"Yes, an arranged marriage." Arya then sat down on the bench beside Galuh. "If Sir doesn't find a partner, then there are two possibilities."
"Possibilities?"
"Yes. First, he has to marry Ms. Celine."
"And the second?" Galuh asked curiously.
"He must give up his position as President Director of Cakrabuana Group."
Galuh pressed her lips together upon hearing Arya's second statement. She had already suspected that answer, but she hadn't expected her chest to feel much tighter than when Wistara had said it.
"That means?"
"At best, he would only become a finance manager, since that's his field."
"There's no other option?"
"It seems there isn't. The reading of the will is scheduled for the day after tomorrow. Mr. Cakrabuana's condition is very bad."
"He must be very unsettled."
"Who? Mr. Wildan?"
Galuh nodded in agreement. "Yes, he must feel burdened."
"That's why—can't you help him? Sir only needs one week. After that, you're free to decide."
Galuh fell silent after hearing Arya's words. This was already the second time she had heard it. Yesterday, Wistara had said it directly. And today, Arya said the same thing.
"Don't be surprised. Mr. Wildan won't ask you again. That's already his principle—he won't ask twice. But… my advice… you might be able to change his mind." Arya paused. "Everything depends on you, Ms. Galuh."
Galuh and Arya talked for quite a while in the waiting room when the door opened again and Celine emerged, accompanied by Wildan. The elegant woman excused herself and walked toward where Galuh and Arya were sitting.
From the corner of her eye, Galuh saw that Wildan briefly glanced at her before entering his office without greeting her. Something throbbed in Galuh's chest. She felt rejected by Wildan.
"I'll be going now, Miss," Celine said politely to Galuh, who replied with a nod. "Mas Arya, I'll take my leave."
"Yes, Ms. Celine. Take care on the way." Arya stood up and bowed his head politely.
Once Celine disappeared into the elevator, Arya invited Galuh to enter Wildan's office. "Come on, I'll take you." He offered. "Or… do you want to go in by yourself?"
"I think I'll just go home. You're right—I'll just transfer the money," Galuh said as she stood up and turned toward the elevator.
"Hey, where are you going?" Arya grabbed the hem of Galuh's sleeve, stopping her. "Didn't you want to meet Sir earlier?"
"Maybe another time," Galuh replied, still stubborn.
"Hey—since you're already here, why go back? And what would Sir say if you didn't come in, when he already saw you here?" Arya pulled Galuh toward Wildan's office door.
Arya knocked three times, then slowly opened the door. Galuh's heart pounded wildly as the door opened wide. Bright light from inside dazzled her eyes. She saw Wildan's silhouette sitting behind his desk, with the city view as a backdrop.
The man who made Galuh's heart race was wearing a black shirt that matched his trousers. He looked masculine and utterly captivating. Their gazes met when Wildan lifted his face.
"You brought the documents I asked for, right?" Wildan asked Arya without greeting Galuh.
"Yes. Here they are," Arya replied casually. Only then did Galuh realize that when no one else was around, they acted very informally. Arya even called Wildan "Mas." "Oh yes, Mas. There's a guest who wants to talk to you directly."
"Who said that?" Galuh interrupted, raising her eyebrows. She realized Arya did it on purpose when he winked at her.
Instead of responding, Wildan returned to checking the documents Arya had brought. "It seems you brought me the wrong documents, Arya."
"Oh? Really?" Arya replied, pretending to be surprised. "I prepared them earlier. If that's the case, I'll go get them."
"What's wrong with you today? Doing it on purpose?"
"Just a moment, Boss. Don't get mad. Okay!" Arya quickly left the room, leaving Galuh and Wildan alone.
Galuh remained standing, confused about what to do. From the corner of her eye, she watched Wildan busy reading the documents. She didn't want to disturb him, yet she couldn't help admiring his captivating presence.
"How long are you planning to stand there?" Wildan finally spoke after more than three minutes of silence, accompanied only by instrumental music from the speakers.
Galuh then sat on the dark brown sofa that dominated Wildan's office—a minimalist room with cream-colored walls and dark brown furnishings.
"You said you had something to say?" Wildan asked coldly, still reading without looking at her.
"Yes, I… want to pay my debt…"
"All of it?"
"No… I'm paying in installments."
"Just give it to Arya."
"No, I want to give it to you directly." Galuh walked closer and stood right in front of Wildan, separated only by his minimalist desk. For the first time, Wildan looked at her with his expressionless gaze.
"Just put it on the desk."
"I want a receipt."
"Ask Arya."
"No… I want a receipt directly from you," Galuh replied bravely.
Wildan's face hardened, as did his jaw—the sharp line clearly visible. He placed the documents on the desk and stared at Galuh intensely, making her shiver.
"What do you really want?" Wildan asked firmly.
Galuh froze. The Wildan she met last night was very different from the one before her now. He seemed cruel, rigid, cold, and unapproachable. His face reflected authority and distance. Pain welled up in Galuh's chest.
"Why are you being so angry?" Galuh asked, her voice trembling.
Wildan raised an eyebrow, confused. "Angry?"
"Yes, you're angry!" Galuh raised her voice. "Do you know how much courage it took for me to come here? Just getting here was a huge achievement for me. But why are you reacting like this? Do you think I'm some kind of beggar?" Galuh snapped, startling Wildan. The handsome man could do nothing but feel uncomfortable.
"That—"
"If my presence bothers you, you should have said so, so I wouldn't have to step into this damn room!" Galuh threw a brown envelope onto the desk and turned away, leaving Wildan standing there in shock, utterly confused.
***