Adrian's Family Confrontation
The next day, after speaking with Mr. Neighborhood Association again and deciding to leave Bandung immediately, they arrived back at the station.
"Sorry, we just went back and forth and didn't really go anywhere in Bandung," Elsa said.
"It's fine, there'll be other times," Adrian replied, putting an arm around Elsa.
"Yeah, plenty of time," Elsa echoed.
"Good thing Meri and Remon weren't there, or it would have gotten messy," Adrian remarked.
"Yeah, but I kinda expected it. If Meri saw us being able to move to other worlds, she'd be super interested since she's the one who introduced me to the whole isekai concept, haha," Elsa replied.
"Was Meri a bookworm back then?" Adrian asked.
"Yeah, just like me. It was always just the two of us. But, well, things changed after middle school. She started making a lot of friends and left me alone," Elsa explained.
"Alright, that's in the past. Hopefully, she's happy now, right?" Adrian said.
"Yeah, totally. So, where to now? Home?" Elsa asked.
"What else would we do? Let's just go home," Adrian replied.
"Tap!" Suddenly, someone tapped Adrian's shoulder from behind. He turned and was instantly surprised. He spun around, his hand shielding Elsa beside him.
"You're Adrian, right?" asked a man in a suit, seemingly in his late 20s to early 30s.
"What do you want, huh? I have no business with you or your family anymore!" Adrian snapped.
"Seriously, you're getting cocky, aren't you? You forgot I used to tutor you at your house," the man said.
"Who is he, Adri?" Elsa asked.
"He's my cousin, the son of the uncle who took my house. His name's Benny," Adrian replied.
"Whoa, who's that next to you? She's pretty," Benny remarked.
"Don't cause trouble, I'm warning you," Adrian threatened.
"So what do you want? I'm greeting you nicely, and you're getting aggressive. What's your deal?" Benny challenged.
"I told you, I have no business with your family, who stole my dad's assets!" Adrian retorted.
"Huh... what did you say? How dare you accuse us like that? Do you even know who handled your dad's company after he died? My dad and I did! Where were you? You were practically dying back then, weren't you?" Benny yelled.
Adrian immediately stepped forward, his hand raised, ready to punch, but Elsa quickly stopped him, hugging him from behind.
"Stop, Adri, stop... look at me, it's okay. Let's just go," Elsa pleaded.
"What's wrong with you? Come on, step up!" Benny taunted.
"Sir, I don't know who you are, but please back down," Elsa said.
"Don't butt in. And who are you anyway?" Benny questioned.
"She's my fiancée, why?" Adrian shouted.
"Huh? Fiancée? Are you serious? How long are you even going to live? she's be better off with me, your life would be guaranteed safe," Benny sneered.
"You a**hole! You took my house, my dad's business, and now you want to take my fiancée?! You're dead!" Adrian roared.
"W-wait, Adri, what did you just say?" Benny asked, suddenly raising his hands.
"He said his house was taken," Elsa explained.
"Oh dear, it actually happened. Sorry, if you want to fight, put it on hold for a bit," Benny said.
"What else do you want?" Adrian yelled.
"Sorry, I didn't know my dad took your house. I'll ask him. If it's true, then he's gone too far. I'm here because I needed to talk to my dad. I live in Bandung. Sorry, I really didn't know," Benny said slowly.
Adrian looked at Elsa, who nodded. He lowered his fist and stood in front of Benny.
"What do you mean, cuz?" Adrian asked.
"Alright, let's talk this out calmly. There's a cafe inside. Let's hang out there for a bit," Benny suggested.
"Yeah, come on, Adri, it's fine," Elsa said, holding Adrian's arm.
"Come on, I'll pay," Benny offered.
The two then followed Benny inside. Once they were in the cafe, had ordered drinks, and sat down, Benny asked what happened and how Adrian knew his house was sold. Adrian told Benny everything. After that,
"First of all, let me explain my situation. Aunt... ah, sorry, your mom, she told me that part of your dad's business was moved to Bandung before he left, and she asked me to handle it. Then when they passed away, I also took over the Jakarta business, even though my dad supposedly wanted to handle it. But I didn't let him. So, your dad's business is safe, still in my hands. That's one thing. Second, your mom asked me to take care of your house deed. But when I went to your house, the deed wasn't there. It wasn't in the safe deposit box either, even though I had the key. I didn't know that the deed was already in my dad's hands, and he just went ahead and transferred the name and sold it. You were supposed to still be alive in Singapore back then, and he shouldn't have been able to transfer the name because you were still an heir," Benny explained.
"How could he just transfer the name like that?" Adrian asked.
"Well, you know my dad, he's really good at backdoor dealings. Even with strict rules, he still manages to get through. Beats me," Benny replied.
"So that's the story. Sorry I just blamed you, cuz," Adrian said.
"Relax, I'm not offended. Besides, sorry if I was rude to your fiancée. I already have a wife, you know, no way I'd deal with another one, haha," Benny joked.
"Hehe... you're forgiven, right, Adri?" Elsa said.
"Yeah, okay," Adrian replied.
"Now listen, I'm going to talk to my dad, but you stay out of it. Your temper's too high; you'll just mess things up. I want to tell him to at least give you half the proceeds from your house sale. Even better if he can give you everything. Give me your phone number," Benny said.
Adrian gave his phone number to Benny, then Benny called Adrian to give him his own number.
"And second, I want to ask you something. It's been a year since your parents passed, how have you been living all this time? You're not living at home anymore, right? Where are you now?" Benny asked.
"I'm with her now," Adrian said, putting an arm around Elsa.
"Yeah, that's right, cuz, no need to worry," Elsa added.
"Hmm, how about this. Your dad's business is still with me. Send me your bank account details; I'll transfer money every month, at least for your school fees and daily needs. It's not good to depend on a girl; you're a guy. And tell me, how did you make it to 16?" Benny asked.
"I got a heart donation, so now I can live normally," Adrian replied.
"That's great, thank goodness. Please send your account details via text. There's no way I'm going to take over the business your dad built," Benny said.
"It's okay, cuz, thanks. Just keep running Dad's business. I trust you, cuz. Besides, if it's difficult, you don't have to transfer anything," Adrian replied.
"Don't say that. Anyway, I'll send it every month," Benny insisted.
"Just be honest, cuz. Dad's business is almost collapsing, right? Just be frank with me," Adrian said.
Hearing that, Benny's expression immediately changed, and he flinched in surprise because Adrian knew the real situation.