He's The Unaffordable
Chapter 110 - The One I Want

*Colin*

I really don't believe in the strength of my heart. After hours of pounding so hard with my nervousness in the face of the proposal seminar, she still held her place on my left chest. I tried to be calm, but all my efforts were in vain.

So, when my turn to present my proposal was over, I could not describe the relief I felt. I don't know how else I will be when I face a thesis hearing. Maybe I'll pass out before I get into the slaughterhouse.

“Good work, Nak.” Dad patted me on the back proudly as Lily and I reached our apartment.

“I know you guys have dinner, but I hope there is still room for a bowl of ice cream,” said Mama who brought a tray of four bowls of ice cream towards us. Lily and I immediately took our part. “One more step, and Colin will graduate from campus.”

“Not felt, yes, dear.” Dad smiled happily. He walked to the couch, we followed him.

“Iya. I just met him yesterday, who was five years old. But look at him now, he's grown up. After graduation, she will work, then get married. And who knows I will be holding my first grandchild in the near future.” Mama put the tray on the table, then sat down on Dad's side with his ice cube in his hand.

“Ma, I will not have children at a young age,” I said reminding him.

“Yes, if you are married to Dira. Are you sure you will marry him? What I mean is if you marry a new girl you will meet at your workplace later.” Mama nudged Dad, then they smiled meaningfully.

“I wouldn't have married if it wasn't with Dira,” I said firmly. “When we get married, we won't have children soon. I want her to enjoy her job as a model, until she wants a child herself. So, Mama can throw away the hope of Mama to have grandchildren in the near future.”

“How's Dira doing?” ask Mama who looks serious. “Pak Mahendra is busy with the preparation of the legal case trial that ensnared Vivaldo and Nora. Is the girl ready to testify?”

“Siap is not ready, he has to live it. I heard from Hadi, he gave a full statement at the police station. If this case is finally approved by the public prosecutor to undergo court proceedings, then it means that Dira is ready to testify,” I said slowly.

“That's a heavy case. Hopefully he can survive the question of the bad guy's lawyer. I'm sure they will try to find a way to blame Dira so that the punishment for Vivaldo and Nora can be reduced,” said Mama concerned.

“That won't happen, Ma. Uncle Hendra ensures that they will get the maximum punishment for their deeds.” And I really hope that's what's going to happen.

After passing the proposal seminar well, I have not been able to breathe a sigh of relief. The final semester exam is in sight. I harnessed my best friend's intelligence by studying together. We repeat each early chapter of the courses we take. He asked me questions related to the course for me to answer. Then I did the same thing when my turn was over.

Because our courses are more theoretical in nature, there is no absolutely correct answer. We just need to understand the theory correctly in order to answer the problem that traps even seamlessly. Unlike the exact science that already has a formula so that there is only one correct answer.

Even though I was being preoccupied with preparing for the exam, I still gathered with my group game mates in a cafe. Adi who is usually not allowed to come, this time joined us accompanied by Hadi. Another surprise is the presence of Diah, wife in the game Adi.

“Wah, wow, wow. What's the matter tonight until I get to meet a great female swordsman married to a wealthy thief?” my God as he sat on an empty chair at our table. I felt a kick on my leg under the table.

“I just feel bad to have to reject your invitation again. So, I'd like to come tonight,” said Diah casually. “I'm ready for battle, I hope you are too.”

Unlike Diah and Adi's relationship, my in-game wife and I are not very familiar. Moreover, to get a female character that was purely played by a female was a rare thing in the game I played. Although the character I married was a young woman, the player was a man.

It was an absolute requirement that I held firm in playing the game. Because if I cheated in the game, I could have cheated in the real world. Spending time together in the game is almost as real as it is in reality. There have been many examples of players who fall in love with their co-stars, even though they are married or dating.

Adi and Diah became special cases because of their age difference which is quite far. Adi was fifteen, and Diah was twenty-seven. Even though they are of different sexes, they do not fall in love with each other. Their relationship is like a sister.

“So, what is the special strategy for the war tonight, Mr Chairman?” ask Diah to me. “I won't use my swordsman role. We're short of healers tonight.”

“As usual only. You support Adi to attack the opponent's defense fortress, while we take down as many enemies as possible and kill big monsters for additional points.” I gave the same instructions through our group mailbox in the game.

At nine o'clock in the evening, the war began. We who are ready in the front line immediately forward to our respective duty posts. I brought some men to finish off the enemy and destroy a tower, Adi and his team headed towards the enemy's stronghold, while a few more men guarded our fortress from attack.

The atmosphere had just heated up when the screen closed with the announcement of the war had ended. In just five minutes and we managed to get the highest points. Adi is a great killing machine. The cooperation between him and Diah deserves a thumbs up.

“I envy both of you,” I said honestly.

Diah and Adi laughed together. “Take your wife to join our group. I'm sure we'll get stronger if we get one more healer,” said Diah.

“You know for yourself he prefers to travel to various groups. He will not feel at home in one place for a long time.” I shook my head slowly. “If you are hungry or thirsty, order it. I'm the one who bought.” They cheered happily.

The following week, I faced the final exam nervously. Hadi just sat quietly without looking worried in the slightest while answering every question. I sometimes ask, is there nothing in this world that can make Hadi lose his confidence?

Lily, who graduated with perfect grades, asks Dad and Mama to allow her to attend school with Adi. I helped her talk to them and offered my money to help pay for her non-cheap tuition. They refused my help, but did not refuse my sister's request. He was allowed to attend school in the same place as Adi.

“Wah, Lily is very lucky. You are clear, but your parents did not allow you to go to school with Dira. What made your parents change their minds?” asked Hadi as we waited for the arrival of our friends to exercise together.

“I'll be graduating next semester, so they don't have any more dependents. Just Lily. Maybe that's what made them change their mind.” I lifted both my shoulders. “I don't know for sure because they didn't mention the reason.”

“Do you feel afraid of the future, Cole?” tanya surprised me. Did I not hear wrong? He asked me about my fear of the future?

“You know I'm so scared. Only one of my plans is certain, to marry Dira. And it was out of my grasp,” I answered honestly. “I don't know yet what field I will be working in or will continue to do my hobby. But we both know that this game will not last long. Rivals keep popping up and with the system not upgraded, then I can't make a living on this path continue.”

Hadi took a deep breath, but he did not say anything. “What's up, Hadi? Don't tell me you're afraid of your future. Isn't everything certain for you?”

“For sure, doesn't mean I'm ready. Didn't you see my papa's accomplishments in the company? He opened a new factory with Uncle Xavier, expanded the business by developing a hotel, and all the shareholders feared him. I'm not sure I'll be able to replace him.”