In The Rain
CHAPTER 32
“GOOD MORNING, NONYA BUANA.”
"Mrs Buana, it's sunny today huh?”
Gemintang smiled, replying to the greetings addressed to him upon entering the factory. The rubber sap harvest season is in sight. The workers began overtime, long and tiring hours, but still emanated a proud impression on the faces of the workers in the factory.
Raden.
All equipment, after recently repaired‐, can be re-operated with satisfactory results. The rubber farmers who in the past harvest seasons sold their crops to other factories, now return to bring it to the Buana family factory.
Raden.
Its presence at the factory which was only a few weeks brought drastic changes. He made very strict rules but biasasana, workers who are willing to work hard get a high wage increase, while those who usually come late or neglect the task immediately fired.
Gemintang saw that the people who were fired by Raden were people who not only liked to shirk duties, but they were also the ones that Thunder hired for 'special tasks'. The Gemintang once asked Thunder to fire them. “They like to make trouble,” said Gemintang, at that time.
At that time Thunder just smiled sweetly. “They do...job‐task... very good for me, Gemintang. If they make a little troublemaking, please, don't you mind.”
“But they disturb other workers.”
“Yes, I'll talk to them later," Guntur said diplomatically.
Now the Gemintang knew they were the ones Thunder ordered to spy on Raden when Raden went to the forest to find him.
Raden, with the consent of the Gemintang, did not want to delay even a minute to kick useless people and raise the salaries of trustworthy and loyal employees. They respect Raden, and they work hard not out of fear of Raden, like when they worked for Thunder, they are willing to work hard because they like Raden. Raden has the ability to motivate them. Raden gave them constructive criticism, and he did not hesitate to give praise if they deserved praise. Raden worked hard with them. No wonder, if in the minds of Gemintang, Raden is now a successful businessman.
Ten days have passed since the events of the fight in the stables between Adit and Raden. Raden spent more time in the factory, Gemintang glad Raden was in the factory, his existence adds to the confidence of Gemintang. Although not clearly disclosed, Gemintang and Raden are trying to make peace with the situation.
One morning at the factory, while Gemintang was busy taking care of the tax papers, Raden entered his room without knocking first. “Star, I want to introduce someone to you, aren't you busy?"
Gemintang smiled sweetly and spread her hands towards the paper‐paper scattered on her desk. “Oh, no. I'm not busy.”
Raden smiled strangely. “This is important, hopefully not to bother you.”
While standing, Gemintang asked, curious, “Who?”
“Surprise.”
With fingers pressed against the Gemintang's back, Raden led the woman through the noisy production room, walking to the outside.
A large man in a white suit, seen sucking on a cigar that spread a pungent and ominous smell, reminded the Gemintang of Thunder.
But it did not look as annoying as Thunder to the man, who was now smiling kindly when he saw the Gemintang who was with Raden walking up to him.
“Tuan Zack introduce, this is Miss Gemintang Buana."
“Mr Zacky,” Starling hand sticking. The small Starry Hand sank into the grasp of Zack's hand which greeted the Star with sincerity.
“It is nice to get acquainted with you, lady Buana. I think you're very happy to have. uh.. um. stepchildren like Raden. Because he told me, thanks to your management the Buana family rubber rubber rubber factory is growing rapidly.”
The Gemintang cheeks instantly flushed red as he glanced at Raden, then turned back to face his guest. “In fact Radenlah who helped me a lot."
“Tuan Zacky is a prospective buyer of our products, he comes from Bandung," said Raden.
Gemintang directly facing Raden, while raising his eyebrows Gemintang and his mouth that gaped small in surprise. Raden's eyes sparkled mischievously, it felt like he wanted to laugh seeing the Starry expression.
“I... I understand,” said Gemintang with a stutter, then back facing toward prospective buyers.
“We will be happy to give an example of our products to you, sir,” said Gemintang as calmly as possible.
Gemintang felt his adrenaline flowing quickly throughout his body, when this cooperation was intertwined it meant a big business leap for them.
“I've got the product sample. I know the rubber products here have the best quality, so I came here, ", Zacky said with admiration.
Both Gemintang and Raden tried to suppress the surge of joy in their hearts. “So you came here to directly sign his cooperation contract?"
Zacky nodded. “How much can you sell me?”
Gemintang stood beside Raden with restless feelings, he changed his position when Raden bargained with the prospective buyer. Finally they agreed on a number of products to be sent and the selling price. The most expensive price this factory ever got.
“By plane?” zacky asked, looking at Raden in disbelief. But not only Zacky was surprised, the Star was surprised.
“We provide a special service to the buyer of our choice,” Raden replied with a smile showing a row of white teeth. When Zacky turned around about to step into the office space, Raden winked at the Stargazer who was still shocked and speechless.
After Zacky left the factory, Gemintang looked at Raden with annoyance. "Aircraft?” ask, in a high tone. “Why don't you talk to me?"
Raden laughed, then opened the drawer, opened the closet, searched for something. “Calm down, everything will go smoothly,” Raden replied at will. "There's still me here.” He pulled out a bottle of alcoholic drink from the bottom of the closet drawer. “There are drinks glasses? Ah, fuck the glass.” Raden unscrewed the bottle, raised his head and directly downed the drink from the bottle.
Raden's face grimaced as the search flowed down his throat. “I have a plane of goods that I have repaired myself. We're going to make a good image of Mr. Zacky's company, aren't we? Do you think they'll ignore companies that can deliver their rubber by plane?”
“But the fuel cost alone is how much.. Raden, the cost is very expensive.”.
“No, if I am the one who transports and flies the plane,” Raden replied, while throwing a big smile at Gemintang. “That has to be paid only fuel costs. But if the contract of cooperation with Mr. Zacky continues to be sustainable, it's a big investment, in my opinion.” Raden raised the bottle as a sign of respect to the Gemintang before again downing his alcoholic drink, then thrusting it in front of the Gemintang. “Mau?”
The star stared at the bottle, and was tempted to drink it too. “But I'm not ordinary,” he said, timidly as he threw a glance at the door.
“Have a drink only.”
“What if someone comes and sees us drinking here?”
“They will understand. We just signed a big cooperation contract. In addition, I have told them, anyone should not enter this workspace without knocking on the door first.”
“You always log in without tapping.”
Raden looked irritated. “You want to drink or not?”
Boldly the Starling held the neck of the bottle and imitated Raden's movements, her head was raised and she let the drink slide down her throat.
The starter coughed, his tears pierced and he felt his stomach burn. Raden took a bottle of drink from Gemintang's hand when he saw the Gemintang hunching over with a cough. He patted the back of the Starling gently.
“Better?” asked Raden worriedly.
Slowly the Gemintang straightened his body, wiping his tears with the back of his hand. “Lumayan,” replied Gemintang in a raucous voice, then both laughed out loud.
“Oh Lord, Gemintang. I was so worried,” Raden said.
“I'm fine, just not used to drinking. Oh yeah why didn't you tell me first Mr Zacky was coming here?”
“I don't want to make you wish.”
“I'm glad you didn't tell me. I like surprises.”
“Oh yes?”
“Ya.” The star cast a smile at Raden. “Ya, yes, yes.”
Raden hugged the waist of the Gemintang, lifted the woman's body a few centimeters from the floor and twirled around. Both laughing. Raden looked up when he looked at Gemintang. Gemintang smiled with his body still raised and placed his hand on Raden's shoulder.
“We succeeded! We managed to make the most expensive cooperation contract in the history of Buana company. Do you realize what this deal means, Gemintang? New buyers will come here. Rubber farmers will come to our place,” Raden said,
"Next year, we can develop this company.” Raden clenched the Star, turning him around like a dancing man.
When Raden lowered the Gemintang's body, Raden's desire to kiss the woman arose. Raden's lips kissed Gemintang's lips. Not a lover's kiss, but a friend's kiss to celebrate the success of their work.
But the nuances of the kiss between friends also changed, when Raden felt the lips of the Gemintang soft, wet, and resigned to touch his lips, immediately the sparkle of his desire immediately flared.
Raden raised his head about to see the reaction of the Gemintang, his eyes looked at the face of the Gemintang closely, observing its lines. His reddish cheeks, his blond hair, his clear eyes like sparkling rain, his lips, all pulled at his heart.
Geez, Raden still wants the Gemintang. How would it be ****** Star, make it his last port, forever. But Gemintang has sworn to be loyal to his father to death. And Raden was sure, even though Thunder had died, the Star was still the property of Thunder and for that reason Raden did not dare to realize what he so desired. Turbulent desire in his body was like strangling himself, he had to release that grip and release the Star.
He doesn't want to do it. Raden pulled his hand from behind the waist of the Gemintang to the side. He let both his hands droop on his sides. Slowly they pulled away from each other before Raden stepped back.
Raden turned around to look at her before opening the door. “I think I will invite all employees to have a beer to celebrate this event. This could encourage them to work harder to produce quality products for Mr. Zacky.” company
“Alright, I'll wait for you at home.”
Raden nodded. “I won't be late for dinner together.”
