New Chapter: The Secret Behind the Meeting
The phone rang several times before Putri finally picked it up.
"Hello, Putri," a woman's voice spoke on the other end. Her tone was firm yet polite. From the sound of it, she was still quite young, but the authority in her voice was undeniable.
"Yes, Ma'am, this is Putri. May I ask why you're calling me?" Putri replied nervously, her voice trembling—anxious yet curious.
"Tomorrow at ten in the morning, meet me in the faculty office. There's something important I need to discuss with you." The woman's voice grew sharper, more serious.
Putri's heart pounded, an ominous feeling pressing against her chest.
"Alright, Ma'am… but did I do something wrong?" she whispered, almost afraid her mother in the next room might overhear.
"You'll know tomorrow. Just come on time. Good afternoon."
Click. The call ended.
Putri stared at the screen, unease gnawing at her.
"Why does it feel so heavy… what's really going on?" she muttered.
She tossed her phone aside and collapsed onto her bed. Sleep was the only way to quiet her restless mind.
---
When she woke up, the clock read 2:30 p.m. She rubbed her eyes and dragged herself into the bathroom. After a quick shower and change of clothes, she got ready for work at a fast-food drink shop.
Unlike the others, her working hours were flexible. The shop belonged to Bayu's older brother. Though Bayu often told her she didn't need to work there, Putri always refused. She didn't want pity, let alone charity. Living simply with dignity was more than enough for her.
At the dining table, her mother was busy preparing vegetables for dinner.
"Mom, I'm heading to work," Putri said, leaning down to kiss her mother's hand and cheek like a child.
"Alright, sweetheart. Be careful, don't come home too late," her mother replied warmly, pressing a kiss to Putri's forehead.
With a small smile, Putri set off.
---
The restaurant wasn't too crowded that afternoon. Only a handful of customers lingered inside while a few more queued at the counter. Putri slipped into the back room, put on her uniform and apron, then joined the others at the front.
"Hey, no classes today? Usually you come here with Bang Bayu," teased one of her younger coworkers with a playful grin.
Putri chuckled, flicking the girl's forehead. "Watch it, or I'll start charging you for flirting." Laughter rippled through the group, the warm camaraderie lifting the mood.
Though she was the owner's close acquaintance, Putri worked just like everyone else. Among the six employees—two men and four women—they had all grown close like family.
At around four, the door swung open. Putra, Rangga, and Cristian walked in. It was their first time visiting the shop—none of them knew that Putri worked there.
Cristian, who stepped up to order, froze when he saw her behind the counter.
"Welcome, what would you—" Putri's words caught in her throat. Her eyes widened. "You? What are you doing here?"
Cristian smirked. "Ordering food, obviously. What else?" His mocking gaze cut sharp. "Don't flatter yourself, girl. You think we came here to follow you? Keep dreaming."
Putri inhaled sharply, swallowing her anger.
"So, what's your order? Don't cause trouble here," she snapped.
Once they placed their order, Putri delivered their drinks with a stiff smile.
"Enjoy."
Rangga sneered. "I wonder if it even tastes good, made by someone like you."
Her eyes hardened. "If you don't plan to eat, then don't start a fight. I don't have time for nonsense."
Cristian was about to retort, but a single cold glance from Putra shut him up. The aloof young man had just hung up his phone, slamming it down with a scowl.
"My life is mine. Don't meddle in it—especially with that ridiculous arranged marriage," he muttered darkly.
The tension in the air grew thick.
---
Suddenly, several luxury cars pulled up outside. Six men in black suits stepped inside, moving in perfect unison. Their presence exuded an icy aura.
"Young Master, your father requests that you return home immediately," one of them said firmly, bowing slightly.
"I'm not going back," Putra replied curtly.
"Our orders are clear. If you resist, we are to use force." The man's voice grew harder.
Putra smirked, his eyes glinting with defiance. "Go ahead. Try me."
The next moment, chaos erupted. Chairs crashed, glasses shattered, and terrified customers scrambled out the door. Putri stood frozen at the counter, her face drained of color.
Putra moved like a storm, swiftly taking down the men one after another. His breaths came rough, his eyes glacial. Just when the last man rose and handed him a phone, Putra's expression shifted. He spoke briefly into the receiver, then fell silent.
"…Fine. I'll go back." His tone was icy. Before leaving, he turned to his men. "Settle everything here. Pay for the damages. Make sure there's no trouble left behind."
"Yes, Young Master," they replied, bowing.
A check worth fifty million rupiah was handed over to cover the destruction. The staff scrambled to clean up the mess.
Meanwhile, Putri stood rooted in place, her heart racing. Her hands trembled as she tried to process what she had just witnessed. The man she thought was just another student… clearly wasn't ordinary at all.
"What are you hiding… who are you really?" she whispered under her breath, fear and curiosity twisting inside her.
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