The Wife of the King's Pay

Chapter 64 Betting the Heart (Part 1)

Cleantha's hand shook as she moved the off button on her computer monitor screen. It is undeniable that she is very nervous because she will see her husband soon.

It was so bad he slowed the clock ticking. Or just stop the goods for a moment, until he is really ready to meet the King.

"Tap, tap, tap" the sound of Keyla's shoes was clearly heard in the empty room. With wide steps, he approached Cleantha.

"Clea, why haven't you come home yet? Hurry to meet Lord King, he must be home by now. Or are you deliberately stalling for time?" asked Keyla suspiciously.

"No, Brother. I'm going home now" Cleantha retorted speeding up her movement to clear the table.

"Solve your business quickly. If Lord King is holding you back, just use the excuse that you've slept with his sister. He will definitely be hurt and grant your divorce petition" Keyla said, affecting Cleantha.

A chill suddenly crawled over Cleantha's body. Keyla's words have restored her memory of the bitter events of two days ago. It was like the worst nightmare of his life.

He was not sure whether Alvian had touched him or not. They had slept in the same bed. And that fact can actually be used as a powerful weapon for the King to divorce him.

"If the Lord King has spoken talaq, leave his house immediately. If you need my help, I'll come to pick you up" Keyla told her sister.

...****************...

In his room, Alvian was still discussing with Mr. Setyo. But his concentration was split in two.

He knew the king had gone home. Soon there may be a big quarrel that leads to a divorce between the King and Cleantha. Moreover, his brother-in-law insisted on wanting to separate from the King. Inevitably, he will be the main suspect of the cause of the cracking of their household.

Of course he had to clear his name as well as save his sister's marriage. But is it appropriate if he suddenly appears and meddles in the affairs of his brother's household?

"Sir, we have sent two letters of warning to Mr. Roni Hermawan. The billing department will recall two units of his car tomorrow if..."

"Enough for today, Mr. Setyo," said Alvian sighing.

The face of Mr. Setyo turned sour. It was not unusual for Alvian to have that detail stop the report he gave halfway.

"We continue tomorrow. I have to take care of more important matters. Mr. Setyo can go home now" said Alvian, letting Mr. Setyo leave his room.

"Good, Sir. Good afternoon."

Mr. Setyo came out of Alvian's room with a sigh. He felt he was not considered by his director. Already bothered to explain long and wide, even the talk is often not discussed. Sometimes Alvian just looks daydreaming of something else.

"Huh, what's the big deal? It was at least a matter of his love for Cleantha. It is difficult to have a young director. His mind was focused more on women's affairs,"

grumbled Mr. Setyo in heart.

...****************...

Cleantha got off the taxi and thanked the driver who drove her.

With a pushy look, he looked at the majestic palace gate in front of him. This was probably the last time I set foot in that house.

"Please come in, ma'am," said security rushing to open the gate for Cleantha.

Cleantha's steps felt heavy, as if there were iron chains binding her legs together. The cold glare of the night wind swept across his frozen face, as frozen as his current feelings.

At the entrance of Narti and Mr. Darma welcome Cleantha's return home.

They were astonished when they saw Cleantha carrying nothing. His master's young wife should carry a bag of clothes to take home.

"Mrs, where's your bag? Let me bring it," asked Narti looking around.

"I don't carry a bag, Ma'am."

"Madam, you've been waiting for Mr. King for dinner" continued Mr. Darma.

"Where is the Lord King now?" cleantha asked in a flat voice.

"The King's master is in his study, madam."

"Good, Sir. I'll see him."

Bi Dewi who peered out of the glass window, rushed to Zevira's room to report Cleantha's return.

"Madam, the village girl is back."

Zevira smiled faintly.

"Good, Bi. Now get out there and watch what happens next."

"Yes, Madam."

After his loyal servant left, Zevira immediately sent the message he had prepared since.

"Darling, our target has arrived. It's time you sent a surprise to the King,"

write Zevira to Fendi.

Before long, Fendi also sent a reply.

"Ready, Honey. The order was executed."

...****************...

Cleantha walked into the house. Heading towards a carved wooden door at the end of the middle room. That's where her husband's office works.

He knocked on the door twice before entering.

Without waiting for an answer from the King, Cleantha stepped in by steadying her heart.

When he entered the room, he could smell the scent of the King's perfume. He missed the man for a moment.

Hearing the crackling of the door open and the footsteps of someone approaching, the King lifted his head from the laptop screen.

He looked at Cleantha who was walking towards him longingly.

Cleantha herself looked back at the King expressionlessly. Hiding her turbulent feelings.

The king stood up from his seat and walked over to Cleantha. He felt something strange in the eyes of his wife.

"Clea, why don't you go home sooner than the office? And why are you quiet like this?" the king asked his wife.

"Don't you miss me?" asked the King as he untied Cleantha's hair.

"I'd rather see your hair unravel" said the King stroking Cleantha's strands of hair with his fingers.

"Let's go to the room, I have a gift for you," said the King guiding Cleantha out of her study.

"Sir, please let me go. I want us to talk here" said Cleantha coldly.

The king raised both eyebrows.

"You're still ashamed of me?"

"No, Mister. I just want us to not be close anymore" Cleantha replied making her voice sound resolute.

"We're husband and wife, it's impossible if we're not close together."

"But soon we will no longer be husband and wife, sir."

"What do you mean say that?" ask the King.

"I came here because I wanted to beg you to...."

Cleantha paused for a moment. His tongue was suddenly twisted, as was his voice that was now stuck in his throat.

I don't know why the word "divorce" feels so hard to say from his lips.

"I beg you to divorce me. Drop the talaq on me right now" Cleantha said.

The King's face turned red while his lips were tightly clenched.

He had never expected that forbidden sentence to have just been thrown by Cleantha. Even without further ado the young girl asked for a divorce from him blatantly.

"Are you drunk asking for something crazy like this? I just got home and suddenly you asked for a divorce?" asked the King to look up at Cleantha.

"I'm in a state of consciousness, sir. Not drunk at all. I do want to get a divorce from you as soon as possible and return to my home" Cleantha replied.

Cleantha feels like a robot that has been programmed with one mission, which is divorced from King Adhiyaksa.

"Either what happened to you while I was gone until you changed. Look, I'll never divorce you. Our deal is not even over. And I want you to remain my wife" said the King, beginning to be annoyed at Cleantha's attitude.

The King and Cleantha fell silent for a moment. But the ringing of the King's cell phone broke the silence.

"Shut up and wait here" the king said as he released Cleantha.

He walked away. Grabbing the phone he put on his desk.

The mysterious phone call died before being picked up. Replacing with incoming messages repeatedly sent to his phone. While frowning, the King opened the image message one by one.

The King's eyes stared at the photos plastered on his phone. His jaw muscles twitched. His blood flow felt uncontrollable, rushing all over his body to his head.

In the photo, her sister, Alvian, is hugging Cleantha.

Although their eyes closed, but their position is very friendly on the bed. Even Cleantha's head was clinging onto the exposed Alvian shirt.

What a shameful sight this plagues to the bottom of his heart. Giving him a crushing blow was far more painful than the betrayal Zevira and Fendi had committed.

Instantly the King gripped his cell phone until his knuckles turned white. He turned his body and looked at Cleantha with dark eyes.

The king advanced. He cornered Cleantha to the wall.

"So this is why you asked for a divorce from me? You slept with Alvian when I wasn't around. You and Alvian would betray me. I trust you both so much!" exclaim King while showing his phone screen. His chest up and down held a deep sense of anger and disappointment.

Cleantha threw her face to the side. Even if he knew all this would happen, he would not defend himself. Especially to shed tears in front of the King.

"It turns out the gossip circulating in the office is not a figment. I'm too stupid to trust you both."

"Why does every woman I love always betray? What is my fault and what is my lack?" exclaimed the King while smashing his hand against the wall.

The King's actions frightened Cleantha. He knew the King was in a state of turmoil, overwhelmed by a burning anger. But hearing the word of love he said, does that mean he includes the woman the King loves?

"Quickly tell me what my flaws are and what are the advantages of Alvian until you have an affair with him?" asked the King to force Cleantha.

"The Lord's shortcoming is that the Master is married, but the Master forces me to be by the Master's side. You are also angry and dictatorial. While Mr. Alvian he is single, gentle and friendly. He is also kind and always ready to help me" Cleantha replied deliberately luring the King to divorce him immediately.

"Oh, that's how you look at my sister. You're crazy about her, but you hate me."

Cleantha raised her tone.

"And this is the greatest weakness, sir. It's easy for you to be prejudiced by others. If I really had an affair with Mr. Alvian, then I would have done it in secret. There is no way that anyone can photograph our actions as clearly as this," Cleantha said.

"So you said these pictures were fake?"

"I didn't say it was fake. You can see for yourself how my face and Mr. Alvian's expression are there. But it's useless to explain the truth. Master must have been fed up with me, because it was soon my divorce" challenged Cleantha.

The king restrained Cleantha with his two sturdy arms, until the girl was unable to move.

"You think I'll grant you your wish for a divorce? If I do so then you will be happy with Alvian on top of my suffering. And I'm not gonna let that happen."

"A...what do you mean, sir?" cleantha asked, starting to panic.

"Look at how Vira's fate is. I have not divorced her even though I hate her. It's because I want to see him suffer first. I will do the same to you, but in a different way" said the King in a cold voice.

...****************...

While outside, Alvian's car had already arrived at the King's house. He rushed out of the car feeling agitated. He feared the King would darken his eyes and hurt his own wife.

"Sir Darma, where's my brother and Cleantha?"

"Welcome, Young Master. The Lord King is in his study with the Madam."

"I'll be there" said Alvian. But Mr. Darma tried to block him.

"Don't Young Master. The Lord King and Lady Cleantha were talking together. Don't want to be disturbed. Let me tell them the arrival of the Young Master first."

"I have to see them now. I can't postpone it anymore" Alvian said, not heeding Mr. Darma's warning.

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