Chapter 10

Actually, getting married is a very, very sacred thing for an Artaendra Walters. He hopes that in his life, only once is his name going through a wedding procession and it must be with the woman he loves so much.

Samuel has always dreamed of marrying Valerie, the woman she has made as her life partner for years. Samuel has already made many plans. From the venue for the party. Wedding concept. Honeymoon destination. In fact, Samuel had already planned how many children she wanted after officially marrying Valerie.

However, hope remains hope. All the beautiful plans that he had arranged were not in accordance with existing expectations. In fact, Valerie is more concerned with career than the continuation of the relationship they have been forging.

In fact, without having to work hard, Valerie was able to get what she wanted when she officially became the wife of an Artendra Walters. Really, Samuel's wealth is able to provide everything that Valerie wants on this earth. But still, she didn't agree one bit with what Samuel wanted. Choosing to pursue a temporary career until what he has dreamed of has been realized.

Also, it's the same with Samuel. He also has many desires and aspirations. If Valerie doesn't want to make it happen with him. It's not Samuel's fault that she is looking for another replacement that she can work with to make her dreams come true. And now? Samuel believes that Ariana can give some things that Valerie can't give her.

"Sir, you must have had a satanic cramp, right? There's no wind, there's no storm. I just suddenly asked to marry. I'm sure there must be some purpose to this invitation."

Instead of responding, Samuel just laughed. For some reason, he found it funny what Ariana told him. Samuel needs to admit, her secretary is quite sensitive to all the situations that are going on between them.

As Axton also said, Ariana is a woman to be reckoned with. No wonder many people like the way it works.

"You are indeed smart. But, actually this is not married like people in general."

Ariana's eye brows shot up. He began to smell a big plan that seemed to be Samuel's making at this time.

"I've said before, if you talk straight to the point, sir. If Mr. Samuel beats around the bush, I'd better go home. What a waste of time!"

"Wait, Ariana," Samuel held back when she saw Ariana preparing to get up from her seat. Reaching out, he asked his secretary to calm down. "Listen first to what I want to explain to you."

"Yeah, hurry up."

Samuel sighed. Throwing a deep stare, he then put on a more serious expression than before, then spoke, "Do you remember Mr. William Hadipraja? The businessman from Surabaya that you helped give advice on in the marketing process for his newest business development?"

"You know. Besides, who doesn't know Mr. William. He's the king of the malls in Indonesia."

"That's right," Samuel responded. "So, he recently invited Palma Palace to work together to make a hotel and apartment in collaboration with the Pakuwon Group's Mall. As a smart person, I'm sure you can imagine what would happen if Palma collaborated with Pakuwon, right?"

Ariana immediately nodded.

"That means big profits are waiting in plain sight, sir. Not to mention that Palma's prestige will increase even more."

"Precisely!" Samuel replied with a smile.

"So, what does that have to do with me?" asked Ariana then. It's been a long time, he still hasn't got the gist of this afternoon's conversation.

"The problem is, from Mama to Mr. William, we both know we are dating and we are about to get married soon. That's why he wants us both to become the icon tender for this new tender. Mr. William even asked you to be an advisor as well as the head of the planning and marketing team."

"Good grief." Ariana immediately exclaimed. Finally he understood what Samuel's purpose was to bother to see him this afternoon.

"If I want to get this tender, like it or not I have to really marry you, Ariana."

"But, sir ----"

"Listen to me first," Samuel cut in. "I know you definitely don't want to just be asked to marry. That's why, I'm offering you to work together. So, we get married, but there's no need to do things like a normal married couple. This marriage is purely just a formality so that both people My parents are happy and at the same time I can easily get the tender that Mr. William offered."

"Then what's in it for me?"

"Of course a lot," Samuel said quickly. "Just imagine how much income you will get when you become an adviser and leader of a large tender. Don't forget too, you will marry an Samuel Walters. There will be many businessmen who will give us big gifts. And all the prizes that we will get, I will leave everything to you without exception."

Ariana fell silent. Digest then weighed very carefully what Samuel had just said. Besides getting many benefits, there will be privileges that he will later receive. After all, who in this day and age doesn't want to be the spouse or wife of a big businessman like Samuel?

"Thank you very much for the offer, sir. It seems that I will indeed get a lot of benefits if I agree to the request for cooperation that you just conveyed."

Samuel nodded. He confirmed what Ariana said.

"You don't need to worry, before we get married, we will also make a black and white agreement so that this collaboration benefits both parties, namely you and myself."

"Interesting," said Ariana. For a moment she smiled broadly before speaking again. "But, honey. I'm not interested, sir."

Samuel was stunned. He was sure of what he had just heard. In fact, he was sure that Ariana would agree to the request as well as the offer he made.

According to Samuel, where is there anyone who will refuse if given a fantastic offer like what he mentioned before. However, Ariana turned down the opportunity instead.

"What? You rejected both my offer and my request?"

Ariana nodded confidently. As said before, he wanted nothing more to do with Samuel. For some reason, Ariana believed that the request this time would have a long tail that would end up causing trouble for herself.

"I'm already lazy, sir. I've given up on lying to my parents. Later, if something happens in the middle of the road, Pak Samuel will definitely blame me like before."

"I made a promise, Ariana. Besides, what you want and don't want can be put forward in a letter of agreement or contract between the two of us, later. If I Valeriete it, I can get sanctions or punishments according to what we both agreed."

"But, still, I'm not at all interested," said Ariana once again with a more serious expression on her face. "It's better for Mr. Samuel to find another woman who wants to work with him."

Finished saying those words, Ariana then got up. Choose to walk away. Leaving Samuel who could only be silent because she couldn't do anything.

***

Ariana thought Samuel would give up after two days ago she flatly refused what the man offered her. But Ariana's guess was wrong, as if being persistent, today when she came home from work, the two of them accidentally crossed paths at a mall. Samuel, who first saw Ariana's presence, immediately approached. Even without the awkwardness of pulling him into one of the coffeeshops.

Initially, Ariana wanted to protest. But considering the crowd of visitors who were in the cafe, Ariana failed to do anything. He chose to be patient while asking what else his former boss wanted to convey at this meeting.

"If you still ask me to agree to a fake marriage like the offer a few days ago, I'm sorry, I'm not interested."

Samuel sighed. Not to mention speaking, Ariana had already put on a stance of anticipation as well as giving a warning. Even though the deadline that William gave was still a few weeks away. The man was waiting for a definite answer whether Samuel agreed or not with the offer of cooperation he was proposing.

Not to mention that the mother is also acting up. Last night, for the umpteenth time, Arabellan reminded Samuel to take her to meet Ariana's foster mother so she could ask permission to propose and at the same time hold a wedding procession.

"Don't be too late, Samuel. Ariana will be taken by someone later. Besides, what are you two waiting for?"

Samuel exhaled in frustration. Wanting to regret everything he's ever done to make his mother act like she is now, but it feels too late and useless. The only one who can help him now is Ariana.

"Mama is really impatient. Marriage must be thought through carefully, Ma. You can't rush it. Ariana will be ill because our family is after her like what Mama is doing now."

Arabella chuckled. Actually already very exasperated with the relaxed attitude that Samuel has shown so far. He thought, why is it so difficult with the name of getting married.

If both parties already love each other. What's more, Arabella feels that Samuel is also very well-established from age to material things, so what is there to wait for?

"If it's too late, Mama will rush into the grave, Sam."

"Mom!" Samuel protested. "Why do you say that? Remember! Those words are prayers! Samuel doesn't like Mama talking carelessly."

"Abisan you and Ariana are not really clear when exactly you will get married. What are you waiting for? Mama knows, you are still young. But Papa and Mama are not necessarily old. Almost everything in this world is Mama's. Just look at you getting married and having offspring is the last dream that Mama has to make come true, Sam."

"Mom!"

"Samuel Wijaya," interrupted Arabella. "Mama didn't ask you anything. Mama just wanted to see you get married and have children. Is that request too difficult for you to grant?"

Because of this request, Samuel found it difficult to sleep. Thinking hard about how to persuade Ariana to accept his request to get married in the near future.

"I will give you anything if you agree with the offer I have made. Whatever Ariana is, I will grant it as long as you are willing to marry me within a certain time."

"For God's sake, I'm not interested, sir," said Ariana firmly. He did not care in the least with all the offers that Samuel handed out.

"To be honest, I expected a lot from you. So, please accept my request. Just this once."

Ariana from her seat could see the pleading look that Samuel was showing. There was no longer the arrogant or obnoxious attitude that man used to show him.

From Ariana's eyes, she believed that Samuel was really feeling hopeless and really needed her help.

However, no matter how hard it was for Samuel, she actually didn't want to be involved in any business related to her former boss anymore.

"I can't, sir," Ariana refused once again. In that instant, Samuel boldly grabbed his free wrist on the table. Interestingly, then gripped tightly.

"I beg you, Ariana. Help me just this once."