The Murder of the Beloved
Chapter 43

"Thank Dind. Your words are amazing. I promise I won't betray Irene. But what if he's the one who left me?"

Dinda looked up to study her father's face. For a while the topic of conversation has changed. But it's been wanting to talk about it for a long time. The right moment is if his own father started. "Does that mean you doubt him? Fear is caused by doubt."

"No, Dind. Fear can also be caused by experience and affection. I betrayed your mother once, so now I have the same fear. I also love Irene, so fear she's turning to someone else."

Dinda still remembers her conversation with Irene. I love freedom, Dind! That's why I'd rather live together than be tied up in marriage. But this freedom also has a responsibility. But when he ventured to ask, "Is that freedom happy for Auntie now?" apparently Irene did not want to answer.

"Don't let him have the same fear!"

Johan glanced with a glance. "Did he say that to you?"

"Of course not. "That's just an estimate. Uh, don't talk about instinct anymore. I'm bored of it."

Johan smiled. "Do you think it's time for me to get Irene to speak from heart to heart?"

"Yes, Dad. I think so."

"Well, by the way, do you want to go home or go to my house first?"

"Just go home, ah. Don't forget my idea, Dad. Talk to Aunt Irene. If he gives you the green light, will you?"

"But, do you think I can pretend?"

"Why not? Most importantly, she likes you."

"Don't let him guess what I want."

"It all depends on my father's intelligence." Dinda smiled.

Johan. Had he not understood Dinda, he would have firmly refused. Why would he want to be told and directed by a child, even his child?

"You'd better talk to Irene, so she'll be more sure."

"Can you call Dad? Call me when you have a deal. Talking alone must be more flexible," Dinda glanced meaningfully.

Johan patted Dinda's thigh slowly. They looked at me for a moment and smiled.

****

Frida lives in a flats and shares a flat with two friends. By dividing three house rentals then their burden becomes lighter. Both of his friends work nights at a disco. By the time he came home from work, usually they had left, so he could enjoy his solitude. And conversely, if he is working, his two friends also do not need to be disturbed by his presence. Only on the day of the holiday they gather together. But that's not always either. Each has its own activities. Thus they can live together quite harmoniously.

That afternoon Frida found someone waiting at the door of her flat. Bram. The man smiled kindly and greeted him affectionately. He replied with the same message. They had an intimate relationship in the past, but it was over. Everything's been extinguished. There is no more attraction, one to another, even just for fun or biological needs. Frida never saw or married Bram as a creature of the opposite sex with sexual attraction. He sees it solely as a partner in making money. And he knew Bram judged him the same way. This has been proven through their cooperation.

But now that she was alone with Bram in his flat, she felt something different. There was a feeling of unease, whether was was or anxiety, when he looked at Bram. Suddenly the man looked like a dangerous figure. Twice the event of death in Bram's married life can be regarded as a coincidence? Though he got caught in it. His original determination not to care became faded. Money can be earned when there is sustenance, but nyama?

"How was the meeting with Johan just now?" bram asked without realizing what was raging in Frida's heart.

Frida told me quickly. "Shortly I fulfill all your teachings, Mas. Nothing is missed. He asked exactly as you thought."

"Goodoo. You are a good partner. Does he look satisfied?"

"He asked for your address?"

"No."

"good. You're gonna have to work with Frid, because you've been working together since the beginning." Those words sound like a threat.

"But your plan is to just drain the money, not cause it to die!" exclaimed Frida, could not stand her horrible thoughts anymore.

Bram frowned and stared intently. Frida couldn't bear to look at him because it scared her. "Why do you think so? Did Johan say that?" ask Bram.

"He didn't say anything. But I have a brain, mas. Both of them can die. It can't be a coincidence, right?"

"Hey, watch your mouth Frida! Don't slander anyone. Both died in accidents. It's their destiny. What can I do?"

"But... How is it possible? Indira died by accident, as did Lilis. Are all the women you marry so bad luck?" ask Frida curiously.

Bram smile. Frida doesn't understand why Bram can smile when they talk about death. Especially the dead were Bram's ex-wives. Doesn't Bram have a sense of feeling? He creeps.

"Yes. They're having bad luck" Bram said. "Have you ever heard of people, both men and women, who always bring bad luck to their partners? Well, I'm that guy. Who married me was short-lived."

Frida's gaze contained horror. He shook his head. "No. I don't believe in anything like that."

"Whatever. I can't force you to believe."

Frida. Then he said slowly. "Then I won't cooperate with you again. There will be more dead."

"Yes already. It's up to you not to like money."

The conversation about money made Frida turn her head again. "Where's that commission you promised me?"

Bram laughing. "No, I still like it, right?" said mock.

Consider it the last payment. After that I don't want to deal with you anymore. Find someone else."

"Ah, don't be so Frid," Bram tried to persuade. "It's impossible to break up the relationship just like that. You don't believe in superstitions, dong. I was just kidding. It must have been a coincidence that both died in accidents. Everywhere there's a coincidence."

"No ah. Just get here, Mas."

"Not like any more?"

"Pay that last one, Mas" Frida stretched out her hand.

"Now I don't carry cash. Or do you want to check?"

"No. The day you give me a blank check. Just make it ashamed. Mending is worth a lot."

"Who told you to keep pushing when I told you I was bokek."

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