Chapter 2

Stefan contacted Mr. Arya to discuss his job offer at AlfaTech once again.

“I’m sorry, Stefan, your name has been removed, and you’ve already been replaced.”

“I’ve signed the employment contract, Sir.”

“That’s true. But you haven’t provided any confirmation to the company for three whole years. So, it is with a heavy heart that we inform you that we can no longer accept you at AlfaTech.”

Stefan abandoned all hope of working at AlfaTech. He then searched for other options—namely, trying to apply for job openings elsewhere. However, Stefan couldn't possibly do that because all his diplomas, certificates, and any documents related to his academic records—from elementary school all the way to his bachelor's degree—had been burned by Bobby. Not a single trace was left behind.

All except for what remained inside his closet. But what could he use to apply for a job? Then, Stefan had an idea. What if he applied at the very company managed by his own father-in-law?

Monday morning arrived. Stefan knew his father-in-law would be pounding on his bedroom door any moment now. Before that happened, he had already prepared himself. He was showered and smartly dressed. He looked at himself in the mirror. His hair was cropped short and combed neatly to the right. A sharp nose. Thin lips. A pointed chin. Standing at 180 centimeters tall and weighing 70 kilograms, his light olive skin leaned almost towards fair white. Dressed in a navy blue shirt, Stefan looked undeniably handsome.

*BANG!*

*BANG!*

Stefan quickly swung the door open. “Good morning, Father!” Stefan greeted him smoothly with a smile, without stammering in the slightest.

Bobby was caught off guard, his mouth hanging slightly open. “Why are you all dressed up? Are you insane?!”

“I want to work at PT Sanjaya Sawit as a programmer. I can manage websites, maintain systems, and repair computers.”

Bobby snorted in annoyance, snapping back angrily. “You’re acting bizarre! Just go eat and sleep!”

“I’m serious, Father. I have a wife I need to provide for.”

“You’re still dreaming. What a joke!” Bobby turned his head away and walked off, leaving Stefan standing there calmly.

Shortly after, Robert and Luchy arrived at Stefan’s doorway together. Seeing Stefan’s sharp appearance, both of them gasped. Were their eyes deceiving them?

“Look at you making progress, you freeloading brother-in-law! Yesterday you were riding a motorcycle, and now you’re dressing up nice. Not bad,” Robert sneered.

“Don’t forget to bring a handkerchief to wipe off the snot that’s about to run out of your nose!” Luchy mocked.

Stefan remained unbothered by their insults. Calmly and clearly, he replied, “If you two are heading out, go right ahead. I’m going out to grab some breakfast.”

Robert pointed at him condescendingly. “You’ve been a parasite in this house for nearly three full years. You remember that? Good to know you can finally get food for yourself now.”

“Even chickens don't need to be hand-fed. What a leech!”

“You’re lower than a chicken!”

“Just go die already!”

With that, Robert and Luchy walked away.

Not wanting to face insults from his mother-in-law and wife as well, Stefan slipped out of the house. There wasn't a single spot in the neighborhood—or even in the entire city—that he failed to recall. He remembered everything impeccably well, down to the names of the doctor and nurses who had treated him at the hospital.

Stefan sat at a roadside coffee stall around the Bukit Kecil area. He enjoyed a cup of black coffee and a few slices of bread. He observed the Angsana, palm, and banyan trees lining the street. He knew the exact names of the roadside ornamental plants: *Furcraea* and *Lantana*. He could even distinguish between bottle palms, princess palms, and triangle palms.

Meanwhile, back at the house, Lionny was shocked when she didn't find Stefan in his room. She immediately questioned her mother, who had just returned from the market.

“Where did that freeloading son-in-law go?” Chyntia asked back, glancing around the house.

“I looked for him, but he’s nowhere to be found.”

“When he’s at home, it’s wrong; when he’s outside, he makes things difficult for us. It’s truly a lose-lose situation having such a useless son-in-law.”

“Mom, I think I need to talk to Grandpa Sanjaya again.”

Lionny pulled out her phone and dialed her grandfather. She unloaded all her grievances regarding Stefan’s presence there. The entire family was in complete agreement: they wanted to commit Stefan to a mental hospital.

“He insists on working as a motorcycle taxi driver even though we forbade him, and now he just walked out of the house without saying a word.”

“I still care about him. If any of you kick him out—or worse, divorce him—none of you will ever receive a single penny of your inheritance!”

Grandpa Sanjaya issued a stern ultimatum. Hearing that, Chyntia and Lionny were rendered speechless. Even Bobby, as the head of the household, couldn't utter a word when reprimanded by his father.

Naturally, the family would obey whatever Grandpa Sanjaya commanded. Since Bobby was the sole family heir, all the immense family wealth was guaranteed to pass down to him.

The only option left for them was to endure Stefan’s presence in the house with patience. Once Grandpa Sanjaya made a decision, no one dared to object. Everything had to be carried out according to his orders.

“Assalamu’alaikum.”

Chyntia and Lionny gasped, quickly responding to the greeting. It was Stefan. He had returned home. Lionny hurried to the front door.

“Where on earth have you been? We were worried sick!” Lionny asked, her brow furrowed.

If Stefan hadn't returned, Grandpa Sanjaya would have been utterly furious. Chyntia, despite hating him deeply, tried her best not to treat Stefan too harshly.

“We were worried about you!” Chyntia said, placing her hands on her hips while shaking her head.

Stefan smiled. Innocently, he handed over a bag of white bread he had just purchased at a convenience store. “Sorry I didn't say goodbye earlier. I was really hungry.”

“Well, obviously!” Lionny snapped emotionally. “You almost died from an overdose two days ago!”

Lionny and her mother were genuinely baffled. Why was Stefan suddenly dressed so well? Why was he speaking so fluently now? How was he even able to go out and shop on his own?

Chyntia turned angry and barked, “Get into your room right now! We’re locking it from the outside!”

“Please don’t lock it, Mom. I want to go back out later. I’m picking up rides this afternoon.”

“You don’t need to go work as a ride-hailing driver, Stefan. Grandpa Sanjaya will think we’re neglecting you here. Worst of all, you might not even remember the way back home.”

“Don’t worry. I remember. The proof is that I’m back home right now.”

That evening, just as Bobby arrived home from work, Stefan said goodbye to his in-laws.

“Hey, trashy son-in-law! Where do you think you’re going?”

“To make some money, Father,” Stefan replied as he put on his helmet.

“No! Your brain and body haven't recovered yet!”

Stefan jumped up and down, doing a few jumping jacks and stretching his muscles. “I’m completely healthy, Father. If you ever change your mind, I’m ready anytime to work at your company,” Stefan said, without stammering at all.

Bobby turned his face away, striding from the living room into the family room. “Go take a bunch of pills again! Stop constantly being a burden to us!”

His wife and children stared in utter disbelief. How could Stefan look so sharp and act so confident while heading out? The four of them spat out a chain of sarcastic remarks, one after another.

“Grandpa Sanjaya’s favorite, embarrassing son-in-law, listen to us: if you die or run away, all of our lives here will be ruined.”

“As for the so-called ‘top programmer’ brother-in-law, don’t act like you’re all healthy now. If you get hit by a car again, make sure you die this time!”

“You pathetic brother-in-law. You’d better just go back inside and stare blankly at the wall!”

Stefan paid them no mind. He was going to earn money to support his wife, and then set some aside to buy a laptop. With a laptop, making money would become infinitely easier.

Suddenly, Stefan’s phone chimed.

His very first online ride order for the day!