Bittersweet Arrangements : A Sugar Dady Affair

“Unlock it, Uncle!” Elena was annoyed because the car key hadn’t been opened.

Instead of immediately opening it, Devan seemed to casually take his cellphone from the pocket of the shirt he was wearing. Then unlock the screen and continue looking for someone’s contact number. He pressed the phone button while looking at Elena meaningfully. Elena, who didn’t understand what the adult man in front of her was doing, could only wait.

When the call was connected, Devan then held Elena’s hand which was holding her cellphone. Checking the flat screen to confirm something. It had been three days since he could see his WhatsApp story or receive messages from the girl. Devan even tried to call Elena several times. Connected indeed, but never accepted by the girl.

“Now unblock it first?” said Devan as he released his grip from Elena’s hand.

Instantly Elena gasped when she heard Devan’s order. Elena didn’t expect that Devan would find out about her actions. Elena’s pair of copper-brown eyes were only able to blink repeatedly to digest the four words that Devan had said. Finding Elena who was still silent, Devan then took the cellphone from Elena’s hand. Unblock the contact.

“Never repeat it again!” said Devan at the same time as the car keys were opened.

“Oh my God, why did I fall in love with this old man?” Elena grumbled to herself as she rushed downstairs before Devan changed his mind and locked the car door again.

After Elena got out of her car, Devan immediately left. But Devan didn’t really leave. Devan deliberately stopped at the edge of the highway. Waiting for Elena’s car to come out of Citra’s alley. After about 15 minutes, Elena’s car was finally seen driving towards her home route. Slowly, Devan started to drive his car following where Elena’s car went. Devan just wanted to make sure Elena got home safely.

***

Accompanied by a cup of coffee and a cigarette, Devan is now reading the newspaper. As usual, political and legal themes are Devan’s main choices. Then move on to other pages and columns. Suddenly Devan’s hand movements which were looking for interesting news suddenly stopped. In the title of the article it is written ‘Collaboration between the Model and the Princess’. Actually, it is not surprising that Vanessa is one of the influential women in Yogyakarta. Her work in the world of modeling and fashion cannot be underestimated. Being a topic of discussion in a column in a newspaper or magazine has become commonplace. But that wasn’t the reason Devan was interested in immediately reading the article.

Without realizing it, Devan smiled when he looked at Elena’s beautiful face, who was currently posing with Vanessa. The girl inherited her mother’s talent as a model. Elena has a photogenic face that is everyone’s dream. With whatever style, Elena will definitely look very beautiful in front of the camera. This is proven by Elena’s photos which are usually used as WhatsApp stories or Instagram stories.

“What news did you read, Dad, and made you smile?” said Erick as he dropped his weight next to Devan.

“Just reading the news about Aunt Vanessa,” replied Devan then showed the newspaper in his hand to Erick.

“That’s cool, Dad, Aunt Vanessa. She’s really often in the newspapers,” praised Erick in reality. So far, Erick really respects Vanessa like his own mother. This gentle, loving woman always treated herself well. Even little Erick used to often spend time at the Seivaz family residence when Devan had to go to work.

From the woman’s hands, Erick could enjoy a mother’s cooking. Erick also received a hug and gentle caress from a mother on both of his hands. At that time, Erick was still 5 years old when he became an orphan. How can a toddler understand about death? Erick only knows that his mother has been away for an indefinite period of time. Until now, all Erick remembers was when his father cried hysterically while hugging his mother, who was fast asleep wrapped in a white sheet. But now Erick understands that the wound in his father’s heart over his mother’s departure will never be healed. Therefore, since he was in grade 9 of junior high school, Erick has been urging his father to remarry. Erick just wants to see his father happy. Erick also wants his house to have life. Not like now where it’s more quiet. There is no color other than silence. Only when the Club Cogan family gathers does the house feel warm and alive.

“Then what’s so funny Dad?” Erick asked confused when he read the article. Nothing funny there.

“There’s nothing funny, really,” said Devan casually and then pressed the flame of his cigarette into the ashtray.

“Then?” Erick was still curious.

“The call to prayer is over, let’s go to the mosque!” Devan said, patting Erick on the shoulder then leaving.

Erick then simply put the newspaper on the table and left. But Devan first stepped towards the stairs that connected to his room which was on the top floor while Erick was still silent while staring at the newspaper. Erick looked at the picture of the two women posing there in confusion. In his heart, Erick tried to find where the cuteness of the picture was that made his father smile to himself.

***

When she arrived home, Elena immediately locked herself in her room. He wasn’t in a good mood because of Devan. Devan’s behavior had a big impact on the functioning of his heart. Even though previously Elena had learned to accept the fact that her love was unrequited. And for the time being, Elena wants to avoid meeting this man so that everything can return to normal as before. Like before, before her feelings of affection turned into love for an ordinary man. Elena wants to return those feelings to the way they should be so that her heart is free from the excruciating feeling of heartbreak.

In order not to sink again, Elena finally decided to come down from her room. Join the whole family who usually spend time together in the family room. Elena’s legs swayed down the stairs as she sang. However, Elena’s footsteps suddenly stopped when she heard the voice of someone she knew very well. The voice of someone who has always opposed his Daddy’s protective attitude. A married couple who are both relaxed and humorous in their approach to life.

“Uncle Anton, Aunt Devina!” Elena screamed as she walked quickly. “When are Uncle and Aunt coming?” Elena said again as she greeted them.

Devina is Jeremy’s younger sibling while Anton is Vanessa’s older cousin. They settled in Surabaya to run a company owned by the Seivaz family. Anton, who previously worked as a lecturer at the Faculty of Economics, had to switch gears to the business world because Jeremy, the first heir, preferred to run the business he started with his own sweat in Yogyakarta, while Devina herself works as a designer. But that doesn’t mean Jeremy is abdicating his responsibilities. Jeremy continues to help Anton run the Seivaz company. Jeremy holds the highest position in the company replacing Ferdinand Alexander Seivaz, Jeremy’s father, who has now retired.

“Since earlier, Sis. Sis El has been in her room,” said Nindy, her younger cousin.

“How are you darling?” Devina asked while stroking Elena’s hair.

“Okay, Te,” replied Elena briefly and then sat between Nindy and Kyla.

“It’s a long holiday, don’t you want to come to Surabaya?” Anton asked, making a tempting offer for Elena.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

A smile crossed Elena’s lips. Anton’s offer could certainly be the best alternative for Elena to forget all her current problems. In Surabaya, Nindy and Arletta will accompany him.

“So what if El goes to Surabaya, Bang Eki?” Rizky, who had just come down from his room, responded.

“Why, bro? Your goal in Jogja is to chase Lala’s love, right?” said Anton, who immediately got a thumbs up from Rizky.

“Yes, as long as Daddy and Mommy give permission,” interrupted Elena as she glanced at Jeremy who was acting indifferent. A sign that the man rejects her wishes.

“Just come along, be satisfied in Surabaya!” Vanessa the Mommy also answered. If Vanessa has spoken up then there is no other choice but to agree for Jeremy.

The warm atmosphere became even more perfect when Club Cogan members came in turn one by one. Every time Anton or Bagas come, they always schedule an event to get together. Because Anton and Agas themselves live farthest away among the others. So it’s impossible for them to just waste time without getting together like tonight.

Knowing that Devan would also come made Elena’s mood worse again. Elena was annoyed, why did she have to meet the man she really wanted to avoid. Wherever and whenever.

Not long after, Devan and Erick arrived. As usual, the young people will definitely greet and greet their parents. When it was her turn to shake Devan’s hand, Elena’s heart started acting up again. How can he move on if he has to meet each other at every opportunity.

Because Elena seemed reluctant to give the usual greeting, Devan teased the girl again by not letting go of Elena’s hand from his grasp. Elena suddenly raised her face to look at the man. Then Devan smiled amusedly as he returned Elena’s sharp gaze that pierced his retina.

“Smile!” Devan whispered while enjoying Elena’s annoyed face.

Then, in order to free herself from the man, Elena immediately put on a wry smile and whispered, “You battery!”