Blooming At It's Time
¹⁰ Negotiations

'Orenji Cafe at 1pm. We need to talk.'

Alora read once again the reply of a message from Alden, making sure she did not come at the wrong time. It is good that Alora is not late, even she came early, because indeed Alora's working hours can be more flexible. While waiting, Alora had already composed a few sentences that she was about to say. First, Alora wanted to ask for an explanation about Kala who suddenly made an offer for her. Then, after hearing Alden's opinion, Alora was about to persuade the man to marry her. Yes, Alora had indeed gone mad, after hearing the offer from Kala.

Without waiting for too long, Alora could already see Alden walking quickly into the Cafe. Alora raised her hand, so Alden could see where she was waiting. Then Alden sat in front of Alora. With careful preparation, Alora was about to deliver her sentence. However, Alden immediately raised his hand, asking Alora for time to speak first. Then Alora undoes her intentions, and Alden first opens his voice.

"Let's get married."

Alora's eyes instantly opened wide, her forehead frowning, even she almost choked on her own saliva. Alora was already as shocked as that, but Alden was just unmoved still with his serious face. No, Alden's not kidding, Alora knows that. But why would Alden talk like that? Did the man read his mind? The sentence that had been carefully and neatly arranged, collapsed instantly. Alora no longer knew what to say, what was in her head at that time was just what, why and how.

"What?"

"Let's get married."

"Why?"

"It's better. You know for yourself the condition of my opinion. I just want to bik-"

"Not nonsense."

Alden laughed crisply as he pulled the edge of his lips. Seeing the seriousness on Alora's face, Alden was sure the woman could not be lied to like this. If the first plan fails like this, then Alden must use the second plan. That is, telling the true condition honestly.

"okay... I'm honest. We should get married. That's the only way for me to become President Director, replace Opa."

Alora nodded in understanding. For now, the question has been answered. At least Alora understood, how this could happen. According to Alora, Kala and Giri did plan this, to make Alora and Alden willing to marry. Shortly after, Alora laughed, feeling funny about all these ridiculous events. He also felt played.

"I was confused... I thought you could read my mind."

"Huh?"

"I also wanted to get you married at first."

"You mean?"

Alora pulled up next to the tip of her lips, "So the morning Doctor Kala came to my office. At first, talking about work. But maybe his real intention wasn't that."

Alden frowned, waiting for the continuation of Alora's story with curiosity.

"Doctor Kala promised to help me break through the target, to move up to SPV. Condition one. Marry you."

"****." Alden leaned on his shoulder, while covering his mouth that was still agape after swearing in a small voice. Of course he also felt played. He was not finished with Opa and his mother who could do that. She also felt a little guilty towards Alora, as the woman must have also felt played with.

"I want to ask you one thing."

Alden immediately paid his full attention to Alora. Let the woman ask her question.

"Why do you want to? I thought you were stubborn. You also look dead love with your boyfriend. Why would you want to?"

Actually Alden didn't want to talk about anything about Shella. But inevitably, his relationship with Shella must be discussed in this issue. Because there was the beginning of the burning of Alden's ambition to become President Director replacing Giri.

"We broke up." Alden took a deep breath, before returning to speak to explain his current condition. "He's got another man, the President Director of the company... Ck... ****!"

Unexpectedly, it turns out that this time Alora can see a new side of Alden, which is often cursed. It can be seen that Alden is not okay. The grown man was trying not to cry, with his already peaking anger almost exploding. Alora was somewhat pitying Alden, but she finally understood why Alden would accept Giri's offer to marry Alora.

"Oh... It's revenge."

"Dog! Can I have a drink first?"

"Anjir? I'm not waitress?"

Alora clearly showed her annoyance at Alden. How not, he who does nothing is even used as a place of impingement. Realizing that, Alden sighed, trying to regulate emotions. Then Alden called waitress, drawing drinks for her and Alora. After that, Alden saw Alora leaning against the chair while folding her hands to her chest. Alora did not look at Alden at all, her eyes instead went around looking around. Avoiding the man in front of her. Alora must have been upset about being played by Giri and Kala, plus Alden's attitude just now. And Alden realized all that.

"Sorrys. I shouldn't be mad at you."

Alora glanced at Alden at a glance, then looked around again. He was still not satisfied showing his annoyance at Alden.

"Sorry again, about Mama."

After hearing Alden's second apology, Alora looked back at the man. His hand was lowered to the top of his thigh, still leaning, waiting for Alden's continuation. Because it looks like there's still something stuck in there.

"You must have been played. I don't know what to say. They're my family, so, I'm sorry."

Alora tapped her index finger on her knee. His eyes looked straight at Alden who was also looking at him. He knew Alden was serious, and really felt guilty. Alora could quickly see Alden's earnestness, as the man was completely like transparent plastic. We can see the inside without any difficulty. So Alora can say that Alden is a good man. Because he was serious about thanking and apologizing.

"OK..." Alora smiled, then re-enforced her body, looking at Alden more seriously. Then he went back to saying, "If that's the case, let's play!"

"Huh-h"

"Excuse me, the order's sis..."

Alden had not had time to ask about the meaning of Alora's sentence, but the sentence was cut because waitress delivered their order. The two smiled at waitress, taking their orders well. After that, we went back to dealing seriously. Alden was still with his question, and Alora came back with her serious face.

"Let's play. A wedding."

First, Alden grumbled, then drank his ice americano, then laughed while shaking his head. Alden looked back at Alora and said, "I didn't know you were this crazy."

"I just found out too."

"You can't joke, Al."

"I'm not, Al."

Alden's face looked very serious. No more laughter or smiles. He looked straight at Alora. He found no sign there. Alora was serious about her words. Honestly, at this stage Alden was interested in Alora's invitation to play 'marriage'. But it certainly can't be that easy. Alden is now thinking about his next move.

"You know what, Al? Let's play the game."

Alora was satisfied, then said, "Good. We all got the benefits."

"Crazy for you, Al!"

"I am! You're crazy too, Mas Alden."

The two laughed, laughing at each other.

"Let's make the deal." Alden.

Alora nodded in agreement.

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