In his office, Ashton was checking the project documents brought by Anggia. While evaluating, he also discussed the work that needed to be completed by the end of the week."Ashton, all the drawings have been sent. As per your request, construction will start this Saturday. If you have time, you can check it out yourself. I'll accompany you."Ashton remained focused on reading. He lifted his face, shaking his head at Anggia."Rumi's scheduled to inspect the site this Saturday. Let her oversee the workers in the field.""Why not you?" Anggia inquired. According to the schedule, Ashton was supposed to be on duty next Saturday."I can't. I have something I need to take care of.""Office matters?"Ashton shook his head."No.""Oh, something with the intern staff?""Her name's Alice, Anggia," Ashton replied curtly."I see. Okay, no need to discuss it. So, have you had lunch?""Yes.""When I went out earlier, I bought your favorite snacks."Anggia then turned around, walking to a table not
"My husband... Come on, wake up!"Alice intentionally shook Alsan's body while whining. She was insisting fervently for the still sleepy man to wake up from his slumber.Alice couldn't possibly forget. Today, right at the weekend's end, Ashton had promised to take her on a staycation or an overnight outside their home to find a new atmosphere.Say Alice was indeed very enthusiastic. Especially since she had been provoked by Quadra's senior staff during yesterday's afternoon break.How could she, who was often belittled and gossiped about because she hadn't shown any signs of pregnancy yet, bear it."Alice, don't let Lena win. She's already pregnant right after getting married. Amazing."Rindu teased without restraint. Even though her words were hurtful. How could women compare each other so casually and confidently, especially about sensitive matters."Yeah, maybe it's not in my fate," Alice replied casually. She wasn't bothered at all."Have you checked yet? What if there's something
Inviting Alice for a staycation seemed like a great idea to Ashton. Honestly, he had never thought of taking his wife far away to Singapore before.If it weren't for Rumi's prodding, seriously, Ashton might have just settled for taking his wife to a hotel around Jakarta or maybe, at the farthest, Bali."Ashton, the distance from Jakarta to Bali is almost the same as from Jakarta to Singapore. The flight time is almost two hours for both. Ticket prices? About the same. If I were you, I’d take her to Singapore.""Singapore?""Yes!" Rumi confirmed. "Take her to stay at Marina Bay Sands. You have plenty of money. It won’t be a problem to spend a night in a luxury room. It’s not like you do it every day or even every month. Besides, making your wife happy brings blessings.""But, are you sure I should take her to stay there?""Why not? Don't you have enough money? Do you need me to fund it?"Ashton clicked his tongue. How dare Rumi belittle him, as if he didn't have enough money to the poi
There were only a few hours left until the end of the workday. After finishing all her tasks, Alice seemed to be lost in thought for a moment. Her mind was drifting, recalling the conversation she had with her father during lunch earlier that day."Alice....""Yes, what's up?"At first, Alice thought her father was calling to ask for the remaining money to pay off the loan shark. But instead of mentioning money, the man started talking about something else that Alice had been avoiding with difficulty."Your husband called earlier."Alice's heart felt like it was being squeezed. She was anxious and wondered why Ashton had called her father. Was Ashton still trying to invite Raphael directly to his parents' birthday party? But how did her husband get Raphael's phone number? As far as Alice remembered, she had never shared or told Ashton about it."W-what? Ashton called you?" Alice asked to confirm."Yes, your husband called.""What did Ashton call you about?""At first, I was confused t
Anggia looked at her reflection in the mirror once more, ensuring that her appearance was absolutely perfect. There was a reason for her wanting to look flawless. Today was an important and possibly historic day in her life. She had waited for a moment like this for a long time, hoping that everything she had meticulously planned would go off without a hitch.Entering the car, Anggia reached for her phone first. She opened her contacts, found Raphael's name, and sent a message.Anggia: Mr. Raphael, I’m on my way to the event now. I hope you arrive on time.She didn’t have to wait long before getting a reply. She quickly opened and read it.Raphael: I’m also getting ready to leave, Miss Anggia. I’m waiting for the online taxi I ordered to arrive at the guest house.Anggia: I hope you will do what I taught you yesterday at the event, Mr. Raphael. And please, don’t take offense if I belittle you or say something that sounds humiliating. I will definitely pay you as we agreed.Raphael: Al
"No! This is impossible. You all can't treat me like this!" Anggia shook her head repeatedly. She continued to reject what Ashton and Raphael had just done to her.Amidst the chaos, Anggia glanced around. From her own eyes, she could see how the invited guests stared at her with looks of disgust and irritation.Initially, Anggia was so confident. She was absolutely sure that her carefully laid plans would yield the results she desired. But it seemed God had other plans. Instead of successfully embarrassing Alice, she herself was humiliated in front of everyone."Mr. Raphael, you have to pay for what you've done. You think you can just toy with me like this!" Anggia exclaimed angrily. She still couldn't accept that Raphael had played her. Who would have thought that the person she had invited all the way to Jakarta for potential collaboration would now humiliate her in front of everyone?"Don't be angry, Miss Anggia. I think you deserve all of this. Maybe now you'll learn not to belitt
After showering, instead of immediately getting dressed or preparing, still in her bathrobe, Alice was seen sitting at the edge of the bed. Her gaze was fixed out the window. Whatever she was thinking about, she seemed content to sit there quietly for a long time.Ashton, who had just finished dressing and observed Alice's behavior, decided to approach her. Taking a seat right beside her, he addressed her."What are you thinking about?"Alice immediately turned to him. Smiling, she reached for Ashton's wrist and replied."I've been thinking about all the changes that have happened in my life."This time, Ashton smiled. Holding Alice's hand in return, he responded playfully to her words."Well, I hope those changes didn't turn you into a Power Ranger, did they?""Haha," Alice laughed. "But seriously. Until now, sometimes I still can't believe I'm actually living a normal married life with you."Ashton raised an eyebrow. He sighed. Did she think he wasn't normal before, to the extent th
Today, as planned, Rapael decided to return to Batam to continue living as usual. After meeting Alice and Ashton's extended family, Rapael felt that he had taken the time to express his feelings. Moreover, all sorts of debt problems that had previously entangled Ashton had been resolved without a trace. So, from now on, Rapael could lead a comfortable life without having to worry as before."Yes. Besides, Dad has to continue living. Later, if there's an opportunity, Dad will visit Jakarta again. Or, if you have free time, come and visit Batam."Ashton nodded."Later, Ashton will arrange a schedule to visit there, Dad.""Dad will wait.""Then, my money from yesterday, what's the progress?"Rumi, who was enjoying fried rice, joined the conversation. Before Rapael really left, he felt he had to clarify the fate of the 500 million rupiahs he had sent to Rapael yesterday."Don't worry, Rumi," Rapael replied with a smile. "I have returned all the money to Ashton. The money Alice sent has al