Bab 17: Create Your Own Rainbow Instead Of Waiting From Someone
||Lucas||
After the discovery at the noodle restaurant before, Lucas was unsure how to behave around Daphne. He kept second-guessing himself, afraid of annoying her even further. Disappointment overtook his anger.
On that night, Lucas didn't immediately leave the restaurant. He told Michael to go home first. Even though he was saddened by what he heard, Lucas was uneasy because Daphne was drunk.
Hiding outside the restaurant while standing in the cold, Lucas made a call to Daphne. It was answered after a few ringings. Her speech was a bit slurry.
"...oh, it's you..."
Lucas kept his gaze on the restaurant. He could barely see Daphne and her group of colleagues, obscured by the other patrons.
"Daphne, where are you? Do you need me to bring you home?"
"...no need... hic! My friends... bring me back..."
"But..."
Tut!
Daphne immediately hung up, not giving Lucas any chance to respond. Knowing that he didn't have the courage to contact her anymore, he just waited at the same spot. His limbs grew numb because of the cold.
In the end, Lucas saw Daphne and her colleagues walking out of the restaurant. The male teachers suggested they send her back but, the female ones politely refused the offer.
Lucas just watched silently when the female teachers helped to support the drunk Daphne heading home. He kept a distance from them, afraid they might think he was a creep.
"Lucas, hey, Lucas!"
Lucas jolted out of his stupor. Blinking his eyes, he stared dazedly at Michael standing opposite the kitchen island.
Right now, Lucas was inside Michael's apartment. He followed the older man after clocking out at three o'clock. Today, their schedules ended early. The same went for all of the cafe staff.
Michael noticed that Lucas was easily distracted by what was on his mind these days. He suggested to the younger man to come to his place and bake some cakes. They could have them for tea time.
Lucas had two classes tonight, starting at eight. He had to rush home soon before going to the prep school.
Lucas shook his head a few times, "...sorry, I was thinking of something."
Michael only smiled, "A classic chocolate cake sounds perfect for today. What do you think?"
"It's good," Lucas agreed, "I don't mind, Mr. Lou."
Michael already had the ingredients at room temperature. After handing an apron to Lucas, both of them got into the task. As always, Lucas paid attention to how Michael worked even though it was a simple recipe.
Soon, a classic chocolate cake glazed with chocolate cream was served for the late tea time.
Michael brewed some coffee to go along with the cake. Both of them sat in the living room.
The apartment was a two-room one even though Michael only used one of them. Floor-to-ceiling windows decorated half of the apartment. They could easily see the snow falling outside from the living room.
"Sometimes, I think about your teacher," said Michael after having one bite of the cake.
"Oh, Grandpa Chen?" Lucas smiled faintly.
Nodding, Michael continued, "Didn't you say that he's such a mysterious old man? I wonder what's his real background."
"I always think about that too..." Lucas' smile had a hint of longing, "If only I could ask him more before he's gone."
Michael just hummed quietly, acknowledging Lucas' words.
Lucas' fondness for baking started when he was still young. It all began because of the old neighbor who resided next to his family home.
An old man lived alone inside the two-story house on the right side of the Liu family home. The neighborhood knew him as Grandpa Chen. His wife had passed away more than a decade ago.
With no child between them and the loneliness that followed, Grandpa Chen spent his time making the neighborhood children happy with his creations. He had baking skills that enamored the people who had tried his desserts.
When Lucas was young, most of his mother's attention was on the toddler Kevin. He often ran to Grandpa Chen's house to see what the old man would be making today.
Grandpa Chen didn't forbid Lucas from helping him. The young boy was introduced to the world of sweets by the kindhearted grandfather.
Ever since then, Lucas started to learn baking from Grandpa Chen. Throughout his childhood, until he became a teenager, spending time with the old man inside his kitchen was the most memorable for Lucas.
Until Grandpa Chen's death when Lucas had just reached seventeen. He was close to his eighties at that time.
Despite being alone without any blood relatives, Grandpa Chen's funeral was lively. Most of the neighborhood came to say farewell for the last time to him.
"Grandpa Chen left me his recipe book," Lucas sighed, "But... I only keep it."
"It's so precious to you. But, you should try making them. Let his beloved recipes continue living on."
Michael's words had truth in them but, Lucas only smiled.
Until the end, Grandpa Chen was a mysterious yet compassionate figure. He was always there when Lucas was disheartened because of how his parents treated him.
Linda and Richard disliked how Lucas always went to Grandpa Chen's house to make cakes. To them, he should use that time to study more even though Lucas was a diligent student.
Whenever Lucas was unhappy and complained about his parents, Grandpa Chen often said the same thing to him.
"Create your own rainbow instead of waiting for one from someone. Not even your parents perfectly know what is best for you."
Grandpa Chen didn't treat his feelings lightly. The old man was unlike most people who only disregarded what he felt, only telling him to listen to his parents without any questions.
"Lucas."
Michael's call brought Lucas out of his memory lane. Both of them locked their gazes on each other.
Michael continued speaking, "I know that I've been saying this but, you should really try baking as your profession."
"Mr. Lou, I plan to take the civil service exam," Lucas shook his head, "That's why I attend the night classes."
"You can start small if you want like a home baker," Michael shrugged, "It's hard but, it's better than only chasing others' dreams. You only live for your family until now, right?"
Lucas was stunned. Those words hit deep into his heart.
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
hansora
hansora A male lead who bakes cakes, how sexy is that? XD
Bab 18: The Tangled Thread In His Mind Got Messier
The Liu family was in the middle class. Richard was a typical traditional man who left everything regarding the inside of the household to his wife, Linda. Most of his time was used to build his career.
As long as Lucas remembered, their family never had any major financial struggles. Even though his father rarely brought them on a vacation, they could still eat three meals a day. He and Kevin also got some pocket money.
But, everything changed when Lucas was in his third year of high school.
"How could you?! Dear! That's our savings!"
"Shut up! It's not like I lost everything! Only half of it!"
Richard was lured by his old classmates to join an investment platform. The first three times bore fruit for him thus, he increased the funds. His luck was out of the window for the fourth time.
Tens of thousands of savings vanished in the air, unable to be retrieved. It happened shortly after Grandpa Chen's death.
From that moment onwards, Richard and Linda fought frequently. Lucas couldn't focus on his study. His performance slightly dropped but, to his parents, he was a failure.
"Your entrance exam is here soon! Do you want to embarrass your parents? Get a grip and study more!"
"Lucas, you're the eldest. You should set an example for your brother."
Lucas was dispirited by how his parents reacted. He vowed to himself that he would get into a top national university. He studied harder than before, ignoring the constant fight between his parents, but...
"Even though you get a scholarship, we can't afford to send you to the uni. Lucas, how about postponing it for a while? At least, until our finances are stable."
"You can just forgo uni. You should work to help our family now. Your mom and brother rely on us."
His dreams shattered.
Lucas didn't understand why his parents were adamant about forcing him to work right after graduating high school. From his observation, the situation at their home was not that terrible.
Even if they refused to support him when he was at the university, he could still work and study at the same time.
Until now, Lucas didn't understand why his parents changed so much.
Sure, his mother and father favored Kevin more than him ever since both of them were young. But, the favoritism grew to another level during the time Lucas was preparing for the entrance exam.
Despite his initial protests, Lucas finally gave up in the face of his mother's tears and his father's scolding. Instead of enrolling in a high-tier education institute, he started living the life of a part-timer who relied on different jobs at the same time.
Daphne was furious with Lucas' decision but, she also understood it was hard for him to go against his parents.
As Lucas' girlfriend from high school, she had heard about his family situation.
"Don't worry, Lucas. Wait for me to graduate first. You can go back to school. I'll support you."
Because of that promise, Lucas ground his teeth and continued working as a part-timer. At the same time, he looked into night school. The fee was high for someone who depended on a meager sum of wage to live.
Thus, Lucas saved some money from his salary after giving half of it to his family. In his spare time, Lucas would pick up the necessary books to keep his brain active.
After careful consideration, Lucas decided not to attend the university. He would just aim for the civil service exam. Even a high school graduate like him could apply for it.
But...
"You can start small. It's hard but, it's better than only chasing others' dreams. You only live for your family until now, right?"
It was not the first time Michael insinuated such a thing but, Lucas usually didn't pay any heed to it.
Despite his love for baking, Lucas never thought to make it into a living. He never learned it professionally like Michael. His parents would grow mad if he ever suggested being a baker.
Still, those words struck Lucas so hard this time. Especially with what had been happening in his life recently.
At half-past ten, Lucas arrived back at the apartment. The lights inside had been switched off, showing that Daphne might already go to bed.
Lucas heaved out a sigh. His tensed nerves loosened just because he didn't need to face Daphne when his mind was a mess. His patience was running thin right now. If she continued to provoke him, they might fight for real.
Lucas quietly entered the apartment. After washing his face and hands with warm water in the kitchen, he headed toward the bedroom.
Daphne was indeed sleeping. She was curling up under the thick blanket.
Lucas couldn't look at her face clearly because she was lying facing in the opposite direction.
If this was before, Lucas always slid under the same blanket and hugged her from behind. Daphne also loved such a gesture from him.
But, Lucas didn't dare to do so now. They also hadn't been intimate in a long time.
'This is too troublesome...'
Lucas changed into his sleeping outfit; a thick sweater under a T-shirt with long cotton pants.
Instead of sleeping on the same bed they shared for over a year, he decided to just sleep on the couch. He also wore a pair of thick socks.
Taking his pillow and a fresh blanket, Lucas lay down on the couch in the dark living room. The place was a bit colder than the bedroom but, he could manage.
Somehow, the tiny living room appeared so vast to him right now.
Despite his exhaustion after working and studying all day long, it was hard for Lucas to close his eyes.
For how long should he be stuck in this suffocating situation?
Lucas suppressed himself from sighing out loud. Wiping his face roughly, the tangled threads in his mind got messier.
His family and lover were against him right now.
Should he do something to get out of this mess?
If only Grandpa Chen was still here... He could definitely bestow wise advice on him.
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA
hansora
hansora
If it were me, I can't stand living with a partner who doesn't give encouragement to me. It's better to be alone rather than with someone who often belittles us :/
Hadiah
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