The Untold Story
First Plan
- B's PoV--
*Jakarta, Mansion: 2003, H-1Competition*
"Auntie..." I called the cook who usually prepares food in this mansion.
Several times I called the woman, but there was no response. I continued to look for him even to the servants' pavilion. Seeing my arrival all the servants instantly became a mist, for never once did I set my foot in their place.
"Auntie....." I called out to him once more, smiling in return to the servants who immediately nodded their heads, a sign of saluting upon seeing my arrival.
"Searching for Aunt Chef huh, Madam?" One of the servants approached me and asked.
Of course they knew who I was looking for, because the only person I called Auntie was the mansion's cook. While the other servants, on average are young people who are almost the same age or even below my age.
"Yes, does he exist?" I asked as I sharpened my eyesight and looked for his figure around the servant pavilion area.
"I'm here, Madam..." I turned around and saw Auntie Koki walking over to me.
"Sorry, Madam. I just came home from the market to return the wrong groceries bought by the driver." I saw a scared expression in Auntie Koki's eyes.
My arrival at the servant pavilion was certainly a strange thing for the workers. All this time, I had never set foot there and searched for any servant.
I am engrossed in myself and my own daydreams, certainly do not have time to talk about household problems and coordinate them all. That's why, Auntie Koki must have thought a no-no. Maybe he thought that I would scold him.
"Have you finished your business?" I asked as gently as possible to reduce the tension imprinted on the middle-aged woman's face.
"Already, Madam," he replied with a slightly more relaxed facial expression.
I brought Aunt Koki away from the servant pavilion. I don't want my conversation to be known to many people. Not because of his secret nature, but this was none of their business.
We continued walking to the pool. While enjoying the fresh air that morning, I started my conversation.
"Bie... Tomorrow is a special day for me, so tomorrow I want to cook something for my husband. So, let me cook myself in the kitchen without any help from anyone." I spoke as I looked at Aunt's face, which was now seen taking off her load. Sure enough, he thought too far about my arrival.
"Okay, Madam." Auntie smiled a smile.
"Ehm, do you know what my husband likes?" I asked with a face that showed seriousness.
"Master likes seafood, Madam. Precisely shrimp. Usually you will eat the most delicious if Bibi cook the shrimp with balado seasoning." Aunt Koki explained excitedly.
"Balado boiler with petai?" I scrunched my forehead out of curiosity. Do Aditya's irritating men like that kind of food?
"No, Mistress. Shrimp without petai. Maybe Madam can add basil to change the green color," said Bibi.
"Ah, yes. And what about vegetables. What does he like?" I asked again.
"Usually you like to eat shrimp balado with boiled cassava and a few pieces of cucumber only Madam. Ah, Auntie so wants to eat that food," replied Aunt Koki as she rubbed her lips to hold back her saliva that almost burst out.
I laughed at Auntie Koki's words. If only he had seen her expression, the potbellied woman would have been ashamed of herself.
But, wait... Is that as simple as Aditya's appetite? As for the size of Wardhana's group heir, I didn't expect that his taste turned out to be so simple and very Indonesian.
"Alright, Bi. Tomorrow at five o'clock in the morning, I'll cook what Aunt mentioned earlier for my husband. So, before that hour, please prepare all the vegetables, seasonings, and warehousing. Please wash everything clean and after that aunt and all the servants please leave the kitchen. I don't want to be disturbed." I spoke firmly to show my seriousness.
"Huh? Ready, Madam." Aunt raised her hand and put it on her forehead, just like a soldier saluting.
"Why Bi? Auntie can't believe I can cook?" I narrowed my eyes and made an expression as if I was suspecting the contents of his head.
"Auntie, where dare mistress..." The woman shook her head.
"Alright, then tomorrow don't get up late! Because I will bring the food to be stock before we leave for Singapore," I solemnly said.
"Ready, Mistress. Does Auntie also need to smooth the roof? And... Boil the cassava?" The middle-aged woman asked.
"I'll cook, Auntie. So, I'll smooth the seasoning and boil the cassava. Auntie's job is just to prepare the ingredients, wash the ingredients, and......" I paused for a moment my words.
"And....." Aunt repeated my last word.
"And keep this a secret from my husband because I want to surprise him." I reaffirm my words.
"All right! Aunty can go." I smiled gently at the middle-aged woman and she said goodbye to leaving me alone by the pool.
Just as I was about to step my feet toward the sunbed by the pool, I suddenly heard Aunt's voice come back and said, "Ah, Madam. Sorry, Aunt almost forgot. Don't use pepper, ma'am!"
The middle-aged woman who had looked funny was now putting on a serious face. At the time, I knew that what he was saying was really important.
"I know Bi. Aunt has said it." I smiled back as if to convince the middle-aged woman that I would not use the item.
A few seconds later, the Aunt bailed back and left me alone by the pool. I then decided to continue what had been delayed. I sat my body on the sun lounger there, put the sunglasses I had been wearing on the collar of my clothes, and enjoyed the warm morning sun in this rainy season.
"See you tomorrow.... My husband!" I muttered to myself while taking a deep breath and exhaling it violently. Yeah, see you tomorrow!
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*Singapore, Mandarin Oriental Hotel: 2003, Competition Day*
This afternoon, Aditya and I have just set foot in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Singapore. A five-star hotel that at that time was so iconic in Singapore.
The shape of the back of the building that resembles a pyramid, making it so impressed unique and luxurious. Especially if at night, the lights installed around it give the impression of warmth and further add to the splendor of the building.
At that time, Marina Bay Sands had not yet been built, so Mandarin Oriental was the best. I don't know how much money Aditya spent to rent a presidential suite at this hotel. A truly luxurious room with strategic views because of its location facing the Ocean.
My family and I stayed at this hotel a lot. However, we usually choose the luxury room only. For us, the room was very luxurious and comfortable.
"Do you like the room?" Aditya asked me as he brought his body closer and grabbed me from behind. Both of his hands were coiled around my waist, while his chin was attached to my shoulder.
Degs.. Degs..
Degs.. Degs...
My body stiffens. My heart beats so fast. For some reason, after everything I knew about him, my heart still gave the same reaction.
I was about to turn my body to face her, hoping that she would let go of her embrace. However, Aditya held me back.
"I beg... Just sec.. You'll meet your girlfriend later. I just wanted to steal a little chance to hug my wife, while I still had time" Aditya said in a soft voice.
I could feel through my ears, there was a tinge of sadness in his voice. Something unusual happened, but it really did come out of his lips.
For a while my heart trembled, but of course I had to regain control. This time I can't be fooled.
This man who was hugging me, had a thousand and one ways to keep me under his control. He will not even hesitate to get rid of anyone who blocks the goals he has set.
He had planned something for my senses. So I had to do something to protect the people I love.
First of all, by pretending to be stupid when I met him at the office a few days ago. I acted as if I hadn't heard the conversation that had taken place between Aditya and Franky in the room.
Yes, after hearing their conversation, I directly knocked on the door of his room and went inside. I put on a look like I just came and didn't know anything. Franky who knew himself enough, immediately said goodbye so that we were more free to speak.
After Franky left the room, I immediately conveyed the meaning of my arrival to Aditya. I told her that I would wear the dress she chose, and apologized for my rude behavior lately.
I explained the reason behind my rude attitude. I told her that I was so nervous because the day of the competition was approaching. I also explained that I was afraid that Indra had forgotten me or was not happy with my arrival. I made both of them a false excuse to get her heart and make our strained relationship recover.
In the end.... I managed.
Aditya and I immediately agreed to go to Singapore together after the office talks, on that day. After all, from the beginning he had promised to take me to Indra, so there was no reason for me to reject his intention.
We then arranged what we would do in the land of the lions. We also agreed on many things, including ordering the same room, so as not to leave suspicions. Me and Aditya certainly realized that Mama Rita often told her people to spy on us.
Look at! I played very smooth. It was as if I had entered into a plan that he had made, and it was slowly I who would finally control everything from within.
Indeed after that conversation, Aditya was still sleeping in his apartment. He apologized to me because there were still many things that he had to take care of at the office before the day of the competition arrived, so that the man would often overtime and go home late at night. That is why, he was forced to live in an apartment that was closer to the office to save time.
Everything seemed to go as I expected. Aditya seemed to believe that I had accepted it, at least as a friend. And it would be good to execute the second plan. That plan will happen today. Ah, no! More precisely.... Any minute.
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