"Play often, May," said Lastri before Robi and his family came home.
"Of course, soon we'll be together, Las."
"Then, if you don't get along, don't want to play?"
Maya smiled faintly. "This time I promise I will visit often. Oh yeah, is it okay if my in-laws stay?"
"Don't hesitate, she seems to still feel at home here."
Mayang looked at her mother-in-law enjoying her tea while sitting in a small hut. Fresh air and beautiful scenery able to hold Yustina to stay for a while.
"This afternoon, an assistant will come. Say it, and I'll help take care of it if you need anything."
"Yes, I understand. My family and I will also take care of your in-laws as best we can."
"Yes, I'll go first. Bye, Las."
"Be careful, ok."
"Yes, you too."
The two friends hugged each other, feeling sorry for having to part again after not seeing each other for a long time.
After finishing Yustina's therapy, they decided to go home the next day. Mayang has another job waiting for her, apart from having a company to keep an eye on. Likewise, Robi already misses his wife—Amelia.
"Mom, is it okay to let Grandma stay?"
"Aunt Las said it's okay, as long as Grandma wants. Besides, this afternoon Mommy has asked several people to look after Grandma."
Robi just nodded slowly. He started his car, breaking through the cold foggy country air.
"Mam, is it okay to match Alan without asking him first?"
"He'll agree. Mommy's sure of it."
"Besides, Mommy cares about Alan."
"Why? Can't you?"
"It's not like that, Mam ... just not as usual."
"He asked for a position at the company, so Mommy put forward a condition that he would accept the match first."
"What's the deal, Mom?"
"You are too naive, Bi. He must marry into an ordinary family to not threaten your existence. If you had married the daughter of the Pradipta family, Mommy would not have lived in fear like now!"
"Mam, I don't think Alan thought that way. Mommy was just too worried—"
"That's your fault, Bi. How naive! Even though it's not Alan, do you think your position is safe? Martin—your uncle, also keeps urging Grandma to ask for a position for his son as one of the directors."
Robi could only sigh heavily. His family is too complicated, always filled with suspicion of each other, especially when it comes to the company.
"I'm sorry, Mom."
"Besides, Mommy is more willing to marry Ayu than an obscure woman like Amelia, whom you picked up from a lowly place," she continued.
His mother's words were piercing, but Robi was relieved to hear his mother's sincerity towards Alan.
So far, Robi knows how Mayang is to Alan. He hoped the relationship between the two would be much better this way. Most importantly, Alan agreed with this arranged marriage.
"Never mind, you won't understand even if Mommy tries her best. Now, it's up to you and Amelia to give birth to a successor, or your position will be even more threatened in the future."
"Yes, Mom."
Again Robi could only grumble in his heart. Can't their family live in peace with each other for one day? Always full of vigilance and suspicion.
Even though they were smiling at each other in the room, they held weapons in their hands, ready to draw anyone off guard.
He wanted to run away and start a new life with Amelia without the burden of thinking about the company that has always been a source of trouble in his life.
However, of course, the mother would not allow it. Robi protects herself and his rights and defends his mother's position, who is now only a daughter-in-law in his extended family.
He wasn't too worried about Alan, after all, his younger brother hadn't done much and only asked for a little of his rights as a fellow son from his father. However, another powerful party kept breaking in and disturbing his peace, that was his uncle—Martin.
***
Arriving at the big house, Alan seemed to be sitting relaxed on the house's terrace. He immediately rose from his seat when Robi's car entered the courtyard. Quickly, he helped Robi unload things from the trunk.
"Don't touch my stuff! Just call Ujang," said Mayang sarcastically.
"Just leave Alan alone, Mam," Alan coaxed.
"That's right, Mam. Just let Alan bear it too," interrupted Robi.
Mayang couldn't hide her dislike for Alan. It was as if the hatred was ingrained even though the man who betrayed her and Alan's seductive woman and mother had died.
"Whatever. Tonight, we'll talk about your proposal again," Mayang said as she walked away.
Alan could only take a deep breath. He was used to being ignored and looked at with this gaze, but the pain was still there.
"Don't take it to heart, Lan," said Robi.
"It's easy for you to talk like that because you have never experienced it," he said softly.
"Even so, Mommy loves you."
"I don't think so, bro."
"Try to look at it from another perspective tonight, you'll know."
Alan smiled faintly. He doesn't want to expect much, just being able to live peacefully is already grateful—he thought.
"Mommy said you want to join the company?"
"Yes, Brother. I need a job, a lifetime can't rely on monthly pocket money without any effort, right?"
"You're an adult, you see."
"Brother just realized? Poor. But Bro, please don't think like that—"
"I won't, I'm sure."
"Mom was worried about that, so I thought you would feel the same way. There's no need for a high position, big brother give me the title of a regular employee, I'm already happy."
"You want Brother and Mommy to be exposed to rumors? Let Wijaya's youngest son act as an employee in his own family-owned company?"
"It's not like that, I just want you to believe that I won't jeopardize Big Brother's position."
"For that matter, let Mommy handle it. You need to follow Mommy's orders, okay?"
"Ready, I'm thinking about Mommy, it seems she's still scared, Bro."
"Mommy is like that not only because of you but also because Uncle Martin recommended that one of his children come in."
"Who?"
"Who else? Of course, David, the eldest son and the strongest competitor."
"So complicated, huh."
"As you know, it's very complicated. The world feels so congested that it's hard to breathe."
Robi smiled wryly, he patted his brother's shoulder to calm him down.
"Let's have some tea first, bro."
"What tea? By the way, it's been a long time since Tea Time with you."
Alan asked one of the servants to keep Mayang's belongings. At the same time, the two of them continued to talk on the terrace, enjoying the breeze accompanied by a cup of tea and sweet snacks.
They were so busy chatting that they didn't realize that someone was approaching. "Hi, the geeky and the illegitimate child are getting together, apparently," he greeted with a grin.
Alan was ready to retaliate, but Robi held him back to sit where he was. "Hi, Dav," he greeted back with a piercing look.