THE ABOVE THE CLOUD(ABC)
61. Flashbacks
Arina moves to the canteen and sees the various menus on the board, though most of them are up. He could imagine the children lining up to pick up a meal. Arina hardly ever feels the public school. She went homeschooling as far as she could remember.
Every excitement that people tell in the school days, Arina can only imagine it. Sometimes he laughs. It was like a different world to Arina.
Ting. Cellphone's clinking.
Arina replies to the message for a moment before returning to the park chair with Sera's snacks.
Arina placed the paper bag containing the snack on the table and looked at it for a while before looking around.
It's weird, he murmured. This was the first time Arina had come to the school environment. Usually he only looked from afar as he passed by. Arina smiled trying to stop the thought in her head.
Too many things that make envy, the more thought will only make tight.
But his mind inevitably returned to the meeting with Reksa, when the man asked Arina, does he want to go to higher school?
Soon, he could feel it too.
Arina inwardly longed for that freedom, even if it was only temporary and she could not guarantee how far, but she wanted it so badly.
Thinking about tonight's event, brought him back to the scene a few weeks ago.
Mutual called him suddenly to the office at another time of day break.
“You've eaten?” ask the man. Arina answered despite her astonishment.
“What if we are fiancee?”
At that moment Arina was confused and surprised. Shock more accurately describes his feelings. She thinks Mutual is really interested in her…
“You can keep working for him.” both know very well that Arina was sent to the Mutual side to monitor her movements.
“Some things you may need to hide. But with me here, you have nothing to fear. “
“I mean Mr Mutual, I.. and Mr Mutual fiancee...., but for anything else?”
“Betul. I think you enjoy the activities here. But have you thought about the offer back then?”
“Award for that school?”
“Yah.”
“What's the point? The ends I will return to the same point.”
Mutuals do not straighten out Arina's opinion and only give advice. “Arina, I see you're too glued to the spot. If you look at the wider world, maybe you will change your mind?”
Arina feels that Reksa is disturbed by the thoughts of Arina who only thinks of getting married, taking care of the household, and having children. Do you want that bad? For Arina, that was a great freedom. Only by getting married could he escape the clutches of Ningsih. At least he has room for himself.
“I mean, I want you to do something for yourself.” Mutual's voice breaks Arina's daydream back then.
“What..?”
“Not this win same win situation? Acquisition of Triyanto company will be a little difficult. I can't without you, but I want to speed up the process because I don't have time to mess with Ningsih.” Reksa called his stepmother's name without a heavy heart. Arina finally knows how Ningsih's position for Mutual. “So you can help me, and on the other hand, I can love you freedom.”
Freedom?
Reksa's voice was low and slow like a temptation in Arina's ears.
The man looked at Arina's eyes which were beginning to waver.
“If you accept, four years of college, I can give you freedom at that time.”
Even though it was only four years, how expensive would it be for Arina?
She who since childhood in ‘design’ to be the perfect bride, does not have a single day where she can do what she wants.
“After four years, you may have changed your mind. I will help you if you want to do something, for example want to continue abroad? Or, for example, do you have a boyfriend and want to get married there? Doesn't matter. About your family, you don't have to worry. After you go to college, this engagement will be canceled.”
“....is.., Mr. Reksa asked me to work here, have thought there since the beginning?”
“Why? Are you disappointed that I took advantage of it?”
Hearing that, Arina smiled. “What is utilizing? All this time I have always been a tool for my family so that they live well. In other languages, I was sold to be a tool in the hands of Ningsih. I work but I get nothing. While with Mr. Reksa, I was able to get immediate rewards.” after saying so, Arina reached out her hand, offering to shake hands.
“I accept this transaction.” said Arina straightforwardly.
Mutual gave a sincere smile, a different smile to the business smile he used to wear. Arina was glued for a moment.
“We match the emotional situation first, so that you can chat smoothly with Ningsih. For example love at first sight.”.
Hearing that Arina immediately chuckled.
“Why? Weird?” Mutual wonders.
“Love first glance is not so convincing, if for alibi.” said Arina, feel that Muta is a little plain in some aspects. “I heard Mr. Reksa many of his ex.” joked Arina.
“Oh, it's old case.” Mutuals do not deny and only smile helplessly.
“Better I said, if Pak Reksa is interested in my nature and physical.”
“...?”
“Two of these points are the most interesting in me. Mr. Reksa, rather than making excuses emotionally, is better to focus on the material. Tell me that I look like a good wife from the inside and out.”
“....Hm..,”
“But on the other hand Pak Reksa wants me to have a background equivalent to Pak Reksa. My family is an ordinary family, so I can only make up for that shortcoming by continuing to go to a higher level.”
“Although what you said is interesting, but this is too predictable.” Reksa shook his head.
Arina smiled and nodded. “Iya, so little by little, I will make like Mr. Mutual fall in love with me. No need to overdo it, I just need Mr. Mutual cooperation in some cases. I hope at the time I ask, Mr. Reksa can follow my scenario.”
“I don't know you're actually this clever.” said Reksa.
“I take that as a compliment.”
The plan was finally agreed.
Glancing at the paper bag on the wooden table, Arina was a little nervous. Just now Sera greeted him with pleasure, meaning Arina was accepted, right?
He doesn't know what Mutual said to his daughter, but he is very grateful to this father and son couple.
