A Billion Desires

"I'm tired," complained Anna while stirring coffee in the ICU pantry. She yawned widely like a buffalo and was not embarrassed that her partner was sitting before her. Forcing her legs, which felt sore in the calves, she sat beside the curly-haired woman named Shanon.

For a few moments, Anna smelled the Arabica beans deeply, filling her chest cavity; at least, this was the way to go despite how busy the activities that had to be done were.

"Cheer up, Annie," said Shanon, calling Anna's name Annie because it reminded her of her cousin who had died many years ago. "In a few hours, you will be free from your contract, her neck, at least, this was the way to relax, and I... feel sad." Shanon's tone sounded unwilling.

"Oh, Shanon..." Anna leaned her head on Shanon's shoulder, touched by the excellent relationship developed during the three months of working at Fairfield Hospital. "I'm not going straight back to Indonesia. So, we can hang out like you planned last week. Dance like crazy at No Lights No Lycra or laugh until your stomach hurts at Comedy Nights?"

"Both of them!" Shanon exclaimed enthusiastically. I was cupping and patting Anna's chubby cheeks with joy. "Don't forget Black Star Pastry's watermelon cake. We have to come early because they will be having a summer sale. I don't want to run out again."

"Good. I can't wait to raise my sugar levels after all the hard days we've been through," said Anna, remembering that the last weeks in the ICU had been tough.

She sipped her coffee again while occasionally massaging the nape of her neck, which felt stiff from almost twelve hours of continuous standby. On the other hand, doing short-term work like now is profitable. Anna collected nearly four thousand dollars weekly during three months of working in the intensive care unit. Well... although sometimes, a glass of caffeine doesn't work to keep you from feeling sleepy while on guard duty. Just look at the dark circles under her eyes that look terrible if they aren't covered with foundation. Maybe soon, people will compare her to the panda at the zoo.

"I know," said Shanon, patting Anna's hand and holding her. "Where are you going on an adventure after this?"

After her work contract finished the following day, Anna was silent, reviewing the list of things she wanted to do. In silence, Anna's dark brown eyes studied the pantry ceiling as if an answer was being dug up there until Shanon followed the sweet girl's gaze. Anna wanted to rest for at least three days before returning home or taking a new work contract in another Australian state.

"Are you imagining someone until you're drooling, Annie?" whispered Shanon, squinting her big eyes. "I'm curious."

Suddenly, Anna hit Shanon's arm, firmly dodging what her friend said while laughing out loud. Anna didn't have time to think about men if they could only hurt her. Parasitic man! At least it was perfectly imprinted in Anna's head from her sad story last time. Moreover, when she thought about it again, she felt that women could explore their lives more freely and happier than when they were with a man who only used words of affection. Moreover, many women have decided to achieve their dreams and advance their careers so they don't just fall into the arms of cheap men.

"Maybe I'll take a leave of absence," said Anna, interrupting Shanon's wild imagination. "My mother needs me, Shanon."

"I see," said Shanon, curling her lips sourly. "You're a hard worker, Annie. Keep breathing, and don't forget about a vacation to keep your life balanced."

"Thanks." Anna drank her coffee until there was nothing left. Her heart was touched by Shanon's words, who cared about her like an older sister. Suddenly, Anna wanted to know what it was like to have a sibling willing to lean on her. She took a deep breath, shaking off the mirage in her head that couldn't possibly come true. "I can't wait for us to go on holiday together," she continued, changing the topic.

"And looking for a man," continued Shanon, rolling her eyes. "It's time to feast my eyes on sightseeing, get to know a hot guy, and have fun enjoying life as a single."

"Hot man? Ah... that's not a good idea," Anna joked, taking another sip of her cold coffee. "Unless they are Ian Somerhalder."

***

The Bondi Scout Hall community hall at night is filled with people dancing freely to the passionate music of the Spice Girls from the speakers. They move swiftly without specific rules, following their instincts to relieve fatigue after being busy with a lot of work. Armed with a beam of green light pouring from the end of the entrance, reflecting the shadows of the piles of chairs surrounding the hall, everyone danced without any obstacles, including the influence of alcohol.

"If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends!" shouted Anna and Shanon simultaneously.

They lost themselves in the lyrics of Wannabe, the main song on No Lights No Lycra tonight. They were simultaneously shaking their shoulders, facing each other, then turning their bodies, nudging each other's buttocks even though Shanon's body was more significant than Anna's.

Anna raised both hands in the air, prancing more and more energetically, following verse after verse sung by the vocal group from England. She was not paying attention to the sweat dripping down her skin and through her clothes-even the crevices of the bra. For Anna, participating in this activity is like exercising at the gym. The difference is that he doesn't need to lift weights or run on a treadmill. Just stand, sing, and dance with people without fear of being in the dark.

Satisfied with draining his sweat, she rushed out of the hall with Shanon to fill their stomach, which was roaring for their turn to be filled. Their throats also felt dry, as if they were in a barren field, waving and needing water after they screamed non-stop. They laughed and thought such events suited people who wanted to go wild without embarrassment.

"Never mind dancing in the dark, maybe even making love there. They won't be embarrassed," Shanon joked in response to Anna's pinch on the arm. "Argh, that hurts a bit."

"Because you said it innocently," replied Anna. "Where do we rest?"

"Courthouse Hotel," answered Shanon, pointing to the sign at the end of the road.

The two-story building is painted a pale and worn yellow, while in some parts, it is colored dark green. This place has been a haven for people to relax for decades and has been nicknamed the Newtown icon. It didn't take long to reach it; Shanon and Anna were greeted by long wooden tables and chairs adorning every corner of the bar, while old trees shaded visitors during the day to make them feel comfortable and relaxed. Meanwhile, the black-painted lampposts will emit a soft and subtle yellow light at night, providing romantic effects if you invite your partner.

They almost ran out of seats if a man covered in tattoos on both arms hadn't waved to offer them a place. Shanon responded to the 'unknown' man's invitation while dragging Anna to join in and ignoring his cynical gaze.

"G'day mate!" said the fierce man with a friendly smile. "I'll be done in a moment."

"Oops, sorry," replied Shanon uncomfortably, then stretched out one hand. "I'm Shannon."

"Just call me Benjamin or Ben. It's up to you," said Benjamin, shaking Shanon's hand. "And you?" he asked Anna.

"Anna," answered Anna kindly.

"You're not like the people here," said Benjamin when Shanon raised his hand to ask the waiter for a menu.

"Yes, I'm from Indonesia, and I'm just here to work and have fun," explained Anna.

"Good on ya, that's interesting," said Benjamin, looking at his cell phone screen. "Ah, sorry. I have to go to meet my friend. Enjoy your day!" he said goodbye as he approached the two girls with the casually dressed waiter.

"Fucking hot," Shanon whispered in reply while watching Benjamin's footsteps until he disappeared from view and was met by Anna's elbow in the arm. She turned to the man who had brought a food and drink menu, "A bottle of Lagom Premium red wine, beef nachos, and my friend--"

"Just the same," said Anna.

"Additional?" asked the waiter, sounding friendly.

"Salad, thank you," said Shanon with a wink.

"Wow, we're going to be drunk all day, Shanon," said Anna after the maid left.

"This is your farewell, Annie," replied Shanon, assuring her friend that this night would not happen again when Anna returned to her home country. "Before you return to Indonesia, I want us to party until we can't walk anymore. Besides, I want to enjoy myself with Lagom after our long night in the ICU. Don't you know my favorite wine, huh?"

Anna shook her head while curling her lips. "As far as I know, all the wine in your eyes tastes delicious."

"That's not all, Mate." Shanon put her arm around Anna's shoulders, looked thoughtfully into the girl's brown eyes, and said, "Lagom's pleasure is just like the charm of his owner. He is on the list of the sexiest men I have ever seen. Sexy, Anna, damn, so sexy that you want to kneel in front of him ."

"Not in the world?" Anna teased, gazing at the waiter who had come with her order. "You're too much, Mate." Anna was drawn to the black bottle labeled Lagom, which was coated in gold, giving the impression of being expensive and luxurious. It says 2018, the year the grapes were picked, has reached five years, which people say is enough to get the perfect taste.

Anna is not a big fan of wine like Shanon, who is still enthusiastic about talking about the achievements of Lagom, whose company is headquartered in Tuscany. Occasionally, he buys them for certain occasions, especially when celebrating his birthday or experiencing heartbreak.

"That means he's still less charming than Ian Somerhalder," replied Anna in reply to Shanon's sentence, who adored the man who owned Lagom.

"Tsk!" Shanon snorted in annoyance as she let the waiter show him the brand and year of the drink she ordered. Then, the man opened the wine bottle using a corkscrew and placed two glasses on the table. "Thanks!"

Shanon hastily poured the drink into a tall-legged tulip glass and handed it to Anna. She has to prove that this drink is as sexy as Lagom's. The owners went crazy over the past few years when they promoted it to Sydney.

"Try it, Annie. Take a deep breath and feel the aroma of grapes mixed with mint, cherries, and blackberries teasing your nose. You will imagine a shirtless, muscular man sitting on the balcony waiting for you to do something naughty," explained Shanon, excitedly imagining a burly man. A descendant of the Greek Gods stopped by his balcony wearing only a thin silk cloth.

"Hah?"

Anna gaped until she unconsciously revealed her characteristics as an Indonesian citizen. Shanon laughed but still told her friend to do as asked. She poured herself some wine and then shook the leg of the wine glass to reveal the aromas of the drink before sniffing to feel the sensation of her all-time favorite wine.

Anna imitated, sticking her nose into the glass, just looking for an answer to her curiosity about why Shanon was so crazy about Lagom. She knew that drinking red wine like this made one feel like she was in a place with high-class people. Don't forget the classical music accompanying it, not the pop-rock music now playing throughout the bar area. Completely the opposite!

Once she smelled it, Anna confirmed that there were aroma characteristics she couldn't describe. It is a kind of combination of herbal and fruity fragrances in one. Reminds him of a famous perfume brand. Victoria's Secret? Anna tasted a little, letting the drink sit in her mouth so that it spread on her tongue and penetrated every taste bud.

A moment later, she was stunned when a light and smooth layer of silk appeared on the roof of her mouth. From blackcurrant, cherry develops into cocoa, black pepper, and a hint of oak on the palate. When swallowing and going down the esophagus, another sensation comes like harmony. The sweet taste is quite dominant, followed by acidity, which is not too high, and ends with a bitter taste, which is not too strong.

"What do you think?" Shanon asked, raising and lowering her thick eyebrows, already able to guess Anna's amazed expression. "Can you imagine a hot, sexy man welcoming you to make love until you faint?"

"Shanon, come on..." Anna blushed but didn't deny Shanon's wild opinion. "This drinking has nothing to do with romance."

"There is. You're just too old-fashioned!" Shanon blurted out irritably.

"Damn!" Anna exclaimed, hitting her friend's arm in exasperation. "So, how does the owner of Lagom look like and put him on your list of hot men in your life?"

"Not much information; I mean, he doesn't want to be exposed by the media. So, most of the internet is talking about his family and his fiancé." Shanon opened his cellphone and the Instagram application where the JL001 account with hundreds of thousands of followers was displayed. "See? He only shows off the view, a damn hot back shot, and curls that I would love to run my fingers through if there were a chance for ONS. Never once does he show off how handsome the human is. So, I always shadow him like Apollo."

"Jeez, you're crazy!" taunted Anna.

"I'm right. He's nicknamed the Sexyback, back man, or sexy ass. His butt, Annie, you can see how dense it is under those pants," Shanon pointed out as if he was drooling.

"Where does he live anyway?" Anna asked curiously.

"You didn't know?" Shanon widened her eyes. "Jesus! Open your eyes, Annie. He lives in Bali. He might be your neighbor in the same country as you, province, or city! God, why is my friend so blind to Your masterpiece?"

"I don't have time to think about hot men like the ones in your head, Shanon," said Anna, sipping her drink again. Damn, Lagom wine is delicious, Anna thought; she would add this brand to her list of favorite drinks.

"You're too self-protective, Annie. If you meet a guy with these characteristics, let me know. OK?" Shanon asked, rounding her pupils like a puppy asking for mercy.

"I'm not sure. You're going crazy like this," Anna sneered, sticking out her tongue, and then gulped down the red wine until it was finished. On the other hand, I'm curious about this JL001.

Who's he?

"Buonasera, Nonna!" said a man, stretching out his arms when welcoming an old woman wearing an expensive suit and classic sunglasses decorated with Swarovski crystals. "I miss you," he continued, then hugged his beloved grandmother warmly.

(Good afternoon, Grandma!)

Even though the woman's body has aged, her appearance still looks fit and agile. Her back is not too bent like other grandmothers who are already in their 80s in general. Beauty is still visible on her round face, except for wrinkles, even though she often undergoes monthly facial treatments using 24-carat gold. Her curly, white hair hung down to her shoulders and swayed in the wind.

"I miss you too, Jake. You're getting more handsome like your father," said the woman, patting the broad shoulder of the man called Jake. "What a Luciano derivative."

Jake chuckled and became embarrassed whenever he heard excessive praise from his grandmother, Barbara. However, it cannot be denied that everyone who meets or passes them always says that Jake looked like his father when he was young. His tall, straight body posture, sharp dark grey irises, jet black curly hair as dark as night, and a firm jaw framing his neat face were also inherited. Could it be because he was his first child? Jake guessed that most of Fabio Luciano's DNA flowed through his every vein.

Who knows.

Jake turned briefly towards the fuselage of the Boeing 787-8 BBJ with the LC logo on the tail painted in brick red as the symbol of the large Luciano family. It looked dashing and charming in the twilight when the plane moved slowly to park on the north side of Ngurah Rai Airport. Then, holding Barbara's hand while exchanging stories about news and things they had done while hundreds of miles apart. They were followed by several men in formal clothes and smooth hair dragging several large suitcases belonging to Barbara.

"You have a lot of stuff. Is Nonna going to spend time here until the end of the year?" Jake teased, to which Barbara replied with an annoyed chuckle. "Jeez, why?"

"You won't believe that this year's summer sucks," Barbara grumbled as the shiny black Roll Royce Phantom stopped right at the airport pick-up area. "And I agree with your suggestion; maybe I must stay here until the problem is resolved!" The lines of her lips smeared with red lipstick stretched briefly towards the bald man who greeted her politely.

"Just leave it to me, sir," Jake interrupted, holding the driver from opening the car door for Barbara. He wondered what happened to his grandmother to make her grumble like that. Does this have anything to do with the vineyards in Tuscany?

Behind the luxury vehicle was a white Alphard used by bodyguards to drive and store Barbara's belongings. Jake asked the grandmother to sit down immediately before continuing the story until her face became displeased. Then, Jake waved at the second car, telling the men to rest directly after the long journey from Bologna. He signaled the driver to leave first and take them to the family accommodation in Sanur.

"Thank you, Mr. Luciano," said one of the men before leaving.

"Relax while you're here," Jake said kindly. They bowed respectfully, said thank you again, and got into the car. It wasn't until Jake walked around the car and sat down on Barbara's left side that he asked, "What happened?"

"Crazy tourists from Germany are picking and eating my grapes, Jake!" Barbara grumbled in annoyance. Her face immediately turned red like a boiled crab, unable to hold back the anger already boiling to the top of her head. "Without clothes, too!" She massaged her forehead, feeling her blood pressure suddenly rise every time she remembered that disgusting and inelegant incident. She couldn't even sleep soundly due to the mischievous hands of irresponsible tourists touching her vineyard.

Not just this once. The incident that happened to Luciano's vineyard occurred repeatedly when summer arrived. Tourists from several neighboring countries, including Germany, always visit to see a short tour of how a bottle of wine is produced. It's a shame that a few unscrupulous people are so casual and innocent in stealing wine even though they are not tour group members.

There was even someone who dared to break into the fence and lay out a picnic cloth without the slightest feeling of guilt but even barked when reprimanded. If allowed to continue, this will affect the amount of wine production, where grapes are the primary raw material. Surely Barbara doesn't want to lose, right? Where there are tour tickets, that's where they can enjoy the wine in calculated quantities.

Barbara understands that people from the Panzer country enjoy recreation and eating fruit, especially in the spring. However, their target was very wrong because most Italians depended on the grape harvest at a time when demand for red wine had increased drastically. Meanwhile, ignorant tourists joke that if they have paid for a wine tour ticket, they can eat as much fruit as they like without even wearing a single thread. They argue that this is one of their rights as tourists. Isn't that wild? Are they humans or animals? Barbara grumbled to herself.

"How much did they spend?" Jake asked, worried. Maybe this is why his father couldn't come to Indonesia for his annual family holiday in Sanur.

"Four baskets per pair," grumbled Barbara. "If every day? Can you imagine our company could experience a wine crisis, right?"

Jake nodded in understanding, holding Barbara's tiny hand tightly. "I'll try to find a way out, Nonna."

"Lo paparazzo tanto. You can always be relied on, Jake," said Barbara, lovingly kissing her grandson's cheek. "It's not wrong that Fabio has great trust in you."

(I appreciate it)

"Come on... my brother Ezio also helps me a lot, Nonna," said Jake, not wanting to get big-headed.

"That's right. But, you're the main heir, Jake," whispered Barbara, poking her beloved grandson's sharp nose with pride.

###

Jake hung up the phone after giving his father several ideas regarding disturbing tourist actions. He thought, if necessary, to limit the number of tourist tours and install wire fences in vineyards in Tuscany, Italy. All this time, Jake knew that Fabio had always let them come during the summer, until unknowingly, the ignorant people took advantage of this opportunity to steal grapes ready to be harvested. However, if Fabio still wants foreigners to arrive to attract consumers to taste the best Tuscan wines, special measures must be taken by sorting them based on their passports.

"That doesn't make sense to me, Jake," said Fabio, firmly rejecting his son's idea. "They will protest and criticise because they feel limited access to visit here. I don't want our rating to go down."

"So, what's the solution if we don't give strict rules, Papa?" asked Jake, tapping his left fingers on the work table. "Since yesterday, Nonna has been complaining a lot about the thieves. If Papa isn't firm, they will be arbitrary again."

"I'll think about it, Jake. But I prefer your first idea. At the same time, we're here to limit the number of arrivals. I feel sorry for our farmers overwhelmed by those stubborn people."

He took a deep breath to fill his chest cavity, which felt tight as he had to step in to help with the problems in Tuscany. Next, Jake leaned back against the chair and closed his eyes, feeling the blood vessels in his temples twitch. On the one hand, it is fortunate that the Tuscano subsidiary led by Jake has never had any problems. Maybe local and foreign tourists maintain their manners better, considering that every corner of Bali is sacred.

Moreover, foreigners may behave more carefully if they do not want to be deported. Furthermore, Jake's vineyard tour offered facilities for picking fruit and tasting processed Lagom that had become wine. So, it's impossible for them to suddenly be so greedy that they want to fill their stomachs, right?

The classic Patek Philippe Calatrava watch with gold plating and a tan alligator strap on Jake's left hand read 10:30. He remembered that he had to get ready to accompany Barbara on a tour of the vineyards in Buleleng. Last night, his grandmother wanted to see how far the Lagom company had developed since Fabio bought the fifty-hectare plantation in 1988. He added that it was not in vain that his son came to Indonesia to spread the wings of the Luciano family's hereditary business and marry one of the beautiful women here.

"You come here yearly, Nonna," Jake said at dinner. "The change is that our exports are increasing. Lagom received an award in Hong Kong last year, right?"

Barbara nodded while giving a proud thumbs up. "But I don't tire of observing your success, Jake," said Barbara. "You are the life of Lagom."

"Without my farmers and employees, I'm nothing, Nonna," said Jake, not wanting to get big-headed.

Driving a stunning jet-black Audi R8 under the hot Sanur sun, Jake took Barbara through the empty streets of the Ngurah Rai Bypass before ending up on Jalan Ir. Soekarno as far as 19kilometress. It took about three hours to arrive at the destination because the location of the vineyard was in the rural area of Sanggalangit.

Barbara commented that Bali was a second home that she said she would never get bored of visiting. Bali offers the warm hospitality of the local people, sunny weather almost all year round, a beautiful environment, and even a hidden paradise.

Apart from that, Barbara said all the food full of Balinese spices pampered her taste buds endlessly. Moreover, many Kintamani dogs were cute and obedient, as if they had known each other for a long time when Barbara said hello. Until now, Barbara still likes visiting holy places with all the history behind them and continuing to sit silently or do yoga. Where else can provide luxury like Bali? she thought.

"But you haven't forgotten your homeland, right?" Jake joked as his car entered the plantation area.

Barbara laughed until the tops of her cheeks turned red. "Tuscany is in my blood, Jake. I can't replace it with Bali. But, you... you have both."

"I know." Jake got out of the car wearing a hat and sunglasses, then opened the door for his grandmother. Extending a hand helped Barbara straighten up after the long journey.

"Welcome to Lagom gardens, Nonna."

Anna parked the motorbike in the garden parking area marked Lagom Agrotourism and then took off her red helmet. She looked around for a moment, combing the area that was so beautiful to her eyes, then frowned and found a luxury car parked at the far left. What kind of sultan visits this place instead of a VIP-class beach club? She shrugged her shoulders in disbelief, then looked briefly in the rearview mirror to comb her shoulder-length wavy hair to make it look neat before hanging up her helmet.

"My lipstick isn't on enough," she muttered, reaching into her rattan bag and taking a pink lip cream to her lips. After that, Anna took her cellphone and then took a photo of the green board as a guide to the Lagom tourist area, Shanon's pride. Anna giggled when she sent the photo and couldn't wait to see her friend's reaction, which was always excessive.

Anna: Let's see if I can meet the sexyback you dream of.

After returning from Sydney, Anna always took the time to explore interesting places in Bali as a routine to relax her soul and mind. Her love for the Island of the Gods does not give rise to the slightest feeling of boredom but instead increases over time. The aroma of the offerings at the sanggah or temple where Hindus pray is in the nose, the rows of shady trees and crashing waves that adorn Bali, the dogs roaming around freely, and the passing by of foreign tourists are a pleasant attraction in Anna's eyes.

However, she never knew that a super-rich family owned the largest vineyard in Indonesia. In elementary school, Anna lived around here before finally moving to Ungasan. Maybe because she was too busy at school, college, and earning money, she didn't know this place?

Who knows.

In the end, to relieve curiosity about Shanon's favorite wine brand. Anna wants to take a tour provided by Lagom. She was stepping feet clad in white Converse shoes towards the brown polished door of a building with the same paint but a paler color with a red brick roof. There, ornaments in the form of paintings of Balinese natural landscapes and wooden carvings made by residents are displayed. Shrub plants and lush trees sway in the wind, creating a calm and peaceful impression.

Inside are several display cases to display Lagom products of various sizes and types of wine. There are also Lagom award certificates from time to time, proof of the owner's hard work in bringing this local brand of wine into existence internationally. Anna nodded in amazement, thinking that effort would never betray the results unless the lover didn't know herself.

A moment later, Anna caught a man wearing a white shirt, a typical Balinese sarong, and udeng on his head. He was standing in front of a small group of ten people dominated by foreign tourists. Another older, casually dressed man greeted Anna with a Barong T-shirt and denim pants, throwing a friendly smile at him. The man's exotic skin seemed to gleam in the reflection of the intense sunlight.

"Rahajeng rauh. Want to join the tour?" he asked.

(WELCOME)

Anna shook her head quickly. "How much is the entrance ticket, Bli?"

"Fifty thousand. Later, you can taste the wine and pick grapes," answered the man.

"Okay, I'm in." Anna took out a fifty thousand note and gave it to the man. She momentarily looked away, then whispered, "Bli, does the owner often come here?"

For a moment, the exotic man before her frowned and nodded. "Oh... yes, often. Mr. Jake always comes to monitor harvest time. But not every day."

"Oh...Jake." Anna mumbled the sexy back name. "Matur suksma, Bli," said Anna, accepting the farmer's straw hat, which was rented free of charge to protect against heatstroke.

(Thank you, sir)

Anna hurriedly joined the group while typing another message to Shanon that she would likely be able to meet the back. If she's lucky, she lined up at the back of the group next to a woman with skin as white as porcelain. The tour starts with an explanation of the founding of Lagom in the early 90s by the Luciano family, who tried their luck in making wine from red grapes and green grapes from several varieties successfully grown on the land of Buleleng. Some of these varieties had their seeds brought directly from Italy - the birthplace of the principal owner of Lagom. There are two thousand trees for every hectare, which can produce around 25 tons per harvest.

"For white wine, we plant the Chenin Blanc variety, which perhaps most of our population is unfamiliar with. However, in my opinion, this type is the best because it can be processed into sweet wine or dry wine. There is also a type of Riesling for friends who like the acidity level, like pineapple, lemon, or passion fruit. So, I often recommend this one of our drinks with typical Chinese or Thai food," explained the tour guide in fluent English.

"For the red wine, Bli?" Anna asked for more penetrating advice about showing the world of wine. Should she bend the knee to show Shanon that Lagom has changed her perception?

"We planted the Sangiovese variety from Tuscany, which was previously brought directly by the owner of Lagom. However, in processing, it is combined with Syrah so that the taste and character of the red wine are stronger," explained the tour guide. "However, each variety has a different planting system and method. One uses the double cordon method; some use the trellis system."

"Oh... Italians," muttered Anna, looking up at the fat grapes that tasted tempting.

She imagined how much money was made in one production. She can get rich suddenly! Anna's eyes accidentally caught a small group where a tall, muscular man walked while occasionally holding a vine. He stood out compared to the people around him, who were much shorter.

Anna slightly lowered the sunglasses that covered her vision from the heat, focusing her pupils on the figure of a man wearing a short-sleeved white polo shirt. The man's biceps are bulging, showing that the owner is diligent in lifting weights. From behind her shoulders, it looked broad, as if Anna could rest her head. Not to mention that the man's exotic skin contrasted the clothes that covered his beautiful body. The tan shimmered like a cluster of brown diamonds in the hot sun. Anna's eyes fell on the loose, matching linen trousers that tightly hugged the man's firm buttocks as if they reminded Anna of Shanon's dream man.

"His ass, Annie. Look how firm his ass is."

Unfortunately, the girl couldn't see clearly who the man was because glasses and a black hat covered his face, considering his significant posture; his position was also with his back to Anna, so he could only observe the broad back and tight ass.

In her heart, she guessed whether the man was Indonesian or a foreigner, considering his significant posture, which was utterly different from residents in general. Beside the man, an older woman walked gracefully while embracing his right arm affectionately.

"Why does my imagination... turn towards sugar babies, huh?" Anna muttered, ignoring Bli Ketut's explanation. The image of an awkward relationship is currently trending and swirling around in your head, just like the actor who plays Kick-Ass - Aaron Taylor Johnson - who is 23 years apart from his wife, who works as a director. "Nowadays, a lot of guys are looking for older women. The opposite is also true."

Anna sharpened her ears towards the group of men there who were now moving slightly north towards the red wine area accompanied by laughter. Her curiosity about wine is now diverted to a mysterious figure who fascinates the eye more than the beauty of Mount Agung, which is the backdrop to the Lagom plantation. Moreover, Anna was so sad when she heard the deep and sexy voice that she wondered who the owner of this pleasant voice was. Is his?

"Still 80 days, Nonna," said the charming man as he raised one hand to caress the grapes hanging low on the right side. "Shall we do a Brix test? I think they're almost done."

Oh, it's his voice, thought Anna.

The man pointed a few meters before him, followed by the older woman and several people who joined the small tour. He's a guide. How is it different from Bli Ketut, thought Anna, a little disappointed that the tour guide seemed old.

"What is the Brix test, Bli Ketut?" said Anna, stricken with passionate curiosity.

"A test to measure the sweetness of the grapes," Ketut then picked one of the grapes and opened a little of the skin to apply it to a pencil-like but significant tool. Ketut narrowed his eyes and said, "The score is eleven. This is already sweet because in processing wine, we also need a sweet sensation in addition to bitterness and astringency."

"Oh, I see..." Anna just learned that the level of sweetness that is processed into wine must also be measured.

"Okay, guys, you can pick some grapes to taste," said Ketut, inviting the group Anna was following to taste the delicious fruit of Lagom's pride. A few minutes later, a scream was heard from the group of burly men, and the older man suddenly collapsed to the ground.

"Nonna! Nonna!" exclaimed the man in panic. "Help!"