Chapter 5 Accidentally Met

"Raceh, my dear, what's your opinion?" Mrs Santi asked Raceh.

However, Grace was the one who spoke up.

"Mom, Dad, isn't there any other way to save Dad's company? Raceh doesn't even know who she's being arranged with, and that person might not be interested in her like her parents are."

"Grace, we're not sacrificing your sister, but this is the only way. Dad's company is recovering because of his friend's intervention," Mr. Fidel exclaimed.

"Sis, I don't mind, really," Raceh said.

"Are you sure, dear?" Mrs. Santi exclaimed.

"Yes, Mom." Raceh bowed, responding.

Mr. Fidel's face pleaded with his daughter's answer. The father immediately rose and embraced his daughter,

"Thank you, my daughter. Mom and Dad make sure Zefki is a good and responsible person. He is the right man to accompany you."

"Who is Zefki, Dad?" Grace asked.

"Oh, yes. Zefki is the man who will be betrothed to your sister. His name is Zefki Harold," Mrs. Santi answered.

"Alright, it's late. Let's sleep. Tomorrow is a workday, and as for further discussions, we'll wait for the Harold family." Tuan Fidel exclaimed, answered by nods from his two daughters and wife.

Inside the room,

Mrs. Santi and her husband discussed the arranged marriage,

"Honey ... I see a trace of sadness in Raceh's eyes earlier."

"Dad knows, dear. Dad felt it, too. But the Harold family has helped us a lot in the company. Besides, we already know Zefki; Dad is sure he can make our daughter happy." Tuan Fidel declared.

In Raceh's room,

As she was about to sleep, Grace knocked on her sister's door,

"Ra, open up, please."

"Yes, sis. Just a moment ..." Raceh got up and opened her door,

"Ra, can I sleep here with you?"

"Yes, sis. Sure." Raceh replied, and they lay down while chatting.

"Ra, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, sis. Why?"

"But, Ra, your face looks sad, you know?"

"I'm fine, sis," Raceh said, trying to act normal.

"Ra, if you're uncomfortable with the arranged marriage, I can help tell Mom and Dad," Grace suggested, responding to Raceh's words.

"No, sis. I accept this arranged marriage with a sincere heart. Don't overthink about it. Let's sleep; I'm exhausted, and we have work tomorrow."

Then Raceh tried to close his eyes, but not Grace. The older sister felt that her younger sister was hiding her sadness. Deep down, Grace felt sorry for her sister being arranged to marry a man she didn't know. However, Grace couldn't do anything because it involved their father's company.

On Monday morning,

Raceh left home for her office in the centre of Jakarta, riding her automatic motorcycle.

Raceh swiftly navigated the streets of Jakarta precisely at seven in the morning; she arrived at the parking lot of the office building.

She parked his motorcycle and walked towards the lobby. Other employees whispered that the new CEO would start working at the main branch today, and Raceh overheard it.

Meanwhile, in the main parking area, a man with a masculine appearance, wearing sunglasses and having a robust build, emerged from a car and headed towards the lobby.

Simultaneously, Raceh, busy searching her bag for her ringing cell phone, accidentally bumped into the robust man's back.

"Ouch ..." exclaimed Raceh, trying to maintain her balance. However, the robust man adeptly turned and caught Raceh's hand.

The man said, "If you walk, use your eyes; that's what they're for." He removed half of his sunglasses and stared sharply at Raceh, who was mesmerised by the man's handsomeness.

The man quickly released his hand from Raceh's arm, making her snap out of hrt reverie and apologise,

"I'm sorry, Sir. It was unintentional," Raceh said, bowing her head. However, the man walked away without looking back.

Someone then approached Raceh, none other than the personal assistant, the man Raceh had bumped into.

"Miss, be careful in your steps next time. Don't let trivial matters jeopardise your position in this company!"

"Forgive me, Sir. I truly didn't mean to bump into you earlier. Please forgive my mistake," Raceh pleaded with Sutan, the assistant.

But Sutan just walked away without uttering a word.

Raceh quickly entered the office and pressed the sixth-floor button in the elevator, the floor where he worked.

As Sutan was about to enter the executive elevator, a security guard ran towards him, "Sorry, Sir. This fell earlier; maybe it belongs to the gentleman wearing sunglasses." Sutan thought that the man with sunglasses might be Zefki. "The security guard hasn't met the new CEO yet," Sutan thought.

A plastic package was seen, and Sutan checked its contents. It turned out to be a transparent box of fried rice. Sutan thought again that his boss liked fried rice.

Sutan then grabbed the package and headed to the elevator. Just as the top floor's elevator opened, he approached Secretary Risa and said, "Good morning, Secretary Risa. Is Mr. Zefki in his office?"

"Sorry, Assistant Sutan. Mr. Zefki is in a brief meeting with the department heads; it should be finished in about fifteen minutes," Secretary Risa replied.

"Alright, I'll wait in Mr. Zefki's office," said Assistant Sutan.

Sutan entered and waited for Zefki. He placed the package of fried rice on the table.

Zefki was surprised by Sutan's arrival. He thought Sutan was still on duty out of town.

Sutan explained that he arrived in Jakarta yesterday afternoon and started his duties this morning.

"Well, Sutan, now you take care of all the divisions. Instruct them to prepare reports on their work so far. It's chaotic! It's giving me a headache!" Zefki ordered.

"Okay, Mr. Zefki. I'll excuse myself now," and Sutan left.

Suddenly, Zefki's stomach growled. He looked at the food package on his table and found it contained fried rice. Since he rushed to the office this morning, he forgot breakfast. Zefki opened the box, and the aroma was the same as the fried rice he had last night. Zefki thought his mom must have instructed the courier to send the fried rice he asked Bik Yati to make again.

Hungry, Zefki quickly finished the delicious fried rice.

Elsewhere, Raceh just realised, as lunchtime approached, that she couldn't find the box of fried rice she had cooked at home for his lunch in his bag.

Reluctantly, Raceh joined her friends for lunch at the company cafeteria, even though she wanted to save money this month.