Chapter 8

Ariana rubbed her face in exasperation. He didn't know what else to say when he remembered the incident at dinner at Arabella's mother's house a few hours ago.

The intention of the heart is deliberately telling the truth so that Samuel's parents lose feeling. What happened was the opposite. What Ariana said and told even more attracted the attention of the Walters couple.

"It seems Samuel couldn't invite Ariana's parents here, Ma," Samuel said at the time. Even though he deliberately said that because he was lazy if the pretend relationship between the two of them became more complicated and led to unwanted problems.

"Why?" asked Arabella curiously. "You don't want to introduce Mama to Ariana's parents?"

"It's not like that," said Ariana. The woman finally joined in by returning to speak. He thought, what he said after this was able to make Arabella stop her desire to marry herself and Samuel. "Both of my parents died a long time ago. I am indeed an orphan. Even from birth I have lived in an orphanage. That is why, it is very unlikely that you two met my parents to discuss marriage."

Hearing that fact, Arabella fell silent. Bringing his eyes, then glanced at Alfonso Walters, her husband, for a few moments.

I do not know what the half century woman was thinking. Ariana had believed that maybe after Samuel's parents knew her social status and background, she and Samuel would be separated.

It was clear in Ariana and Samuel's eyes when Arabella looked back at the two of them for a few moments with a look that was difficult to decipher. Hoping and praying at the same time that the pretense relationship that the two of them had planned would be rejected by Arabella. Really, Ariana wasn't crazy either. How could he marry an annoying boss like Samuel.

However, hope remains hope. At that moment, Arabella suddenly rose from her seat. Walked over and unexpectedly even threw a hug towards Ariana.

"Mama is sorry about what happened to you, Ariana," whispered Arabella with concern as if she also felt the sadness Ariana had been feeling. "Because you have always been alone, now is the time to feel like a complete family. That's why Samuel really deserves to marry you. Mama's feelings have never gone wrong so far. Mama is very sure that you are a woman who deserves to be with Samuel."

Ariana repeatedly exhaled in annoyance. I don't know what Arabella's heart is made of. Instead of being disgusted, allergic, or averse, the woman didn't seem the least bit concerned with Ariana's background, which was clearly far behind their respectable family.

In fact, if you do the math, Arabella herself had only met him face to face twice. How can that woman be sure that Ariana is a good person? Based on Feeling? Good grief! Ariana suddenly shook her head. In an era like this one should be rational instead of relying on Feeling.

After all, usually the bourgeoisie is always thinking about the background as well as the details of their future son-in-law. But this time, it seemed like that didn't apply in the slightest to Arabella and Alfonso. Evidenced by their words, which instead continued to support the marriage between him and Samuel to take place immediately.

"Don't worry about it, Ariana. From the beginning, the two of us have never applied specific criteria to find a future son-in-law. So, no matter what your background, Mama and Papa Alfonso don't give a damn. If the parents aren't there, the orphanage caretaker there must be, right?"

Ariana couldn't help but nodded with a very awkward face.

"Exist."

"That's it. Just prepare a schedule for when Mama and Papa can meet with the caretaker of the orphanage to ask permission to marry you to Samuel."

In terms of this sentence, after coming home from dinner, Samuel again grumbled. In fact, it wasn't Ariana's fault either that Samuel's parents insisted on marrying them off.

It had occurred to Ariana to actually resign from Palma Palace. Even though finding a job nowadays is very difficult, working under pressure and feeling uncomfortable like now is certainly not something good for him either.

That's why, Ariana made up her mind. He convinced himself to make the decision to resign immediately.

"Ariana."

Engrossed in drowning in his own thoughts, someone's call suddenly awakened Ariana from her reverie. As soon as he turned around, he found Mother Clara, who was the caretaker of the orphanage, seen visiting his room with a glass of milk.

"Mother."

"You haven't slept yet? It's already 11 o'clock, son. If you sleep late, tomorrow you will be late for work," said Clara as she handed Ariana the glass she brought.

"Thanks, Mother. Ariana will sleep soon. Ariana still has some work to finish."

Clara then chose to sit on the side of the bed not far from the position where Ariana was sitting. With a smile, the woman invited Ariana to chat for a moment.

"You have a lot of work to do?"

Ariana immediately nodded. It's true that he's been working a lot lately and it's all caused by Samuel being annoyed with him.

"Yes, Mother. Recently, Ariana has really had a lot of work to do."

"Don't overdo it. You'll get sick later."

"No, really. This is Ariana, just do what she can."

Ariana then took a sip of the milk in her hand until it ran out. A few moments later, he returned to talk to Clara.

"Mom, Ariana wants to ask Mother's opinion."

"What opinion?" asked Clara curiously.

"Ariana seems like she wants to just quit her current job."

Those words left Ariana's lips confidently. There was not the slightest trace of hesitation on her pretty face. He has decided to just end his career at Palma Palace. After all, if he had enough luck, after leaving there, he could have gotten a job elsewhere with his diploma and quite a lot of experience.

"Are you sure? Why did you suddenly decide to stop?" inquired Clara. He became curious as to why his foster children had no wind or rain planning to resign. In fact, Clara knew Ariana had always been comfortable working at Palma Palace.

"It's okay, Mom. I'm just bored and uncomfortable with the current office environment," said Ariana. He wasn't completely lying. To be honest, I couldn't stand it when Samuel put pressure on her every day, which in fact had nothing to do with work. Not to mention having to continue to be involved in big lies like now.

"Oh my gosh, your reason is so trivial. Then where are you going to work if you stop?"

"Ariana can try applying elsewhere. Mother knows for herself, Ariana's smart. After all, Ariana also has a lot of experience."

Seeing the look on Ariana's face that was already very sure, Clara could only smile. No matter what, if Ariana really feels uncomfortable working where she is now, she won't forbid it. Clara knows that her foster child is very mature, so she can determine what is good or bad for her.

"It's a shame to have to quit, son. Haven't you been working there for a long time? But... Mother also can't force it if it's your decision. After all, wanting to work anywhere is the same. The important thing is that you're comfortable, you're willing to go through with it , Mother will always support."

"Thank you mother. Then tonight Ariana will also write her resignation letter."

Realizing that it was getting late, Clara got up from her seat. Approaching Ariana for a moment to give a hug to the girl she has cared for since a baby, then said goodbye to return to the room.

Meanwhile, Ariana, like what she said before, chose to prepare a letter of resignation. He had made up his mind that as soon as he entered work tomorrow he immediately gave the letter for Samuel's approval.

The next day, early in the morning, Ariana deliberately waited for Samuel to arrive at the office. As soon as she saw her boss enter the office, Ariana hurriedly grabbed the folder containing the resignation letter. Brought it, to be immediately handed over to the man who currently leads Palma Palace, said.

"Sir, I want to resign."

"Resign?"

Samuel's eyebrows were visibly raised. Throwing a scanning gaze at Ariana, the man seemed to read the expression and expression that the secretary was showing. "You seriously want to resign? After all the mess you've made?"

"Sir, I'm sorry," interrupted Ariana. "The mess that happened to you wasn't entirely my fault."

"So you're saying it was purely my fault?"

"Sure," Ariana insisted boldly. Fuck the boss is angry or offended. After all, after this, she will no longer be the secretary and employee of an annoying man like Samuel Walters. "I'm just here to be used as a shield, sir. It was you who made the plans."

"You are irresponsible!" clicked Samuel with a face of disapproval. "You should clean up the trouble you've caused first."

"Not responsible? I'm not pregnant with other people's children. Why should I be responsible," Ariana joked casually. That being said, he didn't care what Samuel would do to him after this. To be sure, Ariana's current wish is only one. Wants to immediately cut off the working relationship between himself and Samuel.

"Regarding the fake relationship that you created in front of Mrs. Arabella and Mr. Arga, you can just find your own reasons to tell them. Just say we broke up or whatever, I don't care and I don't want to get involved anymore."

"Ok." Samuel immediately nodded. He thought the lies that had made his life so complicated and uncomfortable in the past few days had to end immediately. The matter of Arabella being angry or even disappointed by what happened, could be thought about further later. The important thing is one problem solved first.

"If that's your decision, I also don't intend to get in the way. But before leaving Palma, please finish all the work you're currently handling in Palma."

"Fine," Ariana nodded. "Give me until the end of the month to finish all the work."

At that moment Samuel grabbed a pen from her desk. He opened the folder that Ariana had handed over to him, then put his signature on it as proof that he agreed that the secretary would end his tenure at Palma Palace.

"I have signed it. Please take it to HRD for matters of salary, severance pay, and others."

Ariana just nodded. Without saying a word, he immediately grabbed the folder containing the files that Samuel had signed. He then decided to immediately leave the room and get ready to leave.

***

A few days passed just like that. As usual, Samuel is always preoccupied with some work that she really needs to finish soon.

In the midst of his busy life, suddenly his mother came back and stopped by. I don't know what else she wants to talk about. Even this time Arabella didn't come alone. The woman brought along a big client from Surabaya to meet Samuel.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Samuel. It's nice to see you again today," said the man in a friendly manner when Samuel greeted him and then asked him to sit on the guest sofa.

"I am also happy to be able to meet again with a big businessman like Mr. William Hadipraja," said Samuel honestly. A faint smile appeared on the man's lips.

It should be noted that William Hadipraja himself is a businessman and owner of the Pakuwon Group, which is the largest network of malls and shopping centers in Indonesia. He is a business partner who has been working with Palma Palace for so long.

Samuel also needs to admit, because of the huge influence of the Pakuwon Group, the Palma Palace which he currently leads has experienced a peak of popularity and even unbelievable profits when he first announced the collaboration. That's why Samuel was happy when William visited her office.

"Mama deliberately took Mr. William to your office because he had something important he wanted to convey and he said it could no longer be postponed," said Arabella. The woman's face looked very happy and enthusiastic at the same time.

"Important thing?" asked Samuel. The man's forehead seemed to be furrowed deeply. "May I know what important thing Mr. William wants to convey this time?"

The man named William smiled. He happily answered what Samuel asked him.

"I want to invite Palma Palace to work together to make apartments, hotels as well as one stop shopping."

"Apartments and One stop shopping?" Samuel repeated.

"Yes, that's right. So, I have some good land scattered in several big cities in Indonesia. My plan is to build a big mall but I need the Palma Palace to help support the luxury apartments or hotels next to it."

"You mean Mr. William wants us to build an apartment or hotel that will work directly with the mall network owned by the Pakuwon Group?" asked Samuel to make sure.

"That's right," William nodded. "And I also plan to waive land rental fees to build apartments or hotels."

Samuel smiled broadly. Like a windfall, he is of course very happy to find out that Pakuwon has asked for cooperation in a big business that must be realized immediately. He already had an image in his mind of how much profit Palma Palace would get if he completed this tender very well.

Nowadays, buying land or just renting land costs a lot. While William even offered it for free without having to pay. Of course this is very interesting for him.

"Very interesting. At this rate, of course Palma Palace is willing, Mr. William," said Samuel.

"But Mr. William has one condition for you, Samuel," said Arabella then. After a few minutes of silence and choosing to listen, this time the woman spoke again.

"Meaning, Mom?"

Arabella smiled. Turning to William, the woman invited her partner to explain to her son.

"So, I am willing to give some land to build apartments and hotels on the condition that Mrs. Ariana or Mr. Samuel's future wife are made advisors as well as chief planners in this tender. After the success of the breakthrough that Ariana suggested to our company some time ago, for some reason, I am sure This project can grow rapidly if the planning and marketing process is handled directly by Mr. Samuel's future wife."

Samuel was immediately stunned. He did not expect that William would instead give him conditions which were of course difficult for him to grant.

"Just accept it, Samuel. The prestige of Palma Palace will increase if the apartments and hotels we build collaborate with Pakuwon," said Arabella provokingly. "After all, Mama is sure Ariana is capable of accepting this assignment."

"Besides, I heard from Mrs. Arabella that Mr. Samuel will be marrying Ariana in the near future. Wouldn't this wedding be a moment to raise the prestige of our project too? I've even thought far and wide, wanting to make Mr. Samuel and Mrs. Ariana as icons and models of the apartment as well as the mall that we will build.

Samuel didn't answer right away. He seemed to be silent because he was considering and thinking hard. I don't know what decision he should make. Meanwhile, Ariana just submitted her resignation a few days ago, even declaring confidently that the woman no longer wants to be involved in all the drama that Samuel previously created.

So, should Samuel just let go of the big tender that fortArianately is so real that she will get it? Or contact Ariana again, then beg the woman to work with her again?