“W-what do you mean, sir?” Alya stammered nervously, swallowing hard because Arka was standing so incredibly close.
“We should get married as soon as possible. You won’t just be responsible for taking care of the child. I’ll also teach you how to make one.”
Alya jolted in shock. What surprised her even more was the mischievous glint in the man’s eyes—one she had never expected to see.
“Hey! What exactly do you mean?” Alya blurted out once her brain managed to process Arka’s words.
Meanwhile, Arka chuckled softly, completely unconcerned that his joke had successfully turned Alya’s entire face bright red.
“Relax. I was only joking. We’ll only be married legally and by contract. I won’t touch you. As for this marriage, I’ll discuss it with Dad myself.”
Dad? That had to mean Mr. Bambang, Alya thought in a panic. Where would she put her face if she suddenly became the wife of her former boss’s son? Wouldn’t it cause the family to harbor all kinds of suspicions?
“B-but... won’t it be a problem if Mr. Bambang finds out?”
“It would be an even bigger problem if we lived under the same roof without being married. They’d definitely go berserk. Caca is enough proof of my past mischief,” Arka replied calmly.
He studied Alya’s still-doubtful expression. “I won’t interfere with your private life. If you want to meet your boyfriend or anyone else, that’s up to you. I don’t care. Just make sure the media and our families don’t find out,” Arka added.
“The important thing is that my goal of finding Caca a mother will be achieved, and your goal of getting money and job security will be achieved too. Fair, right?”
Alya snorted softly. How could this man talk as if everything in life could be arranged so easily with money?
Arka flashed a faint smirk before finally getting up and heading back to his room.
“What a crazy boss... He’s so annoying!” Alya grumbled harshly as she watched Arka’s back disappear behind the door.
“Hurry up! It takes you forever just to get ready. No wonder you’re late every day!”
Alya took a deep breath, trying to hold back her temper. Since dawn, Arka’s nagging was all her ears had been hearing.
“Yes, I know! Give me a second to catch my breath!” she snapped, quickening her pace as she descended the stairs. Because she’d had trouble sleeping the night before while trying to sort out her thoughts, she had nearly overslept that morning.
“Tsk, slow down. If you fall down the stairs, you’ll only cause more trouble.”
Alya grew even more irritated. What did this man actually want? She was wrong if she was too fast, and if she was too slow, he chewed her out even more.
Caca, who was sitting at the dining table, giggled as she watched the little quarrel unfolding in front of her. “Mama and Papa are so funny!” she chirped innocently.
No wonder. Until now, the luxurious house had always felt incredibly quiet and formal. This was the first morning a little commotion had brought the place to life.
“Papa’s going to work now, sweetheart,” Arka said as he knelt down and warmly kissed his daughter’s cheek.
“Okay, Papa!”
“Mama’s leaving too. Don’t be naughty at home with Sari,” Alya added, imitating Arka as she kissed Caca’s other cheek.
Caca nodded happily, then looked at both her parents with sparkling eyes. “Papa, aren’t you going to kiss Mama?” the innocent child asked.
Gulp!
Alya and Arka stared at each other for several seconds.
“Um... maybe later, sweetheart. We’re... we’re not officially married yet,” Alya cut in quickly with an extremely awkward, forced smile.
“Yes, Caca sure comes up with some things. All right, Papa and Mama are leaving now.”
“Okay, Papa, Mama! Bye-bye!” Caca waved her tiny hand as Arka and Alya stepped outside.
As soon as they arrived at the Astraea Corp office complex, Alya hurriedly cut in. “I’ll get out by the bus stop outside, sir,” she whispered in a panic.
“Why?”
“It would be awkward if another employee saw me! They’ll get the wrong idea.”
Arka didn’t answer. Instead, he ignored Alya and continued driving his sedan straight toward the executive-only basement.
“Hey... sir! I’m serious! Oh, I’m so dead if anyone finds out!” Alya babbled in sheer panic.
But Arka acted completely unfazed. He turned off the engine and parked in the CEO’s reserved space. The man got out without a care in the world and walked ahead of Alya.
“Unbelievable! He really has no sympathy!” Alya muttered as she followed far behind him so no one would see them walking together.
“Hey, Al! Did I seriously see you getting out of the basement with Mr. Arka this morning?” Sofi interrogated her as soon as Alya dropped into her cubicle chair.
Alya hurriedly arranged her bag, trying to make her movements look as natural as possible. “I happened to run into Mr. Arka out front, and then he asked me to bring the meeting documents ahead of him. It would’ve been awkward to say no.”
I’ll be dead if Sofi finds out I’m living under the same roof as this killer boss, Alya screamed inwardly.
“Why do you look so terrified? Did he chew you out again?” Nadia asked from the next cubicle.
“Huh? No, not at all. Hehe...”
“Al, you don’t have a thing for Mr. Arka, do you?” Nadia probed suspiciously.
“Of course not! I’d have to be crazy to like a cold, stiff human being like that.”
“Good. I was planning to start turning on the charm,” Nadia confessed with a wink.
“Hey, don’t be greedy, Nad! I want to give it a try too!” Sofi protested. “Let’s have a friendly competition!”
Alya could only shake her head as she watched her two friends. What had gotten into them? Why were they fighting over someone as deadly and cold as Arka?
“Whew... I’m exhausted...”
Alya rubbed the back of her stiff neck. Today, Arka had worked her mercilessly. She had started by assisting with a crucial meeting that had been postponed, then inspected a branch office, and finally handled a mountain of financial reports. Her stomach hadn’t had a single bite of food since morning because she’d been in such a rush.
The girl glanced at the tiny clock on her desk. 2:15 p.m. Her stomach was beginning to cramp painfully. She wanted to go to the cafeteria, but she was afraid Arka would chew her out because he had ordered her to keep her phone on her and not leave the division area.
Alya rested her chin on the wooden desk. Every now and then, her eyes drifted toward the glass door of the CEO’s office, which was only a short distance away.
Through a gap in the slightly open curtains, she saw an office assistant come out carrying a tray piled high with an extravagant meal.
Must be nice being the boss. Even while he’s working, his food gets delivered straight to him, Alya lamented as her stomach continued to rumble.
“Al!”
“Oh my gosh!” Alya jumped when Satrio suddenly patted her shoulder from behind. “You scared me, Sat!”
Satrio chuckled softly, though his gaze looked hesitant. “Al... since things are a little less hectic, tonight, would you...”
Ringgg!
The landline on Alya’s desk rang shrilly, cutting off Satrio’s words.
“Hang on, Sat.” Alya picked up the receiver. “Good afternoon, Secretary’s office.”
“Come to my office now.”
Click. The line went dead without warning.