Gabriella, who was still innocent at the time, could only cry over the departure of her lover with feelings of upset and anger, and then determined not to be easily approached by any man again before successfully graduating from college with the best results.


College was over, cum laude results were in hand, but the principle of the woman of Javanese descent did not change at all. Several times male friends approached her, but none of them managed to break through the high wall Gabriella had built. Gabriella was considered too cold and picky, but for her, all the men who were really good for her would be eliminated by themselves, and the best would come to her, even if it took a long time to wait for that to happen.

Gabriella put her foot on the gas pedal, driving the four-wheeled vehicle away from her boarding house.


If anyone asked why it was called a boarding house when it only consisted of one building, the answer was because it was a new building that the owner, Mrs. Hani, had built after her regular boarding house was full. Because of the high monthly rent, no one wanted to live there. Gabriella came with the intention of getting the comfort that she didn't get at home, specifically she also explained that she wanted a cozy boarding room and the new building was the solution.

Fortunately, Gabriella didn't mind the high rent compared to other rooms and moved in the day after the payment was confirmed.

At that time, Gabriella's salary was still very high and the pressure of work was not as severe. Life seemed perfect to her, but it only lasted for a few months.

"Dad, I'm out front. Can you come out for a moment?"

"..."

"Okay."

Click.

Gabriella pursed her lips as she reflected in the mirror, before her father's figure emerged from the doorway and distracted the young woman instantly. She smiled and quickly unbuckled the seat belt that protected her body during the trip, then got out with a bag of groceries in her right hand.

The car door closed as soon as her father arrived in front of her. Without further ado, he handed the bag of groceries to Rio. Unlike Gabriella's demeanor since her mother's death, Rio could feel the warmth radiating from his only daughter's aura.

"What's this?"

"This is food for papah. There are some snacks and milk for papah's children," Gabriella said awkwardly.

I don't know where the idea to buy the food came from, but Gabriella had never felt this comfortable before. Rio smiled bitterly as he accepted the plastic bag given by his daughter. He pursed his lips, then looked at the contents of the plastic bag. Just as Gabriella had said, the man with his thin body found some snacks that were usually very popular with children.

Rio looked up, his eyes sparkling with emotion. "Thank you, son. Nathan will love these treats from you."

"Ooh, his name is Nathan?"

"Yes, Nathaniel Hutama. Now that he's grown up, do you want to come inside and see?"

But the woman who was slightly taller than her father immediately shook her head no. "Elle has to go to work, Pah. It's a new job, it's not good if I'm late."

The man's lips rounded. Then, he nodded his head, signaling that he understood. "Well, I'll give this to Nathan, and again, thank you so much for caring about me."

Gabriella smiled and said, "In that case, I'll go first, Pah."

"Yes, son. I hope your work today goes well and you become a successful child."

"Amen."

Gabriella waltzed away from Rio after saying goodbye. Even though her heart still held old wounds, she chose to ignore them and keep her feelings to herself. She was even willing to sacrifice her ego so she wouldn't regret it later.

The car's engine was already running and the woman immediately backed up the car, making it onto a larger highway. From the rearview mirror, Gabriella could see her father smiling and waving at her. But the sight made her heart ache. Imagining that it could be her last meeting with her father only made Gabriella's mind wander.

There is nothing more painful than being separated by death. Because no matter how much we want to see someone who has died, we will never be able to.

The traffic light at the side of the road turned red. The vehicle Gabriella was driving slowed down, then stopped right behind the white marker line that was only a few feet away. The sobs she had been holding back broke out instantly. Her tears spilled out without warning. The harsh reality that she would be abandoned by her parents, the only family she had in the world, made Gabriella look at the world in a different way.

Luck was not on her side.

Tin! Tin!

The sound of a horn behind her made Gabriella realize that the lights had changed color. Some of the vehicles that lined up with her had already driven away. She wiped the tears away with a quick motion. Before finally taking hold of the steering wheel again and stepping on the gas down there.

The car, which was traveling at a moderate speed, finally made it through the crowded New York City and arrived in front of Ken's restaurant a few minutes later. Some of Ken's employees were already seen entering the restaurant, preparing to start their work. Meanwhile, Gabriella chose to stay behind the steering wheel for a while. She took a deep breath, then exhaled, then she did it repeatedly until she felt her emotions had left.

She had been emotional lately.

Her mental state was not good, this test was too sudden for her.

It took a few minutes until Gabriella finally re-polished her face with powder and pink liptint. She flashed a smile in the mirror, acting as if all the sadness had never been there.

"Okay, Elle. It's time for you to put on your mask again. Don't cry, don't let everyone know."

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