FORBIDDEN TO FALL IN LOVE

11. Incoming Messages

The opening of Valeda mall is finally underway. As Valeda hoped, the event was very lively and seized a lot of public interest. Not only local journalists, TV stations from abroad also covered how magnificent the new mall belongs to Valeda.

Valeda presents the price of goods that target the upper middle class economic community. Uniquely, Valeda specializes for street vendors to sell on the third floor of its mall.

There is no social gap seen in the mall of his creation. Valeda himself said that he wanted to make a comfortable shopping place for all people.

"Success, Val!" Celine patted her best friend's shoulder proudly.

"Thanks for your help" replied Valeda. "In front of him, too, I'll keep asking for your help."

"It is with pleasure, Young Miss!" Celine smiled cheerfully. He was so grateful to follow the right person like Valeda.

"Hey, Celine. Have dinner with Chris!" valeda's orders.

Celine was silent for a few seconds. He was confused by Valeda who suddenly changed the direction of their conversation. Celine then recalled her conversation with Kris the other day at Valeda's apartment. "We're going to dinner. He took me last month. But that's after our mission is over."

Valeda glanced around as Celine said of their mission. The people who filled the first floor for his grand opening mall, were still busy with food and drinks served. "Why wait for our mission to be completed?" ask Valeda.

"Our dinner is just to celebrate the success of taking care of you, Val" Celine replied.

Valeda gaped in disbelief at the answer Celine gave. "Celine, jesus! That's not what Chris wants!"

"Kris won't have dinner with me? Then why did he take dinner?" ask Celine.

Valeda shook his head quickly. "I mean, Kris is taking you out to dinner not to celebrate your success being next to me."

"Then, for what?" Celine still doesn't understand.

Valeda ruffled her waist at this insensitive friend. Certainly this is one of the reasons for the lack of romance Celine with her ex-daughters first. "Kris wants a romantic dinner just with you, Cel," explains Valeda.

"What?" whispered Celine. He was still digesting what Valeda was talking about. "Dining... Romantic?"

Valeda nodded excitedly. "Come on! Don't you realize that Kris is paying attention to you?"

"No... I didn't realize Chris was like that. Isn't she nice to everyone?"

Valeda took a long breath. "Try to be more sensitive for the smooth running of your relationship. Kris is a good man. Even though he's not as good as our family can be, I'm sure that he'll guarantee your life" Valeda advised.

Celine remained silent. He looked down and thought about what Valeda was talking about. Seeing that Celine was silent for quite a while, Valeda intended to switch the conversation.

"Oh, yes! Regarding our mission," Valeda paused and circulated the view again, making sure no one eavesdropped on them, "it's been a month but no one has contacted."

"True, too" replied Celine. "Is that shampoo not good, huh?"

"Cannot be. I planted shares there because I have researched the sale of the product," said Valeda while crossing his arms in front of his chest. "What does it mean to cheat, huh?"

TING!

Valeda and Celine exchanged glances, startled by the incoming notification tone heard from inside Valeda's bag.

"That's the sound of your smartphone, Val?" ask Celine.

Valeda shook his head slowly. "No. Mine's in silent mode."

"Me too" added Celine. "That means, is that the notification from the new phone?"

Valeda reached into her bag and searched for the phone that Celine handed to her a month ago. He didn't even touch the phone for nearly a week, as it remained silent. It just so happened that the phone rang when Valeda started thinking that the idea was in vain.

Valeda only sighed at the behavior of his secretary, but did not nag him. Let Celine read it first. After all it was not an urgent matter that Valeda had to know this second as well.

Celine laughed for a while after staring at the phone screen. Valeda, who was initially patient to find out the contents of the incoming message, became curious.

"Why, Cel?" ask Valeda.

Celine put the phone to Valeda. Valeda looked at the contents of the message that just came in. His forehead wrinkled. "'Hi, acquaintance, dong'?" Valeda read it slowly.

"God! What era is this, Val?" Celine was still giggling amusedly. "There are still, yes, people who send messages asking for such acquaintances?"

Valeda punched Celine's arm. He was actually also amused after reading the incoming message. "Have, don't laugh anymore" Valeda ordered, though she herself was still smiling. "Call this person and order a table to meet later," Valeda handed the phone back to Celine's hand.

Celine was busy with the phone for a while. Valeda chose to say hello to some of his work relations who came to visit. Who knows, he might meet a man of his dreams.

After almost half an hour of Valeda talking to some of his work relations, the number of invited guests has decreased. Looks like the mall's opening show is coming to an end.

Valeda walked towards his chair to rest. Celine, who was done with her business, approached Valeda.

"Val, I think you should spy on this guy first," said Celine.

"Is there a problem?" ask Valeda.

Celine shrugged her shoulders. "He's a close-knit guy. The talk is also ngawur. I don't recommend this guy. If your family met him, his mouth might not stop talking."

"Then, all the secrets are revealed" added Valeda. He scratched his un-itchy chin. "How old is he?"

"He said thirty years," Celine replied.

"Pay a woman of appropriate age. Then find them. What's next, it's up to them" Valeda said. "ah! And don't forget, block that guy's number after."

"Come it!" answer Celine.

A stocky woman, after a black suit and knee-length skirt, approached where Valeda was sitting. As soon as he saw his name, Valeda remembered the name of the chairman of the organizing committee today.

"Can anyone help?" ask Celine.

Arika looked down and smiled at Valeda and Celine. "I'm sorry to interrupt" he replied. "I just want to let you know that our show is going successfully! In fact, there are two new investors who want to plant their shares in this mall."

Valeda smiled at this good news. "Celine, take care of the new investors. We do not lack an injection of funds, but it's good if they want to invest here."

"I'll take care of it as soon as possible" Celine replied.

"You can end the show today. It's afternoon anyway. Have a party before returning to their homes" Valeda told Arika.

"Thank you, Miss Valeda!" Arika bowed once more.

Valeda got up from his seat. He also has to move fast. Mrs Emely will arrive in Indonesia tonight. If you meet with him, Valeda's efforts to escape within a month will be in vain.

"Kris is ahead" Celine said before Valeda opened her mouth to ask.

"Good go to Kris" said Valeda, patting Celine on the shoulder.

***