Chapter 14

"Ariana, what are you daydreaming about? Those grilled ribs on your plate will get cold if you keep boiling them."

Chacha and Ariana are currently enjoying lunch at one of the cafeterias in the Palma Palace building complex. Previously, Ariana had also invited Chacha to have lunch together from the start because there was one thing she wanted to say.

However, once in the cafeteria, Ariana was much quieter. From the look on her face, it seemed like there was something heavy on her mind.

Even when the food ordered came and was served on the table, he had not even touched a single spoon. This caught Chacha's attention and made him wonder.

"If you invite me here just to see how you are busy daydreaming, I'd better go back to the room," protested Chacha.

However, as if she didn't heed what her best friend said, Ariana remained unmoved. Chacha, who was patient at first, gradually became annoyed and at the same time hot himself seeing his best friend's behavior.

"ARIANA!"

The call sounded a little loud, making Ariana finally respond and turned towards Chacha. Putting on a lazy face, the woman chuckled as she spoke softly.

"Yes, I heard everything you said, Chacha Adisti."

"If you hear it, answer it, please. Don't just stay silent like a statue. You invited me here, he said, I have something to tell you. Then what do you want to tell me?"

Ariana took deep breaths. Because he was determined not to hide anything from Chacha, he intended to tell his best friend what he was currently experiencing. Including Samuel's plans to marry her in the near future.

"I want to tell you that in the near future I might be getting married."

Chacha coughed. Choking on the lemon tea he was drinking. While wiping his wet lips and chin, he immediately turned his head while throwing a questioning gaze.

Of course Chacha was surprised and amazed. Just like Mother Clara, until this moment she didn't know that her best friend had a partner. They are always together in the office every day. Even if he's close to someone, Chacha is sure, Ariana will definitely tell him.

"Don't be crazy! Who do you want to marry? You haven't had a boyfriend for a long time."

Ariana sounded sighed. Grabbing the spoon on the plate, he began to scoop up the pieces of rib meat that had fallen off the bone. Grabbing it, then devouring the food while talking back.

"I want to marry Pak Samuel."

Not to mention the look of surprise on Chacha's face had disappeared, this time the woman was again taken aback by what Ariana had just said. Chacha is sure that his ears didn't hear wrong just now.

"You're not sick anymore, are you?" asked Chacha while placing his palm on Ariana's forehead. "How did you marry Mr. Samuel?"

"Hush!" Ariana hissed with bulging eyes. Immediately brought his right hand, then silenced Chacha's mouth that spoke a little loudly. He was certainly worried that the other visitors heard what his best friend had said. "You don't have to say it out loud, Cha. I'm not deaf," whispered Ariana

"Yes, what if I say it out loud? Besides, explain first? What do you mean by marrying Mr. Samuel?"

"I really want to marry Pak Samuel," Ariana argued.

"No way! There must be something," said Chacha while shaking his head. "Does this have anything to do with the problem the other day? About you being made a pretend girlfriend?"

Ariana nodded. He took a sip of the mineral water in front of him first, then told a story.

"Yes! The root of the problem really comes from Mrs. Arabella's birthday party. I'm also confused about how to tell you. It's really complicated."

"Slow down, Ariana. I'll listen to it until it's finished," Chacha said.

Ariana once again nodded. He drew closer to his sitting position, then looked around. Making sure the cafeteria was very safe, he slowly explained the problem that was currently pressing him.

"You know about Mr. Samuel who paid me 250 million to find a fake girlfriend and ended up actually getting married to Mrs. Arabella?"

Chacha nodded.

"I haven't forgotten one bit about that, Ariana. So what?"

"So, a few days ago, as you also know, I have resigned from Palma because I really don't want to deal with this problem anymore. Even though I have to bother looking for a new job, I feel calm because I can escape the pressure and scolding of Mr. Samuel. But, it turns out that the calm doesn't last long, Cha."

Ariana looked straight. Pause the story for a moment to be able to take a deep breath. After successfully eliminating the tightness he felt, he continued to tell his story again.

"Mr. Samuel asked me to meet up the next day. When the two of us met again at a restaurant, he again asked for help ----"

"So you go back to being his pretend girlfriend?" cut Chacha. He seemed to be able to read what Ariana wanted to convey to him.

However, instead of confirming Chacha's guess, Ariana shook her head.

"Wrong!"

"Hah?" Chacha's brow furrowed. "Then what?"

"Mr. Samuel didn't ask me to be a pretend girlfriend. He even asked me to get married for real, Cha. Crazy, not really that person!"

"Obviously crazy, Ariana. Don't even know him personally. If you don't know, ask him to marry you. There must be some hidden plan that Pak Samuel is devising."

This time Ariana nodded.

"You want to know, what is the reason Mr. Samuel asked me to marry you?"

Chacha, of course, nodded his head reflexively. This was the reason he had always wanted to know. If you think about it realistically, it would be very strange for his boss to ask Ariana to marry him if there wasn't some kind of reason or plan behind it.

"So, Mr. William from the Pakuwon Group wants to invite Palma to work together. Mr. William personally likes me because the other day he managed to give suggestions about good breakthroughs for his company. Because at Mrs. Arabella's birthday she knew I was going to marry Mr. Samuel, Mr. William considers this a good opportunity for Pakuwon to invite Palma to work together. He is even willing to lend land to build property for free as long as I am directly involved in this project. keep getting this great project."

"Gosh, Ariana," Chacha exclaimed. "Why is your position so complicated? Then are you sure you want to marry Mr. Samuel?" asked Chacha while shaking his head. He finally understood what problem Ariana was entangled in that the woman had been gloomy and looked confused before.

Ariana sighed softly. It's already wet. The contract has been signed by him and even legalized by a notary.

"At first I flatly refused, Cha. But Mr. Samuel wants to force me every day. He also gives benefits that are not kidding. How do you know now that he has become a regular donor to the orphanage where I live."

"Oh my gosh. Mr. Samuel got to that much? Then he gave you more money?"

Ariana nodded. Even the money that Samuel gave her had landed beautifully in Ariana's personal account yesterday.

"Double bonus from Palma and Pakuwon. All wedding gifts were handed over directly to me. And lastly, he also paid three times the previous payment for my role as a contract wife."

"Crazy! What are you going to do with that much money, Ariana?" Chacha asked while widening her eyes. He didn't know what to say about what happened to his best friend. Is this a disaster or good news like a windfall.

"I deliberately asked for a lot of money with the intention that Mr. Samuel gave in to his request. How do you know if it turns out that he actually agreed to it, Cha."

"Yes, it's clear that Mr. Samuel can do it, Ariana. What he gave you is nothing compared to what he will get from this big project."

What Chacha said is true. Even though Samuel gave him money in the nominal billions, that was nothing compared to the benefits that Samuel would get after the cooperation between Palma and Pakuwon was realized. In fact, Samuel can get this big profit in the long term and many times.

However, everything has already happened. It was already impossible for Ariana to cancel what she and Samuel had agreed on. Could suddenly be poor if Ariana ends the contract unilaterally.

"But, Ariana..." Chacha continued. "This is your real marriage, right?"

"The marriage is real, Cha. Mr. Samuel said we both got married like a couple in general. Legal in the eyes of the law and religion. It's just that there is a certain contract that binds us afterwards."

Instead of choosing to pretend, Samuel deliberately married Ariana officially. He did all this in anticipation that in the future someone would doubt their marriage.

He even disguised the marriage contract as a pre-nuptial agreement or prenuptial agreement. Whatever it was, Samuel had thought it through carefully so it wouldn't cause trouble in the future.

"One example of the contract what?" Chacha asked curiously. He was only worried that his boss would make things difficult for Ariana in the future.

"The point is, even though we are married and become husband and wife, the two of us must not interfere in each other's personal affairs. Each of us must respect privacy," explained Ariana.

"So, where are you planning to get married?" Chacha asked curiously. As the sole heir to Palma Palace, for some reason Chacha believes his boss will hold a spectacular wedding.

"It is possible that it will be held in Bali in a few weeks," said Ariana. "According to the agreement, both of our weddings were held privately and without the slightest bit of media. Not all office people were even invited."

"Then you didn't invite me?" Chacha's delict. Yes, as a friend, he was not involved in this sacred procession. Even though this is like a staged marriage, Chacha certainly wants to attend and see his best friend's wedding in person.

"I'll talk to Mr. Samuel later. I hope you can come to our wedding."

Chacha smiled. At least he was sure Ariana would try herself to be present. After all, its existence will definitely be useful later.

"Last question, Ariana. How long will your marriage contract last? This can't be a lifetime, right?"

Ariana nodded. It could be crazy if he was bound by a fake marriage to Samuel for life.

"For the contract itself, it lasts for about a year. The reason for our divorce will be, I will hand over everything to Mr. Samuel. What is certain, I have requested that it is not an affair that will be the reason we will separate."

Chacha nodded his head. Slowly digesting everything Ariana told. Whatever decision his best friend had made, he could only pray that everything would go smoothly and according to plan.

***

After eating lunch, Ariana returned to complete all the work deadlines given to her. It wasn't until around six in the afternoon that all the homework he was handling was finally completed.

Ariana deserves to be proud and at the same time give thanks to God. The talent and skill that he has made him able to complete all the tasks that Samuel gave him quickly and even precisely. This also made him several times promoted at Palma.

After tidying up all the files, Ariana prepared to go home. However, his intentions were halted for a moment when Samuel called and then asked him to go meet the man immediately.

Once in the room, Samuel immediately asked to sit down. Since asking Ariana to be willing to become a temporary wife, the man's attitude was not as sharp or annoying as before. Maybe because she felt she needed it, that's why Samuel treated Ariana much better.

"Can I help you, sir?" asked Ariana when she was sitting in front of Samuel.

"Here's a copy of the contract for you to keep. It's been ratified by a notary. Once again, if there's anything you think should be revised or added, please let me know as soon as possible. I just want you to feel comfortable with the agreement we've made."

Ariana immediately welcomed the map that Samuel handed over. Put it on the chair, then looked back at Samuel.

"I'll reread it at home later."

"Oh, yes, don't forget, tonight my parents are inviting Ms. Clara to have dinner together at home."

"Yes, I already told you. Then, regarding the application schedule, since there has been no change, that means you and your family are still visiting my place this Saturday?"

It was Samuel's turn to nod.

"Yes. In accordance with the original plan. Later I will send people to the orphanage to help you prepare everything. Regarding food and all kinds, let my people take care of it."

"Very well then. Is there anything else you would like to say?" asked Ariana before she actually got up, preparing to say goodbye.

"Not available."

"In that case, I'll take my leave and go home first, sir."

Samuel nodded. The man then stood up.

"Let me take you home."

"Huh? You want to take me home?"

Ariana was aghast. Why did his boss suddenly think of wanting to drive him home. But before he had the chance to ask a question or even protest, the man who was already standing in the doorway called out his name again.

"Ariana, what are you doing there staring? Don't be surprised. Isn't it normal for future husbands to bring their future wives home?"

"Future husband?"

"Yes, I am your future husband, right? You don't have to ask too many questions. Hurry to the car. It will be late."

Ariana nodded. Then walked quickly to catch up with Samuel's steps. Accompanying the man to the parking lot to immediately return to the orphanage where he has been living.