Bittersweet Arrangements : A Sugar Dady Affair

“Honey, I’ll pick up El first, okay?” said Jeremy after 30 minutes had passed after Elena and her friends left.

Since the car carrying Elena disappeared behind the gate of their house, Jeremy never stopped grumbling when he found out that Elena had deliberately tricked him by leaving his cell phone in the room. Now Jeremy feels disappointed and betrayed by his own daughter. Meanwhile, Vanessa laughed a little at her husband’s behavior, which looked funny and adorable.

“Oh my dear Jeremy, it’s still half past eight, let El enjoy the event with her friends,” Vanessa replied casually, momentarily diverting her attention from the fashion magazine she was holding.

Jeremy then turned off the TV channel which had not succeeded in entertaining him in the slightest. The flat screen also seems to only present meaningless moving and colored images. Jeremy’s body is at home, next to his wife. But his soul wandered around wondering the whereabouts of his daughter who had gone out without his supervision.

Jeremy’s head turned towards the beautiful woman with shoulder length hair beside him. She looked at the short white knee-length dress she was currently wearing. The satin fabric clearly wouldn’t be able to cover every curve of Vanessa’s curvaceous body. In accordance with his request, Vanessa will remove the hijab and Muslim clothes that usually cover her private parts whenever they are at home. Then without Vanessa expecting it, Jeremy grabbed the magazine in the woman’s hand, just put it on the table. Jeremy tried to fill his mind with wild fantasies to get rid of his anxiety.

Vanessa snorted because this possessive man was disturbing her fun. However, when the mischievous grin that she had memorized for more than 19 years appeared on Jeremy’s handsome face, Vanessa suddenly laughed. Vanessa’s hand reached out, touching Jeremy’s firm jaw which was disguised by the soft hairs that were starting to take on a white color. Jeremy’s eyes closed, enjoying every light touch given by his wife’s slender fingers. A touch that gave birth to an addiction that he never wanted to miss.

Not remaining silent, Jeremy’s hand also took part by slipping into the folds of the chest of the nightgown worn by Vanessa. Of course Jeremy had memorized it. Behind the robe, Vanessa’s body was only blocked by a thin and sexy dress without underwear, which made it easier for her to explore inside.

A triumphant smile spread across Vanessa’s lips. He knew where the weakness of the man he loved was, which was also his weak point. Vanessa’s fingers began to descend and stopped at Jeremy’s broad chest which was wrapped in a white t-shirt. Not only touching, Vanessa’s fingers started making abstract lines there. Making Jeremy helpless.

“Come on, Jeremy, let’s move rooms. I don’t want us to be caught by Viero, let alone our maid,” Vanessa whispered with a sigh. Deliberately teasing Jeremy so he would no longer be anxious about Elena’s whereabouts.

Jeremy’s eyelids opened. Vanessah’s flash has dominated her much-loved copper-brown irises. The irises that had managed to drag him into the man’s charm since the first time they met. Charm that never fades even at a young age.

“Of course, I will collect your promise, darling,” replied Jeremy in a heavy voice.

Without warning, Jeremy lifted Vanessa’s body. Bring him into their contest. Complete all the desires that always burn every time we are together. From the end of the bedroom stairs, their baby Viero is now there. The teenager deliberately stopped his footsteps until his parents entered the room. An ordinary sight that he often witnessed. Sometimes Viero felt annoyed because his eyes had to be stained with their intimate scenes. Viero often found them kissing wherever they were together. Of course, when the house is quiet. Even now, Viero still wonders why his parents’ romance never expired?

As a child, Viero certainly feels happy to see the harmony between his parents. But if his eyes and mind are constantly tarnished, his future could be ruined. It once crossed Viero’s mind to warn them. But Viero’s guts shrank first when he remembered how over possessive his Daddy was towards Elena, his older sister. Viero doesn’t want his fate to be the same. So the safest way is to remain silent. Pretending not to know anything, because it is possible that his father will act the same way when he finds out that he often sees adult scenes that are not appropriate for him.

For several minutes Viero remained silent in place. Make sure that his parents don’t leave the room again. Only then did Viero come down from his room. Earlier, Viero had received permission from his parents to play at his friend’s house which was in the same complex as their house.

At the Malioboro Cinema studio, Elena is now with her two friends and their respective boyfriends. There was indeed an unusual feeling because currently he was sitting next to Dirga. But Elena suddenly felt regretful because she had lied to her parents. That feeling is what makes Elena unable to enjoy the film currently playing. Elena looked at Dirga in the dark with meaning, why she wasn’t as enthusiastic as when she entered the studio earlier. From the light reflected on the screen, Elena could see Dirga’s face, which looked tense and serious.

Feeling observed by the girl next to him, Dirga turned and spoke, “What’s wrong, El?” Instantly, Elena shook her head and turned her gaze back to the front.

Unbeknownst to Elena, Dirga reached for her hand, bringing it into his grasp. Elena’s body tensed as her heartbeat raced. She tried to pull her hand back, but Dirga held firm. The more she tried to free herself, the tighter Dirga’s grip became.

“If you’re afraid your parents will be angry, let me be the one to take you home later?” Dirga said, looking at Elena’s anxious face, illuminated by the screen in front of them.

“No need, I’ll go home with Citra and Melodi,” Elena replied quickly.

Elena couldn’t imagine how furious her Daddy would be if Dirga were the one to take her home tonight. She didn’t want to take such a risk because if it happened, her newfound freedom for the night would come to an end.

***

Jeremy paced back and forth in front of the front door anxiously, while Vanessa was engrossed in browsing her social media accounts. Although she had been on hiatus from the modeling world, Vanessa was still active in receiving endorsements for modest clothing products collaborating with her boutique. Now Vanessa even had a dedicated designer sewing for her brand. Elena was often involved in marketing products from their boutique. Devina, her sister-in-law, had become a famous designer herself. While they used to collaborate, Devina now owned her own boutique in Surabaya.

“Dear, why are you standing? I’m getting a headache just looking at you wandering around like an aimless iron!” Vanessa protested because she was getting a headache seeing her husband pacing around aimlessly.

“It’s already 9 o’clock, dear. El hasn’t come home yet, and I can’t reach her!” Jeremy complained, looking frustrated.

“Jeremy, how about we go to the gym again? Instead of me getting a headache watching you act like a chicken about to lay eggs!” Vanessa suggested, successfully making Jeremy growl in frustration. Vanessa could still joke like this even in a critical situation.

Jeremy’s lips chose to remain silent. His wife’s sweet smile contained mystery, inviting him seriously or just mocking. If his junior had acted earlier, this time he remained silent, not responding. Not because he wasn’t interested, but he was dominated by worry about Elena. Even for matters in the bedroom, he never refused, especially when it was Vanessa who offered. But this time was different. His heart and mind were not connected there.

Vanessa’s laughter suddenly filled the living room. Bi Siti, one of their household assistants, was startled when delivering their ordered drinks. Their facial expressions were clearly opposite.

After placing the two different drinks on the table, Bi Siti hurriedly returned to the kitchen. Leaving was the best choice when seeing Jeremy’s unfriendly expression. But it didn’t mean he was angry; his flat expression and cold gaze were enough to paralyze anyone.

“Dear, don’t put on that face. My love for you will increase, you know. It would be a shame if it spills over.” Vanessa teased even more.

“Vanessa, dear… Just stop teasing me. Instead of calming you down, I might end up teasing you even more,” Jeremy said, annoyed, finally giving in. He then sat next to Vanessa.

Vanessa’s laughter overflowed again, then she stole a kiss on Jeremy’s lips. But before Vanessa could pull her face away, Jeremy reached for Vanessa’s nape and pressed his thin lips into the feast.

The greeting from the door startled both of them. Jeremy swiftly distanced himself from his wife so that whoever stood at the doorway wouldn’t witness their actions. However, it was too late; Viero stood there frozen with a neutral expression. No emotion showed on his face.

“Oh my goodness… These out-of-date teenagers are really over the top,” grumbled Viero in his heart, feeling unlucky to witness his parents’ intimate scenes again. Tonight alone, it was the second time he caught his parents being affectionate. He wondered how many more times his eyes and mind would be tainted.

“Knock on the door first, Viero, before coming in!” Jeremy reminded, hiding his embarrassment. Just a few days ago, it was his eldest son who witnessed them, and now it was the turn of the youngest.

Viero’s chest appeared to swell as a sign that the teenager took a deep breath. Followed by a loud exhale escaping through his lips. Jeremy admitted his fault this time, but in a corner of his heart, he acknowledged that both of his sons inherited his ability to quickly regain composure in any situation. Like now. He was sure Viero saw everything, but look at him. Viero could act as if nothing happened.

“The door is open, why should I knock?” Viero retorted, successfully silencing his parents.

“I’ll go to my room first,” Viero excused himself, walking towards the stairs nonchalantly. But before his foot touched the first step, Viero said, “Dad, Mom, please don’t stain my eyes and mind again.”

The sentence flowed freely with full of emotions. The 12-year-old didn’t care anymore if his parents would be angry. What he said was true, so why be afraid? Viero was confident that his two older siblings experienced the same thing as him.

Jeremy and Vanessa exchanged glances for a moment, then looked back at Viero’s retreating figure.

“You, dear, enjoy teasing, don’t you?” Jeremy teased his wife.

“Oh, you’re just happy!” Vanessa retorted, not wanting to lose.

“Well, dear, if you’re happy with that, you don’t need to bother teasing. Just stay quiet, and I’m already tempted,” Jeremy joked while fixing his slightly messy hair.

Ten minutes passed without a word. Now, Jeremy and Vanessa sat side by side on the sofa in silence. They sipped their drinks, which suddenly tasted bland. Their hearts were now filled with shame and regret. How could they set an example of behavior that had been strictly forbidden for their children?

Outside, Citra’s car came to a stop. They had just arrived. Before getting out of the car, they regulated their breaths and recited prayers. Despite being aware that what they did was wrong, they still hoped that God would grant their prayers-to be spared from Elena’s Daddy’s interrogation.

“Seriously, guys, I’m shaking. Meeting Daddy feels like meeting Mr. Irawan.” Melodi panicked again.

“Oh come on, don’t compare Daddy to Mr. Irawan. Obviously, Daddy is way better!” Citra responded when Melodi mentioned one of their school guidance counselors.

“Enough, don’t argue. Let’s go down and say goodbye!” Elena intervened, then got out of the car.

Now the three of them stood in front of the already open door, a sign that their arrival had been anticipated by the host. Elena moistened her lips and pulled the corners that felt stiff, attempting to smile as naturally as possible in front of her parents.

Greetings collided with the rapid footsteps of the three teenagers at the door, successfully breaking the silence between Jeremy and Vanessa. They hurried to welcome the arrival of the three teenagers who had been awaited by Jeremy.

“Thank goodness you finally came home,” Jeremy said, holding Elena’s shoulders with both hands.

Two pairs of copper-colored irises clashed, each reflecting differently. Elena, understanding the meaning of those gazes, immediately drew the corners of her lips, offering her sweetest smile to melt the heart of the possessive man who was now scrutinizing her with a gaze full of investigation.

Jeremy started scanning Elena from head to toe to ensure everything remained intact as usual. He even tried to sniff Elena’s scent, making sure there was no unfamiliar aroma that could invite suspicion.

“Sorry, Daddy Mommy, we’ll go home now,” Melodi said before Jeremy turned his attention to the other two.

“Sure, you can go home. No need to drop by anymore,” Vanessa replied amicably.

“Tomorrow is Sunday, why don’t you stay here overnight?” Jeremy suggested, successfully making Citra and Melodi respond promptly.

“No, Dad, thank you. We’ll go home now,” Without waiting for a response, Citra reached for Vanessa’s hand to kiss it, and did the same to Jeremy, followed by Melodi.

The two teenagers greeted and then briskly left, leaving their bodies alone, trembling with fear.

“Dad, I’m going to my room, okay?” Elena asked, wanting to escape as quickly as her two friends did.

“Dad wants to talk, actua…,” Jeremy responded, instantly wiping the smile off Elena’s face. Elena’s fair complexion suddenly turned pale.

“Tomorrow is fine, dear. It’s already late. Let El rest,” Vanessa cut in, hugging Jeremy’s arm, signaling Elena to leave immediately.

Without wasting any time, Elena climbed the stairs to her room, not even glancing back. Her trembling legs forced her to keep moving until she reached her room.

Upon arriving, Elena immediately collapsed onto her soft bed, giving her heart time to calm down before facing the trial tomorrow morning judged by her own Daddy.