WHEN I FELL IN LOVE

Chapter 40

Actually, Mr. Selamet's statement about Erwin bothered me a lot. I do not really like Erwin, but I also would not have the heart to see him— as Mr. Selamet— said due to problems. Come to think of it, there really isn't a meaningful problem between me and him. We are just two men in love with the same woman. It's all just competition, like the competition between football clubs in Liga Indonesia. Then, why should I expect Erwin's destruction?  

This curiosity led me to find out more about what really happened. Coincidentally, tonight Lela came to my house, to continue the conversation about the pastry business with me and Jayadi, who was cut off last night due to the day being too late.

Our conversation about the business lasted for about two hours, and tonight the three of us decided, if the brand name selling the products we marketed was, MELIANA, and so on, taken from my mother's name—Lela who suggested. Unfortunately, my mother does not want to be involved in the sales business, he said, “it's your business that understands. If Mom, it means cake only,” said my mother, when we invited her to join the conversation. Then, when our conversation about business was over, I ventured to ask, “Lela, is there an issue in the office involving Erwin?”

The look on Lela's face changed, from carefree to astonished after listening to my question. Yes, of course he was astonished. Because Lela doesn't know that her father has given me and Jayadi a clue about something that will happen to Erwin. And my guess is, it's something to do with the job.

“Kok Bang Ben just like that?” reply Lela, confused.

“So morning, when Jayadi and I visited your shop. Your father told you that Erwin would get in trouble. Of course, I as a person who knew him for quite a long time, feel a little worried about him.”

“Ya, so how about it, still right? Erwin was ever close to us?” overwrite Jayadi. Words I never thought would come out of his mouth.

Lela did not answer our celebration. In turn he looked at me and Jayadi—, which maybe he thought we were putting a lot of hate on Erwin. Then Lela took the cup on the table, sipped tea in it, and put it back down. There's something you don't want—or don't want—dia tell us yet. Something about company secrets? Oh, yeah, sure.

“But I'm more grateful, if nothing bad happens in the office?” I said. I'm trying to make it easier for Lela, if she doesn't want to talk about it yet, and, yes, my expectations are like that too. Hopefully, Mr. Selamet's words are just haphazard words that he said because he was upset with Erwin's behavior when he left the store Source Cake.

“Oh ... which amounts to two hundred million bills, Mba?” ask Jayadi.

“Ya, Mas Jay,” Lela replied. “Well, it turns out, after Bang Boris investigated, according to the confessions of several stores, the bill was already billed by Mas Erwin. They have proof of payment and signed by Mas Erwin.”

Jayadi and I were shocked when they heard Lela's statement. This is beyond our expectations. There is not the least we suspect, if the problem that befell Erwin is corruption.

“Kan has been trusted by Mr. Zul to handle the lost invoice case of two hundred million, Mas Erwin himself. So, yes, it turns out that Mas Erwin never came to those stores. All the explanations he gave to Mr. Zul, lies,” continued Lela, and this all makes sense.

“Then, how did Mr Zul react?” my many.

“Pak Zul still keeps these facts a secret from Erwin. Only me and Bang Boris know. Mr. Zul is still collecting all the evidence, in order to report Erwin to the police station.”

Hearing Lela's description, the contact made me and Jayadi face to face, astonished and very surprised. It's a big problem for Erwin, it's huge, right Mr. Selamet said. Especially when you hear, if Mr. Zul wants to politicize it.

But, if you look at Erwin's behavior this morning, it seems he suspects that Mr. Zul already knows his corrupt actions. Because, not usually he can not control his emotions. Erwin was an expert at pretending, an accomplished speaker, and one who was able to react as calmly as possible under any circumstances. There must be something that makes him feel anxious, and if I may guess, the anxiety was about Erwin's suspicion, if Mr. Zul already knew of his corrupt actions. The question is, what is he planning now?