The Billionaire's Secret Husband

There are two things Ratu Purbaningrum does not believe in: one is ghosts, and two is love. According to her, what is love anyway? What is that strange thing that makes women and men close to each other? Just imagining it makes her sick. It's nothing, but kneeling before a man, in her opinion, is a disgusting thing that should be shunned like dog shit.

But it was already hard to earn money to make her parents happy. Instead, Ratu's parents said they could only be satisfied if they saw Ratu marry. How annoying.

"Isn't there anything else, Dad, Mom? Ratu can buy a new building, a private plane, or maybe a vacation to Hawaii. But please don't get married!" she argued.

"Do you think Dad and Mom can't buy their own?" Mr. Danaswara argued.

Ratu rolled her eyes. It was always like this. Sometimes, she was confused about what to give her parents because they could buy it themselves.

Ratu did not believe in love. According to the book she read, there is no such thing as true love. If someone loves another person because the other person loves them, it is not love but empathy; If love is because of money, it is not love but interest. If it's love for looks, it's called obsession, and if it's love at first sight, it's also not love but passion. They say that love is easy and fun. But for Ratu Purbaningrum, money is the only thing that makes her happy.

"How long will you continue to be a virgin, Rat? You're already thirty-one," added Mrs. Danaswara - Ratu's biological mother.

"All men are bastards except Father, ma'am. No, I don't want to marry them. They want to marry me because they want my money, right? There is no such thing as love. Ratu also doesn't want to be subjugated to men."

Having the name Ratu is an honor in itself. A queen is different from a princess. A queen does not need to ask to be saved by anyone, unlike princesses who ask to be held by the prince. When kept in the palace by the dragon, a princess can only wait, while a queen must fight back. The queen walks on her own feet without anyone's help. Therefore, the Queen does not believe in love; she only believes in power.

"There's one man of Dad's who's never cared about money, Rat. And it would be best if you married him. Otherwise, I will sell all my assets and donate them to social services," said Mr. Danaswara. He was very tired of advising his only daughter. From the age of twenty-seven until now, he had never missed a day advising his daughter to get married, but the result? A big zero.

"But Dad!"

"My mind is made up. Marry, or all assets will be given to social services," Mr. Danaswara repeated. He placed a photograph in front of Ratu before leaving his daughter alone. His wife followed behind him.

Ratu sighed. She took the photo her father gave her. An image featuring a young man with a tall stature, a sharp nose, brown hair, and blue eyes.

"Really?" sighed Ratu.

She did not expect to marry the person in this photo. Who was he that Ratu's father could be sure of such a man? Who was the young man with a slightly sweet smile and was able to make Mr. Danaswara sure he would make him his son-in-law.

"I will find out who this man is. How appropriate are you to be my candidate? You won't be able to be part of the Danaswara family," Ratu hissed in annoyance.

Ratu put the photo her father had given her into her purse. She picked up her shopper bag and left. There was a taekwondo practice she had to attend today.

***

"I wonder why my dad is so sure that man can be my husband," Ratu scolded. She vented her anger by spinning her kick and breaking the board held by her friend Ami.

For Ratu, this was the martial art that suited her best: taekwondo. She could beat up the jerks out there without getting her hands dirty. Taekwondo, which emphasizes strength in the legs, makes Ratu believe that only the legs deserve to touch ignorant men.

"Maybe he is good at times. You said you have a picture of him; take a look!" Ami asked.

Ratu exhaled. She went to the resting chair and took a small towel. Ratu also took a photo from her wallet and gave it to Ami.

"My gosh, he's so handsome. How could you not be interested in him? It's impossible!" Ami marveled.

"Even if he's as handsome as a prince in a fairy tale, I wouldn't be interested, Mi. You know that I don't believe in love. Love is bullshit. How handsome is the man who chased me first?" asked Ratu.

"'That man is handsome, anyway," Ami replied.

"'He's richer too. And the man in this photo is unclear about his origins. The clothes he wears also look shabby. I wonder why you want to marry me to him. If my parents want me to marry, why don't they put me to marry rich men?" chimed Ratu.

Ami could only shrug her shoulders. Even though Ratu wanted to talk until he was foaming at the mouth, Ami didn't know what to do.

"Come with me! Let's investigate who exactly is the man who convinced Father to marry me off to him!"

"Okay. If you don't want to, I'll do it for you!"

"Whatever!" said Ratu, still upset with his father's decision.

After cleaning up, the two got into the Ratu's Rubicon. Her father only showed her a picture of the young man, but she quickly learned his name and where he worked. Her impromptu detective skills made Ratu immediately know how to investigate the origins of the young man. Especially now that there is a lot of AI technology getting someone's information just from a photo is easy.

"Is he working here?" asked Ami incredulously when she saw a building under construction.

Ratu nodded. "That's why! I wonder why Father wants to marry a construction worker?" she wondered. She immediately entered the construction area. Although initially forbidden, she insisted.

A man with a dashing face and glowing blue eyes approached the gate. He, who was explaining the progress of the building to the investor, came to Ratu after being sure that all matters were in order.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

Ratu and Ami turned around. They could see the man they had been looking for. A man with fine sideburns, blue eyes, and a sharp nose. His body was well-built, and his muscles were perfectly formed. For Ami, the sweat that adorned the man's face added to his impression of masculinity. This is Ami's first time seeing a dashing man in a dirty building like this. It was like seeing a diamond among a pile of garbage. Ami was sure that if this man's level of handsomeness were measured, the measuring device would be broken because it could not measure his face. His looks were too maximal.

But it was different with Ratu. The impression that came to her was that this man was a slob. Just look at his face, full of sweat and dust.

"He has been explaining all the building forms to the investors with this disheveled appearance? What nonsense," the Ratu thought.

"Here, sir. They wanted to see you earlier, but because they didn't have a permit, I didn't let them in," explained the security guard.

The man looked at Ratu. She challenged his gaze. In her life dictionary, she hated being treated like this the most and being looked down upon, especially by a man.

"Ma'am, if you want to see me, you must make a permit first. And you must wear your work gear." The man took off his helmet and put it on her.

Ratu was dumbfounded. She couldn't believe she was called ma'am. Was her makeup that old? Even though she was told to wear a high school uniform, she was sure she was still appropriate. But why did the man who said he would be her husband call her ma'am?

Ratu took off the building helmet put on by the man in front of him. She was very uncomfortable being treated like this. "Get on with it! How much money did you give Father to get him to marry me off to a poor man like you?" she said. She didn't enjoy being in a construction area like this. It was dirty, hot, and dusty.

The man laughed. "Money? How much do you think I make, Ma'am? I'm just an employee."

"Stop calling me Ma'am! You're older than me!" she snapped. No matter the friendly face of her interlocutor or the charming blue eyes, all she had in her heart now was hatred.

"We're not acquainted yet so that I can call you ma'am," grinned the young man.

She threw him a scathing look. "I'm not willing to get acquainted with a young man like you, let alone marry you!" Ratu turned around and prepared to leave. She dragged Ami, who was still staring at the handsomeness of Ratu's future husband.

The young man raised both eyebrows. He laughed, "Well, if that's what you want, Ratu Purbaningrum. But are you sure you can cancel our wedding, which will be held in one month?"

Ratu stopped his steps. She turned around again. "One month?" she asked incredulously. Only this morning, she had heard that she was to be married. Her shock still hadn't worn off, so now she was shocked again with the news of the wedding time. Seriously!

His name is Sagara Syailendra. His daily life is only as an employee who is tasked with being in charge of the running of a project. He lives alone. Sagara has no father, mother, or siblings. However, he is never lonely because he is the main donor of an orphanage.

His name is unique for a modern man of today. Sagara means sea, and Syailendra means the dynasty of kings who ruled the Medang Kingdom of Central Java Indonesia since 752 and controlled Srivijaya on Sumatra Island since the leadership of Balaputradewa of Central Java Indonesia. So indirectly, Sagara Syailendra means the king who rules the ocean.

He is about 180 cm tall and has clean skin, blue eyes, and straight and slightly blonde hair. Many brands would want to work with him if he entered the modeling world, but Sagara didn't care. And for Ratu, Sagara's face was standard. Not handsome, not ugly.

And the more Ratu thought about it, the more he was disgusted with his mind. She, Ratu Purbaningrum, who even rejected the proposal of an oil company CEO, would instead become the wife of a contractor? Seriously!

"What's with this, Dad, anyway? I'm getting married in a month, I don't know. It's me who wants to get married!" protested Ratu. She put down her fork and knife. The delicious steak in front of her didn't tempt her anymore.

Danaswara laughed instead. "So, have you met Sagara?" he asked as he drank water.

Ratu didn't answer. She threw an annoyed look at her father. "What's the point, marrying me to a young man with no clear origins like that? He is not rich and not handsome; his intelligence is also questionable. What did you think until you concluded that I should marry him?" Ratu rebelled.

"You'll find out later," Danaswara replied briefly.

Ratu also chuckled. She looked at her mother with an expectant gaze. But Mrs. Danaswara only frowned. "I agree with your dad. There is nothing to discuss for this."

Ratu was getting emotional. She then chuckled and thought. If she could not cancel the wedding that would be held in one month, she could control how the wedding went. Immediately, an idea popped into her head. Ratu's sullen face instantly turned into a sly look. She smiled very meaningfully. Her eyes also lit up; she was ready to issue an injunction.

"Okay. Suppose that's what Mom and Dad want. But Ratu has one small request."

Danaswara looked at his daughter in disbelief. He smiled and toasted his wife. "Whatever the conditions are, I will fulfill them!" he said.

"Marry us secretly-just you, Mom, and two witnesses. No more than that," she chuckled, smiling. She then raised her glass and drank the water in it.

"Are there no other requirements? A honeymoon in Switzerland, for example? I can pay for however long you want to stay there?" suggested Ratu's father.

"Or if you want to travel anywhere, we'll let you. Let Daddy and Mommy take care of the company you manage, okay?" continued Ratu's mother.

Ratu was still smiling. This time, she smiled sweetly but with a stern look on her face. "Obey or just release your property to the social service. I can still live even with my own company," said Ratu. She left the dining table. Ratu knew her father's character. Although she feared that her father would give all his property to the social service, she did not want to submit to anyone. She was the queen, and it was appropriate for everyone to bow to her. Not the other way around.

Danaswara was wringing his head. He couldn't believe that his daughter was threatening him back. Danaswara could now only sigh. Ratu had inherited all the characters from himself-firm and certainly stubborn.

"How is it, My Dear?"

Danaswara could only look at his wife. He had to comply with Ratu's request, even though it felt a little embarrassing for their family. Inevitably, Danaswara had to cancel the wedding organizer he had hired. This included balancing the building, catering, and all wedding preparations, except for the wedding dress. If the Ratu had asked for a secret wedding, she would have wanted to get married in this house.

***

And finally, it was like what the Ratu wanted. Many people did not attend her and Sagara's wedding. They got married at home, even very simply. Ratu wore a T-shirt, while Sagara only wore a hem. Then Sagara shook Mr. Danaswara's hand. After Mr. Danaswara said the contract and Sagara answered, two witnesses, her father's subordinates, pronounced the law, and Sagara and Ratu became husband and wife.

Sagara smiled at Ratu. But Ratu didn't. Even when Sagara raised his hand to put the ring on Ratu, she took the call and put it on her hand.

"Already, right? I want to go," she said. Then, without waiting for anyone's approval, Ratu left.

The roar of the car could be heard in the living room, where Ratu and Sagara were married. Ratu's behavior dumbfounded everyone. They understood that this marriage was not only secret but also forced. But did she hate Sagara so much that she didn't want to exchange rings with him?

Sagara took his ring. He looked at the call for a long time. It had never occurred to him that his wife would not put a ring on his finger.

"Looks like you have to be patient, Gar!" said Danaswara.

Sagara smiled. He took off his synthetic leather necklace. He then put the ring on it.

"Dad, take it easy. Ratu Ratu is now my responsibility. I will ensure she wears this ring on my finger," Sagara said optimistically. He then greeted Mr. Danaswara and kissed his hand. Mr. Danaswara stroked his new son-in-law's head.

"I believe in you, Gar. Just like I trusted your late father," said Mr. Danaswara.

Meanwhile, Ratu took off the wedding ring he was wearing. She wanted to throw it away, but she couldn't. The only value in her marriage today is the ring she wears. The ring, which has a design similar to The Blue Moon of Josephine, has a price of around 134 million USD. This ring is so beautiful with a 10-carat flawless blue diamond. Although Ratu hates the marriage she has done, she is not a stupid woman who is easily consumed by emotions and throws away the ring at a fantastic price. And what's more, this was a ring passed down from her family. Danaswara must have deliberately chosen that ring as Ratu's wedding ring.

Ratu shouted. She couldn't understand why her father married her to a poor man who only worked as a project employee. There was not a single logical reason that Ratu could think of. But one thing was certain: even though this marriage had been carried out, she swore she would never fall in love with Sagara.

A misguided thought emerged in her brain. Her father would still give all his assets to social services if she sued for divorce, but what if Sagara sued for divorce?

Ratu smiled at the idea.

"Watch out you, Sagara Syailendra! Although your name means King of the Sea, I will never be conquered. Even if you can beat the ocean, I will not be deterred!"

Ratu played the rock song loudly. She shifted gears and picked up speed. Tomorrow would be her first day to make Sagara file for divorce against her. And she could become a single woman bathed in wealth, including her father's.

An explosion sounded deafening. A plume of smoke rose from the hood of the Ratu's car. The woman immediately braked and pulled the car over. After opening the hood, black smoke came out. Without thinking, Ratu took drinking water from the car and splashed it on the source of the smoke. Although the smoke on the car's hood slowly disappeared, Ratu could only sigh.

Ratu hissed in annoyance. This happened when she was upset because she was married to Sagara.

"Damn!" she shouted.

Ratu also took her phone and contacted her father. Unfortunately, he didn't pick up. Mom didn't pick up either. Ratu called the house phone, but suddenly, a thought infiltrated his brain. It would be very embarrassing if she called home and her new husband picked her up. She had left her husband at the wedding and wanted to ask him for help. That was impossible.

"Hello?"

And it was true what she thought. The one who picked up the house phone was Sagara.

"Wrong number!" she concluded.

By hearing his voice alone, Ratu already hated this, let alone if he lived with him later. Suddenly, a thought flashed through Ratu's mind.

"Later?" she thought.

Suddenly, her mind was drawn to her room. Her body immediately shuddered to imagine herself in the same room with Sagara. Ratu imagined Sagara, who only wore an undershirt and bit a rose to seduce Ratu.

"No-no. That can't happen." Ratu shook his head, pushing the thought away.

Ratu also called Ami, but she didn't pick up. Not giving up on that, she continued to call Ami repeatedly. But after trying several times and getting rejected, she gave up.

"Dang it!"

She sighed. She called the drivers and whoever else's number she had. Unfortunately, when answered, the driver was taking Mom and Dad shopping. Not just one, but all of them. Ratu rolled his eyes. In her mind, her father and mother must be preparing many things, welcoming their new son-in-law. And surely they would make the Ratu's room into a bridal chamber full of charm.

Ratu shook his head. She did not want to think about it. If what she suspected was true, she had to go home now. She didn't want her room to change, especially not just because of one obscure person who was now her husband. But how could she get back as soon as possible? Earlier, she had contacted the garage to tow her car, but she could be on the road all day if she went home by the garage's car. Even more unlucky, no online motorcycle taxi answered her order on this route.

"Ugh!" annoyed Ratu. She racked her brain repeatedly, but there was no way out other than contacting Sagara again.

Ratu picked up his cell phone again. She sighed. She wanted to dial the home number again, but her ego got in the way. Ratu huffed to herself. Her hands were clenched tightly. It felt very reluctant to contact that one human. But if she got home slowly, her favorite room would turn into a disaster room.

"Aha!" she shouted. She then threw her ego away and dialed the home number again.

"Yes?" answered Sagara from the other side. His tone sounded friendly. But in Ratu's ears, it was the opposite. Whether Sagara's tone was as beautiful as Ed Sheeran's, it still felt disturbing.

"You're deliberately waiting for a phone call, huh?" said Ratu. She felt a little annoyed because her phone was answered immediately.

"Yep. How could I ignore a call from my wife," Sagara replied.

To hear the last word that came out of Sagara's mouth, Ratu immediately hung up the phone. She hated hearing that word. Who would want to be the wife of a project employee?

Ratu hissed. She wanted to slam the phone. To vent her anger, Ratu stomped on the ground. The harder she stomped, the more her emotions subsided. And after her feelings were gone, she was forced to call the home number again. Fortunately, she did not have to dial Sagara's number directly, not only because she would never contact him but also because she did not want to save it.

"Yes?" greeted Sagara, still in the same tone.

Ratu rubbed her chest. She tried to be patient. "Pick me up; I'll send the location!"

"Send the location? With a home phone?"

Ratu was getting furious. She clenched her teeth. It was annoying that Sagara's logic went first. Why didn't Ratu think of it? I swear, hearing Sagara say that made Ratu seem to have lost one step to Sagara. And that made Ratu even more furious herself.

"Quickly! Write down my number! I don't want to repeat it," said Ratu.

"Ok!"

Ratu took a breath. She reluctantly called her number one by one.

"Can you repeat it?" asked Sagara.

"Huh? Are your ears deaf or something? I told you I don't want to repeat it!" raged Ratu.

Instead of getting angry with Ratu's reproach, Sagara laughed. "Usually, if you ask for a number, you have to repeat it so you don't get it wrong."

Ratu hissed. She closed her eyes and imagined kicking her new husband in the face. "One more time, and don't ask for it again," she said, holding back her anger.

"Hmm ... not so. I got your number from Dad. I'll send a message to let you know my number and then send the location immediately! I'll wait!" Sagara hung up the phone.

"You bastard!" Ratu shouted as soon as Sagara hung up. She turned around, approached the tree, wrote Sagara's name with a stone, and repeatedly beat the tree with the deadliest taekwondo kick. It wasn't until her legs ached and her breathing was too difficult to win the tree anymore that she sent the location to Sagara.

And after only a short wait, Sagara had arrived with his old blue jeep. Ratu, who saw that, immediately realized that Sagara was narcissistic. Just because his eyes were blue, his car was also blue. He also wore a light blue hem. Oh yes, his name is also Sagara, which means ocean. And the sea is blue. What else is it if not narcissistic?

"Are you speeding?" said Ratu. Although she was thinking, why didn't the person in front of her get into an accident?

Sagara shook his head. "I can track numbers. So I don't have to wait for you to send the location."

Ratu, who heard it, could only snort in annoyance. She realized that the person in front of her was not just any easy man to lie to.

"Move aside, let me drive!" said Ratu.

"Oh, you can't. Your name is Ratu Purbaningrum. I understand that you are in charge at home. But this car is mine," Sagara evaded.

Ratu was getting annoyed with Sagara. She felt like kicking Sagara and taking the car away. But from her investigation data, Ratu needed help to do that. Sagara studied the martial arts. And that was boxing. Ratu was increasingly self-conscious. Confronting Sagara was a challenging matter. He was smart and kept thinking ahead.

Because there was no other choice and it seemed like the tow truck would take a long time, Ratu got into the car right next to Sagara.

"Where are Dad and Mom going?" Ratu asked straight to the point. To her, Sagara was still a poor stranger who suddenly became her husband. And oh, look, he wasn't wearing his wedding ring either. For some reason, Ratu was upset to see Sagara not wearing their wedding rings.

"They're buying supplies for our room," Sagara replied.

Hearing that, Ratu squinted. She was right. "Hurry up and take me home!" she said.

For Ratu, the room in her house was her throne. So, no one is allowed to enter or even disturb her room.