Pranajaya Group Building
After meeting Argan and ending up at a hotel restaurant, only to leave the man her father had chosen for her, Lintang decided to return to the office with mixed feelings.
The more she imagined her future match's attitude and temper, the more she hated Indra Laksono.
Did that Indra even know what Argan was like with women, let alone with me?
Lintang sighed softly from behind her desk over and over, making several coworkers glance her way. Even though her fingers were busy on the keyboard, it still made them curious.
"Neng, is something wrong?"
"Huh?"
Lintang's attention was pulled away by Mr. Daud's question. He was the most senior employee in Pranajaya's HR department.
"What you're typing doesn't look like the report you need. It's all capital letters spelling out 'ASSHOLE,' Neng," Mr. Daud said, pointing at the monitor over Lintang's shoulder.
"Huh? W-where, sir ... oh, my God."
Lintang's eyes widened at the sight before her. Somehow, without realizing it, she had filled her monitor with exactly what Mr. Daud had said.
"Oh, God, why am I typing this? I'm sorry, sir. I-I'll start over."
Without a second thought, Lintang deleted the document that was supposed to contain the monthly financial report.
Mr. Daud shook his head at Lintang's uncharacteristic panic.
"Take a break, Neng. Clear your head if something's bothering you so you don't have to redo your work. Go make yourself something hot or cold to calm down. Besides, it's still a long way until closing time, and the report isn't urgent. Okay, Lintang?" Mr. Daud's sound advice felt like a reassuring pat on her shoulder.
"Yes, sir. I'm sorry for being so distracted." Lintang lowered her head apologetically.
Mr. Daud chuckled and raised a hand to show that it was fine. The man, who was over fifty, finally returned to his desk.
The others smiled too when they saw how pale Lintang looked. Fortunately, Nara wasn't in the room, which gave Lintang a little relief.
Nara always cared about everything Lintang did, whether she was right or wrong.
After calming herself for a moment, Lintang picked up her glass and headed to the pantry. As Mr. Daud had suggested, she needed extra caffeine today to calm her mind after it had been contaminated by the behavior of the man she'd met at the restaurant.
Elsewhere.
[Sel ... what's going on? Has Lintang come to see you?]
At his office, Kevin, who had some free time, took the opportunity to ask Selvi—Lintang's best friend, who was also close to him.
Ding!
Her reply finally arrived.
[Last night. It's true—she's being set up in an arranged marriage by her father, and she doesn't know who the man is. Hmm, she was picked up for lunch this afternoon. Maybe lunch is already over. I haven't had a chance to ask.]
Kevin's gaze went blank as he read Selvi's reply. So Lintang had been telling the truth—she was being set up in an arranged marriage, and they were meeting that afternoon.
"Tsk! What kind of guy is Lintang's future husband? Her own behavior is already bad enough," Kevin muttered under his breath.
Luckily, Kevin was taking it easy at the moment, so he was free to send messages.
Unable to bear his curiosity, he sent a message to someone.
[What did we find out today about their meeting?]
A reply appeared soon after.
[Boss, this is bad. The man who picked up the dove is pretty dangerous. His track record is nothing good.]
"Ah, damn it!" Kevin clenched his fist at the report he'd just received. The very thing he'd feared had finally come true.
[I'll start another investigation once the owl gets back from the office. Do you want to meet, Boss, or do you have any other requests?]
Kevin toyed with his phone, searching for a way to continue the investigation he was conducting into Lintang so he could find out who her stepfather's chosen match was—the former lover she had rejected.
After thinking for quite a while, Kevin finally came up with an idea.
[Just shadow the owl as safely as possible. Find out everything they do from night until morning and who they meet. If you can, record the exact dates, months, and times, then put together a report in a separate file. Don't worry, I'll pay you extra. Report your findings to me before they get married. And don't forget—the crow's movements take priority. I think something is being hidden from the dove and her mother.]
After exchanging messages with the informant he'd hired, Kevin continued working until evening.
"Tonight, we're drinking until we drop! Ha ha ha! I'm treating everyone at every table, so order whatever you want."
The loud voice of a man wearing a white shirt, a black suit, and a tie that had long since gone askew rang out amid the pounding hip-hop music echoing through the city's most prestigious nightclub.
"Wow, thanks, Boss. Come on, everyone, order your drinks—and don't forget, let's dance!"
Everyone jumped to their feet at once when they heard who was paying for the night. Cheers from the nightlife crowd filled the room, while flashing lights heightened the adrenaline of the men and scantily dressed women.
At the main table, the suited man was starting to stagger. The cigar between his fingers was slipping as two women approached him with intimate movements.
It all happened without anyone caring. Everyone was caught up in their own pleasure and their partners, and before long, the handsome man in the suit had moved to a private room with his two companions.
In her room ...
Bzzzt!
Lintang was almost asleep when the vibration of her phone beside the nightstand kept her from closing her eyes.
Her hand moved sluggishly as she reached for it. After struggling for several minutes, she finally managed to grab the device.
A moment later, her eyes widened as she read a message from an unknown number that had appeared in her contacts.
[If you want proof of what Argan is really like, come to Reinans Pub. Private Room 303. Now.]
"Argan?"
Lintang furrowed her brow as she read the message.
Bzzzt!
Another message came in. Lintang hurried to open it.
Her fingers trembled when she saw the photo. Argan was with two women whose clothes were no longer fully on.
Lintang squeezed her eyes shut. Her heart pounded violently as she witnessed the first step on the journey that would lead her to hell.
"Argan Wicaksono, you're just as much of a bastard as Indra, who chose you as my match!"