The Nick's Life
Competing With Healthy

“And the first task that bu Amelia gave me was to fire you.”

Nick was shocked to hear the man before him. Seeing the confusion that hit Nick, Hilman took a file and gave it to Nick. Still confused, Nick opened the file. There is a financial statement about the hotel promotion he did two months ago. His forehead frowned at the nominal expenditure that was not in accordance with the report he made.

“This means what sir?”

“That is proof that you have misappropriated company funds. You mark up your promotional budget and it obviously hurts the company.”

“But I didn't do it sir. It's slander, I've never made a report like this.”

“But this is concrete evidence provided by a trusted source.”

Nick was silent, his mind was immediately fixed on Ranti. Only Ranti knew about the financial statements she made. And it's possible that the woman has manipulated the report.

“Personally, I do not believe in this report. I believe you are an honest and dedicated person to work. In my opinion, this happened probably because of Amelia's mother's dislike of you. Gossip that you are the cheating son of Sakurta sir has reached his ear.”

“I understand sir. Thank you for trusting me.”

“Sorry I can't help you. I hope you can accept this decision with Legowo. I suggest not to prolong this issue. I'm afraid Amelia's mom will make it harder for you later.”

“Good sir. Then I'm sorry. Thank you for your trust so far and happy to work with mr.”

Nick stood up from his seat and greeted Hilman. Shortly the man came out of the room. Hilman just breathed a long breath. It feels heavy to lose employees as good as Nick. But he could not do anything, false evidence given Ranti successfully made the officials inflamed and decided to dismiss Nick disrespectfully.

Nick went back to his room. Looks like Ranti was there when Nick came in. Without caring for his assistant, Nick rushes to his desk. He began to tidy up his personal belongings and put them in a box. Ranti approaches Nick who is still ignoring her.

“Need help?”

“No need. My things are a little, I can clean it myself.”

“I mean do I need to help you restore your good name and also your position?”

Ranti's words successfully made Nick turn to the woman. Nick rests both hands on the table. His eyes stared intently at Ranti who was standing right in front of him.

“Why did you do it? Why did you betray me? What's because of money?”

“Not money, but all because of you. You are too haughty, you always keep your distance from me and reject me. If you behave better, I won't take this step. But you still have a chance to fix everything. Marry me, then I will return your job as well as your post, I will clear your name, even I will help you get to the highest peak in this hotel.”

Nick smiled faintly, he resumed his work. All of his personal belongings have now moved into the box. Closing the square box, the man looked at Ranti, who was still waiting for her answer.

“I would not mortgage my life just for rupiah. With or without your help, I will restore my good name. And being on the highest peak in this hotel was not my dream at all. Be careful, do not rule out the person you help will not stab you from behind.”

Nick raised the box with both hands and then left the inflamed Ranti hearing his words just now. The man continued to walk down a special corridor in and out of the employees. There were whispers of employees passing by were talking about him. News of Nick's dismissal following his corruption has been spread in the whats app group and also plastered on the employee's mading.

Unconcerned about the surrounding rafters, Nick continues to walk past the employees who stare at him with various views. A male employee who had been helping him, approached Nick as soon as the man almost reached the exit.

“Let me help sir.”

“Ngga to pack.”

“Nothing sir.”

The employee immediately took the box in Nick's hand and walked to the car parked in the basement of the hotel. Nick opened the door and the officer placed the box in the back seat.

“Thank you sir.”

“Sama-sama sir Nick. I believe you didn't do what management accused you of. You are a hard worker, and thanks to the hotel you have made rapid progress over the last few months. I pray you get a better job.”

“Aamiin. thanks for the prayer and also his trust.”.

Nick took the wallet out of the back pocket of his pants. Then he took out five pieces of red-colored money and gave them to the man before him.

“No need sir.”

“Please take sir.”

“I don't help anything sir. Please don't embarrass me,” refuse the employee is polite.

“Take it sir. It's father's fortune, I give it to the sons of father.”

The employee looked completely at Nick. People who do not know Nick, surely many think that the man is an arrogant person because Nick does not talk much. But the truth is, Nick is a warm man and does not hesitate to give help to those in need.

“Thank you sir, Thank you. I pray you get a double windfall from what you give.”

“Aamiin. I go first sir. Sorry if during here I made a mistake or offended you.”

“I'm also sorry sir.”

Nick nodded and got into his car. Shortly thereafter his Honda CRV moved out of the basement area. The employee came back in, he was immediately attacked by various questions about Nick. But the man didn't bully her, he kept walking towards his post on duty. The man was sure the truth about Nick would present itself later.

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Diah was surprised to see Nick had come home when it was still noon. His eyes were fixed on the box in his son's hand. Without saying a word, Nick immediately entered his room. Encouraged by curiosity, Diah followed the child into the room.

“Nick.. Why are you home? What box is it?”

Nick placed the box on the table and sat himself on the side of the bed. Diah opens the lid of the box and sees Nick's various items there. Still confused by all, the woman sat down next to her son.

“Nick..that's what stuff?”

“I fired mom.”

“What??? How can? Why?”

“Says I did corruption.”

“Corruption? No. no. no. the accusation must have been false. You're not corrupt, are you Nick?”

“Yes is not mom. They deliberately manipulated the case to knock me out of there. Son of Sakurta, now director there. It looks like it's him, mom.”

“Bigger!! It must be that damn woman who told her son to fire you. You just calm down, mommy will make a calculation with the woman,” furious Diah.

Nick stared at the mother who looked riled up after hearing the story. He grabbed Diah's shoulder and hugged the woman from the side. Nick put his chin on his shoulder.

“That's mom. Let it be my business.”

“Ngga can Nick, mommy will teach the woman a lesson. He won't stop harassing you. Yesterday he sent a messenger to hurt you, now his son fired you. Mommy can't stay silent.”

“Let aja mom. Their bad attitude should not be reciprocated with bad also right.”

“Mommy already left Sakurta for him but he still dares to bother you.”

“Mom.please do not need to be extended. There are more important things now.”

“What?”

“Mommy forgot that tonight I will meet her brother Iza.”

“Oh yes.”

Diah patted her forehead, because of the emotion of hearing the dismissal of the child, the woman forgot that tonight Nick will meet with his fierce future father-in-law. Diah woke up from her seat and then began to choose clothes that the child would wear later. The choice falls on a light blue shirt paired with black chino pants. She put the clothes on the bed.

“Need mommy accompany?”

“Ngga for mom. Later if abi has agreed, then mommy came to propose Iza officially. Pray for me mom.”

“Mommy will surely pray for you dear. Hopefully the anj*ng herder turns into anj*ng poodle.”

“Mom..”

Diah laughed at Nick's face, which protested his nickname for Rahardi. He approached and hugged the child. Nick hugged Diah's waist, in his heart kept praying that later tonight everything would be easy for him.

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One by one the worshippers began to enter the mosque. Nick took off his shoes and walked towards the ablution. At the door, he meets Rahardi. The middle-aged man looked surprised at Nick's whereabouts, but he quickly changed his face and then left the young man without saying a word.

Rahardi came forward as other worshippers asked him to lead the prayer. The man was standing on a prayer mat located at the very front. Shortly heard one of them reciting an iqomah. Rahardi again surprised when he knew the voice he heard earlier was Nick's voice. The man began to lead the way of prayer.

After performing the isya prayer, Rahardi chose to chat briefly with other worshipers. He looked at some people who were still in the mosque, but the man did not find Nick's whereabouts. Rahardi briefly discussed the development of DKM which has just carried out a leadership reshuffle. After that, he returned to his home.

Rahardi returned home and saw Nick sitting in the living room accompanied by his son. Without looking back at the young man, Rahardi continued walking into the room. After changing clothes, Rahardi came back out. Mina immediately invites Iza and Nick to enjoy dinner.

The quiet atmosphere includes this dinner. There was only the sound of the clanking of spoons heard. Sometimes Iza glanced at the father who seemed serious about enjoying his food, as well as Nick. Lying that the man was not nervous, but as much as possible Nick remained calm.

The dinner was pretty stressful and it was finally over. Mina invited the others to sit in the living room. The woman who is often called ummi knows that there is something that will be conveyed by Nick.

“How are you doing Nick?” tanya Mina opened the conversation.

“Alhamdulillah good ummi.”

Mina smiled at Nick's reply. In his heart was quite happy to see the change of the man loved by his son. The woman can see Nick's determination to get Iza. Unlike Rahardi who looks unconcerned. In his eyes Nick is still not the right man to accompany his daughter.

“What need do you want to meet me?” rahardi's voice was heard as well.

“Sorry before om, if I am impressed presumptuous. But my arrival here to ask permission om ummi also, allow me to show my seriousness to Iza. If om allows, I will bring mommy to apply for Iza officially.”

Rahardi did not immediately answer, stared at the man sitting opposite in front of him with a view that is difficult to interpret. Iza's chest was pounding waiting for an answer to what would come out of her ashes.

“What do you have until you dare to propose to Iza?”

“Means om?”

“I still remember what you said when we first met. From there I can judge who you are. You think just because you have participated in congregational prayer, automatically make yourself good and worthy of being with Iza?”

“Abi..”

Rahardi raised his hand when he heard Iza calling him. Mina held onto Iza's hand then shook her head. The woman still wanted to hear what her husband said.

“I never said I was a good man. But I try to be good. I also realize that I have not fully met the criteria I want. But I will continue to try to strengthen myself to be with Iza.”

“Do you still work at the hotel?”

“I no longer work there, om.”

“Return or fired.”

“Dipecat om.”

Iza was surprised to hear Nick's answer, but the girl looked at the man. Nick has not said about his dismissal to Iza because he does not want to make the girl worried.

“For what reason did you get fired?”

“Sorry om, what does my dismissal have to do with my relationship with Iza?”

“Of course it has something to do. You asked for the girl I love so much, of course I should know all about you.”

“I was fired on corruption charges.”

Iza's eyes rounded to hear it, again the girl was taken aback. Rahardi laughed discordantly, in his heart cheering happily to find Nick's weakness. His judgment of the man is only getting worse.

“Do not have a strong religious basis, do not have a job and also commit acts of corruption.How dare you ask my son with your condition like that.”.

“Sorry, I was fired on corruption charges but that doesn't mean I did. I'll make it clear that I didn't do the dirty work. And about work, om do not have to worry, before I marry Iza, I will make sure already have a steady income in order to live it. About the science of religion that I have, I admit there is still little that I know. But I will continue to learn to deepen religious knowledge while improving myself. I also want to be a husband who can guide his wife.”

Mina looked with admiration at Nick. There was no mistaking him all this time for the young man. Nick is a good boy, he is also firm and responsible. Mina was sure Nick would be a good priest for Iza.

“Ummi is amazed by your thoughts. Prove that you are innocent. You must be able to restore your good name, even if ummi believes the truth will be revealed sooner. But there are people who have to see the evidence of that truth for real, can you do it Nick?”

Mina glanced at the husband when she said it all. His heart was a little upset at the stubbornness of Rahardi who was still not willing to open his heart to Nick. Rahardi himself is not indifferent to the words of his wife. He still believes that Nick is not worthy to accompany Iza.

“You better just back off. I already have a good candidate for Iza.”

“Abi...” protest Iza.

“Then give me the same opportunity. Let me and the candidate who wants to compete in a healthy way to get Iza. Whatever the decision is, I will appreciate it. I'm just asking for a chance to prove that I deserve Iza. Everyone deserves a chance, right om?”

Rahardi cleared his throat to hear Nick's words. One more thing he disliked about the young man. Nick could always answer his words. The indo-faced man was also not easily intimidated by his attitude and words.

“Alright. I give you a month to prove yourself. If you disappoint, then you should stay away from Iza forever.”

Rahardi is forced to give Nick a chance while he will continue to find ways to separate Nick from Iza. Mina was a little in disbelief at Rahardi's words, but she tried to be prejudiced by her husband. Iza was also quite relieved to hear Rahardi's decision.

“Still anyone want to talk about?”

“No om.”

“Then please go home.”

Rahardi stood up from his seat then the man walked away leaving everyone in the living room. His feet stepped towards the second floor, where his personal library was located. Mina just shook her head at her husband's behavior. He chose to move to the living room to give his son time and Nick spoke.

“Nick, are you really fired?”

“Hmm.”

“Kok can? I mean the corruption charges.”

“Ranti, my assistant who has made a fake report.”

“Reason?”

“He just runs the command. The mastermind is Amelia, the son of Sakurta. Now he's a director at my place of work. Looks like he fired me on purpose because of the mommy.” scandal

“Keep your plan what now?”

“Hmm.. haven't thought too. You're the one I've been thinking about how to deal with your ashes.”

Nick smiled after saying that. Iza shook her head, and Nick could have joked about his current condition.

“It turns out hard ya Zi turned into a good person. There is always a test to achieve that predicate.”

“That's a test for you Nick. Allah wants to test whether you are right with your change. And I believe you can get through this all.”

“In Shaa Allah Zi. provided you always encourage me and remind me.”

“I will always be by your side and support you.”

“Thank you my wife.”

“Ish what the hell.”

“Diamin dong.”

“Iya aamiin.”

Iza's face met with red as she said it. Nick smiled at Iza's reddish cheeks. The girl looked adorable in her eyes. The fatigue on this day paid off already after seeing the sweet smile of his heart lover.

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Mr Rahardi has never tested a squad missile? Tar I made ya om, let the missile explode in the mouth lo😤