Second Change
Chapter 8's

"Ton, I want to work." I said as we sat on the porch.

"Work? What work?" ask her while putting her guitar to the table

"Gini, I can't sell ice. So I'd like to do that internship after college." Obviously I'm careful.

"We still have savings. Later if my album is out, it can pay off tuition until graduation." Tony's forehead wrinkled a sign he did not like the idea that I went to work.

"But I have living expenses too. There's no way we eat tofu every day." I wiggled his arm.

"Lo if you want to eat every day at the restaurant I can also." he said

"Ehm... I want to buy expensive skincare. I'm gonna buy a new shirt. I'm gonna buy some new shoes. I want to buy cosmetics. Trus I want to.."

Tony pulled my counting hand.

"Buy everything you like. If you want to buy a car and rent a driver to take you to college can also. Or you want to buy a bigger house also bole. As long as you want, I can buy it all for you." Tony looked me in the eye.

I smiled and kissed her cheek.

"Thank you. I was just kidding. If you don't let me work, I don't go. Ok?"

Tony pulled me to sit on his lap. "If you have a wish, you have to tell me, okay?"

"I want you to always be by my side. Until we become grandparents and I want to sit on your lap like now."

Tony smiled and kissed me. "Gue dear ama lo. It's a pity."

***

"Lia. I'm sorry." Tony hugged me in front of the door before he disappeared behind the fence.

At dawn about four o'clock Tony's phone rang and Tony suddenly tensed up shortly after picking up the call. After that first phone call, Tony's phone kept ringing incessantly. Tony hurriedly changed his clothes, took his phone and put on his shoes. The phone kept ringing even though Tony had picked up the phone many times. It was all the same: something had happened to her father.

"May I know what happened?" ask me after I had a chance to ask when Tony was done wearing the shoes.

"I'm critical. I have to go home."

I don't know what else to say. Didn't ask if I could come? I didn't ask where his father's house was. But I'm sure once the situation calms down, Tony will definitely contact me. Right now it's probably best that I don't bother him. Anyway Tony seems to have been gone a year not to go home to his parents. Suddenly, his father was sentenced to a critical verdict. Has Tony's father been sick all this time? Does Tony know that his father is sick? Hopefully his condition is not too severe and he can calm down again.

The present moment is an important moment in Tony's life as his first album is about to be released. Hopefully, the condition of his father does not have a big effect on the release process of his album. If you want to say, I don't know anything about Tony. His hometown where I don't know. He's got a brother or he's a son, and Tony never says. Even though I asked about his family. He was always evasive and I didn't want to force him because everyone's family conditions are different. Maybe he had a bad experience with his family so he was out of the house and not coming home all this time.

I ended up going to college feeling empty and uninspired. Cindy came to greet me in class.

"Lia, how? Today was the last recruitment." he said.

Cindy's taking me for an internship at the cafe where her cousin works. But I turned it down yesterday after Tony banned me from working. The offer is actually good. The salary is according to UMR, working hours are also not too long. Even though it was midnight, there was a special vehicle to drive all the employees home. Hence the recruited employees, his house should not be too far away. And Cindy said my criteria fit into this job. Cindy herself actually failed to get in because of weight problems that are not ideal. Though only three kilos excess of the ideal weight, but immediately disqualified.

I threw myself in the chair and let out a long sigh while shaking my head.

"My girlfriend suddenly came home at dawn" I said. When telling someone, these tears feel like they cannot be contained.

"Why did you suddenly come home? What's the problem?" ask Cindy while watching my eyes that I hold back so that these tears do not fall.

"His father is critical." I looked up at my head so that the tears on these petals would evaporate.

"What is his father sick?" ask Cindy "If you want to cry, cry Lia. Don't hold it."

Cindy pulled both of my cheeks in front of her face.

"I don't know. I don't know anything about him. We lived together for a year." This time my tears really can't be held anymore.

"So now he's met his father?" ask Cindy who wiped my tears with her sleeves.

"Don't know."

"Then try to call or chat him." he suggested

"Can? Isn't it right now that I should let her concentrate on her business?"

"Well no. Right now you have to show me that you care about him."

I accepted Cindy's proposal and chatted Tony. But the message was not sent. I tried calling her, but she didn't connect

"Maybe he's on a road that doesn't have a signal right now" I told Cindy.

***

"Tomorrow can you start working?" Brother Jay, Cindy's cousin stretched out her hand to ask me to shake.

"Bie.. Can." I hesitated as I glanced at Cindy who was prancing with excitement.

It's all because of Cindy who managed to persuade me. He said if I didn't feel right or Tony came home, I could resign at any time. Because still interns so not bound by contract. But honestly, this place looks more luxurious than the cafe. And again it's seven o'clock at night. Which cafe is open at seven o'clock until three o'clock in the morning. But since I'm just an intern, so my work hours are only up to eleven. Work only four hours but UMR salary. That's why I'm tempted to work here. When Tony banned, I actually felt a pity. Whereas if compared to when selling ice, this is more profitable and certainly not tired. If we are tired, it is only four hours. I can definitely get through it.

Jay's brother seems good too. He was the supervisor at the bar. He is in charge of the waiters and bartende as well as the comfort of the guests who come. Make sure bartenders and waiters don't make mistakes. An apprentice like me has a total of five people. While the employees there are ten people. We were taught directly by Kak Jay and were obliged to ask directly to Kak Jay if there were those who did not understand. And there are some rules that we have to follow. Such as not being able to accompany guests, not being able to receive tips, not being able to exchange phone numbers with guests, etc. I'm trying to understand these rather strange rules. Though if not in the know also we may not dare to accompany guests on his desk let alone exchange mobile phone numbers with unknown people.

I nodded as Jay explained at length on the first day of work. I was with four new interns consisting of three boys and two girls lined up in front of Kak Jay who was making sure our uniform pockets were empty. No cell phones, keys, even candy can't be brought. Jay's brother who was wearing a white shirt, a blue tie and a black vest was in line with his pants looking neat and handsome. Moreover, his hair that is combed back with wax, his clean face must be the result of diligent care. As Jay stood in front of me, she smelled a strong but non-stinging perfume. It is definitely an expensive perfume. Anyway, the appearance of Jay's feet from the top of the hair to shiny leather shoes all seem expensive.

If the salary of interns is only in accordance with UMR, especially the salary of Kak Jay. Could it be as big as my college money a year?

"What do you think?" ask Jay suddenly.

I swallowed because I was nervous. "Don't think of anything, brother."

"When you work, you need to focus. Don't mind empty like that." Jay's brother flicked his finger at my forehead.

It's almost seven o'clock, we've been standby in each position. My job is to bring drinks to the guest table. I finally got a job. I definitely can. I should be able to. Four hours will pass quickly. Welcome to the world of work, the spirit of Lia!