"Laura..."

Call Axel to the woman who is now sitting beside him. They are both at Axel's house at the moment.

"Yes, bee?"

"You owe me an explanation," blurted Axel.

Laura raised one eyebrow. "An explanation of what?"

Axel sighed softly. "Don't pretend to forget. You promised to tell me the reason why you always call me 'Bee' and not another name?"

Laura exhaled slowly. "Jesus, what was I thinking. Does it really matter that much?"

Axel nodded many times. "Obviously important! I thought I wasn't a bee let alone an insect. But why have you always been called by that name? I'm really curious."

Laura laughed at Axel's words. "Oh my gosh, the 'Bee' I meant wasn't a bee. You said you were smart, people like this don't understand!" Laura replied with a big smile.

"I really don't understand. So now explain quickly." Axel is impatient now.

"Bee means pet. You're my best friend, Bee," said Laura

Axel knit his eyebrows; from the look on his face, it could be seen that he was dissatisfied with the brief explanation given by Laura.

"So that's all it means?

Laura nodded. "Yeah, that's all."

Axel chuckled. "If you really love me, why don't you just call me 'darling'? It's much nicer to hear. For example, my dear Axel or my dear."

Laura laughed again. "Ish! I'm disgusted to hear that. Besides, if I call you honey, then the girls who are fans of you will run away."

"You don't just call me honey, they don't dare to come close to me," Axel replied with a face that was deliberately made sad.

Laura narrowed her eyes at Axel. "You speak unconsciously, Bee. Don't forget, all the boys who want to get close to me also run away because you hit everyone. You are worse!" protested Laura

Hearing Laura's words, instead of regretting Axel, he laughed. "If you want to be your girlfriend, I have to choose first. I don't want it, if one of them later hurts your heart!"

When asked why Laura is single, it's not just because Laura refuses but because not a single man has passed Axel's selection. In Axel's eyes, almost everything is flawed. I wonder whether Axel applied high standards or intentionally did it to protect his best friend from bad guys.

Laura snorted in annoyance. "That's the same until I'm old I'll be single, Bee. It's useless for me to be beautiful if no one wants to!"

Seeing Laura, who was upset, Axel looked closely at his friend and hugged her tightly. "Don't worry; I'm still here if no one wants you. I'll be your partner later." Axel replied while rolling his eyes playfully.

"You bum!"

Laura smiled imperceptibly when the memory of several years ago replayed in her brain. There is a feeling of joy, and there is also a feeling of bitterness. Happy because Axel used to be so protective of her. She was feeling bitter when doubting what the man used to say.

Bee.

If no one wants to be my girlfriend one day, are you ready to be my partner?

Laura laughs at her inner thoughts. It was too naive all this time to hope that Axel would come and make him the lover he had always dreamed of, even though he realized that Axel only considered him a friend, nothing more.

I should have never liked you, Bee.

We're just friends.

Nothing more.

I should not involve the heart in our friendship.

This is my fault.

It's not your fault that I like you.

"Laura!" Someone's call suddenly pulled Laura to wake up from her reverie.

"What the hell?" Laura protested to Ezhar, who startled her.

"That's your boyfriend who picked you up in front," Ezhar said, walking away.

"Damn You!" protested Laura.

Hearing what his brother said, Laura quickly grabbed the bag she had previously put on the table and rushed to the man who had picked her up. Outside, there was already Someone welcoming him with a smile. Then ask them to get into the car.

This is Asher's first time inviting Laura to dinner together. At first, the woman refused, but again thanks to Naina's help, Laura couldn't help but refuse Asher's invitation.

"Laura, just accept Asher's invitation for dinner. How long are you going to keep closing your heart? Give other people a chance to stop by your heart."

"But---"

"There are no buts," interrupted Naina. "Now, quickly reply to the chat from Asher. Say you agree to go have dinner with him!" Naina's orders seemed not to be denied. He knew Laura would find a thousand reasons to refuse Asher's invitation. But Naina will not allow that. For some reason, Naina felt that Asher was the right man to accompany her best friend. That's why he desperately tries to get closer to the two people.

Laura is stunned to remember Naina's words. This friend of mine is right. Laura had always been so self-conscious that she wouldn't open her heart to anyone other than Axel. When Axel left, he locked his heart even tighter. Laura is a little forced to obey Naina's orders.

"Sorry if you waited long." Asraf opened the conversation while staying focused on the car he was driving.

She smiled. "No, it's normal. Besides, we're not in a hurry either."

Asher smiled and then returned to the topic of conversation. He thought he was getting smart now to break the ice. Even before this, he was known as an introverted man who was cold and also quiet. But for Laura's sake, he is willing to lower his ego so that the woman beside him can feel comfortable. The proof, the woman is now drifting into the light conversation without realizing that their car has been parked perfectly in the restaurant yard.

Asher got down and immediately reached out his hand after helping Laura open the car door.

"Thank you gentleman," said Laura.

Asher smiled, and then they walked side by side into the restaurant.

There was already a table that Asher had specially reserved for the two of them. The position of the table is correct, facing the view of the city of Jakarta at night.

"Thank you Laura." Asher opened the conversation when the two of them were already seated.

Laura raised one eyebrow. "Thanks for what, Ash?" she asked, confused.

"Thanks for taking me out to dinner." Asher threw a smile at Laura. For a moment, Laura was lulled by the smile Asher gave her.

Try to open your heart, Laura

Give another man a chance to enter.

Don't be because of Axel, you close and lock your hearts.

Suddenly, Naina's words replayed in Laura's mind. The woman immediately returned Asher's smile.

"What do you think. It's just dinner, so you don't need to thank me. If I can, God willing, I'll accompany you."

Asher gasped at Laura's answer. "Does that mean it won't be a problem next time if I ask you out again?"

Laura smiled again. "Bastard jump." sneered Laura in a joking tone. While Asher then laughed at the answer his interlocutor made.

It took them quite a while to enjoy this dinner. Occasionally laughter would accompany their conversation.

"I asked you to walk like this, no one is angry right?" asked Asher suddenly.

Laura averted her eyes. He took the glass of drink in front of him and spoke. "Relax, my bodyguard is tame." then the woman took a sip of the drink she held until she was empty.

Asher chuckled at Laura's words. Then the man leaned forward. "So you already have a bodyguard?" asked Asher while raising one of his eyebrows.

Laura nodded.

"I have. That's what opened the door for you when you picked me up earlier."

Again, Asher laughed at Laura's answer. He knew that the one who opened the door earlier was Laura's older brother, Ezhar Maliq. Asher could tell because the man called Laura before entering; he introduced himself first.

"That means if you want to ask you out you have to ask his permission first?" asked Asher to make sure.

"No need, it's just that if you mess with me, he will be the first person to kill you."

The two of them drifted back into laughter and conversation until the dinner process seemed to end just like that. As soon as he left the restaurant, Asher immediately intended to take Laura straight home. But he remembered something he should do in the middle of the road.

"Laura, we stop by the hospital for a while is it okay?" Asher asked while still focusing on the road in front of him.

"Why? Do you have something to take? Or did you miss something?" she asked.

Axel nodded. "I forgot to bring medicine and vitamins for Mrs. Veronica. It was Doctor Robert who left them for me. Do you mind if we take them and take them to Axel's house first?"

Laura was silent momentarily; she did not immediately answer Asher's question. His mind was busy considering whether to agree or reject Asher's invitation.

"Yes, let's take it first. Who knows Mrs. Veronica will need the medicine."

After hearing Laura's words, Asher quickly directed his car toward the hospital and immediately went to Axel's house.

Arriving there, Laura hesitated to get out of the car. He just wasn't sure about his feelings when he met Axel again. His mouth says he can, but his heart and eyes sometimes betray.

"Laura..." Asher scolded. "Why are you staring? Do you want to come in or just get in the car?" he asked.

"Hmmm... I'll just go with you inside."

Then Laura followed Asher's steps to enter Axel's house. When Asher pressed the bell button, not long after, a household assistant appeared who opened the door and invited him to enter.

Inside the house, Mrs. Giselle was seen busy reading a book in the living room. Realizing that there were two guests she knew very well, Giselle rushed to her feet and approached them.

"Asher...Laura..." said Giselle.

Asher and Laura immediately approached and shook hands with Giselle.

"Where are you from? Have you eaten? Mommy is cooking briyani rice today."

Asher shook his head slowly. "No need Mommy, we both have already eaten. So Mommy doesn't need to bother. Asher just wants to deliver Mommy's medicine and vitamins," Asher said at length.

In the middle of the conversation, the man Laura avoided the most finally came down from the second floor of her house. He quickly stepped closer to Laura's position.

"Laura, how are you?" say hi, Axel.

Laura nodded, "Thanks God, i'm fine, Bee."

"Oh yeah, can I talk to you for a minute? Just a minute." Laura was silent again; a feeling of confusion was overtaking her. Should he accept Axel's invitation to chat for a while?

Before Laura could answer, Asher took over the conversation.

"If you want to chat for a while, just leave first Laura. Who knows there's something important that Axel wants to talk about."

No, Ash.

You don't know anything here.

You don't know that I avoid Axel.

"Come on, Laura. Just a moment. This is important," whined Axel. At the same time, Laura looked back at Asher. He even hoped the brown-eyed man would forbid him from going with Axel.

"You just chat with Axel first, meanwhile I also want to go to Daddy Khalid's office. I have something to ask about the hospital."

Laura sighed softly after hearing Asher's words. Like it or not, he accepted Axel's invitation to speak briefly. So Axel took Laura to go to the park near his swimming pool. They both then sat down in one of the chairs available there.

"Laura, you mad at me?" asked Axel.

Silenced in confusion, Laura deliberately averted her eyes from Axel. I don't know what wind made the man ask that.

Laura stared into Axel's face.

"Angry, why, Bee?" Laura whispered.

"Twice you met, you seemed to avoid. If I did make a mistake, please forgive me. I don't know where I went wrong if you kept quiet and avoided it.

When she heard Axel's words, Laura's face turned panicked. A momentary sense of guilt crossed his mind. Occasionally he felt that he was the one who was exaggerating to avoid Axel, even though this man didn't understand where he went wrong.

"I'm not avoiding you, Bee." Laura finally opened her voice in response to Axel's words.

"Is it true?" Axel inquired.

Laura nodded. "I'm sorry if my attitude made you confused and uncomfortable---"

"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry to you. Can we be friends again like before?"

Laura stared into Axel's face; there was sincerity and guilt in the man's eyes. Now he must steady his heart. Will he be able to accept Axel back to be his best friend?

Laura.

make peace with your heart.

Forget Axel.

Even if one day he comes back, Yes, already.

Just think of him as a friend.

You don't need to hang your heart on a man who doesn't love you.

Laura remembered Naina's words again. In silence, he considered Axel's question. She was trying to act appropriately.

"We will always be friends forever, Bee."

Laura smiled at Axel.

"Just so you know, ten years apart, during that time I also tried to find you. You can ask Mommy how bothered I was to look for you first."

"What are you looking for me, Bee? I don't owe you anything." Laura tries to be as normal as possible to Axel. But who knows if his heart feels squeezed at this time.

Axel chuckled at Laura's words.

"Once again, please, if I'm wrong, don't disappear like before."

Laura nodded, and not long after, Asher and Giselle came to the two of them in the garden.

"Are you done talking? It's late, I have to return other people's girls on time," said Asher.

Axel smiled and nodded. "It's done, Ash. Now you can take it home."

Then Laura rose from her seat and approached Veronica. "Laura said goodbye first, Mommy."

"Next time, if Mommy misses you, can Mommy ask Axel to pick up Laura?"

Laura was silent for a moment, but before long, she nodded. "God willing, if Laura can, Laura wants to." Veronica then hugged Laura's body before the woman said goodbye to her presence.

"Oh yeah, Mommy forgot." Veronica suddenly said, breaking her embrace.

"Next week, Damian is holding a wedding reception, you have to come. Mommy wants you to be in the family line. Later Mommy will order Axel to deliver a uniform for you to wear."

Laura nodded again in agreement. After all, there was no way he could refuse Veronica's request. Seeing her hopeful face, how could Laura say no?

"Yes, Mommy. Poor Asher, he's been waiting for Mommy not to finish talking. Later Ezhar will surely grumble if his sister is returned late." Axel reminded.

"How could Ezhar dare to be angry with Mommy. In the past, when he was naughty, Mommy was the one who always helped him talk to his Papa and Mama," replied Veronica.

"Asher and Laura say goodbye first, Mommy. Later we will stop by again sometime. Mommy don't forget to take your medicine."

After saying goodbye, Asher accompanied Laura to return to her house immediately. While Asher focused on the car he was driving, Laura just sat silently while squeezing his fingers. He took a deep breath and kept his face as normal as possible until he went home.