Daddy My Son's
45. Mr. Loenhard's Challenge

Why didn't Mami tell me Joe was a pilot and worked for the airline?" mr. Loenhard's tirade to his wife Lirasa, when he had just stepped off the podium, after handing the award to Joe Dirgantara, winner of the best pilot in order number 2, award, with 5,210 hours flying in the last 5 years, only a few figures less than his senior, winner of number 1, who has worked twelve years longer than him.

"But only the one who doesn't remember. Mami's been telling, and so are Virranda and Verrel, but Papi doesn't notice. Papi only focused on master Ferdinand alone," said Lirasa glanced indifferently at her husband, then returned to pay attention to Joe who was conveying the impression of his likes and sorrows during his job as a pilot, who flew from country to country from the podium with his happy look.

Feeling ignored by his wife who was focused on the continuation of the event, Mr. Loenhard listened, paying attention to every word and sentence spoken by Joe, the daughter-in-law.

A boisterous applause rang out, as Joe got off the podium, his smile continued to expand until he reached his seat, a special row of pilots.

Not only Joe and his seniors who get the award on the night of the anniversary of the airline company where he worked, but all the crew to cleaning service who also gave his work achievements.

To enliven the company's anniversary party that night, Joe Dirgantara's name re-echoed the hall, as the MC called his name to chant some of his country's songs, all the guests enjoyed their dinner.

A boisterous applause rang out again, as Joe stood up, then with his light steps towards the podium. In addition to having a high discipline in work, Joe is also known as one of the employees who like to entertain his colleagues.

His hobby in singing, making himself easily known and liked by all his coworkers, including the company leaders.

"Joe!" call a fat man with his head looking slippery, when Joe just got off the podium finishing the chants.

"Yes, Mr. George," Joe approached while bowing respectfully.

"A businessman from Indonesia, who was giving you an award, asked me for permission to meet you in person. They're there" pointed Mr. George at one of the invited guest tables.

"He is one of the shareholders in my company, and his company also cooperates with our airline, because every employee who travels abroad always uses the services of our airline."

"Immediately meet Mr. Loenhard and his wife. Looks like they're interested in you. But remember, do not accept any job they offer. I still need you so much in my company, Joe," said the old and fat man with a joke while commenting on his simple smile.

"Good Sir. After all, I have not dared to move to work for the next five years, because I just applied for a dream home loan," Joe said, chuckling.

"It was good that time I recommended you to take that dream residence, so you did not easily turn to other companies," said the old man chuckled.

"Go, and meet them now" he said, patting Joe on the shoulder.

"Okay, sir," Joe bowed respectfully and headed to the table of one of the company's guests of honor appointed by Mr. George.

Joe's heart was pounding, thinking about why his parents-in-law wanted to meet him personally, considering that all this time, his father-in-law had always given various reasons not to meet him.

"Good night, sir, and Madam," said Joe with respect to his parents-in-law who had been waiting for his presence. Joe looks clumsy, let alone gets a flat look from his father-in-law.

"Good night Joe. Come, sit. Join us" said Lirasa kindly, allowing her daughter-in-law to sit on an empty chair in front of her and her husband.

"Mommy congratulated you for the award you received tonight for your hard work. Mami is proud of you, too" said Lirasa again as she extended her hand.

Although hesitant and looks still clumsy, Joe still welcomes the outstretched hand of his mother-in-law who looks sincere to him. "Thank you Madam" he said with an awkward smile.

"Joe, did you forget to call me Mommy?" lirasa's uncomfortable protests hear Joe's changing calls to her.

Lirasa caught Joe's awkward look at her husband. Until now the relationship between the two has not melted, Lirasa just sighed slowly thinking about it.

"Joe, would you like to eat the dishes on this table, or order some more from the waiter?" Lirasa looked at her daughter-in-law making an offer.

"There's only Mi" said Joe with a faint smile.

Lirasa picked up an empty plate nearby, "where do you want Joe?" tanyakanya.

"Don't Mi, Joe can take it himself," prevent Joe fast. "I feel inappropriate" he said reluctantly. He then extended his hand politely and took over the plate from his mother-in-law's hand.

Joe picked up mashed potatoes, vegetables, and lamb-based sausages, put them in a dish and then doused them with sauce. The traditional English dish was already so friendly on his tongue.

"How's Verrel Mi doing?" joe asked on the sidelines for their dinner.

"Verrel is always excited every time he goes to school. It seems like she has a lot of girlfriends. Although not every day, he often brought the girls home, and played until the afternoon" said Lirasa with a smile remembering her grandson.

"Daughter?" Joe scrunched his forehead. At one point, Verrel preferred to play plane-treatment with the neighborhood boys when they were abroad.

"Yes. He said he wanted to be like his Daddy, too, had a lot of pretty girlfriends around him." said Lirasa staring at Joe meaningfully.

"Maybe the flight attendants were what Verrel meant by Mi, because he often saw her when we moved around a lot at that time," Joe said awkwardly. Although not too sure, but Joe can feel if his mother-in-law knows about her work in the past through Virranda.

"I hope you can set a good example for Verrel Joe, because whatever you do, Verrel always tries to imitate you, because you're his Daddy," said Lirasa who occasionally cleans the tip of her lips from the sticky food stains there.

"Yes Mi, Joe will try to always be a good Daddy for Verrel, as well as a responsible husband for Virranda," Joe said with confidence.

"Being Virranda's husband, maybe you can. But to be my son-in-law there are conditions that you must meet," Mr. Loenhard, who had been a listener, now spoke.

Joe looked at his father-in-law, then turned to his mother-in-law, who was also looking at him after hearing his husband's words.

"Condition? What condition is it, sir?" ask Joe then.

"I appreciate your efforts to make my daughter happy, to buy her a car, and a house. But, to be my son-in-law is not enough just that. He must be a man who owns the company."

"Because I know you're not from among us, so I'm kind enough to lower my standards for you for my daughter's sake" she said flatly, looking fixed on Joe's face who still maintain his calm attitude even though the words of the father-in-law sound demeaning.

"Initially, I thought of putting Virranda as my successor as a director of my company. After I saw that you had enough potential with this performance in your workplace, I thought, how about you just become the director of my company after I retire" he said.

The man smiled in his heart. He was sure, his bait would be instantly devoured by the foolish young man.

Seriate...👉