Bittersweet Arrangements : A Sugar Dady Affair

“Nin, I hope this secret will remain safe forever. I’m sure this feeling is just the biggest mistake I’ve ever made.”

Nindy was stunned when she read the chat from Elena. His heart was beating fast as if he felt the pain his older cousin was feeling. Just 2 hours ago, Elena came home with her Daddy and Devan. Earlier, Nindy felt suspicious when she saw Elena’s eyes which looked swollen. Nindy believed it when Elena said that her swollen eyes were because she had slept too long. Earlier after school, Nindy found Elena asleep. But when she read the emotional writing, Nindy now understood one thing. The taste that Elena has is not an ordinary taste.

“Trust me, I’ll be fine. Just see, when you go to Jogja, I’ll definitely have a girlfriend who is prettier than yours.”

The end of the message is indeed a smile emoticon full of love. But when she read it, Nindy felt sad. Then, feeling uncertain, Nindy started writing words to cheer up Elena.

“Cheer up Sis El! Watch out if you dare to lie!”

That was the only sentence Nindy could write for Elena. Nindy hopes everything will be fine after this. Everything will return to normal as before.

Elsewhere, Elena chose to close her eyes while wearing earphones in both ears. Enjoy mellow songs to represent your current feelings. From behind the rearview mirror, Devan stole several glances at the passenger seat in the back. Making sure the girl is okay. Jeremy, who sensed Devan’s anxiety, then offered to change positions. Jeremy was only worried that Devan was tired from driving and would endanger the lives of the three of them.

“Don’t worry, bro, when I’m tired, we’ll just rest in the rest area,” replied Devan casually while remaining focused on the paved road in front of him.

Four hours later they had arrived home safely. Jeremy smiled when he saw Elena who had been sleeping since the trip. Her daughter was unusually talkative and quiet. But Jeremy realized that Elena was sulking because she picked him up without permission first. Elena did protest because she still wanted to stay longer in Surabaya. That’s why since they left, Jeremy chose not to bother his daughter. Let Elena do whatever as long as the girl isn’t angry with her.

Not wanting to disturb Elena’s sleep, Jeremy rushed out of the car and opened the back door. Slowly lifted Elena’s body. Seeing Jeremy looking difficult, Devan offered to help.

“Here, let me take El to her room,” offered Devan as he closed the car door. Jeremy looked at Devan with unreadable eyes. But before Jeremy said that Zacky came in a hurry.

“Zacky, please take Elena’s things to her room!” Jeremy said to the driver.

“Yes sir,” answered Zacky then immediately carried out his master’s orders.

Before bringing Elena into the house, Jeremy said again, “Thanks Devan, okay? Anyway, it’s already late, just stay here.”

“You’re welcome, I’ll just go back, poor Erick will be waiting for me to come home,” answered Devan as he looked at the watch on his wrist which showed 11 o’clock at night.

Erick’s habit since childhood. Every time Devan went out of town his son would wait for him anxiously. So as far as possible Devan will not leave Erick at home for too long except when Erick comes with him.

“Okay, be careful.” Jeremy then climbed the stairs to the main door while Devan walked to the garage to get his motorbike there.

Jeremy, who had just entered, was immediately greeted by Vanessa who was still in the living room, deliberately waiting for her husband and daughter to arrive.

“I’ll put El in her room first,” said Jeremy, immediately going up to Elena’s room.

After making sure Elena’s sleeping position in bed was comfortable, Jeremy didn’t forget to give the girl a kiss on the forehead. Only after that did Jeremy return to meet Vanessa. Just separated yesterday, Jeremy already misses his wife so much.

***Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

One week later…

Elena is back to being as cheerful as ever. His cheerfulness certainly brought the once quiet atmosphere of the house back to life with his absurd chatter. Like this morning, Elena again caused a stir in the dining room by saying that Dirga wanted to come to the house. Asking her out on a date. And of course Jeremy was the most shocked when he heard it.

“No, Daddy won’t give you permission!” Jeremy refused, not wanting his daughter to go with a man other than his family.

“What’s going on with Daddy? Mommy has already given Dirga permission to come!” Elena protested, not accepting her father’s rejection.

“Daddy doesn’t like you being close to boys!” said Jeremy, who was adamant about his decision.

“Never mind, Dad, let Dirga come. Besides, we don’t know him yet. Let’s see how serious he is with Elena first,” interrupted Vanessa, trying to melt Jeremy’s heart, which was as hard as a rock.

“You can’t do that, Honey, what will happen to El if that guy does it?” Jeremy replied with all his negative arguments.

Jeremy was young and experienced how love can overcome logic. Jeremy is worried that Elena will fall into the immorality he once committed with Vanessa. Jeremy didn’t want that to happen to his daughter. That’s why all this time, Jeremy has been desperately looking after Elena so that no man can approach the girl before she is an adult. Apart from that, Jeremy also wants to protect Elena’s heart so that she doesn’t experience the heartbreak she once felt, even though it sounds impossible. How could Jeremy know what was in Elena’s heart because only that girl knew her feelings?

“That’s why Dad, we have to really know who the guy who is close to Elena is. So we know the extent of their relationship,” explained Vanessa, explaining what she meant by giving permission for Dirga to come to the house.

“But Honey, El just can’t date. If necessary, let Daddy look for a future husband for her,” said Jeremy, still trying to maintain his ego.

Ivand and Viero, who were ready to go to school, could only remain silent, listening to their family drama which had just begun. They hurriedly finished breakfast before the family drama episode got longer and wider.

“Oh, Daddy, that’s no fun. Remember, Dad, I’m Elena Amandita Seivaz, not Siti Nurbaya!” Elena said firmly, interrupting her parents’ argument. With an innocent face, Elena said again,

“Oh, if El can’t date, why can Ivand?”

Cough… cough… cough… Ivand suddenly choked on the food he was chewing. The food in his mouth was so shocked that it splashed onto the table. Ivand’s eyes immediately watered from the food he had counted.

“Brother Ivand is dirty!” Viero screamed with a disgusted expression seeing the food scattered in front of Ivand.

“Oh my God, Ivand, eat slowly!” Vanessa immediately panicked and got up from her chair. He rubbed Ivand’s back while offering him water.

Elena just looked at Ivand casually, while Jeremy alternated his gaze between Elena and Ivand with investigative looks.

Ivand received water from his mom and took a sip to push down the food that still felt stuck in his throat. Spontaneously, Ivand exhaled quite forcefully to ease the tightness in his chest. For a few seconds, Ivand forgot that a pair of sharp eyes were currently observing him. Inquisitive and demanding. However, Ivand quickly became aware and briefly cast a sharp glance at Elena. He reached for a tissue in the middle of the table to wipe his lips. Before Jeremy could say anything, Ivand got up, intending to escape from the barrage of questions that would undoubtedly be difficult for him to answer.

“Ivand, it’s okay, Mom. Ivand is going to school now, right? It’s already half past seven,” Ivand said with a gentle smile to the most beautiful woman in his heart, so she wouldn’t worry about him.

“Viero is also leaving!” Viero grabbed his backpack and got up, bidding farewell to their parents.

Since time didn’t allow Jeremy to demand an explanation from Ivand, he chose to postpone it. Perhaps, later in the afternoon when they gather, Jeremy will ask his son directly.

Seeing Ivand’s annoyed expression made Elena smile with satisfaction. Elena deliberately shifted the topic so that she wouldn’t be the sole subject of discussion. Moreover, Elena intended to divert her Daddy’s attention so he wouldn’t focus too much on her. Elena was confident that after this, her Daddy would surely demand an explanation from Ivand and momentarily ignore her.

By 8:45, Elena was already prepared when her maid called from the room, informing her that there was a visitor. Who else but Dirga. Dirga had called her before leaving to pick her up. Elena appeared relaxed. For some reason, she didn’t feel afraid of her Daddy this time. Even if her Daddy interrogated Dirga, there would be Mommy ready to defend him. Today, Elena was determined to get permission from her Daddy, no matter what.