Chapter 3 3 Bad Mood

Aldrich was annoyed because his main goal was to go to Laura's house to discuss his thesis which was stuck, but there he seemed to be being urged by Laura's family to immediately marry Laura.

Even though he loved Laura, that didn't mean he had to get married young right? Aldrich still wanted to go on an adventure and pursue his dream as a famous singer with his band, and even one day he wanted to become a solo singer who went international.

Aunt Georgia did have a past with former band members at that time, so it indirectly affected Laura's thoughts on her relationship with Robert.

After Vienna asked Aldrich to marry Laura next year, suddenly his mood became bad. When he was invited to have dinner with Laura's family, he even refused the offer and immediately said goodbye.

"Aldrich, dinner is ready. You eat together with Uncle and Aunt here," said Wallace.

"By the way, thank you for the steak," said Vienna.

"You are welcome, Auntie. I'm sorry, I didn't know that Auntie also likes to eat steak."

"It's okay, I know you're trying to get Aunty Georgia's attention, she's being cold to you because you're in a band."

"What the hell, Sis. My past has nothing to do with my attitude towards Aldrich all this time." Georgia dodged.

"It's okay, don't talk about things that have passed. It's better now we eat together while Aldrich is here," said Wallace, interceding with Vienna and Georgia's conversation.

"Hmm... I'm sorry, I can't come to dinner because I have an appointment with my friends at Neptunus Café." Aldrich rejected Wallace's offer.

"Why suddenly? I still want to talk a lot with you." Wallace's face looks disappointed.

"Yeah... it's... impromptu, just now I was on WhatsApp with my friend." Adrich lied.

"So what? You don't want to ask me about the thesis?" Laura asked, she was trying to keep Aldrich in her house.

"No, I'm going there to meet Mr. Nino, the Manager of Neptunus Café. Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, I will come here again, really."

"But it's true, don't lie. Your thesis must be released quickly, so we can get married next year." Laura winked at Aldrich, she was so excited every time she said the word marriage or engagement.

"I'm not lying, really. By the way, are you going to campus tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow I am going to campus, but it's a bit late because my lecturer has class at 10."

"Can we meet at 9 am in the library? Or in the cafeteria, I have something to tell you."

"I'll tell you later, Aldrich."

"Okay, then I'll go first. Uncle, Aunt Georgia, Aunt Vienna, I'll say goodbye. Thank you for inviting me to dinner here."

"You're welcome, Aldrich. Greetings to your parents and your younger siblings," Vidya replied.

"Yes, Auntie."

"Laura, you take your boyfriend to the front and lock the fence," Vienna ordered.

Laura answered Vienna with a nod, then escorted Robert to the front of the house and locked the gate.

"I will go back first, see you tomorrow morning," said Aldrich to Laura.

"Okay, see you tomorrow." Laura smiled, but Aldrich didn't smile back.

After that, Aldrich got into his car and quickly left Laura's house, his heart and mind confused because those words still ringing in Aldrich's ears.

He felt the need to talk to Edo at the Neptunus Café, so Aldrich didn't go straight home but went to a café on Green street.

******

Wednesday, August 22, 2020...

Tonight the atmosphere on the highways in Jakarta was busier than usual, even though Aldrich had passed the toll road, it still took about fifty minutes to arrive at Neptunus Café.

Meanwhile, Edoardo Nathanael was still on his way to the café. Edo was happy because Aldrich invited him to hang out where they often gathered, besides that the topic of their conversation later was Laura, a woman whom Edo secretly admired.

A few moments later, Aldrich first arrived at Neptunus Café, he parked his car in front of the lotus pond under the cafe window.

The lotus pond is a sight for visitors to just take a selfie or enjoy the coolness of the cold pool water.

Not long after Aldrich entered and took a seat in the corner of the room, he called the waiter to bring him the menu book.

"Waiter ...." Aldrich waved at the waiter who was standing next to the cashier counter.

Then the waiter immediately approached him at table number 10 while bringing the menu.

"Yes, Sir. What do you want to order?" asked the friendly waiter, she gave the menu book to Aldrich.

"Just a moment, Waiter."

Aldrich opened the menu and searched for his favorite food and drink slowly.

"I ordered Beef Bulgogi 1, Tteokbokki 1, and Ice Cappuccino 1."

"Okay, I repeat the order, Beef Bulgogi 1, Tteokbokki 1, Ice Cappuccino 1. Any other additions?" asked the waiter.

"Nothing, that's all."

"Wait a moment for the order, Sir."

"Yes."

While waiting for the food and drinks to arrive, Aldrich sent a message through WhatsApp to Edo.

[Where are you? I arrived at the café.]

Drrtt ... drrtt ....

[I am still on my way. It's really jammed, wait for me ok?]

[Yes, hurry up, I'm waiting.] Aldrich replied to Edo's message.

After texting with Edo, suddenly he remembered his promise to Andy to ask about the schedule for the next Green Grey Band gig at the café. Aldrich then called another waiter who was bringing drinks to the visitors at the table no 5.

"Waiter ...."

The waiter turned to him as Aldrich waved to the waiter. After serving drink to the male visitor, the waiter approached Aldrich.

"Do you want to order, Sir?"

"No, I just want to ask, is Mr. Nino there?"

"Do you mean Mr. Calvino West?" asked the waiter confused.

"No, but Mr. Gionino Patrick. The manager of this café" explained Aldrich.

"Oh sorry, I'm the wrong person, I think Mr. Calvino ... he is also called Nino," explained the waiter.

"Oh my! How come the calls are the same? So Mr. Nino is there or not?"

"He happened to be out of town, Sir. He was temporarily replaced by Mr. Calvino, the son of the owner of this café."

"Is that so? Thank you for the info."

"You are welcome," said the waiter friendly and polite.

******

It didn't feel like the minutes had passed quickly, but Edo had not yet come to the café, while Aldrich 's order was ready and being ushered by the waiter Aldrich's table.

He was forced to eat the food alone because his stomach felt hungry. Should Aldrich fulfill Vienna and Laura's request who asked him to get engaged this year and then next year get married when he wanted to become a famous artist like a British boy band?

Married young? It never crossed Aldrich's mind that his main goal in life was not just getting married and having children, there were still many things that needed to be accomplished and managed by Aldrich.

******