The Gem of the Heart of the Former Thug

whispers of demons

Ahead of lunch, as agreed, Budi left for EFA furniture with Erika. My mind has been messed up since I left. Several times Erika stroked Budi's shoulder, reminding him to focus on driving.

Arriving at Adel's house, it seems like Luki is not in place. The car does not exist. There's only Fajar's car parked. But Adel's bike is there.

“Assalamu’alaikum” greet them both.

“Wa’alaikum salam”

I heard the voice of Susi from inside the house. There were footsteps running to the front porch.

“Eh?”

Ms. Lusi was surprised to see who was coming.

“Happy day from Lusi. Sorry we came by noon. Mas Budi want to check the progress today” said Erika greeting.

“Oh. Iya” replied bu Lusi briefly.

He was touching Erika. So too with Budi.

“Please sit down first! I call Adelnya” said bu Lusi welcome.

“Good. Thanks, bu” replied Erika.

But Budi did not follow Erika sitting on the sofa. He even went to the wood workshop. He stopped a few meters from the wooden workshop's rolling door.

He paid attention to the amount of furniture that was ready to be delivered, and the activities of all the employees in this wooden workshop. He was not aware that Adel had come out and talked to Erika, while looking at her.

“Good day, mas”

Adel's greeting distracts Budi.

“Eh. Siang” replied Budi.

A very strange-sounding greeting in his ears. And the wounds in his heart opened again. Adel's hand needed a few seconds to get a welcome.

“What problems are there?” ask Budi.

Adel did not answer. He still did not understand, which is what Budi meant.

“Why is the progress slowing down?” continue Budi.

“Oh”

Now Adel understood, what Budi meant. He also explained why the achievements in his workshop tend to decline. This time I just listened. Unlike before, who immediately gave advice or ideas, to help Adel out of his problem.

“Many can be in subcont. Why can't you do it again?” ask Budi later.

“Eeem”

Adel was afraid to answer the truth. Because Budi who is now is not Budi his first lover. He was the representative of the company that gave him the project.

“Who is the leader, now?” ask again.

“Luki” reply Adel.

He deliberately called the name directly, because he did not want to make Budi more furious. Budipun called Luki.

“Halo, mas Luki's. This is why molor, the progress?” ask without further ado.

There was a conversation on the phone. Adel scrunched her forehead, because she could not hear what her husband said. But apparently, her husband is still stuck with his ego. So that makes Budi more angry.

“Geblek. Even dimatiin” exclaimed Budi annoyed.

“Mas. Sorry, yes, mas. I promise no one will be late. All will be on schedule” said Adel begging.

“Lusa has sent, mbak Adel” said Budi slowly, but full of emphasis.

“I don't want to know about funding. You have taken all responsibility, and we have given you some of your rights. Should be enough funds to boost the achievement of” continued Budi. Adel gasped to find Budi's angry gaze.

“Iya, yes. I'll accelerate. I make sure there is no delay” said Adel.

I looked at Adel without a word. For a few moments, they just stared at each other. For a moment I forgot Erika's existence.

His heart remembers the times he was with Adel. And the whisper of the devil that advised Budi to seize Adel, almost filled his heart.

“This project, only between me and you, Ta” said Budi later.

Adel was surprised, hearing Budi's affectionate call for him back in Budi's words.

“I don't want him to interfere in this business” continued Budi.

Adel was still stunned. He is still analyzing, as to what Budi is talking about this time. Too ambiguous his words. The whisper of the devil also had time to land sweetly in his heart.

“He has power over me, Bram. I can't possibly say it” Adel replied later.

“Haaah. Basic man tengik” complained Budi.

“Ya. You think so yourself! Five o'clock, today's target must be reached!” continue Budi.

“But, “

“Inget! I have veto power. If my delivery schedule is threatened, I can put article thirteen on you” cut Budi.

“Bram. Please! Don't you punish me with this!” pinta Adel's.

“I talk about work, Ta” says Budi.

“Only do you know, how dizzy am I because of your progress?” continue Budi. Adel fell silent.

“How come I don't want from whom I can work, I won't get mad like this, Ta. Why am I dizzy? Just report it as it is. The case was penalized, not my business” said Budi again.

Adel gasp. It turns out he had mistaken. It turns out that Budi spoke more inclined as a representative of his company. Although half his heart, it had already started to mess up.

“OK. From now on, I have full power over this workshop. Five o'clock, please come here again!” adel said later.

“Good. That's the new Adel that I know” Budi comments.

“Five hours, I'm here again” said Budi while extending his hand.

“Oke” replied Adel, shaking Budi's hand.

After that, Budi invited Erika to say goodbye. With a forced smile, Erika said goodbye to Bu Lusi and Adel.

You know, Erika must be able to read her body movements while talking to Adel. He felt guilty, had let his heart shackle the past. To the extent that forgetting the person who contributed to make him rise again.

He did not know how to start a conversation with Erika.

Erika's voice echoed in the car cabin. Be confused about it.

“TURUN!”

This time, Eric shouted. Make Budi go wide. He also pulled away Erika's car he was driving. From her gaze, Budi knew that Erika was being jealous. Neither would he argue. He opened the door, then went down. Erika also got out of the car, then took over the front seat on the right.

*Breeeem*

Without a word, he drove his car away from Budi.

“Come on”

Budi laughed at his stupidity, also laughed at Erika's attitude which he thought was funny. He was left in the middle of the road between Adel's house and the big road. Where else deserted people passing by. There were still over twenty kilometers to be able to get to where he worked. He called kang Supri, to be picked up.

>>>

“Nduk” reprimand bu Lusi. Adelpun.

“Budi said what's the same to you?” ask mom Lusi.

“Ya about progress, ma'am. He is angry, Adel progress down” replied Adel.

“But how are your gestures different? Rika's mom took the same mother, earlier. Dicuekin, mom, because of your gesture sightseeing different”

“How different, bu?” Adel.

“Ya already if it is only talking about work” said bu Lusi.

“Mom's advice, the sheet you have closed, do not try to open again!” continued bu Lusi.

Adel gasp. He did not think that the gesture he had made was as normal as possible and could be read by his mother.

“Mom knows you're upset. But inevitably, like-dislike, you must firmly show the limits!” said Ms. Lusi again.

Adel was increasingly speechless. Because it was, he was lulled by the affection that had been said Budi. It just came to her mind, to play pretty in the back.

“Iya, bu” Adel replied.

Bu Lusi went inside the house, leaving Adel still standing.

*Ya Alloh, my. Why do you call that call again? Don't you know, this wound hurts me too much? I am more concerned with you being angry, with me, than you call that dear call. This guilt is too much for me to bear. If you want, you can treat me like you did Stevani. I'm sincere, mas. Than I have to deal with this guilt every day*.

>>>

With ushered in Supri kang, Budi does not need to walk to get to the factory. But it was also with the condition of the entrance sign bell had sounded.

Not to bother, Budi directly entered through the lobby. And he was surprised by Paul, who was talking to Farah, Resti, and aldo.

“You why?” ask Paul sir.

Not to answer directly. He tried to analyze first, until where Mr. Paul knew about the incident earlier.

“Haiih” complains sir Paul.

“From now on, don't send Budi there!” paul's orders to Farah.

“Ready, pak” replied Farah.

“Tell Aldo who's there!” paul's orders again.

“Or, if Aldo is busy, you have to go there yourself!” continued Paul sir.

“Good, pak” replied Farah.

Still be silent. He doesn't know what to say. He could only wait for orders from his boss. And Paul moved his head to the right. Giving a command signal for Budi, to meet Erika who has entered the room. Budipun nodded in asking for permission.

“Udah eat yet, Bud?” ask Paul sir.

“Already, pak” replied Budi lied.

“Oke” says sir Paul.

The slaves left them.

“Kalo Budi until sick, your responsibility, Far” said sir Paul, after Budi quite far from them.

“Ready, pak” replied Farah.

He could also read that Budi was lying.

He knocked on his office door. Without waiting, he just walked in. And he was surprised, as he looked at Erika's table, there were no occupants there. But he saw something moving behind the door. He shut that door.

“Ka?”

*PLAAK*

A slap landed on his cheek.

“You accept my shortcomings. But in fact you still expect him to come back with you” said Erika slowly, but firmly.

“Sorry, Ka. I'm fucked”

“SOBLOK VERY MUCH, SO PEOPLE?” erika shouted while pushing Budi's body. Made Budi hit Aldo's desk.

“YOU'VE BEEN CAMPED, MAS. YOU HAVE BEEN DESTROYED BY THE SAME DIA” said Erika, still shouting.

“You still want to help him?” continued Erika.

This time his voice was low. Be still silent. He knew that Erika was taking out her teeth.

“You must not be stupid, mas! On the one hand, you are the representative of this company. Where is the dignity of this company, if you are soft with him?”

“On the other hand, she's the wife of people, mas. Where is your pride as a man? Here many who want to be your companion. Including me know, right? Why are you ruining your future just for the sake of someone's wife? CONSCIOUS, MAS!”

Still not answering. In fact he was already aware of everything Erika had said. He realized his error, letting his heart be lulled by the whispers of the devil.

“Not yet, Ka” said Budi, while pointing his right cheek towards Erika.

Erika gasps. Instantly he felt guilty, had sassyly slapped Budi's cheek. He immediately hugged Budi.

“Don't here hug it. This is an office, not tasty like the others” Budi scolded.

But Erika didn't take a headache. He hugged Budi tightly.

***