Chapter 47

Valerie's smile lifted high when she opened the door of the apartment unit, she found Samuel's figure already standing there. Without further words, Valerie immediately reached out, grabbed his ex-girlfriend's arm, then pulled him to be brought inside immediately.

An hour before, there was no wind, rain, let alone a storm. Samuel suddenly called Valerie by phone. The man expressed his intention to ask for a meeting under the pretext of wanting to have an important talk. Not wanting to miss the opportunity, of course Valerie immediately agreed to the request without needing to think much more.

"We need to talk, Valerie."

Valerie sucked in a grin. He was sure, there must be another purpose until Samuel was willing to contact him first like now. "Jeez, Samuel. Is it really you who's calling me? What's the wind?"

Samuel sounded clucked. Not wanting to waste too much time, the man spoke again, "No small talk. I want to meet you. We have something to talk about right away."

"About what? Don't you want to see me again?"

"Yes, now I want to meet you."

Laughter could be heard drifting from Valerie's lips. According to Samuel's request, he hastily answered his ex-girlfriend's words. "Sure. Very good, in fact. But I want you to come alone."

"No problem," said Samuel. "I will come alone."

"But let's just talk in my apartment."

"Why does it have to be in the apartment? We can just meet up at a normal cafe."

"I don't want to go to the cafe. If you really want to meet me, please come to the apartment. The address is still the same as before. But if you mind, just forget about your plans."

For a moment there was not the slightest reply. Just about to be reprimanded, the man on the other side immediately cleared his throat softly, then didn't take long to speak again. "Okay, I'll be there in an hour."

Now? The slanted man was already in Valerie's apartment. Even sitting comfortably on the sofa in the television room. Ah, I mean forced comfortable. Because from his face, clearly visible reluctance there.

"What do you want to drink?" offered Valerie with a coquettish face. The woman walked towards the mini bar, intending to get Samuel a glass of drink. The intention of the heart is to be together first to enjoy togetherness before talking privately.

"No need. I'm here to have an important chat, not want to drink," said the man coldly.

Valerie smiled again. Dressed in sexy clothes that looked even less material, the woman had two glasses of wine in her hand. Approached, then sat down right next to Samuel while putting down the glass he was carrying.

"So, what do you want to chat about?" asked Valerie with a smile. The woman's hands look mischievous. Tried once to reach Samuel's chest, intending to rub it.

"Isn't that right? Just speak normally. Don't caress everything? I'm not a cat, Valerie."

Samuel then brushed aside Valerie's wrist which was trying to touch her chest once. Reversing his sitting position, the man deliberately kept his distance so as not to get too close.

"You sell really expensive. In the past, when you were with me, didn't you like me to hug or kiss you?"

"That was it," Samuel said quickly. "When we were together. Now I have a wife that I have to take care of her feelings."

Valerie smiled slyly. With the intention of wanting to remember the old days when dating, the man instead discussed other women which ultimately annoyed him.

"Samuel, I ask you, please answer honestly. If at that time you asked to go home and I immediately complied, would I be your wife now?"

Samuel nodded immediately.

"Of course. In fact, you might even be happier than you are now. You don't need to be tired from work. You don't need to go around for fashion shows. What you want, I will give you right away," said the man with a smile. "But, honey. You're the one who missed that golden opportunity, right?"

Valerie felt like swearing loudly. What Samuel said was 100% true. If his main goal in this world was to make a lot of money, then he should have just accepted Samuel's invitation to marry.

What doesn't Samuel have in this world? The man was handsome, well-established, caring, and even what Valerie asked for, he always complied with. Could he regret now that he had lost his gold mine?

"Can't we go back to the way we used to be?" muttered Valerie. Her eyes looked so pleading. "I'm sure you don't really love the woman you have made your wife. If you need time to divorce her, I have no problem being told to wait."

Samuel laughed. The man was tickled by the naive babbling that Valerie had said just now. If you want to be together, why not from the beginning? In fact, countless Samuel begged Valerie to agree to marry her immediately.

"It's too late, Vio. You've missed the train too far."

"But, you still love me right?"

"Love?" Samuel repeated. Then after a while the man laughed. "My love has run out since you rejected me for the last time."

Valerie let out a long sigh. It seems that there is no longer any hope for him to return to knitting hope with Samuel.

"Okay, talk about his past? If so, I have an important talk with you," Samuel said after discussing things that he felt were not important with Valerie at length.

"Okay, hurry up. What do you want to say?"

Samuel then reached for her cell phone from the back pocket of the pants she was wearing. Then showed something to Valerie, for the woman to see.

"Yesterday, when you came to my room, you were taking photos of the files that were on the table and your activities were clearly recorded on CCTV. In fact, after you left, the files that you took were missing from my table ----"

"Are you accusing me of taking your things? Or maybe you also want to accuse me of being the cause of the current uproar?"

Samuel chuckled. He pulled back his cellphone, then put the smart object back into his pocket while saying, "I didn't say or accuse you like that, Valerie. Why did you suddenly assume things like that?"

Valerie bit her lower lip tightly. It was so stupid because he had been provoked by Samuel's words and almost let slip.

"The problem is, what you're discussing now is headed in that direction, Samuel," said Valerie.

"Actually, I'm just curious, why when you leave my room, important files on my desk can disappear. What a coincidence, the CCTV footage covering the incident when you were in my room also seems to have deliberately cut or sabotaged. sense again, right the next day, there was a commotion whose discussion matched what you photographed."

"Yes, who knows, it's just a coincidence. Even though it's proven that I took a photo of your files, it's not certain that I was the one who spread the news."

"But it doesn't rule out the person who spread the news is working with you, right?"

Samuel continues to bombard her with a lot of presumptions. Of course, this makes it difficult for Valerie to prepare the right answer so she won't be wrong or provoked into telling the truth.

"You can't just accuse me, Samuel."

"I'm not accusing. But speaking of facts. Even if you are working with someone who wants to destroy me, it's better to just cancel the plan. Because if I find out who is the mastermind behind it, then I will destroy you all until nothing is left."

Samuel then got up. Feeling that he had enough pleasantries with Valerie, he then chose to leave the apartment immediately. Leaving Valerie just like that without needing to say goodbye again.

***

"What are you doing, honey?"

Samuel was astonished. As soon as he came home and was about to sleep, he found Ariana's attitude a little strange. The woman suddenly looked very spoiled.

Previously, where had Ariana hugged or kissed Samuel first? And tonight, for whatever reason, Ariana came to Samuel. Suddenly kissing for so long then hugging so tight like someone who's afraid to lose.

"It's okay. I just miss you," said the woman while continuing to hug. "Since big trouble happened to us these few days, you rarely hug or kiss me as usual."

Samuel smiled. He felt guilty because he had been so busy these days.

"I'm sorry," Samuel whispered softly. Bringing her lips, then kissing Ariana's forehead and the top of Ariana's head alternately. "I promise, I won't be busy alone after this."

Ariana nodded. Slightly looked up, then leaned forward to reach Samuel's lips. Back kissing the man for so long before finally deciding to sleep.

The next day, when she was about to leave for work, Ariana asked Samuel for permission to come to work a little late. He reasoned that he wanted to stop by the orphanage first because he wanted to meet Clara's mother.

"You don't want me to accompany you?"

Ariana shook her head. She knew her husband was in a rush this morning. Regarding yesterday's problem, there are several things that Samuel must resolve with her lawyer.

"No need, honey. I can go alone," Ariana refused. Which is where his words actually caught Samuel's attention.

"What did you say just now? Honey?"

Samuel was certainly surprised. So far, she has often been pushy, even deliberately teasing and throwing bait, where has Ariana ever called her affectionately. It was only this morning that Samuel heard those sweet words slip lightly from Ariana's lips.

"Yes, am I not allowed to call my own husband affectionately?"

"Sure," Samuel said, nodding a few times. The smile on the man's lips even looks so wide. "If you can, from now on just call her honey. Not Samuel."

Ariana pursed her lips. Basically Samuel. Must be very happy to take advantage of the atmosphere.

"Yes, honey. That's easy. All right, hurry up and go. You don't need to bother taking everything with me. I can go alone. Besides, it's only for a moment. I promise I'll be at the office at lunch time."

With a heavy heart Samuel went to work alone this morning. After believing that the car her husband was driving had left and could not even be seen, Ariana hurriedly ordered a taxi online. Ask the driver to immediately take him somewhere.

At first, Ariana was nervous. Because it was morning and the time when people went to work, he was stuck in traffic for a while. Luckily, it didn't take too long and we finally got to the Cosmix hotel on time.

"Excuse me, can I meet Mr Hadipraja?" asked Ariana when she was in front of the reception desk.

"Have you made an appointment before?" asked the man on duty in front of Ariana.

"Yes," he nodded. "I made an appointment yesterday afternoon on behalf of Ariana Grey."

The receptionist immediately contacted someone from behind the intercom phone available on his desk. Confirmed for a few moments, before finally giving Ariana permission to enter.

"Ms. Ariana, please go straight to the Bengawan restaurant. The person you want to meet is waiting there."

Ariana nodded. After receiving instructions and directions on where the restaurant in question was located, he immediately took his feet to go to the place in question.

Upon entering the restaurant, Ariana's eyes immediately circulated. Trying so hard to find the figure of the man she really wanted to meet this morning. It wasn't long before his eyes caught a middle-aged man in a navy suit looking engrossed in his breakfast.

"Excuse me, Mr. William Hadipraja. Good morning," said Ariana respectfully and politely.

Since yesterday, Ariana has planned to meet with the leadership and owner of the Pakuwon Group. From various kinds of information obtained, Crazy Rich from Surabaya is currently in Jakarta to have a business meeting with several clients.

This caught Ariana's attention. He thought it was better to meet William in person to discuss the current polemic, as well as personally apologize for the chaos that had arisen which might have been detrimental to both parties.

"Good morning, Mba Ariana. Please sit down," William replied kindly. Then asked Ariana to immediately sit in the chair that was available in front of her.

"Before that, I apologize profusely for disturbing you, who is currently enjoying breakfast."

William smiled. As a person who has been harmed by the skewed news and lies that Samuel and Ariana have done, this man still acts professionally. They even accepted Ariana's presence and treated her very kindly as if nothing had happened between them.

"No problem. I'm not the least bit bothered. Mba Ariana has had breakfast herself? If not, we can chat while enjoying breakfast."

Ariana shook her head. He politely declined William's invitation to eat breakfast. Not unwilling. But, before leaving, he had had his fill of the food Samuel had prepared for him.

"Thank you for the offer, sir. I'll just drink it."

Then William called the maids and asked them to bring a cup of hot tea to give to Ariana. While eating the leftovers on his plate, the man tried to hear what Ariana wanted to tell him.

"So, I came here because I wanted to discuss the problem that occurred between Palma and Pakuwon. Once again, I want to apologize profusely for what my husband and I did to Pakuwon, especially Mr. William. We both know that what we what you did was wrong. I don't deny that at all. However, as Mr. Samuel said at the press conference, in the end we both had a real marriage. Not pretending, let alone setting it up like at the beginning."

William seemed to continue listening. Give as much time as possible for Ariana to discuss everything she wants to convey.

"In practice carrying out tasks and doing what has been charged .... " Ariana continued. "Mr. Samuel and I also try our best to be professional and responsible. For that, we ask for Mr. William's mercy by giving me an apology and one more opportunity for Mr. Samuel to atone for all the mistakes we have made."

Ariana spoke at length. William himself seemed to be listening intently. Nodding, the man took a sip of the tea in his cup first. Rubbing her wet lips for a moment, then responding to Ariana's words.

"Actually, from the first time we met at Mrs. Arabella's birthday party, I was already very interested in Ms. Ariana's personality. From the way she thinks, analyzes, and even how to solve problems, she looks very competent and out of the box from the others. Regarding this matter, of course I will." I'm disappointed because you two have done something that is considered less than commendable just to realize your ambitions."

Ariana took a deep breath. He knew full well that he and Samuel were wrong.

"Once again I'm really sorry, sir. I also know that an apology is not enough."

"Of course. Sorry isn't enough for the upheaval that has occurred these few days. I'm curious. If I forgive you two and still use Palma as a partner, is there any guarantee that this tender will be successful?"

As if getting a breath of fresh air, Ariana smiled and nodded repeatedly. He is confident in his ability to complete and make the tender he is handling run smoothly according to the initial plan he has presented.

"I, Samuel, and all of the Palma Team will try our best, sir. After all, with the current scandal, we don't just have to lose. It is possible that the problems that are happening at the moment are used as a free promotion event so that people are even more curious about the products they offer. we'll launch."

William was even interested in the last sentence that Ariana had just said. How clever she was to think of every opportunity in the midst of the problems that were hitting her. As if brilliant ideas never run out of the woman's brain.

Describing at length what was his pain and all kinds of offers that might help Palma's position, Ariana ended her explanation. Now, just waiting for his turn, what kind of answer will William give him.

"Seeing how optimistic and confident Ms. Ariana is when giving an explanation, as a professional who has been in the business world for a long time, I will try to give Palma one chance. For that, please prove what you have promised."

Ariana smiled broadly. In my heart give thanks many times. At least, his efforts to convince the Pakuwon party have found a solution. Now, it's just waiting for the decision of the board of commissioners, what punishment will be given to Samuel and himself.

On the way to the Palma building, Ariana did not forget to contact someone. As soon as the call was connected, he immediately gave a report, what he had done.

"Hello, Ma. Ariana has done the first task. According to Mama's challenge, Ariana managed to convince Pakuwon to give her a chance."

"Good," said the woman on the other end. "Well then, now you should get ready for your next task. Don't forget to attend the big event tomorrow night as well."

Before Arabella ended the call, Ariana had interrupted. Asked her mother-in-law not to close first.

"Wait a minute, Mom."

"Especially?"

"Isn't this too fast? Can't Ariana add another day or two?"

"You can't, Ariana. Just do what you've been told."

That second Arabella also ended the conversation. Leaving Ariana with mixed feelings because she has to carry out a task which she thinks is very hard.