The Ghost Writers
I'm a Ghost Writer

I saw you looking at me like I was surprised as if he was in my position. I just smiled thinly, maybe too excited to tell a story, he got carried away. When I noticed the lips of the Father moving, suddenly Bibi came to us while carrying a plastic package. Practically, my smile grew. Our online lunch order has arrived.

"Non, order a meal?" ask Auntie while giving me the package.

"Yes, Bi. Thank you" I replied and stood up immediately.

"We eat first, then the story continues yes," asked the Father.

I nodded in agreement. Auntie said she didn't want to do anything. I took you to the dinner table to enjoy the food we had chosen earlier through an application. I see you are impatient because his hands are busy opening the packages one by one and then put on the prepared dishes on the table.

I prepared a glass to pour ice and also a bowl to know the symptoms. I saw you so enjoying your lunch so well. He focused on finishing the food and not even talking. I also ate quickly because I was worried that my little one would wake up and need my attention. However, I did remember that the rainbow was sick.

After the meal, I cleaned the equipment on the table and took it to the sink to wash Auntie later. Kupamit to the Father for a moment to look at the rainbow. Turns out, my little princess is still fast asleep. I was relieved when I touched her body no longer hot despite sweating. I'll soak Rainbow's body with a towel and I'll change his clothes when he wakes up.

When I reached the middle room, I was ready with a sofa pillow in my lap. I can guess if you can't wait for the continuation of my story. Honestly, I didn't expect that he would be so interested, I don't know what made him so curious to know more. And Robby never brought it up.

"Continue, son, continue," asked the Father with a sparkling face.

I smiled because I was so excited. I sat down next to him and hugged the couch cushion.

"Then after that ...."

Of course I feel happy. My heart was pounding when the name of the Roman script on the message cover was written there. He asked me to come to his house to discuss my offer to become a Ghost Writer for him. Not a ghost writer yes, but Ghost Writer itself is a term for writers who work as shadows.

According to Wikipedia, Ghost Writer is referred to as a Shadow Writer or a stealth writer. People who take up this profession are professional writers who are paid to write books, articles, stories, reports, or other texts that officially award the work to others. Actually, the Ghost Writers were harmed in some aspects, but it was a consequence they were prepared to accept. Yeah, like me. Many factors make a person choose to hide his skills and willing to make others a trophy.

In my case, that factor is due to inferiority aka not confident. I still feel unable to accept the scorn for the work I created. I used to be protected by Mas Tulis back in school. Even after that, I still work with the race. I sent my works under the name Pena, not Alia Pitaloka. Who would have thought, I always win in terms of literary works whether poetry, making pantuns, short stories, and the like.

However, when I was called to pick up a gift, nervousness always attacked me. I dare not look into those people's eyes. My legs were always limp like boneless, cold sweaty, and suddenly wanted to pee. It's always been like that, even now.

Then I was forced to lie to the committee by saying I was a man of the author of Pena. I gave evidence in the form of an original script from a typewriter, complete with proof of registration for contest participation. The committee believed and handed it to me. After a few hours, I called the committee and claimed to be the author of Pena who had received the prize. I always make such scenarios and succeed.

However, now I have a solid team and always support so there is no need to make such a lie again. Then I went to the residence of the Roman Scriptures as he requested. I smiled cynically at the two guards who had made fun of me at that time. They were silent when they opened the door and even looked away when I stepped in. Seeing the behavior of the Lord of the Romans and the two guards, the evil thoughts in themselves. Employers and subordinates behave similarly. It's sickening, but it's all I keep in my heart I can't reveal.

Two-story luxury house that has a spacious yard. Two different types of cars, namely sedans and SUVs, are parked neatly in the garage with open doors. Seen fish pond in the middle of the park that makes the atmosphere beautiful like a rich man's dwelling in general. However, I can guess if the Roman script has a family because it looks four bikes parked next to the house. Two bikes for adults, and two bikes for teenagers.

Sure enough, when I climbed the stairs to the terrace, I saw a teenage girl coming out the main door. I stopped my steps and smiled. I don't know what her name is, but she looks cute and seems to be in high school in Junior High. Before long, there appeared a teenage boy in sportswear who was looking at me.

"Guests?" ask the boy and I nodded.

"Lord of the Romans exists? I got a message from him to come here. He said, I got a job, "I answered politely, and deliberately did not divulge the type of work because it was confidential.

"Oh, that. Bentar, Brother. Sit there first. I call you Dad," replied the black-haired teenager and had the bangs on the side.

I nodded and immediately sat down on a chair made of wood. I see the teenage girl still looking at me intently.

"If you may know, Brother accepted the job as what? Brother is still looking very young" he asked like he was suspicious of me.

"Oh. Brother ...," I replied hanging for the right reasons. Just about to open my mouth, I saw the figure of the man I was after appearing with the teenage boy. Spontaneous, I immediately stood up and bowed respectfully.

"You're Alia Pitaloka?" tanyanya.

"Right, sir," I replied with a nod.

"Call aja, Aksara. Oh, Mr. Aksara can too," he added.

"Okay, Mr. Aksara," I replied smilingly.

"Dad. What does this brother work for? We'll have a maid, '" asked the teenage girl.

"Oh, he will help Dad to tidy up the writing of the novels to be published. You guys said yourself that Dad was busy and there was no time to play. So, I asked for help with this Alia Sister to take care of my work," she replied, which made me speechless at the thought of her alibi.

"So, can you really help us camp?" ask the teenage girl I believe is her daughter.

"Come, Alia. I will introduce officially with the people of the house and the work that will be done later," asked Mr. Aksara.

I nodded and followed him behind. Two sons of Mr. Aksara then went out of nowhere and I don't care. He introduced me to his wife. Honestly, I don't think a writer's wife is fashionable enough to even say she's beautiful. However, there is something strange about the wife of Mr. Aksara.

"Papa. Mom went to the salon. Use your credit card. I'm picking up the kids. Not long ago, most malem just returned home because there was a march with lecture meetings first," said the big madam while raising her right hand towards her husband.

I stood still though I could see Mr. Aksara's face as depressed at the request of his wife. He gave a platinum credit card to the beautiful woman in front of him. The wife gave a sweet kiss on Mr. Aksara's cheek with a thin smile and then sauntered away. I looked over and saw her departure where I felt, if that shoulder-haired woman seemed to be more dominant than my boss-to-be.

"That's my wife. Name's Empress. Well, that's. Unique indeed, but .. her lifestyle is like a queen. So get used to it" said Mr. Aksara, inserting a leather wallet into his back pocket.

I nodded and followed him again as I took me to the second floor up the stairs. There's a room with a board that says "Working Space". Mr. Aksara opened the seemingly unlocked door because he could enter easily. I see the room is quite comfortable. There are two work desks. One large table with chairs that look soft and luxurious. Then there are the following laptops some supporting accessories to beautify the decoration of the table. I'm sure that desk is Mr. Aksara's working area.

"This is your desk later" he said when pointing to a work desk in the corner near the entrance.

However, there is a barrier like an office as it is deliberately limited. The size of the room in the box was smaller and there was a computer set there. Yeah, that's where I'll work. I came to my job candidate and pulled out a wheeled chair even though it wasn't as good as my boss. I try to sit down to feel the comfort of my work place later. Mr. Aksara came up to me and stood in front of the table while putting two hands into the pocket of the cloth pants. Honestly, my heart was pounding because it seemed like he wanted to convey something.

"Nobody can tell if you will be working as a Ghost Writer, including my wife and children, and the officers in this house. Only you, God and I know. You get it, Alia," he said. I nodded and here, I could see the other side of a Roman script. "Then, within one year, there must be one work that I publish" he added. I nodded again. "I've seen your writing and your work before. To me, it's interesting to see you seem to need to learn a lot about how to write, but. All I need is your story idea. The rest, I'll remodel it."

Somehow her last words made my chest tight. However, this is my choice and already know the consequences. He then picked up a book from a wooden shelf near his desk. He then put it in front of me. I narrowed my eyes because I recognized the cover of the novel.

"I've read it, sir. I've also bought all your novels" I said.

I saw Lord Aksara as surprised as he frowned his face for a few seconds then smiled with a nod.

"good. So, you already know my style of language and writing, too" he said.

I'm silent for a moment. There are some things I want to say, but I'm not sure if it's well received by this plagiarist. However, I would love to convey it. So, I'm reckless.

"Only for the last novel. The way you write and style your language is different from the previous work, Mr. Aksara. However, don't worry, I can make a continuation of the story in the same style," I said a little bragging.

Mr. Aksara was silent. Here I feel a little stupid because it's like a slip-up. Emotions put me in danger and worry, if Aksara realizes it. But it turns out ....

"Hem, good then. Try to make a continuation of Roger's story. I'd like to read it. Give me the full synopsis. I'll give you one week because you're new" he said.

However, I smiled. I opened my backpack and I gave her a map. Mr. Aksara seemed confused, but accepted my gift map. He immediately opened it and I could see, his eyes widened when he opened the sheets of paper that had been neat even though I typed with a typewriter.

"You've made the storyline even to the end?" tanya Aksara looked at me fixedly.

"Yes. It ... think about it as soon as you finish reading your new novel. I tried to express it and ... That's my idea," I replied calmly.

Aksara rubbed his mouth with one hand where the other hand was still holding a map containing a synopsis of my story. I saw his eyes move like I read every sentence I spoke. Until finally, he laughed.

"Hem, I like your idea. Okay, I accept. For starters, this is money from the story idea I received and the sign you started working for me" he said, taking out a brown envelope from his front pants pocket as he had prepared.

My eyes immediately moved and stared intently at the brown envelope while it was right in front of me. I received it and immediately put it in the bag without me counting how many. Because what I'm after is the Roman script, not the money.

"You can start working officially next Monday to finish this story" he continued, holding a map with my story idea.

"You ... don't want to give suggestions or insert ideas for this story? Original from the synopsis I gave you?" many wonder.

"There may be, but later when you've started writing it down in chapters. Sometimes, the idea flows while reading some scenes. It could be that when you start describing it in some episodes, there's a gaffe and I have to fix it" he replied calmly.

I nodded slowly because to me what he said had a point. That day I decided to go home because of my arrival as an official visit for introductions and tests whether I was accepted to work or not. Who would have thought, the thing that I was really looking forward to is back. I left the residence of Mr. Aksara Roma and rushed to the nearest ATM machine Setor Tunai.

I deliberately set up a special account that later all the money given by the Roman Script I kept there. Who would have thought, the Roman script gave me 5 million for the idea of furthering the story. Whether it was a lot or not, but it felt ..he would get more results when the book was sold considering the number of readers. I calm this heart again so that revenge does not get raging. I wonder what will happen next when I see him working directly to realize my story idea.

***

uhuy thanks for the tips😍lele to you. and .. good night to LAP💋