Ness could feel her heart beating faster than usual. When she was sitting in front of the man who introduced himself as Sae. Although she tried to keep her composure, her suspicions grew stronger. She wondered in her mind, what made Sae look so relaxed in front of her? Was this just a coincidence or was there something deeper?
Sae, with her friendly smile, began to tell him about herself. She recounted her life, her work, and her hobbies with great enthusiasm. But in between his pleasant stories, Ness could sense that there was something the man was hiding.
Ness tried to keep the conversation light, but her mind kept wandering to the photo she found. Also her hunches kept pointing to the figure of Sae. Who exactly was this man? And what was his connection to Ririka?
Suddenly, Sae stopped her story. And looked at Ness with a straight gaze. “Is there something bothering you? Can I help you?” she asked suddenly. Sae noticed that Ness looked a little uncomfortable.
Sae's response made Ness feel surprised by the sudden question. She thought for a moment to find the right words, but before she could answer the question that had been asked. Sae had already continued her sentence.
Sae supported her chin with one hand resting on the table. Her facial expression looked much more relaxed than before.
“I can see that you seem to have a lot on your mind. If there's something you're worried about, maybe I can help you,” she offered.
Ness was stunned by Sae's offer. How could Sae know what was on her mind? Was this just a coincidence or was there something else she didn't know at all.
“Sae,” Ness began hesitantly, but she tried to ask her interlocutor this question anyway, “have you ever met or known Ririka, my wife?” Despite her obvious hesitation, Ness tried not to appear careless in front of Sae.
Sae's gaze seemed to fade for a moment before brightening again. “I don't know what to tell you. But it seems like the woman you're talking about must be an extraordinary woman. Of course, it's because she's your wife.” Sae said it with such a relaxed tone of voice. It was as if she did not feel guilty at all when she said those words to Ness.
That statement made Ness feel even more suspicious. There was something wrong behind those words, but Ness could not be sure of the exact meaning of the statement Sae had given her. Ness really tried not to be provoked.
Maybe it's just my imagination, but something's not right with this guy, Ness thought trying not to be influential.
They resumed their conversation, but Ness felt increasingly agitated. The words given by Sae, seemed to keep nagging at her mind. Even though she had tried not to be affected.
“It seems like our conversation took an unpleasant turn. I apologize for making things awkward,” Sae said with a very apologetic look on her face.
“It's okay. It's our first meeting, but it seems like we've already talked quite far. Isn't that a sign that we might be good friends?” Ness replied calmly.
A smile appeared on Sae's face as she was about to resume the conversation. Suddenly, Ness's smart phone rang, signaling an incoming call.
Ness asked Sae for permission to pick up her phone for a moment. Which Sae then allowed. After the call ended, Ness then excused herself to retreat. She had just gotten a work call from her colleague out of the blue. That's why she couldn't linger in this coffee shop.
“Looks like I have to go. I just got a work call. It was fun chatting together with you. If we're lucky, we can meet again later,” Ness said before leaving the coffee shop.
“You haven't ordered coffee yet, but I really wanted to treat you.” Sae remembered that she was planning to treat Ness.
“I'll do it sometime. If we meet again later, I hope we can drink coffee together with a much better feeling.” Ness waved her hand at Sae before she left the coffee shop.
When Ness had left the coffee shop. Now she was no longer masking her suspicions. She would find out the truth, no matter what. Her life might change or even be shaken up a bit. But she would no longer let this mystery continue to haunt her.
With a heavy heart, as Ness walked away from the coffee shop, she took the time to look up at the sky that seemed to be overcast above her. The sky, like her mind, was full of unanswered questions. But Ness was determined to find the answers, even if it changed everything and made her life not as peaceful as before.
***
After Ness left the coffee shop. Sae sat pensively, her meeting with Ness made her realize that the man who was Ririka's husband. Seemed to look uneasy and like he was suspicious of her. Although it was clear that the man did not show it openly in front of her.
A sigh escaped Sae's mouth. Her mind was still slightly drifting towards Ness. Sae felt the uneasiness inside her grow stronger as she watched Ness leave the coffee shop. Somehow she felt like something was wrong with this unexpected encounter. Did Ness have a quiet premonition of something to hide? Did she know something?
In deep indecision, Sae tried to sort through her thoughts. She didn't want to worry Ness for no apparent reason, but something was still nagging at her heart. What should she do? This was a very uncomfortable feeling for her.
She looked down at her coffee cup with only half of it left on the table. The opportunity to talk further with Ness was missed. If only he didn't have a relationship with Ririka. Maybe Ness would have become her friend. Sae felt that she was now trapped in a difficult situation. She didn't know where to start, or was it better to keep quiet and let things flow?
Her gaze lingered on the coffee cup in front of her, as if searching for answers within it. However, her mind kept drifting back to that meeting and how complicated her current situation was.
“This is going to be a difficult problem,” she muttered as she rubbed her face roughly.