C3 Three
Jake hung up the phone after giving his father several ideas regarding disturbing tourist actions. He thought, if necessary, to limit the number of tourist tours and install wire fences in vineyards in Tuscany, Italy. All this time, Jake knew that Fabio had always let them come during the summer, until unknowingly, the ignorant people took advantage of this opportunity to steal grapes ready to be harvested. However, if Fabio still wants foreigners to arrive to attract consumers to taste the best Tuscan wines, special measures must be taken by sorting them based on their passports.
"That doesn't make sense to me, Jake," said Fabio, firmly rejecting his son's idea. "They will protest and criticise because they feel limited access to visit here. I don't want our rating to go down."
"So, what's the solution if we don't give strict rules, Papa?" asked Jake, tapping his left fingers on the work table. "Since yesterday, Nonna has been complaining a lot about the thieves. If Papa isn't firm, they will be arbitrary again."
"I'll think about it, Jake. But I prefer your first idea. At the same time, we're here to limit the number of arrivals. I feel sorry for our farmers overwhelmed by those stubborn people."
He took a deep breath to fill his chest cavity, which felt tight as he had to step in to help with the problems in Tuscany. Next, Jake leaned back against the chair and closed his eyes, feeling the blood vessels in his temples twitch. On the one hand, it is fortunate that the Tuscano subsidiary led by Jake has never had any problems. Maybe local and foreign tourists maintain their manners better, considering that every corner of Bali is sacred.
Moreover, foreigners may behave more carefully if they do not want to be deported. Furthermore, Jake's vineyard tour offered facilities for picking fruit and tasting processed Lagom that had become wine. So, it's impossible for them to suddenly be so greedy that they want to fill their stomachs, right?
The classic Patek Philippe Calatrava watch with gold plating and a tan alligator strap on Jake's left hand read 10:30. He remembered that he had to get ready to accompany Barbara on a tour of the vineyards in Buleleng. Last night, his grandmother wanted to see how far the Lagom company had developed since Fabio bought the fifty-hectare plantation in 1988. He added that it was not in vain that his son came to Indonesia to spread the wings of the Luciano family's hereditary business and marry one of the beautiful women here.
"You come here yearly, Nonna," Jake said at dinner. "The change is that our exports are increasing. Lagom received an award in Hong Kong last year, right?"
Barbara nodded while giving a proud thumbs up. "But I don't tire of observing your success, Jake," said Barbara. "You are the life of Lagom."
"Without my farmers and employees, I'm nothing, Nonna," said Jake, not wanting to get big-headed.
Driving a stunning jet-black Audi R8 under the hot Sanur sun, Jake took Barbara through the empty streets of the Ngurah Rai Bypass before ending up on Jalan Ir. Soekarno as far as 19kilometress. It took about three hours to arrive at the destination because the location of the vineyard was in the rural area of Sanggalangit.
Barbara commented that Bali was a second home that she said she would never get bored of visiting. Bali offers the warm hospitality of the local people, sunny weather almost all year round, a beautiful environment, and even a hidden paradise.
Apart from that, Barbara said all the food full of Balinese spices pampered her taste buds endlessly. Moreover, many Kintamani dogs were cute and obedient, as if they had known each other for a long time when Barbara said hello. Until now, Barbara still likes visiting holy places with all the history behind them and continuing to sit silently or do yoga. Where else can provide luxury like Bali? she thought.
"But you haven't forgotten your homeland, right?" Jake joked as his car entered the plantation area.
Barbara laughed until the tops of her cheeks turned red. "Tuscany is in my blood, Jake. I can't replace it with Bali. But, you... you have both."
"I know." Jake got out of the car wearing a hat and sunglasses, then opened the door for his grandmother. Extending a hand helped Barbara straighten up after the long journey.
"Welcome to Lagom gardens, Nonna."
###
Anna parked the motorbike in the garden parking area marked Lagom Agrotourism and then took off her red helmet. She looked around for a moment, combing the area that was so beautiful to her eyes, then frowned and found a luxury car parked at the far left. What kind of sultan visits this place instead of a VIP-class beach club? She shrugged her shoulders in disbelief, then looked briefly in the rearview mirror to comb her shoulder-length wavy hair to make it look neat before hanging up her helmet.
"My lipstick isn't on enough," she muttered, reaching into her rattan bag and taking a pink lip cream to her lips. After that, Anna took her cellphone and then took a photo of the green board as a guide to the Lagom tourist area, Shanon's pride. Anna giggled when she sent the photo and couldn't wait to see her friend's reaction, which was always excessive.
Anna: Let's see if I can meet the sexyback you dream of.
After returning from Sydney, Anna always took the time to explore interesting places in Bali as a routine to relax her soul and mind. Her love for the Island of the Gods does not give rise to the slightest feeling of boredom but instead increases over time. The aroma of the offerings at the sanggah or temple where Hindus pray is in the nose, the rows of shady trees and crashing waves that adorn Bali, the dogs roaming around freely, and the passing by of foreign tourists are a pleasant attraction in Anna's eyes.
However, she never knew that a super-rich family owned the largest vineyard in Indonesia. In elementary school, Anna lived around here before finally moving to Ungasan. Maybe because she was too busy at school, college and earning money, she didn't know this place?
Who knows.
In the end, to relieve curiosity about Shanon's favourite wine brand. Anna wants to take a tour provided by Lagom. She was stepping feet clad in white Converse shoes towards the brown polished door of a building with the same paint but a paler colour with a red brick roof. There, ornaments in the form of paintings of Balinese natural landscapes and wooden carvings made by residents are displayed. Shrub plants and lush trees sway in the wind, creating a calm and peaceful impression.
Inside are several display cases to display Lagom products of various sizes and types of wine. There are also Lagom award certificates from time to time, proof of the owner's hard work in bringing this local brand of wine into existence internationally. Anna nodded in amazement, thinking that effort would never betray the results unless the lover didn't know herself.
A moment later, Anna caught a man wearing a white shirt, a typical Balinese sarong, and udeng on his head. He was standing in front of a small group of ten people dominated by foreign tourists. Another older, casually dressed man greeted Anna with a Barong T-shirt and denim pants, throwing a friendly smile at him. The man's exotic skin seemed to gleam in the reflection of the intense sunlight.
"Rahajeng rauh. Want to join the tour?" he asked.
(WELCOME)
Anna shook her head quickly. "How much is the entrance ticket, Bli?"
"Fifty thousand. Later, you can taste the wine and pick grapes," answered the man.
"Okay, I'm in." Anna took out a fifty thousand note and gave it to the man. She momentarily looked away, then whispered, "Bli, does the owner often come here?"
For a moment, the exotic man before her frowned and nodded. "Oh... yes, often. Mr. Jake always comes to monitor harvest time. But not every day."
"Oh...Jake." Anna mumbled the sexy back name. "Matur suksma, Bli," said Anna, accepting the farmer's straw hat, which was rented free of charge to protect against heatstroke.
(Thank you, sir)
Anna hurriedly joined the group while typing another message to Shanon that she would likely be able to meet the back. If she's lucky, she lined up at the back of the group next to a woman with skin as white as porcelain. The tour starts with an explanation of the founding of Lagom in the early 90s by the Luciano family, who tried their luck in making wine from red grapes and green grapes from several varieties successfully grown on the land of Buleleng. Some of these varieties had their seeds brought directly from Italy - the birthplace of the principal owner of Lagom. There are two thousand trees for every hectare, which can produce around 25 tons per harvest.
"For white wine, we plant the Chenin Blanc variety, which perhaps most of our population is unfamiliar with. However, in my opinion, this type is the best because it can be processed into sweet wine or dry wine. There is also a type of Riesling for friends who like the acidity level, like pineapple, lemon or passion fruit. So, I often recommend this one of our drinks with typical Chinese or Thai food," explained the tour guide in fluent English.
"For the red wine, Bli?" Anna asked for more penetrating advice about showing the world of wine. Should she bend the knee to show Shanon that Lagom has changed her perception?
"We planted the Sangiovese variety from Tuscany, which was previously brought directly by the owner of Lagom. However, in processing, it is combined with Syrah so that the taste and character of the red wine are stronger," explained the tour guide. "However, each variety has a different planting system and method. One uses the double cordon method; some use the trellis system."
"Oh... Italians," muttered Anna, looking up at the fat grapes that tasted tempting.
She imagined how much money was made in one production. She can get rich suddenly! Anna's eyes accidentally caught a small group where a tall, muscular man walked while occasionally holding a vine. He stood out compared to the people around him, who were much shorter.
Anna slightly lowered the sunglasses that covered her vision from the heat, focusing her pupils on the figure of a man wearing a short-sleeved white polo shirt. The man's biceps are bulging, showing that the owner is diligent in lifting weights. From behind her shoulders, it looked broad, as if Anna could rest her head. Not to mention that the man's exotic skin contrasted the clothes that covered his beautiful body. The tan shimmered like a cluster of brown diamonds in the hot sun. Anna's eyes fell on the loose, matching linen trousers that tightly hugged the man's firm buttocks as if they reminded Anna of Shanon's dream man.
"His ass, Annie. Look how firm his ass is."
Unfortunately, the girl couldn't see clearly who the man was because glasses and a black hat covered his face, considering his significant posture; his position was also with his back to Anna, so he could only observe the broad back and tight ass.
In her heart, she guessed whether the man was Indonesian or a foreigner, considering his significant posture, which was utterly different from residents in general. Beside the man, an older woman walked gracefully while embracing his right arm affectionately.
"Why does my imagination... turn towards sugar babies, huh?" Anna muttered, ignoring Bli Ketut's explanation. The image of an awkward relationship is currently trending and swirling around in your head, just like the actor who plays Kick-Ass - Aaron Taylor Johnson - who is 23 years apart from his wife, who works as a director. "Nowadays, a lot of guys are looking for older women. The opposite is also true."
Anna sharpened her ears towards the group of men there who were now moving slightly north towards the red wine area accompanied by laughter. Her curiosity about wine is now diverted to a mysterious figure who fascinates the eye more than the beauty of Mount Agung, which is the backdrop to the Lagom plantation. Moreover, Anna was so sad when she heard the deep and sexy voice that she wondered who the owner of this pleasant voice was. Is his?
"Still 80 days, Nonna," said the charming man as he raised one hand to caress the grapes hanging low on the right side. "Shall we do a Brix test? I think they're almost done."
Oh, it's his voice, thought Anna.
The man pointed a few meters before him, followed by the older woman and several people who joined the small tour. He's a guide. How is it different from Bli Ketut, thought Anna, a little disappointed that the tour guide seemed old.
"What is the Brix test, Bli Ketut?" said Anna, stricken with passionate curiosity.
"A test to measure the sweetness of the grapes," Ketut then picked one of the grapes and opened a little of the skin to apply it to a pencil-like but significant tool. Ketut narrowed his eyes and said, "The score is eleven. This is already sweet because in processing wine, we also need a sweet sensation in addition to bitterness and astringency."
"Oh, I see..." Anna just learned that the level of sweetness that is processed into wine must also be measured.
"Okay, guys, you can pick some grapes to taste," said Ketut, inviting the group Anna was following to taste the delicious fruit of Lagom's pride. A few minutes later, a scream was heard from the group of burly men, and the older man suddenly collapsed to the ground.
"Nonna! Nonna!" exclaimed the man in panic. "Help!"
