On that very hot day, Riki smiled as he watched the children and workers who ca to enjoy the drinks he had made especially for them.
Even though he had used up a lot of avocados, young coconuts, and jackfruit, seeing their smiles made it all worth it.
"It’s a sha that so many coffee trees need to be cut down, Riki. They all have so kind of disease, which the professionals say is due to too much fertilization, an overdose," said Evan, who had just arrived, carrying a plastic cup filled with drink and a plastic spoon.
"All of them?" asked Riki.
Evan shook his head, "No, only so of them. By the way, is he feeling better?" asked Evan, pointing at Anton with his chin.
Riki hadn’t told Evan what had happened to Anton, so Evan only knew that Anton was sick.
"A lot has happened. He’s better now, but he needs so ti alone," said Riki.
"Then why did he co here?" asked Evan, finally sitting down next to Riki.
They were in a bamboo gazebo located on the edge of the plantation, in a higher place.
The plantation had sloping land, then it rose again. Because there was a depression in the middle of the plantation, a small reservoir was built there, which also served for irrigation.
The gazebo was built around the edge of the plantation and was usually used by workers when they took breaks.
Anton himself sat in front of Evan and Riki, along with so children who were also enjoying their drinks.
"He wanted to co himself, you know. Actually, it was Anton who asked to buy the plantation. I think he has changed drastically now. He has beco a better person, and I like that," said Riki.
Evan furrowed his brow, then glanced back at Anton. Now, Anton was chatting with Brian.
"Is Anton going to take care of this plantation? I an, the construction of the shell beach will be finished soon too."
Riki shrugged, "I think he’ll like it, but I can’t force him. What if he hates himself for being too dependent on ?"
Evan sighed heavily, then said, "He’s always been a coward, hasn’t he? In high school, he was lucky to have a bodyguard nad Hansen. Everyone was afraid of him because he was protected by Hansen, which made him arrogant. But when everyone started to distance themselves from him, he probably began to introspect. If I were him, I would be very ashad of being too dependent on you, but I have no other choice because it turns out you’re the only sibling who cares."
Hearing Evan’s words made Riki feel uneasy. Was Anton really thinking like that? But Evan’s words actually made sense. Riki would think about it later.
Brian approached Riki and reported what Evan had said to him. However, Brian added that so of the plantation was fine. The seeds Riki had given him would be planted to replace the damaged trees. The rest of the day would be spent cleaning up the damaged trees.
The plantation problem would soon be solved, and Riki felt relieved. He had also asked Evan to give so organic fertilizer for all types of plants, which was stored in the Little Heaven warehouse to be given to the plantation. This fertilizer was quite magical and ca from the system store. It was very popular because it could be used for various types of plants. Therefore, daily fertilizer sales were limited to make it seem premium.
Even though there was actually a lot of fertilizer stored in the warehouse.
"Riki, I have a suggestion. How about planting marigolds on the edge of the plantation? Because marigolds can be a natural pest repellent," said Evan.
"Oh, I agree with that, but it’s better to plant them around the reservoir and also around the main road," replied Brian.
Riki nodded, "All right, you guys can arrange it however you like, I’ll agree with your suggestion."
"I’ll use the flower seeds you gave ," said Evan.
Riki furrowed his brow. He had given Little Heaven various types of flower seeds. So were to be sold as seeds, so were to be grown and sold as live flowers.
"I agree with you—oh, wait, I have a call."
Riki moved away from the crowd to answer Jake’s call.
"Hello, Jake? Hmm, I’m at the plantation I just bought—huh? Okay... okay, m-hm, I’ll be there later."
Riki hung up the phone and sighed heavily.
Every day there are always problems.
This ti there was a couple who claid to be the parents of the child Riki had helped before.
The news about the child had been spread, in case there were parents who were really having trouble finding their child. So, Jake’s phone number was used to contact them. They should have used Twaila’s phone number, but Jake didn’t agree. Jake was probably just worried that Twaila would get calls from scamrs.
The reason Jake called Riki to co was because the two people claiming to be the parents of the little girl looked suspicious.
"What’s going on, Riki?" asked Anton, who suddenly appeared between Evan and Brian.
Riki shook his head, "No, it’s about the little girl I helped. Soone ca claiming to be the child’s parents, but Jake is suspicious of them."
"I think we should be careful, because it’s possible that the two people claiming to be the child’s parents are just scamrs," replied Evan.
Riki nodded, "I think so too, but there’s also a possibility that they really are the child’s parents."
"I’ll co too," said Anton.
Riki looked at Anton with a surprised expression. "Are you sure? It will take a while, maybe I’ll go to the company and also—"
"I want to see the little girl in person, because her face looks familiar. I saw the article this morning," replied Anton, cutting Riki off.
"Do you really feel familiar with her face? I have a clear photo, take a look first." Riki took out his smartphone and searched for a photo of the little girl he had helped. Then he showed it to Anton.
Evan, who was curious, stretched his neck to peek.
Anton didn’t say anything, just stared intently at the photo of the girl.
"She’s so pretty, she looks like Anton, her nose and lips, but she has very pale skin, is her skin really that pale?" asked Evan.
Riki nodded, "Yeah, not really, she does have skin as white as milk, but when you see her in person, there’s a hint of yellow too, so it’s not that pale."
Anton returned Riki’s smartphone and said, "I’m not sure, so I have to et her first."
Riki took the phone and put it in his jacket pocket, then said,
"Aren’t you going to tell who she is?" asked Riki.
Anton shook his head, "I can’t say until I’m sure."
Riki shrugged, "Oh, okay. Are you done? If so, I’ll head to the office to et Jake."
Anton nodded, "I’ll co with you."
Riki said goodbye to Evan, Brian, and the other workers, including the children playing nearby.
Unlike before, when Anton always insisted on being Riki’s personal driver. This ti, Riki was driving because Anton’s mind was easily distracted by many things. So, it wasn’t safe for him to drive.
Even when Riki tried to strike up a conversation, Anton remained silent and seed focused on his own thoughts. So Riki chose to remain quiet as well.
But before arriving at the office building, Riki stopped by a bakery and dessert shop near the university. Anton, who was still daydreaming, only realized that Riki had bought desserts when Riki returned with several boxes.
"Did you buy cakes?" asked Anton.
Riki nodded, "Would you like a cinnamon roll?"
Anton nodded, but then said, "I want one, but I’m not going to eat it now."
Riki opened one of the boxes, "Do you want to keep this?" asked Riki.
"Can I?"
"Of course, this is for us to eat later. I’ll share the rest with my colleagues at the office," said Riki.
Anton was surprised to see the smile on Riki’s face when he said he would share the cake with his colleagues.
Anton smiled too.
The car drove on, and Anton didn’t say anything else. Until they arrived at the office building.
Throughout the trip, Anton just followed Riki like a chick following its mother. People also always paid attention to Anton, who was a stranger to them there.
Finally, Riki arrived at the office and imdiately asked soone to distribute the boxes of cookies. Riki himself was still carrying one cookie, which he would probably give to Jake or Twaila, Anton thought.
But Riki took Anton to a special room that looked like a luxurious living room.
There were already n and won there, as well as Jake, Twaila, and the little girl Riki had helped earlier.
Riki sighed deeply when he saw the unfamiliar man and woman, sounding as if he was very annoyed. But only Anton could hear him.
When facing them, Riki smiled warmly instead.
Anton ignored the two strangers, paying attention only to the little girl who was also looking at him.
Suddenly, the little girl tried to break free from Twaila, then ran and hugged Anton, who was still standing at the entrance.
"Uncle! You ca to pick up, right? Right, uncle?"
Riki turned to look at Anton, who had crouched down so the little girl could hug him.
"Uncle?" asked Jake, confused.
User Comments
0 comments from readers