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Semua Bab For The Rest Of Our Lives: Bab 41
- Bab 50
72 Bab
AM I IN LOVE WITH HIM?
A heavy silence settled between them, Adam’s eyes brimming with a complex mix of regret and pain. Althea couldn’t stand his penetrating gaze and turned sideways, clearing her throat before she spoke.“I think it's best if we forget about it,” she suggested, her tone attempting to sound detached. “Let’s just…live in the moment. Let’s not ruin what we have going on here.”Adam swallowed, holding back the multitude of responses vying for release in his mind.There were so many things he wanted to say to her. So many questions that he wanted to ask, but he chose not to because he didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable.“Yeah, sure,” he agreed softly, though his heart ached with the knowledge that this wasn’t how he wanted things to be. “Let's live in the moment.”“So,” Althea said, trying to lighten the mood with a forced smile. “I’ll be… the girl who used to have a crush on you, and you’ll be… the boy who still loves me.”“You know?” Adam asked, breaking the silence, Althea nodded kn
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FOREVER YOUNG, FOREVER SEVENTEEN!
Her attention was pulled back as Adam approached her with a bucket filled with coins in hand. “Here we are,” he said, a lopsided smile on his face.Althea smiled back nervously, her mind still in a whirlwind of emotions. She took the coins, their fingers briefly touching.Althea’s eyes widened as she exclaimed, “How did you get these?!” pointing at the bucket of coins.Adam’s grin widened. “I have my ways,” he said, playfully smug.“Mr. Wilson, you certainly do,” Althea conceded with a chuckle.“Now,” Adam said, leading her towards the photo booth, “let’s get in.”Althea held up her hand, stopping him. “Wait, wait,” she said, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Do you even know what a photo booth is?”Adam arched a brow. “Yes,” he answered slowly, trying to guess where this was going.Althea’s tone grew more serious. “So, Adam, enlighten me. What is a photo booth?”“Am I to answer?” Adam asked in confusion.“Yes, you are.” Althea said.Adam’s eyes narrowed, but he played along.“A photo
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AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER
“Hey, let's swap accessories,” Althea suggested, reaching for the glasses and wig. “This time, let’s do a peace sign and close one eye.”The two exchanged their props, giggling like schoolchildren as they posed for more pictures, their laughter echoing throughout the photo booth. One pose after another, they milked every ounce of silliness from the moment until it was time for the grand finale.“Time for the final pose!” Althea announced, her eyes shining with excitement. They both took off the props.“I’m all out of ideas,” Adam confessed. “What’s your final pose?”“Wait for it,” Althea teased, her fingers flitting over the countdown buttons. “Just trust me on this one.”She turned to face Adam, her eyes alight with mischief.“Ready?” Althea asked, a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips.“Bring it on,” Adam said, his curiosity piqued.The countdown hit three and Adam’s eyes narrowed, trying to anticipate Althea’s next move. But just as Althea leaned in to give him a peck on the ch
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THE FAIRY GOD MOTHER AND CINDERELLA
Althea's question was met with a chilling response. The warmth and light in Adam’s eyes vanished, replaced by a frigid, unsettling gaze that sent a shiver down her spine.Adam’s demeanor shifted, his voice taking on a chill that could rival the coldest winter winds. “Let’s not talk about it.”Althea’s heart sank at his response, and she tried to reason with him. “But I—”But her words were cut off by the coldness in his voice.“Althea,” he snapped, his tone sharp and commanding.She flinched, startled by the sudden shift in his demeanor, her hands trembling as she began to rise from his lap.Althea’s mind raced with questions as she sought to understand the change in Adam’s behavior, but her self-preservation instinct kicked in.“I’m sorry if I overstepped,” she muttered, her voice shaking. “I’ll take my leave.”Without another word, she slipped from the confines of the photo booth, pulling the curtain closed behind her.Adam, the chill of his words still lingering, attempted to call o
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LIFE WAS PERFECT
"No! You're not going to leave me like Wally did. I've been through enough. I deserve better," Althea countered, her hands dropping from Mrs. Walter's embrace. "There are treatments, there's chemotherapy—we can still fight this. Don't talk about dying!" she cried, anguish and desperation filling her voice.Mrs. Walter reached out, her fingers brushing Althea's face in a gesture of comfort and understanding. "My dear," she said gently, "I've tried everything. The doctors say there is no progress. I can't keep wasting my time and energy fighting a losing battle," Mrs. Walter continued, her words carrying a heavy finality. "I know you don't want to hear it, but I have to accept that it's my time. I'm not getting any younger so it's best if I die young. I'm ready to join Wally."Althea's heart felt like it was being torn in two. She wanted to argue, to protest, to do anything to keep Mrs. Walter from giving up. But deep down, she knew the fight was over."No," she insisted, her voice fille
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WALLY'S DOWNFALL
"A month after we found out I was pregnant, I had a miscarriage. The doctor said the stress of running the business while pregnant had taken its toll. When Wally learned the news, he was devastated. And I...I couldn't work anymore. I did some charity work, but Wally continued to run the Sky Cafe. But I knew he was hurting.”“He tried so hard to keep a smile on his face around you, Althea. He cared for you so much, like a daughter. He'd say, 'Althea's too smart. I can't let her see that I'm sad, or she'll be sad too,'” Mrs. Walter continued, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her mouth at the memory. "He tried to keep going, to be there for you and the business, but it was like a part of him had died with that pregnancy. He wasn't the same man anymore."Althea looked at Adam, her eyes wide with shock and sorrow. She hadn't known any of this. She had no idea how much Wally had suffered or how much he'd cared for her."So he lied to me," Althea said, her voice shaking with disbelief.
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FOR JENNY AND JACKSON
"Yes, I brought Mrs. Walter here from Paris," Adam confessed."I don't understand. How?" Althea asked, her brows creasing in confusion."Because I'm the new owner of Sky Cafe," Adam revealed.Althea’s eyes widened. "What? That's not possible," she whispered, still trying to process the information.Adam continued, "I tried to buy the cafe for you when you were eight, but Mrs. Walter wasn't selling. Years later, when Sky Cafe was closing, I finally bought it, intending to keep it closed until I could use it. But then I found out I was getting married to you, and I thought it would be the perfect wedding gift."Althea stared at him, her heart pounding in her chest. "I… I don't know what to say. Why didn't you tell me any of this?"Adam smiled softly. "I wanted to surprise you."But this doesn't make sense. There are gaps. I don't understand." Althea struggled to form her words, overwhelmed by the revelation.Mrs. Walter offered, "Let me explain."Althea nodded, still stunned. "Please do.
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DREADED OUTCOME OR NOT, IT STILL HURT LIKE HELL
"And now," Althea said, turning to the quiet man in the corner, "Can you tell how Adam became the owner of the Sky Cafe?"Mrs. Walter smiled. "It's a simple story, but I'll let Adam tell it."Althea turned to look at him. “Care to explain?” she asked “I will.” Adam said softly.Althea sat up straighter, waiting for Adam's response. Her food had long gone cold, but she was too entranced to notice.Adam cleared his throat. "Well," he began, "On your eighth birthday, you wished the Sky Cafe would never close down. I thought it was a silly wish at the time, but I made a promise to myself. I vowed to buy the cafe, no matter the cost, and gift it to you as a surprise. I tried once, but Walter wouldn't sell it. When I left home, I made my fortune and tried to buy the cafe. Mrs. Walter agreed to sell it, and I've owned it ever since.""It's been sitting dormant for a long time," Adam continued, "but after returning to the country, I decided to reopen it. For you, Althea. Because the Sky Cafe
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MAYBE WE ARE BETTER OFF BEING ENEMIES
Adam's gaze remained fixed on Althea, his face a stony mask hiding the hurt he felt. He felt as though she was determined to hate him no matter what."Very well," Adam replied, his tone icy but betrayed by a flicker of hurt in his eyes. "I will release Timothy, if that's what you want. But I can't release your father," he continued, his voice flat and emotionless. "His business is with my father."Althea stood, her posture stiff and determined. "Fine. We'll talk when I see Timothy, alive."Adam's lips pressed into a thin line. "As you wish. But be aware, Althea, that our fathers' business is deep and tangled. Releasing Timothy may not be as simple as you think."Althea's jaw tightened. "I'm not a fool, Adam. I know there will be complications.”"I'm leaving now, Mrs. Walter," Althea announced, turning to face the older woman. "I would like to continue our conversation with Jenny and Jackson soon."Mrs. Walter let out a frustrated groan. "Althea, please...""My mind is made up," Althea
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IT WAS BITTER, EVEN FROM THE START
"Are you really going to try, Mrs. Walter?" Adam asked, lifting his gaze from the food to meet her eyes."Yes, I am," she replied with determination. "Althea showed me that life is too short to hold back, to live in regret. I intend to seize every opportunity for happiness, not just for myself but for others, as well. And you should too, with Althea.""No," Adam muttered, a hint of bitterness creeping into his voice.Mrs. Walter's expression softened, a hint of sadness in her eyes as she considered Adam's words. "So, you're just going to give up? After all this?""What choice do I have?" Adam asked, a resigned sigh escaping his lips. "Althea made it clear that she doesn't want anything to do with me. Maybe she was right—maybe we're better off as enemies.""And is that what you really believe, Adam?" Mrs. Walter pressed gently, her voice firm but compassionate. "Because I've seen the way you look at her. I think you care about her more than you're willing to admit," Mrs. Walter continue
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