Chapter 24

"Sir, the meeting room for today is ready. We were informed that Pakuwon will arrive at the Palma building in about 10 minutes."

This morning when she arrived at the office, Samuel was immediately preoccupied with all kinds of preparations. According to the schedule, William from the Pakuwon Group will visit Palma Palace in person to follow up on business matters that they previously agreed on.

Ariana herself today was asked to be on standby. Don't forget, today's meeting was able to happen because the Pakuwon side really wanted the woman to participate in this big tender.

"Ariana, are you ready?" Samuel asked over the intercom from her desk.

"Yes, sir. Whenever you ask me to join, I will immediately follow."

"Then let's go straight to the meeting room right now. Let's just wait for Mr. William and the Pakuwon people to arrive at this building."

Receiving such an order, this second Ariana also immediately prepared everything she needed for the presentation of the meeting later. As soon as he saw Samuel and Axton coming out of the main room, he immediately stood up. Then followed the two men to the meeting room which was one floor below the chairman's room.

Luckily Mr. William is the type of person who is on time. The middle-aged man made an appointment at exactly 11am. And arrived at the meeting room exactly at the time he promised, no less and no more.

It should be appreciated indeed. Even though he has become a big businessman whose business has taken over, he doesn't necessarily want to go around and still make time the most valuable thing.

"Welcome, Mr. William. I really thank you for taking the time to come in person to today's meeting," Samuel greeted respectfully and kindly when welcoming her guests.

"Don't overdo it Mr. Samuel. I should be the one thanking you for being welcomed like this. After all, how could I miss today's important meeting, let alone knowing that Mrs. Ariana was also present."

After shaking Samuel's hand, William's gaze turned to Ariana who was standing next to the man. Throwing a friendly smile, the big boss of the Pakuwon group immediately greeted.

"How about Miss Ariana? Are you ready to accept the challenge from Pakuwon?"

Ariana flashed a smile. The beautiful woman confidently nodded. It's also not a new thing for him to be a business planner or target planner for a big tender.

"Very ready, Mr. William. I can't even wait to convey and describe the brilliant ideas that are in my brain right now."

The meeting lasted approximately two hours. Ariana explained all kinds of breakthroughs and business plans in her presentation. Not only William, Samuel was amazed by the expertise that his wife had.

"After hearing Mrs. Ariana's explanation at length, I am even more convinced to cooperate. For that, let's formalize this business agreement. Hopefully everything can go according to plan."

Hearing William's words, Samuel gave thanks. In the end, one of the dreams he has been chasing has come true. I'm also happy because Ariana has made the whole process easier. He even promised to give additional gifts to the woman who is now his wife.

***

Ariana descended the stairs where she lived with consciousness that had not been fully collected. While wiping her eyes that were still half sticky, the woman's faint sense of smell caught the fragrance coming from the food.

Following her instincts, Ariana quickened her pace. Turning into the dining room and he was immediately taken aback when his eyes found Samuel's figure struggling in front of the stove wearing her pink apron.

At first glance the man looks cute and adorable. Like a famous chef, Samuel looks good at frying eggs on the stove to the left. Then on the stove next to it, the man also did not fail to notice the sausages and beef he was roasting.

While continuing to stare, Ariana slowly pulled up a chair. Sit himself there. Until not long, a voice of rebuke came from the narrow-eyed man.

"Can you just look at it normally or not? I'm self-aware that I'm handsome from any angle."

Ariana immediately chuckled. For matters of confidence, Samuel really doesn't need to be doubted. In fact, if necessary, he can get a MURI award because his husband has too high a narcissistic level.

"Don't worry! What are you doing anyway?"

"I, what?" Samuel pointed to herself.

"Yeah, what are you doing?"

"Gibahin the neighbors to the fish that I'm cooking," Samuel chattered playfully.

"Oh, sorry!"

Samuel then turned around again. Tidy up the eggs, sausages, and meat that he has cooked on the dinner plate beforehand. Poured the black pepper sauce that was in the pot, then handed it to Ariana.

"You have clearly seen me cooking. What else do you need to ask," the man chuckled after taking a sitting position in front of Ariana.

Ariana rolled her eyes in exasperation. She knew her husband was indeed cooking. It's just, she felt strange, for what purpose her husband suddenly busied himself in the kitchen.

"I know you're cooking, not at a concert. What I mean, on what occasion? Besides, can you really cook?" asked Ariana with narrowed eyes. Sansi is right with the ability that Samuel has.

"Just eat the American Breakfast that I just put on your plate. If you don't like it, I'll treat you to some chicken porridge tomorrow for a month."

Ariana laughed. He grabbed the knife and fork neatly arranged on the edge of the plate. Start cutting the meat that has been smeared with black pepper sauce. Scoop, then chew slowly. Trying to digest all kinds of flavors that arise from these foods. Then not long after, she heard the woman muttering while shaking her head.

"No...no way. This is really good. Are you sure it's you who cooked it? Since when can you cook food this good."

Samuel laughed contentedly. Successfully proved the hidden skill he had so far.

"Yes, I can't help it. I'm too perfect, Ariana. That's why many women have had a crush on me from the beginning."

"Jesus Christ! Can you or not? Your narcissist is removed for a moment?"

Another chuckle escaped Samuel's lips. While chewing his food, the man slowly returned to explain what Ariana had previously asked.

"Actually, cooking is not a new ability. In the past, when I was studying in America, I had to live alone and live independently. No matter how rich Papa and Mama were, they still didn't let me live comfortably."

"Oh yes?"

Samuel nodded.

"Yes. So for about 6 years there until my master's degree was completed, I did everything I needed to do independently including cooking. Recently when I moved to Indonesia and was busy taking care of the company, I didn't have time to go into the kitchen."

"So? Why now suddenly enter the kitchen?"

Samuel tugged at the corners of her lips. The man seemed to smile sweetly.

"On purpose. I really had the intention to cook you as a form of thanks."

"Thank you for what?"

"Thank you for helping Palma to get a big tender from Pakuwon. I don't think this dish is comparable to what Palma got. But you need to know, I sincerely cooked this for you."

she smiled. Felt flattered by what Samuel had just conveyed to him. He thought, this arrogant man who used to be so annoying can't thank other people. In fact, Ariana's guess was wrong.

"In that case, I also thank you for the cooking. Wasn't it my job from the start to convince Pakuwon to continue working with Palma?"

"Yes," nodded Samuel. "You are right. And my thanks are not just in the form of food," said the man then.

"You mean?"

Seeing Ariana putting on a confused face made Samuel smile again. Finishing his eating activities, then the man was willing to answer what was asked by Ariana.

"After eating, you immediately change clothes. I want to take you somewhere."

"Where are you going this Sunday, Samuel?" asked Ariana getting curious.

"Okay, don't ask too many questions. You'll find out for yourself where I'm taking you."

Ariana pulled her face while clucking. Because he was very curious, he hastily ate all the food on the plate. Once done, hurry back to the room to change clothes. While Samuel herself chose to wait in the television room.

Ariana spent 15 minutes getting dressed and getting ready. Once down and making sure he was ready, Samuel immediately led Ariana to the car.

On the way, Samuel didn't answer any of Ariana's questions about where they were going. Not long after, the man's black Ferrari car entered the area of the biggest playground in North Jakarta, which of course made Ariana even more curious.

"Samuel, why did you take me to Dufan?"

Samuel just smiled. After parking the car perfectly, the man helped open the car door and then asked Ariana to get down.

"I want to invite you to play here."

"Huh? Playing at Dufan? I didn't hear wrong, did I?"

Samuel nodded confidently, then grabbed Ariana's wrist to quickly enter. After passing through the inspection door, Ariana was made even more dumbfounded. In the area of the play complex, Ariana found all the children of the orphanage along with other caregivers who came to accompany and supervise. Of course, he was a surprise that he really didn't expect.

"Samuel, you----"

"Yes," said the man. "A few days ago, I took the time to visit you at the orphanage. And again, I also promised to take the orphans to visit the playground. Since the moment is just right and it's also a holiday, there's nothing wrong with me taking them all over. here for us to play together."

While smiling broadly, Ariana shook her head in disbelief. So excited by Samuel's sweet behavior, the woman pinched her husband's arms many times.

"Ariana, it hurts!" complained Samuel.

"Why are you being so cute?"

"Yes, I've always been sweet. You're the only one who's just realized," replied the man with an indifferent face.

The two then joined the orphanage. Approaching and then greeting Mother Clara who was standing handing out the vehicle entry card.

"Mom," Ariana called. As soon as their positions were close to each other, without the awkwardness, the beautiful woman immediately burst into a hug.

"How are you?" asked Clara after unraveling her embrace.

"Good and healthy. As you see now."

Clara said thank you. Indeed, there was no need to doubt Ariana's condition after her foster daughter officially became the wife of an Artendra.

"Mr. Samuel, how are you?" At that moment Clara immediately turned her gaze to the man who had kindly invited all the orphans to have fun today

"Fine, Mother. Same as Ariana."

"Since becoming Mr. Samuel's wife, Ariana has been kind, right?" he asked to make sure. Remembering before marriage, Clara knows how snappy Ariana was with Samuel when they were at the orphanage.

"Don't worry, Mother. Ariana is tame."

"Thank God. Mother feels relieved. But, as long as you are a wife and sleep together, Mr. Samuel is safe, right?"

Samuel pulled her face, she didn't understand this one question.

"What do you mean?"

"Mother, don't spread disgrace," Ariana begged in a pleading tone. His head kept shaking repeatedly.

"Yes, at the orphanage, Ariana is known for not being able to sleep still. Likes to go around. Sometimes her younger siblings are made to roll with her."

"Ah..." Samuel raised her head. He understood what his wife's foster mother meant. "Yes, mother is right. Ariana's sleep is really dangerous, Mom. Like a lumping horse possessed! Sometimes, she kicks Samuel until she falls."

"Don't be ridiculous, Samuel!" Ariana's delict. Gone is his pride told so.

"Uh, that's true. You're sleeping. How can you realize what you're doing."

Clara burst out laughing. Even though he wasn't 100% sure what Samuel said was true or just fictitious, he found it funny to see the expression the man was showing.

"Alright, ah! Let's talk about it later. Over time, all my disgrace was exposed here," protested Ariana.

The woman then pulled Samuel to immediately join the orphanage. Start trying one by one the rides that are there.

"Samuel, I'm tired of going up the Ferris wheel many times," complained Ariana when she had just got off the Ferris wheel which she had ridden three times.

"Then what do you want to play?" asked Samuel curiously.

"How about a roller coaster?"

Samuel stared in horror. In all his life he had never been on an extreme ride like a roller coaster or the like.

"No, ah. It's better to go on another ride. If I go a little wrong on the roller coaster, I can move to another world, Ariana."

"Come on, please. If you don't want to accompany me, then who will I ride with?"

"Yeah, just ride it yourself," Samuel replied with an indifferent expression.

Ariana then pouted angrily. Not responding anymore, choosing to walk ahead of Samuel. The woman's feet then fixed on the roller coaster line to the west of the Ferris wheel. Before actually lining up to get on board, Ariana seemed to be glancing around as if looking for something.

When what he was looking for met, the woman approached. Then approached a young man who was seen walking alone.

"Sorry, do you want to ride the roller coaster?" asked Ariana to the point.

"Yes."

"You yourself?"

"Yes, I am," said the man.

"Okay, just come with me, do you want it or not?" Ariana offered without hesitation.

Samuel who saw what happened immediately glared. At that moment, he immediately approached Ariana, then grabbed the woman's arm to get away from the man who had previously been invited to ride with her.

"Samuel! Are you okay?"

"What's wrong with you? You want to go on a roller coaster with another guy."

"Yes, after all, you were invited or not. It's not my fault if you invite other people."

Samuel sighed in exasperation. Without saying much, he immediately pulled Ariana into the VIP roller coaster line on the right.

"Okay, I'll accompany you to go up. But remember! Only once."

Ariana immediately smiled broadly. Happy not to play what he wanted in the end granted by Samuel.

After a few minutes of standing in line, it was their turn to board. Ariana is certainly very enthusiastic about being able to ride the roller coaster train. In contrast to Samuel who looked pale. The man's lips were muttering as if casting a spell. Maybe also praying for protection from God so they don't die in vain after getting off this one game arena.

10 minutes of tossing and turning on the roller coaster, Ariana and Samuel finally got off. If Ariana didn't feel the slightest bit of trouble, Samuel looked silent instead.

"You're okay, right?" asked Ariana when she found her husband who was only silent.

Samuel shook her head. Choosing to sit in the visitor seats available on every street corner, the man muttered like someone who had no zest for life.

"This is enough for me to go up like this, Ariana. Not again."

Ariana laughed. Finally he knew why Samuel had been silent when asked to speak.

"This is awesome Samuel. You suck so much."

"How exciting? It feels like I'm close to death. As long as you know, it felt like my spirit left my body when the train was going around and around in an unclear way up there. If it's really dead, you might become a widow."

Ariana immediately laughed. Felt funny mixed with pity seeing Samuel who was really frustrated after complying with her request.

Feeling sorry for her husband's condition, Ariana took the initiative to take Samuel and the other orphans to rest and enjoy lunch for a while. When it was enough, then he returned to play. Even after moving to Seaworld to see the sea animals that were there.

"Handsome brother, thank you very much for the gifts. I hope that your fortune will always be smooth," said the orphans after they had finished going around all the rides and were getting ready to go back home.

"You're welcome. Next time, during school holidays, we'll have fun. So, you have to study hard. If all of your grades are good, big brother will take you to the zoo."

Everyone immediately cheered. Ariana was even impressed by what Samuel had just said. He was increasingly convinced that the man next to him did have a kind heart that he had never expected.

After all the orphans left, it was Ariana and Samuel's turn to get ready to head to the parking lot. Before actually leaving, Ariana chose to sit in one of the available corner seats in the front yard of the Seaworld building. The woman slowly took off the sneaker and socks she was wearing. For the sake of checking the heels and the back of his feet which turned out to be blisters.

"Come on, Ariana, hurry to the car. I'm tired," Samuel called.

"Just a moment."

Samuel, who saw the condition of Ariana's feet, immediately approached. Approach then ask.

"Why are your feet so red?"

"It looks like it's scuffed because the shoes are too tight."

"Then you can walk, can't you?"

Ariana nodded.

"You can, really."

"Okay then."

After saying that, Samuel walked away. Not the slightest intention to help. Ariana, who was still wiping her feet, immediately chuckled. Though she hoped her husband would do something for her.

"You guys are insensitive. Help carry your bag, grandpa. Or offer something like that. Instead, just walk away."

Ariana was still rubbing her feet. After feeling less sore, he tried to put back on the socks he had previously taken off.

However, as soon as he wanted to put on the socks, Samuel's hand suddenly blocked him. As soon as he looked up, the man was already sitting knee-deep right in front of Ariana's feet while unwrapping the wet tissue and also the wound plaster with a picture of a whale typical of Seaworld.

"What do you want?" she asked.

"Can you ask that with a little weight?" Samuel's lyrics. "Watch your hands, let me clean the blisters first."

Samuel then wiped the two scuff marks on Ariana's feet with the wet tissue she was already holding. Believing it was clean, the man slowly glued a special wound plaster on Ariana's two blistered feet.

"Enough. Now, you can put your socks back on."

"Thank you," Ariana said sincerely.

"With my pleasure."

As soon as she made sure Ariana had put on her socks and sneakers, Samuel reached out. The intention of the heart wants to guide the woman to walk towards the place where her car is parked.

"You can walk all the way to the parking lot, right?"

"Yes," said Ariana.

A few steps walk, Ariana does look normal. But, not long after, she heard the woman groaning softly maybe because she felt the pain from her blisters rubbing against the shoes she was wearing.

Not wanting to keep seeing Ariana in pain, Samuel turned around. Unexpectedly grabbed his wife's body and carried her towards the car.

"You don't have to protest and you don't have to ask a lot of questions. Just be quiet, and just enjoy it."

Ariana, who had wanted to protest, immediately swallowed back the words she wanted to say after hearing the warning Samuel gave. Choosing silence, enjoying until finally Samuel led him into the car then immediately went home.