DRIVING ME CRAZY (ENGLISH)

CHAPTER 15 : Invitation

"Come to my birthday party." Caroline handed over a thick printed paper with beautiful pink gold ink and a dark red ribbon to Mikaela. "And you, too." Caroline also handed one to Tiwi.

This morning Caroline contacted Mikaela to invite the girl and Tiwi to meet, as well as lunched on their day off. Caroline planned to invite Mikaela to come to her birthday party. Since Tiwi was Mikaela's best friend, Caroline deliberately invited Tiwi to come together.

Tiwi was both amazed and happy to see the luxurious invitation now in her hands. She could not believe that Caroline would invite her. This was Caroline, a beautiful young doctor with a myriad of achievements that were often talked about by people on the internet, Caroline who was the fiance of her boss as well. Tiwi could not imagine how lively the birthday party of Caroline and the people who came must be people from the upper classes, Tiwi already had a plan to target one of them later. Who knew one of them could be her lover.

Tiwi's arm was touched, she looked to her side and found Mikaela's face giving the code as if she was reluctant to accept the invitation.

"Is it okay for you to invite me?" Mikaela forced a smile.

"Why not? You're my friend." Caroline answered casually while eating her chicken steak.

"I just feel like I'm from a different world from you." Mikaela felt inferior, she scratched the back of her neck that was not itchy.

"What did you say, Mikaela? All my friends are the same."

Mikaela imagined how glamorous Caroline's party would be, which might be filled by people from different circles. The party did not suit her.

"Is it okay if I come?" asked Tiwi who finally felt uneasy because she wasn't too close to Caroline.

"Mikaela's friend is my friend too."

Tiwi shook her legs with excitement. "Mrs. Caroline is very kind." She couldn't wait to come to the party that Caroline was going to make.

"Give me back my invitation." Caroline pleaded suddenly to Tiwi, offering her hand.

Tiwi laughed. "I am just kidding." She knew that Caroline disliked being called ‘Mrs.’

"So you will come, right?" Caroline asked again to be sure.

"Of course!" Tiwi answered confidently.

Caroline looked happy. Although she was a popular woman, but in fact Caroline did not have many close friends. She only had a few friends who were professionals and former school friends.

"Thank you for inviting us." Mikaela smiled happily, she was uneasy if she had to reject Caroline's invitation. After all, Mikaela could see how Tiwi's radiant face got the invitation, indicating that if her friend was very happy, how could Mikaela be able to refuse it?

While Mikaela still wondered how she would face Darren, she would surely met Darren at Caroline's birthday party. Whereas since the last two weeks she had never had a face to face meeting with Darren because the man went to Thailand to take care of his business. Mikaela did not want to think if Darren had avoided her because of what happened that morning, Darren always disappeared after what he had done. But again, Mikaela was very grateful for that.

***

Thailand, 8:12 Am

Daffa put her cellphone on the table again after receiving a call. He was staring at the pool from the back porch of Darren's villa. His twin really had a good taste, Darren had a very beautiful villa in Thailand. The private villa that Daffa was occupying now.

After a week had passed, Daffa finally agreed to take Shine away on vacation, this time not to Japan as he had promised, but to Thailand. They went on three of them, Darren also went with them two weeks ago because he was taking care of their father's business in Thailand, once two oars and three islands were exceeded. Daffa also took care of his family's business while taking Shine on vacation.

Daffa was relaxing after swimming in the morning. Darren intentionally left him with Shine at the villa, while Darren preferred to stay at the hotel.

Actually it was useless for Darren to leave him alone with a purpose. After all, he would not do anything to his wife as Darren wishes. Would never. He loved Shine like a brother who loved his sister, and he would look after Shine until there was a right man who truly loved Shine and could replace him looking after Shine.

"Daffa."

The girl's voice called out to him. Daffa turned, watching Shine stroking her long wet hair using a towel. Shine just took a shower after waking up.

"I am hungry." Shine whined as usual.

"Then eat, they have prepared food for you." said Daffa softly. Every day the workers at Villa Darren always prepared food for them.

"I don't want it, I just want to eat your cooking, and eat with you."

Daffa stood up from her bed, while justifying the kimono attached to her body. "OK." without much protest he put his arm around Shine's shoulder and led her to a dining table not far from where she was relaxing.

On the table there were butter toast, jam, some eggs, some vegetable salads, fruits, juices, milk and coffee. Everything was complete and beautifully arranged. But it did not make Shine hungry at all.

"Look, I'm tired of eating this all every day." Shine pouted, she sat in his chair annoyedly.

"What do you want to eat?" Daffa held Shine's shoulders from behind.

"Your fried rice." asked Shine, looking up at Daffa.

"Alright, I'll make it after I put on the clothes." Daffa tried to obey what Shine asked

He went to his room, of course, a separate room from Shine's. He who asked to sleep separately, while at home they also slept separately.

Daffa remembered Caroline's call, who invited Daffa to her birthday party next week. Daffa was confused between asking Shine or asking the girl to return to Indonesia.

Daffa took his favorite blue shirt and immediately put it on, Shine would grumble if Daffa left it too long. Typical Shine, Daffa smiled remembering that childish girl. Sweet sister.

"You took a long time."

Right? Daffa could already guess, that was the sentence that Shine would say when she saw Daffa come out of her room.

"You're overreacting honey, I only changed my clothes for five minutes."

Shine still strangely watched Daffa step closer, making Daffa chuckled. He hurriedly took a pan and some cooking utensils. By utilizing the ingredients available in the fridge, he would make the fried rice he used to make for Shine. Shine's favorite fried rice

Maybe Daffa would invite Shine to Caroline's party, because Caroline actually also invited Shine. Although a little troublesome for Daffa, but there was no harm if Daffa brought Shine, because what public knows was that he was Shine’s husband.

***

"When are you coming home, honey?"

A spoiled voice from the other side made Darren even miss Caroline more. Every hour, his fiancé called him only to ask when he would came back home. Even though Darren had many things to do.

"The day after tomorrow I'll go home. Is there anything you want?" Darren asked, offering gifts, which even though Caroline did not ask, Darren usually would always brought her expensive items.

"I just want you."

Darren laughed in response to Caroline's answer. He knew that Caroline couldn't wait to have her birthday party coming soon. As in previous years, Darren always prepared a lavish party for Caroline.

"You were there a long time, what are you doing actually? Are you looking for a beautiful girl?" joked Caroline.

"Hmm maybe, there are a lot of beautiful girls here, making me confused." Teased Darren.

"You have to see the contents of her underwear first, make sure she is really genuine or not, otherwise you can be fooled." Caroline's chuckle sounded.

"Ah, so you allow me if I see their pants?"

"Yes, after that I will throw you into the lion's den."

"I miss you."

Sentences that Darren was sure would make Caroline speechless. And Darren was right, Caroline was silent for a long time.

"You are a liar. If you miss me, you will definitely go home as soon as possible, not linger there." Caroline said finally.

"I'll be back the day after tomorrow, and we'll get your party ready as soon as possible."

"Is it true?"

"Are you doubting me?"

"Sometimes you deserve to be doubted given your busy schedule, considering you prefer your job rather than me." complained Caroline, who this time was truly revealed from the heart.

"I'm sorry, I'm really busy." Darren sincerely apologized.

"Alright, I'll forgive if you hurry go home."

Although Caroline said as flatly as possible, Darren knew there was a tone of happiness in it.

"Yes, honey, can I hang up? I want to do something now."

"Right? I just said it."

Darren laughed. "See you soon."

A short kiss came from Caroline and the woman hung up the phone.

Darren looked at his cellphone for a long time after Caroline disconnected. He did have business affairs in Thailand, but his departure was not just to take care of it. The truth was , he wanted to avoid Mikaela.

Seeing the girl's gaze, it really made Darren weak, and forgot his grudge instantly. He could no longer be influenced by Mikaela, in his eyes, in his fragrance that had been opium for Darren. Bright hazel eyes that could manipulate Darren with her innocence.

He was weak and really hated those eyes. Darren would not be fooled for second time. The girl was just impersonating innocently to trick her and Daffa. And Darren was really going to destroy it one day, until the girl begged him.

Unconsciously, Darren squeezed the paper in his hand, until the sound of a knock knocked his reverie.

"Come in, please."

The rental detective had arrived.