Merlinda (Ranging Back)
One Step

The rest of the sadness still lingers. The boisterous sound did not echo so much at the large dining table, even though it occupied more than ten people there.

After the return of guests from New York, the situation there is far in contrast. Much more silent. The return of those people, or indeed because of the mood of the people themselves.

No excessive joking. Green enjoyed the dinner quietly, holding the body of his sleeping daughter. The little girl was a little fussy tonight with her body temperature slightly hot. Maybe because he was exposed to the beach wind for too long this afternoon. And that's Green's biggest reason, not to focus on flirting with a newlywed couple. After the last one this afternoon, he caught a red stain on Elin's neck and made the owner leave with a blushing face.

While Nathan sitting by his side is busy facing his laptop, so is Alfin.

The two brothers were frowned upon by work without waiting for them to return to Jakarta or until they finished this dinner.

As for Amel, the woman was no longer as happy as before her pregnancy. Her fussy lips were like she was currently insyaf. He was just busy chewing the piece of fruit in front of him and the cold drink, had to be very cold. In his glass must be filled with piles of ice cubes, or he will not touch the drink. Or vice versa, must be a very hot hot drink.

If Naina says. Mother only wants to drink water that has smoke.

So was Daniel, he was also busy with an ipad in front of him. And once every few minutes he took the time to turn his head, making sure the woman beside him did not enjoy dinner with a pouting face. And after that he always felt like he was the luckiest guy. Throughout, the woman by his side continued to throw a smile without protest, with her hands ready to move feeding back into her mouth, every time she finished chewing and swallowing the food.

Elin only listened to the conditions before him, occasionally looking at the group of middle-aged men who were busy chatting. Although their personnel had also been reduced after the return of Mr. Green and Amel this afternoon. And also Larry this morning, the middle-aged man is now officially part of the group of parents. A different social life does not make it unacceptable there. Reymond and Banyu asked him to join when they found out the man existed, even though he first refused, because he was not confident enough to join them.

Then then look again to the group of middle-aged women who are cool talking about the original pearls produced by the Bali sea, which they got this afternoon. Only Mala did not connect so much, the middle-aged woman only smiled whenever Wilna called them so lucky with what they found, and only spoke when her iron, she said, take him to that conversation.

Looking at that made Elin smile, Her mother was indeed too simple to be between the two middle-aged Women.

He really doesn't like this atmosphere. It was too quiet for those who were gathering, but every time he wanted to start a conversation to get Green and Amel to talk, he remembered the little girl who had fallen asleep in his mother's arms, is sick and will definitely come back fussy if you wake up. So Elin undoes her intentions.

His eyes were now focused on looking at his sister-in-law who was sitting before him. The dark blue eyes of the woman looked sad, her bright face also looked riled up. And he seemed unable to get away from the flat object that repeatedly rang.

Elin guessed, maybe it happened because he did not find the man next to the woman.

" Meil ? "

" Hmmm ", Meili looked up from the phone screen.

" Where is Jerry ? "

The woman nodded, then shrugged her shoulders, "i don't know either ".

" He hasn't come back since noon ? " green said chimed in and Meili nodded. And then Elin realized her guess was wrong. Her sister-in-law was not exchanging messages with her schoolmate and she again saw Meili busy with flat objects, looks complicated. Even his eyebrows were clinging to each other.

" God forgive me Meili" said Alfin suddenly. Everyone looked over, including Amel, though she was busy sipping kiwi juice in the glass she held with both hands. Cold smoke billowed before his pale face.

" Jerry said he had a job all of a sudden. Actually he wanted me to tell you, but I forgot "clearly Alfin, who was smiling grimly afterwards.

" You are "attack Amel, while throwing a small blow at his arm.

" I forgot my darling "

While Amel was just silent, with a stiff smile. Elin saw clearly the missing eye syrup there. But it seemed like the flat object that kept sounding averted that thought.

Naina's small body has now moved into Nathan's arms. And everyone was enjoying the dessert, even though the three middle-aged women had bailed away from the dining table, before the dish came.

And before leaving Wilna tried to bring her only grandchild. It would be two if the one in Amel's stomach was born.

But the little girl immediately cried, knowing not in her mother's arms. " Let him here bun" said Green to take over his daughter.

" But you're gonna be tired of " said Wilna, staring worriedly.

" There I am Mother. We'll take turns after I finish "Nathan said chimed in, before his wife could talk.

Except with the two of them, their daughter was really not being wanted with anyone, even with her own nanny.

" Don't stay here too long" Wilna warned, before finally leaving the dinner table, with Viona and Mala.

" that Jerry came "calling Nathan. Everyone looked over Meili was no exception. Even the woman looked over faster than everyone there.

" Where have you been ? " excuse Green, as Jerry gets closer, "Meili is fretting, because you don't exist.

Meili's pupils dilated right then and there. Jerry who had just pulled the chair from next to him immediately turned his head, "are you really restless without me" he said smiling. Only the cheeks were getting flushed, responding to his question .

" Yes he's not calm because you don't exist" Elin said.

" You seem to have agreed with my brother-in-law Lin "Reply Jerry laughed, and managed to get Elin to throw a sharp glare at him, "not really", she said embarrassedly.

While Green was already laughing, with restraint not to make a big sound.

" It all depends on Meili" said Elin again.

And then Jerry turned to the woman again, "have you eaten ? " he asked slowly and so gently.

" Hmm. "reply Meili nodded.

Jerry shook his head, "no, I'm too quick to get here" he said, which sounded full of intrigue, but it was the truth. He left the dishes after meeting with his business partner. Drive the car quickly to get to where it is now.

Meili was silent for a moment, though she could not hide her blushing face due to the words and gaze of the man beside her.

Daniel and Meili's hands were simultaneously raised, waving at the one servant standing at the entrance of their place.

Elin turned to her husband, "do you need anything, baby ? ".

Daniel shook his head, "Hasn't Jerry not eaten yet, it means we have to order another dish "he explained. Everyone smiled hearing that, and a little looked in wonder at him. Though since then the man still continues to dwell on the ipad in front of him and only look for a moment, when his sister's fiancee came, but it turns out he listened to all the talk.

Jerry was smiling the most at the time. Realizing that his sister-in-law would be paying attention to him, "thank you sister-in-law" he said. Even though Daniel only answered by nodding. Meili immediately lowered her hand when she realized she was losing quickly to her own brother. But when the waiter came, he was the first one to go.

" You want to eat something ? " he asked shyly to Jerry.

" Anything you ordered "said the man.

Meili's cheeks were completely flushed at that moment. And lucky to be faintly visible by the light of the little candle that was arranged along the dining table, "you want some crab soup ? " ask again.

" Anything you ordered "Jerry said again repeated the same sentence. Meili returned a glance, then turned back the menu book in her hand. And not long the waiter left.

" Tomorrow you guys so go home to Jakarta" said Jerry starting the conversation.

Almost everyone nodded at the same time, "Are you not coming ? " ask Alfin, while closing the laptop in front of him.

" No brother, my work here has really piled up "he said, and at the same time everyone is looking at Meili, who is now throwing a surprised look at him.

" I forgot that you work here" Green said, and Jerry nodded.

" So you're not going to Jakarta anymore ? " typical Amel. The tone is more squeaky, maybe cut fruit and ice cubes have managed to make it more energetic.

A pair of blue eyes waited impatiently for that answer. However, for a moment Jerry was silent, and then sighed, "please pray that I can steal some time to go home, even if only for a day" he said seriously, then turned to the woman next to him. It turned out that the woman turned her face away quickly.

" Project ? " ask Daniel suddenly. Jerry gasped and then nodded, "yes brother "said.

Green laughed amusedly hearing Jerry answer Daniel's question in a condescending tone.

" How long ? ".

Jerry gulped, "it's in the finishing stages, so I can't leave it again ".

" After that ? " ask Daniel, who was now looking more seriously, and everyone who was at the dinner table, now staring at the focus of the two men's conversation.

" In consideration. The Impestor wanted to start a new contract for his new project here" Jerry explained, hiding his nervous death at the time. How not, he was being asked a question by a big businessman and also his sister-in-law. If the boy wants to marry her later.

" Don't connect the contract again" said Daniel, his eyes looked serious than before, even now, he had shifted the location of the iPad in front of him.

and at the same time the waiter came, bringing the dish that Meili had ordered.

While Jerry was still silent, with a gulp back.

" Do you still have another project contract ? ".

" There are some who have gone, but just a little project "said Jerry with a little laugh, to not make him too nervous.

Daniel nodded his head, "don't make another new contract" he said firmly. Everyone really listened to the conversation, Meili was no exception.

Not yet Jerry speaking, Daniel has started to move his lips back, "I'm going to divert the big project that's here for you to handle" he said.

Once again Jerry gulped at that moment. He was not prepared to nod and was also not brave enough to shake his head. Even though it was deep in his heart he was really happy. That means a sign that his place is rising one step closer to being in the conglomerate's family. At least in the eyes of the man, he was no longer a stranger.

" Yes Rem. it should be your big project here someone handles it directly" Nathan said chiming in and Alfin nodded along.

" Is this not excessive, brother ? " said Jerry ventured, "I'm not yet a bagia... "

" You like my sister ? " cut Daniel. His eyes were staring with demands. And Meili immediately turned to him at that moment.

" Certainly "said Jerry without a doubt, "even very much." he continued and he did not hesitate to return Daniel's gaze.

" Good, means nothing superfluous" said Daniel who again shifted the iPad to his face.

Elin slightly shuddered with her husband's attitude at that moment. His gaze and speech were full of firmness.Different far when with him, gentle and very spoiled.

He looked closely with a hand that touched the man's arm gently. And raised a sweet smile, when the man looked at him.

Jerry could no longer speak in his place. Then he slightly snapped, as Meili shifted the food dish in front of him, "eat "the woman's pinta. And he nodded.

A few seconds later, Meili's phone rang. Still eating his food Jerry turned to him and right then he found Meili was rejecting his call, and the woman smiled blandly when she realized his gaze.