Sadnes (2)
Samuel left the meeting room feeling uncertain. He should be happy because Palma’s board of commissioners only gave him a three-week suspension from office.
In fact, fears about Pakuwon canceling work have not been proven at all. William, who was also present at the meeting, gave a conditional apology by asking that the large tender they were undertaking must be completed on time without the slightest delay.
Still with a myriad of questions in her mind, Samuel chose to go to Arabella’s special room. According to the feeling, the mother and her assistant were already there talking about something.
“Mom, we both have to talk seriously.”
Arabella, who was talking to Axton at that time, reflexively turned around. He got up from his chair and moved to sit on the sofa.
“What else do you want to say?”
“Everything. Mama owes Samuel a lot of explanations.”
Arabella leaned her shoulders against the couch. Folding her arms across her chest, the woman spoke again.
“What other explanation do you want to clarify and ask?”
“About Valerie, Ariana, Pakuwon, and all of them.”
“Okay, you can ask Mama one by one.”
“About Valerie first,” continued Samuel. “So, all this time Mama has been watching Samuel’s movements?”
Lilliana nodded. “Even up to this moment Mama is still watching over you, Samuel Walters.”
“Jesus, Mom! Samuel is not a child.”
“But you still act like a child. If only Mama didn’t keep an eye on you. Maybe by now the imitation Snake would have become your wife.”
“Her name is Valerie, Ma. She’s human. Not a snake demon,” joked Samuel innocently.
Arabella chuckled. It’s no wonder that his son replied carelessly.
“It’s up to you who you want. To be sure, from the start Mama didn’t like you having anything to do with her.”
“So, every time Mama asks me to bring a boyfriend or partner to come to the house, Mama also arranges for Valerie to be absent?”
Lilliana nodded. He did not refute his son’s guess.
“Mama is just testing Valerie. If she really loves you and is serious about you, she should turn down any job offers that come her way. Really, you are nothing compared to work? In fact, Mama knows about you who asked her to marry. And what? She still choose a job over you, right?”
Samuel took a deep breath. Everything that his mother said just now was indeed undeniable.
“And Ariana? Did Mama also prepare it? Or maybe Ariana was also involved in Mama’s game?”
Lilliana laughed. After that the woman gave clarification.
“No. For this one, you can say Ariana and you both don’t know anything.”
“Wait… Wait…” Samuel interrupted her mother. “Samuel wants to clarify Axton’s status first. Actually, he’s Samuel’s assistant or Mama’s assistant, anyway? Why does it seem as if all the tasks are confidential, he’s the one doing them.”
“You think Axton’s presence in Palma is a coincidence? Oh my gosh, Samuel. It’s clear that Mama is the one who arranged everything. She deliberately made Mama your assistant so she can watch over you without needing to suspect anything. She was also the one Mama ordered to take photos of you and Ariana at the gathering and spread them out with deliberately in the office group so that everyone knows your real relationship.”Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.
Samuel was speechless. More than that, it turns out that everything that happened to him was really within the scope of his mother’s supervision and interference.
“Then, back to Ariana. Why did Mama have to choose her?” Samuel looked curious and confused. According to her, there are many other women that her mother might be able to offer. “Mama can give Samuel a future wife from high society who is on the same level as us. It can be a child of a business partner, a child of a close friend, or the children of other wealthy people.”
As before, Arabella smiled back a broad smile. For God’s sake, Samuel was scared herself to see the mysterious expression that her mother was showing.
“Honestly, Mama had thought about setting you up with the son of a fellow business partner. However, those plans disappeared from the first time Mama met Ariana at a birthday party.”
“Gosh, Ma. Samuel really doesn’t understand Mama’s explanation.”
“I see,” Arabella continued. He was so annoyed to see his son did not understand what he was saying. “When Mama gave me the task of taking my future wife to a birthday party, I was sure that you would have a headache yourself, and time was running out. Then, Axton told me that you had the chance to confide in him. He deliberately improvised by giving advice on finding a future wife last night who could used to accompany you to come to Mama’s party. And Ariana, who Ben deliberately chose at that time with various previous considerations.”
“So, from the start, Mama actually had no intention of making Ariana Samuel’s future wife?”
Lilliana shook her head.
“Not at all. It was purely Axton’s improvisation. But…” Arabella paused her sentence for a moment. “Mama was amazed when Ariana easily attracted the attention of almost all of Mama’s business partners with the ability and intelligence she had. Not to mention Mr. William openly praised her, even asked permission from Mama to want Ariana to be part of Pakuwon.”
“Is this also where the business between Palma and Pakuwon started?”
This time Arabella nodded.
“Mr. William personally came to Mama to convey his intention to recruit Ariana. Seeing the opportunity and again, Mr. William also knew that Ariana was your future wife, OK, Mama, just take this opportunity to invite him to work together. Fortunately, Mr. William agreed on the condition that Ariana should be the one.” directly involved in this big tender.”
Samuel digested the lengthy explanation that her mother described. At least, now he understood, the mastermind of all the masterminds that had governed his entire life was Arabella, the woman who gave birth to him.
Ending the conversation because she was too dizzy, Samuel decided to go home immediately. After all, while serving a sentence or suspension, he was released from all work.
Samuel thought, maybe this is the right time to take Ariana for a real vacation or honeymoon. Impatiently Samuel chose to go home immediately.
Arriving at the house, full of enthusiasm Samuel stepped into the room. Once inside, he did not find the figure of his wife was there.
Check almost all corners of Samuel’s room. Believing Ariana was not in their room, he decided to go down to the first floor. Looking for a household assistant, intending to ask where Ariana is.
“Mba Tia, can you see where my wife is?”
Tia, who was preparing lunch at that time, shook her head. Stopping his activities, the woman immediately replied.
“I saw madam go. But where she’s going, I don’t know, sir.”
At that moment Samuel chose to return to the room. Sitting in front of the dressing table, the man grabbed his cellphone intending to call Ariana.
However, many times trying to contact, Samuel to no avail. Never mind picking up, the call is completely disconnected. Either intentionally turned off or maybe because the signal is blocked.
Samuel took a deep breath. Just keep thinking positively in case Ariana is out of the house but forgot to give you the news. It wasn’t long before his eyes caught something stuck.
There was a piece of Tosca-colored paper, as if accidentally tucked in between the piles of make-up that were on the dressing table. Grabbing it, Samuel immediately read it immediately. Indeed, there was Ariana’s writing that he knew so well like sending a message to him.
Samuel, I’ll go first.
Sorry I can’t say goodbye directly.
I don’t even know where I will be taken and whether I can meet you again or not in the near future.
To be sure, you need to know, I love you. Until whenever I will love you.
.
Ariana
Samuel crumpled the paper she was reading right then and there. Paying close attention to what was written on it, the man immediately understood who had done this.
Running down the stairs, Samuel immediately walked towards the car. Driving his vehicle at a speed above the average, he steered the black Ferrari he usually used towards the residence of his parents.
Arriving there, taking big steps, Samuel looked for her mother. It wasn’t long before he found Arabella sitting in her study reading a book.
“What’s wrong, Samuel? Why did you enter Mama’s room without knocking on the door first.
“Where’s Ariana, Mom?” asked Samuel matter-of-factly. He is sure that his mother is hiding his wife’s whereabouts.
“Ariana? You asked Ariana and Mama? Aren’t you Ariana’s husband? Why did you ask Mama instead?”
“Mom!” Samuel exclaimed. The man’s voice sounded raised. “Samuel knows for sure that Mama took Ariana away. Where is Ariana, Ma? Why did Mama even separate Samuel from her!”
Arabella closed the book she was reading earlier. Throwing a glance at Samuel, the woman finally gave the answer her son wanted.
“Yes, indeed Mama did this. But, Mama did not separate you.”
“Then what? Why did Ariana write a letter that seemed to have been taken far away.”
Lilliana nodded.
“Mama did deliberately take him away for a while. As punishment for you two for lying to Mama.”
Samuel frowned. Now he was confused, what kind of lie was his mother referring to.
“Lies what else, Ma?”
“Lied about your marital status with Ariana. Even though Mama had an indirect hand in your relationship, Mama still didn’t accept it because you two had a plan to lie to Mama and Papa by pretending to be married. Yes, even though Mama already knew all of this from Axton, but you still have to be punished.”
“Mom, Samuel admits that she was wrong. In fact, she has repeatedly apologized. This is indeed Samuel’s fault. But now the two of us are in a serious relationship as it is. So, please, tell me where Ariana is now.”
Samuel kept begging. But still Arabella was not the least bit moved by her son’s request.
“If you really love Ariana, you just have to look for where your wife will find you. If successful, Mama promises to grant whatever you wish.”
Arabella then left. Leaving Samuel just like that, who was dizzy herself, she had to find Ariana, who didn’t know where she was now.