"Let me introduce myself, I'm Ethan." He extended his hand for a handshake.
Priska glanced at his hand with hesitation before shaking it stiffly. The elevator doors on the other floor finally opened, and Priska tried to pull her hand away from Ethan's grasp, which had lasted a little too long.
A young man carrying a stack of documents stepped into the elevator. "Sorry, I just met with the HR manager, Sir," said the neatly-groomed man.
Priska exchanged glances and quickly realized something was off. No wonder Ethan looked so confident and calm; this tall, charismatic man was the CEO of Fast Cargo. Priska didn’t quite recognize his face since she had only seen him from a distance a few times.
"It's fine, Gab," Ethan said with a warm smile directed at the secretary.
The man named Gabriel immediately stepped closer to Ethan and whispered something that Priska couldn’t hear. She lowered her gaze, trying to avoid attention. However, what happened next felt like a nightmare—Ethan invited Priska to his office because he wanted to hear her ideas from a few days ago. But why like this? Priska knew she was being flirted with.
At first, Priska refused, citing the workload at her desk, but Ethan reassured her that Gabriel could notify her superior and come up with a good excuse for Priska to stay with Ethan. Reluctantly, Priska followed him to the CEO's office.
Gabriel opened the door for Priska and Ethan. For a moment, Priska admired the interior. A tidy desk piled with important papers, a glass nameplate reading Ethan Allan Saputra, radiating class.
There was a set of sofas for receiving guests, a beautiful city view framed by thick glass walls, and an aroma in the air that was distinctly Ethan—classic and elegant.
The room wasn’t larger or more luxurious than the CEO’s office at SF Group, but it had enough of an intimidating aura to make anyone who entered feel small. Priska found herself repeatedly taking deep breaths as if entering a completely different world.
"Wow, a white tiger painting," Priska said, pointing at the large framed canvas on the wall.
Her words slipped out spontaneously because it reminded her of the golden dragon painting in Tama’s room. She quickly closed her mouth, embarrassed. Ethan followed her gaze and motioned for her to sit. Gabriel left the room, and Priska suddenly felt uncomfortable being left alone with Ethan.
"Sorry, Sir," Priska mumbled, feeling shy.
"It’s fine, that means we have the same taste. You like it too, don’t you?" Ethan said, smiling.
"I just admire it, Sir. It's not unfamiliar," she replied.
"Can you explain it now?" Ethan asked politely.
"I’m sure you’ve already heard the main points from the team leader, sir. It might not be relevant if I talk about it again, the idea has been polished by many people, and I’m just an ordinary intern," Priska said, trying to escape.
"Please sit down first," Ethan said, chuckling.
He then gave a wry smile and his gaze sharpened. "I’d prefer to hear it directly from you. I mean, I want to know the original idea straight from you before it gets altered too much."
Priska tried to remain professional, nodding in understanding. Not long after, Gabriel returned with a tray of snacks and drinks. From here, Priska realized Ethan probably wanted to keep her there longer.
***
Later that evening, in the garden beside the pool, the wooden gazebo with tall pine posts stood firm, sheltered from rain or the sun's scorching heat. Priska and Indra sat close together.
Her mom had fallen asleep about half an hour ago, while Rica was in her room working on an assignment. Now it was time for Indra and Priska to be alone without any disturbances. It was eight o'clock, and Priska invited Indra outside to enjoy the evening air. There were many things she wanted to discuss with her husband.
"There are no stars," Priska complained.
"The risk of living in the city," Indra replied while reading an important message.
"When are we going on vacation again? So we can see the moon and stars more clearly. The sky in Jakarta, morning, noon, afternoon, night... it’s all the same… dark and thick, like it’s only changing colors. We haven’t had a honeymoon yet, babe," Priska grumbled as she moved Indra’s hand to her belly, asking for a caress.
"After you resign," Indra replied.
Priska immediately pouted in frustration. That meant it would be a long wait, and Indra, feeling playful, kissed her lips. They both laughed lightly, and Priska gently tapped Indra’s chest.
"Is there a problem at the office?" Indra asked, placing his phone on the table before caressing Priska’s belly as requested.
Priska stared thoughtfully at the reflection of the lights in the pool, unsure whether she should talk about Ethan’s behavior at the company. She knew Ethan didn’t need to go that far just to ask about a project. Why would a CEO bother talking to an ordinary employee? Ethan was at the level of directors and top managers.
Since Indra kept pressing her with a scrutinizing gaze, Priska finally told him about Ethan and their conversation at the office, starting with the encounter in the elevator, the introduction, and culminating in being brought to the CEO’s office.
Hearing his wife’s story made Indra laugh. "Ah, finally, he met you. Gabriel said he was curious about Rica, but luckily Rica already knows a gentleman like Bisma."
"What if he suspects I’m your wife? People say Rica and I look alike."
"Where’s the resemblance? She’s like a Disney princess, one prick of a thorn and she’d be crying," Indra teased.
He kissed Priska’s forehead and began telling her everything he knew about Ethan. The 28-year-old was extremely talented, and even Tama acknowledged his abilities, even though they had never met in person.
Ethan Allan Saputra was half Asian, half American, the second of two siblings, and had lived in the United States since childhood. Born into wealth, his parents owned a real estate business, but it went bankrupt when Ethan was in junior high.
"So, he had to survive being used to wealth from a young age and then dealing with extreme poverty. Not everyone can withstand that mental condition. Especially when his father asked for a divorce and left Ethan to bear the enormous debts his father had accumulated."
"What happened to his older sibling? Did his mother remarry?" Priska asked.
"His older sibling died tragically from a drug overdose. His mother has cancer, and his father disappeared after the failed divorce."
Priska blinked, feeling a little sorry for Ethan. "I kind of feel like crying hearing his story," she said, her eyes misting.
"Don’t pity him, he’s 28 and has everything every woman wants. Ethan knows how to have fun in his own way. Let’s play with that mischievous kid, make him feel it, how about it?" Indra kissed and inhaled Priska’s hair, comforting her as she felt moved by Ethan’s life story.
"Why?" Priska chuckled.
"So you’ll know what it feels like to be pursued by a CEO." Indra laughed loudly at the annoyed expression on Priska’s face. "I’m still holding a grudge against Ethan, Pris. He dares to embezzle. Quietly, his hobby is gambling in Bangkok or Macau."