It's all about Business [8]
"Wow, you are a good tennis player, Dave," praised Mr. Swastika to Dave as he tapped Dave warmly on the shoulder.
"Ah, my game is so basic compared to the skills that Mr. Swastika has," Dave said modestly.
"What if we continue our conversation while enjoying a cup of coffee in the front cafe?" Invited Mr. Swastika with a smile decorating his lips. He looked a little tired but remained health at a fairly greybeard age, having completed his tennis game against Dave that afternoon.
"Of course, Mr. Swastika, with pleasure." Dave smiled in accepting Mr. Swastika's invitation.
"Dave, just call me Mr. Tjok. Calling me Mr. Swastika sounds very formal in my ears, ha ha ha ..." Mr. Swastika laughed out loud.
"Okay, Mr. Tjok." Dave laughed casually with Mr. Swastika.
The cafe seemed to be crowded and dominated by members of tennis clubs, commonly rich, mostly consisted of entrepreneurs, officials and other important people.
Dave and Mr. Swastika took seats on the comfortable luxurious white sofa, engaging in serious conversation, but they remained familiar to each other.
While Nico and the aides of Mr. Swastika sat nearby. They vigilantly oversaw their bosses negotiating a business.
"Basically, I do agree with the business cooperation agreement between the Swastika family and your father's family, Mr. Moreno, Dave," said Mr. Swastika kindly.
"Your father is well known for his reputation among international hotel businessmen. Anyone would be happy to accept Mr. Moreno's invitation to have a cooperation to build a business empire of the hotel chain with him," said Mr. Swastika.
"Dad will be glad to hear this good news, Mr. Tjok." Dave said with a joyful face. He can't wait to deliver this positive news to his father.
"Hmm, Dave. Would you mind if I ask you to do something to smoothen the process of signing our family business cooperation contract later?"
"Absolutely, Mr. Tjok. Go ahead." Dave listened intently.
"As you have known, I have appointed my son, Raka, as the heir to the leadership throne of the Swastika family business in the future. Just as your father has appointed you to replace him someday."
"Yes, Mr. Tjok. I've known it." Dave responded carefully and waited for his next sentences.
"I want you to know Raka more closely. Since whatsoever it will be both of you who will do a lot of business cooperation between our families in the future."
"Try to get along with him, understand what he likes and what his hobbies are. And if you don't mind, join some of his favorite activities. By doing so, you will be easier to take his heart," asked Mr. Swastika hopefully to Dave.
"Raka may be a little bit arrogant and difficult to make friends with many people. It could be because we spoiled him too much when he was a child. However, basically, he has a good personality and if you can attract his attention, he will be your faithful and reliable friend." Mr. Swastika explained comprehensively about his son to Dave.
"Well, okay, Mr. Tjok. I'll try with all my efforts to be close to Raka." Dave promised to Mr. Swastika.
Mr. Swastika smiled happily at the words Dave said to him. He stood up and stretched his right hand to shake Dave's hand. Dave then stood up and responded to Mr. Swastika's handshake. Mr. Swastika patted Dave's right shoulder with his left hand with intimacy. Then he hugged Dave warmly and as if he had taken Dave as his own son.
The motorcycle engines roared loudly and whirred spinning lap by lap at Pekutatan racing circuit just inaugurated by Jembrana Regent that morning.
The 250 cc class motorcycles raced trying to precede each other and take the lead in the prestigious racing competition for the Bali Governor's trophy in 2015.
Dave and Nico vigorously enjoyed the game that afternoon. The quite hot and burning sunlight didn't dampen their curiosity of who would come out to be champion on motor racing they were watching.
"Amazing, Raka is really a great rider!" Dave expressed his admiration as he watched Raka who achieved the podium as the champion of a motor racing they had just watched.
"Let's wait for him at the back of the podium, Dave." Nico invited as he headed toward the crowds who want to watch their idol motor racing champion closer to the podium.
Dave and Nico came closer to Raka who at that moment was busy signing his fans and taking pictures with his fans.
Dave stretched his hand out to Raka to introduce himself, but before having time to say something, Raka rebuked him.
"Sorry, if you want a sign or photograph with me, please queue! Don't you see this long queue!"
Dave was suddenly speechless. He grumbled and took the queue to the very end. Nico almost burst out laughing to see his friend humiliated by Raka.
Finally, it was Dave's turn to face Raka directly.
Raka impatiently looked at Dave and asked, "What should I sign? Or do you want to take a picture with me?"
Showing his wry and reluctant face, Dave replied, "I'm Dave Moreno. I was asked by Mr. Tjok, your papa, to meet you here."
"Oh, Dave Moreno ... Why didn't you say it before ...?" Raka said indifferently.
"So, please wait for me at the cafe that end." Raka pointed to a cafe located not far from the podium.
"I still have to greet my fans." Raka was then busy with the queue of his fans and instantly forget Dave who has long waited for him.
"Dave, what do you want to talk about? Please just say it. I have just very limited time, right now." Raka said without platitudes as he sat facing Dave on the cushion sofa of Melasti Café which was quite cool.
Dave sighed his breath for a moment, trying to set his patience in facing Raka which harden his position at the time.
"I have spoken comprehensively with Mr. Tjok about the business agreement between Moreno and Swastika families. And both parties have agreed to cooperate."
"Then, does it matter with me?" Raka asked indifferently as she plucked a straw in a glass of orange juice he order and remained a half of it.
Dave's patience was really tested. He tried to take a deep breath.
"Your father asked me to know more about you, because you will be inheriting the future leadership of Mr. Swastika family business."
"Just as I have been appointed by my father to lead the Moreno family business in the future." Dave explained lengthily.
"Therefore, I hope we can try to get closer to one another, so that our family cooperation can be well established."
"From the beginning, I always work alone. One Man Show. There was never a partner because I didn't trust anyone but myself." Raka replied, lifting his chin slightly upward.
Dave studied Raka's face with an almost ending patience. Dave had changed his face appearance now. He wanted to leave the place immediately.
Nico who at first sat on the couch located on the next table suddenly joined the conversation between Dave and Raka.
"What Dave meant is that he doesn't want to interrupt your authority in arranging things currently running, Raka."
"Dave just want to know more about you. And if you don't mind, maybe you can do the activities you like with Dave." Nico explained further.
"I don't want to get involved in the activities Dave does," Raka replied.
"But, if Dave wants to join my favorite activities, it's fine. Why not."
Raka wipes his mouth with a white napkin lying neatly on the table and then threw it back there. He then stood up.
"Sorry, I still have a lot of stuffs to do. Excuse me!"
Raka then left Dave and Nico and walked out of the café. Dave and Nico could only shake their heads at Raka's attitude.