Chapter 11 : Understanding

"You can go against my words. Why are you just silently being scolded by that person?" Leo asked Dara who was still frozen there after Dean's mother left.

"You think I can fight an older?" Dara asked casually, holding her cheek that still in pain.

Dara preceded them into the hall. Her friends followed Dara who sat there, waiting for Dara to start talking.

"I don't know who she is. I never even met her."

"Now is the time for us to open up to each other about Dean. He and his family could be dangerous for us," Tiara began. "Dara and I gathered some information about him these past few days. Now it's your turn, what do you know about Dean?"

Her friends were silent. Dara didn't know if opening their wounds was a good idea. Dean's family has inflicted many wounds on all of them. Even though Dara agrees, they need to know what kind of person they are dealing with.

"He wants to build an IT company," Leo began, unexpectedly Leo finally spoke up. "The progress is quite good. He wants to build a head office in this Lintang Timur area."

"Why here?" asked Tiara.

"No one knows the exact reason. He's unpredictable, just like his family," Leo replied. "I don't know what they really want. But seeing how Dean's mother treated Dara just now, we need to be careful. We can also be their target."

"But it is clear that Dara's position is quite dangerous," said Sofi. "Is there anything we can do?"

"Be careful and take care of each other," Billy said. "That's what my father said against him. They have accomplices everywhere. But if we are afraid, it means we lose."

"We need to know what he wants," said Tiara. "Especially Dara. Maybe they want to destroy Dara like they did to Mr. Dion."

"Don't let that happen," said Sofi, sobbing a little as if holding back tears. Dara is still silent. She was still digesting everything. She didn't know what would happen to her, but she wasn't afraid at all.

That day they finally postponed their conversation about the continuation of their project and began to think about the various possibilities Dean and his family could do for all of them. Dara is not afraid if something happens to her. She just didn't want what happened to Mr. Reynold to happen to her friends. She didn't want to let Dean's family harm her friends just because they were protecting Dara.

***

The news about Dean's mother slapping Dara had already reached Dean's ears. Dean was furious. He felt his mother's actions would further hinder what he wanted. He needs Dara's brain. He needs Dara to help him run the project he wants to make happen.

Dean called Leoni to his office. He questioned her very rudely. Dean couldn't control his emotions this time. "What happened? Were you there when this happened? How did my mother find out about that woman?"

"I don't know." Leoni looks scared. She had never seen Dean so angry. All this time Dean seemed flat and almost expressionless when he spoke to her.

"You'd better know. You met my mother, I know that. What are you thinking about? You intend to turn around in my mother's side and betray me?"

"Of course not," Leoni answered quickly. Tears rolled down her cheeks, she couldn't control anymore.

Dean who saw it looked even more annoyed. But he can control his emotions. "Okay, you can go."

Leoni was still sobbing as Dean led her out of the room. Dean couldn't believe what had just happened. The plan had almost fallen apart. He only wanted Dara. He had read the detailed information regarding Dara. Regarding how she worked before, whatever she had done in her old company. He needed someone like Dara to run his project.

He needs Dara's design, he needs Dara's ability to break codes that he can't do. Nothing personal to him at that time. His desire to recruit Dara was the most logical thing he could think of. He realized some of his wishes were incomprehensible to others. But this time, he felt that others should easily understand him. That's why he got angrier.

"Mr. Didi, prepare the car. We meet the woman now. Invite Mr. Yogi too."

"I will prepare," said Mr. Didi swiftly as usual.

"Ordered tickets for my mom today. I want my mother leave Indonesia tomorrow," he said again.

Pak Didi was a little surprised, but he complied too. Meanwhile Dean immediately headed to his Villa in the Durian Cluster Area in Lintang Timur. He knew what plans were in his head. Although he wasn't sure his plan would work.

***

Dara and her friends were about to end their meeting, until someone called Dara to her cell phone. A number she didn't recognize. She didn't want to pick it up. But the phone kept ringing. They all thought the same thing. Finally Billy took Dara's cell phone without asking her permission and answered the call.

For a moment they all watched Billy. They couldn't guess what he was talking about. When finished, Billy returned the phone to Dara without a word.

"Not an insurance officer right?" Leo asked. Sofi chuckled slightly at the joke. But both Dara and Tiara still look tense.

"Dean, right?" asked Dara.

"Yeah," Billy replied, looking irritated.

"Real Dean?" Sofi asked looking enthusiastic.

"No, his staff. His name is Mr. Yogi. He wants Dara to work with them."

"What?" Dara and Tiara asked almost simultaneously.

"What work?" Leo asked.

"He said he knew Dara's profile from the company where Dara worked before. He wants to hire Dara in his company."

"After her mother slapped Dara this morning? I can't believe they have a heart," Tiara began to snort in annoyance.

"Where can I contact them?" Dara asked beyond what her friends expected.

"Dara, this could be a trap. You can be harmed," said Sofi, looking worried.

"Possibly, but I don't think they can be that bad." Her friends didn't know if Dara was being too kind or if Dara's thoughts were quite simple. She rarely watches crime news. There was no dire scenario she could think of.

"I don't think we have to deal with them," said Tiara again.

"With me avoiding, instead we declare war with them," said Dara, breaking Tiara's argument. Tiara actually agrees with Dara, but she doesn't like having to admit that she has no other choice but to face Dean.

"I've only heard about him. I wonder what kind of person he is. I'm going to meet him. Where can I contact him?" Dara asked Billy.

"They asked to meet today. We're coming with you. Just in case."

"Yeah, we're going," said Sofia excitedly.

"I can't go with you this afternoon, but I'll be ready. Just in case you get hurt I'm still safe," Leo added.

"Not funny," said Tiara curtly.

"I'm not joking." Leo defended himself.

"Stop it." Dara tried to be patient. "When and where did Dean ask to meet me?" Dara asked Billy again.

"Now Dean is at his villa, waiting for you."

"Okay, let's go there now," said Dara very confidently.

***

Billy, Tiara, Sofi, and Dara headed for the Dean family's villa which was not far from there. Along the way Dara did not expect this drama she would face. She couldn't guess whether Dean really wanted her to work for him, or if this was just a trap.

Arriving there, Dara and her friends were greeted warmly by Mr. Didi and Mr. Yogi. They are welcome in.

"Mr. Dean just wanted to talk to Ms. Andara Gunawan. The others can wait here," Mr. Yogi told them.

"We also need to talk to him," said Sofi stubbornly.

"It's okay," said Dara reassuring her friends.

Tiara did look worried but she let Dara go. They looked like releasing Dara into the den of wild beasts. Dara did not feel the same fear as her friends. She was honestly very curious about Dean's figure. Is it true that Dean is as terrible as many people think? She wanted to know. Even if the stakes are her own safety. Although she didn't actually think that she would actually risk her safety.

Meanwhile, Mr. Yogi followed Dara and left Dara's friends waiting in the very large living room of the Dean family's Villa.

"Actually, I'm not surprised that Dean wants Dara," Sofi began. "You guys know who Dara really is?"

"Who?" asked Tiara looking curious. She wonders if there is another secret she doesn't know.

Sofi then explained everything about Dara that she knew. About the greatness of Dara in the past and the achievements of Dara that she knows. She hoped her friends would be surprised and astonished. But Tiara and Billy looked as usual.

"We know who Dara is," said Tiara flatly. Billy nodded in agreement.

"How did you know?" Sofi asked looking a little annoyed. All this time she felt that she had kept Dara's secret in vain.

"When we found out she is Mr. Toni's daughter, we all knew who she is," replied Tiara, trying to be patient.

"Everywhere people gossip," Billy added. "Indeed, sometimes the news is confusing. The news of Dara's family accident really shocked our cluster area. There have been many stories about Dara since then."

Sofi looks disappointed. But they refocused on waiting for Dara. They began to worry again about what might happen in there.

***

Yogi invited Dara to enter Dean's office on the 4th floor of the villa. Dara began to imagine, if she was thrown from the 4th floor by Dean, her friends would not have time to help her. But Dara threw away that unfounded bad thoughts. Then enter the room. Mr. Yogi did not come with her.

She saw Dean sitting in his chair, look at Dara at a glance. Dara noticed Dean looked thinner than the last time she saw him in front of this villa.

"I didn't apply for a job in your office, I already have a job," Dara said challenging him.

She doesn't know where her courage came from. The rest of her anger is still stored in her heart. Moreover, Dara wants to demand his responsibility for what his mother has done today to Dara.

"Oh, that little project of yours?" Dean said clearly, he was quite condescending to Dara. But Dara was not affected. "I don't like small talk, I seriously invite you to join my company."

Dara couldn't believe what Dean said. While trying to control herself, Dara tried to answer casually, "I don't like small talk either. I can't join your company."

"Why can't you? Out of revenge? We don't have to pretend we don't know each other."

"You don't have to pretend you know me either."

"I know who you are," Dean replied reassuringly. Making Dara's confidence quite shaky. She was silent until Dean continued. "I don't like your family. I don't like you either. You're not the only one holding a grudge."

Dara felt that what Dean said about her was clearly wrong. She doesn't hold a grudge against him. Maybe not for now. But Dara chose not to deny it. "Then why did you invite me to work with you if you don't like me and my family?"

"Because I don't care about the past. All I care about is how to build something bigger now," Dean replied matter-of-factly.

"What if I care about the past?"

"I don't care what you care about. I only care about what you can give to make what I want."

Dara was silent. She was still guessing Dean's thoughts. Just like her friends, she had a hard time understanding the person she was dealing with right now.

"I know you don't hate me," Dean said again starting to get up from his chair. Dara who was standing near the door was quite aware of Dean's movements. But Dean didn't approach her. He turned his face towards the outside window with his back to Dara. "I know you're too weak to hate people."

"You don't have to act like you know me," Dara said calmly.

"It's easy to guess your character. You feel sorry for people too easily. You are too easy to be used by people. I know all the stories about you."

Dara's lips froze. He couldn't understand what Dean wanted from her. Is it really as simple as he says or there was something he couldn't even imagine.

"You need to learn to protect yourself from people who don't care about you at all." Dean continued. "They don't care if you're tired, they can't even pay you properly. But I care. I just need you to do what I tell you to do. I will pay and treat you properly even more than anyone else can offer."

"What if I don't want to?" Dara asked finally after a long silence.

"I'll make you want to do it."

"You can never."

"Why?" Dean finally faced her again. But now Dara is braver to face him. "You think I'm bad person? I know you're investigating my company. You've seen how my company in detail, right? Everything is legal. Many people will benefit if this project is successful. You want to deny that?"

Dara doesn't know Dean knows about she tried find out about him all this time. Dara guessed maybe Dean was just baiting her.

"You don't feel like what you've been doing all this time is wrong?" Dara asked, starting to challenge him.

"I know what I'm doing doesn't make everyone happy. But to be successful, you need to make sacrifices. For example your friends there who feel a little difficult because they go against my will."

"They have the freedom not to do what you want."

"Yes, it is true. They have the right to fight me, and I have the right not to care about their resistance."

Dara really couldn't believe what she heard. Dean really seemed to have lost his heart.

"Just admit it, Dara. That my idea is great. This idea of mine can help a lot of people, as you usually do. If this project is successful, more people will be facilitated than those who are hurt."

Dara was a little stunned when Dean knew her nickname. Whereas her friends in college used to be difficult to remember her.

"You want to build something great with drops of blood?" Dara asked sarcastically.

"If it needs to be done, I'll do it. Stop being a loser. You can be a great person if you know which paths can help you to greater success."

"By killing the path of my friends? You think I will want to do that?"

"You'll make new friends who are just like you," Dean replied quickly.

"Making friends with people who oppress others?"

"You see, I've never hurt the people I worked with. Everyone in my company is more prosperous than when it was led by my father.

Your friends will not be destroyed just because of 1 or 2 mistakes that I made to them. Open your eyes. Don't be so naive. Don't exaggerate what I'm doing. neither snatched their property. I just want them to do what I want."

"You don't care about other people's feelings at all."

"That's true. Mrs. Ussy's restaurant is old. She was too sentimental about it just because the restaurant had a lot of memories. She can make new memories somewhere else."

"Then why do you still want that restaurant? You can also set up a company elsewhere."

Dean fell silent. But he quickly mastered himself. "You will also learn to be like me. You will understand someday. Your ability is not to be wasted. Your potential is too big to realize your little dream. When you have it all, you will forget all the things behind you."

Dara knew what Dean said was wrong, but her mouth was locked, not having the right words to reply.

"You know I can give you everything you need to be successful." Dean continued before Dara could reply to his words. "You just throw away all your sensitive feelings and focus on the goal. Your friends can get something new with the money I gave them. All equal. I didn't cheat. I give you time to think. There's no need for another war between the two of us."

Dara was still frozen when Dean continued to speak. "You don't have to worry about my mother either. I've taken care of her."

The look on Dean's face changed slightly when he said that to her. Like he had a look of regret on his face. His arrogance faded. But Dara didn't really care.

"I'll be waiting for you to call me," Dean said.

"There's no need to wait. My answer will still be no."

Dara left the room without waiting for Dean to speak again. Mr. Yogi was still there waiting for her behind the door. Dara just nodded briefly at him, then turned back to her friends who looked worried.

Dara could not immediately tell what had just happened. She didn't know where to start. Dara only asked her friends to leave the villa immediately and go as far as they can from there.

Dara just said their entire conversation to her friends. Sofi seemed dissatisfied with Dara's explanation.

"Just that? He didn't make any threats?"

Dara shook her head. Billy and Tiara looked deep in thought.

"Should we believe that he won't do anything to Dara?" asked Tiara. Her forehead wrinkled. She seemed to be still deep in thought as she asked that.

"We don't know who we're dealing with," Billy said looking worried.

***

Days passed again. Dara and her friends forgot about their problem with Dean. They are quite busy with the finalization of their project which is almost finished.

"We're still having a hard time getting investors, let's just launch the website first, we'll think about the promo later," said Leo to his friends.

All agreed and started doing their respective tasks. Dara admits that building something from scratch is not easy. Not without struggle, but giving up from the start was not Dara's choice.

After finally their project simple can be launched and they can start to use it, they were all very happy. They make modest promotions to their friends and relatives. Dara looks a little jealous seeing her friends have other friends besides her. As for Dara, there was no anyone else she knew well apart from her four friends. She was also not close to her mother's siblings. The closest family she had just Nemma.

Dara didn't want sadness to ruin her day. Dara finally mingle with her other friends.

"I'm going home first," said Tiara to them. "Today my mother asked me to take care of taxes."

"Me too, my father also asked me to help take care of taxes. My mom is having a hard time understanding some of the details," said Billy as he packed up his things. He seemed quite in a hurry.

"You want to take care of taxes too?" Tiara asked Leo who was also busy packing his things.

"I've done my taxes. I want to play football with my friends." Tiara seemed to frown upon hearing that. "Everyone needs a hobby."

"Well, then I'll go first," said Tiara, who had finished tidying up her things.

"Okay, thank you very much for this day," Dara said to her. While Sofi waved her hand while smiling at her.

"Me too," said Billy, who had finished packing his things.

"Okay, be careful, thanks a lot," Dara said to him. Sofi also did the same waving her hand with a smile.

"Thanks also to you two," said Leo before Dara.

"Okay, take care," Dara replied. This time Sofi just smiled at Leo without waving her hand.

"You're not going home?" Sofi asked Dara when the other three friends had disappeared from their sight.

"You're not going home either?" Dara asked back.

"I don't want to go home."

"Did something happen?" asked Dara. She sat down beside Sofi who looked sad.

"I feel so stupid." Sofi started tell her story. I really can't do anything and it sucks."

"Why do you say that?"

"I hate myself. My father worked hard to pay for my study. But I can't do anything." Sofi began to sob, making Dara a little confused what to do. She could only gently pat Sofi's back while strengthening her.

"That's not all Dar," Sofi continued to speak even though she stammered in the midst of her tears. "I made a lot of wrong decisions. I made a lot of mistakes. I disappointed a lot of people."

Dara let her calm down first. She didn't really know what Sofi was doing, but she was quite familiar with the feeling.

"Whatever you do, it's okay Sof. It is okay."

"But I've messed up Dar, I've disappointed my father. If you knew what I was doing you would probably hate me too." Sofi was still sobbing loudly. Her tears continued to flow.

"I don't care what you do Sof. I'm still your friend."

"You'd probably care if you knew."

"Then tell me, you can see that I really don't care. I just want you to live a better life and become a better person, so that you are happier. If you've made a mistake, then fix it. I don't care what you've done."

"What if I actually hurt you?" Sofi asked quietly, still sobbing.

Suddenly, the figures of Nemma and Dean appeared in Dara's mind. "It may take time for me to accept, but if you regret it, it will be easier for me to forgive. Although it may take a process to forget what you did."

Sofi was silent, she considered the words she wanted to say. "I made a lot of mistakes that people probably can't forgive. I feel like I've failed."

"Sofi, it's okay. You still have a chance to fix everythings no matter what."

"I'm sorry, I can't tell you. I was afraid you would abandon me."

"You don't have to tell me anything. I still love you, we all love you. As long as you want us to love you."

Sofi was still sobbing. Dara doesn't want to force Sofi to keep telling the story, but Dara saw that Sofi needed her to be her listener.

"But if you want me to know, I want to hear your story. What happened?" Dara asked trying to calm down. Although she is also very curious about what happened to her best friend.

Sofi weighed her decision. Her tears kept flowing. "I'm not a good person," she said again.

Dara assures her that Dara will not judge her. After calming herself, Sofi finally wanted to express her feelings.

"I'm in a relationship with Billy's dad."

Dara almost screamed hearing that. She tried to keep herself from looking too surprised. Dara hugged Sofi who was sobbing in her arms. Dara didn't know what to say. She knew what Sofi had done was wrong. But she can feel Sofi was suffering too. "It's okey Sofi. I am with you." That's all Dara can say.

After Sofi calmed down, Dara began to talk seriously to her. "Now what are you going to do? Are you all right?"

"I'm depressed. My life is a mess, everything is a mess. I also mess up people's lives."

Dara doesn't want to go too far in extracting information from Sofi, she doesn't want Sofi to be further shaken. "Since when did you have that relationship?"

"I don't know, I'm starting to get to know him better when he drove me home from this hall that time."

Dara didn't know what she could say to calm Sofi down. She was also quite shocked by the facts she heard and needed to process the information more carefully. But what Dara understands, her feelings don't change when she sees Sofi.

"You still think the same after knowing the facts?" Sofi asked timidly.

"Of course. You are still my friend, I still love you. I'm not saying what you're doing is right. But I will not leave you just because you have sinned."

Sophie had tears in her eyes again. "What would Billy think if he knew all this?"

"He won't know, you don't have to think far. Now all you need to do is leave Mr. Reynolds behind."

"I can't," said Sofi.

"Why?" Dara asked affectionately.

"Because I love him. I can't." Dara hugged her again. She didn't know what to say.

"Sof, I'm not forcing you to follow what I suggest to you. All decisions are in your hands. This is your life. I'm saying this because I don't want your life to be ruined. Even though it's hard for you to leave Mr. Reynolds, but you need to do that. For your life. No one gets hurt." Sofi listened to Dara speak with tears in her eyes. "I can support you doing anything if it makes you happy. But I can't support you doing all the things you like, if it can destroy you."

"I can't leave him."

"Try it first, maybe it's really hard. But you can't keep drinking poison and giving poison to other people. You need to stop. This will not only destroy them but will also destroy you."

"What if I can't leave Mr. Reynolds? What are you going to do?"

"It's your life choice, but I won't stop telling you that you need to stop hurting yourself."

"Do I really have to leave him?" Sofi asked again, her tears falling even more.

"Of course, Mr. Reynold has a family."

Sofi wiped the tears from her cheeks. "Give me time to let him go. I probably won't be able to."

"You can. You used to be able to live without Mr. Reynolds. It's the same now."

They hug again. Dara tried to strengthen her friend. After calming down, Sofi started talking to her again. "Why don't you judge my mistakes and my stupidity?"

"I'm not perfect either. I have been down and made mistakes. I feel hurt when no one wants to accept me when I'm weak or when I have nothing. I feel the pain, I don't want anyone else to feel the same. I don't want to be the same person as the people who hurt me."

Sofi hugged her again. Dara realized the pain in her heart. She could feel the times she had been hurt, blamed, and not understood. Although the conditions experienced by Dara and Sofi are different, in general Dara can understand that. Dara also realized she was still having a hard time shedding her tears again. She missed the tears running down her cheeks. She was tempted to envy Sofi who still had her tears in her eyes. But Dara realized, she needed to accept her own destiny.

***

Dara felt dizzy. She had a lot on her mind. The project has been launched but the number of users on the platform is still below 100. It is still far from their target. She continues to work hard on developing her platform. Leo also continues to look for loopholes so that their project can get a lot of help. They have used their personal money to finance the project. Only Dara couldn't help much.

Dara also thought of Sofi who started to lock herself up. The other three friends know Sofi is sick. Dara was worried about her, but there wasn't much she could do. Dara knew Sofi needed space for her to think clearly. Dara became somewhat avoiding Billy. She felt uncomfortable knowing his father's and Sofi's secrets. She felt a little guilty too. Dara didn't know what to do other than keep quiet and not interfere much in their business. Dara doesn't understand their situation.

"Get some rest," Leo said when he looked at Dara.

"Yes, I want to go home after this," said Dara weakly.

"You can home now, let me take care of the rest." Leo reassured her.

"Okay." Dara did not argue, because she was very tired. "See you tomorrow."

"Okay. Take care."

Dara approached Tiara who was sitting at her desk. She seems serious about all her duties. "I'm going home first, I'm a bit tired."

"Want me to take you home?" asked Tiara. Her eyes were fixed on the papers in front of her.

"It's okay, you have a lot of work to do."

"It is okay." Tiara raised her head and looked at Dara. "I like your dress. It looks good on you."

Dara smiled widely hearing that. Suddenly happiness filled het heart because of the simple words Tiara said. "Thanks for the compliment. See you tomorrow."

Tiara nodded firmly in the affirmative. "See you tomorrow."

On the way home Dara realized several things. She is happy that her friends love her. They accepted Dara even though Dara couldn't give them much. The feeling of love turned out to be very simple. Just love. No complicated calculations.

Humans make mistakes. Including herself and her friends. Dara knows that what Sofi did was wrong, but she still loves Sofi even though Dara doesn't like what Sofi is doing. If Sofi kept in touch with Mr. Reynold, it might be hard for Dara to stay by her side. Not because Dara doesn't love her anymore, or not because Dara can't accept Sofi's mistakes. But she couldn't seem to witness Sofia's destruction.

Her logic says, if Sofi continued to make that mistake, it was only a matter of time before she would suffer the consequences. Even now Sofi has accepted the consequences. Sofi didn't feel calm, she felt depressed, and Dara couldn't stand to see it all if Sofi continued to choose to live like that. Maybe Dara is selfish, but Dara can't stand to see her best friend choose pain and enjoy the pain. Every day Dara would be haunted by feelings of helplessness because she wanted to pull Sofi out of the pain, but she couldn't.

Dara doesn't like seeing her best friend suffer. But Dara needs to realize that it is beyond her control. Dara knows, all she needs to do is love her best friend. She will try to do it, but she didn't know if she could do it or not. Despite it all, Dara could not force her will. She has a path that she believes is right. Sofi also has her own beliefs. Dara realizes that she needs to accept whatever decisions and thoughts her best friend makes. Dara is aware that every decision has consequences. Both Dara and Sofi have their own responsibilities for the lives they lead.

Dara also remembers her pain again. She began to realize, she does not need to be influenced by the person who hurt her. She just focuses on the people who love her. She also doesn't have to struggle to show herself to others or to avenge those who hurt her. She didn't want to waste her time thinking about them all.

Her heart was more relieved and felt less burdened after she contemplated everything. She began to organize herself not to be afraid of failure, or afraid to see the results that would be obtained. It's beyond her control. She has surrendered everything to God. Her job was to do the best he could.

***

Dean's mother has left Indonesia. Dean didn't even get to see her. Not because he was busy, but because he didn't want to. His mother had seen Dean from a distance but she didn't have the courage to approach him. Her heart ached to see the child she loved getting away from her.

Dean called Mr. Didi and Leoni to his office. Leoni was ready for another curse that might come out of Dean's mouth. But Dean had his usual expression, flat and cold. Leoni was a little annoyed with him, because she knew Dean had deliberately come to Durian cluster to meet Dara.

"Please tell my mother not to disturb Dara or her family anymore," said Dean to Mr Didi. Leoni's heart felt tight hearing that. After more than 1 year of living without Dara's shadow, now Leoni's nightmare has come again. She can try to accept even if Dara gets the whole world, but Leoni can't accept if Dara gets Dean.

"Doesn't she want to join our company?" asked Leoni suddenly.

"Who?" asked Dean still looking flat.

"Dara," answered Leoni, looking as much hatred as possible when she said Dara's name.

"I'll get her to join us."

"Do I need to do something?" Leoni asked hopefully. Of course she wished she could get a chance to hurt Dara, as Dean's father used to tell her when someone didn't follow his request.

"I'm not my father," Dean replied curtly.

"How about interrupting her project? Just a bit. Like we usually do."

"I told you to let her," said Dean more firmly. "Let me take care of her." Leoni tried to contain her anger. Her face was red, but Dean didn't care at all. "How is the progress about Prof. John?"

"Still in process. Prof. John seemed quite interested. But he said he needed to reconsider."

Dean seemed pleased to hear that. His smile grew slightly. If Leoni wasn't holding back her anger, she was sure she would be satisfied with her work. But her hatred for Dara covers her from any feelings.

"Just do your job like this. Don't improvise. You can leave."

Dean didn't pay attention when Leoni and Mr. Didi left his room. His attention was immediately drawn to the report that had been sent by Mr. Yogi about the progress of Dara's project development. Dean felt he didn't need to do anything with Dara's project, because he already knew that her project would not be that easy to develop.

Dean then took his cell phone and dialed Dara's number. Dara did not answer the call for a long time. But as usual Dean didn't give up.

"What do you want?" asked Dara coldly.

"I've seen your project has been launched."

Dara didn't respond, until Dean continued. "I have everything you need. Resources, investors, experts, technology, you can name what you need."

"I told you the answer is still no."

"We'll see how far your project can go. Just admit it Dara, you need help."

"I do need help. But I can't exchange it with my freedom," Dara replied calmly.

"I don't want to take away your freedom, I just need you to help me do what I want."

"Isn't that the same?" Dara asked, getting disinterested in their conversation.

"We'll see Dara. You will call me less than 1 month from now. You will come to my office and accept everything I have to offer."

"I don't know what will happen in the future. But I know what I want."

Dara hung up their phone. Dean just smiled briefly. He was sure he would win. Everything was according to his prediction without him having to do anything. Dara will be frustrated with her small project and she will welcome his helping hand.

***

Dara was quite annoyed after receiving a call from Dean. She did lack funds for the development and promotion of her project. She wanted to expand her project, but she was short of people. She and Billy had a hard time completing the project.

Dara thought to make an offer to Dean. Either ego or emotion was holding it back. But deep down she didn't want to work with Dean. She'd worked with people she didn't agree with in the past. With Dean, it's clear she has a lot of differences. Even she clearly knew that Dean did not have the same core values as her. Dara remembers her contemplation. She didn't have to choose pain even though she could still endure it.

Dara knew Dean might not be as bad as she thought. But the fact that she knew that he wants to have power over everything and tends to push his will too much. Dara needs Dean's help, but she can't trade her happiness for it.

Meanwhile, Dara was contemplating alone in the corner of the hall which has now become their official basecamp, Leo stood with Laura watching her.

"It's quite difficult to develop this project, isn't it?" Laura asked him.

"We need a process, we lack resources. At least we need funds for promotion. Dara is hard at developing the platform on her own. She needs a lot of hands too. Even though she knows how to do it, but it's too much to do it alone."

Leo wasn't wrong. Dara almost stayed up every night to develop the project. Many of codes can't even be done by Billy. Even though Billy can do it, Dara limits Billy's work, she doesn't want to make the same mistake as her Boss used to give jobs that are beyond the limits of her. But subconsciously, as usual, Dara didn't think much of herself.

"I can help with the promotion," Laura said. "I have funds."

"But you need to use the funds for your business development, right? I don't want to accept that."

"This isn't for you, it's for her," Laura said reassuringly. Leo was still unmoved. He didn't want to make Laura sacrifice. "She needs it. I know you care."

Leo didn't answer. He really couldn't make Laura sacrifice too much. He knew, if Laura's business could stabilize this year, next year Laura could start pursuing her dream again. He didn't want to stop that.

"Come on Leo, just accept it. You need it. She needs it. I'm glad to see you are back to your passion. I'm also glad you fought for the happiness of your friends too." Leo still didn't answer. "I will transfer the money tomorrow. You think of it as my investment. I didn't give it away, did I?"

"I don't know when this project will make money. I can't risk your future."

"I'm not betting, I'm helping you guys. Come on, I don't want to hear any more excuses."

Laura then left Leo who was still frozen there. He glanced at Dara. He knew they did need the funds. Leo really had no choice but to accept Laura's help.

***

Dara stretched her body slightly as she got off the bike. She was asked by Nemma to buy her medicine at a pharmacy near her cluster. Dara was a bit gloomy because Nemma was starting to comment on her small project. Nemma had known for a long time, and as usual she was too much afraid that Dara's project would fail. Dara thought, without added fear, Dara didn't need to be reminded to feel worried. Dara was afraid that her friends' hard work will be in vain. She wasn't worried about herself. Plus Nemma's pessimistic which was sometimes difficult for her to accept, makes her day even more bleak.

From a distance, Dara did not notice that someone was watching her. Dean also did not expect to meet Dara there. He, who was with Leoni and Mr. Yogi, was standing across from the pharmacy where Dara was. Dara entered the pharmacy without realizing that when she came out, someone was already waiting for her.

Leoni wanted to restrain Dean from approaching Dara. But she realized she couldn't do it. She could only freeze with anger in her heart as she watched Dean start talking to Dara.

"What are you doing here?" Dara asked curtly. It was easy for her not to be friendly, she just wasn't in a good mood.

Actually, Dean also didn't know the reason why he wants to approach Dara. He just wanted to do it, intimidate her, or just wanted to tell Dara what he was thinking.

"Why do you look displeased? You're starting to realize that your project is getting impossible to be done?"

"You just wanted to say that?"

"You don't dream big Dara. You need to see how big the world is. Your dream is too small. But you've seen it right? That your little dream is difficult to do by yourself without my help."

Dara was trying very hard to control her emotions. She didn't want to make a fuss. She also didn't want to be as crazy as Dean. She didn't want to respond.

"Why should I? There are a lot of people like me out there."

"Who said that? There's no one like you and you'll also realize there aren't many people like me either."

Dara agreed in her heart. It didn't take her long to realize that not many people were as obsessive as Dean.

"You want to know what my dream was?" asked Dean flatly. Dara really wanted to leave that place. But she couldn't forget her manners.

"You want to rule the world?" Dara asked lazily without thinking much.

"Your world," Dean replied expressionlessly. Dara started to get annoyed. "I want your world. You will see where you live now will become my new world."

"What do you mean?" Dara asked getting really interested in the conversation.

"In the next few years I will turn your beloved cluster, Durian village, and its surroundings into my business empire. I don't just want the restaurant or your friend's little workshop."

"You're mad." The words just slipped out of Dara's mouth. Her forehead wrinkled. She could barely believe what she heard.

"You don't even dare to dream about it do you? You don't believe I can get the funds to buy everything?"

Dara did not think about the money at all. Dara didn't know how much money Dean have and she did not care about it. What Dara thinks about was the fate of the people who live there. There are hundreds or thousands of residents. Dara couldn't speak anymore. She had completely forgotten her manners this time.

"We are both very different. I have to go."

Dean didn't stop her. He was satisfied that he had said that to Dara. Meanwhile, Leoni had steady her decision. She could no longer take it all. She couldn't watch Dara get everything she wanted. She then left and didn't want to go back to Dean. Unfortunately for Leoni, the next day when Dean found out she had resigned, Dean didn't seem to care at all.

***