Indra Soedirjo repeatedly clicked his tongue while playing with his sports motorcycle key in his hand, holding back his irritation at having to obey Fernando Valentino's orders—the man who acted as both his boss and the investor for the cafe he managed almost two years ago, which, as usual, came up out of nowhere. In fact, today he should attend the monthly meeting to discuss the theme of the cafe for the next month. And thanks to Fernando's order, he had no choice but to skip the important meeting, again.
"What? Is Fernando making a scene again?"
Leonard Schmidt—a smiling man with blonde hair who was the manager of his cafe—welcomed him casually with both of his hands holding a washcloth and cleaning fluid bottles. It seemed that the man was about to clean the table, preparing to open the cafe. The work was usually done by the staff, but since they did not have much staff in the cafe to manage the cafe, forced the young man who loved to smile in any situation to do that. Besides, the man always told him whenever he brought up the issue of the staff that he did not mind doing all of that since he loved to do the cleaning parts as his hobby.
"Just as you guess, Leo. I do not know if he is having his menstrual syndrome or what, but today he is acting more like a big sister than a grown man in his thirties."
"Indra! I heard what you said earlier, you little bastard!"
Fernando's scream was heard from upstairs, followed by a pillow that slid smoothly on the back of Indra's head at the same time. Indra growled in annoyance as he picked up the pillow and threw it back at Fernando, who was standing in front of the second-floor door with his right hand leaning on the side of the door and a mocking face.
Unfortunately for him, the pillow was avoided by that sissy man, which made him even more furious than before.
"It turns out you are just bragging again, Indra. Did you consider this strength against me? Really?" Fernando yawned widely, then waved his hand. "Even your throw earlier could not compare to a kindergarten kid. It is still too weak!"
"Shut up! You are so noisy!"
Indra was preparing to chase the man who had disappeared from his sight before him when Leonard held his hand while shaking his head slowly.
"Let him be. He must have a hard time and feel tired after working non-stop. You can leave the cafe business to me."
Indra bowed his head, putting on a face full of regret. "I am sorry to bother you again."
"It is nothing. When you are back, I will give you the report of today's meeting. Besides, I love taking care of him."
"I know, I know," Indra smirked when he heard Leonard's answer, then patted Leonard's shoulder. "Then, I will go first."
"Be careful."
Indra rushed out of the cafe, towards his black sports motorcycle parked beside the building where he lived. For a moment, he was silent, remembering Fernando's expression when he asked him to pick up a young woman named Ariel. He only knew that the girl was Fernando's younger sister, who that sissy man had no choice but to leave his beloved younger sister for two years for the reason that he did not want to involve his younger sister in his investigation.
"The situation has changed, Indra. I could not let my little sister stay at my house for a little longer. They are starting to aim for her."
Fernando said it clearly to him earlier. His expression was worried, and he caught a hint of fear on Fernando's face. He reached for his smartphone, which was in the pocket of a black synthetic leather jacket, and then opened the contents of the email that had been sent by the man.
XXX Street No 78
He turned off his smartphone screen and put it back in his jacket pocket. His hand turned the sports motorcycle key, which he put in the key slot of his sports motorcycle, started the engine, and left the cafe building at full speed.
Ah, right …
He almost forgot. The first mission he needed to do, of course, was to buy a new helmet before going to the man's younger sister's house. It would not be good if he let her hop onto his sports motorcycle without wearing a helmet. As for safety, and following the government rules.
He accelerated the speed of his motorbike, with his mind still thinking about what his younger sister Fernando would look like.
***
Indra parked his motorbike a bit far from where Fernando had told him earlier, seeing the situation around him. It was not difficult for him to find a house that was very conspicuous on the grounds that it was the only house whose structure was the most magnificent compared to the houses next to it. The existence of the three-meter-golden red with dragon carvings successfully gave him goosebumps, also giving a suppressing aura to anyone who saw it. For the size of the mansion, the house, which was dominated by white ivory, appears deserted.Knowing Fernando's family background, he could not help himself but feel a bit confused to find it. There were many people dressed in black standing guard at the front door, making him a little anxious. Judging from the guard, the people who live there should not have to worry about their safety, right? Then why did Fernando ask him to pick up a young woman who he didn't even know what she looked like?
"Young Lady, please reconsider your decision. Your father has asked us to take you to school by limousine, and with this chaotic situation, it will be safer than going by yourself."
He heard a commotion followed by the opening of the gate, revealing the figure of a spoiled young woman in a private high school uniform who ignored the burly men walking behind her.
"Per favore! [Please!] Tell my dad that taking a limousine ride to school makes me stand out from the crowd, you know! I just want to be a normal teenage student, nothing more!"
"But, Young Lady—"
"Argh! Why are you always so noisy!" The woman screamed as she covered her ears, stomping her feet several times. "Once again, I hear your screams in fright with my father, I will behead you!"
For a moment, all of the men fell silent. He laughed, realising how much he had enjoyed the show he had just watched. It was like watching a TV drama about spoiled rich kids. The difference between them was, that what he saw in front of his eyes at the moment was real. It really happened. His eyes scanned for a moment, then he was satisfied when he saw the slight resemblance between the young woman and Fernando.
He did not need to confirm twice that the young woman was his target. Ariel Valentine.
Interesting. It is pretty interesting, he thought to himself. It looked like he had to thank Fernando for giving him this golden opportunity to meet such an interesting young woman.
He started the sports motorcycle engine and approached the young woman, who was preparing to throw her fist at a bald-headed man who had closed his eyes, shivering with fear.
"Young Lady, you could not do that. Please think about it—"
"Hello, my love," he said, stopping his motorbike right in front of the young woman while opening his helmet shield, blinking one eye at her as per usual way he did whenever he flirted with other women at his cafe. "I am sorry for being late. The traffic jam was like a shit."
The young woman's eyes widened, flabbergasted at his sudden presence. "You–"
"If you do not hop onto my motorbike quickly, you will be late, Little Cotton," Indra handed him his helmet, which he had prepared earlier for the young woman. "Be quick!"
"Ah, oh, y-yes!" The young woman nodded, immediately accepted his helmet and put it on, then turned back to the still frightened men. "I will go to school with my boyfriend. Tell my dad."
"And please give my gratitude to Dad. Bye," he followed the way the young woman told the man.
As soon as the young woman hopped on his sports motorcycle, he could not help but smile with satisfaction and left the house at full speed. Dimly, he could still hear the screams of the men asking the woman to come down, which the young woman chose to ignore.
"Hold me tight, Princess. If you do not want to fall."
The young woman complied with him, wrapping her arms around his waist without asking him more questions anymore.
***