Surprise!

"What's the matter?"

That sentence I sent to Ace in return for a message he sent me. He rarely contacts me. Therefore, if he contacts me like this it means that there is something important he wants to talk about.

Ting!

Reply message in.

"I need your help," Ace said. "I will explain the details tomorrow afternoon. Let's meet here, it's closer to where you live, right? I'm just not comfortable explaining it through a message like this."

Along with the message, there is a map link to the meeting location. When I found it, the place was a café, the concept of combining an art gallery with a café, named Poison Smoothie Bar & Gallery. I looked through the photos that customers shared. The café looks interesting, whether it is approached directly, is it true to give a creative feel?

Next, I replied to Ace. I said, okay, we'll see you tomorrow afternoon.

His tone was very serious, so I thought this was something I should take seriously. After replying to the message from Ace, I replied to the message from Rima. I said I'll finish writing the script in kos first, after that, I would follow her to the café. I'm going to do finishing there.

The next afternoon, I went to the Poison Smoothie Bar & Gallery. Ace was waiting for me there. I'm surprised he got ahead of me. Normally, he would keep me waiting. Today, he looked serious, even waiting for me. The figure in front of me felt like it wasn't the usual Ace.

Ace was waiting for me at the bar, not sitting at any of the diner tables scattered at some point inside the café. There was already a glass of mocktail in front of him. Ace loves mocktails as well as cocktails.

Ace is famous for the art of drink. Ace works at a bar in Singapore. I don't know much about his personal life. However, if he returns to Indonesia and Yogyakarta, he will usually contact me. Our relationship cannot be said to be a close friend. We never text when we're not together. I can't call him an acquaintance either.

"Just want to talk here?" I asked.

"No, I deliberately waited here. You book first, after that we find a seat," Ace said.

I circulated my gaze around. The paintings on the wall didn't seem to invite many visitors in the afternoon. Perhaps, the atmosphere will be different at night. This is my first time here, as well as the first time I have also enjoyed the art gallery concept café.

"You can enjoy the painting first if you want," said Ace, who realized where my view was pointing.

I shook my head. "We should focus on the core of the meeting. You know, I'm busy."

My attention then focused on the barista or bartender? This place provides alcoholic beverages and coffee.I ordered the V60, Temanggung coffee. I felt Ace's glance.

"You still haven't changed."

I heard Ace's murmur, "What?"

"Don't want to try cocktails?"

Ace deliberately dodged. I wanted him to repeat his words but Ace asked instead.

"I still have to take care of my health," I said.

I heard Ace snorting.

The V60 is completed. Ace helped me carry it. I noticed a bag perched on Ace's back. It's not unusual for him to carry that thing. Usually, an Ace will appear with only a wallet in his pocket.

We chose a table in the smoking area. This place is warm because it is semi-outdoor. The interior is minimalist. The walls will be plain if there are not four paintings deliberately displayed there. I had time to check through the café's Instagram account about this painting exhibition. This exhibition was held in just over a week. After that, if no other artist ordered the wall as a display place, then the walls would be empty. However, I saw the announcement this morning that there are already other artists booking places.

"So, since when are you in Jogja?" I asked, not too enthusiastically.

"Three days ago," Ace replied.

There was silence between us for a while. It was because my eyes were glued to the line of sunlight that entered through the gap and fell on the expressionist painting on the wall behind Ace.

"You said you were busy. So, how many hours do you allocate to me?"

The focus of my attention came back again on Ace because the question was thrown out sarcastically.

"Two to three hours. As always."

"Okay. Then I just go straight," Ace said, suddenly becoming cold.

I felt something was wrong. But I didn't say it. I'll hold it first. I need to know what he wants. It's not unusual for him to look serious when he meets me.

"What help do you need from me?"

Ace's eyes said something that disturbed my mind, but it disappeared in a short time.

"I want to open a café in Yogya and I want you to help me supervise the development until the release."

I was surprised not to play. I'm glad to hear the plan and also worried. I can't believe he asked me to supervise the construction until the release.

"But why do you ask me to supervise the construction? You won't watch yourself?"

My tone rose. It must be because I was surprised.

"Because I have to go back to Singapore. I still have to complete my employment contract."

"Why not wait later until your employment contract is completed first and then start?"

"Because I don't want to wait long and I believe you can help me. Two days ago I signed a contract with the contractor, they will start construction next week. At the same time, I had to go back to Singapore. So this week, I want to make sure you want to do it."

Ace spoke quickly and didn't give me a chance to digest his words. I felt like I was forced by him.

"The reason why I want you to do it is that I don't have anyone else I think can do it. Ay, you have the qualifications I need to help me."

"I don't understand what qualifications you mean. You know my job, it has nothing to do with opening a café at all."

"Well, this is what you don't realize about yourself."

It feels like déjà vu. It was like seeing Victor in front of me again and reprimanding me at this time. Ace and Victor both talked about things I didn't understand about myself.

"You can lead. I already know how you work, so I trust you. Besides, I want us to manage this café together."

His last sentence was the second surprise of the day. I laughed. It's impossible to manage a café with someone.

"How about listening to the concept of the café that I will build first? After hearing it, you may decide whether to refuse or not."

"If I refuse, will you have someone else who will help you?"

Ace just shrugged. Instead of saying he was going to find someone else, his gaze said he was very confident that I would be interested.

"Are you so sure?"

Ace nodded. Then, I started listening to him tell him about his interest in building a café. Ace also showed the café's architectural blueprint. Not only that, but Ace also showed the work plan that will be carried out over the next year.

I was impressed, the planning was very mature. Ace claims to learn it from his boss. While working at the bar, Ace not only learned to make drinks but also learned to manage his business. Ace was originally a master's degree in business at a university in Singapore. Aces are deliberately part-time, not only to fill free time but to study business in the field. Ace wants to feel the business atmosphere firsthand. By being at the bar table, he also studied consumer behavior. As a result, in front of my eyes now there is a design made in detail. Unexpectedly, he learned so much. People who don't know him will think Ace is a figure who prefers to play around.