Chapter 1 Erlan's Promise

Erlan Levin, a handsome and charismatic renowned CEO, is the owner of a major company in Jakarta. He is currently on his way to his prestigious office.

The office is already bustling this morning. Several employees greet him warmly, but Erlan only responds with a nod.

The CEO continues walking into the building until he stops right in front of the main elevator that will take him to his office on the top floor.

"Good morning, Mr. Erlan," greets Rani, his loyal secretary who has been by his side all this time.

Erlan simply nods.

"What's my schedule for today, Rani?"

"Nothing urgent, Sir," Rani replies. "However, the Master and Madam are currently waiting for you in your office."

"Papi and Mami are here? Since when did they arrive?" he asks.

"Since this morning, Sir," Rani answers.

"All right, please tell Dio to prepare the car immediately. I want to inspect the project site in Tangerang." After saying that, Erlan heads straight into his grand office.

"Good morning, everyone," he greets his parents coldly before sitting in his large executive chair.

"Oh my goodness, Erlan! That's no way to greet your parents. How could you speak to Papi and Mami like that?" protests Mrs. Anisa.

"I'm busy, Mami," he replies.

"Busy with what exactly, that you don't even have time to get to know a woman?" This time, Mr. Fred speaks up.

"Why are we suddenly talking about women, Papi?" Erlan responds in irritation.

"And why not? Don't you realize how old you are? This year you're turning thirty, yet you're still not married. All your cousins are married. You're the only one left, Erlan!" says his mother.

"Are you still not over that woman? Or are you waiting for your ex to become a widow before you marry her?" she presses again.

There was once a woman Erlan deeply admired. Unfortunately, she married the man she loved first. To her, Erlan was nothing more than a friend.

"This has nothing to do with her, Mami! Please stop bringing her up! She's happy with her family now, so stop talking about her!" Erlan snaps at his mother.

"Then if it's not because of her, why are you still not married? Are you waiting for her to have a grandchild first so you can marry that grandchild instead? Is that what you mean, Erlan?" his mother retorts, growing more annoyed.

"Mami!" he barks, his temper flaring.

"Hey! Don't you raise your voice at your mother!" says Mr. Fred, defending his wife.

"Papi and Mami don't care! This year, you must get married! If not, I'll strip you of your position and seize all your privileges! This time I'm serious! There will be no mercy if you lie to me again! I've had enough of last year when you embarrassed us by running away on the day of your arranged marriage!" Mr. Fred warns firmly.

"Erlan, think about this for a second. You're our only son. You're not getting any younger. When will you give us grandchildren? Have you ever thought about who will inherit your grandfather's company if you insist on staying single? How much longer do you plan to be like this, Erlan?" his mother pleads in tears, her sobbing heartbreaking to anyone who hears it.

Even Erlan can't help but be moved. He doesn't often hear his mother cry, and it saddens him deeply.

He remembers well the time his mother wept over him when he was drowning himself in alcohol, unable to move on from his ex.

Erlan walks over to his mother and says,

"Mami, please stop crying ... I ... I'll do as you say this time," he says hesitantly.

"You're going to lie again, aren't you? Just like before! Admit it! You only ever please me for a short while," she cries even harder.

"No, Mami. This time I'll do as you say," he says, resigned, tired of playing cat-and-mouse with his parents over this marriage issue.

"Are you telling the truth this time, Erlan?" asks Mr. Fred.

"Yes, Papi. This time I'm serious," he insists.

"All right, I'll hold you to your word. But remember, if you lie, you know my threat is not just a threat. I will carry it out!" Mr. Fred warns.

"Yes, Papi. I'll find a wife as soon as possible. You and Mami can rest easy," Erlan replies.

"Grandma Rini and Grandpa Robi are also eager to see a great-grandchild from you, Erlan. Don't disappoint them!" Mrs. Anisa adds.

"Yes, Papi, Mami. Anyway, I have to go to Tangerang to inspect the project there," Erlan says, taking his leave.

After Erlan leaves, Mr. and Mrs. Levin quickly end their little act.

"Has Erlan gone, Papi?" asks Mrs. Anisa.

"He just left, Mi. Let's hope he keeps his word this time," Mr. Fred says.

"He'd better not lie to us again! You really mean your threat, don't you?"

"Which threat, Mami?"

"Oh my goodness, Papi! Erlan just left five minutes ago, and you've already forgotten what you said?" she says in exasperation.

"I wouldn't dare carry out that threat, Mami. If I did, the company might go bankrupt. Then what would happen to our children and grandchildren's future?" he asks nervously.

"You're hopeless, Papi! You're just like your son!" Mrs. Anisa snaps before storming out of their son's office, leaving her husband behind.

"Mami, wait!" calls Mr. Fred.

Rani, Erlan's secretary, can only shake her head at the antics of her two bosses.

Mr. Fred hurries after his wife, who has already gone down to the lobby and is heading to the parking lot.

"I hope she doesn't leave me behind again!" he mutters, running as fast as if chased by a wild animal.

"Mi ... Mami! Don't leave me, Mami!" he shouts as he reaches the parking lot of AF Corp, the company run by his son.

But his cries are completely ignored by his wife.

"Drive, please!" Mrs. Anisa orders their private chauffeur.

As a result, Mr. Fred was left alone in the parking area.

He immediately called his other driver.

Not long after, the driver arrived with a new car. Mr. Fred quickly got into the vehicle and said,

"Follow wherever my wife's car goes."

"Yes, Sir," the driver replied, then drove off, tailing the car that was carrying Mrs. Anisa.

Meanwhile, Erlan, who was in a bad mood after being pressured by his parents to get married, decided to spend some time at a bar, enjoying a cup of coffee that afternoon.

"Hey, Bro! All alone, huh?" greeted Fadli, a business associate of Erlan.

"Come join me for some coffee," Erlan invited his friend.

"Sorry, Bro, I'm in a hurry. Oh, by the way, are you still coming tonight to our business partner's birthday party?" Fadli asked Erlan.

"I'll be there, Bro. I've cleared my schedule," he replied.

"All right then, see you tonight, Bro!" Fadli said before quickly leaving the café.

P. S.

Papi and Mami are terms for father and mother in Indonesia.

Tangerang is the name of one of the cities in Indonesia.