Part 95 # Andre’s Penthouse
Andre’s car slowly entered the area of the luxurious apartment. The tall building was so different from Mahya’s apartment. Lara knew that Andre’s income level was far above hers, but she didn’t expect that Andre could also afford to buy an expensive apartment unit in this Jakarta area.
“Nice, Ndre, the apartment,” Lara exclaimed in admiration as their car began to enter the parking area.
“Yeah. I’m glad you like it,” Andre drove his car slowly because the underground parking area was already full. He headed towards the winding streets that connected the bottom floor to the floors above.
Lara could estimate the price of the apartment they were heading to. Seno – although not a reliable husband – often taught her to estimate the price of an item.
In a life filled with abundant wealth, there would surely be many people trying to deceive them. Lara learned how to assess an item as something valuable or just junk. This skill was quite useful; Lara was not easily deceived.
“Now, please get out, we will go up to the top floor,” Andre said, pulling the handbrake lever. He then got out and waited for Lara to join him.
“The top floor?” Lara smiled. “The Penthouse?” she guessed with sparkling eyes.
“Yes. Do you expect a studio apartment, Ra? My body won’t fit,” Andre joked, hugging Lara’s waist and leading her through the parking area towards the building.
Instead of showing off his wealth, Andre joked about his height. One thing Lara liked about him was his humility, unlike Seno who would display grandeur in every word and action.
“Hey, what’s that?” Lara suddenly asked, looking at Andre affectionately.
“What?” Andre stopped in his tracks.
Smack!
The girl planted a sweet kiss on her boyfriend’s cheek. How lucky she was that Andre never gave up on winning her heart again. Their budding love story, interrupted by family sabotage, was now not going to be wasted by Lara.
“Mischievous, huh!” Andre tightened his hug and tried to shower his beloved with kisses. Lara squirmed with laughter as her chin was tickled by the thin hairs that were so ticklish.
“Let go! Haha….” Lara felt happy, even though she had been really scared last night. However, Lara chose to dismiss all the negative thoughts and focus on things that would soothe her heart. She wouldn’t be easily defeated by Seno’s deception. Not anymore!
After the intimate moment in the parking area, Andre and Lara continued their journey to the top floor of the apartment. They walked through the elegant corridors, with Lara’s admiring gaze praising how beautiful Andre’s house was, even though the owner was rarely at home.
“What number is it, Ndre’s apartment?” Lara asked curiously after they exited the elevator door and were on the top floor.
“Number 5010, Ra,” Andre replied with a smile.
“It must be nice,” Lara guessed.
“Not bad. I chose this apartment because it’s close to the hospital,” Andre replied before Lara could think that he was extravagant or even arrogant just because of his place of residence.
“I’ve heard of this apartment, I used to look around,” Lara spoke up, recalling the moments when she was still blessed with abundant wealth from her scoundrel husband.
“And then? Did you take the unit?”
“No, Ndre. Seno’s given house is enough. I don’t want to be greedy.”
“You could use it for investment, Ra,” Andre tried to give his perspective, but… upon second thought, Andre seemed to lead Lara to accept her ex-husband’s wealth. “Ah, forget it!”
“Hehe….” Lara was about to reply that she was grateful to have rejected her husband’s offer back then. Lara truly wasn’t crazy about wealth. “Even now I have nothing….”
Lara stared blankly at the marble floor clashing with her shoes. But she was grateful because she could still enjoy life and… “You have me. That’s it, don’t remember it anymore,” Andre kissed Lara’s forehead.
“What’s with all the kissing since earlier?” Lara laughed. Unbeknownst to them, they were already in room number 5010.
Andre opened the penthouse door with his fingerprint. Lara was amazed, and she really wanted to try it herself. “Unfortunately, only family members’ fingerprints can be registered,” Andre said after Lara said she wanted to try sticking her fingerprint there.
“Ah, I have a solution,” Andre whispered in Lara’s ear. “Be my wife, then I can register your fingerprint,” Andre said jokingly.
“What? That’s not funny!” Lara covered her ears and turned her face away. She didn’t want Andre to see her face turning red. Anyway, Lara was really nervous when Andre said that sentence. It was really rude!
“Please come in.”
Andre still held back laughter for successfully making Lara embarrassed. He enjoyed this moment so much.
“Wow….” Lara entered Andre’s penthouse. The main room of the penthouse was more spectacular than she had ever imagined. The high ceiling and large glass walls provided a breathtaking view of the Jakarta sky, as if it could be reached by hand. Andre’s house was on the 50th floor, high enough to reach the stars. Lara liked it.
“So nice and luxurious, Ndre. I’ll be comfortable here,” Lara was impressed.
“There are three rooms. One master bedroom, one guest room, and one maid’s room. But, I don’t use the latter two. I don’t have children and maids,” Andre chuckled, looking at Lara with a gaze that invited many questions.
“What?” Lara squinted.
“Do you want to have children with me?”
“What?!” Lara punched Andre’s back. She had never acted like this towards anyone else. Andre dared to swear that his absurd and cringe-worthy behavior was only for Lara. He was really happy to tease her.
*
Andre continued the home tour so Lara could feel at home and feel that the penthouse was her own home. They explored every corner of the room with Lara’s constant admiration, praising how beautiful Andre’s home was, even though the owner was rarely home.
“I have a maid, but she comes and goes as she pleases,” Andre explained when Lara was quite surprised by the cleanliness and tidiness of the room.
“Oh, I see,” Lara finally understood.
“BI Marni comes every 7 am and leaves at lunchtime. She will also cook and put it in the fridge. I just need to warm it up. Don’t worry, your life will be guaranteed here. Your only task is to be lazy,” Andre said, staring deeply into Lara’s brown eyes that widened.
“What?!”
“Yes. Just be lazy, okay?”
“Ew! Unhealthy!”
Andre laughed and ruffled Lara’s hair. Undeniably, the girl felt like she was in a real palace. Around her, various luxurious furniture and elegant decorations were neatly arranged in every corner of the room. Every detail of the penthouse was perfectly designed and managed to create a warm and comfortable atmosphere.
Andre and Lara continued their journey to the private terrace, where they could enjoy the beautiful city view while sitting under the sky and stars.
“Hm… so refreshing.” Lara could feel the cool breeze and the peaceful atmosphere amidst the hustle and bustle of the city below her feet.
Her eyes looked outside, observing the traffic jam that occurred on this evening. Lara laughed when she saw the people below. They were like tiny ants that were very small and hard to see.
“Hey, let’s go inside, you might catch a cold,” Andre followed Lara, bringing two glasses of chilled red wine for her.
“Drinking in the evening?” Lara was quite surprised.
“To celebrate our freedom from worries, shall we?”
Lara looked at Andre lovingly. “Okay,” she nodded and accepted the glass he offered. The red wine looked delicious and tempting. “Ah! So fresh and sweet!” Lara exclaimed with joy.
Andre raised his glass and sipped the drink with Lara, while enjoying the bustling city view. “It’s better at night,” he quipped. Lara nodded.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.
“Let’s go inside!” Andre then invited Lara to continue exploring other rooms there.
“This is the master bedroom,” Andre showed a room with a large and comfortable bed, equipped with soft and fluffy sheets.
“Your room?”
“Yes. It can also be your room if you want to sleep together,” Andre teased, grinning slyly at Lara. Lara had had enough of his cheesy flattery.
“Next!”
“Okay!” Andre looked disappointed, or pretended to be disappointed, more precisely. He then led Lara to another room not far from there.
“This is your room,” Andre said, opening the mahogany door in front of him.
“Wow, neat and clean,” Lara praised the tidiness of the room, although it was smaller than the master bedroom. But its tidiness was extraordinary. The gray sheets and the white bed cover on it gave a comfortable impression.
“Ah! I want to sleep on it!” Lara immediately ran and lay down on her bed. “Thanks, Ndre!” she said, truly happy.
“No problem!” Andre smiled and followed Lara. He sat on the edge of the bed, as Lara rolled around and felt the warmth of the blanket and the softness of the pillow she hugged.
“I’m softer and fluffier, you know.” Andre offered himself again.
Lara laughed. The woman finally dragged Andre and lay him on the bed with her.
“We’ll see….”