Since this morning, Dewi had already said she was going to the salon, tagging along with my Mother to Mommy Mira's boutique.
I just nodded after reading the message she left on the dining table—well, technically on the lunch bag I was supposed to eat.
After reading it, I reached into my pocket, grabbed my phone, and typed a quick message. No sooner had I sent it than my phone rang. Seeing Arya's name, I picked up immediately.
"How's it going, Arya? Did you get the CCTV footage?" I asked straight to the point.
"Yes, sir… Are you coming to the office now? You can see it yourself…"
"Hm… yeah. Wait there and make sure everyone is present at the meeting later. That woman needs to be taught a lesson for daring to insult my wife!" I snapped sharply.
"Understood, sir. Will do!"
Click!
I hung up and glanced at the clock—9 AM already. I hurried to get ready for the office.
"One more mess… that has to be cleaned up…" I muttered, adjusting my tie in front of the mirror. My gaze was cold, sharp.
Topan POV END
---
Malika Beauty Salon…
"Are you sure you want to change your hairstyle, sweetie? Won't your mom mind? But I agree, if you want to look fresh, you should go for it."
Dewi looked at her mother-in-law. Earlier, she had been flipping through hairstyle and color samples.
"Mommy… hmm… I guess she wouldn't approve. I don't know… I really don't get it. She's obsessed with long hair, huh?! But Merry isn't—she even dyed hers brown. Besides, why doesn't Mom just grow hers out?" Dewi chattered openly in front of her mother-in-law.
Topan's mother, Ratna, just smiled knowingly. There was a reason Mira was so obsessed with long hair, while her friend preferred short hair to this day.
Tap… tap… tap…
"Hello, Sis! Mrs. Sagara… what are you two chatting about? Sounds fun!"
They both turned to the cheerful voice. Standing in front of them was a guy with a slightly flamboyant style—shoulder-length wavy pink-magenta hair, matching his bright outfit and wide smile.
"Ika, I'm getting my hair cut…" Dewi said, sliding her seat slightly so the guy could sit next to them.
"Yes, Malika. My daughter-in-law's been confused about which style and color would suit her!" Ratna added. She didn't know much about fashion; her hairstyles had always been the same: long, usually tied in a ponytail or bun.
The man called Malika nodded knowingly, a bit surprised Dewi wanted to change her hair—he knew how strict her mom had always been.
"Hmm, it's up to you, Sis. But this look would suit short hair, something like this."
Malika flipped open a magazine and showed a shoulder-length bob. Dewi and Ratna both leaned in to look.
Dewi hesitated for a moment, wondering why she agreed to change her hair. 'Is it because of yesterday…?' she thought, quickly shaking it off. She didn't want to look jealous again, and anyway, she had wanted a new look for a long time.
After a moment of thought, Dewi made up her mind.
"Ika… I want it cut to the nape…" Dewi indicated the length she wanted. "But a bit above the shoulders. Hee… and for color, what if we mix it? Gray with a light purple gradient at the tips…" she added, resting her chin in her hand, imagining her new look.
No surprise, Ratna and Malika were shocked by Dewi's request. They exchanged a glance, silently hoping Dewi wouldn't regret it—especially about Mira's reaction.
"Are… you sure, Wi?" Ratna asked cautiously. Dewi could be stubborn, but what if Mira opposed it? Ratna's head ached imagining the possible argument.
"Absolutely, Mother! I want it like this…" Dewi smiled brightly, showing the magazine picture of exactly what she meant.
"All right, Sis, since you're sure, let me take care of you…" Malika said, taking Dewi's hand and leading her further into the salon.
They walked in, chatting warmly, while Ratna shook her head and followed.
---
Meanwhile, at Sagara Group…
It was just past 10 AM, and all employees were called to the main hall. They wondered what was happening. Usually, if everyone was summoned, it meant something serious.
Drap… Drap…
The sound of sharp, purposeful footsteps echoed. All eyes turned toward the sound. Everyone immediately stood and bowed respectfully to the only man in a gray suit, sitting at the end of the long table. Behind him, his assistant stood, face expressionless.
"Do you know why I've gathered you here, hm?" Topan's voice rang coldly throughout the room.
No answer. His tone was flat, clearly a bad sign.
"Melissa, speak up and tell the truth about what happened yesterday!"
The woman named jumped in surprise. Her long black hair swayed as she smiled awkwardly at the boss.
"Sorry… I… what do you mean, sir?"
Bam!
Everyone jumped as Topan slammed his fist on the table.
"You still dare deny it, hm?! Rani!!!"
Rani, the young receptionist, immediately stood and bowed slightly, stammering.
"Y-yes, sir… that… yesterday, the woman in the maroon knee-length dress who brought a lunch bag here is the wife of the CEO, Mrs. Dewi Anggraini Puspita…" Rani explained, overwhelmed by the icy aura of the president.
Melissa's eyes went wide. OMG… she really insulted the CEO's wife! Disaster…
"Sir… uh, that—"
Melissa tried to defend herself, but Topan's sharp gaze froze her words.
"You still want to deny it, huh?! Fine, Arya, play the CCTV footage!" Topan ordered firmly.
Arya nodded and immediately set up the projector, plugging in a flash drive. The video played, showing Dewi coming out of the elevator toward the CEO's office. She tried to open the door but was blocked by Melissa. They argued, and Melissa even threw Dewi's lunch bag to the floor.
"If you want to daydream, don't do it with the president! Even I, his secretary, get ignored, but I still try to get closer to him," she boasted, her eyes sparkling with hearts.
"Tchh… openly flirting with someone else's husband, you have no shame, huh?" I snapped sharply. Melissa froze.
"Hey, you cheap—"
SLAP!
Click! Video paused.
Topan glared at his secretary. The room was filled with uneasy whispers. Melissa's face burned with shame.
"You see now who the woman you insulted is, huh?! SHE'S MY WIFE!!!" Topan's booming voice shattered the silence.
Everyone bowed their heads in terror. Topan exhaled roughly and stood from his chair, walking to the center of the hall with his hands in his pockets.
"From this moment, you're fired. Agus will handle your resignation letter and severance. I don't want to see your face here again!" Topan declared.
"And to all of you, consider this a warning! The woman in the video is my wife. If anyone dares hurt her, verbally or physically, I will personally deal with it. Understood?!"
"Yes, sir!" came the unified response.
Topan walked out of the hall with quick steps, Arya following.
Melissa slumped into her chair, crying over her misfortune. No one sympathized, and the other employees quickly left. In her three years at the company, she had tried to win the president's favor, but now everything was ruined by her own actions.
---
Topan POV
"Sir, do you need anything?"
I turned to Arya, standing not far from my desk. Sighing, I loosened my tie.
"No, leave me alone," I said softly. Arya nodded, bowed politely, and left.
"Was I too harsh? But my blood was boiling watching that footage! Damn Melissa! How dare she insult Dewi, that cheap woman! Should I call someone else to blacklist her, huh?!" I muttered, running my hand roughly through my hair.
"And why am I even acting like this, huh?! Weird…"
I glanced at a portrait on my desk, right next to my family photo. It was a picture of us on our wedding day.
I picked it up and brushed the face of the woman who was now my wife.
"You…" My voice caught.
I didn't know what words were worthy of Dewi. Even though I'd known her since childhood, there was still a strange feeling inside me.
Tring!
My phone screen flashed. I grabbed it and opened a message from my mom. A photo of Dewi smiling sweetly, her new haircut…
"Damn… she's gorgeous!" I muttered, heat spreading through me. The short cut, colored exactly how I liked—gray—made her face shine even more.
Without thinking, I typed "beautiful" and sent it. Realizing my mom had started teasing me, I huffed and closed the phone. My stomach growled. I decided to head to the sofa, right where I had placed my lunch bag earlier.
Maybe after the meeting, I'd go pick up Dewi.
Topan POV END
TO BE CONTINUED…