Chapter 22

"Sir, I have done all the reports and tidied up everything. Is there anything else I have to do after this?" asked Ariana when she was in Samuel's room.

"Nothing. I'll just check one by one later. Thank you for your help."

"If you don't have one, when you come home from work later, I have permission to go to the orphanage, it might be a bit late to come home."

Today, Ariana is deliberately focused on completing her work at the office so she can go home early. Having not seen his younger siblings and foster mother for a long time, he plans to visit after work later.

Because at this time her status was already Samuel's wife, it was necessary for Ariana to ask permission. Just anticipate that the man doesn't look for his whereabouts, who might come home late tonight.

"No way," Samuel said later. The man stopped moving his hands on the laptop keyboard in front of him. Lifting his face, then looked closely at Ariana's face. "I'm not letting you go tonight."

Ariana immediately pulled her face. The woman was even prepared to protest. However, realizing that he was currently in the office, he abandoned that intention.

Ariana took several deep breaths. Try your best not to get emotional. Don't forget, Samuel is notoriously annoying.

"Why can't you? Didn't you say just now that my work was done. So? Why wasn't I allowed to visit the orphanage?"

Samuel shifted her seat. Leaning both shoulders on the back of the chair, the man replied casually.

"Mama invited us to have dinner with the extended family today. So, you can't go anywhere. She is holding this special event to welcome you as a new member of the Walters family."

Ariana took a deep breath. Taking a step forward, the woman spoke back in a slight whisper.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Yeah, I just told you, Ariana."

"But it's so sudden, Samuel. I've already called the orphans and even made an appointment."

"Just call again. Say it will be replaced another day. Do I need to call Clara's mother?"

Ariana was getting sullen. It was certain that her husband would not accept the negotiations that he conveyed. You know that Samuel has already said it, it's forbidden for the man to be refuted.

"You are annoying!"

"Why are you annoying? You just protested to Mama, why did you suddenly tell her?"

"I can really protest."

Samuel chuckled. It was a pleasure to see Ariana's face, which was now even more bent and sullen.

"There's no need to protest. Now you get ready, we'll go home in 30 minutes. Next time when you visit the orphanage, I'll be the one to take you."

Instead of being happy, Ariana even threw a doubtful glance. He had a very busy schedule for the next few days. If you wait for Samuel to deliver, that means it's going to take a long time.

"No need. Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow I'll just go alone."

"Whatever. The important thing is I've been kind enough to offer myself."

While continuing to chuckle in annoyance, Ariana left Samuel's room. Because she didn't want to keep her orphans waiting, she immediately called to inform them about the change in her visit schedule.

When it was time to go home, still feeling irritated, he followed Samuel to the car. Hastily returned home, then prepared himself to attend the dinner held by Walters's extended family.

"Ariana, why are you wearing that dress?"

Samuel, who at that time was buttoning up the black shirt she was wearing, immediately glared with disapproval. His eyes immediately squinted sharply when he saw Ariana, who had just come out of the walk in closet, appeared to be wearing an evening dress with an open shoulder model with slightly wide cleavage.

"So what?" asked Ariana with a confused face.

"Do you want to go out for dinner? Or do you want to sell at Taman Lawang?"

"You think I'm a sissy!" Ariana immediately grunted in disapproval. It's nice to be beautiful like this likened to a creature.

"Change! I don't like you wearing clothes that are too sexy like that."

Ariana chuckled. Of course he felt strange. Why was Samuel angry, even though she got these clothes from the wardrobe, which her husband had already prepared the contents for himself.

"Isn't this the dress you bought? Even in the closet, there are lots of dresses that are sexier than this."

Samuel let out a long sigh. Instead of answering, the man advanced toward Ariana. Pulling the woman's wrist to follow her into the walk in closet. In fact, Samuel took part in checking her own collection of dresses which were stored neatly in her bedroom wardrobe.

"Gosh, Axton! Why are all the dress styles like this?" Samuel exclaimed while shaking her head.

Before actually getting married, Samuel did assign her assistant to fill one of the cupboards in her room with everything Ariana needed. From formal wear, work clothes, dresses, bags, to shoes, the man deliberately prepared this as a form of compensation for Ariana's willingness to become his wife.

However, Samuel didn't expect that specifically for party dresses, Ben chose a collection that was too sexy and open. For some reason, basically Samuel really doesn't like seeing women wearing clothes that show off body parts too much. Moreover, this is the body of a woman who has the status of his wife. Samuel really felt uncomfortable with herself.

"You saw it yourself, right? All the dresses in the wardrobe are on average really sexy," Ariana babbled.

Samuel was silent. Taking his hand, the man opened one by one the dresses hanging in the wardrobe. Sharpening his vision, until his eyes caught a dress that he thought was not too sexy and open.

"You just wear this," Samuel said while holding out a broken white midi dress for the woman to wear immediately.

Lazy to argue, Ariana just complied. At that time, he immediately changed his costume and then approached Samuel who was already sitting waiting for him on the sofa.

"That's done. Shall we go now?"

Samuel looked up. Seeing Ariana's appearance, which according to him was much better than before, the narrow-eyed man nodded. Get up quickly and walk to the car.

Tonight, Samuel deliberately drove her own car. As soon as he arrived at Arabella's residence, he got off first. Going around the car, help open the door for Ariana.

Like a gentleman, Samuel reached out. Invite his wife to join hands. Hold tight. Then stepped in with a face like a happy couple in general.

"Ariana."

From a distance, Arabella who saw the presence of the daughter-in-law immediately called out impatiently. The woman who was still beautiful even though she was no longer young immediately approached. Throwing warm hugs alternately to Ariana and Samuel.

"It's been a long time. Mama's been waiting for a long time," said Arabella after breaking her hug.

"Samuel and Ariana just got home from work, Ma. Besides, why don't you have dinner on the weekends? You already know that their children are busy," Samuel protested later.

Arabella then chuckled. In fact, his intention was to hold this dinner to welcome Ariana who had just officially become part of the Walters family.

"Yes, later this weekend Mama will hold another event, how about it?"

"No," said Samuel. "If Samuel and Ariana are busy attending parties, then when can we have quality time together?"

Samuel certainly didn't mean what she said. Actually, he just lazy when asked to frequently attend family events like this.

"You're not really fun! In fact, Mama wants to see Ariana every week."

"If you just want to meet, Ariana, all you have to do is make an appointment with her. You don't need to have a party every week either, Mom."

Finished saying that, Samuel chose to mingle with the other families who came. Meanwhile Ariana was taken by Arabella to go around while getting acquainted with one by one the family members who were present that night.

"Samuel's wife is really beautiful," said Restia, who is Alfonso's sister, to Arabella when the woman asked her daughter-in-law around.

"Obviously beautiful. Samuel is really smart in choosing a wife. She's beautiful, independent, smart in business too. The complete package is all."

"Yes, sis. It's only fitting for Ariana to be an artist. Her look and appearance are very, very supportive. If she really becomes an artist, she will definitely succeed quickly and have lots of fans." Then Restia's gaze turned to Ariana.

"Ariana doesn't want to be an artist? If you're interested, you can really help me."

Meanwhile, Samuel, who was standing not far from his wife and aunt, was silently watching. Waiting carefully what answer the wife will give after this.

"Ariana doesn't have passion there, Aunt. It's more comfortable being a businessman than an artist," said the woman honestly.

Hearing Ariana's answer, for some reason Samuel's heart gave thanks. It's not that, even though her position is only a temporary wife, Samuel feels traumatized when she has a partner who is involved in the world of artisanal work.

"Too bad," Restia said again. "Even though your capital is complete. As soon as you debut, you will immediately sell out. Don't you want to try it first? There are also many artists who take business as a businessman."

"Don't force it, Aunt."

Finally, Samuel joined in. It was also hot to hear that his aunt had been pushing his wife. "Samuel even wants Ariana to no longer have to work like now."

"Why can't you even work?" asked Restia.

"Samuel is already rich. Samuel's wealth will not run out of seven generations either. Who are you tired of working like this for if not for your wife and family?" joked the man indifferently, then after that he left.

After Samuel left, Ariana returned to mingle with the entire Walters family. Trying to look comfortable, even though he also doesn't really like attending parties like now. For some reason, Ariana felt bored quickly when she had to keep making small talk with the invited guests.

"You didn't join the other families?"

Someone's greeting suddenly woke Ariana from her reverie. After walking around tiredly, he did decide to sit on one of the chairs, intending to stretch his tired leg muscles.

Just a few minutes sitting, heard someone reprimanded. Ariana reflex looked up. As soon as he turned to the source of the sound, he was stunned for a moment.

There was the figure of a man of great stature. Throwing a sweet smile, which made Ariana's heart tremble.

Really, Ariana had never seen a man as handsome as this before. Even just seeing it for the first time, he was already made so interested.

"Hey? You're okay, right?" said the man when he found Ariana, who had only been staring in silence.

"Huh? W-what? What are you asking?" repeated Ariana nervously.

"I said, why don't you join the other families. Instead, just sit here?

Ariana nodded. Finally understood what he had just asked.

"I'm really tired after walking around. So, instead of joining, I choose to relax here first."

"The name of a family party must be tiring, especially since the Walters family is known to be very excited and a little fussy," said the man and Ariana immediately nodded. "By the way, we don't know each other yet." He then took a seat right next to Ariana. Then after holding out his hand, inviting Ariana to get acquainted.

"I'm Randa Adiaksa Walters. Close cousin of Samuel."

Ariana flashed a smile. Reply reached out while introducing himself shyly. For whatever reason, he was now even more nervous himself.

"Ariana. Ariana Grey."

"The name is beautiful. As beautiful as the person," replied Randa honestly. And of course these words made Ariana immediately blush. Where has he ever received praise like what Randa just said in his life.

Ariana sat there for a long time while exchanging stories with Randa. I don't know what they discussed. Until not long, from another corner appeared Samuel.

Seeing his wife sitting engrossed in conversation with one of her cousins made the man feel a little uncomfortable. At that moment, Samuel rushed over to her. Unexpectedly, he even grabbed Ariana's wrist, asking his wife to get up immediately.

"Let's go home," the man ordered suddenly.

"Go home?" asked Ariana with a confused face. Even though he knew that dinner was not the least bit over.

"Why the rush, Ken? It's only nine o'clock at night," Randa asked. The man got up from his seat too.

"It's getting late. Besides, my wife needs rest because tomorrow morning she has to go back to work early."

"Oh, I see," said Randa. "It's not because you're jealous that he's still chatting with me, right?"

Samuel laughed lightly. It's okay to be jealous of a man who has a level far from himself.

"Camburu? Don't overdo it, Ran. The two of us are much different."

Finished saying that, Samuel gripped Ariana's wrist tightly. Bringing his wife to immediately leave the venue.

***

"JOSHUA!"

The screams echoed, filling the entire makeup room. There was Valerie who was staring angrily at the tablet she was holding.

A few minutes ago, he intended to read the news on fashion developments in Asia, especially Indonesia. His eyes suddenly fixated when he accidentally saw a banner on a news portal reporting a wedding plan from a well-known businessman who was so familiar to his eyes. Not to mention that there are also several intimate photos of the couple posted there. Although the woman's face was not very clear, Valerie certainly knew who the man was.

"This can't be! This must be wrong," Valerie muttered over and over again. The woman continued to deny what she had just read.

Meanwhile Joshua, the manager whose name was called earlier, immediately approached. Putting on a confused face, the man approached.

"Why, Vio? Why are you shouting like that?"

Valerie immediately turned around. Throwing a sharp gaze, the woman immediately pointed at the tablet screen she was holding.

"Don't tell me you don't know about this news?"

Joshua pulled his face away. Of course, he was confused when he came and was being held up with questions he didn't understand.

"What news do you mean?"

Valerie chuckled angrily. Switching to the tablet, the woman immediately zoomed in on the news she had just read to then show it to the manager.

"Read this news. Here, it is stated that Samuel is engaged and even officially married some time ago to a woman in Bali. For God's sake, this is a joke, right? Who is Samuel married to? Why don't you tell me about this?"

"I don't even know anything, Vio," Joshua immediately said.

"Liar! I'm sure you'll know. No wonder recently, you forbade me to hold my cellphone or tablet too long. You're hiding all of this on purpose, right?"

Being accused of this, Joshua immediately fell silent. It was true what Valerie said. From the beginning of this news, Joshua knew that his talent lover was engaged to another woman. Even when they are officially married.

Joshua deliberately hid all news regarding Samuel from Valerie. He didn't want his upbringing model to break his concentration which would actually interfere with his focus on work.

"Vio..." Joshua called in a tone as gentle as possible. "I didn't mean to hide this news from you."

"So what? You know that I really love Samuel. And now? I even got bad news. I have to go back to Indonesia, Jo. I have to meet Samuel as soon as possible."

Joshua shook his head. He certainly wouldn't let Valerie leave without finishing her work first.

"You can't, Vio. Your contract isn't finished. You can't just go to Indonesia. You have responsibilities here that you must complete first."

Valerie shook her head. The woman's face looked uncomfortable. There are feelings of sadness, annoyance, and anger mixed into one.

He remembered that the last time he contacted Samuel, his girlfriend had confirmed that their relationship was over. It was also Valerie's fault for repeatedly refusing when Samuel asked her to return to Indonesia for a while.

However, what made Valerie wonder, Samuel might have found a replacement in a short time and even married her right away. In Valerie's mind, was it that easy to forget her?

"Anyway, I want to go home. The day after tomorrow I'm going to Indonesia. Full stop!" Valerie insisted. What is his decision can no longer be contested.

"No, Vio. You can't go. I won't let you!"

"Jo!" Valerie again shouted angrily. It's so annoying why his manager forced his will by forbidding him to return to Indonesia.

"Anyway, you can't just leave here before your work contract is over!"

"Ok! I'm going to finish the last contract. Once done, please don't stop me from going home to see Samuel and sort this out."