Chapter 9

Axton could clearly see Samuel's sour expression since this morning. Believing that something might be wrong with his boss, he chose to venture up the courage to ask. Who knows, he can help solve the problem Samuel is currently facing.

After all, Axton couldn't let Samuel continue to be so grumpy like now. Later this actually interfered with the man's performance in completing work.

"Actually, what's wrong, sir? I've noticed earlier that Mr. Samuel seems to be confused."

Samuel turned. Taking several deep breaths, the man tried to answer the questions that Axton asked with uncertain feelings. What he was thinking at this time did make him a little disturbed. Ah no. Not a little but very, very disturbing.

"You just read this proposal yourself," said Samuel while handing Axton a folder containing files. Ask the assistant to read what is written there himself, instead of bothering to explain as usual.

After a few minutes of reading and trying to understand what was inside, Ben immediately smiled. A happy twinkle was evident on the man's face.

"Proposal for cooperation with Pakuwon Group? Isn't this good news, sir? This is our company's goal."

Samuel nodded. Indeed, he has always wanted to have a mega tender with the very famous Pakuwon Group. Everyone also knows that William is part of the 9 dragons driving the economy in Indonesia.

If Samuel joins, who knows, she might one day enter the ranks of the most successful and richest businessmen like William Hadipraja.

"That's right. Of course this would be good news, if only Mr. William didn't use all kinds of frills and requirements."

Axton's forehead immediately wrinkled deeply. Of course he didn't know where his boss was talking at this point. After all, what kind of conditions did Samuel mean in her words just now.

"What do you mean?"

"Here," Samuel waved. Ask Axton to immediately sit in front of him. "I really have to explain so you understand."

Axton nodded. Without thinking much, he pulled a chair and sat himself right in front of Samuel. A moment later, an unnoticeable aura was felt. As if there was something bad that his boss wanted to say.

"So how is it, sir?"

"Well..." Samuel started the story. "You know that our company is pursuing tenders so we can work with the Pakuwon Group again. And yesterday, Mrs. Arabella came with Mr. William, delivering the news that they wanted to work with Palma Palace. This should be happy news, right?"

Axton immediately nodded.

"Obviously happy news, sir. It's certain that we can get high profits if we cooperate with the kings of Super Malls like Pakuwon. Then, what's the problem?"

It was obvious Samuel sighed again. After exhaling slowly, the man leaned forward slightly, then spoke in a half whisper.

"Pak William gives us benefits by giving land for development free of charge. But on one condition."

"What is it, sir?"

"Ariana has to be the advisor as well as the head of planning and marketing for this tender."

"In that case, just accept it, sir. Is it difficult to ask Ariana to accept this offer."

Samuel shook her head. Telling at length, apparently Ben did not get the point of what he conveyed.

"The problem is, a few days ago Ariana submitted her resignation. She even warned that she would not want to work together again like before. Moreover, all this time I have often been angry with her."

"Ariana stopped? How come I don't know this story?" From the tone of his voice, Ben was really surprised to hear the news that Samuel delivered. "Father fired?"

"Haphazard!" Samuel protested. "Yes, although before that I really wanted to fire him, Ariana was the one who resigned first."

"However, if you let Ariana just stop, Palma could lose. The tender that Pakuwon is offering this time is profitable. Are you sure you don't want to accept it? This big opportunity won't come twice, sir."

Axton kept persuading. He knows very well that the project that Pakuwon is currently offering will indeed have a big impact on Palma in the future. It would be a shame if his boss missed out, let alone reject such a great opportunity.

"The problem is, if I accept it, it means I have to deal with Ariana again, Axton. I have to chase after Mama to get married again. Mr. William even asked me and Ariana to be the icon models of the apartment and mall that will be built this time, because they want to grab market share from a couple of young executives."

"Everything can be arranged, sir," said Ben casually. "Why didn't Mr. Samuel just marry Ariana as requested by Mrs. Arabella and Mr. Alfonso?" he joked casually.

"Don't be crazy! Don't you know that I already have a Valerie?" protested Samuel with a look of disapproval.

"But Ms. Valerie herself cannot be certain when she will return to Indonesia. Besides, Mr. Samuel doesn't have to actually marry Ariana to get this big project."

Samuel's eyebrows knit together. He was stunned by what Axton had just said.

"What do you mean?"

"Married with benefits, sir. Married with the aim of getting one advantage. So, Mr. Samuel is basically married legally and legally religiously. But in this marriage, a certain contract is imposed that must be agreed upon by both parties."

Samuel let out a long sigh. It's really lazy to have to go back to dealing with Ariana. The secretary is too smart. Sanking smart, likes to improvise without discussing it first.

"I'm not sure if Ariana agrees. You heard that the other day she didn't want to be involved in this matter anymore. Even when she resigned, she made sure of that again."

Axton smiled lightly. Assuming a Ariana is not a big problem for him to persuade in the future to accept this job.

"As for Ariana, let me take care of it. Now, back to Mr. Samuel himself. Do you want to take this tender or not. If you are still unsure, just think about it carefully."

As Axton left the room, Samuel went into deep thought again. Just keep considering whether it is necessary to carry out all the suggestions that Axton conveyed to him. When you think about it, it's also a shame not to take the big offer that is right in front of your eyes.

However, Samuel is also concerned about Valerie. Even though he's angry, he can't just make a decision by marrying a woman other than his girlfriend even in the context of pretending.

Samuel certainly has hopes that she only wants to marry once, and Valerie is that woman. Not Ariana or anyone else.

That's why, at that moment Samuel grabbed her cell phone. Trying to contact Valerie to provide this important news.

"Hello...." said Samuel from behind her cellphone when the call she sent to Valerie was picked up on the other side.

"Samuel..." called Valerie. After nearly days of silence, this is the first time he's called again. Of course Valerie was very happy. "I miss you, honey. He's been angry for so long," protested the woman.

"If you miss me, why don't you try to contact me first?"

"Do you really want to pick up? I know who you are, Samuel. When you're angry, you don't like to be disturbed, do you?"

Samuel closed her eyes for a moment. Valerie really knows the character he has shown so far. Samuel really doesn't like it when she's angry, she's disturbed, let alone chased while coaxing her by force. He just needs to be given space to think silently until he feels comfortable again as before.

"I have something important I want to tell you," Samuel said, then continued the previous conversation.

"Me too," Valerie said. "There's something I want to tell you."

"Then you go first," Samuel asked.

"So, like this. You remember about my scheduled show with the Dior brand in LA in the near future, right?"

"Yeah," said Samuel, a little tired.

"I have fixed a schedule from them. So, within the next five months, I will definitely be showing with the Dior name. This is really my dream, Ken."

"What?" Samuel was shocked. In the sentence that Valerie delivered, there were words that really caught her attention. "Five months? The other day, you just said three months at the most, Vio. Now? So five more months? You don't have to go back to Indonesia as well."

Samuel's emotions were suddenly provoked. Instead of being happy with Valerie's achievements, he was even annoyed by the news his girlfriend had delivered. If Valerie accepts this job, it means there's no hope of them getting married anytime soon.

"Sam, you know that this ----"

"Your dream has always been? I'm tired of hearing those words, Vio. Why don't you just go back to Indonesia? Just have a career here. If you want, I can even give you whatever you need without the hassle of having to work like now."

"The problem is I also have dreams or goals that I have to make happen, Samuel."

"Vio..." called Samuel. "I beg you, hurry back to Indonesia and marry me soon. How long are you going to tell me to wait?"

"If you really love me, you should support my dream, Samuel," Valerie replied. He didn't look the least bit willing to give in by doing what Samuel begged him. "Not everyone is as lucky as me."

"Not everyone is lucky to be my wife, Vio."

"But, Samuel, this time I really can't follow your request to go home and get married right away. So please also understand my position."

A moment of silence. Both of them looked silent as if lost in their own thoughts. Until not long ago, a sigh came from Samuel. A few seconds later, the man spoke again.

"Okay, if this is what you want. I thought you would obey me. In fact, not at all. I also just realized that this relationship that we both have been in for a long time means nothing in your eyes."

"Samuel!" Valerie scolded. "That's not what I meant. You misunderstood."

"No!" replied Samuel. "I'm tired of begging all the time for you, Vio. In the relationship we've had so far, I'm always the one who's giving in. I'm always trying to understand your situation. But it's the other way around when it's my turn to ask for help, you always can't even openly blatantly refused. So, I thought, why should this relationship song continue."

"What do you mean? You want to end our relationship?"

"Yes, what's the use of defending it," said Samuel in a tone so cynical. "I'm also tired of LDR not being as clear as it is now. After all, you never want to get married either. That's why, from now on, let's just finish it. It's up to you what kind of career you want to have. From now on, I don't care."

Samuel ended her phone call without waiting for Valerie to answer or respond to what she had just said. Slightly disorganized and still clutching her cell phone, Samuel called someone back immediately. He thought it was time to make a big decision.

"Hello, Axton. I have made a decision. Call Ariana immediately. Arrange any way so I can meet with her immediately to discuss marriage as you described earlier."

***

The next day, after work, Axton had arranged a meeting between Samuel and Ariana. At a fancy restaurant, the two of them meet again to discuss important things that must be done immediately.

Ariana, who was wearing a casual t-shirt and gray jeans that night, seemed to be sitting nervously. Really curious, actually waiting for what his former boss wanted to convey, so he bothered to ask to meet again. In fact, if you want they can just talk while in the office. Why does it have to be in all kinds of restaurants like now.

"Actually, what's wrong, Mr. Samuel? If you come this afternoon to invite me to go see Mrs. Arabella like you have done before, I'm sorry I don't want to."

Ariana spoke frankly. That being said, he no longer wanted anything to do with Samuel's personal affairs.

Ariana was tired, every time she attended a meeting and the results were not as expected, Samuel always blamed her. The man was easy to be arbitrary. This is what made him not want to go back to dealing with his former boss.

"I asked you to come here not because I wanted you to meet Mama as usual," Samuel replied.

"Then, for what business?"

"I have another important matter to share with you. And I hope you will be willing to cooperate."

Ariana immediately gave him a suspicious glance. His anxiety grew even bigger after hearing what Samuel had just said. From the start she was sure, there must be something that made him bother to ask her to meet tonight.

"What's more for cooperation? I told you, I don't want to have anything to do with Mr. Samuel anymore. To be honest, I'm tired of being made a scapegoat by you, beauties like this."

Samuel smiled slightly. It was also his fault that every time he took the woman to meet her parents, he always grumbled until Ariana was annoyed or maybe traumatized by his snappish attitude.

However, no matter what, right now he really needed Ariana's help. Only that woman is currently able to help realize one of the big dreams that she wants to achieve in the near future.

"Don't worry. I won't blame you anymore like I have before."

"I can't believe it," said Ariana. "Father's face is not convincing."

"What do I have to look like to make you believe it?"

Ariana chuckled. I don't know why he was so excited to see Samuel's face, who was originally handsome but unfortArianately his attitude was so arrogant and annoying.

"It's not important to discuss anymore, sir. It's better if Mr. Samuel just goes straight to the point now. What business do you have in inviting me to meet here."

"I just want you to accept my request."

Ariana squinted again. Throwing a questioning glance, the woman responded again.

"Yes, what kind of request would you like to ask of me?"

Samuel didn't answer right away. Taking a breath for a moment, he tried once again to convince himself that the decision he was going to make and convey to Ariana in a moment was really purely a way to realize the big wish he had been hoping for.

After feeling very confident with all the decisions he made, Samuel started to speak. Convey firmly the intent and purpose of meeting the secretary.

"Ariana, what if I really marry you?"

At that moment, Ariana coughed. Beating his chest lightly, he tried to clarify what he had just heard.

"You didn't say anything wrong, did you?"

"I'm serious," Samuel said. "Do you want to marry and be my wife?"