The Murder of the Beloved
Chapter 11

"Actually, yes or no. You already know, that my job requires money or capital. Impossible with a snoring capital. If my money is stuck because it has not been paid by the developer, even though I need to free the land, then I am forced to borrow first. If the land is not released then the project will be stuck. So I can get caught in the middle. If the developer has not paid when I have no money, how can I pay my debt? I kept charging incessantly, just like that guy. Use the threat of everything. So you don't have to be afraid, Lis. In business, such a right can happen. Debt, borrowing, borrowing, is common. The usual threats"

"So that's a joke?" ask Lilis astonished. He remembered how the man had been beating him. That doesn't sound kidding.

"Ah, it's not a matter of playfulness or not. He's serious, but he's just a bluff. The goal is to scare us and pay for it."

"Are you going to pay for it?" ask Lilis expectantly.

"Of course I'll pay it if my bill to the developer is also paid. But don't worry, Lis. Even though I lost a lot because someone tricked me, I still have other relationships that can be trusted. Wait a minute," Bram went to get the newspaper. He turned his page and showed a news story to Lilis. "Now, read Lis. It was reported about a developer who brought a down payment for housing consumers even though his house was not yet standing and the land was not clear status. He's not just running away with consumer money but also my money."

"Oh ..., how sorry are you Mas."

"But don't you worry, Lis?" Bram said in a persuasive tone.

"Who exactly is that man?" He won't say a name."

"Yes, he must be a coward for not saying his name. But you better not know, Lis. Next time he calls again, just tell him that this is all my business and you don't know anything."

Lilis was comforted by Bram's attitude which she considered knightly. That is how a husband should be responsible, he thought.

"I'm sorry to have troubled you, Lis," Bram said as he hugged Lilis.

"It's okay. A wife should not only want to be happy, but also want to be difficult. Short on shared responsibility," said Lilis gallantly.

"Oh, thank you, my wife." Bram kissed Lilis with a loving attitude. Undoubtedly the happiness of Lilis. Just think about it, has Johan ever treated him like that?

But a week later Bram came home with a puffy face with broken lips. He tried to cover it with a handkerchief, but Lilis had already seen it. He's surprised. "Why are you?"

"Oh, this is okay, Lis. It just hurts a little. It will heal too."

"But why?" lilis Urge. His mind guessed something.

Inside, Dinda heard her mother screech and ran out. He was surprised to see Bram's face. Must have hit someone, he thought.

"I fell just now, slipped and my face was hit by a hard object." Bram shies away from Dinda's gaze.

"If you slip, you must fall sitting or lying down, Om!" chirps Dinda curious.

Lilis turned to Dinda. Quickly Dinda passed. He smiled behind the two men. Feel, think.

"You're not telling the truth, Mom? I can't believe you fell."

"There was Dinda" whispered Bram. He pointed towards the door, as a sign in case Dinda eavesdropped there.

"Ah, when he's nagging," argued Lilis not per. But he whispered too. Then slowly he walked to the door, then with a sudden jolt he opened it. There was no one in front of his room. Dinda's room door was tightly closed. Dinda is invisible. Lilis closed the door again then said with a relieved face, "After all? He's not in the room."

"Thank God. I don't want to take any chances. How embarrassed I would be in front of Dinda when she found out. I don't like it later to hate it even more."

Lilis stared with pity. Again there was a sense of annoyance to Dinda. That kid is so stubborn. But it's obviously very difficult to force Dinda to like Bram. For sure the problem must be set aside first now. There's something more important. "Say. Are you persecuting people, Mas? The guy who charged that?"

"Yes" said Bram.

Lilis goosebumps. His eyes contained horror. Good thing Bram just got stuck. How about getting stabbed? Let alone for fifty million, for even a few hundred rupiahs lives can be lost. "It's so wicked that man," he hissed with anxiety but also fear.

"Don't worry, Lis. I will continue to charge the developer. If pressed to return capital only, tam need to take advantage. The important thing is to get paid quickly. And if it's so bad, losing is okay. How else? I've been offering him my car for a long time, but he won't."

"What if the developer denies it, Mom? Or stalling?"

"I'm sure he won't disavow. We worked together long enough. Maybe at this point he can't afford it. But you don't have to worry, Lis. This is my business and my responsibility. I'll look for another attempt. Maybe find another loan. Never mind. No need to think about it anymore, right?" Bram tried to smile but became grimacing.

Lilis. He has an idea to help Bram, but still hesitates. Does Bram want to accept his helping hand and not be offended by it? He thinks people like Bram have high self-esteem. In fact, even to the brink he did not want to ask for help. But Bram certainly knows that he has the ability to help. He will think first and make his point.

Bram watched her for a moment. "That's it. Don't you worry. That's not much money, Lis. Not a billion yet, is it?"

"Yes. Youre right. We don't have to despair, Mommy."

Next they no longer talk about it. But the next day the dark caller again disturbed Lilis' composure. "So you saw my husband's face yesterday? That's not how much, Mom. Just a little bit of action that I can do to him if the bill is not paid."

"Just a little?" tanya Lilis trembled. "That's a crime sir."

"If it's a crime, what do you want? Wanna report? Please!"

"No, no. I don't mean to report. I just wanted to say. You don't have to be rude. Even though my husband may not be able to pay at this point, but I can help him."

"Oh yeah? Wah, say dong from yesterday! Try if you say at that time, of course, your husband does not need to be battered. Good. I'll call again to ask how it's going. While waiting I won't bother Mr. Bram."

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