Chapter 5 The Owner

Having no direction but being forced to keep going.

That's how Elaria had always been. She kept going wherever she was forced to go by circumstances but she never found the right direction for her. All the directions she had traveled so far always made her tired.

Recently, their financial condition has been deteriorating. There were no sales at all at the flower shop even though they had been very active in creating promotional content on social media.

Because of such circumstances. They choose to work harder.

Chinar started working part-time at a bar at night. Sky works at a café from morning to noon. Elaria was still accepting modeling jobs. The timing was erratic but she never missed an opportunity.

Elaria stretched her stiff muscles. She had just finished her work. Elaria looked up at the sky. The rainy season will soon be over. Elaria didn't have to fear the rain anymore.

"I want to stare at the vehicles that keep crossing this road every day." Elaria stood up as she savored the iced coffee she had gotten from work today.

"This coffee is refreshing. I feel better after drinking it." Elaria smiled slightly. Her gaze did not leave the vehicles that continued to cross the road tonight. The highway was crowded but not jammed. Perhaps not many people were out and about today.

"Where's my cell phone?" Elaria looked for her cell phone in her bag. Elaria froze when she saw the limited edition umbrella in her bag. Elaria hadn't found the owner of the umbrella after a month had passed.

Elaria visited the building where she met the umbrella owner several times but she had yet to meet the man.

"It seems like he never came to that building again," Elaria said. She sighed. The longer she kept the umbrella, the more troublesome it became. Elaria felt like the umbrella was a burden to her.

How could I not. The umbrella is limited edition. If it was lost, Elaria would be held responsible.

"Let's try one more time. If I don't meet him . I'll throw away this umbrella. Come on, the burden of my life is already too much."

Elaria chose to cross the road. Towards the bus stop. Elaria would visit the building one more time.

"Come appear beside me once again. I want to return the umbrella that made my life heavier."

The lobby was very crowded tonight. It's confusing because it was after work about an hour ago.

"Staring at their busy lives makes me feel like I'm far behind. This is not a race."

"You don't have to worry Ela. You'll find your own way one day." Elaria smiled. She stood quite far away from the lobby of the high-rise building but her gaze did not leave it. Elaria really hoped to find the person she was looking for even though she couldn't clearly remember the man's face.

Elaria stood there for a long time. One by one, the people who filled the lobby slowly left in their luxury cars. Elaria's hopes of meeting the owner of the umbrella slowly vanished. There was no easy way for her.

"What should I do with this umbrella?" asked Elaria. She looked down at the umbrella in her bag. It felt very heavy to keep this umbrella all day. Elaria just wanted to return it to its owner.

"God, please just make things easy for me this time. I can no longer afford to keep this umbrella." Elaria looked up at the sky. Hoping desperately for a miracle to come her way. Elaria stood there for almost an hour. The lobby was so crowded that there was no one there. Elaria's body was tired but the person she was waiting for did not come.

"It's very difficult to find." Elaria straightened her bag. Preparing to leave the high-rise building but just as Elaria was about to leave. A car pulled up in front of the lobby. Elaria narrowed her eyes.

Elaria's heart beat much faster. Her hope returned. When she saw who got out of the car. Elaria's smile was perfect. Her prayers had been answered. Elaria saw the owner of the umbrella.

"Elaria, your burden will soon be gone." Elaria stepped quickly towards the lobby. The man's personal assistant had already left with the car.

"Sir." Elaria shouted for the man until she was finally able to stand before the man with the same perfume scent.

The man gave her a confused look. Elaria tried to smile.

"Sir, sorry to interrupt your time for a moment." Elaria opened her bag and took out an umbrella. "I'd like to return this umbrella." The man looked at her expressionlessly. Elaria was suddenly nervous but she still tried to act calm.

"You lent me this umbrella one month ago in this lobby." Elaria tried to help the man remember everything to no avail.

"The point is that this umbrella belongs to you. I want to return it."

"I don't use things that have been used by others."

The man continued on his way but Elaria blocked his way again.

"I know. I was late returning this umbrella. I've come to this building many times in one month but I never found you. Please accept the umbrella back."

"Don't you need to trouble yourself over an umbrella?" the man asked. Elaria's eyes widened. She stared at the man in disbelief.

"Just an umbrella?" asked Elaria.

"That's right. Just an umbrella. You don't need to spend your time on it."

"But the umbrella is a limited edition," Elaria muttered.

"Stupid."

"I just want to return this umbrella. You know the burden on my life has increased because I have to keep this umbrella. I can't keep it anymore. Please take the umbrella." Elaria looked down but she lifted the umbrella higher and higher.

"Please sir, take back the umbrella." Still in the same position.

"Do you like the umbrella?" asked the man whose name Elaria still didn't know.

"I didn't even dare to wear it after I found out the price. Sir, please take back the umbrella." Elaria looked at the man pleadingly.

The man was still staring at her.

"My name is Danesh." Elaria's eyes blinked a few times. She couldn't understand why the man suddenly told her his name.

"Remember my name well so that it won't take you a month to return the umbrella."

Elaria pressed her lips together. Suddenly feeling embarrassed.

"Sorry, Mr. Danesh. I will remember your name. But please accept the umbrella. I have to leave soon. I have to catch the last train," Elaria said. It was getting late. It would usually be difficult to get a train.

"Okay. I'll take the umbrella since you insist on returning it."

Elaria breathed a sigh of relief. Danesh took the umbrella.

"What a relief. Mr. Danesh, thank you for your help earlier. I take my leave. Thank you." Elaria bowed her head a few times then ran out of the high-rise building with a relieved smile on her lips.

***

"Since when does an umbrella look so attractive to you?" Danesh turned his head. Staring at Galih, his personal assistant.

Danesh picked up the umbrella and put it on the table.

"Wait, isn't this the umbrella you lent to the girl in the lobby last month?" Galih looked at the umbrella intently.

"You do know my things very well," Danesh replied. He sat down on the sofa.

"That girl came back to return this umbrella?"

"Hm."

"Why did you accept it? Aren't you not going to use things that have already been used by others?"

"Who said I would wear it? Please help me to throw it away." Danesh smiled wryly. A smile full of darkness.

"What would you take it for if you're going to throw it away?"

"He forced me to accept it."

"You can ignore it.

" Danesh loosened his tie and got busy with his cell phone.

"I'm sure it's an attractive girl."

"Quite interesting."

"You want me to look for him?"

"No need."

Galih sighed. He thought Danesh would start dating but the man seemed to have no interest in romance.

"You're too old to live in this penthouse alone."

Danesh looked at Galih casually. "I'm still not interested in marriage. It's a waste of my time. Besides, my house doesn't feel lonely even though I'm the only one living here."

"Since when do you know your house isn't lonely?"

"It's been a long time. I'm really enjoying my life." "Your boring life?"

"You're the boring one. Hurry up and leave my house!" Danesh gave Galih a sharp look.

"Of course I'll go." Galih got up from his seat.

"Tell me if you want to know more about that girl. I'll find her."

"Not needed. You can leave now."

"Boring!"

Danesh just stared at Galih without interest. Being in a relationship with a girl was too time consuming anyway. Danesh didn't want his life to be wasted.

He is more interested in doing business and conducting profitable negotiations. Every second he has in his life is money.

"Ck, he forgot the umbrella." Danesh looked at the umbrella lying on the table. Danesh picked up the umbrella. Staring at it for quite a while before it finally ended up in the trash.

Danesh's principles have not changed. He will not keep or use items that have already been used by others.

"Troublesome."