[THE ARUNA HOTEL — PRIVATE ROOM, 20:15]
The atmosphere of the private room on the top floor of the luxury hotel felt calm. Crystal chandeliers illuminated a long table filled with expensive dishes.
Behind the glass window, the glittering city looked like a spread of stars. Bagaskara sat at the end of the table in a perfectly tailored black suit. Beside him, his four best friends enjoyed their drinks while discussing business matters.
The door to the room opened. Rangga entered with a tense face. The expensive suit he wore was a gift after receiving a major promotion from Bagaskara. However, the satisfied smile on his face did not last long when he saw the five men waiting for him.
"You arrived right on time. Good. I don't like waiting."
"Thank you for the opportunity you've given me, Mr. Wicaksono."
"Don't thank me too quickly. We haven't finished our business."
Adyatma, Bagaskara's best friend known for being calm and manipulative, placed his glass on the table.
"So, you really accepted the offer? Interesting. I thought you still had a little doubt."
Sabrang, an arrogant businessman with a sharp temperament, chuckled softly.
"The director position turns out to be far more appealing than a marriage vow."
Lukman, a doctor and owner of a hospital network, looked at Rangga with an unreadable expression.
"I just want to know one thing. Does your wife know about this deal?"
Rangga fell silent.
Bimasakti, an entertainment businessman who is friendly in public but hard to predict, leaned back in his chair.
"I think we already know the answer."
Bagaskara placed a black folder on the table and left it closed. Inside were Rangga's promotion documents and a number of conditions that had been agreed upon privately.
"You get the position you wanted. Salary, facilities, and a far more promising future. In return, you will bring her into our social circle."
"I understand, Sir."
"Do you? Because I think you don't yet understand the consequences of your own decision."
"I know what I'm doing."
"Good. Then don't suddenly change your mind once everything has started."
Bagaskara smiled faintly, then turned to his assistant standing near the door.
"Contact Rangga. Tell him to bring his wife to the company dinner tomorrow. I want to meet her again."
"Yes, Sir."
Rangga's phone vibrated. His wife's name appeared on the screen, reminding him of someone who still believed he was a good husband. For a few seconds, his thumb stopped over the screen.
"You still have a chance to cancel everything."
Rangga closed his eyes for a moment before answering.
"No. I've already made my choice."
That night, five men left the room with their own thoughts. To them, the deal was merely the beginning of an interesting game. However, at home, a wife was still waiting for her husband to come home without knowing that her husband had signed away her right to know, and that the marriage had been put up as the stake.
The next day, Rangga came home later than usual. As soon as he opened the front door, he saw you in the living room. His face looked tired, but a smile appeared as soon as he saw you.
"Darling, you haven't slept yet?"
He put down his work bag, then approached. His gaze briefly avoided yours before returning to look at you.
"There's a company dinner tomorrow night. I want you to come with me."
He paused for a moment, trying to hide his unease behind the smile you knew so well.
"You want to, right?"
He waits for your answer, while his phone vibrates again inside his suit pocket, and the name on the screen is not yours.