Bittersweet Arrangements : A Sugar Dady Affair

As usual, Devan’s workshop was bustling with customers. Especially on the days leading up to the weekend like today, customers usually come in for a check-up and service on their cars before going on a family vacation. While the employees were busy with their tasks, Devan checked the inventory of vehicle tools in the workshop. For Devan, it was crucial not to disappoint customers, so he always made sure to secure the stock in his workshop to avoid any dissatisfaction that might discourage customers from returning.

Devan quickly took note of the tools with dwindling stock and called the company that regularly supplied original parts to his workshop. Since Devan left the military, it wasn’t difficult for him to attract well-known companies to collaborate with his workshop. His name was quite recognized among entrepreneurs, so he decided to focus on his business, even though many regretted his decline as a strict, disciplined, honest, and fair role model. Unlike typical state officials surrounded by wealth and luxurious facilities, Devan and his family led a simple life. They lived in a government-provided house, and after leaving the military, Devan built a modest two-story home where he lived with Erick. Devan utilized his savings to establish an auto workshop, aligning with his passion for the automotive world during his youth.

Devan started everything from scratch. While trying to accept the loss of his beloved wife who had passed away, Devan kept himself busy at the workshop. However, his busyness did not mean neglecting Erick, who was then just 5 years old. Wherever Devan went, he always took Erick along. He tried his best to cherish the only memory left of Gita. He loved Erick as much as possible so that Erick never felt lacking in anything. Although Devan realized he could never replace the role of a mother for Erick, all he could do was educate him with religious teachings as the foundation, just as his late wife desired. Therefore, it wasn’t surprising that Devan enrolled Erick in the best public high school in Yogyakarta.

Ring… Ring… Ring… The telephone on the table successfully disrupted Devan’s concentration. He quickly picked up the phone and greeted a boy on the other end.

“Good afternoon!” Devan said gently.

“You forgot, huh? You said you’d pick me up?” the irritated boy said, surprising Devan.

“Answer my greeting first!” Devan replied, glancing at his wristwatch, which showed it was already 1:00 in the afternoon.

“Afternoon,” Erick muttered without enthusiasm.

“Okay, I’m leaving now!” Devan quickly stood up from his seat, grabbing the car keys on the table.

In a rush, Devan bid farewell to one of his employees who was busy checking a car engine, explaining that he needed to pick up Erick for a while.

“Sure, Boss! Take care on the road!” Lucky said, stopping his work and saluting with his right hand placed on his forehead quickly to show respect, a gesture he regularly did. Lucky did this because he knew who Devan was before becoming the owner of the workshop – a high-ranking intelligence officer. Lucky learned about Devan’s significant secret from Ardan, the owner of the orphanage where he grew up.

Lucky was the first employee that Devan hired from the orphanage owned by the Alfarizi family. He never doubted the recommendations from his close friends in the “Club Cogan” – a group of six accomplished and successful men who claimed to be handsome since birth, each with their distinguished careers.

The black Jeep model smoothly glided onto the roads toward Erick’s school, which seemed to be gradually emptying. Fortunately, the distance between the workshop and Erick’s school was not too far, taking about 15 minutes for the car to enter the school area. Erick was seen standing in front of the school gate, both hands holding the backpack straps on his back, and his right foot kicking whatever was in front of him.

Instantly, a smile spread across Devan’s face. He slowly approached Erick, driving the car towards the spot where Erick was waiting. Tiiin… The sound of the car horn successfully startled Erick, who was focused on his swinging legs. Erick immediately got into the car and reached for Devan’s hand to kiss it.

“Why does a boy sulk?” teased Devan when he saw Erick’s annoyed face, continuing to drive his car out of the school area.

“I’ve told you, let Uncle Steve pick me up, or I can ride my own motorcycle,” protested the 16-year-old boy without taking his eyes off the asphalt road ahead. Erick was often annoyed by waiting for his father, especially when Devan was busy or forgetful.

“Sorry, I promise not to be late to pick you up again. As for the motorcycle, I’ll give you permission when you turn 17, once you have an ID card,” replied Devan, reaching out to gently pat Erick’s head.

“Smile!” teased Devan while smiling broadly, displaying his white teeth, a gesture Erick reluctantly followed.

“Satisfied!” grumbled Erick after returning to his sulky mode.

“Oh, by the way, I’ll take you straight home, okay? Because I have an appointment with the tool seller, and besides, later in the afternoon, I have to pick up El after her tutoring,” explained Devan, further irritating Erick. Erick felt his father’s attention had been divided since Elena’s arrival in their home.

“Whatever!” replied Erick shortly. He was jealous, feeling neglected, especially since Elena slept in his father’s room the night before.

Devan glanced at Erick for a moment, then focused on driving. It was unusual for his son to get angry just because he was late to pick him up from school. Throughout the journey, Erick remained silent, ignoring his father, until they arrived in front of the house. Just as Devan was about to speak, Erick got out of the car and quickly entered the house. Devan sighed resignedly, then drove his car back to the workshop to continue the work that had been momentarily delayed.

***

“Uncle, I’ve finished my tutoring!”

A WhatsApp message notification appeared on Devan’s phone. Seeing Elena’s name on the screen, Devan quickly organized the workshop purchase receipts scattered on the table. He stacked them together, put them into the desk drawer, and locked it. Not forgetting to save the financial report displayed on the laptop screen, Devan turned off the laptop. While waiting for the laptop to shut down, Devan replied to Elena’s WhatsApp message.

“Ok, I’m on my way. Wait for me there, don’t go anywhere!”

Devan quickly left his office and locked the door, reminding Lucky to securely lock the workshop before leaving, as Devan might not return. Devan planned to take Erick and Elena out for dinner, hoping to cheer up Erick, who seemed unenthusiastic since earlier that morning.

As Devan entered Elena’s school area, he reduced the speed of his car. Several teenagers in gray and white uniforms were exiting the school gate. Elena and her two friends were engrossed in conversation, standing under a tree where they usually waited. Although the school provided seating for students waiting for pickups, the three girls chose to stand there for some reason.

Devan rolled down the window when his car stopped not far from Elena and her friends. He honked the horn to divert the conversation of the three teenagers, who still hadn’t noticed his arrival.

“Oh my, El, your uncle is so handsome!” praised Citra, her eyes sparkling, while both hands held her cheeks.

“I swear, El, I want to be introduced to your uncle!” exclaimed Melodi, equally excited as Citra.

“No, you can’t! My uncle is only for me!” retorted Elena, leaving her two friends, who were still captivated by the charm of the mature man.

After making sure Elena was comfortably seated, Devan fastened the seat belt around her. Elena tensed as the masculine scent emanating from Devan’s body reached her senses. Nonchalantly, Devan waved to the two teenagers still observing them with a sly smile.

“Let’s go, Uncle!” protested Elena, urging Devan to close the window and drive away, leaving her two friends still smiling.

“How was the exam? Smooth, right?” Devan initiated the conversation.

“Smooth, Uncle,” replied Elena briefly, only responded with a nod from Devan.

“Did you have lunch earlier? I don’t want you to get sick. Your parents might scold me if that happens,” Devan said again.

“It’s okay, Uncle. Mommy and Daddy kept calling me to remind me to eat,” Elena replied. She then reached out to change the music that was playing. Devan suddenly laughed when he heard the song selected by Elena.

But instead of being offended by Devan’s words, the hazel-eyed teenager was fascinated by Devan’s laughter. For some reason, the mature man looked much more handsome than usual. Since Devan and his parents had been friends for a long time, Elena was used to Devan’s presence. But for now, there was something different, a distinct admiration in Elena’s heart.

“Is there something funny, Uncle?” Elena asked when Devan’s laughter began to fade. The man glanced at Elena for a moment, then focused on the road, chuckling softly.

“Just funny. Since when do you like dangdut music?” Devan’s question flowed from his lips to satisfy his curiosity.

“It’s been a while, Uncle. It’s fun, isn’t it? Besides, as Indonesian citizens, shouldn’t we love domestic products?” Elena’s reply and counter-question successfully silenced Devan’s lips. The man coughed and then flashed a smile.

“You’re smart!” Devan reached out to ruffle Elena’s hair, as he usually did when they met.

But for a girl who had never experienced falling in love like Elena, it felt different. Her heart fluttered from the sweet gesture of the mature man, who was of the same age as her Mommy. It was a new feeling that Elena herself couldn’t define. Indeed, for the first time, Elena was with a man other than her family. Jeremy, Daddy, who was always protective and possessive, never allowed Elena to go anywhere without his supervision. So wherever Elena went, she was always accompanied by Daddy’s trusted people. Before Azka, Elena’s cousin, continued her medical education in Jakarta, that man often accompanied her wherever she went.

“Going to continue your studies in which field?” Devan asked, as he was becoming interested in the uniqueness of the girl beside him.

“I plan to major in the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, precisely Literature and Regional Languages,” Elena answered with confidence.

“Good!” praised Devan with a proud smile. Devan did not expect Elena to choose a faculty that was often underestimated by most Indonesian society.