8 To 4: The Mayor's Contract Wife
The Wrong Love
After doing a thorough examination and being able to walk slowly, Ajeng was finally moved to his home in Kenanga palace. The opportunity that Ajeng had been waiting for finally came as well. That night, his father again visited his room and brought him souvenirs from Africa.
“How are you doing, Jeng?”
“Good. Thanks for that.”
“Pa, is there no way that Ajeng should not marry Bara?”
Suryo. “A very established and brilliant young man. His future is bright and his family's origins are clear. And they are our eternal allies. If only you had not used a runaway event and pretended to be married to that lowly official, you would have been married and happy now.”
“Sure, without Papa clearin even though Ajeng understands that Bara has all the resources that Papa needs to win the election.”
“Papa is talking about you, Jeng. You are papa's only daughter and you must live with a man who can guarantee your honor and happiness.”
“What if Mas Wira can also do the same, Pa? Ajeng is happy and honored to live with Mas Wira. Would you permit me to marry Mas Wira?”
“Leech that only sucks profits from you and his family that can stab Papa from behind whenever they want?”
“Pa –“
Suryo raised his hand the Ajeng sign should stop.
“Good Pa. Ajeng promises never to meet Mas Wira again. Ajeng will lupain Mas Wira and marry Bara.” Ajeng wiped away his tears that began to drip. “But Ajeng beg Papa to be free in Mas Wira and the people there! They're not wrong, Pa. Wrong teaching.”
Suryo is still flinching.
“If papa wants, Ajeng can redeem Ajeng alms in all the ways that Papa wants. Ajeng will go to volunteer for humanity in Palestine, or Zimbabwe, or wherever and how long Papa wants to make amends. But Ajeng please let them go, Pa. Ajeng could not live haunted by guilt like this.” Ajeng said while crying and resting at his father's feet.
“Build!”
“Ajeng please, Pa. Ajeng could not see Mas Wira suffering alone in prison. He's not wrong, Pa. He's not the culprit. Our biggest mistake was just loving each other." Ajeng's tears rattled between the sincere sentences coming out of his lips that were shaking withstanding the grief.
Because he did not obey his orders, Suryo chose to leave Ajeng who was still resting on the floor alone.
******************
When he came out of Ajeng's room, Alvin was waiting for him at the door.
“Pa, what should Papa act so far to Ajeng?”
“Urus your own business!”
“Pa, since Papa brought Ajeng, he never asked for anything with Papa. Even when he was only twelve years old and papa sent him to study alone in Madrid, he never refused either. She spent fifteen years with only Aunt but she never complained. This was the first time he felt someone loved and loved him, did Papa have the heart to treat him like this? He begged Papa even willing to be sent to dangerous conflict areas and abandoned countries that might make it difficult to return home. Is Papa still unmoved at all?”
“Quite Alvin!”
“Pa, Alvin also does not like Ajeng. Alvin also hates it because he was born from the womb of another woman who papa loves besides mama. But Alvin could not bear to see him hunted down and almost killed on the streets. Papa is indebted to Wira who has saved papa's favorite daughter. But what did Papa do?”
“Alvin!” Bu Suryo suddenly comes and interrupts Alvin. “You have dared to oppose Papa's talk?!”
“Ma Alvin instead of opposing papa, Alvin just nyampein the real reality.”
“Enough! Mama doesn't like you to participate in other people's affairs.” Selena suddenly comes and interrupts Alvin and Suryo's debate.
“Ma, Ajeng is no one else!”
“Quite Vin!”
Suryo left first because he was reluctant to listen to the debate between his wife and second son. But what Alvin said still bothered him.
(he was hounded and almost killed on the streets. Papa owes the same Wira who has saved papa's favorite daughter)
“Andre!” Suryo called one of his confidants.
“Investigate once again all the events during Ajeng roam outside. Alvin said there were people who intended to harm him, but no one reported it. Find out soon!”
“Good, Sir.”
****************
The next morning when he woke up, Ajeng already found the brooch of the gift of the Hero he was looking for was on his room table.
‘Kak Alvin?’ muttered Ajeng.
He hurriedly banged on the door and a female passportress came to Ajeng's room.
“What's up, Non?”
“Where's Brother Alvin?”
“She has left for Russia.”
“Russia?”
“Bapak asks Den Alvin to finish some business there before going to Hungary.”
“Hungary?”
“Den Alvin will apply for Miss Irene there.”
“Irene?”
“Children of Mr. Menko Polhukam who was once a princess of Indonesia.”
He returned to his room with anxiety. He knew very well that his brother loved Mona, his childhood friend who had attended school with Ajeng in Madrid. Mona was the one who made the relationship between Alvin and Ajeng so closer until now. Because Ajeng is willing to be their matchmaker.
But suddenly he wanted to propose another girl who was a popular girl who was getting a lot of attention because of various social and political actions lately. Ajeng suspects that his father is also the one who deliberately set all this up.
‘Wait! Is that because Alvin helped me? But why didn't Brother Alvin meet me before I left?’ grumble Ajeng to yourself.
He banged back on the door. “Where hp me?”
“Sorry, Non. The father who saved. We dare not ask.”
“Then I tell Papa I want to see you!”
“Sorry, Non. My mother has gone to Papua. There is a youth hall inauguration event there.”
“Sial!”
“Sorry Non.”
“Sorry. Not you –“ Ajeng regrets because of the origin of swearing. “Wait! If so, where is Brother Ardan?”
“There's in his room. Immediately depart to the office.”
“Say! I'd like to talk. Important !”
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