Bittersweet Arrangements : A Sugar Dady Affair

“Daddy missed you.” Jeremy said the first sentence as he stood up to hug his daughter’s body tightly.

“El misses Daddy too, but El still wants to be here longer, Dad,” replied Elena as she broke their hug. “El’s holiday is still long. Anyway, El wants to stay here until she goes to college.” Elena sulked as she glanced briefly at Devan who was sipping his coffee casually.

If she had the courage, Elena would have told her the reasons why she wanted to stay in Surabaya for a long time. Elena wants to avoid the annoying batteries that come with her Daddy. The man who unfortunately has taken control of her heart.

“I can’t. Anyway, come home with Daddy tomorrow!” Jeremy replied firmly. He grabbed Elena’s shoulder to sit together. Luckily Elena was on Jeremy’s left side so she didn’t have to sit side by side with Devan.

Devan, who was watching the sweet drama between father and son, could only hold back a smile. Devan certainly knows Jeremy very well. How could this man possibly be away from his golden child?

“Never mind Dev, just leave Elena here. Let someone accompany Mommy at home,” said Elena’s grandmother who had just arrived. “If Elena needs to, let her study here,” continued Elena’s grandmother, expressing her wish.

“No, no! El must stay in Jogja with me, Mom,” said Jeremy firmly maintaining his ego. After only four days of separation, Jeremy was already anxious and confused, especially when he had to leave his studies far away.

Devan, who was surprised by Sekar’s grandmother Elena’s words, immediately smiled faintly. It was so subtle that no one noticed the triumphant smile on his face except Nindy, who since the girl’s arrival a few minutes ago had been very interested in paying attention to every detail of the man’s facial expression. Nindy just wanted to confirm Devan’s feelings for his older cousin. Love or just affection like a father for his daughter.

“Just leave it alone Mom, Jeremy is like that,” Devina sneered, surprised by her brother’s increasingly childish attitude.

This has always been Jeremy’s character when he is with his loved ones. From the outside, the man looked fierce and cold. In the past, his wife Vanessa even called him a two-door refrigerator. But don’t ask how warm and sweet Jeremy is when he is with his family and those closest to him. Winter can instantly turn into spring if a man treats a woman.

“How come Devan is a widower? You’re still young, why don’t you try building a household again.” Elena’s grandfather Ferdinand chimed in. From Club Cogan, only Devan doesn’t have a partner, even though according to Ferdinand, his son’s friend is still young and quite attractive. So it would be impossible if no woman wanted to be his wife.

Devan smiled at the question he had memorized. Maybe hundreds or even thousands of people have asked about his status as a widower for more than 10 years. Sometimes Devan feels that the decision to close his heart was a mistake. But on the other side of his heart he agreed. When he got married, he promised he would love Gita forever. Until he died. Devan wants to keep that promise to Gita.

“For me Erick is Mr Ferdinand’s priority,” Devan replied briefly. The most appropriate reason he always uses as a weapon to answer these rhetorical questions.

“It’s useless for Daddy to ask that. Devan isn’t interested in women anymore,” Anton sneered casually. Even with Devan who is indifferent. He is used to being the subject of bullying in the Cogan Club. This wasn’t much because there were only Jeremy and Anton there. If you add Arfan and Bagas, then Devan’s suffering as the object of their bullying will be perfect.

Devan chuckled as he took a drag from the cigarette in his hand. Devan glanced at Elena with a faint smile and the girl was well aware of this. Elena then immediately looked away, pretending not to notice. Don’t ask how Elena’s heart is now starting to act up in there. An overreaction just because of a faint smile from the man.

Elena immediately exhaled roughly, feeling relieved because finally something that required the family gathering to be disbanded. Maghrib reverberations succeeded in saving Elena in her uncomfortable situation.

“Daddy, I’ll go to my room first, it’s a red date,” whispered Elena right in Jeremy’s ear, who immediately nodded in agreement.

Elena quickly got up. Not wanting anyone to get suspicious because she left in a hurry, Elena grabbed Nindy’s hand so they went up to the room together. Nindy, who understood the meaning of Elena’s gaze, immediately moved away. But before walking with Elena, Nindy looked deeply at Devan. It felt like Nindy’s brain stopped working instantly. The assumption is correct that Devan likes his older cousin. But Nindy is also not completely sure if what she means by like is love. For him everything was too strange and impossible.

As a teenager in general, Nindy certainly won’t be able to interpret the love of adults because she has never felt it. So far, Nindy has only relied on mutual love when building relationships with friends at school. If they get bored or there is a problem, Nindy will decide for them and their business will be finished. So what Nindy understands now is that Devan and Elena just like each other. Everything will disappear by itself over time, just like his experience. Sad? Of course Nindy was sad when she had to break up with her boyfriend, but that sadness would only last for a matter of days and then everything would be fine.

After Maghrib prayers they had dinner together. Unfortunately, there was only one empty chair left in the dining room. Earlier, because she was lazy, Elena deliberately joined the dining room last. And this is her fate, Elena has to sit facing Devan.

“Oh God, what plans have you prepared for your servant who is learning to move on?” Elena monologued to herself as she reached for the plate in front of her. The hunger he had felt for a long time just evaporated.

Across the table, Devan looked relaxed while enjoying his dinner menu. A faint smile appeared on his lips when he noticed that Elena’s attitude seemed stiff. Elena, who was fully aware that the man in front of her was watching her, dared to return the gaze. Elena was so annoyed that she deliberately raised the fork in her hand and pointed it at Devan. Threatening men to stop bothering her.

Nindy couldn’t afford to be indifferent now. Paying attention to Devan and Elena’s attitude is very interesting. The story of the two of them is too unique to be missed.

“Oh my gosh, they are really funny,” Nindy muttered to herself as she held back her laughter. “This is like the story in the novels I’ve read, the story of a sugar daddy and a sugar baby.”