60.

ROBERT'S POV. "How many years have you been in a relationship with Asleena?" asked Bella after hearing Robert's words. Robert paused for a moment, thinking, before finally answering, "My relationship with Asleena went on for quite a while. Five years, and we split up five years ago." Bella's eyes widened in surprise at Robert's answer. Bella's face almost showed disbelief that Robert and Asleena's relationship lasted for five years. "Wait. That means... you were in a relationship during college?" guessed Bella, who had a serious expression on her face. Robert nodded his head while snapping his fingers. "Right, I was in a relationship with her during that time. I loved her very much but something forced me to leave her." Bella did not answer Robert's words again. She just nodded as a sign of trying to understand Robert. "Just like you, I feel that there is unfinished business with Asleena. We shouldn't have separated and Asleena should still love me. When we separated because I was forced to leave her, Asleena tried to reach out to me by contacting me. But I shut down and even blocked access to communication between us." Bella, who heard Robert's explanation, immediately changed her face to a serious look. Without saying anything, Bella looked at Robert while supporting her chin. She wanted to hear the rest of Robert's story. "I only blocked access to communication between us two years ago. I heard from a friend that Asleena was still looking for me one year ago. At that time I felt that Asleena still cared about me and loved me. I felt like I wanted to see her soon." "You sound cruel," Bella replied. "You must feel very proud to be loved by Asleena that much. Right?" Robert nodded his head. "That's right. I actually felt proud and felt that Asleena was still waiting for me. That's why over the years, I tried to improve my work. Until I finally reached the top of my career." "Then you went to her?" "Two days ago, yes. I went to her aunt's house, but she gave me another address. Her aunt told me that Asleena was married," Robert explained. He looked a bit stunned as he said that. He instantly remembered the moment when Asleena's aunt had actually advised him not to come. "You were desperate to come to that address," Bella said with a chuckle, laughing at Robert. Robert didn't really care about Bella's laughing reaction. With a serious look on his face, Robert then continued his explanation, "Of course I have to go to that address to confirm whether his aunt's words are true or not." Robert's words were paused for a few moments. He took a deep breath, then exhaled roughly. "Unfortunately, I witnessed that Asleena was actually married to another man. I don't know why I felt so messed up and couldn't accept that fact," Robert continued his previous explanation. "Then you feel the same way I do, Mr. Robert," Bella replied. "Just call me Robert, no need to use the title Mr.," Robert admonished. Bella gasped a little before laughing briefly and nodding in understanding. "All right, Robert. I understand how you feel. You have unfinished business with Asleena and you feel that Asleena should still be waiting for you so that you can settle that business. You see that Asleena has not stopped trying to reach out to you at all," said Bella, who tried to explain her understanding to make sure. Robert nodded to confirm Bella's explanation. "We do feel the same way, Bella. That's why I came to ask you to work together," Robert replied. On the other hand, Bella seemed to be thinking about something. But before she could say anything, Robert had already said something. "I feel Asleena can't just replace me with another man. The relationship between the two of us is not really finished. When I saw that she was already with Benny, I wondered why she just replaced me? Was she just pretending to look for me all this time?" Robert said as his mind replayed all the words and events from one year ago to two days ago. "I feel like I've lost Asleena who cared so much about me. Even though one year ago Asleena was still looking for me, why can't she be patient for a little longer?" Robert continued his words. "She wouldn't want to wait for someone like you who doesn't give her news, Robert," Bella replied casually while folding her arms in front of her chest. "I know I shouldn't be like that. But I came to fix everything," Robert replied. Bella nodded her head as she lowered her right leg which had been placed on top of her left leg. She already understood the chronology that Robert explained. "I can't say much more about your and Asleena's relationship. What exactly do you want to plan for their relationship?" Bella asked, making sure to be clear. Robert thought about how to explain to Bella. Actually Robert already had a draft plan in mind. But somehow there was a doubt that crossed the middle of the plan. "I want to make Benny feel unsure of Asleena. In essence, I want to cause sparks of feelings that disturb the relationship between the two of them." Robert answered firmly. Bella raised both eyebrows, watching Robert with a seemingly dismissive gaze. Then gradually the curve of a smile that implied doubt curved Bella's face. "Are you sure you're going to do that?" Bella asked then. Robert's eyebrows furrowed in astonishment at Bella's reaction, which seemed to doubt him. Robert suddenly felt uncomfortable. "Why do you seem to distrust me?" Robert asked the question with a curious expression. "Even I, who tried so hard to separate them, failed. I've even used means that are actually beyond normal limits. What else are you?" asked Bella with a thin laugh at the end of the sentence. Robert then sighed as he curved his lopsided smile. Bella's words that belittled him even made his adrenaline feel so fast. For some reason, Robert even felt challenged by Bella's words. "Hey, are you really underestimating me?" Robert asked. "I could have gone out of my way to separate Asleena and Benny. I really don't know how my plan will end, that's why I need your help." "I've already told you, even if you don't intend to frame me like Mr. Bram did, if your plan fails I will definitely be dragged back into the same case. What if we fail to separate them and you end up like me being exposed for threatening and invading other people's privacy, huh?" After hearing Bella's question, Robert felt even more challenged. Robert made a serious facial expression while leaning his sitting position closer to Bella. Robert looked right into Bella's eyes. "If you want success, don't you have to try? I may not be able to guarantee success in separating them, but I'm the kind of person who won't stop trying. I'll do whatever it takes to make my plan work, Bella," Robert replied. Seeing the strong conviction implied in Robert's words and reflected in Robert's eyes made Bella chuckle. Bella had already felt how difficult it was to deal with Asleena and Benny. "They love each other, Robert," Bella replied. "You'd be surprised if you realized how strongly they try to protect each other." Robert arches a smile, then nods briefly. "I know very well," he replies, answering more calmly but with conviction. "I can read that great love in the look Asleena and Benny give each other. But still... I don't want to stop." Bella sighed heavily after her words had been denied by Robert. She didn't understand why Robert had such strong conviction to carry out his plan. Finally Bella nodded her head repeatedly with slow movements. Bella did not know why Robert felt so sure of his conviction. Bella looked the other way as she let out a rough breath. She knew that someone like Robert would not be easy to persuade. "If you really don't want to care about all the risks and challenges you will face, I will accept your invitation to cooperate," Bella replied. Robert immediately widened his eyes as he curved an enthusiastic smile. He did not expect that his confidence could persuade Bella. On the other hand, Robert did not know if he could face Asleena and Benny, who according to Bella were not easy to separate. "Will you really be able to work with me?" asked Robert with a look that highlighted great enthusiasm. Actually, Bella was not too sure. But since yesterday's incident, she couldn't do anything. Bella still has the luck that she can be free from imprisonment for her actions. Although in Bella's heart, there is still a desire to try to take Benny's heart. Somehow her feelings are still very curious. "I'm not too sure, but I also want to finish my business. And what you said is right. They shouldn't be in a relationship together," Bella replied. Robert didn't seem to care much about Bella's words. After hearing Bella's words, Robert immediately extended his hand. Offering a handshake. "This means that like this, you agree to face anything with me," said Robert. Seeing Robert's very serious gaze made Bella flinch for a moment. Bella squinted her eyes slightly as she tried to convince herself. Robert's words just now sounded a bit odd. "Except for defeat and suffering. Don't make me miserable because of your plan," Bella said with a warning. Robert sighed and rolled his eyes in disgust. He again ignored Bella's words just now. "As long as you can also do the plan well," Robert replied. Finally Bella extended her hand to shake hands with Robert. She tried to get rid of all the doubts in her heart because she wanted to regain Benny's feelings. "I know you can't face the two of them alone. That's why you need me who has experience, right?" asked Bella confidently. Robert simply curled both corners of his lips downward, as if mocking Bella's overconfident attitude. Robert had already let go of his handshake with Bella. "Let's just say what you said is true," Robert replied, not wanting to prolong matters.