C1

Monday morning is always a busy morning for everyone who works in an office. Especially for the customer service division at AD(Adepoju olaoluwa) Group of companies engaged in exports and imports and so many other businesses. Some are busy answering the phone while some are busy dealing with consumers who come in.

Suddenly the sound of a loud desk bang on one of the tables made all eyes on the table. The sound of customers' thunder booming made everyone feel disturbed.

A customer urges to return the package in the form of a bag that he has received. Arguing that the bag arrived when his wife was at home and because of that, his wife was furious with him.

"Are you looking down on me? Why can't I ask for the goods to be returned ?! I paid you not to create trouble for me! I told you that bag was for Grace, why did you send it to my house ?! ” the middle-aged consumer snapped

"Sorry, but it's not our fault, sir. We only ship items according to the address given to us by you sir. " The employee replied with a forced smile

"Then, do you mean it's my fault ?! Anyway I want to return it and you have to apologize to my wife. Because of you my wife is furious and wants to kill me! ”

" But that..."

The employee stopped talking when a man wearing a suit gave a signal with his hand and approached the customer who was complaining.

" Sorry, Sir. I'm Alex and the manager here. Can I help you?" said Alex politely

"Good you came, I want to return the bag I ordered for Grace. You sent it when my wife was at home and now my wife is furious. " Said the customer

"Sorry, sir, but the package that was received cannot be returned. What about this sir, you send us a new address to send the package ?. So we will take the package from your wife and apologize stating we are mistaken for sending the package to the wrong address. " Said Alex giving a solution

After thinking for a short time the customer finally agreed and gave a new address. The problem was resolved well in the hands of competent Alex.

" Thank you sir. For helping me deal with those fierce customers. " Said Liza who was previously overwhelmed by the fussy customers.

"It's okay, it's not a big problem. Just keep up the hard work. " Said, Alex

Alex returned to his office. He immediately starts working on the documents that are piled up on his desk.

After completing his work, Alex then raised his head and lean his back on the chair. The sound of incoming messages from his smartphone caught his attention. Alex also reads incoming messages from his high school classmate's chat group.

A reunion invitation from a classmate was the topic of conversation in the group chat. At first, Alex was not too interested and just slide down the screen of his smartphone lazily. Until finally a name appeared and caught his attention.

"Precious is coming!" Sent by one of his friends

That short sentence makes Alex immediately stood up while holding his smartphone with both hands. Alex also smiled broadly and his eyes shone brightly as if something amazing had happened.

Precious, is the main character in Alex's life. A girl whose every step is always followed by light.

Like everyone, Alex also has a secret love story that is stored beautifully in his heart.

 An unspeakable love.

 Like a secret admirer.

***

At that time Alex sat in class 2 high school. Alex used to have a geeky look exactly like a bookworm. Someone who is not stylish and wears tacky glasses and always brings books wherever he goes.

People like this always crave peaceful school life and graduate without problems, but they never get that peaceful environment they want. Because there will always be school thugs who like to disturb the peace.

Alex's day always starts with the annoyance of Sulaimon the school thug who is always waiting for him at the school gate. Alex also always received a warm welcome from Sulaimon which he called a brief physical training.

And when he had such difficulties precious would come with her graceful steps like a Goddess. Precious will always help Alex escape from the clutches of Sulaimon. Sulaimon would not dare to make Precious angry because he likes precious just the same way other men like her.

Sulaimon will smile while scratching his head which is not even itchy but this is his way of showing how shy he is. And every time precious asks if he hit Alex, sulaimon will give a silly excuse like he was just playing with Alex even though precious would never believe that kind of silly lie.

Then precious will take Alex to the school park. With a first aid kit, precious helps treat the corner of Alex's injured lips.

"Hold a little, don't be so whiny." Said Precious as Alex grimaced in pain when he was going to treat his wound.

"But it hurts ..." said Alex, grimacing in pain

"Because you're like this, Sulaimon likes to bother you. Why don't you fight back and make him stop bothering you? " said precious, asking

"I just don't want to make the problem bigger," Alex answered

"Precisely if you stay quiet he will be more and more offhand, you idiot." Said precious, shaking her head

Precious closed her first aid kit and put it back in the bag. They also walk together to their class, and they were having some random brief discussion on their way to the class to kill the silent mood

"Today I have volleyball training after school." Said precious telling her activities

"I know, I'll buy your favorite drink," Alex answered

Like a waiter, Alex waited on the sidelines while watching precious who was practicing volleyball. He was standing with a small towel in his left hand and a bottle of soft drink in his right hand, Alex might look pitiful in the eyes of others. But that is a happy thing for Alex.

For a secret admirer, watching someone you like is always fun. Moreover, Precious who is practicing volleyball looks more charismatic and beautiful in his eyes. Giving towels and drinks to Precious who was tired after practicing will make him really happy.

The love that Alex felt continued to develop over time. Until the day of graduation, Alex ventured and planned to express his feelings to precious. But unfortunately precious did not attend the graduation ceremony and just disappeared.

This made Alex never get a chance to express his feelings.

***

After a few years, Alex's love hasn't faded. In fact, his longing for Precious always fills his day. After seeing the message that said precious would come to the reunion arouse Alex's hope. Alex is increasingly hoping he will be able to meet precious.

His hope that shines again makes the view of the highway behind the window feel amazing. Maybe because he kept imagining that he would meet precious whom he had longed for.

***

The moon illuminates the night sky along with the stars. Alex is choosing the best suit he has to wear at the reunion he will attend. One by one he wore his jacket while watching his appearance in the mirror.

After changing suits several times, Alex finally decided to wear a navy suit. Alex t sprayed perfume on his body, and he looked at himself in the mirror. 

His eyes trembled and his chest moved up and down. Maybe it's because he was nervous about meeting the girl he had assessed since high school.

Alex also sighed and tried to reduce the nervousness he felt. He held his chest-beating fast while looking at himself in the mirror.

"Calm down, you have to calm down Alex, The day you've been waiting for has finally arrived, you can't ruin this day. Relax, you can do it. " Alex said to himself

Alex attended the reunion held at a five-star restaurant. Many people came but Alex did not see precious. Alex thinks precious might not be here yet. Alex sat in the corner of the restaurant directly facing the entrance so he could immediately see the person who entered.

Over time, more people came, but precious was still invisible. The program continues and many talk about work problems. There are those who boast of their position at their place of works, there are also those who made complaints about their boss, and even those who are married discuss their household problems.

Alex felt so bored that he did not even want to touch the food and drinks served on the table. His eyes could not be separated from the entrance in front of him. Maybe because he really hoped that precious would enter from that door which he absolutely really did.

However, suddenly someone approached him and sat next to him. That person is Sulaimon, yes that Sulaimon who always bother him back then when they are still in high school. But Solomon's appearance was far different from what Alex remembered. Sulaimon in high school looks strong and has a strong intimidating aura while Sulaimon who is currently sitting next to him looks withered and has a grim aura.