Marrying a Rich Bum

GRANDPA

"Hello, Grandpa. What's up?" Mariana answered the call.

"Where are you guys?" ask the man across.

"We, we are heading to the inn, Cake," replied Mariana, hesitating.

"A lodge?"

"Yes. Sorry I didn't wait for Grandpa to arrive. I'm...."

"Go home to grandpa."

"What?"

"Go home to Grandpa's now."

Connection cut off, Mariana was silent.

"What's wrong?" bima asked, looking at Mariana.

"Grandfather asked us to go to his house."

Bima frowned.

"Grandfather is a good man. I'm sure Grandpa will receive you better than any of my other family. But... Stuck the hard guy."

Bima smiled. "You know I can deal with anything, Mariana. How many times have I told you not to worry about me."

Mariana gulped.

"Where's your grandfather's house?"

"Grandpa's not someone to negotiate with."

"And what does that mean?" ask Bima.

"If Grandpa doesn't accept you, then you should go. No explanation, no plea, no more rejection."

"If that's what your grandfather wanted, then I'll go."

"Can't!" Mariana almost screamed.

Bima stared in wonder.

"I... Sorry I did this. But the real purpose of me marrying you is for Galang to stop bothering me. If she finds out I'm married, then she'll stop trying to fuck me."

Bima laughed blandly. "I'm used to being used as a temporary shelter. Don't worry."

"I didn't mean to use you, sorry."

Bima waved her hand as if she was repelling mosquitoes. "Where's your grandfather's house?" tanyanya cold.

"We turn around." Mariana replied flatly, regretting having told Bima the truth.

The atmosphere became so awkward after the wrong talk earlier. Mariana did not dare to look at Bima, while Bima herself seriously stared at the darkening but increasingly crowded streets.

"Ahead." Mariana pointed to a three-story Dutch-style house with clean white walls. Bima turned, entered a courtyard with a wide open gate. Mariana held a tense breath.

The high gate that bound the grandfather's house by road usually never opened unless he was waiting for a large family that had been scheduled to gather. Mariana was not looking to meet her extended family in this condition.

Bima stopped at the end of the driveway, turned off the engine and immediately got off.The man walked quickly around the car and opened the door for Mariana.

"I didn't marry you to be my henchman. I can do it myself" protested Mariana.

"I'm just trying to respect you as a woman."

"thank you. But I'm not used to being treated that much."

"With that man, I have no doubt about it at all," replied Bima flatly.

Mariana snorted loudly, got out of the car and walked over to the main door of the grandfather's house which was also wide open.

"Grandfather...." Mariana greeted her feet right through the doorway.

"Come, Mariana. And bring your husband in."

Mariana stared into the middle of the room where a grizzled old man was sitting in a recliner while reading a magazine.

Mariana glanced at Bima, then stepped inside.

"Sir, this is Bima. He's my husband."

The old man nodded. His left hand patted Bima's shoulder twice as Bima leaned over to kiss the back of his wrinkled hand.

"Go upstairs, both of you. I've prepared the room."

"But, Cake...."

"Good, and rest. I'll wait for you at the dinner table tomorrow morning."

Mariana could not argue. As always, grandfather's words can never be denied. Every sentence that came out of his lips was like a law that every family member had to obey.

Mariana turned around, walking up the stairs, while Bima turned out to pick up Mariana's suitcase.

"Give the key to Samsul. He's the one who's gonna pick up your suitcase and bag."

The one called Samsul hurriedly entered and reached out to ask for the car keys.

Bima handed over the car keys then turned to look at Grandpa Mariana. The old man was already standing, looking up at Mariana at the end of the stairs.

"I'll know if you sleep in a separate room" he said, then walked straight into the room at the end of the room.

Bima looked up at Mariana who was frozen in place.