Chapter 39

"Esmeralda."

Ariana immediately turned her head when she, who had just put her bag on the work table, saw Chacha suddenly come up to her right at lunch time. The beautiful white-skinned woman immediately pulled up a chair. Sit himself there. Then without saying much, immediately served two boxes of food on the table for him and Ariana to eat together.

Don't be surprised. Even though Ariana has become the wife of a leader, almost every day Chacha brings her friend food. It's been a long time, even since college days they both have a habit of spending lunch hours together. Just to eat food or snacks while discussing various topics.

"So, who did you go home with yesterday afternoon?" Chacha asked while opening the bento box lids he brought one by one.

"Same with Mr. Randa," said Ariana while tidying up the papers on her desk.

"Huh? Even Mr. Randa? I think it was Mr. Samuel who finally came to pick him up."

"Boro-boro," Ariana chuckled. Receiving the chopsticks from Chacha, Ariana without hesitation immediately took a piece of sushi and then fed it first. "Just imagine. I've been home for more than an hour, then he came home. And as soon as he got to the room, he immediately got angry."

Hearing Ariana's story, Chacha was amazed. It just felt weird that Samuel was mad at Ariana. While he knew that his best friend had been waiting faithfully since afternoon without moving a bit.

"Angry for what purpose?"

"On the occasion of August 17th."

"Yeah, after a while you caught Mr. Samuel. You're really good at being a person!"

Ariana laughed. Geli herself saw Chacha's sudden annoyed expression. While busy bribing her food, the woman finally explained why her husband's passion got angry. "He was angry because he knew I was going home with Pak Randa."

"Yeah. That's Mr. Samuel's fault, why wasn't it clear yesterday."

"I've protested too, Cha," said Ariana. "I said, it's my fault I can't be contacted. Eh, he still grumbles. He said, I'm the impatient one. In fact, yesterday he did pick me back to the office."

"But seriously picked up? I mean, he really came to the office to pick you up?"

Ariana nodded.

"If you don't really pick me up, how could he know that I'm going home with Pak Randa."

"But, wait a minute," interrupted Chacha. Putting down her chopsticks for a moment, the woman then focused her eyes on Ariana. "You asked, who was the woman who asked Mr. Samuel out yesterday?"

Again Ariana nodded casually. Finished his sushi first, then the woman gave an explanation.

"He said it was Valerie."

"Valerie? Valerie who? Business partner?"

"Uh, no, Cha. That's it, Valerie Anastasia. Mr. Samuel's ex-girlfriend who went abroad. I replaced her position to attend Mama Arabella's birthday."

"OMG!" Chacha glared. He didn't expect the news that Ariana had just delivered. When he was married and even just started a serious relationship, suddenly, a woman from his boss's past came unexpectedly. According to Chacha, surely this could cause problems. "So, Mr. Samuel went out together until evening and didn't even return your calls and messages because he was with his ex?"

"Yeah," said Ariana simply.

"Then what did they do out there for so long?"

Ariana shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly. She really didn't know for sure what kind of meeting or conversation had taken place between her husband and her ex-boyfriend.

"I don't know, Cha. I wasn't there."

"Yeah. I mean, last night Mr. Samuel did you interrogate, didn't you?"

"I did ask, anyway. What are they doing that they forget the time."

"Continue?"

"Keep crashing."

"Rosalinda!" Chacha exclaimed exasperatedly.

"Yes, Marmar."

"I'm serious, you're just kidding."

Ariana laughed. But as soon as he saw Chacha who was sullen, he then continued his story slowly.

"Yes, I asked what were you doing out there? Mr. Samuel just said they didn't do anything. I've asked twice. And he made sure he didn't mess around behind me. That's it. Because judging from his face, Mr. Samuel was honest And reassure me, I don't give a damn."

Chacha chuckled. This time he couldn't stop thinking about what his best friend was doing. How could Ariana be so santuy and relaxed when she found out that her husband had gone with another woman. In fact, it is clear that the woman is a former lover who may not have been completely forgotten.

"And you just believe in Mr. Samuel's explanation?"

Ariana nodded.

"What should I do? Get angry? Be cranky? Invoke a world war? Bring up this problem every time? It's really ridiculous. It's just like an unstable ABG."

"Not Alay, Ariana. But you are the one who is not normal. Husband going out with his ex, how can I be so relaxed. If I were you, it's been seven days and seven nights that I won't rebuke Mr. Samuel."

"Yes, that's you, Cha. I'm too lazy to be complicated and waste my energy on things that aren't important. Besides, that woman is just an ex, while I myself am the legal wife. Even if it turns out later, it turns out that there are signs that are not right between Mr. Samuel and that woman, I can handle it in my own way.”

Engrossed in telling stories and arguing at the same time, suddenly, unexpectedly, Axton came over to him. Bring a medium size paper bag, then hand it over to Chacha.

"Have you eaten? I bought yakiniku earlier. Try it, who knows, you might like it," said the man without the slightest bit of awkwardness. In fact, Ariana's position was right next to Chacha. Of course she could only gape at the unusual treatment her husband's assistant showed.

"Thanks a lot. I'll definitely eat."

Axton then smiled slightly. Then the man casually went to Samuel's room. Leaving Ariana who looked astonished and wondering at the same time. What is the relationship between a friend and her husband's personal assistant.

"Heh! Why are you smiling," Ariana scolded when she found Chacha who looked excited after receiving a food parcel from Axton.

"What the hell, Una! You can't really see people happy," Chacha replied angrily. The woman then took out a black bento box from the paper bag that Ben gave her earlier. Putting on a big smile, Chacha looks enthusiastic to try the yakiniku in front of him.

"You owe me an explanation. Why did Pak Axton give you all the food? Could it be ----"

Ariana's lips stopped moving. Before he finished speaking, Chacha covered his mouth with the yakiniku chicken cutlet. Makes him want to not want to chew the food immediately.

"Wait for the interrogation later. We'd better continue eating again."

***

Samuel closed her eyes for a moment. Taking a breath, the man tried very hard to expel what he was thinking at the moment. However, instead of disappearing, the image of the memory of the conversation with Valerie yesterday came back to his mind.

Yesterday, Samuel was indeed surprised by the sudden arrival of Valerie in her room. Not only that. His ex-girlfriend even acted as if nothing had happened to their relationship. Trying to be friendly. Seemed to want to let go of longing as if it had no fault or sin before.

"What are you doing here?" looked at Samuel sharply when Valerie was already sitting on the chair in front of her.

"I miss you, honey. I really want to hug and kiss you as usual," the woman replied spoiled. As if forgetting the sins he had done to the man in front of him.

Samuel laughed wryly. Not paying any attention to Valerie's words. In fact, it seems ignorant and lazy to respond.

"I'm busy, Valerie. You'd better get out of here."

"No," shook the long-haired woman. "We need to talk. We need to clarify and clarify our relationship."

"For what else? There's nothing for both of us to talk about."

"Samuel, Please."

"Well then, you talk now."

Valerie shook her head again. Painstakingly persuaded the man in front of him to comply with his request.

"Please, we need to talk privately at the place we usually go."

Samuel didn't budge. Keep staring at Valerie. His brain thought, maybe it was necessary to directly clarify the relationship between him and Valerie so that there would be no more misunderstandings.

"Okay. This is the last time I comply with your request to talk privately."

Valerie smiled. Seeing Samuel rise from her seat, he also did the same. Then followed the man out of the room to quickly walk towards the car. The two of them then went to a cafe, where they used to often spend time.

"We haven't seen each other for months. Don't you miss or miss me?"

That sentence became a conversation starter when Samuel and Valerie were at Move On Cafe. Just sat himself in a chair, Samuel immediately looked up with a small chuckle.

Are Samuel Miss His ex Girlfriend?

Does Samuel still need to feel longing for a woman who clearly has more of a career than she does?

If only his relationship with Valerie had run smoothly from the start without any problems, maybe right now he would feel a great longing because he had been separated from his soul mate for so long.

After all, Samuel was well aware that at this time she already had Ariana. A beautiful woman who is now a wife and companion. The beautiful woman who managed to steal and fill the empty niches of his heart.

"No. Why should I miss you?" Samuel said in a cold voice.

Valerie was silent for a moment. He glanced down at Samuel. Paying very close attention to the handsome face and the appearance of the man who used to fill his days. It was obvious that the man was more organized and tidier than before. This made Valerie subconsciously give a faint smile. Then it didn't take long for him to speak softly again.

"Ok, I understand. Maybe you are still very angry about the rejection that I did the other day. But, please, you should understand how I felt at that time, honey. I did this because I wanted to fulfill what has been my dream for a long time."

"Sure." Finally Samuel spoke again. The man's gaze was still the same. Cold as ice at the North Pole. "I've freed you to pursue what is your dream with the consequences of our relationship ending. Because at that time you didn't have any effort at all to repair what was broken, I assume you are no longer interested in extending our relationship."

"No," Valerie shook her head. "That's not true! I deliberately didn't contact you, because I was waiting for your emotions to subside."

"Oh yes?" Samuel's eyes narrowed. His expression clearly doubted what Valerie had just said.

"Please, Samuel. Don't do this. I can't live without you."

"That's bullshit, Valerie. You think I care now? We don't have any relationship anymore. After all, I'm now married and happy with my current partner."

Valerie gasped. Even though he basically already knew about Samuel's wedding news which had been widely circulating, he kept trying to deny it. And now? It hurt so much to hear it come directly from that man's lips.

"No, Samuel. I'm sure it's just a lie that you deliberately made up," Valerie shook her head repeatedly. "I know very well if you really love and it's impossible to turn to another woman. That's impossible."

Samuel chuckled lightly. He was tickled by what he had just heard. Is it true that he still loves the woman sitting in front of him?

"Oh, my goodness. Don't be too confident, Valerie. I admit that I used to love you. You know that I'm the type of guy who, when he loves me, is willing to do anything for that woman," Samuel said firmly. "Unfortunately, you are wasting what I have given you. In fact, if you choose me, maybe the whole world I will love for you."

"Samuel ... please." asked Valerie softly. The woman's hand reached out to grab Samuel's wrist which was on the table. "We can repair our relationship. I'm even willing to cancel my job so I can go home and meet you. I don't want our relationship to end like this."

Samuel then pushed Valerie's hand away from her wrist. Interesting. Then fold it in front of the chest.

"It's useless. It's too late."

Once again Valerie sighed in frustration. He almost lost his mind hearing the affirmation that Samuel conveyed to him.

"Give me one more chance to fix this, Ken. I know it's late. But I can start from scratch."

"What for?" Samuel answered quickly. "I have been patient many times and given you many opportunities. However, you yourself have never taken advantage of that opportunity."

"But Ken----"

"Enough, Valerie. Enough!"

Valerie pursed her lips tightly. The sentence that was about to be said, like it or not, he had to swallow again after Samuel spoke in a raised voice.

"You don't need to say anything anymore." Samuel immediately rose from her seat. With a face that looks lazy, the man said his last words. "Our conversation ends here. I emphasize once again that the two of us have no relationship. So I beg you, please respect my decision. And I hope, after this you can find a better man than me."

After saying that, Samuel decided to leave immediately. Just leaving Valerie at the cafe without caring if the woman felt sad, angry, or disappointed by the curt attitude she showed. After all, it was this kind of treatment that he had to show so he wouldn't be looked at as weak or one eyed by the woman who used to clearly play with his heart.

"Mr. Samuel... are you okay?"

Ben's rebuke immediately awakened Samuel from her reverie. Looking up, he found his assistant standing perfectly right in front of his desk.

"Yes, Bim. What's wrong?"

"Why sir? Is there a problem?" Axton asked curiously. He felt something was wrong with his boss.

Samuel herself seemed to take a deep breath. Trying to get rid of the feeling of tightness that had squeezed his chest cavity.

"I thought about Valerie, Bim. You know, yesterday she suddenly came here to meet me."

Bimbo nodded. He understood because previously he had heard the story from Samuel's mouth as well. Axton also understood that Samuel must have felt uncomfortable with the presence of her ex-boyfriend.

"You don't need to think about it, let alone bother, sir. After all, Miss Valerie is just the past. Right now, Mr. Samuel has chosen to be serious about having a relationship with Mrs. Ariana. So, it's better to just focus on your wife.

"Yes, you are right, Bim," said Samuel.

"Yes, sir. As the saying goes, throw your ex in its place."

Samuel just smiled. But there is some truth to what his assistant said. Why waste time thinking about people from the past. After all, now he already has Ariana who is more everything.

"Oh, yes, sir," said Axton again. "I almost forgot, tonight there is a gala dinner with the Sunset Mall and also several vendors from expensive brands that are partership malls at the Marigold hotel. You should not miss this. This is the first invitation for Mr. Samuel and Mrs. Ariana to the public."

Samuel nodded, she knew her job on this one.

"Have you informed Ariana?"

"Yes, sir. The event starts at eight. I have prepared the dress code and all the necessities and sent them to your father's house."

So after returning from Kanto, Samuel and his wife immediately got ready. Checking their appearance again before actually leaving for the venue.

"How do I look?" asked Ariana while circling in front of Samuel. Asking for opinions on the black longdresses she's wearing tonight.

Samuel herself was seen throwing a scanning gaze. Assess Ariana's appearance from head to toe and draw conclusions.

"Isn't it possible. You just dress normally?" said the man in a flat tone of voice.

"What's wrong? I look so ugly?" Ariana asked a little confused. Even if you see it looks good. Even the dress that Axton provided for tonight wasn't as sexy as before.

"It's not like that," said Samuel. "Your appearance tonight is stunning. Too beautiful. I'm worried that the male guests there will fall in love with you."

"Eleeeh, you bum."

"I'm not cheesy, Rosalinda. You are really beautiful in every way you look."

"Yayaya, thank you Fernando Jose for the honesty and the compliment."

"Just to say thank you? Don't want to give me a kiss or a hug?"

"That's what you want."

Samuel laughed out loud. Believing that he and his wife were very ready, the two of them then decided to immediately leave for the party.

Arriving at the Marigold hotel, Samuel took Ariana tenderly. Entering the event venue, the two of them even caught the attention of almost all the invited guests.

There was one thing that caught Ariana's attention. While chatting with some of Palma's guests and business partners whom Samuel introduced her to, a woman suddenly approached and casually reprimanded Samuel.

The woman who Ariana knows is Samuel's ex-girlfriend turns out to be one of the big brand models that has collaborated with the Sunset mall. That's why, tonight he attended the gala dinner and could meet him and Samuel.

"We are meant to be, the proof is that God has reunited us here," said the woman with a smile.

While Samuel initially looked indifferent. As soon as he turned and saw Ariana, he hurriedly invited his wife to get acquainted with the woman in front of him.

"Vio, yesterday when I was at the office I didn't have time to introduce you to Ariana. It's better if you two get to know each other so that if you pass by on the street you can greet each other."

Valerie smiled confidently. Sticky stare. Scan Ariana's appearance from head to toe. Then the next second held out his hand, inviting Ariana to get acquainted.

"Meet me, Valerie Anastasia. The woman you have stolen from her lover," said Valerie with emphasis and sarcasm.

"Nice to meet you here. I am Ariana Grey. The legal wife of Samuel Walters," said Ariana with a very wide smile. He didn't care what he said just now made Valerie immediately glared disapprovingly at him.