Chapter 5

Oh my god, what is this?

The sun is still blazing and someone is standing under the old banyan tree right in front of the lobby of the Design department at Diamond University.

Caroline allowed her biracial fiancé to come in a casual style so as not to draw attention. However, several girls and her friends deliberately stopped around the lobby or just looked at the tall and handsome man with a unique charm.

"Caroline, do you see him?" Dea, her classmate, spoke about Caroline's fiancé who was on the floor below them. This 2-floor glass building is the most enjoyable place to enjoy the garden view of the Design department.

"I feel like disappearing." Caroline replied aimlessly.

"What?! Wait, you're staring at him and said you want to disappear?" Dea's neuron puzzles began to move to draw a conclusion.

"Don't tell me that's your fiancé?" Dea Larasati is one of Caroline's best friends among many friends who are close to her. Dea has a special place because she is active in social activities with Caroline and helps her startup. Caroline has confided in Dea several times and this girl seems simple and careless on the outside but really respects her friend's principles and privacy. That's why Caroline found it easy to confide and exchange ideas with her.

Caroline nodded slowly. Like a child who doesn't want to eat but has to open her mouth.

"You better meet him soon, or more people will be curious." Dea gave an idea.

"Okay." Caroline's resigned expression accompanied her reluctant steps.

Caroline's pace quickened, but she stopped briefly. She decided to call Hendra on her cell phone instead of greeting him directly. The Design department lobby was full of students passing by and some greeted Hendra trivially.

"Casual style, huh?! He's attracting more attention." Caroline began to get angry. She quickly pressed the button on her phone.

"I see you, I'll be walking in front of you soon, we don't need to greet each other, just follow my steps." Caroline said bluntly.

"Who are you to tell me to do that?!" Hendra replied.

"Stop talking to those girls, they're just talking nonsense, but if you like, go ahead." Caroline retorted.

"They just asked me if they could help. You know I feel like a fake here, you're taking too long and one more thing..." Hendra didn't finish his sentence. Noisy sounds were heard.

"Wah, she seems angry." Several comments from the girls could be heard on Caroline's phone. Then they slowly left, greeted by Hendra's sweet smile.

Caroline closed her phone and walked towards Hendra without a word. He had to follow her from behind. A moment later, Hendra's cell phone rang.

"Why are you calling when we're only five steps away from each other?"

"This is a campus and I don't want my youth to be ruined by this stupid contract marriage." Caroline yelled. Slowly, Hendra released her, realizing who he was dealing with. Yes, a strange and innocent girl with an abstract personality.

"Where's your car? Let's talk in the car." Caroline requested.

"In the parking lot." Hendra replied reluctantly. Caroline continued her steps.

"Wait a minute. This time I'm in front, I don't like to follow others, especially you." Hendra insisted.

"Oh, it's so important. Who is walking behind whom?" Caroline sarcastically remarked. Hendra ignored her. 

***

Caroline smiled as she got into her boss's car. She took a deep breath, knowing that she had annoyed Hendra earlier.

"I told you several times. You can stand in front of the department lobby, but you need to wear something less conspicuous and preferably not from your car, unless it's necessary," protested Hendra.

"I have followed your request. I wore what you asked me to. I got out of the car too," replied Caroline, unsure of Hendra's intentions.

"You took so long. I was waiting in the car for two hours. You didn't even call," Caroline replied.

"Just like someone who's in class should answer their phone. That would have been more appropriate. But I'm curious why you took so long. I suspect you weren't actually in class but rather avoided me," explained Hendra. Caroline didn't want to meet this guy again, but she tried to buy herself more time.

"Do you have a boyfriend on campus? Maybe you didn't want your boyfriend to see me?" added Hendra.

"No...no...that's not it. I don't like to be talked about by my friends. They will make a fuss if they find out someone is picking me up. Besides, why did you wear that sky brand of yours just to go to campus? That's tacky," replied Caroline.

"Sky brand? What's that?" Hendra didn't understand the term. Steven, his assistant, gave an explanation.

"It means your clothes and belongings are too above average," explained Steven, choosing his words carefully.

"More precisely, your style is out of place," added Steven.

"What...?! What do you mean? Isn't this casual?" Hendra was confused.

Steven and Caroline sighed, knowing that any explanation would be a waste of time. Sky brand was Marcus's grandson's daily outfit.

"Never mind. Let's focus. Is there anything that needs to be discussed in this meeting?" Caroline intervened.

"We should slowly start discussing the concept of the wedding," suggested Surya.

"Is it that urgent, Steven? We have only met twice," protested Caroline.

"That's the request...uh...I mean, grandpa and grandma's request," Steven clarified. He drove the car slower so that his passengers could hear him clearly.

"They want your wedding to take place soon. I still hope you can confirm the fitting of the wedding dress," Steven added.

"I'm sorry, Steven. I don't think I can confirm Saturday yet. I have a routine meeting with my team," complained Caroline.

"What about you, Mr. Hendra?" Steven intentionally asked his boss to join in the conversation.

"Oh yeah, I remind you not to call me Mr. I'm only 30 years old and unmarried," replied Hendra. His expensive features were once again displayed on his face.

"You can laugh too," Caroline whispered while enjoying the sound of Hendra's laughter.

Steven turned the car to the left, suddenly stopping on the side of the road. Fortunately, the traffic behind them was sparse.

"I request permission to leave work early," Steven turned around, looking at Hendra sharply, which was unusual.

"There's no approval for your request. You still work according to your schedule," replied Hendra. His dimpled chin was back on his face.

"You're really out of line. At least I have room to…" Steven started to speak informally to his boss.

"Oh, sorry Miss Caroline, you must be surprised," Steven realized that Caroline looked confused at the sudden change in the interaction between the two.

"We went to the same college. I mean, he was my junior," Steven explained.

"Oh, and you need to know. At that time, because no one dared to be his friend, I had to be his friend. And now, after I couldn't stand being his assistant anymore, I was forced to make him my assistant," Steven's sentence structure was so interesting. It was a flat but piercing response.

"Of course Steven can be forced to become an assistant. I, on the other hand, was forced to become a wife," Caroline muttered, glancing at the man beside her.

"Don't let yourself be fooled by their words," Hendra felt awkward, being attacked by two people at once.

"What's wrong with you guys? Why are you looking at me like that?! What do you want?" The statement was unimportant. Hendra felt cornered.

"Aargh... I want to eat.. I'm so hungry.." Caroline's cry pushed Steven to press the gas pedal and their car sped up.

***

A white-themed restaurant with a casual concept. They didn't talk until the food remained on the table. Initially, Caroline thought it was just a coincidence because she and the two men beside her were very hungry. But it turns out that when Caroline wanted to open her mouth to start a conversation, Surya pointed his index finger right in front of her mouth, smiling. A reprimand for Caroline not to speak.

"What kind of wedding do you want?" This time Surya started the conversation. His question once again directed towards Caroline.

"Anything as long as it's not complicated. Simple and attended by close family and a few friends," answered Caroline while enjoying a piece of cupcake.

"I think it's impossible," Hendra said.

"Minimum there'll be one big party for family colleagues," added Hendra. Caroline played with her cupcake, a sign that she was getting nervous.

"As for the wedding gown, do you have any requests or preferences?" Surya asked once again, things that Caroline didn't want to answer.

"Anything as long as I don't have to wear high heels," Caroline replied shortly.

"Oh, one more thing. I don't want the dress to be too long or too puffy. A simple, light dress with a little ribbon," added Caroline.

"Now I understand. Marcus' choice is the right one, your taste can make the Marcus family even richer," Steven threw sarcasm. Hoping his interlocutors would join in his joke.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Steven quickly focused his attention when the two people in front of him weren't interested at all.

"Well, let me list again what we need to discuss." The assistant spoke to himself. Caroline gave a blank stare towards the group of young people who were enjoying their meal together, they looked fun and threw jokes at each other.

How could I be here and talk about a wedding? Oh God, I'll be divorced in two years. What should I do?_

Hendra caught Caroline's restlessness. The typical blank stare wasn't a coincidence, but more to her habit when she felt anxious.

"How old are you?" Hendra, who had been watching Caroline, tried to shift her focus.

"Eh, what? My age? My age?" Caroline was distracted.

"I'll be 20 years old. Um... I mean, in three months I'll be 20 years old," Caroline answered.

The answer made Hendra realize that this unique little girl was talented.

_It turns out she's still very young, yet she has acted as a speaker at her community activities. A little polishing will make her grow stronger. She just needs the right mentor and consistency._ Hendra observed the girl carefully.

"Oh yes, this is the most important thing. I almost forgot." Steven interrupted the small talk of the contract wedding couple.

"Miss, Marcus hopes that you personally design your own wedding invitation. Marcus seems to know that your startup provides this service." Steven made a request. Caroline just shook her head, feeling she couldn't do it.

"Why not?" Hendra didn't understand what Caroline was thinking.

"It's very difficult for a designer to work on a design project for themselves." Caroline's statement made Hendra aware, especially since she didn't want this wedding.

"I'm sure you have a team, it's not good to refuse this request. Not only to increase people's insights on your account, I am sure this project will upgrade your brand. Besides, you should not ignore special requests from people who will become your family." Hendra tried to convince Caroline. Somehow, something made him interested in persuading her.

"Um… but I am the only one who designs projects in my team." Caroline made it clear.

"I'm sure your team has a solution. They just need a little push, they can certainly complete this project." (They will definitely persuade you). Hendra tried to arrange his words.

_If the wedding later only produced a widow status, the Magic Letter is my last dream to fight for. Maybe I should try it._ Caroline thought 

"Give me just 30 minutes on your meeting agenda." Hendra added. Caroline glanced at Steven, hoping for support so that Hendra's request didn't have to be accepted. In fact, the assistant nodded in agreement. Even though his boss was known for his bad habits and often made others feel pressured, no one could doubt his business instincts. In addition, his strength in giving encouragement to every division in the mega business that was handed down to him was a strength that had never been possessed by previous generations.

"But you can't reveal that we will be getting married," Caroline requested.

"Why hide it? Don't be ridiculous, it's clear what the project is for." Hearing Hendra's words, Caroline just bowed her head, resigning.

"How many invitation items will we be working on?" Caroline asked Steven."Minimal 2,000 invitations, I'm sure more people will come," said Steven.

"What? If we can't finish it, it could be a blunder," Caroline couldn't imagine how to make 3D invitations in such a large amount. The largest order they've ever had was only 300 items. The customer was even asked to reduce their demand. Only certain people were selected to receive the custom 3D invitations.

"Don't worry too much, no matter how bad the result is, after we get married all your needs will be fulfilled, even when we separate, I guarantee you won't lack anything," Hendra tried to read Caroline's anxiety. And it seemed to make the situation worse. For Caroline, the words Hendra just said were the most worrying boomerang. When she had lived with many dreams and beautiful hopes together with her friends. Suddenly, every effort seemed pointless because she was already at the top of the highest mountain. Any efforts made whether it succeeded or not would not mean anything to anyone because people only saw her as the daughter-in-law of the Marcus family.

Caroline's face became sour.

"You're still not sure?" Hendra asked, curious about Caroline's expression.

"We'llpay double whatever the cost is," Hendra gave his last push. Caroline looked at him, his blue eyes challenging her to make a decision.

"Okay, I'll try," Caroline made up her mind.