Chapter 3

Ariana seemed to be sitting there feeling nervous and restless. Her net was busy looking here and there for the figure of Samuel Walters he had been waiting for. Instantly evil thoughts danced in Ariana's brain. Was the man seriously going to see her this afternoon?

Instead of talking at the office, Samuel, who also works as his boss, even invited Ariana to meet at a cafe in the middle of the city. If they wanted to be private, they shouldn't have to meet in an open, crowded place like this.

"Have you been waiting long?"

During the silence, a man's baritone voice suddenly snapped Ariana out of her reverie. Slightly looking up, he found the figure of Samuel sitting perfectly in front of him.

"I-I---"

"If you look around, it looks like you can't wait to see me this afternoon," Samuel interrupted, guessing.

"Don't be too confident. Here, it's Mr. who needs help," said Ariana casually. Not only Samuel also needs that man to solve the problems that are entangling him.

Meanwhile, Samuel didn't answer. The man chose to look back at Ariana deeply. It was as if he was reassessing the appearance of the woman he would bring to meet his parents and extended family in a few days.

Being stared at in such a way, of course, made Ariana a little embarrassed. She could feel Samuel's cold and domineering aura.

"Have you ordered a drink?" asked Samuel to start the conversation. The man's voice was profound.

"Not yet, sir." Ariana nodded slowly. She didn't need a drink. However, after a few minutes of meeting the man in front of her, Ariana immediately felt that she needed something to relieve the nervousness that had settled down a bit.

"Then let me order." Samuel then waved at one of the servers who was on guard. After receiving the menu book, he seemed to open it and then choose which drink seemed right to accompany the conversation between them.

"Two Matcha Green Tea Frappuccinos." While waiting for his order to arrive, Samuel looked back at Ariana. Nod, then speak.

"So, how's it going? You agreed to my offer a few days ago?"

Calmly Ariana nodded. Even though he also needed the money his boss handed him this time, he still couldn't seem so hopeful. What is there? Later, Samuel will act arbitrarily or underestimate himself.

"After I thought deeply, there's nothing wrong with agreeing to your offer yesterday."

Samuel gave a faint smile. I feel a little relieved because the problem about the couple can finally be resolved. Now, he need not worry. It was just a matter of waiting for the day to carry out the plans he and Axton had neatly laid out.

"Okay, since there is an agreement, then do you want me to pay by cash, transfer, or check?" "Anything is fine, sir. But..." Ariana seemed to pause her sentence on purpose. He was glancing then at Samuel's soot-black net. Which of these actions invites questions to the man who works as his boss?

"But what?"

"I don't want to be paid only 100 million."

Samuel's brow furrowed in reflex. Ariana is asking you to negotiate; how about that? After yesterday's refusal, I now agree but ask for more payment.

"You want more?" guessed Samuel.

"Yes sir."

"Okay, no problem. So, how much do you ask for more?"

"250 million for a night or one meeting."

"Crazy!" Samuel immediately exclaimed with wide eyes. He thought Ariana was asking for an additional 10, 20, or a maximum of 50 million. He didn't know the woman who worked as his secretary had set such an unmitigated amount. "You're too much, aren't you?"

Ariana shrugged nonchalantly. It didn't matter if Samuel wanted to think of her as a mature woman, or whatever. She needed this money to manage the bank bills entangling the orphanage where he lived.

"Yes, it's up to you, whether you want to agree or not."

"What is your advantage that I have to pay that much?" Full of confidence, Ariana responded to Samuel's question. Leaning slightly, he then whispered.

"I have everything you're looking for. And I can assure you, your entire family loves me without exception."

Samuel chuckled. The man then leaned back against the chair. Fold your arms in front of your chest, then answer casually.

"You are confident too, girl. But isn't it too much? If it's 250 million, I'd better book all the artists. The quality is clearer."

"Oh, go ahead." Ariana immediately chimed in quickly. "I have never forced you to use my services. If you are not willing. I think our discussion ends here."

Then he walked away towards the cafe's exit while counting down in his heart. Right on the count of five. She could hear his boss calling his name again.

"Ariana."

Yes!

Ariana squealed with joy in her heart. Keeping his face calm, he, of course, immediately stopped walking. Glancing gracefully, then responding.

"Yes?"

"Okay, deal. I agree with your offer."

The corners of Ariana's lips immediately lifted high. Still maintaining the image, the woman turned around to sit back in her previously occupied chair. She was slowly watching Samuel, who took out a chequebook from the pocket of his jacket. Then the man, without hesitation, wrote down the nominal Ariana had previously proposed. Actually, for Samuel, 250 million is not a big deal. Of course, a lot of money. However, giving that much money to people he didn't know made him suspicious.

"Here, 250 million according to your request. I hope what you said and promised, can be proven later. If not, I ask for double the compensation."

After handing over the check, Samuel got up and left. Leaving Ariana smiling with satisfaction at having managed to get what she needed so quickly.

***

After returning from her brief meeting with Samuel, Ariana resumed all pending work. With full concentration, the beautiful woman typed and recorded all the documents Samuel had read and signed.

"Ariana, this is the agenda for Mr. Samuel's meeting with several co-workers for next week. You can check and evaluate first." Alice Ryder, a working woman from the planning division, came to Ariana. He handed over some important files for his colleague to check.

"Okay, Alice. I'll check all this later, I'll check it right away," said Ariana without taking her eyes off the personal computer screen in front of her. He is so focused on completing a task that will soon be completed.

"Ariana..." another figure called out the woman's name. "This is a dress and other equipment from Mr. Samuel. Please wear it during the event."

Ariana stopped her fingerwork. Lifting his face, he found Axton standing right in front of his desk. Ariana hastily got up and accepted the white paper bag that Axton had brought.

"Yes, sir. I'll use it later. Thank you very much for delivering it."

After Axton left, Alice, who was still standing beside Ariana's desk, approached. Curious, the woman immediately asked.

"Ariana, for what purpose did Mr. Samuel give you stuff? You're no longer having an affair with our polar boss, are you?" he whispered as he looked around to ensure no one else overheard their conversation. Ariana shook her head. He casually answered the question of his colleague and friend.

"It's a long story, Alice."

"Along what? Along memory lane?" joked Alice. "How come you didn't tell me? We're still friends, right?"

Ariana, who had finished her work, looked up again. Staring at Alice with a smile. "Essentially, Mr. Samuel asked me to accompany you to Mother Arabella's birthday party."

"The Empress of the Pacific Palace?"

Ariana nodded. "Yes. According to confirmation, Ms. Arabella threw a big birthday party. She asked Mr. Samuel to come with her partner."

Alice's eyebrows almost knit together at this one explanation. "So, what does that have to do with you, Ariana? I mean, if you were asked to come with your partner, why did Mr. Samuel come with you instead of his girlfriend?"

Ariana shrugged her shoulders. As if he didn't care about what was behind his boss asking him to take his place. "I told you it's a long story. I'll tell you later after all my work is done. You'd better go back to the room now. Later when Mr. Axton sees that he's still hanging out here, we can give you both SP."

Dissatisfied with Ariana's answer, Alice couldn't help but chuckle lazily. Before actually leaving, the woman whispered to Ariana again as if giving a warning. "Be careful, Ariana. At first, what you pretend to be will turn out to be real, you know."

"Alice!" Ariana immediately glared. Meanwhile, Alice walked away laughing with satisfaction.