Bittersweet Arrangements : A Sugar Dady Affair

“What’s wrong with you El?” said Devan when he picked up Elena at her school. The girl looked gloomy and uninspired.

Today is the last day of the final school exams and next week he will face the National Examination. So there are no more additional lessons. Elena glanced briefly at Devan who was driving the car. Elena seemed to consider it before speaking what was in her heart. He hopes that after listening to his complaints, Devan will tell his parents to give him a little respite. Well… Even though it sounds impossible. Daddy is the most possessive and protective man Elena has ever known. The perfect man who became her first love.

“I’m annoyed, Uncle. All my friends already have boyfriends. I’m the only one who is forever single. Why do they all say that after the National Exam they want to go on holiday with their girlfriends,” explained Elena in frustration. Regret his unfortunate fate.

“Is that the only problem?” said Devan with a chuckle.

Elena immediately sent a sharp gaze along with her protest.

“Just make sure you’re satisfied, Uncle, laughing. So that my friends will be satisfied,” Elena cooed with a frown. If Devan wasn’t an old man, Elena would have scratched Devan’s handsome face right now. Finally, it was the sling bag that Elena was currently wearing that became the target of her annoyance. He squeezed the bag so hard that his fingernails turned white. It seems like he deserves to be laughed at by everyone.

“Or should I just accept Dirga’s love rather than being teased by my friends all the time,” Elena honestly said innocently.

“Oh, don’t do it, El. You’ll feel sorry for your friend,” said Devan, smiling. Suddenly Devan’s stomach felt tingly as if something was tickling inside.

Devan of course knows Jeremy’s character quite well. In the past, he was almost battered because he had a close relationship with Vanessa. Even though he knew Vanessa much earlier than Jeremy. The severity of Jeremy’s possessiveness was passed on to his daughter. Devan was confused about whether to laugh or feel sorry for the fate of the teenager beside him who was currently sulking.

“How sorry?” Elena said, surprised.

Elena shifted her sitting position. Facing Devan with a questioning look.

“If Daddy, you know that someone’s child can be battered,” answered Devan casually. Devan’s hand reached out and ruffled Elena’s straight hair which was left flowing beautifully.

Elena’s lips curled in annoyance as she let Devan’s hands run through her hair until she was satisfied. Then Elena’s hands crossed her chest because she was annoyed when she confirmed everything Devan said. Never mind having a boyfriend or crush, Elena has never had a male friend. When she first started high school, Elena had lots of male friends. But that didn’t last long because they were all afraid after meeting their Daddy. How can he not be afraid if his Daddy always acts coldly towards his male friends? In the past, several of Elena’s male friends had come to the house with her mother’s permission. Of course everyone is tired of Daddy’s interrogation, which rivals the duties of a police investigator. They are like suspects in a big case every time they face their Daddy.

So even though she was one of the popular students at her school, no one dared to approach her. Moreover, it is not uncommon for his father to pick him up from school himself. But that doesn’t apply to Elena’s female friends. His daddy will be friendly towards them, especially his two best friends, Citra and Melodi. Two of his best friends who are still with him to this day. Actually, Elena’s parents were not bad parents. Elena also knows the reason why her Daddy is overprotective of her. Daddy is just worried that what happened to his Mommy will happen again to Elena, the only daughter he has.

According to the story, his mother had experienced 3 bad events in her youth. Vanessa, her mother, who is a famous model, has experienced sexual harassment several times and almost became a victim of rape. What’s worse, Mommy also experienced a kidnapping that almost killed Jeremy and Vanessa, her parents. A reasonable reason that succeeded in imprisoning him in a golden cage. But Elena also wants to enjoy adolescence like her friends. It doesn’t just revolve around his own family.

Sometimes, a sense of envy takes over Elena’s heart when she sees the freedom her two younger siblings enjoy. Although Elena also knows it doesn’t mean they are completely free without rules. Their parents still keep an eye on Ivand and Viero’s activities outside the house. The only difference is that her younger siblings can go anywhere without strict supervision, unlike herself.

“Uncle, why is Daddy so tough like a rock?” Elena’s response this time left Devan momentarily silent as he processed Elena’s nickname for his friend Jeremy.

Suddenly, Devan burst into laughter when he recalled Vanessa’s special nickname for Jeremy back then, which was “two-door refrigerator.” Indeed, Jeremy’s tough appearance had undergone a drastic change. His long hair was now kept short, and most of the tattoos on his body had disappeared, leaving only a few like Vanessa’s. However, his flat, expressionless face remained a distinctive feature whenever they gathered. Strangely, none of their three children inherited that flat face. All of them were always friendly, just like Vanessa, his wife.

“Why are you laughing, Uncle?” Elena became even more annoyed. She thought Devan was laughing at her misfortune. Seeing Elena’s changing expression made Devan reluctantly stop his laughter.

“I’m not laughing at you, dear. I just remember how your Daddy used to be towards your Mommy,” replied Devan, producing a faint smile on Elena’s lips. The teenager seemed eager to know the story of her parents.

“Why is Daddy like that, Uncle? Oh, I’m so curious!” Elena responded, waiting for Devan to share their story.

Devan turned to look at Elena, who seemed impatient. Instead of giving an answer, Devan deliberately wanted to tease the girl who could provide him with new entertainment.

“Don’t be curious; you might end up wanting to date. If it’s because of me, you’ll accept Dirga as your boyfriend, and I’ll be in trouble later.” Devan’s laughter erupted again, and tears welled up in the corners of his eyes. After a long time, Devan could laugh freely without burden.

“Parents are really annoying!” Elena said irritably, taking her phone out of her bag.

Hearing Elena calling them old instantly touched his pride. Was he really old, as the teenager next to him claimed?

Devan’s car slowed down as they entered Erick’s school area. Seeing the still-empty school, Devan checked the time on his wrist. There was still about 10 minutes for them to wait for Erick to come out of the school gate. Devan then parked his car not far from there and turned off the engine.

For a moment, Devan looked at Elena meaningfully and quickly lowered the window in front of him to make sure Elena’s words were wrong. Devan began scrutinizing her face, checking wrinkles on her forehead, then below her eyes, and it seemed safe. Then he moved upward. This time, Devan sighed in disappointment because Elena was right. He was indeed old, as evidenced by a few strands of white hair that existed among his thousands of dark strands. It was still a small amount, but it was already definite proof that his youth had passed a long time ago. Devan looked at Elena with a long sigh and dismissed it harshly. How could he claim to still be young when his son Erick was already growing up?

“Why, Uncle?” Elena wondered, feeling puzzled by Devan’s strange expression as he looked at her.

“We’re waiting for Erick for a while!” Devan said, opening his car window and muttering to himself, “Devan Alvaro, handsome and mature durian, 41 years old. A pathetic love story.”

“It’s okay,” Elena replied casually, unaware of Devan’s concern about his statement.