Bittersweet Arrangements : A Sugar Dady Affair

After taking the medicine, Elena quickly excused herself to her room as she could no longer bear the pain in her head. Upon arrival, Elena immediately threw herself onto the bed and submerged her body under the blanket.

“Daddy Mommy!” Elena muttered before truly drifting into a deep sleep.

Soon, Elena’s phone began to ring, echoing through her room. However, it still failed to disturb Elena. Since childhood, Elena’s body couldn’t handle cold water, leading to an immediate fever and flu after swimming or getting caught in the rain. Due to Elena’s sensitivity to cold water, her home had a specially heated swimming pool, allowed only for immediate family members to use.

Devan, who was relaxing in the family room while enjoying TV and a cup of coffee, suddenly remembered Elena’s sensitivity to cold water. Devan hurriedly got up to check on Elena. However, at the same time, his phone rang. Devan sat back down, grabbing his ringing phone from the table. Seeing Jeremy’s name on the screen, Devan promptly answered. It turned out Jeremy was on his way to pick up Elena. Jeremy also mentioned that Elena hadn’t answered his calls since the afternoon, causing him to worry. To avoid increasing Jeremy’s concern, Devan intentionally didn’t mention Elena’s illness.

Erick, who had just come out of his room and accidentally overheard his father’s conversation with someone he believed to be Daddy Elena, panicked. Erick was afraid Daddy Elena might be angry with him, even though he knew the stoic yet kind-faced man had never been mad at him before.

After the call ended, Devan headed to Elena’s room.

“The one who called just now must be Daddy, right?” Erick asked, still standing at his bedroom door.

“Yes, Daddy is on his way here,” Devan answered calmly, continuing his steps.

Before Devan pressed the doorknob in front of him, he looked back at Erick, who seemed anxious and tense, full of question marks.

“Don’t panic, Erick. A man must take responsibility for his actions!” Devan said, then pressed the doorknob that had been delayed.

Devan left Elena’s bedroom door wide open as he entered, smiling at the sight of the spoiled sleeping girl, just like when she had sneaked into his room a while ago, hiding beneath the blanket.

“Wake up, El. It’s not good to sleep in the afternoon,” Devan said, sitting on the edge of the bed.

Without getting any response, Devan repeated it three times. Elena wriggled and mumbled, “Daddy, I miss you.”

Hearing Elena’s heavy and hoarse voice, Devan panicked instantly. Devan swiftly pulled back the blanket covering Elena’s face. Seeing Elena’s reddish face, Devan immediately touched her forehead.

“Oh God, you have a fever, sweetheart!” Devan exclaimed in panic, then called for Erick.

Erick, who had been standing at the threshold of Elena’s room, quickly stepped forward. However, before Erick could reach the bed, the doorbell rang loudly.

“Open the door, it must be Daddy!” Devan instructed, instantly freezing Erick.

“Erick, hurry up!” Devan said a bit loudly.

Erick was startled and turned around, heading towards the front door. For a moment, Erick stood silent behind the door, calming himself down. With a prayer, Erick opened the door, hoping it wasn’t Daddy who was behind it.

Jeremy, accompanied by Ivand, arrived.

Erick swallowed hard, struggling with his own saliva. A sudden warmth spread from his toes to his head. Erick could even feel his face heating up now.

“Hey, are you okay, Erick?” Ivand said, waving his hand in front of Erick’s face, who was visibly surprised.

Erick’s face turned pale. “Ple… Please come in. El is in her room with Dad,” Erick said, shifting his body to make way for Jeremy and Ivand to enter the house.

Jeremy’s thick eyebrows sharply furrowed as he looked at Erick with an unreadable expression. Parents always had a keen intuition. Since this afternoon, while still on the way home from Kediri, Jeremy had started feeling uneasy. His thoughts immediately turned to his beloved daughter, Elena. Jeremy was very sure that something wasn’t right with his daughter.

“What happened to El, Devan?” Jeremy said, approaching the bed with wide strides.

“El has a fever, Jeremy. I gave her medicine earlier, but her fever keeps rising,” explained Devan, stepping away from the bed to give space to Jeremy, who appeared genuinely worried.

Hearing Devan’s words, Ivand also approached with panic. Although Elena was his younger sister, Ivand had always played the role of an older brother. Since childhood, Elena had been very spoiled and unable to be independent, mainly due to Jeremy’s overindulgence.

“Vand, call Dr. Adi and ask him to come here right away!” Jeremy instructed Ivand to quickly contact their family doctor.

Ivand promptly carried out Jeremy’s instructions. While waiting for the doctor to arrive, Jeremy tried to wake up Elena.

“Sweetheart, wake up! Daddy’s home,” Jeremy said gently while stroking Elena’s head.

Elena, who had actually been awake for a while, tried with all her might to open her eyes, which felt very heavy. Elena knew Daddy and her little brother had come to take her home. But the fever in her body left Elena helpless. Her body felt weak, and she had a severe headache. Erick, who was there, was also terrified. Elena was in this condition because of his actions.

“Daddy,” Elena whispered, slightly opening her eyelids. “I miss you,” Elena continued, instantly receiving a warm hug from her father.

“I miss you too, sweetheart. How come you got sick after just a short time? You’re such a big baby, Daddy’s big baby,” Jeremy replied with a laugh.

Elena responded to Jeremy’s hug tightly, inhaling the distinctive scent of the man who had always provided comfort and protection since she entered the world. A man who gave his love genuinely without conditions or limitations.

Jeremy loosened the embrace, but Elena was reluctant. The girl still wanted to hug Jeremy to soothe her longing.

“That’s enough, it’s embarrassing to be watched by Uncle Devan and Erick,” Jeremy whispered, chuckling. Slowly, Elena released her hug, although reluctantly.

Now, Jeremy sat on the edge of the bed, next to Elena. Jeremy gently stroked Elena’s head incessantly until Dr. Adi arrived. Then, Jeremy stood up to allow the doctor to examine Elena. Devan, on the other hand, remained seated at Erick’s study desk, visibly concerned.

“Elena probably got sick from playing in the rain or swimming, didn’t she?” Jeremy calmly said to Devan.

Erick’s face grew even paler. Both of his legs suddenly felt weak, like jelly. His body also trembled severely out of fear. Ivand, who unintentionally noticed Erick’s strange behavior, became suspicious. Could it be that Erick caused his sister Elena’s illness?

“She was swimming with Erick, Jem,” Devan replied casually.

“El can’t stay in the water for too long,” explained Jeremy, something everyone in the room was already aware of.

“I was surprised to find Elena and Erick playing in the fish pond. And the pond was due for a water change,” Devan replied, laughing heartily as he recalled how the two teenagers were happily playing in the dirty water of his fish pond.

“Oh my, is what Uncle Devan said true?” Jeremy asked, looking at Elena, who was also looking at him.

Elena nodded, smiling broadly. After receiving the prescription from Dr. Adi, Ivand immediately went to the nearest pharmacy to pick up the medicine for Elena.

Elena’s drama began. The spoiled girl stuck closely to her Daddy. Even when it was time to pray, Jeremy had to persuade Elena to let go for a while. Erick, who was initially very scared, now felt relieved because no one blamed him. However, as a young man, Erick admitted all his mistakes in front of Jeremy and Devan.

“Forgive me for causing you trouble,” Jeremy apologized, already familiar with his daughter’s behavior. Although Erick was at fault, Jeremy believed that his daughter had initiated the trouble, making Erick feel disturbed.

Erick was stunned to hear Jeremy’s apology. Erick didn’t expect Daddy Elena not to be angry with him at all.

“Daddy, Erick is jealous of me. Erick is afraid that Uncle Devan and I will snatch you away,” Elena interjected, earning a sharp gaze from Erick.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

Before Erick could respond, Devan quickly interrupted to prevent the two teenagers from arguing further. Devan had seen enough of the four days where the two teenagers exchanged retorts. Erick, who was reserved and spoke sparingly, clashed with Elena, who was super spoiled and wanted to win.

This was Elena, who was now present between them, not any other woman who would later become Erick’s stepmother. Devan felt that he would remain a widower forever.