Bittersweet Arrangements : A Sugar Dady Affair

Since an hour ago, Elena has been spending time on the balcony of her room. The fresh air and the gentle breeze that touched his skin brought calm to his soul. Should he go as he had planned yesterday? Continue your education outside the city or abroad altogether. But doubt also crept into his heart. In her entire life, Elena has never been separated from her family. How will his life be without the presence of Mommy who never fails to nag him? Can Elena get through the day without her Daddy’s hug? In the past, when Elena was left alone for 4 days to go to Kediri, Elena’s life felt empty.

Elena admits that she is annoyed with her Daddy’s protective and possessive attitude. But why was it that when she imagined going away from the man with copper brown hair who was exactly the same as her, her heart felt so heavy. So now what should he do to heal the wound in his heart? Elena stepped towards the edge of the balcony. Both hands held the guardrail and closed his eyes. Enjoy the whisper of the wind on his face. Hoping that there will be an inspiration that will provide guidance for him to make the right decision.

The calm atmosphere had to be disturbed when Elena’s eyes opened and she saw her parents’ car entering the gate. Elena hurriedly entered the room. Close the balcony door as well as the curtains. As fast as lightning, Elena ran towards the switch. Elena pressed it hard then replaced it with a night light.

“Oh my gosh, where’s my cellphone?” Elena frantically looked for her cell phone on the bed. “Oh, where the hell!” Elena was annoyed because she couldn’t find him. He put away the pillow and roll in a hurry. He had to quickly stop the music he was playing before someone entered his room.

For now, Elena is not ready to meet anyone in her chaotic state. Elena’s struggle finally succeeded. His cellphone was found lying on the carpet, it seemed like it had fallen along with the bolster pillow he had thrown earlier. Elena quickly turned off the music and the TV. Then pulled the blanket to cover part of his body. Her back to the door was Elena’s best choice to hide the charade she was about to play.

Elena had just managed to calm her pounding heart when suddenly she heard the door to her room open. Then followed by the slow footsteps of someone approaching. Elena persisted even though her heart was starting to work irregularly. Elena felt the back of the bed move slowly down. The sweet, fresh aroma of chocolate that he knew so well penetrated his sense of smell.

“Daddy knows you’re not fine Honey,” said Jeremy softly as he stroked Elena’s long hair. Jeremy took a deep breath then let it out roughly. Feeling sad because his little girl didn’t want to be honest with him. Maybe it was his possessive attitude that managed to create distance between them without her realizing it.

“Have nice dreams, Honey,” whispered Jeremy as he gave Elena a kiss on the cheek then immediately left his daughter’s room.

“What’s wrong Daddy?” Rizky asked worriedly when he saw Jeremy’s sad face. Rizky, who was standing in the doorway of his room, suddenly gave up his intention to enter. So, Rizky’s room is right next to Elena’s room. Jeremy deliberately put all his children’s rooms in sequence on one floor.

“It’s okay, Daddy just misses your little brother,” Jeremy replied with a faint smile and then left.

Rizky stared at Jeremy leaving until he disappeared from his sight. Then he went into his room to change clothes and perform evening prayers.

Feelings of guilt suddenly hit Elena’s chest after Jeremy left. He really didn’t have the slightest intention of hurting his Daddy. Only, this time Elena couldn’t speak honestly to her family. All this is for the sake of good relations between his family and Devan. Silence is an absolute choice that cannot be negotiated anymore.

While sitting, Elena looked at the door of her room with her eyes starting to get foggy.

“I’m sorry El, Daddy. El can’t tell me the truth,” Elena whispered as crystal beads began to slide freely down her cheeks. Her feelings for Devan were a big mistake. This love will hurt many hearts if it is revealed.

Elena’s sobs could be heard again. It felt like Elena was tired of crying but why didn’t her tears dry up? He wiped the tears with the corner of the blanket he was holding. However, Elena’s body suddenly froze when suddenly the door to her room opened. Rizky was standing there, Elena could faintly see Rizky’s flat face. Even that pure white face didn’t show any emotion there. Elena hurriedly lay down. Turn your back to Rizky.

“El is sleepy, Bro, I want to sleep,” said Elena in a hoarse voice typical of someone who is crying.

Rizky then closed the door to Elena’s room. Before walking towards the bed, Rizky pressed the light switch. Suddenly the glare of the light hit Elena’s retina. The pain made Elena cover her entire body with a blanket. Elena panicked even more as Rizky’s footsteps got closer. He closed his eyes tightly, hoping his brother would come out of his room. But Elena’s hopes of course didn’t come true because the sound of a chair creaking could be heard very close to her.

“Tell me who is the man who dares to make you like this?” said Rizky in a deep voice.

Elena’s heart immediately jumped when she heard Rizky’s question. Her brain tried to work extra hard to find the right reason for the man in front of her to believe it. Even though it sounds impossible, what’s wrong with Elena hoping so?

“Tell me or are you looking for it yourself?” Rizky’s threat was not playing around with his words.

“If you don’t want to tell the truth, I will tell Daddy and let the man get the punishment he deserves.”

Hearing this terrible threat, Elena immediately dared to open her face covering with a big smile. At this moment, Elena didn’t even seem able to breathe when the sharp gaze of the man in front of her shot straight into her eyes. If it’s like this, what can Elena do? The man in front of him seemed gentle and relaxed but was actually stubborn like his father.

“Bro, Eki, what’s wrong? El’s okay,” replied Elena, trying to avoid it. “El is just sad because he will soon be separated from Citra and Melodi,” Elena lied, which clearly didn’t work.

“Tell me now or tomorrow, Brother and Daddy will immediately look for it?” threatened Rizky firmly.

“Looking for who you are, Bro. El, you’re not close to any guys anymore,” answered Elena, who actually gave the answer Rizky wanted.

“Ok Fix, Brother, meet Daddy!” Rizky got up from his seat. Even Elena immediately woke up.

“Brother, please don’t. Daddy can slaughter him later,” asked Elena with a pleading look. Elena’s hands held Rizky’s hands so that the man sat back down and listened to her explanation.

Rizky sat back down and couldn’t help but look at Elena’s puffy eyes. For the first time, Rizky saw the wound in the girl’s eyes. All this time, Elena lived in perfection. Grow up in a harmonious family. What other material? The girl only had to say it once and all her wishes would definitely be fulfilled. But Rizky forgot one thing. Behind that perfect life, Elena harbors a wish that has just been achieved, namely freedom. But just as Elena breathed free air, she was caught in a foreign feeling that managed to paralyze her spirit. This feeling called falling in love succeeded in making Elena helpless.

“El is really close to a guy, but we’re not dating,” explained Elena, keeping the boy’s name a secret.

Rizky nailed Elena’s eyes to ensure that the girl was speaking honestly to him. “So El was the wrong target, Bro. He already has a girl,” continued Elena with a stiff smile. In her heart, Elena prayed that Rizky would no longer ask questions.

Rizky’s eyebrows were knit together, dipping sharply as if he was thinking about something in his mind. Rizky isn’t sure if a guy would waste a girl as beautiful as Elena. Or as Ivand said, all the students at school didn’t dare approach Elena because of the record the girl had obtained. Elena once beat a student at her school black and blue. Then it was reinforced by rumors of Daddy Elena being scary.

“Are you sure that guy rejected you?” said Rizky who still doubted Elena’s confession. But Rizky also couldn’t find any lies from the girl’s eyes.

“Okay, this time I’ll try to believe it. But while I’m here, I’ll find out who he is! If necessary, I’ll break his nose,” said Rizky again, to which Elena immediately answered with a nod of her head. In her heart, Elena kept praying for Devan’s safety. Even though Devan had broken her heart, Elena also couldn’t bear it if it was true that Daddy and Rizky beat up the man.

After making sure Elena was calm, Rizky went to rest in his room.

“Okay, bro, go back to your room first,” said Rizky then gave Elena a kiss on the forehead.

But suddenly Rizky saw that the cellphone behind Elena’s body was on without a ringing sound. An incoming phone call. Suddenly Rizky sharpened his eyes on the flat screen to see the name written there.

Uncle Devan is calling…

Rizky was silent, his body did not move. His gaze turned towards Elena who had not yet noticed the phone call.

Elena, who had just changed her sitting position, was surprised and said, “What’s wrong, bro?”

“Oh… No, it’s okay!” Rizky answered quickly.

Rizky rushed out of Elena’s room feeling uncertain. In his mind various questions attacked his logic. Two days ago, Elena said that the watch she had given her was missing, then the next day after school, Elena asked her to take it to The Doctor’s Car, Devan’s repair shop. There Elena also behaved strangely. Then now the watch has returned to Elena. But it wasn’t happiness that Elena showed, it was sadness like someone with a broken heart.

“No, it’s impossible,” muttered Rizky as he sat on the edge of his bed. Of course, Rizky tried to avoid what was on his mind.

“Ivand?”

After saying Ivand’s name, Rizky came back out of his room and went to Ivand’s room. No matter how late the night is. Ivand still has school holidays tomorrow. So it wouldn’t be a problem if they had to stay up late tonight.

***

The next morning Elena looked cheerful as usual. Jeremy, who heard Elena’s chatter, felt relieved. It was proven that his bad prejudice was wrong.

“Mom, will El come to the boutique?” said Elena after finishing her breakfast. “El’s been on a long holiday, so instead of doing nothing at home,” continued Elena with a big smile. Hope his Mommy agrees.

“How about just follow Daddy?” Jeremy offered seriously.

“Oh no, it’s not fun in Daddy’s office,” replied Elena disinterestedly.

“It’s okay to just come with Mommy. Coincidentally, today Mommy has a photo shoot scheduled for the latest fashion model. If you want, just come along and be a model,” responded Vanessa enthusiastically. It must be fun working with his daughter.

“No problem. Instead of going crazy!” Elena answered carelessly. The point is that today Elena wants to do activities outside the house to heal the wounds in her heart.

“You guys are cheating. Can Daddy come along?” Jeremy responded. It seems like it’s been a long time since he accompanied his wife during a photo shoot.

“Viero is going to school first. I don’t feel like watching family dramas,” said Viero with an innocent facial expression.

“Just say you’re jealous,” said Ivand with a chuckle. Since yesterday, Viero has been protesting against him. The junior high school teenager was jealous because he had to go to school while the others were on holiday.

Viero did not respond to Ivand’s sneer. The teenager got up from his seat and greeted his parents. Not to forget, Viero also greeted his three older siblings before leaving with the family driver. For now, Viero has to be taken by the driver to pick him up from school. Later, when he was in high school, Viero got the right to drive his own motorbike or car like his older siblings, Elena and Ivand.

Now Elena and Vanessa sing together following the lyrics that are playing. Jeremy, the handsome driver, just smiled while shaking his head at the behavior of his two favorite women. Earlier, Jeremy called his personal assistant to rearrange all his schedules. Today Jeremy will obey wherever the two women want to go. It had been a long time since Jeremy had gone out with his wife and daughter. The three of them arrived at the large courtyard of a boutique labeled DnA Boutique. The first boutique built by Jeremy for his beloved wife. DnA itself is an abbreviation of their names, namely Jeremy and Vanessa.

Previously, behind the boutique building, their house was located. However, since 7 years ago the house has been renovated and converted into a photo studio. So apart from being used for photo shoots, the photo studio is also rented to the public.

When they arrived in front of the boutique, the three of them were immediately greeted by the staff in a friendly manner. Cindy, Vanessa’s assistant, who was seen checking the items displayed on the mannequin, immediately rushed over to greet the big boss.

“Good morning, Mother, Father, and Miss Elena,” said Cindy with a slight bow of her head.

“Morning too. Cin, is everything ready?” Vanessa replied to ensure readiness for the photo shoot.

“That’s it ma’am, just waiting for the photographer to come,” replied Cindy as she gave way to the three people in front of her to pass.

“Mom, El, take a look first, okay?” Elena said goodbye while embracing Jeremy’s waist.

“It’s up to you, Mommy wants to go to the office first,” replied Vanessa then walked towards her office with Cindy while Jeremy and Elena headed for the stairs that connect to the second floor. Youth clothing area available.

It didn’t feel like it had been almost an hour since Jeremy and Elena had been walking around the boutique. Elena brought 2 t-shirts of her choice and then intended to follow her to her Mommy’s office.

“How come there are only two, not less?” asked Jeremy, surprised.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“No, Dad, I’m feeling lazy. Try it together, Citra and Melodi can fill a trolley,” chuckled Elena as she took Jeremy’s arm. Even with Jeremy’s hand embracing Elena’s shoulder.

From the opposite direction, a beautiful, neatly dressed woman who Elena really avoided was chatting with one of the boutique employees. The woman could faintly be heard asking for Vanessa, the owner of DnA Boutique.

“Sister, I want to meet Miss Vanessa for a moment, just say that I am Dinda’s friend from her college days.”