Galuh stepped hesitantly into the lobby of the company managed by Wildan. Even when she reached the reception desk, she repeatedly held back from asking anything. This time, she sat down on a chair uncertainly, observing the employees who walked back and forth past her.
The skyscraper building, bustling during peak hours, made her reluctant even to greet anyone. However, she needed proof and a receipt for her effort this time.
Galuh took out a black business card from the back pocket of her black jeans. The black T-shirt she was wearing covered part of the pocket, making it difficult for her to pull it out.
"Good afternoon, Miss." Galuh was startled when a security guard approached her. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Hmmm…" Galuh hesitated to answer the question.
"I've been noticing that you seem confused. Let me help."
Galuh then handed over the business card with her right hand, her face looking pleading. The guard accepted it and frowned. Alternating his gaze between Galuh and the card in his hand, he examined both.
"You want to meet Mr. Wildan, Miss?"
Galuh nodded slowly. "Yes. I want to meet him."
"Did you make an appointment beforehand?"
Galuh shook her head. "No, I came here suddenly."
"Oh, I see." The guard nodded. "Actually, if you want to meet him, you're supposed to make an appointment first, Miss. But… I'll try asking the receptionist first, okay? So she can connect with Mr. Arya."
"Thank you for your help, Sir." Galuh bowed her head slightly.
She then walked alongside the guard toward the reception desk. The beautiful receptionist reacted the same way—she also looked surprised by Galuh's presence, especially considering Galuh's very casual outfit.
"All right, Mr. Arya. I'll ask her to wait." The woman hung up the phone and smiled at Galuh. "Mr. Arya asked you to wait for a moment. He'll come down shortly."
"Thank you, Miss. I'll sit over there?"
"Yes, please, Miss. It won't be long—"
"Mas Arya!" The receptionist's words were cut off when Galuh suddenly shouted loudly while waving at Arya. The beautiful receptionist stared in shock, seeing how familiarly Galuh called Arya by "Mas."
"Good afternoon, Mr. Arya," the receptionist greeted politely. "This is Miss—"
"Yes, thank you, Widya. Come on, Mbak Galuh, let's go upstairs."
"I've been waiting for a long time."
"Why didn't you just call?"
"I didn't feel comfortable calling directly. Was that Mas Wildan's number or your number, Mas?" Galuh kept chatting casually with Arya, while Widya the receptionist and the security guard looked on in surprise at their familiarity. They even gaped when Galuh casually mentioned Wildan's name. They whispered softly among themselves about it.
"That was Mr. Wildan's number. If you want mine too, I can give it to you," Arya replied. Several people passing by nodded respectfully to Arya, which he returned with a friendly smile.
"I'm scared, Mas…"
"Scared of what?"
"This place feels unfamiliar…"
Arya laughed at Galuh's innocent remark. The fair-skinned, pretty girl made people who passed by unable to look away. She was simple, with her hair tied in a ponytail that revealed her slender neck.
"That's because you've never been here before."
"It's not that…" Galuh paused. "They looked at me like I was a criminal when I took out Mas Wildan's business card. What do you think they were thinking?"
"They probably thought, 'Who is this girl who has the business card of the number one person in the Cakrabuana Group?' That's about how surprised they were. Because Mr. Wildan is never seen with a woman. His reputation is very clean."
"Oh… I see. That means… I…"
"Yes, something like that. So… did you come here to accept Mr. Wildan's offer?" Arya asked once they were inside the elevator.
Galuh was startled by Arya's question. She raised her hands and shook her head repeatedly. "No… that's not my intention."
Arya raised his eyebrows in confusion. "Then why did you come?" He paused. "Or is it because you miss Mr. Wildan?"
"Hais!" Galuh complained irritably. Her expression was adorable, making Arya laugh. "I came to pay my debt, Mas."
"Oh!" Arya replied with his mouth open. "You could just transfer it."
"I need a receipt."
"Proof of transfer can already serve as a receipt, right?"
Galuh shook her head in disagreement. "It can't, not without the recipient's signature."
Arya shook his head at Galuh's persistence. He could no longer argue with her strong determination.
"All right, then. But… you can wait, right?"
"Wait? Why?"
"Mr. Wildan has several meetings scheduled today. And actually, his schedule is very full."
"Oh… so… I have to wait?" Galuh repeated, holding her stomach.
"Are you hungry?"
"Huh?" Galuh quickly shook her head while flashing a smile, making Arya hold back his laughter again.
"Your stomach can't lie," Arya whispered, making Galuh widen her round eyes. "Later I'll arrange lunch delivery, especially for you."
Instantly, Galuh's smile widened, her face lighting up with joy just from hearing Arya's offer. By the time the elevator doors opened on the ninth floor, Arya and Galuh were still chatting casually.
At the end of the room stood a large door. Beside it was a receptionist's desk, and across from it was a set of chairs serving as a waiting area.
"Sit here for now," Arya gestured for Galuh to take one of the seats. A graceful woman with an attractive appearance was already waiting there. She was stunningly beautiful, wearing a khaki-colored blazer.
"Hello, Mbak Celine. Still waiting as well?" Arya greeted the woman, whose name turned out to be Celine.
"Yes, Mas Arya. It seems it'll take a while." The woman glanced at Galuh, who was also looking at her. "Is she your guest, Mas Arya?" She smiled warmly at Galuh.
"She's his guest too. Came in without an appointment," Arya replied briefly.
"Wow! That's impressive!" The woman looked surprised. "I didn't know Mr. Wildan could receive guests without a prior appointment."
"It's something important, Mbak Celine," Arya replied quickly, not wanting Celine to misunderstand.
The door to Wildan's office opened, revealing him walking alongside a middle-aged man. Galuh unintentionally witnessed how friendly and warm Wildan was with his guest. A wide smile was etched on his face, and his dimples were clearly visible again. Galuh was amazed and enjoyed the sight.
"All right, we'll discuss this another time. Thank you for your visit, Mr. Broto." Wildan escorted the man called Mr. Broto out. Shortly after, Celine, who had been waiting, immediately stood up and approached him.
"Mas," Celine greeted affectionately. Wildan's face instantly turned cold, just like when Galuh first met him. "I've been waiting for a long time. You said you wanted to talk to me?"
Wildan glanced toward where Galuh was sitting and did not take his eyes off her for a moment. Then he shifted his attention to Celine, who was standing a step away from him.
"Come in," Wildan said to Celine, allowing her to walk ahead of him. He opened the door for her.
A strange flutter stirred in Galuh's chest when she saw how Wildan treated the woman. The man she had thought was arrogant and aloof turned out to be very considerate toward women.
"It's okay to wait, right?" Arya suddenly appeared and stood beside Galuh. He had earlier left her in the waiting area to get some documents for Wildan. "What is it? Mr. Wildan looks different, doesn't he?"
Galuh swallowed, her throat suddenly bitter. She agreed with Arya's observation—something that made her realize she had misjudged him. "Who was that woman, Mas?"
"Her name is Celine. She's very close to Mr. Wildan's stepmother. And they're planning to set them up," Arya answered, emphasizing every word.
"Set up?"
***