“Yes, Mas Aditya, during the press conference, I want the medcom team to be on standby one hour before the event starts. Then…”
While my superiors were talking, I focused on jotting down the main points. Occasionally, I stole a glance in front of me. Flattery fluttered in my chest—when else would I be this close to a minister? Should I ask him for a photo later? Would that be inappropriate—
Before I could finish the thought, the discussion ended. Mr. Hendrik excused himself, leaving only Aditya and me in the room.
“I apologize for stealing your lunch break, Tshabina.”
Aditya blurted out, snapping me out of my daze. “It’s alright, sir. It’s part of my job,” I answered with a small, polite smile.
Aditya gave me a slight nod. “That’s true. You always handle things.” He smiled. “Still, I feel bad. It’s already two.”
His face lit up. “Let’s have lunch together. I’m going to a steak restaurant with some colleagues and partners from the subsidiary project in Setiabudi.” He tilted his head. “You still like steak, right? Or has it changed?”
Raising a brow, his gaze remained fixed on me. “Maybe you like Korean food now? Sometimes I see you watching K-dramas during breaks.” He shoved his chair back—the scrape echoing through the room—and leaned in close. “Please, I want to take responsibility.”
I frowned.
I sat there, blinking, until he asked again. “Well? Tshabina… you’ll join me for lunch, won’t you?”
People said there was always something at work that made you want to quit. For me, this was it. The nagging itch returned, driving me to bite my lip hard, struggling to cage the truth I should have voiced without hesitation. Blowing out a heavy breath, I nodded in agreement.
« -- * --»
The restaurant was bustling, filled with clinking cutlery and chatter. Many of my office superiors, division heads, managers, and even our CEO were here.
The moment I walked in, I was a deer among a pack of lions. The room was crowded, yet the cold air from the air conditioner sank into my bones, forcing me to swallow. Why did Aditya always bring me into situations like this? I was a regular employee, not supposed to sit in a place filled with the top damn brass.
“Please, have a seat, Mas Aditya,” one of the division heads greeted.
“Thank you.” Aditya took a chair and motioned for me to sit on the bench beside him. “Ah, right, Tshabina, I forgot to tell you. For our Setiabudi subsidiary office project, we’re working with a foreign partner.” He spoke, tilting his head down toward me. I nodded, yet my gaze kept wandering around the VIP room as I tried to remind myself to keep my best smile in place.
“His father’s company is our investor, so we took the initiative to invite his son as the architect.” I turned to him, listening carefully. “Mr. Bakti Danudara, the founder and chairman of INDTV Group, is our investor. His son is working with us on this project. Ah—there he is.”
The words hit me like a sudden wave.
I blinked. My body stiffened.
What did he say?
For a moment, I was sure I’d misheard.
The Chairman of INDTV Group? Son of INDTV’s Chairman?An architect.So basically, the son of the founder of INDTV Group, who worked as an architect?
My chest tightened until breathing grew difficult.
T-that was...
Before I could process it fully, Aditya’s words were interrupted. Everyone at the table turned their attention toward the entrance. Instinctively, I did the same.
My heart skipped.
A man walked in.
He was tall and broad-shouldered, with wavy black hair and deep brown eyes. He was dressed in a sharp suit and carried himself with confidence. Even from this distance, I could smell his scent, which made my eyes widen.
“Welcome to Indonesia, Mr. Danudara,” our CEO said, followed by the others, dipping their heads in respect. “It’s a pleasure to have you with us. Please, take a seat.”
“Thank you.” The man said with a faint smile.
