To The Man Who Broke My Heart
22. The Importance of Friendship From the Beginning

"I can join?”

Suddenly the voice of a man surprised me. I turned my head and saw a young man who was not far from the lounge chair where I was sitting at this time. Since when was he there? Why is he there and I don't know? How long had he been there and just stood still? It makes her sound a little creepy, but she doesn't look too creepy. Not creepy at all. Judging from the suit that I believe is very expensive and made especially for him—because the fabrics are so attached to his body, I thought he was one of the participants of the presentation.

“Please.” I finally responded while imagining myself exhaling a long breath. Hm. Because of his presence, it was ruined my chance to meditate. However, if he is really a presentation participant, it means he is one of the donors. And that means that this young man is one of those important people, right? And what else am I supposed to do but be polite?

“Don't really like crowds?” The young man who was now sitting in the sun lounger next to me opened his voice again.

Hm. There's no harm in being nice, Kayra. Especially for someone foreign who is most likely one of the important people you need support for the smooth running of your first project. Okay then's. Alright. I smiled and shook my head. “Nope. I don't really like being in the crowd, being the center of attention. Too many eyes observing.”

I could even feel a chill running through my spine, making me shudder. "I don't like being the center of attention."

The young man laughed and looked down. With his head pressed down, he shook his head as well. I observed everything he did with high curiosity as well as confusion. What's he laughing at? What's inside his head? Is there something wrong with my appearance? Is there chocolate between my teeth?

Ah, goddamn. His actions made me feel wrong. In just a matter of seconds of being here, he could already make me feel self-conscious.

Well, not a good first impression, Young Man.

The guy knowingly raised his head before I could divert my probing gaze from his mixed face. “Oh, shoot. I'm sorry." He raised both hands with his eyes facing forward, like a person giving up. "I don't mean anything. Just laughing at what was on my mind. Sorry if it offended you."

I want to say "yeah, right. You shouldn't be doing that if you don't mean to make other people feel like you're the joke in your head", but what's the power. I also have to keep the attitude because .. what else if not the possibility of him becoming a donor.

Ughhhh!

"Ehm, by the way." His words made me focus my attention on him again. "I’m Alex, Alexander Rahardjo. And I'm so sorry I have made you incomfortable in the minute of our first meeting.”

Well, okay. Easy to admit mistakes. I'll give you a plus point for this attitude. I imitated his actions and extended a hand.

After shaking my hand Alex stood up. "I think I should go back inside now. Nice to meet you." In Kalakian he turned and walked towards the ballroom where our event was held.

“Oh, and I'm Kayra. Nice to meet you too.” I reintroduced myself with a slight hardening of my voice so that he could hear.

Alex stopped his steps and turned around. Put both hands into the pocket of trousers he wears. “I know." He paused for a moment to smile before continuing. "And for your info, you fit right in the spotlight like you were made to be in it.” After that, he went back on his way, leaving me agape.

What did he just say?

I sat back down, trying to concentrate myself again on the abandoned brownies. I can't believe he said that. I really didn't think it out. Substantial. Man and his sweet mouth. What did he think he could accomplish by speaking such words? He could think what he was doing was really sweet. He may have thought it would make me clamps, but .. sorry, Cowboy. The effect that happened to me was the opposite.

I revoked my initial assessment. She really falls into the creepy category right now. Creepy and cringey.

Eew.

After finishing the last piece of my brownies— I took the five pieces earlier, far less than the usual amount I could consume in one sitting, after feeling a little better, I went back to the big room full of important people. I just left the cutlery I was wearing on the table on the pool deck.

However, just entering, Ms. Sukma has bjsa found me. “Kayra, where have you been? Did you go around? Have you met everyone present tonight? You have to meet everyone, you have to convince them in this project, you know that, right? Come on, now come with Mom.” Bu Sukma grabbed my hand.

This is the second time anyone has forced me to walk up to him overnight. Wanting to dodge, obviously I can't. I started it, I'm responsible for all these plans. Until finished.

I could see the radiant look on his face, Bu Sukma was so satisfied to take me around to meet with the donors of the foundation. He was also busy introducing me to everyone who was in the crowd, or who was sitting at the dinner table. Until finally we reached the table located at the end of the room with several people who were busy talking and enjoying a meal. “Excuse me everyone.” Bu Sukma called the attention of everyone at the table with the widest smile he had.

He gets what he wants easily. “Kayra, meet Mr. Rahardjo's. He is the owner of Rahardjo group, a multi-national company.” Bu Sukma introduced me to one of the middle-aged men whose face was not Indonesian. American, maybe.

Mr. Rahadi stood up, I shook her hand steadily. A smile graced our introduction. “Your speech was great, Miss Kayra. No wonder why Mr. Suseno feels proud of you that much. I often heard about you from him. I hope we can start this project shortly.” Mr. Rahardjo then introduced the man who was now standing behind him. “And you must meet my son, Alex. He will be the one to take care of everything you need for this.”

At first I could not see clearly who was standing behind Mr. Rahardjo because their body has a size that is more or less the same—people who stand behind it only win a little bigger than the middle-aged lria in front of him. However, after Me. Rahardjo shifted his position, then I could see who was there.

I really feel stupid. Dang it, Kayra. I should have guessed from the last name used by that guy.

I shook Alex's hand, again, the second time tonight. Alexander Rahardjo, it's worth it.

“I knew her, dad. We’ve met by the pool just now.” Alex told his father about our meeting near the pool.

Mr. Rahardjo looked pleased. “That’s good, that's good. You both will have so much to discuss in the future. It is very important to establish friendship from the beginning.”

And I could only smile in response to what should have been the beginning of our friendship.

To be continued ....