Bittersweet Arrangements : A Sugar Dady Affair

Devan quickly started the car engine and drove away from Erick’s school area.

“Want to go straight home or buy something first?” Devan offered to Elena and Erick.

“Home!”

“Let’s buy fruit soup!”

Elena and Erick answered simultaneously, expressing their desires. Instantly, Elena and Erick’s eyes met through the car’s side mirror. Elena smiled widely, and Erick responded with a sharp gaze.

Realizing the spontaneous behavior of the two teenagers, Devan sighed deeply while holding his chest. This was the Elena who now stood between him and Erick, a clear part of his family. Then, what would happen if he introduced Elena as Erick’s stepmother? It could be certain that Erick would wage a war against his new wife.

Without asking for the approval of the two teenagers, Devan stopped his car at a fruit soup cart that he knew had been Vanessa’s favorite since long ago.

“Wait for me here!” Devan said, unbuckling his seat belt and getting out of the car.

Inside the car, Elena and Erick remained silent for quite a while. While watching Devan waiting in line for fruit soup, Elena finally lowered her ego to break the silence.

“Why are you acting so grumpy towards me, Erick?” Elena said, turning to look at the passenger seat where Erick was sitting.

Erick stared at Elena with a blank expression. In his heart, Erick felt puzzled by his own behavior. Elena was not a stranger to him. Her presence should be able to comfort him, someone who had no siblings all this time. He should be able to treat Elena like a sister, just like Ivand and Viero. Everyone knew that the four of them grew up together. So why should he be jealous if his dad also cared for Elena like his own daughter?

“No. It’s just your feelings!” Erick replied, shifting his gaze to the window.

“Well, because I have feelings, Erick. I’m sorry if I made you angry. Or maybe my words unintentionally hurt your feelings,” Elena replied sincerely.

Suddenly, Erick looked at Elena with an unreadable expression. Honestly, Elena had not done anything wrong to him. But for some reason, Erick’s ego was so strong that it ordered his heart to hate Elena.

“Sorry for the wait.”

Suddenly, Devan entered the car just as Erick was about to respond to Elena’s words. While starting the car engine, Devan briefly glanced at Erick and Elena alternately.

“Let’s go, Pa, I’m hungry!” Erick urged because his dad had not started the car yet. Instantly, Devan was startled, and he quickly stepped on the gas.

Thirty minutes later, the car driven by Devan had arrived at their destination.

“I’ll go back to the workshop; I still have some important matters to attend to,” Devan said to Erick, who was about to get out.

“Okay, Pa. Drive safely,” Erick replied and then got out of the car.

After the two teenagers got out, Devan drove his car back to the workshop. Elena and Erick entered the house, still silent as if they didn’t know each other. Erick went straight to his room, while Elena headed to the kitchen, eager to enjoy the fruit soup she brought.

“It looks refreshing, Miss!” Dona said, cleaning the stove, as she saw what Elena was placing on the pantry table.

“Yeah, very refreshing,” Elena replied enthusiastically, placing her bag on the chair and taking two bowls.

“Miss, aren’t you going to change your uniform first?” Dona asked with a smile.

“Wait, Dona, I’ve been craving this, hahaha!” Elena replied with a wide laugh.

Dona felt thoroughly entertained by Elena’s presence in the house. The usually quiet home suddenly became lively with Elena’s active antics. The girl didn’t enjoy staying in her room or being busy with her gadgets. Elena often helped Dona with household chores like washing dishes or just sweeping the house without Devan’s knowledge, of course. Dona had already forbidden it, but Elena insisted on doing it. Sometimes, Elena accompanied Dona in the kitchen when preparing meals. Even though she only sat there, Dona was happy to have a talking companion. Dona was well acquainted with all the members of Devan’s friend’s family, who were part of the Cogan Club.

Ten years of service to Devan, and only now did the house feel alive and vibrant. Erick, who spoke sparingly, and Devan, who spent more time working, made this house always quiet. Dona and her husband had been working here for ten years. Dona’s husband was responsible for taking care of Devan’s carp ponds located right behind the house. Not only that, but Arul, Dona’s husband, also served as a driver and gardener. Devan preferred not to hire many people at his house. Since Gita left, Devan disliked crowded places. Devan found comfort in the quiet and peaceful atmosphere of his home. So, the husband-and-wife pair was enough for him. Arul’s role as a driver was occasional because Devan preferred to travel alone or with his workshop employees.

“Oh, Dona, has Arul fed the fish yet?” Elena asked while spooning fruit soup into her mouth.

“He’s doing it in the back, Miss. It’s feeding time,” Bi Dona replied, pulling a chair next to Elena.

“Here, this is for you and Arul.” Elena handed over a plastic bag containing two servings of fruit soup after taking one for herself. “This one’s for Erick, but does he want it? Seems like he has a mouth ulcer,” Elena said with a mischievous smile.

“Oh, is Mas Erick sick, Miss?” Dona replied in a panic.

Elena burst into laughter instantly, while Dona could only stare at Elena in confusion. Dona wondered why Elena, instead of worrying, was making fun of the situation.

“Well, maybe. Since I came, Erick only spoke 12 times when he’s with Uncle Devan, and with me, I think it’s only 4 or 5 times. Is he frugal or just silent?” explained Elena, successfully bringing a wide smile to Dona’s lips. Elena could actually count how many times Erick spoke.

“You’re quite something, Miss. Erick is like that. Not much of a talker,” Dona admitted in a low voice so as not to be heard by others.

Elena’s laughter echoed again. However, suddenly, someone’s cough interrupted their lively conversation. Dona immediately stood up from her seat, while Elena continued to enjoy her fruit soup.

“This is yours, Erick!” Elena said, opening one packet of fruit soup and pouring it into the bowl she had prepared earlier.

Then Erick sat in the chair that Dona had occupied earlier, grabbing the bowl of fresh fruit soup. Erick graciously spooned the fruit soup into his mouth. Seeing Erick looking enthusiastic made Elena smile with satisfaction.

“Since when were you standing there?” Elena asked, curious. Dona, who resumed her work, immediately stopped, hoping Erick hadn’t heard their previous conversation.

“Since you said I have a mouth ulcer!” Erick replied with his trademark expression, flat.

Elena’s laughter echoed again, filling the kitchen. Instead of getting angry, Erick continued to enjoy his fruit soup undisturbed, while Dona winced in horror, imagining the two teenagers arguing later. Dona was well aware that Elena’s presence in this house had disrupted Erick’s peace.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“It’s good if you hear it. So your mouth ulcer heals quickly,” Elena replied amidst her remaining laughter.

Erick finished his fruit soup without paying attention to Elena, who kept trying to engage him in conversation. But Elena wouldn’t be herself if she got offended and angry just because Erick ignored her. Elena, in fact, intensified her teasing of Erick, who remained steadfast in his ego. Elena started talking to him like he was a mute person but not deaf, as Erick only mumbled in response. Elena talked and laughed alone, seemingly acting a bit crazy. Dona, too, struggled to hold back her laughter, feeling her stomach ache from watching the antics of the two teenagers in front of her.

The fruit soup in front of her was also finished. Erick got up from his seat, carrying the dirty bowl to the sink to wash it. However, Dona quickly took over the dirty bowl before Erick could wash it himself. Erick thanked Dona and hurried away before Elena made his head hurt even more.

Seeing Erick walking towards the back of the house, Elena didn’t want to be left behind. The girl followed Erick’s broad steps while carrying the gray school uniform skirt.

“Oh my goodness, you guys are so greedy!” Elena exclaimed when she saw the fish scrambling for food as Arul tossed pellets. Since two days ago, Elena had often accompanied Arul in feeding the gourami fish.

Erick stared at Elena in confusion. How could a girl be so happy just by watching fish eat? Even her hazel-colored eyes seemed to sparkle as if seeing something extraordinary.

Elena strolled along the neatly arranged ponds. Her hands played in the pond water, which was visibly dirty, without feeling disgusted at all. Suddenly, Erick smiled slyly. A crazy idea crossed his mind without considering the risks.

Splash! Elena fell into the pond because of Erick’s mischief.

“Oh my God, Non El, how could you fall like that!” Arul exclaimed, not knowing the reason Elena ended up in the pond. With panic, Arul reached out to help Elena, but she refused, glaring sharply at Erick, who was now laughing at her. Elena was pretty sure that Erick did it on purpose.

“No need, I can climb up by myself,” Elena refused with a smirk.

Instead of getting up immediately, Elena wanted to play around first, disregarding her white uniform that had now turned green due to the murky pond water.

“Hurry up, El, or you might get sick!” Erick said amidst his laughter.

“Anyway, you have to take responsibility, Erick,” Elena muttered to herself.

Receiving a stern look from Elena, Erick had to stop laughing. He ended the entertaining mischief that he hadn’t experienced in a long time. Erick approached and extended his hand to help Elena.

Splash! This time, Elena’s laughter echoed. Elena successfully avenged herself.

“El!!!” Erick shouted with full emotion.

Instead of being scared, Elena just splashed water towards Erick. A water war broke out in the pond, which, of course, was dirty and had an unpleasant smell, while Arul could only laugh until tears welled up in his eyes.

Devan, who had just entered the house, felt puzzled because the house was very quiet. He opened Erick and Elena’s bedroom doors alternately to check on their whereabouts. Not finding them, Devan walked towards the kitchen while calling for Dona, who had just rushed to the back upon hearing the commotion. Suddenly, Devan heard Elena’s loud laughter from the back of the house. Devan hurriedly sought the source of the laughter.

Devan’s quick steps came to a halt when he witnessed the behavior of the two teenagers he was looking for. Both of them were playing in his fish pond.

“El, Erick! Get out of there right now!”