Chapter 17

"ARIANA!"

The call immediately echoed when Ariana had just set foot in the lobby of the Palma Palace building. As soon as she turned around, the slender woman found Chacha's figure who seemed to be running a little hastily with shortness of breath.

Suddenly, Ariana was confused, what did Chacha want to do so early in the morning. Is there something urgent or maybe there is a deadline that his best friend must deliver immediately?

"What the heck? Why are you running like that?" asked Ariana confused.

"Where have you been? How come this afternoon? I've been looking for you everywhere. That's it, you can't reach your cell phone either!"

Ariana laughed. Today he did come late because he got an assignment from Samuel to finish some business out there. Because last night he forgot to charge the cellphone battery fully, as a result the smart object died while he was on his way to work.

"Earlier I stopped by Alexis for a while to take care of advertising. Regarding my cell phone, I forgot to charge it last night so it died right in the middle of the road. What's the matter, really? You've been interrogating me since you've been like a police officer."

Instead of answering, Chacha immediately took Ariana to go to the cafeteria at the end of the first floor. As soon as she arrived and sat down in one of the chairs, Ariana heard a faint uproar from one of the tables that seemed to be discussing something.

"I thought that our polar boss has not had a girlfriend all this time. Oh, you know, I got the news that he wants to get married."

"Yes, here! Really heartbroken. Even though I've been trying every day to get the attention of the boss so I can take a glance. Eh, it turns out that now he's even excited about getting married."

"No wonder he's never been interested in us. It turns out that Wong already has a handler."

"I wonder who is the girl in this photo. Really curious. Her face is not exposed clearly."

"Yes, it seems that Mr. Samuel really loves his girlfriend. He even carries her all the way."

"But how come the marriage is sudden, huh? Could it be that the girl is already pregnant?"

"It could be, really. Or maybe this girl is deliberately trapping Mr. Samuel so he can marry her."

"Gosh! But why was he so lucky to get Mr. Samuel who was so handsome."

Ariana could hear clearly what the employees who were there were chatting about. It is certain that they are all currently discussing the issue of Samuel, who is about to get married in the near future.

However, the big question in Ariana's mind, where did they know this news. It's impossible for gossip to blow loudly and become an uproarious conversation like now if there's no trigger for it.

"You've heard it yourself, right?" squeaked Chacha while staring intently at Ariana.

"Are they talking about Mr. Samuel?"

"Yes!" said Chacha in a voice no less whispering.

The woman then reached for her cell phone from the pocket of the black blazer she was wearing. Open the whatsapp feature, then select the office group to search for something in there. After finding what he was looking for, then Chacha showed it to Ariana.

"Here, you can see for yourself. They are excited about this photo gossip."

At that moment, Ariana immediately grabbed the cell phone that Chacha handed over to her. Curiously checking what pictures are actually hyped up by office people today.

"Good grief!"

Ariana immediately gasped. From his eyes he could see several photos which captured the intimacy between Samuel and a woman a few days ago.

In the photo, you can see how Samuel is seriously massaging a woman's leg. Even to carry him to the car.

Luckily for Ariana, the woman's face in the photo is not clearly visible. If only the office people knew the woman was her, surely everyone would be even more excited than now.

"Who really likes to take photos and then spread them around like this. There's really no attitude," complained Ariana. This was what made him lazy to deal with Samuel.

"Who else if not the paparazzi. Or it could also be the work of the lambe turu admin. It could be, they accidentally saw the two of you. Then they took photos secretly and the next day they spread them on social media without permission."

"Oh my gosh. This is my fate."

"It's still lucky because your face is not clearly exposed in the photo, Ariana. If it's just visible and they know it's you, it could be material for backbiting seven days and seven nights by all employees in Palma."

Ariana nodded. What Chacha said had also crossed his mind. If everyone knew that she was a woman who would become Samuel's future wife, it was certain that all the female employees who had idolized her boss would become the butt of her.

"Mr. Samuel should know about this problem."

Ariana then rose from her seat. The woman chose to leave Chacha in order to meet Samuel immediately.

Once on the 20th floor, Ariana hurriedly walked towards Samuel's room. Making sure his boss wasn't receiving guests, he then hurriedly entered and then approached the man who was apparently busy doing something at his desk.

"Sir, I want to tell you something and this is very important."

"You came here, didn't you excuse me, instead just played around," protested Samuel without even looking at Ariana. The man was still busy taking care of what he was doing at this time.

"I already knocked on the door, sir. This is very important anyway."

Samuel finally looked up. The man chuckled and threw a questioning glance at Ariana.

"What important thing do you want to discuss and share with me this time?"

Ariana took a step closer to the position where Samuel was sitting. He stretched out his hand showing something on his phone. Asking the slant-eyed man to look carefully at what was plastered there.

"You don't know? All employees are excited about this photo gossip?"

Samuel then looked closely at the picture that Ariana showed. It only took a few seconds, then the man handed the cellphone back to the owner while saying, "

"No wonder all employees are the subject of gossip. It turns out that I am really cute in that photo."

"Sir!"

Ariana immediately grunted in disapproval. When he is serious, his boss is even narcissistic about his own appearance. Yes, Ariana knows Samuel is handsome. But don't talk about it at a critical time like now.

"Why are you even discussing looks? This is me being serious."

"Yes, what do you want?"

"Why don't you take any action after knowing that all office employees are gossiping again?"

"Leave it alone, Ariana."

Seeing Samuel's expression, which was so normal, Ariana even wondered. In fact, it was the boss himself who from the start asked for their relationship not to be exposed by other people especially office employees so as not to cause hot gossip. Why are you being wishy-washy now?

"Just let it be? I didn't hear it wrong?

"Yes, what should I do? After all, this gossip will surely subside by itself."

Ariana looked even more irritated. For God's sake, why this boss' attitude can be like a chameleon who likes to change is not clear!

"It's not rain, sir! What can stop on its own without having to do anything. Besides, wasn't it yesterday that you were excited about our relationship not being exposed by the media or office employees? Why do you seem indifferent and normal now?"

"The problem is, the woman's face in the photo can't be seen clearly. So why should I be concerned. After all, they all won't know if it's actually you."

"So, according to you, in the next photo, I have to make my appearance clearer? So that everyone knows that I am Mr. Samuel's future wife?"

"That's not the concept either. I mean, since the woman in the photo isn't clearly visible, that means neither of us need to worry."

"But, sir ----"

"Okay, don't worry about it." Samuel casually cut in. In fact, there were many words that Ariana had not finished conveying to the man. "You don't need to take care of this. Let the rest be Axton's business for handling the photos that have spread. It's better for you to return to your room and focus on cleaning up office matters before leaving for Bali next week."

Ariana repeatedly seemed to take a deep breath so that her emotions would not be provoked. You really have to be extra patient with bosses who are annoying and love to mess around like Samuel.

***

Meanwhile, separated by tens of thousands of kilometers from Indonesia, a beautiful woman looks nervous and grumpy in front of the mirror. Supposedly, at this time he was waddling on the catwalk.

However, as if something was blocking her heart and mind, the woman chose to reflect and remain silent in the make-up artist's room. Of course this action made the manager distraught because they had to look for his whereabouts.

"Valerie! What are you doing here all the time? Coach Alden has been waiting for you to perform."

The woman named Valerie turned her head slightly. Lazily, he tried to respond to what the man in front of him said.

"Can I have permission to be absent today?

"Absent? What's wrong with you? Are you sick? Not feeling well? Or what?"

The tall, tall man stepped closer with an equally worried expression. He took his hand and pressed it right against Valerie's forehead. Checking and ascertaining whether the talent is in a state of illness so he suddenly asks permission not to appear.

"Your body is not hot. Nor is it cold. That means you are healthy, right?"

"I'm not sick, Jo."

"Then why do you suddenly want to be absent from the gig schedule? Everyone is waiting for you at the front."

Valerie sighed. From the look on her face, it was clear that she was thinking about something heavy.

"I want to return to Indonesia as soon as possible."

"WHAT?! Are you serious? Don't joke, Vio. Your contract is still three months away. In fact, yesterday you yourself wanted to extend it to six months. Why is it suddenly changing now?"

Valerie nodded. Previously, because she was too obsessed with appearing with big brands, Valerie was so arrogant. Without thinking, he just accepted all the offers that came in with the alibi of wanting to increase his flying hours as a world-class photo model.

And now? When she has a problem with her boyfriend, Valerie is confused. He has to be bothered with how to arrange and get around the schedule so he can steal time to return to Indonesia, even if only for a short time.

"Yeah, I know, Jo. But now that I think about it, I can't be here too long."

"But what reason? Why did it suddenly change like this?"

"Samuel was furious. He even ended our relationship unilaterally. I can't if I have to lose him."

The man named Joshua immediately chuckled with distaste. That's why from the start he asked Valerie not to have an affair with anyone. If it had happened like now, surely he would also be the one who had bothered to find a way out.

"Oh come on, Valerie. Don't waste your time for bullshit relationships! From the start, Samuel didn't support your career at all!"

"What did you say just now? Samuel and I are nothing more than bullshit?"

Valerie's face immediately turned red with anger. He didn't like it when Joshua said things about his girlfriend, Samuel.

"You've always known, Jo. I really love Samuel. And now? She got angry and broke up our relationship unilaterally. I can't just keep quiet!"

"Then you want to destroy the career that you have worked so hard to build just because you want to go home to see Samuel? Don't be crazy, Valerie. Don't risk your current efforts for things that aren't important."

"No, Jo. I have to go back to Indonesia as soon as possible. I don't want to lose Samuel."

Valerie by then had risen from her seat and prepared to leave. However, because of his alertness, Joshua immediately pulled back Valerie's body. Hugging tightly. Asking the woman not to move one bit from his side.

"Don't ruin your career just because of a trivial matter like this."

"But I really have to go home to clarify and clarify my relationship with Samuel."

"Your relationship will be fine, Vio. Have you forgotten that Samuel loves you to death? Have you forgotten the sacrifice she has made for you? So it's impossible for Samuel to just dump you."

"But he's serious this time, Jo. He even blocked all my contacts."

"Valerie ... it's ok. Surely right now Samuel really needs time to be alone. Isn't this not the first time she's angry with you? But in the end she came back and acted as if nothing had ever happened, right?"

"But Jo----"

"Come on, Vio. I won't forbid you if you want to return to Indonesia. But, please, not now. At least finish your work contract here first. Be patient for another two or three months. After that, you may take a few weeks off to return home. Indonesia before we return to Paris."

Valerie closed her eyes for a moment. He was really confused and also awry. If she doesn't come home, Valerie is afraid that Samuel will really end their long relationship. But on the other hand, if Valerie returns to Indonesia when her gig schedule isn't over, her modeling career could be ruined. Not to mention that all major vendors will regard it as an unprofessional model at work.

Really, Valerie really felt a dilemma. What was happening right now made it very difficult to think clearly.

"Come on Valerie. I promise, after this is over, I myself will accompany you back to Indonesia to meet Samuel."

Seeing how persistent Joshua was persuading, Valerie finally gave in. He believes, after the work contract is completed, his manager will definitely keep his promise.