CHAPTER 16

The event took so long that Amelia wanted to leave so she wouldn't have to hear Mayang's praise for Ayu.

"Where's Alan, huh?" Mayang asked Ayu.

"It's been gone since morning, Auntie."

"Go to work?"

"He said so, there is something to take care of."

"That kid! Even though Auntie has asked him to take the day off," Mayang grumbled.

"Mam, Amelia back first, okay?" Amelia interrupted.

"Why? Are you uncomfortable, Mel?"

"Amel needs some fresh air, Mam. Nausea too."

"Well, be careful—"

"Let Ayu accompany, Auntie."

"Well, that's good. Please take care of your future sister-in-law, Yu."

The heart intended to stay a little away, especially from Ayu, but Amelia had to be stuck with her. She couldn't possibly refuse Ayu in front of Mayang, it could be complicated later.

They walked away from the show. Even though they walked side by side, not a single word came out due to the awkwardness.

"Are you going to the park or maybe the toilet first?" she asked.

"I'm going to the park," Amelia answered.

"Ah ... I see. The garden in this house is nice, I just—"

"You look really happy, don't you?"

"S-sorry?"

Amelia stopped her steps, then glared at Ayu, still confused. "You ... look really happy."

"Of course. All members of the Wijaya family are fine, then—"

"You think you got a good catch, don't you?" she asked sarcastically.

Suddenly, Ayu was even more surprised. She didn't mean to make her future sister-in-law think like that, but the woman in front of her had misunderstood.

"Sorry, sis—"

"I'm not your sister! Listen carefully ... I am the wife of the company's successor and the Wijaya family, while you ... Alan is only the second child."

Ayu smiled bitterly. "I don't mean to interfere in such matters. I want to have good relations with all the family, Sis."

Amelia laughed. "You're so naive. Careful, you might think this is like a game, but honestly there is a war arena ..." she whispered with emphasis.

"Thanks for the information."

"Don't act and be silent if you don't want to get hurt," said Amelia as she left Ayu.

Ayu chuckled. She already knew at least about Amelia but didn't expect her to be so aggressive with her.

***

Alan took a deep breath of his cigarette, relieving the fatigue he felt from too much work pressure.

The shophouse measuring no more than a hundred square meters became where his business stood. He managed the printing business with his comrades in arms when he was in college.

"How smoothly?" he asked someone busy calculating.

"Since there was an injection of capital, it went smoothly. You are indeed extraordinary, Lan."

"It's nothing, the money isn't mine either, so I have to return it later."

"Not your money? Then, you borrow it?"

"Yeah, something like that, Zal."

The man named Rizal glared at his superior and best friend. "Don't you remember the last time you borrowed money from a bank? This company isn't stable yet, Lan. What if we have trouble paying the installments later?!"

"Don't worry, I'm not borrowing from the bank."

"Then? Impossible ... right?"

"What?"

"You borrowed moneylenders?"

"You are crazy!"

"That's it! Who else would lend such a large amount of money?"

"My family."

Rizal was getting shocked. "Serious?!"

"Yeah, I got the money from Grandma."

"Hm ... but it's okay. Try to take advantage of your family's wealth from the beginning. Maybe our business has overgrown from the past."

"You know I can't do what I want with the family's money."

Alan of course, won't tell Rizal the complicated relationship with the Wijaya family, it's no use either—he thought.

At least now he can breathe a little easier thanks to the injection of funds, even though he has to keep his mouth shut from Mayang and even Robi.

To his surprise, Yustina suddenly offered him something he would never usually accept. All this time, his existence seemed meaningless, but suddenly everything changed.

One night, Yustina secretly asked him to meet her in the room. They didn't talk much, just making small talk. Finally, Yustina said that she knew that Alan had a personal business all this time.

At first, Alan thought that he would be scolded or suspected again. Still, it turned out that his grandmother offered financial assistance for him, who at that time was in debt.

Since then, his relationship with Grandma has improved even though Yustina keeps asking him to act as if nothing happened between them.

Nature does not understand, actually why Grandma did that. Is this just a trick? If so, he will still be careful and prepare an emergency fund to return the money if necessary.

Looking at the piles of paper being printed, it's been two months since his printing service company has received a large order. But unfortunately, he could not participate because he was busy with office matters.

"How was your work at the office, Lan?"

"Tiring, Zal. If it weren't for Grandma's request, I wouldn't have joined the company."

"Let all the affairs here leave to me, you just focus on your family company."

"I'm scared, Zal ...."

"Why are you afraid?"

"I'm afraid my brother suspects me like everyone else, especially mommy."

"If I were your brother, I would feel that way. Suddenly his younger brother entered the company, even though he had always refused."

"I have no other choice, Zal. Grandma asked me to help in the company even though there is only an employee."

"Just explain it to your brother, Lan."

"I can't, Zal. Grandma forbids me to do that ... ah, it's hard for me to explain."

Rizal laughed. "The problem with conglomerates is indeed a complicated one."

"What kind of conglomerate, Zal. You know yourself, who are conglomerates, I'm just 'under poverty'."

"Don't be like that, at least your life is better than mine."

"That's right. I'm going home first, Zal."

"Hurry up."

"I promise Ayu that I will join dinner together tonight at home."

"Ayu?"

"Yes, she is my fiancée that Mommy Mayang prepared. Mommy is worried if I marry an influential woman, so she set me up with Ayu."

"Is she ...?"

"Ordinary family, but ...."

"Why?"

"She's so beautiful, Zal ..." he replied, blushing.

Although at first, he was about to refuse Mayang's terms when he forced his way into the company, now Alan feels grateful that he could meet Ayu.

If it weren't for some sudden work, he'd wanted to take her for a walk this morning and enjoy the day. However, unfortunately there was a slight problem with his printing press.

"I'll go first, okay?"

"Yes, be careful on the road. Next time bring brother-in-law here, I want to meet you."

"No! You'll fall in love later."

"You love slave!"

"Just say jealous, Zal."

"You're arrogant kid, just because you're not single. Just watch out later, I'll get married before you!"

"Is there a woman, Zal?"

"Of course ... not yet. Damn, kidding anyway. Go away!"

Alan laughed, he walked away, leaving his friend grumbling alone in his room.

He couldn't wait to come back. Met a woman who could shake his heart even though he had only met a few days ago—Ayu.