Galuh nodded."Yes… I'm fine. Thank you, Uncle—uh, Brother—uh, Mister."An awkward smile appeared on her face. She looked utterly unsure of herself in that moment.
"My name is Wildan. Call me whatever you like," he said lightly. "But if you call me 'Uncle,' it feels strange. Though I suppose you can tell our age gap is quite obvious."
"I'm sorry, I just said whatever came to mind," Galuh replied softly. "My name is Galuh."She smiled brightly as she introduced herself. For a brief moment, that smile seemed to cast a spell on Wildan. He found himself enjoying it far more than he should. He didn't know when it began, but the girl standing before him had become strangely captivating—despite the fact that they had only just met.
"What matters is that you and your father are safe," Wildan said, turning his face away, unable to bear looking at her any longer.
"Please, have some tea," Galuh said gently. "I'm sorry, this is all we have at home."
Wildan said nothing. He picked up the cup and took a slow sip, then placed it back on the table. His eyes shifted to the watch on his wrist.
"It's already eleven. I should go."
"Thank you… truly. And I'm sorry for troubling you, Mas Wildan."
"I'll be back tomorrow at ten. Don't make any agreements before I arrive."
"No— I mean, you don't have to come again," Galuh said earnestly. "I'll handle this myself."
"Are you sure?" Wildan challenged, a faint curve lifting the corner of his lips.
Galuh didn't answer immediately. She stared at him for a long moment, meeting his sharp gaze. Her hesitation was painfully obvious.
"Ah… I don't know," she murmured, lowering her eyes.
"I'm willing to pay off your father's debt," Wildan said suddenly, "on one condition."
Galuh's head snapped up. She stared at him as if she had misheard.
"I'm sorry… what did you say?"
"Yes. I'll settle your father's debt. But there's a condition."
"A condition?"
Wildan froze, the words dying in his throat. He was afraid—afraid that what he was about to say would backfire on him. It was absurd, really, to ask such a brave girl for something like this.
"We'll talk about it tomorrow," he said instead, standing up. "It's late. We shouldn't disturb the neighbors—"
"What condition?" Galuh pressed. "I'm not refusing, but… this is my problem. My father's problem. You don't need to get involved."
"You're wrong," Wildan snapped firmly. "Didn't you drag me into this yourself?"
Galuh swallowed hard. She had no defense. He was right. Without planning, without intention, without expectation—this man had already stepped into the mess of her life.
"Yes, but… I can't involve you," she insisted softly. "I just want my father to be more responsible. Without dragging me into it. Without dragging you in—someone we just met. This isn't right. It's not fair—"
"Not fair to whom?" Wildan asked, exhaling slowly. He could already tell—Galuh would be more troublesome than he had imagined. She was realistic, painfully so.
"To me… I mean, to you," she corrected herself awkwardly.
Wildan laughed. "You're funny. You say it's unfair, but you're really thinking about yourself. Strange, isn't it?"
"Whatever the reason, please," Galuh pleaded. "Don't involve yourself any further. I don't want to owe you—"
"I told you," Wildan cut in calmly, "this isn't free. There's a condition. And with that condition, your father's debt will be considered paid."
Galuh fell silent, weighing every possible outcome. What would she have to do to repay such a debt?
"Like… working for you, or—"
Wildan nodded, his smile widening. Her innocence made him smile to himself. She had no idea where he was steering this situation.
"Tomorrow," he said. "I'll be here on time. Remember—no agreements."
He stood, and Galuh followed. Standing face to face, the difference between them was striking. Wildan was tall and broad; Galuh slender, barely reaching his chest.
"Send my regards to your father. And make sure his wounds are treated. If you have trouble, I'll take him to a doctor."
"No need. Just compress it. He'll be fine."
Wildan looked at her for a long moment."You're sure?"
"Yes. After some ointment, he'll be better by tomorrow."
"Alright then. I'll go."
He turned to leave. Galuh watched him walk away, then took a few steps after him.
"You don't need to walk me out," Wildan said, knowing she was following. She grimaced and turned back—until she stopped.
"Wait!""Mas!"
Wildan turned around. Moonlight bathed Galuh's face—full of worry and questions. A face so beautiful it made him smile without realizing it. Why was her smile so dangerously tempting?
They stood facing each other beneath the moon. The night breeze toyed with her long hair, strands falling across her face. For a moment, Wildan almost reached out to brush them away—but he stopped himself.
"If I may ask," Galuh said softly, "what is the condition?"
Wildan gazed at her, his heart and mind in turmoil. He needed to say this clearly. Carefully.
"Marry me."
"What?"
"Yes. Just marry me—and all the debts will be settled."
Galuh froze. Her lips parted, her body stiff with shock.
The next morning…
"Arya, did you prepare the draft I asked for last night?" Wildan asked, staring blankly through the glass wall of his office.
"For what exactly, sir?"
"You'll find out," Wildan replied shortly. "Don't forget—there are two agreements."
Arya raised an eyebrow. This was unusual. Wildan was rarely secretive.
"So—"
"No questions. We leave in an hour."
"Leave? Where to?"
"Why are you so talkative today?" Wildan snapped.
Arya grimaced, then grinned sheepishly. "Sorry, Boss. I'll finish the draft. We still have an hour, right?"
"Yes. Don't take too long."
As Arya left, curiosity gnawed at him.
The black sedan rolled away from the company. As heir to Cakrabuana Group, Wildan lived for work. Love had never crossed his mind—until now.
"When will you give me a grandchild?" his father had asked weakly."If you don't marry soon, I'll hand the company to Henggar!"
Wildan clenched his fists."I won't let her children take over. Never."
Now, lost in thought, Arya's voice broke his reverie.
"Where are we headed, Mas?"
"Dinoyo," Wildan replied.
"Does it make sense," Wildan asked quietly, "to find a wife… immediately?"
Arya chuckled. "You run from women, Mas."
But Wildan didn't laugh.
"Do you already have someone?" Arya teased.
Wildan's jaw tightened."Never her."
Arya smiled knowingly."So this marriage… it's a contract, isn't it?"
A thin smile appeared on Wildan's lips."You understand."
"But… isn't this too much?"
"As long as there's an agreement, it's fine."
"Is she beautiful?"
"Arya!"
Yet Galuh's face surfaced in his mind—framed by moonlight.
"Get ready," Wildan said calmly. "For the worst."