Engelskraft: Love of Wasted Angels

The Vibration Is Beginning to Appear

3 Days before the payday date, Ailey and Siti were asked to gather at the Abram Corporation office. In a meeting room, the marketing team and the operational team are already sitting with their respective laptops open. They look excited.

Lina, as the head of the operational team saw Ailey and Siti at the door and let her go in and sit inside. One of the women who looked older than Lina immediately stood up and greeted them.

“So this is SPG who takes care of our electronic store in Mall Abram City? Greetings, I am Silvia, the leader of Abram.” marketing team Sapa Silvia was friendly.

“Greetings, Mrs Silvia.” Reply Ailey and Siti simultaneously.

“By the way, what is it, yes call us both?” Ask Siti politely.

“Oh, sorry we haven't told you the agenda today. We want to tell you about the marketing strategy for our e-store at Mall Abram City.” Answer with excitement.

“We need you to be able to work together in increasing the sales of the store during the payday period. So, please listen carefully!” Lina continued firmly.

Silvia immediately advanced forward to a television screen that was already connected to the presentation material on her laptop. He explained the marketing campaign that will be carried out during the payday period. Of the material, Engelskraft became one of the important points in the plan.

“Pak Kevin has successfully negotiated with Engelskraft owners to be able to collaborate on a payday date later. We will hold a massive promotion with a discount of up to 50% for Engelskraft visitors who make purchases on cheesecake there.” Clearly Silvia with sparkling eyes.

“I'm sure you know that Engelskraft is one of our tenants that contributes the most traffic in Abram City Mall. With this strategy, it will at least increase our store visitors by as much as 50%. So, I want you to mean it when this campaign is running.” Lina continued to connect with Silvia who was explaining.

Ailey and Siti's spirit is pumped up upon hearing Silvia and Lina being so fiery. As if confident of the strategy, Ailey spontaneously nodded in agreement. At the bottom of his heart, Ailey will try as much as possible to succeed his company's plan to maintain a store that is almost out of business.

“One more time, I don't want to find anyone truant again in working hours!” Lina warned loudly while looking at Ailey sharply.

Ailey swallowed her saliva. She knew, Lina was talking about her who had been truant several times during work hours. Feeling that her work was not a playful thing, Ailey nodded back and returned Lina's gaze. Lina looked satisfied to see the reaction of his men.

“How, you guys ready?” Silvia asked convincingly.

“Ready, Mom!” Answer Ailey and Siti simultaneously.

“If you manage to earn above the target set during the campaign, I will give you a bonus.” Continue Silvia give spirit, “Let's all work well together from this moment.”

***

Ailey, who was having dinner at a warteg near her boarding house, recalled the results of the meeting earlier this afternoon. While munching on orek tempeh and vegetable chickpeas, his brain is still working because he is excited to welcome the payday period campaign. If he manages to increase sales, not only will his career be saved, but he will also get a bonus on his rewards.

“Think what, anyway? Careful chokes!” Milo's voice sounded from next to him.

“Milo? Why are you here?” Ailey almost spouted out the food in her mouth in shock.

“Eat. What do you think I'm doing in warteg?” Answer Milo jahil.

“My house is not far from here. Then being hungry, I just stopped by the nearest eating place I could see.” Answer's relaxed. “New home from mall?”

“Iya, you too?” Ailey asked back.

“No, I have business elsewhere today. So, no time to mall.” The answer.

“Eh, you know ‘kan if my company will do a campaign with your cafe?” Ailey asked.

“Oh, already announced, yes. Your CEO begged me to collaborate with Engelskraft. Even though with the money and brand image he has, he should be able to collaborate with other brands that are more famous than Engelskraft, you know.” Milo answered explaining.

“Hey, don't be so humble! Your cafe's a real hit again, you know! Not to lose from other brands that already exist.” Reply Ailey.

“Yes, maybe! I think it was God's intervention that made my cafe what it is today.” Milo said as he blinked his eyes.

“Obviously God is good to you, 'You are an angel.” Temptation Ailey.

“Hahaha! You still don't believe I'm an angel? After all, God is indeed good to all his creatures, including humans.” Milo said wisely.

“I sometimes can't tell if you're lying or not. At first glance I almost believe you if you're an angel. Hahaha!” Reply Ailey while shaking her head.

Milo could only reply to her with a sweet smile on his cheek. Sipping the warm tea before him, Milo watched Ailey who was laughing loosely. Near Ailey's lips was a grain of rice attached. Milo who knew that Ailey did not realize it because he was busy laughing reached out his hand and wiped the rice grains with his index finger.

Instantly Ailey stopped her laughter and looked at Milo fixated. His face heated up as he felt a soft touch from the finger of the man in front of him. As soon as the rice grains were swept away, Ailey lowered her face while rubbing her lips with her palm.

“Ma. There are rice granules attached.” Milo said it was bad.

“You...you should be able to just tell me, no need like this.” Reply Ailey stammered while covering her blushing red face.

The atmosphere of the two people looked awkward in the middle of a fairly crowded warteg that night. Both of them looked away from each other because they were ashamed of what had just happened. Milo could not even start the conversation again because his heart was beating fast enough because of the touch of a finger on Ailey's lips.

“A...I'm done eating. I'm home first, yes.” Pamit Ailey and rush to leave Milo in warteg.

Milo was just speechless, unable to reply a word. His hands trembled slightly in limp at his own doing.

“Mas, that friend hasn't paid.” The warteg guard's mother reminded Milo from behind the storefront.

“Hah? Oh, geez! Let me pay. Sorry, yes Mom!” Milo said in panic.

The night sullenness of that moment left a warm mark on Milo's heart. In fact, there is a rule that shackles him not to fall in love. A rule he must not break to survive in the world.