Stealing The Wife's First Kiss

"What Gibran said is right". Tanto also voiced his support for Rio's son.

"Just go ahead. If you agree, let's vote now". Linus Abraham didn't want to linger.

The next thing that happened was that the council voted and it turned out that only one person had a different opinion. The other six voted to support Gibran.

"What about the engagement between you and Baskoro's daughter?". One of them questioned the marriage that was prepared for Gibran.

"Actually, I don't mind marrying anyone. I know my life will turn out like this. But, it seems that Shakila, Baskoro's daughter, is quite shocked by her father's decision". Gibran conveyed the results of the meeting between him and Shakila, Baskoro's daughter.

"You don't need to think about that kind of thing. The important thing is that her father agrees. Marriage isn't something important for us, think of it like an agreement".

Gibran no longer spoke. He knew the majority of the sons and daughters of these seven people had the same fate as him. Getting married to expand their business was often referred to as a sacrifice. They forgot that it was their children who were being sacrificed.

"Actually, I don't agree with your way. You see, your personal life in the family is mostly a mess. Rio, if you still have a rational mind, reconsider forced marriage for your child. Sorry if my words are always contradictory and sorry if all this time I don't want to sacrifice my children. The proof is that I enjoy my old age the most". Adam spoke again. He was always outspoken. But what he said was true. Adam's family was the most worthy of being a role model than the other six councils. Even the son of one of them had been detained in prison for repeated drug abuse.

Implicitly, the son and father were caught staring at each other for a moment then hastily averted their eyes.

***

"Sorry, for this huge decision, we can't immediately agree. It's better if you talk to Aruna directly". Dea was quite surprised by the pressure from Aruna's brother. Lately, Anantha had been frequenting Magic Letter's outlet. Sometimes alone, sometimes with his friend named Gibran (Rey).

Both hoped to immediately invest in Magic Letter. Meanwhile, Aruna's friends were confused when they were asked for their approval.

Magic Letter was used to discussions on Saturdays. They still carried on this habit even though Aruna only occasionally followed via video call. Each Magic Letter team had the same right to speak and had the same power in making decisions.

To be honest, the majority of the members had agreed to receive big funds from Gibran (Rey), Anantha's friend. However, the strength of the two of them who hadn't shown the same decision, carried a fairly dominant reason. That's why the final position they agreed on was to wait for Aruna to join the joint discussion as a final decision.

Not sure how Anantha knew that Dea and Timi had different opinions from their friends. This man was eager to seek approval from Dea. While Timi, that new member, was even more extreme. He refused outright and couldn't be influenced at all.

Timi had a quite reasonable reason. A start-up that was only at the SME level would receive large funds exceeding expectations. In plain view, it didn't make sense. Magic Letter needed to upgrade itself so that it deserved a big funding. In line with this, financial administration, system management, and everything else had to have correct operational standards. Meanwhile, Magic Letter was just a group of young people looking for extra tuition money by selling online massively and carrying a unique concept.

It was undeniable that one day it could develop in all directions that were more challenging. But, before developing, it was obligatory to have a clear stepping stone. At least a clear operational system. Then, it could receive any amount of funds.

Otherwise, what was feared was that the owner of the capital could acquire it as easily as turning the palm of the hand. Considering that Magic Letter had a different and fresh concept. An idea was expensive and the people in it needed to be aware that there was something they had to guard.

Since the beginning, the arrival of Timi, the new member, brought many positive influences, especially in terms of developing Magic Letter. He wasn't only a design expert who looked too pro. Sometimes, he also looked like a misplaced professional worker. His face was indeed a baby face. But when examined further, he looked like an adult and mature man. The way he communicated, the way he dressed. His behavior didn't look like a college student's. He made Lily crazy about him.

"Thank you, Timi.. For making us aware of what we're facing". Dea said as the two of them led those two men down the Magic Letter's exit.

"I'm just doing my job". Tyan Mizan Timur replied, his other hidden name.

..

"Can I get your hug?". Hendra wanted his wife to hug him.

The tiny girl hesitantly approached the person who was sitting on her patient's bed. A moment later, she got the embrace of the man. She was small and almost drowned out of sight because she was covered by a tight hug.

"I want to get this hug every time.. Is it okay?". He asked for more. Aruna started to memorize Hendra's habits.

"I don't know..".

"Hm.. We should've returned from our honeymoon in Italy today if you weren't sick. Well, it's okay.. My work was also busy.. Instead, do you want a honeymoon on the Gili (island) belonging to my family? I guarantee you won't be disappointed. The place is very beautiful". Hendra offered.

"Is it just the two of us?". Aruna slowly let go of her husband's embrace.

"Yeah, of course. It's just the two of us. But don't worry. There's an officer on duty". Mahendra explained.

"Is the place quiet?". The tiny one was agitated.

"Yeah.. In Gili Arun, there's only one mansion. Wenceslas's private mansion".

"Is it far?".

"Not really.. On Lombok island. Not far from Gili Lebak and Gili Trawangan. Have you been there?".

"Once.. When dad was on vacation, our family went on a trip to that island". Aruna seemed to be thinking. Not sure what was bothering her.

"If I decide to refuse it, won't you be angry?".

"No. Of course not!".

"Actually, I don't mind going on honeymoon with you. I just prefer to be in a crowded place. Holidays like people in general. Can we go to Bali?". Aruna was afraid of what happened to the perfect adult couple who broke dad's rules.

"Unfortunately, if we go to Bali, we can't go alone. There are some people who'll be forced to come. Bali is too crowded". Hendra hoped that Aruna wouldn't choose Bali.

"Wow, that's what I want!". She exclaimed.

"Let's just go to Bali". She looked more excited.

"Not Gili Arum?". Mahendra's face showed a tinge of disappointment.

"Bali is already very nice. I want to go there". Aruna was trying to save herself from things she couldn't face yet.

***

"Today we'll discuss the most viral and hottest news so don't change your channel".

"Danu Umar. Who knows him? The soloist and novelist who's more busy being a songwriter than singing on stage now".

"This morning, the singer of the hit song 'Reddish Hue' just came out of a police investigation regarding a viral video involving him breaking through a busy street in front of the Salemba Hospital".

"The most comforting thing is that the allegations related to him being drunk or using illegal drugs that made him cross the busy street in the middle of the night aren't proven to be true".

"He didn't really say much when we interviewed him". The host of the infotainment program that hit the soloist Danu Umar.

"But his manager, Pandu, said that it was him who broke through traffic that night. The reason was because Danu Umar was in a mess because someone very important in his life was being treated at the hospital, so he didn't realize when crossing the street". The woman in red also commented. She was also one of the hosts of that infotainment program.

"I think it's normal.. When we have a lot of thoughts and suddenly we just walk without looking. If we look at the video, Danu looked empty. Right??". The others responded warmly.

"Maybe he was too messed up. Fortunately, Danu survived even though many cursed at him. Let's look at the video again. There were so many people cursing at him? And he was just silent like".

"Who do you think that very special person is?".

"I'm also very curious".

"I don't think it's her mother. Because according to information, his mother is still working like usual".

"Turned out, her mother is a HRD in a multinational company and she still went to work as usual".

"Okay.. He's also the only child of a single parent. It looks like this will be hot news!".

"I think it's related to a girl. Do you think the same?".