The Grand King and His Interpreter
Chapter 3 - Steve The Grand King

Still confused, but more than that, I was scared. I do believe in the existence of maahluk besides humans on this earth, including astral beings. But to think clearly I can see it, scares me. Shouldn't they stay in their world as they should. I mean, not in touch with the human world.

Watching a lot of horror movies, reading scary threads, reading mystical experience tweets, did not influence me to know more about the existence of astral beings. Not at all.

Trapped in the organizational hierarchy, it required me to submit to work according to what the boss was arguing for. Indeed, it is quite possible to refuse or at least negotiate to find a middle ground. Seriously, since when did my job get this complicated?

Still clear in my memory\, Steve showed me my *resign-* letter that was on his desk. He could even very easily kick me out of this company if I refused.

“You must help me finish some things before you resign. I need you to translate everything you know about Natsume. I can see Natsume, but I can't hear his voice or read his writing.” Steve is desperate.

Steve meant it when he said that. His face no longer looked arrogant. His eyes seemed to say, please help me.

“I'm ready, Sir.” My word.

“Thanks.” Said Steve lirih.

There's actually a lot of questions I'd like to ask Steve about Natsume. But I was too afraid to know the truth that I didn't need to know.

“Cher, you are now back in your room, clear your desk, then come with me.” Steve was seen closing the laptop screen in front of him, then put it in a bag.

“Good, Sir.” I said and rushed out of the room, into my room.

My laptop was still on when I left Steve's room, making me remember that I had to go get Laundry today, or I wouldn't have proper clothes for tomorrow. What time will I be overtime?

***

Steve was waiting for me in his expensive sedan right in front of the office lobby. Waw! A two-story house-sized car that if I wanted to buy it, I would have to think a million times, unless I got it through the lottery. Steve opened the window, hinting me to get into his car.

Obviously the caste differences between us are wide. In our midst is a clear chasm I cannot build a bridge between them. Not likely.

My neck rippled shortly after I finished putting on my seatbelt. Natsume came with us in the back seat. It made him twice as creepy, even though his face was handsome.

“Are you scared?” Ask Natsume suddenly.

That question surprised me. What should I give him answers? The answer is that, yes, I am afraid because I cannot rule out the fact that he is a wandering spirit. Or some other scary fact, like, he could make me look like that. Uhh! No. gabe. Of course it's possible.

“Cher!” Steve shook my body slowly. I woke up and looked towards him. “What's up?” Ask looks worried.

I catch my breath. “Natsume-san just asked if I was afraid of her or not.” I said.

“Then?”

“Uhm, of course I'm afraid.” Honestly answered. I'm not gonna lie. It could be that my honest answer is keeping me off this paranormal activity.

The next second, I heard Natsume's voice laughing. Her laughter is ordinary. Not at all different from the laughter of people in general.

“Thanks for answering honestly.” Said later.

Steve drove his car away from the lobby to the front gate. He still opened his car and greeted the security guard by raising his right hand. While the security guard had time to look at me because I was beside the driver's seat. He must be confused how this ordinary people can be next to the prospective occupants of the top seat in the hierarchy of this company.

“Sorry if I'm presumptuous, but where are we going, sir?” I asked to vent.

“We eat out, later you let me drive you home. I need to talk a lot of things that no one else wants to know.”Answer Steve.

“Will it be long, sir?” Ask again.

Steve scrunched his forehead while his gaze remained straight focus driving, “You have urgent need?” Ask.

“I need to grab my laundry before nine p.m., sir. Tomorrow wear batik, and my batik clothes are in the laundry place, sir. If I don't take it, my shirt will be the same in these three days, sir.”obviously I'm honest.

I am the new type of person who will dry his clothes if the weight is enough for one package. If the amount is less than the weight of the package, then I will lose.

Steve laughed loudly. Same with Natsume. What's so funny. The only funny thing is, if I go to the office tomorrow in the same shirt for three days that already stinks of sweat and sun. Deodorants and perfumes will also not succeed in disguising the smell. I'm certain.

“Alright, we will go to my subscription batik store first, then we go for dinner.”said Steve casually.

“Pak, I have not paid.” I'm panicking.

Steve is a conglomerate boy. I'm sure, the outlet or shop batik clothes subscription must be from a well-known brand, and definitely expensive. The contents of my wallet will cry. Instead of him driving me to buy a new shirt, I would be very helpful if he was willing to turn his car to pick up my laundry clothes.

“Even it looks like my salary also can not buy batik clothes in the subscription store Mr.” I said.

“You can call me by name only, if there is only us.”Steve didn't speak at all. “Call me Steve” Next.

“Iya, Sir.”

“Cher...”.

“Sorry, Sir.” I hit my own jidat. ”I mean, sorry Steve.” I hurriedly read my words.

Steve smiled knot.

“I had time to check your personal data in personnel.”Steve opened the conversation. “It turns out our age is not far adrift, only two years.

I feel very anxious to answer that maybe our age is not far adrift, but the achievement is very different.

“I've waited long enough to find someone like you in the space of two years.” Steve.

“As far as I can remember, I have never been abroad. I'm always in the office.” I said.

Steve laughed a little. “You know that I was in the head office at first, and then I started going around all the companies under Mahawira Group. I've been studying it since I was in High School. Then finished college, I started my business trip which was not really my business.”

I responded with a nod. Steve is back.

“I dismantle the cheating practices in every company I stop by. I don't want a company that's been pioneered since my grandfather's time, to collapse. Finding people who like to play with money that is not their right is not difficult.” explained Steve.

“But Steve had a hard time uncovering financial statements in his current place. Your office. He checked all the reports and there was absolutely no decrease in revenue figures since the company was founded. Of course it's weird.”Natsume.

I waited for Steve's response. It turned out to be true, Steve could not hear Natsume's voice. I don't understand why either. If what is meant is a language barrier because Natsume uses Japanese, at least Steve can hear Natsume's voice even though he cannot understand his words.

“Steve can't hear you.” I said to Natsume.

“Indeed, Natsume what bitch?” Ask Steve.

“You have trouble dismantling cheating practices in the company I am now in” I said briefly.

“I've checked all the reports, the results are nil.”

“Isn't that great?”

“Huh? Meaning?” Steve's confused.

Steve did not answer. He was silent for a moment. He seems to be thinking seriously. Hopefully his hair does not gray quickly because he always thinks of complicated things. Steve bit the thumb tip of his left hand. Obviously he has ambitions to make his company more advanced.

“It feels weird if I don't find it at all, at least one or two mismatches, it's acceptable.” The answer.

“Doesn't it look more like you're looking for errors?”

“I thought so, but I also need a reason why I should believe that everything is fine. I'm afraid this is a time bomb, if I don't find that bomb quickly, the explosion will hurt a lot of people.” explained Steve.

Steve's age just stepped on the head of three, but his thinking is far ahead. I thought all he thought about was the throne and profit. Honestly speaking, rumors of a succession had already been heard everywhere. Elicits panic due to the myth of the ‘first generation that started, the second generation developed, and the third generation that made it collapse’. I heard that phrase shortly after the monthly meeting attended by people from the headquarters.

***

The car drove at a constant speed on a night road that had been filled with many vehicles, and occasionally heard each other honking. Steve turned his car casually towards the shopping area which was not far from a large mall. In the area there are several clothing and shoe stores with famous brands, salons, and also places to eat.

Steve parked his car in a parking lot not far from the lobby. He seemed to have gotten used to this place so, with the ease of parking in the front yard, I had heard the rumor that the parking fees per hour were very expensive. Of course the pocket money of King Steve would not be in trouble at all with that.

“We get to.”Steve said as he removed his seatbelt. He looked at me who had trouble opening my seatbelt. Without asking, he helps. “Already. Come.” He said he stepped out of the car first.

I looked towards the back seat. Natsume is no longer there. I decided to get out.

“Waa!!” I shouted unconsciously when I got out of the car, Natsume was already standing very close to me.

The people who were passing by, looked at me. I'm so ashamed. But I can't hide my surprise either. Just imagine, Natsume somehow since when he had disappeared, then suddenly appeared out of nowhere. That's creepy.

Steve chuckles. Followed by Natsume who also laughed.

“You deliberately yes..” I said pissed.

“You will get used to it after this.” Natsume.

“What does he say?” Steve was curious

“I don't want to get used to this.”kataku.

“I can imagine what Natsume told you.” Steve gave a mischievous look towards Natsume.

Steve locked his car until it rang bib, then we headed to a clothing store that sold a lot of batik with various models. Looking at the clothes worn by the mannequins in the storefront area, I can assess the price range of clothes in this store. Steve gave me a code with a wave of his hand to keep me near him.

Natsume is also not far from Steve. Sometimes watching him move faster than me and Steve, makes me shudder in horror. Sometimes I see his steps that do not tread on the surface. It's like floating. The thing I don't understand the most is, his handsome face surpasses that of a handsome human. I was a little confused when I had to explain it. His face was pure white, as if shining. Don't imagine a face that's being highlighted by a lamp. Totally different.

“Batik which is good.” Natsume's voice surprised me. “You okay?” Ask worried.

“I'm fine.” My answer.

Steve was talking to the store staff while occasionally his hands were sliding clothes neatly displayed in one corner of the store.

“This shirt model is like it suits you.”Natsume was already standing next to a mannequin wearing a light blue knee-length batik dress with a mega overcast motif. I approached him. “Dress this won't look too short for you” Continue while chuckling.

“So you mean I'm short?”

“I didn't say anything.” Natsume dodged, then put on his ignorant face again, as if trying to mock me and wanting to piss me off.

My hand moved to pinch his waist. Natsume swiftly held my hand. It's chilly. Natsume hastily let go of his grasp.

“Women weird..” I heard someone whispering.

“She from earlier talked to herself, now even make strange movements.” Another whisper chimed.

Akk!Damnit. I forgot if Natsume is ‘hantu’. Uhm, I mean he's a subtle spirit. So, not everyone can see it. They must have seen me like crazy.

From a distance, I saw Steve pick up two clothes, then walk towards me. It didn't take long until he got to the place where I was standing. He turned to Natsume for a moment, then without permission to hold my right hand. I'm shocked.

“Darling, this shirt is good. You try yes.” Steve said in a soft but loud voice. I looked at Steve, snapping my eyes a few times quickly, hoping he would give me an explanation.

I waited for a split second but Steve didn't budge. He still clasped my hand, even his grip was stronger as I tried to get away from him. It's free. I surrendered. He owes me an explanation later.

The staff instantly returned to their respective positions, and no one else dared to gossip. The power of a young master heir to the throne was indeed sinister.

“Try wearing this one.” Said Steve while giving me two dresses, then let go of his grip. “I wait in soa it yes.” He pointed to a sofa not far from the dressing room.

I follow Steve's words. We walked side by side while Steve's right hand was coiled around my waist. To be honest I felt uncomfortable with his behavior, but it seemed like this he was doing to save me from the demeaning gazes of the employees of this store.

“Sorry yes.” Said Natsume who had been by my side since when. “You do not need to answer, later they think you are crazy for talking to yourself.”more.

I just nodded.

***

Steve bought me two dresses and one batik top that cost me absolutely no sense. It probably doesn't make sense for my wallet, which screams at the end of the month. I hope Steve doesn't change his mind and intends to cut my pay for these clothes.

Still in the same area, the three of us ate at a restaurant, which again a row of prices can make my wallet dry-contested prematurely.

“Steve, we eat in the usual place aja ..”kataku, start a little panic because visitors who come look ‘papan top’

“I don't understand what you mean, but this is regular resto”.return Steve while busy flipping through the menu sheet.

Suddenly Steve raised his hand to call the waiter of the restaurant. One of the servants swiftly came to where we were sitting.

“There can we help, sir?”ask waiter.

“I want VIP room.”Sweve replied without further ado.

“Sorry, the entire VIP room has been booked out, sir.”

Steve takes a deep breath, “Tell your manager, Steve Mahawira needs a VIP room.” His words seem to be getting upset.

The waiter went away not answering anything, then disappeared from sight. Steve was busy flipping through the menu. I don't understand why he's looked so upset.

“I don't understand why people like to demean others just because of its outward appearance.”Steve sounds great.

I understood a little of what Steve said. Before coming to this restaurant, Steve returned to the car to take off his shirt and change his shoes with sandals. Believe me, if the servants here are jelly, t-shirts and sandals that Steve wears are not cheap at all. However, in this position restaurant employees are also not to blame. They have the right to arrange dresscode for guests who eat here.

I was just about to pat Steve's hand, when I saw a couple walking casually in brown shorts and t-shirts, and they got a friendly greeting.

“Steve, I know a good breakfast place around here.” I finally said.

Steve looked at me, “No. I'll impress you with the taste of a very distinctive chicken soup.” He then said, getting up from his seat.

***