Black Box

Chap. 3

I pushed open the door and was stunned, finding...

My father was standing in front of the door with his hands in front of his chest. His eyes looked at me investigating.

"What are you doing late? Instead of coming home late, it's better not to go home." he said coldly. His tone didn't go up, but it was a sign that he was angry.

"D-Dad ... I just bought some brushes and acrylic paint on the market this afternoon ..." I answered timidly, not daring to look him in the eye.

"Oh? Is that so? If you only buy acrylic brushes and paints, then why are you coming home so late? Who brought you home to the yard earlier? What makes you smile in the yard of the house? "Asked my father, buying up all the questions that were on his mind.

"Dad, he's my friend ... I was just-" I interrupted.

"No excuses! I want you to stay away from him. Don't meet him."

"But-"

"No buts! Anyway I asked you not to see him again. Even if it wasn't on purpose, or what, I don't want to know."

I was silent and grunted harshly. I don't care about my father who is angry Then walk towards the room. I slammed the bedroom door shut.

"Julie!"

"You heard what I said! Don't ever see him again!" my father said behind my door.

"Tch! You think you can manage me to your heart's content?" I grieved, then muttered with an exasperated heart.

I actually have the same traits as my father. I would be angry if I found something I didn't like in someone I loved. I also have a short temper sometimes. And lastly, I am as stubborn as him.

I took out the acrylic paint and brushes that I bought earlier from the paper bag.

I started pouring some acrylic paint on the palette, preparing the canvas, brush and rag to wipe the brushes.

I started playing with my brush and paint on the canvas. Shedding all the emotions that fill the recesses of my heart. I make abstract paintings with a combination of various colors. Reflecting my mixed emotions.

Indeed, it will leave the impression of a painting full of emotion for those who can read paintings, but it is still a beautiful painting.

When I was satisfied playing with the paint and brushes, I went out of the room and prepared dinner for my father and me.

A few moments later, we were done eating. I went to sleep. "Dad, I'll go to bed first. Good night." I said goodbye before entering the room.

"Hmm ... Good night." he replied.

In the morning, 08.00 ~

I opened my eyes to smell the eggs and fried sausage and toast. I got up to sit, then took a deep breath.

I immediately got out of bed, and walked to the kitchen. I saw my father was struggling in the kitchen using armor aka apron, and his sword aka spatula. He used the lid of the pot as a shield which protected him from the splash of hot oil.

Actually, I want to laugh at this sight. Look! He is like a cat who is afraid of being splashed with water.

"Dad!" I called out to him while walking quickly towards him.

"Geez! Why are you dressed like this, Dad? Come over it. I'll do the cooking! Dad, you go take a shower first." I said while taking over the spatula my father was holding.

"Hmm ... Alright." he answered, then took off the apron he was wearing and put the lid on the pot in the sink. Then immediately passed from the kitchen to the bathroom.

Indeed, in this house only me and my father. Where is my mother, I will tell in another episode.

After a while, we have finished breakfast. It was 8:23 a.m., I remembered my promise yesterday and immediately went to the bathroom to clean myself.

Before leaving, I said goodbye to my father.

"Dad, I'm going to the flower shop first ... I don't know when I'll be back." I said.

"Hmmm ... Okay, take care." he nodded, his eyes could not be separated from the newspaper he was reading.

I own a flower shop, sometimes I go there to help my employees serve customers. I can make a flower bouquet, arrangement, or herbal concoction from medicinal leaves.

But of course this business is not the backbone of our family's economy. My father opened another business in this village which even had a branch in a neighboring village.

When I get to the fountain downtown, I haven't seen Romy's whereabouts. For me, I understand. Because I arrived at 08.50.

But, not until five minutes of waiting, the tail of my eyes caught his figure who was wearing a dark brown coat, combined with a white turtle neck knit shirt and brown cloth pants.

He was walking towards the fountain while carrying two glasses of hot chocolate that he had just bought.

Indeed, the weather here is cold, because it is autumn. Well, it looks like he hasn't noticed me yet.

"Hey Romy!" I greet him.

He, who felt his name was called, immediately cast his gaze around him looking for the source of the sound.

"Over here!" I waved to tell my position.

After knowing my position, he walked towards the park bench provided around the fountain.

I moved closer to him, then sat beside him.

"Here," he said, handing a glass of hot chocolate in his hand.

I accept it.

"Thank you," then took a sip of my hot chocolate.

"Been waiting long?" I asked Romy.

"Not really," he replied, glancing at the watch on his wrist.

"I waited about three minutes." he continued.

"Oh... I see... So, what's wrong with you asking me to come here?" I ask.

"Oh, yes, wait a minute," he took a small notebook from his pocket.

"Here, please write down your full home address on this paper, I will also give you my home address," he tore a piece of paper from his notebook, then handed it to me.

I took a pencil from my jacket pocket, then wrote him my full address.

After we finished writing each other's addresses, we exchanged the papers we were holding.

"Oh, yes, Romy, I think I should tell you this,"

I turned next to me to see if he heard or not. Romy also looked at me, as a result, we sat face to face.

"Romy, I was forbidden by my father to meet you. With the reason that I have been arranged, and he strictly forbade me. I do not know what will happen to me if I caught seeing you. Earlier I argued that my father went to the flower shop to meet you here." I explained at length.

He seemed to be thinking.

"Hmmm ... What if you want to see me, you send a letter via the post office. Send it to the address I wrote there. But you have to send a letter at least one day before the day you want to meet me. How's my idea?" he gave an advice.

"We could, but .... We shouldn't be caught by my father. OK?" I responded to his suggestion.

"OK!" he agreed.

"By the way, I don't know why you asked me here?" I reminded him.

"Oh yeah, thank you for reminding."

"Here," Romy handed me a plain black box.

"What is this?" I asked while looking at the black box in my hand.

"Just open it,"

My hands are itching with curiosity, immediately opened the box. I was surprised to see the contents of the box.

"Hm? What's this?"

INTERMEZZO

Julie: Romy...! Yuhuuuu....! 😯

Romy: *😴😴😴

Julie: Roooomyyy...! Yuhuuuu...!!! 😯

Romy: *😴😴😴

Julie: Heyyy...! Roooomyyy...! Here *****, *****, *****...! 😽 Yuhuuuu...!!!

Romy: * Wake up. Gosh ... Why are you so loud, Julie? 😑 Just because it's behind the scenes, you act arbitrarily, huh ... 😕

Julie: Hey...! 🙄 The one who acts casually is you... You're the one who slept like a buffalo from earlier ...! 😤

Romy: Oh yeah? I forgot... Hehehe... 😅 I'm sorry. So, what are you calling my name for? 😕 You miss me, right? Awwwwhhhh... My Julie loves to miss me .... 😚

Julie: Duh... 🙄 Since when have I been like that. Author! How much did you make my sin so I could meet a creature like this? 😵

Author: Hahahah... Please take care of your Romy first, then you can count how many of your sins are one by one. 😁

Julie: Huuuhhhh.... You're not helping at all, Author...! 😤

Author: Of course! I'm not your maid...! Hehehe... 😋

Julie: Haaahhh... Never mind... 😔 I'm lazy about dealing with these two annoying creatures right now. 😒 So, 'till here first, viewers...! See you next chapter...! 😄

Author: Wait, wait, wait... What did you say Julie...? Hmmm...? TWO SICKING CREATURES ?! 👿 I will removed you from this novel 😈

Julie: Aaaahhhhhh....! 😱 Audience....! Help me...! 😫

Author: I won't let you run away... Kikikikik.... ~ 😈

Julie: Whoa, wait, wait, wait... 😐 If you delete me, then who will be the female lead ...? 😕

Author: Oh, yeah... I forgot... 🙁 Well... I'll let you run this time. 😒

Julie: Yeaaayyy.... 😄 I'm free....! 😌 Bye-bye, viewers....! See you next chapter...! 😄 Love you all...! 😘

Author: Until now, viewers! 😁 Wait for the next chapter. Stay loyal, okay? And stay tuned...! Good bye...! 😘

Romy: So girls ... I was forgotten, huh? 😔

Author+Julie: Oh, heheheh... No, really... 😁😁

Romy: So...? Why am I being left alone...? 😞

Author + Julie: Hehehe... 😁😁 It's because you were forgotten...! Ekekekekek... 🤪🤪

Romy: Sob... 😢 Duh... you have no heart... 😢 So, viewers, please bring my Julie and this weird Author back on the right path... Until here, bye, viewers...... 😢👋

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