Bittersweet Arrangements : A Sugar Dady Affair

“How are you Bee?” That’s all Devan was able to get out of his lips. Don’t ask how right now Devan is desperately holding himself back from touching the girl. The girl who fills his mind all the time.

Devan really wanted to wipe the clear beads dripping down the girl’s cheeks. Carrying her body into his arms. But Devan couldn’t. Devan can’t do it. If that happened then what he had worked so hard to build all this time would definitely collapse instantly. No. Devan didn’t want to leave another wound in the heart of the girl in front of him. The wounds he has given are enough. And he didn’t want to add any more. Devan is sure that Elena feels the same way. However, no one is on the side of their love just because of differences in status and age.

As the tears began to roll, Elena forced the corners of her lips to pull back. Forming a smile even though it is very difficult because it goes against his heart. Giving the sweetest smile to the man in front of him. Showing the man that he was okay. He is still as cheerful as before. Not the slightest thing has changed about him. Elena is still a cheerful girl and always smiles at everyone.

“I’m fine, Uncle,” replied Elena stammeringly. “Uncle, how are you?” Elena added, looking at Devan’s body, which looked a little thinner. The usually short curly hair looks elongated. Making Elena’s heart cut even more.

“I’m fine too,” Devan replied briefly as he squeezed the magazine in his hand to stop himself from getting any closer.

Erick, who had found the book he was looking for, looked around, looking for someone who had gone with him. Erick’s footsteps stopped suddenly. He took a deep breath and left. Give them a moment to let go of each other’s longing. Then Erick chose to go back to looking for another book that might interest him.

“Have you got the book yet?” call someone not far from where they are. Their reflexes turned towards the source of the sound.

Dirga’s steps suddenly slowed when he recognized the man who was with Elena. The man who has always been her rival for Elena’s heart. Even up to this moment, Elena has not accepted his love just because she is still thinking about the man Elena calls Om. In the past, Dirga gave in, but this time he won’t. He will fight for Elena’s love, no matter what.

Trying to act normal, Dirga stepped closer to the two of them. Elena quickly wiped the wet traces of tears on her cheeks so they wouldn’t be seen by Dirga.

“How are you Uncle?” said Dirga as he stretched out his hand with a smile.

“Thank God, it’s fine,” answered Devan as he accepted Dirga’s outstretched hand. “Oh, please continue. Uncle must be back soon,” said Devan, immediately saying goodbye. Being close to Elena wouldn’t be good for him. He was afraid of losing and finally made another mistake by breaking his promise to his best friend, Jeremy.

Leaving is the best choice right now, before his ego overcomes his logic to take Elena away. Taking the girl to make her his.

“Be careful, Uncle,” said Dirga kindly.

Devan looked at Elena with a smile. Then he said again, “I’ll go back first, El. Be careful when you go home.”

After saying that, Devan went to the cashier to pay for the items he bought. Seeing Erick who was waiting there, Devan immediately approached.

“What are you looking for, Dad, why is it taking so long?” Annoyed, Erick pretended not to know anything when he saw his father’s sad face.

“You’re really impatient. Choosing this also takes time, Erick. Don’t just take it,” replied Devan while showing the 5 magazines he was holding. Then without saying much, Devan immediately put the magazine together with Erick’s book which was already on the shop cashier’s desk.

While waiting for Devan to pay the shopping bill, Erick looked for Elena’s whereabouts. And found Elena was with another man who Erick knew was named Dirga. Erick learned the story about Dirga from Ivand, Elena’s younger brother. Even though the relationship between his father and Ivand’s family had deteriorated, Erick still often met Ivand and Nathan. Not infrequently, after school, Erick goes to their house to play. To be honest, it was impossible for Erick to break ties with the Seivaz and Alfarizi families. Erick considered them all family and brothers. And fortunately Mommy and Daddy remained normal towards him. In fact, Mommy often asks how her papa is doing. Proof that they still care even though their father has done something wrong.

“Let us go home!” asked Devan after receiving the items he bought as well as his change.

Erick took a deep breath then followed Devan’s steps, who had gone ahead.

Seeing Devan sitting in the driver’s seat, Erick then walked around. Occupy the passenger seat next to the driver’s seat. Letting his father do anything as long as it doesn’t endanger both of their lives. And Erick knows that his father never acts carelessly, even in critical situations. Right now, Devan still looks calm as if nothing has happened, even though Erick is very sure that the man’s heart is holding back the pain because he was only able to stare and greet briefly the girl he loved.

“Is an adult love story really this complicated?” echoed Erick’s heart as he looked at his father who looked serious about driving.

Not wanting to disturb his father, Erick chose to play on his cellphone. He opened one of the chat groups he joined. The PTT group chat which had accumulated to hundreds was selected, Erick opened it and started reading. The group, which was never quiet, always managed to entertain him. The themes discussed are always varied and interesting to follow, especially when Rizky or Nathan are speaking there. Not far away what is discussed is definitely about women.

Erick’s fun had to be disturbed when Devan’s cell phone rang repeatedly. And Devan just ignored it, as if he didn’t hear it.

“Dad, there’s a phone call!” said Erick as he handed his father his cellphone which was placed on the dashboard. Beside the steering wheel.

Devan immediately received a telephone call after reading the name listed there.

“Good afternoon,” said Devan politely.

“Can I help you, sir?” Devan added, feeling surprised. Why would an important person like that man call him?

“The day after tomorrow, our family is holding a thanksgiving event at home. You have to come, right? Don’t forget to invite Erick too!” answered the man named Hendra. “It’s been a long time since you gathered with us. So I hope there’s no reason for you not to come!” continued the man with a chuckle. The way he speaks sounds relaxed. But Devan was sure that it was not an ordinary invitation but rather an order that he had to carry out.

Devan’s Adam’s apple moved up and down before giving an answer to the man who was Elena’s grandfather. Erick, who was watching his father, suddenly felt worried. Being curious about the successful caller made his father feel suddenly nervous.

“Okay Mr. Hendra. God willing, I will attend.” That was all Devan could say in response.

“What’s wrong Daddy?” Erick asked curiously after his father’s phone call ended.

Devan put his cell phone back on the dashboard. Devan glanced at Erick then said, “The day after tomorrow we have an invitation to a thanksgiving event at Mr. Hendra’s residence.”

Erick was silent. Pay close attention to his father’s facial expressions. Then without saying much, Devan stepped on the gas, increasing the speed of his car so he could get home quickly.

Erick came out of the room looking neat. Black jeans combined with a long-sleeved white shirt with a striped pattern on the front side. While putting the watch on his wrist, Erick looked at the stairs that connected to his father’s room. Then Erick chose to wait in the living room. About 15 minutes later Devan came down with an official appearance. Black trousers combined with a white batik top.

“Damn, Daddy’s cute!” Erick praised while showing two thumbs.Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

“You can do it, Erick,” said Devan nonchalantly.

Erick then followed behind Devan while holding back a smile. Erick is very sure that his father dresses up as attractively as possible just to meet the girl he loves. Devan sat in the driver’s seat after taking a deep breath. His face looked tense. Again, Erick could only hold back a smile.

To kill the feeling of loneliness, Erick turned on the music in the car. Without Erick realizing it, his actions added to Devan’s anxiety. The reason is, the songs that Erick is currently playing are Elena’s favorite old songs. Quickly flash after flash of memories with Elena flashed before his eyes like watching a documentary.

“Dad, red light!” Erick shouted when Devan didn’t slow down his car even though the traffic signs had turned yellow. A red light will soon follow.

Hearing Erick Devan’s screams immediately awakened you. Luckily Devan managed to hit the brakes even though suddenly. Devan’s actions of course resulted in them getting insulted and insulted by road users who almost had an accident because of Devan’s carelessness.

“Please, Dad. Don’t make Erick die young,” Erick annoyed as he held on tightly with his tense face. They almost caused chaos on the highway.

“Sorry, sorry Erick. Daddy didn’t mean to,” replied Devan with an equally tense facial expression.

The car immediately started moving again when the red light turned green. Devan continued to lock his lips until they arrived at Hendra’s residence.

“How long are you going to be in the car, Dad?” Erick scolded him because they hadn’t gotten out of the car for 10 minutes. Erick deliberately waited for his father to come down first.

“You’re really noisy! Why don’t you come down first? I still want to be here,” scolded Devan, who was calming his restless heart.

It feels like Devan isn’t ready to meet Elena’s family. Especially his two best friends, Jeremy and Vanessa, whom he had hurt. It turned out that a year was not enough for Devan to be ready to meet them again.

“How long are you going to avoid Daddy? Face Daddy with everything. We are all family.”

Erick’s words managed to slap Devan’s ego hard. What Erick said was true. The friendship relationship that has been strained must be repaired. Must be tightened again. Then without another word Devan opened the car door. Get out of the car while strengthening your heart that everything will be fine. Everything will return to normal as before.

A smile spread across Erick’s lips. His footsteps followed Devan wherever he went. Soon what has been his life’s goal will soon be realized. Soon, happiness will be theirs all.

Arriving in front of the giant wooden door surrounded by carvings, Devan stopped in his tracks. His chest rumbled as the sound of people chatting from inside the house reached his eardrums. Erick is still loyally behind Devan. The teenager couldn’t wait to see his father’s reaction to the big surprise he had prepared with the entire Cogan Club.

Devan started walking in and greeted his friends one by one. Luckily Jeremy and Vanessa weren’t there yet. So Devan could breathe freely for a while while Erick immediately gathered with Club PTT in full formation.

“Dion!” Devan muttered when he saw Dion also there. Why could his younger sibling be there?

Devan, who had just sat beside Bagas, then stood up. Intends to visit Dion. But a hand stopped him.

“You don’t need to go anywhere. Just stay here. The event will start soon!” Bagas prevented him while pulling Devan’s hand to make him sit back down.

Devan felt something was wrong here. The event, which was only attended by the Cogan Club family, had a formal impression. If it was just a thanksgiving event, of course there would be no decorations like this.

“Gas, what exactly is this thanksgiving? Is it a birthday event for Mr. Hendra or Mrs. Marissa?” Devan asked, surprised.

“Just stay here for a while and you’ll find out for yourself,” replied Bagas, who looked neat in batik-patterned clothes too.

“I haven’t said hello to Mr. Hendra and the others,” added Devan and then wanted to stand up again to greet the owner of the house.

“Just stay here with me!” Bagas again prevented Devan from leaving.

Because this event was deliberately held behind closed doors. So as the oldest brother, Ardan was the one who opened the event. After saying thank you and a few words, Ardan invited Zaky, Devan’s biological father, to lead the prayer. Instantly Devan’s body froze. Just realized that his parents were also present there. Devan was increasingly confused. In fact, he did not know that his family was coming from Jakarta.

“Come on, just sit down!” said Bagas who couldn’t help but smile.

Devan looked at Bagas demandingly. But it wouldn’t be Bagas if it didn’t act annoyingly. Even Arfan and Anton who were beside him seemed to be chatting to themselves. Be indifferent to Devan’s confusion.

Finally Devan surrendered. Follow Bagas’ orders to sit quietly until the group prayer event is over. Devan’s confusion increased when Zaky started to speak.

“Our aim is to propose to Miss Elena to become the wife of our son Devan.”

Devan’s world fell silent for a moment.