After a long discussion, Camelia and Annisa agreed to fly to Indonesia in a week. It was the earliest time they could catch up, considering their busy schedules.
Knowing the plan, Kelvin took the opportunity to join them. With the excuse of helping his parents take care of Riu. However, his original intention was to investigate Vale. He wanted to know who the audacious man was who married her.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Sander had already flown to the country. After arguing with his parents, he immediately left for Indonesia. Besides visiting his grandfather, he would also visit an old friend. For him, it was better to work with someone else than constantly be with his parents and witness their greediness.
Disgusting! Although he was their child, Sander knew that his parent's actions were wrong. Reminding always ended in misunderstanding. So it was better for him to distance himself and prevent it from another side. Remind Riu, for example.
"I don't know what's in their minds, to hate Uncle so much. Even though Uncle is their own sibling. Is wealth more valuable than blood relations?" Sander grumbled in his heart.
At that time, he had arrived in his home country and was sitting in a taxi heading to Victory Office, his friend Rendra's office.
He was going there to pick up the access card to the apartment. For the time being, Sander would stay in his friend's apartment, which happened to be unoccupied.
After arriving at the destination, Sander hurriedly entered and was warmly greeted by the receptionist. Without explaining much, he was immediately directed to Rendra's room.
"How have you been, long time no see?" greeted Rendra with a firm handshake.
"Between good and not good, but don't ask why. I'm too lazy to tell." Sander replied half-jokingly.
Rendra didn't mind that. Since they became friends in school, Rendra understood Sander's reserved nature. Although, he knew that the guy often had problems with his parents. Maybe it was the same now. However, Rendra didn't ask much.
As a result, they mostly talked about work. Sander mentioned his intention to settle in Indonesia and, of course, needed a job. Meanwhile, Rendra would be quick to help, without interfering with why he wasn't working at Jason's office, which specifically was much larger than his own company.
"Thank you so much for your help, Ndra. I'll leave now," Sander bid farewell after quite a long chat.
"Take it easy. We're friends, right?"
After saying goodbye, Sander left Rendra and started walking towards the main door with quick steps.
However, before he could reach there, he accidentally collided with a woman. Although they didn't fall, both of their steps came to a halt.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to. Are you... okay?" Sander looked in awe at the woman standing in front of him. Beautiful and captivating.
Her long hair was neatly cascading down, covering her back and shoulders, looking ideal. Not to mention her high nose and luscious lips, truly a perfect face.
"I'm fine," she replied shortly while walking away.
Not wanting to miss the opportunity, Sander also moved and approached the woman.
"Do you work here?" Sander asked.
"Just finished an interview."
"When will you start working?"
"The day after tomorrow."
Flat and somewhat cold, as if there was no desire to chat. However, Sander didn't give up. He thought that women like her were extraordinary.
"Sander." Without shame, Sander extended his hand and introduced himself.
The woman turned her head for a moment and didn't shake Sander's hand.
"Vale," she said shortly. Then, she quickened her pace and left Sander behind.
"We will meet again, I'm sure," Sander murmured while staring at Vale's retreating back.
In his mind, they would meet again because they worked in the same place. He didn't know if there would be other opportunities that would bring them together. Like at the Brox family gathering, for example.
The next day, Sander made time to visit Riu's house. Previously, he had visited Jason's house.
"In the near future, Mama and Aunt Annisa will return," said Sander after a brief small talk.
Riu smiled, then took a cigarette and lit it.
"That's good. I haven't seen them in a long time."
Sander took a deep breath. There was a sense of pity in his heart because Riu still considered them good. In reality, they were real enemies.
"I plan to stay here, Uncle. But not go back to Grandpa's house. I will stay at my friend's place and work there. I need peace," he said. Intentionally implying 'something' in his sentence. He knew Riu was smart enough to understand what he meant.
"Actually, finding peace doesn't have to be somewhere else. We can create a peaceful atmosphere where we are supposed to be. Because avoiding doesn't make our self-esteem high."
Sander was stunned for a moment. Riu's answer just now seemed to say that he would fight and never give up.
"Has Uncle known about Mama and Aunt Annisa all along? Was I too naive to judge?" Sander thought, while stealing a glance at his uncle who was ten years older than him—35 years old.
"I heard... you're married, Uncle? Where's Aunt?" Sander changed the topic of conversation.
"You come at the wrong time. She's out," Riu replied while puffing on his cigarette.
"What a shame."
"There's still plenty of time. They say you're going to settle down here. Look for a partner while you're at it, you're old enough to get married," Riu joked. Trying to lighten the awkward atmosphere.
However, Sander caught something else from the joke. When he heard the word 'partner', his thoughts immediately turned to Vale. The woman who left a deep impression on their first meeting. The woman he never expected to be in the room, in the house he was now in.
"Yes... I will find her. When I do, I will introduce her to Uncle and Aunt," said Sander with a smile to himself.
However, Riu ignored it. Instead, he judged Sander's other question.
"You suddenly come and question my marriage. Sander, even though you weren't involved before, this time I don't trust you," Riu thought.
Shortly after, Sander excused himself. Baron escorted him to the yard, while Riu moved his wheelchair towards the room.
"Has your nephew returned?" Vale asked, who was playing with her phone in the room.
"He has."
"What did he say?"
Riu shook his head, "Nothing important. Just small talk."
"And your brother? Do you know when he's coming back?"
"In the near future. Are you ready?" Riu asked back.
"Of course. What is there to be afraid of?"
"That's good. Then help me retaliate against them, later... I will help you retaliate against your ex."
Vale laughed heartily, "Forget it! I already got back at him by getting married."
"But I will help you get back at him even more than that." Riu was serious, but Vale took it as a joke.
"You act as if you know who my ex is. Let it go. It's not important anymore," Vale replied, still laughing.
Riu smiled, then reached out his hand and gently stroked Vale's head.
"I never play around with my words. Just wait, I will give you a chance to retaliate against him."
Vale's heart raced. Whether it was because of Riu's touch or because of the cold aura emanating from his gaze.
To be continued...
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