Lately I've rarely been out with Erwin, either for vacation or just hanging out. Because when I asked him once to go out to bars and exercise on Sundays, he always said he hadn't made it. That's why I haven't asked him yet, afraid I'll get the same answer as those two days.
But I thought about one thing, which was about him talking to a beautiful girl at that time. Does he have a girlfriend? But it's most likely his girlfriend. Besides, Erwin won't tell if I don't ask first if it's a personal matter. Because Erwin is a little more secretive than I am about personal matters. In fact, there are some things that he will not tell anyone at all, including even those closest to him.
I respect and understand that. Everyone has things that you can't tell anyone but yourself. But, about the beautiful girl who was with Erwin at that time, I haven't asked. Maybe tomorrow I can ask in a relaxed situation. Certainly not in the office. Because the office is not the right place.
"Natan wake up."
A woman's voice sounded in my ear. Also my shoulders being shaken. It feels lazy to wake up. My eyes are too close. But five minutes later I had to wake up startled because something cold hit my face. When I opened my eyes, I saw Sherlina standing in front of me.
"Taste it. Haven't been awake since!"
She said. In her hand she held a large glass half filled with water. Damn, I got doused by her. Then I got up irritated and wiped my wet face.
"Here."
Sherlina threw my small towel which I immediately used to wipe my face.
"What time did you get home last night? How come you fell asleep on the couch?"
Sherlina asked. While I had just woken up, she was already neat and smelling good.
"I don't know. I can't see the clock. But I'm sleepy and very tired."
I remember last night dropping off a guy who was... gosh! Again, they want to be eaten by the terrible creature, the demon that preys on humans. Right. Last night I also met a member of a demon hunter organization and visited their branch headquarters.
"I'll take a shower first..Can you make breakfast please, Sher. I'm a bit bothered."
I said. While getting up from the chair.
"It's been a while. In the kitchen. Just eat,"
"Really? Very agile huh?"
I didn't think. What time is it now?
"Okay. Thank you,"
I quickly walked to the bathroom. I'm also tired from last night.
Sometimes I also meet with such troubles. But it's also a relief, I can help someone even in a way that I find scary.
Even as I remember very well, the demon jumped up on top of my car and I had tried various ways to get him to fall from there. Uh, speaking of cars...
"Sher! You'll help me take care of my car later, I'm really sorry. It's dirty. I won't have time to wash it..I'll take the bus or something to work today."
I was wearing socks when the clock hit 7:12. Ready. If you take public transportation, there may be disturbances such as traffic jams, for example, so it will take longer.
After that I headed to the kitchen for breakfast. Sherlina actually asked back.
"Why is your car dirty?"
"It's normal, haven't been washed in a week. Very dirty,"
I'm not telling the truth that the car is dirty with blood from that bastard devil. I'm so sorry Sherlina but I have to lie. But I'm sure she's a woman who's not afraid of blood. She's a tough woman.
After five minutes of breakfast, I immediately left the apartment. Then order a taxi. Let alone the fare is a bit expensive, the important thing is that I get to the office faster. I can imagine my cousin's face when she was about to wash the car later. She must have been shocked and annoyed when she saw the dried blood spots everywhere and maybe she would immediately contact me with some trepidation to ask what the blood was. Maybe she thought I hit someone and ran away. Yes, she could think I was a hit-and-run. We'll see how she reacts.
I then opened my wallet, took out the phone number card of the demon hunter organization given by a man named Rustam last night. I showed the card which was dominated by light green and white, then glanced at the phone number for a moment.
Great. After so many months of dealing with cases of death caused by demons without a solution and handling, now the city government has finally found a way to fight this damn creature. Thankfully, at least the casualties were reduced. Not as bad as before the organization was formed.
.
Twenty-eight minutes, I arrived at the office where I work. I quickly got out of the taxi when the vehicle stopped in front of the big gate. I didn't tip the taxi driver because I didn't have any small bills.
I just stepped into the lobby, my phone vibrated, a sign of an incoming message notification. I'll open it later, I'll go into the study first. Most also from Sherlina who was shocked when she saw blood spots on my car.
Maybe she'll be relieved when I explain that it wasn't the blood of a hit-and-run victim and afterward, she'll grumble that I told her to wash a car that's filthy with disgusting stains.
Oh yeah, I forgot that I haven't looked for a job at all until now. But Sherlina hasn't asked about it yet. Maybe tomorrow I'll just start looking for a job. I'll try to ask close friends or colleagues at the office.
"Hi, morning,"
I passed Reta right at the lobby door. As usual, she smiled at me. Uh, but there's something strange seeing Reta's face today.
Not because she wears thick makeup like famous ladies, no. Instead, she looks like her usual self, only polishing her face with a light make-up that is barely visible. Or her face looks pale, isn't it. But when I saw Reta's face, I was reminded of the middle-aged man who is a member of the demon hunter organization I met last night. Yes, Mr Rustam. Looking back, her face was similar to the girl in front of me.
Could it be that they are related by blood? You?
"Why Nathan?"
Reta asked, her face looks red because I kept staring at her unconsciously all this time.
"Not really. Have you seen Erwin?"
She was silent for a moment.
"Erwin said he didn't come to work today, he wasn't feeling well. Just now another friend said,"
I laughed, "That bastard could hurt too..Alright, let's go in first."
The girl nodded.
When I arrived at my desk, then I opened my phone to check incoming messages. There was a message from Erwin that said he was not in the office, then a message from Sherlina which turned out to be true as I thought, she was shocked and nagged, making me laugh.
I immediately replied to both of their messages. Then after that, I opened the message room from Lidia. Indeed no recent messages from me or her have been sent, but I still open them to check when was the last time she was active online. It turned out last night at 23:45. She rarely opens the messaging app like that. Must be busy with various things. Yes, she's a millennial-style career woman. Or at least, maybe she's only online to open music and video apps.
And gladly, this weekend I will meet him again. Lidia texted me two days ago that she would ask me out on a date. Either way it's up to her. I wouldn't agree if he asked. What else should I do on the weekends besides vacation, relax and rest?
.
After coming home from work, I intend to visit Erwin the jerk who said he was sick. I might as well bring him a gift such as a fruit parcel or his favorite food later on the road. Maybe the person recovered immediately when I visited. If he's just pretending to be sick, I'll beat him with a pillow.
Maybe he lied, conspired with the doctor to make a fake sick certificate, in order to get a leave from the office. It was done so that he could date his new girlfriend. The doctor was bribed so he could be invited to cooperate. I smirked to myself imagining that. Funny. Could that be right?
However, as I walked towards the car, my eyes were drawn to another car that had just entered the office gates. It's a classic navy Ford, and what I think is cool comes to a stop just to the right of my car.
Instead of getting into the car, I just stood there watching the owner of the vehicle start to open the door and get off.
Eh, that's right-that's when his gaze collided with mine. He immediately smiled and walked over to me. Geez, that's a member of the demon hunter organization I chatted with last night. Mr. Rustam.
The man who last night incapacitated the monstrous creature with... a gun filled with salt bullets. Right. I still remember his face well.
"You work hereI'm in the same office as my daughter, right?"
He smiled as he held out his hand. I immediately greeted him. But I don't know, whose son who works here is he referring to.
But, before I had time to ask, from the lobby, Reta could be seen running over to us. The girl kissed the hand of the man in front of me. Eh, what does the boy mean by that man is Reta?
Reta then looked at me and Pak Rustam in turn. The man smiled and patted Reta's shoulder.
"Well this is my son, Reta. You seem like a coworker that Reta said to me, huh. Oh yes, Reta, last night you met your friend, you know,"
He said. Immediately, Reta's face turned red again. Her eyes widened slightly at his father's words. No wonder I feel their faces are similar, it turns out they are family.
"You often tell your co-workers at the office, don't you? One of them is a boy named Natan. It turns out that this is the person,"
Mr. Rustam laughed again. Take turns looking at me and his daughter. It doesn't matter even though Reta looks awkward because of her words. I just smiled too.
"It turns out that his father is Reta,"
I said. A little stiff talking at that time. In my heart, I was amazed by the figure of the man. No wonder Reta can fight the terrible creatures of the city rioters, it turns out that she was taught by her father.
Amazing, even though Reta looks like a weak girl. I even remember when she was being bullied by a colleague who also worked in our office, she seemed unable to fight back other than crying and scared. But now, maybe he will beat up the guy who was bothering her at the time. Maybe her father also taught her martial arts. It seems so according to my guess.
"Yes. Surely Reta never told me,"
Mr. Rustam smiled again. I smiled back too. It's not that Reta has never told her about her father, but she's never seen his face in person so I don't know of course. Sometimes if you only know the name without knowing what the real face looks like, it will still be difficult to recognize.
"Well, I'll go first, pick up Reta. Play at home sometime. You'll be given a sack of mangoes later,"
He said, before they got into the car. I just nodded and laughed along. It turned out that Reta's father was a friendly person too. Reta smiled and waved at me before the vehicle she was riding in came out of the office gate.
Before coming to Erwin's residence, I called him first while on the road. I'm afraid he won't be bothered. If so I'll just cancel the visit. Or maybe he's having fun with his new girlfriend at the apartment. I'll be uncomfortable if I suddenly appear ringing the bell. Disturbing their serene moment.
But apparently Erwin allowed me to come. He says there are no guests or anyone in his apartment. Turns out, I thought he was just pretending to be sick. It turned out to be true. I didn't forget to buy him some fruit soup on the street and a bottle of beer as a souvenir.
.
Arriving at Erwins apartment
"Think you'll never get sick."
I said, laughing sarcastically. Erwin's face did look a bit pale when he first opened the apartment door. I'm a bit confused it's pain or lack of sleep face. It's because I'm not a doctor, and I don't know how the pale face of an unhealthy person looks like. Except he was as pale as a corpse. Maybe I'll find out easily.
"You think I'm a demon, huh?"
He said, then leaned back on the sofa. I put a gift for him on the table. He glanced at his with furrowed brows for a moment.
"Bring everything. It's like looking at your crush," he commented.
I smirked, "You're my crush,"
"It's set..I'm still normal. That's why you're looking for another girl if you really want to leave your single status. Married."
Damn it he even advised me with things that sounded annoying.
"Tell me to get married, then I'll be the one to pay the cost of the celebration,"
I said, annoyed. If he wasn't sick, I'd have pelted him with a pillow.
"Half is fine,"
Erwin grabbed the package I had placed on the table and took out the fruit soup that was left to serve. Practically already contained plastic bowls and spoons. He quickly ate it slowly. .but his voice sounded a bit hoarse ever since. Looks like he's having a cold.
"By the way, which girl are you? Where do you meet? Isn't it that you rarely hang out with girls?"
I asked. Duh, I'm even curious about other people's business. .but it's not really a problem, it's a close friend of his own.
"You can be crazy too, huh?"
That's right, he said so.
"I was introduced by a friend. It's been a month ago. But I didn't tell anyone, including you. It's just like that, it's not too important, right,"
He said relax.
However, for a moment I was silent thinking because I remembered something. Then said,
"Are you sure it's a real girl? Not a fake girl who turns out to be the real devil incarnate who is now bustling around?"
I deliberately asked this frankly. Instead of being suppressed. After all, it's because I'm worried about him too.
"Yes, it's a real girl. That friend of mine who used to be close to me, almost looks like you're close to him. I'll let you know, I'll introduce you to my girl,"
I didn't answer. Actually because I was quite worried about Erwin. Considering that there are now rampant cases of people dying because of barbaric demons. Most of the victims were initially close to the predator.
If so, maybe later I'll ask to be invited to meet Erwin's new girlfriend, just to be sure.
"You, if there is a job vacancy, especially for a girl, please let me know,"
I continued. Discussed another topic because it reminded me of my cousin who needed a job.
"For whom?"
"Sherlina. Right now she is in my house. She wants to work,"
Erwin has known since a week ago about Sherlina living in my apartment.
"Ooh. Yes, I'll try to find her later. At least keep the shop, cleaning service, he's not a problem, right?"
I nodded. Of course it doesn't matter, my cousin will gladly accept the job. She wants to work anything as long as the path is right. You know what that means?