Chapter 38

Some time before, Valerie had asked Joshua, the manager, to prepare for his return to Indonesia. The woman no longer wanted to be invited to compromise, let alone postpone her plans to meet Samuel in Indonesia soon.

Not to mention, Valerie's heart was made even hotter. He, who casually checked Samuel's social media, found several uploads of intimate photos and videos of his lover with other women who seemed to be enjoying their holidays abroad.

That's why, when today he set foot in Indonesia again, he chose to separate from Joshua. While her manager went straight to the apartment, Valerie herself, without much thought, immediately took herself to Samuel's office. He was sure, his girlfriend was still in the office at this time.

As soon as they arrived at the Palma building, wearing sunglasses and a black mini dress, the tall, slender woman looked relaxed. Just continue along the lobby to the corridor to the floor where Samuel's room is.

A smile kept on Valerie's lips when she ran into anyone at that time. He stopped when he reached the room he was going to.

Not finding Samuel's secretary on standby at her desk, Valerie chose to enter directly without needing permission first. After all, he had also been to his lover's room several times before.

Knocking once, Valerie immediately turned the lever on the door. Stepping in, he found the owner of the room looking busy struggling with the pile of files in front of him.

Valerie flashed a smile. There's no denying that we haven't seen each other in months. Longing for Samuel piled up very much. Moreover, it had been a long time since he had contact with each other either via video calls or just responding to short messages.

"Why else, Ariana? Is there a report you forgot to submit?"

While Valerie was watching Samuel, the man suddenly spoke without looking at the other person. He was sure that Samuel must have thought he was a secretary or staff working at Palma.

Not responding immediately, Valerie chose to step forward. Believing his position was very close, then he spoke.

"Dear."

The sentence flowed lightly. In the next second, Valerie could see how Samuel immediately looked up. Gasp for a moment. As if doubting what he was seeing. Then, not long after, the man answered the greeting that Valerie had previously given.

"Valerie."

Valerie's sudden appearance caused Samuel's brain to slow down. He really did not expect that the woman he knew was abroad could now be in Indonesia. In fact, right inside his study.

Valerie herself continued to smile. The woman awkwardly walked up to Samuel's position. And not long after, without the slightest feeling of awkwardness trying to hug Samuel's well-built body.

However, unexpectedly, the narrow-eyed man actually stepped back. Immediately rejecting the hug that Valerie will give.

"What are you doing, Valerie?"

"I just want to hug you, honey. Don't you miss me?" asked the woman confidently. "We haven't even seen each other for months. I'm sure you must feel the same way I feel now."

Samuel shook her head without saying a word. Seeing the reaction of the man in front of her, Valerie only smiled. Choose to retreat, then sat himself directly across from Samuel.

While outside the room, Ariana seemed busy finishing work at her desk. Moments later, he was a little surprised when he found Samuel suddenly coming out of the room.

It wasn't about Samuel's appearance that surprised him. But there was a figure of a woman he didn't know who also followed behind her husband.

"Ariana, I'm going out for a while. If someone is looking for or comes, you just rearrange the schedule," the man ordered.

"Where are you going, father?"

"I have business for a moment," he answered briefly and then just walked away with a strange woman walking behind him. Leaving a big question mark in Ariana's mind. Who exactly is this figure.

When evening came and it was time to go home, Ariana was still silent in her seat. She kept checking the watch on her wrist. Ariana also checked her cell phone several times.

Last time, Samuel sent him a text message. The man gave orders that he should not go home before he came.

Samuel: My business will be finished in a moment. You wait a moment, okay? Then we'll go home together.

Ariana: What are you doing, anyway? Have a business meeting? Why isn't it on the agenda?

After sending a response, Samuel no longer returned her messages. And now, it was past six in the afternoon. Until this moment, Samuel has not yet shown her nose. A little worried, Ariana tried to make contact. But nothing, his phone calls are not picked up at all. Feeling that her husband might still be busy, Ariana took the initiative to send a message.

Ariana : Where are you? Still long outside?

Ariana: So we go home together or not?

Ariana waited about 15 minutes. However, none of the messages he sent were replied to by the husband.

As it was getting dark, he decided to go down to the ground floor. Walked into the lobby and chose to wait for her husband there. Sanking worried and at the same time thinking about Samuel's condition, once again Ariana sent a message. It doesn't matter if the man later gets angry because he is disturbed by the series of messages he sent.

Ariana : Samuel, it's half past seven, you still long?

Ariana : If it's still a long time, I'll go home first. I've been waiting for you in the lobby.

Ariana : Where are you, anyway? It's not very clear.

Ariana: Samuel? Reply to my messages as soon as possible. You weren't abducted by aliens, were you?

While waiting for a reply, Randa, who had just come down from above, saw Ariana's presence. The man then approached because he was worried to see his cousin's wife looking very anxious and worried.

"Ariana, what are you doing here?"

"Mr. Randa," replied Ariana. He immediately stood up when the deputy leader was already in front of him. "I'm waiting for Mr. Samuel."

"Where is he?"

Ariana shrugged her shoulders. She did not know where her husband had gone.

"I don't understand. I was told to wait here. He said he wanted to go home together. But it was almost night, he was nowhere to be seen. No one answered my calls and messages either."

Randy nodded. The man took his cell phone out of his coat pocket. For a moment it seemed to contact someone. Then it didn't take long to focus on Ariana.

"I tried to call but he didn't pick up. Maybe he has an important meeting."

"Could be. But, why tell me to wait without certainty like this."

Randy laughed. He understood that Ariana could get annoyed like now.

"Okay, you just go home with me. Instead of being here alone, waiting for Samuel who isn't sure. You'll be kidnapped by people or even eaten by ghosts."

"Don't be like that, sir."

"Oh, I'm serious. So, just be with me. Don't be afraid, I won't bite."

Ariana thought for a moment. Considering seriously whether it is necessary to accept the offer that Randa gave. But lingering waiting for something uncertain like now is also unpleasant. Even if Samuel comes back to pick her up and doesn't find her, it will be her own fault for making her wait with uncertainty. Didn't even reply to the message he sent.

"Okay, I'll just go with you, instead of being here alone waiting like a missing person."

Randi smiled broadly. Finally the offer he gave was also accepted by Ariana. The two of them then walked to the car to go home together.

***

After eating dinner, Ariana decided to immediately return to the room. Taking the laptop, the woman immediately took a sitting position on the sofa. Continuing his work to evaluate the results of the presentation he had delivered to Pakuwon.

After thirty minutes of struggling with work, the door to the room was heard being opened. There was Samuel who had just entered the room. The man put the bag he was carrying on the table, then approached Ariana who was sitting.

"Why did you come home with Randa?"

Instead of apologizing first, the curt words came out of the narrow-eyed man's lips first. As if tucked of irritation from the words he said.

Ariana was just unmoving. The woman looked indifferent. Not the least bit concerned about Samuel who was standing waiting for his answer. Just keep on doing what he's doing.

"Ariana, you hear me, right?"

Ariana kept silent. This of course made Samuel even more exasperated.

"Ariana Grey Walters," called Samuel once again. The man's voice sounded slightly raised. "I'm talking to you. Please answer!"

In that instant, Ariana immediately looked up. It was obvious that he was showing such an annoyed expression. While staring intently, in the end he answered what Samuel had said earlier.

"If you pick me up on time, maybe I won't go home with Randa. Besides, why are you asking me to wait but you can't tell me exactly when to pick her up!"

Annoyance was clear on Ariana's face. Compared to Samuel, he really dislikes people who break promises.

"Not in the message I sent, I mentioned I would pick you up."

"Yes," nodded Ariana. "But you gave certainty not to pick him up at what time? Where is there a woman in this world who can stand being told to wait without certainty," he chuckled later.

"You should just wait, Ariana. Me, if I make a promise, I will keep it. The proof is that I will pick you up. But the security said that you went home with Randa instead."

"So you blame me?" Ariana then got up. Approach Samuel then speak again. "Okay. Okay, I really can't wait. I even went home with another guy on purpose. I was wrong here. Satisfied with you!"

Annoyed, Ariana then walked away. Choose to crawl up onto the bed, then lay himself there.

Samuel herself could only take a deep breath. Rubbing his face in exasperation, the man could see the obvious annoyance on his wife's face. If he hadn't brought Valerie out, maybe this debate wouldn't have been possible.

Because she didn't want to prolong the problem and also realized that she was wrong in this matter, Samuel approached Ariana who was lying down. Walking around, the man deliberately looked for where his wife's face was. Deliberately sitting cross-legged, then grabbed the woman's wrist.

"I'm sorry," she whispered softly. Samuel knows. It must not be easy to make his wife forgive what he has done. "I'm really sorry, Ariana. I was wrong because I've made you wait a long time without certainty."

Ariana was silent. Like women in general, she seemed to be selling at a high price to immediately respond or even apologize to her husband.

"You won't forgive me?" asked Samuel again.

Ariana was still shaking. Meanwhile, Samuel kept looking at her wife's face with a sad look. Occasionally, the man kissed Ariana's hand while continuing to say sorry.

"Okay, no need to kiss." Ariana then tried to pull his wrist. But swiftly, Samuel instead grabbed Ariana's body and hugged her.

"Samuel!"

"I'm not going to let go before you forgive me first."

"I'm also not going to forgive you before you explain first, who was the woman you were with at the office earlier? And where were you two until you forgot to pick me up."

"I haven't forgotten, honey. You're the only one who's impatient."

Ariana glared. He was still waiting for an answer to what Samuel would convey to the question he had just sent.

"If you can't answer. It's better to stay away. I want to sleep," Ariana then threatened.

"Okay ... okay ... you jerk. I'll tell you. The girl you saw at the office earlier was Valerie."

"Valerie?" Ariana's brow lifted high. He felt familiar with the name Samuel had just mentioned.

"Yes. Valerie Anastasia. She was my ex-girlfriend before marrying you."

Ariana gasped as she gaped. It didn't take long for him to respond to Samuel's words.

"That's what you don't want to marry, right? What he said was overseas."

"Yes," nodded Samuel.

"How come he's suddenly in Indonesia? For what purpose did he come to you?"

Samuel shrugged her shoulders. Actually, I also don't care about the reasons that accompany Valerie's return to Indonesia.

"How do I know, why he suddenly came home and came to meet me."

"Really? Then why are you two going out together."

"It's okay, Ariana."

"Are you sure you're okay?" Ariana's eyes narrowed. Not completely believing what Samuel just said. "He's your former favorite. He suddenly came home, I'm sure you'll think about it and remember it all the time."

Samuel chuckled. Rebutted strongly what Ariana accused him of.

"Remember your ex? How could you, Ariana. My person now is very grateful to have you."

Ariana blushed. The woman's reflex immediately pinched Samuel with exasperation.

"You bum. You're really good at seducing people."

"Oh, really. Besides, I've emphasized it many times. Your husband is not the type of guy who likes to play with women. So, I also can't have an affair. Unless God created more than one of you."

"Alah, that's it. You don't need to talk anymore. After a while, I melted listening to your jokes."

"So, I'm forgiven, right?" asked Samuel to make sure after seeing Ariana who started to smile after previously frowning and looking very annoyed.

"Yes, this time I forgive you," Ariana nodded, smiling.

"Thanks, honey. Then, hug me first."

Ariana did not refuse. With sincerity, he granted Samuel's request. Giving a brief hug before finally letting the husband go to clean himself.