Topan POV
I yawned slightly as I opened my eyes, staring at the light sneaking through the gap in the curtains. I paused for a moment, then when I turned my head to the right—right where she, the one who slept next to me last night, had been—she was already awake.
6:15 AM. Huh, still really early. I got out of bed and saw my suit and shirt neatly hung by the side of the wardrobe, ready for me to wear.
I frowned, shaking my head a little at Dewi's diligence. I had already told her not to overwork herself. I worried she might be exhausted from yesterday's long trip.
Tak...Tak!
I heard some noise coming from the kitchen. Probably Dewi making breakfast. I quickly straightened the blanket and washed my face.
Tap… tap… tap…
Just as I thought. Dewi was busy preparing breakfast. A little funny, because she didn't forget to wear her favorite apron—Winnie the Pooh.
Creak...
"Oh, you're up? Want some coffee?"
I nodded briefly as I pulled out a wooden chair and sat down, opening my laptop.
I let out a quiet sigh seeing the flood of emails waiting for me. Looks like it's going to be a long day.
Tak!
My attention snapped back when Dewi placed a cup of coffee in front of me.
"Thanks," I murmured, taking the cup and sipping slowly. Ahh… divine.
"Early in the morning and your forehead's already lined like that. Is the factory problem really that bad, hmm?"
Dewi was arranging plates and glasses on the dining table, then returned to the pantry.
"Hmm… yeah, it's quite big. But nothing to worry about. I can handle it," I replied flatly, returning to my reports.
My nose twitched slightly as I caught the scent of Dewi's cooking.
"Chicken soup?" I asked, watching her busy in the pantry. She just nodded. My stomach was starting to protest as well.
I finally closed the reports and focused on one thing—yes, exactly. Dewi's cooking was one of those things I could never skip every day.
Her food wasn't fancy like in a restaurant, but ever since living together, Dewi had somehow filled my craving for home-cooked meals—a rare treat for me before.
"Daydreaming again? Not good to zone out in front of food. You might get possessed, you know."
I let out a quiet snort as my thoughts were interrupted by Dewi's words. I wasn't sure if she was joking or what.
"You think a spirit would pass by, hmm? Besides—"
My sentence was cut off by Dewi.
"Hahaha... I think the spirit would turn around right away if it saw your face. Seriously, that face of yours just now? Scary!"
"What did you say?!"
I tried to look fierce to scare her, but Dewi just laughed out loud.
"Hahaha! See? I told you! Look… oh, hahaha…"
Seeing her reaction, I couldn't help but lift the corner of my lips into a small smile. My mind, previously tense with all the problems waiting for me today, felt a little lighter.
"Enough, hehe. Let's just eat."
I simply nodded. Silence fell between us again, but this time it was because we were busy enjoying our meal.
Hmm… this peace—so comfortable. I hope we always stay like this. I wouldn't mind spending my entire life with the woman now busy pouring the rest of the chicken soup into my bowl.
I think… I'm really falling for you, Dewi.
My gaze never left the woman sitting across from me.
Topan POV END
●●●●
Auditorium, 9:15 AM
The auditorium was buzzing when President Topan Sagara walked in. He held his wife's hand tightly at his side, followed by his assistant, Dovic, and the branch manager, Bryan Dofus, trailing behind him.
"WE DEMAND COMPENSATION!"
"YES! COMPENSATE US FOR OUR LAND THAT WAS FORCEDLY TAKEN!"
"JUST PAY UP—"
The voices clashed, echoing through the room. Dewi grew uneasy. Her grip on Topan's hand became a little sweaty—she wasn't used to loud chaos.
Topan noticed immediately. He decided to act quickly, tightening his hold on Dewi's hand, as if transferring calm through his touch.
"EVERYONE, SILENCE!!!"
His booming voice stopped the uproar instantly. The workers froze, not a single sound escaping as the president silenced them all.
Topan stepped forward once he felt Dewi calming down. He gently released their interlocked hands. Both of his hands slipped into his pockets, as was his habit, and he scanned the workers with a cold, piercing gaze.
"So… can someone explain why you damaged property and stopped working, huh?" His tone was sharp.
He studied them one by one before pointing at a large man.
"You!"
The man flinched. Even though he was much bigger than Topan, the young president's aura still made him uneasy. He slowly stepped forward.
"Explain why almost all of you are involved in this action!" Topan demanded.
Swallowing nervously, the big man tried to speak under the piercing gaze of the president.
"Our… our land… our homes were suddenly taken by force. Mr. Bryan… uh, ordered some armed men to evict us, sir," he stammered.
"We were moved to the outskirts. Mr. Bryan promised compensation, but until now, there's been nothing. He even pressured us with this agreement."
The man pulled a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to the president.
Topan's brow furrowed sharply as he skimmed the letter. His face darkened with growing anger.
"And… uh, the… damage… that wasn't us, sir. We didn't do it at all," the man added.
He glanced back. Whispering started spreading quietly among the others. Those affected by the land takeover nodded in agreement with the big man.
"Huh? Then if it wasn't you, who did it?!"
Topan's gaze locked on him. The man froze as the blood-red eyes stared him down, radiating a fierce aura.
"P-please, sir… it's not me! Not us! We only demanded compensation for our land. We couldn't have done such a thing, sir. Believe me! Besides, the housing area is heavily guarded. How could we have gotten in and caused any damage…"
The big man instantly sank to his knees, bowing, unable to withstand the intimidating aura of the president.
Seeing this, Dewi felt uneasy. She hated watching innocent people grovel, as if her husband were a god of death.
Tap… tap…
"Stand up, don't do this. It's okay, we can handle this calmly!"
Dewi stepped forward, patting the man on the shoulder to help him up, then looked at her husband, who stared at her in surprise.
"What are you—"
Topan's sentence was cut off.
"What? You're just going to let him kneel there in front of you, huh? Tch…"
After ensuring the worker was standing, Dewi spoke again.
"Check the CCTV from that day. Something seems off. If what he says is true, the footage should still be there, right?" she said firmly.
Topan paused, then turned to look at Dovic and the factory branch manager, Bryan Dofus.
"S-sir, the CCTV—"
Bryan fidgeted nervously. The short, stout 45-year-old looked extremely uncomfortable.
"Why? Show me the footage!"
"B-but, sir—" sweat poured down Bryan's face.
Topan has lost his patience
He stepped forward, grabbed Bryan's collar, lifting him slightly due to the height difference.
"Tell me, why did you make this kind of agreement, huh?! Pressuring them with the company stamp?! You really have no shame abusing the authority I gave you!"
The agreement letter was raised clearly in Topan's hand. It was full of threats against the residents forced to leave their land.
"P-please, sir… l-listen… ughh, I thought it would be profitable—"
Topan pulled the collar harder until Bryan choked.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?! PROFIT?! YOU THINK THIS DIRTY WAY IS OKAY, HUH?!"
Topan shoved him hard. Bryan tumbled backward, coughing.
"Call the police now! Drag him out! Don't let him escape!"
Dovic moved immediately. He dragged Bryan's bulky body, assisted by some factory workers.
"Hey…"
Dewi approached and gently touched her husband's back.
"I'm fine. Stay calm," Topan said, trying to contain his expression.
"I'll take care of the rest of this problem first. It's okay to wait a bit longer, hm?"
He held Dewi's hand and pressed a gentle kiss to it unconsciously.
Dewi was surprised, then nodded with a small smile.
The two of them turned to the workers still waiting for a decision.
"Your land will be returned to you. And this agreement—"
Crack!
Topan tore the paper to pieces.
"From today onward, there will be no agreements. You may return to your land. I will also ensure compensation for your property."
Topan's gaze swept across the room.
"Understood?"
Cheers erupted. The workers prostrated in gratitude, thanking him with relieved faces.
●●●
Evening, 6:15 PM
Dewi and Topan walked through the busy city streets.
"Huff… it's not as hot now, but it still feels warm, hmm. I wonder, does it ever rain here?"
Dewi felt sticky, even though the weather wasn't as scorching as during midday. She was clearly sweating. On top of that, after leaving the factory, they had to walk to the workshop downtown to pick up Topan's car that had just been serviced.
Her husband beside her only let out a small snort, shaking his head in response to her question.
"If it never rains, how would people survive this kind of heat every day, hmm? Besides, the sea is quite far. Almost near the Jianju border. Look at that mountain."
Dewi followed his pointing finger. Sure enough, at the mountain's peak, there was some sort of smelter built there.
"That's where they collect rainwater for the residents' supply. Just in case it doesn't rain for a while," he added.
Topan's explanation made Dewi nod in understanding. But still…
"Ugh, let's find some shade for a bit! How about that ice shop over there? Looks good. Come on!"
Before Topan could respond, Dewi was already running lightly toward the shop nearby.
The simple red bean shaved ice shop at the roadside became their little spot for the next few minutes. They sipped glasses of shaved ice topped with red syrup and sprinkled with red beans.
Tak!
"Hah… so satisfying! What a relief…" Dewi said, placing her empty third glass on the table.
Topan just snorted. He was still enjoying his own ice, not even halfway done. He leaned closer when he noticed something on the corner of his wife's lips.
"Drinking like a kid, huh? Need me to remind you that you're way older than me, eh?" he teased, gently wiping the corner of Dewi's lips with his thumb.
"What did you say?! Don't bring up age—"
Dewi froze.
Her body tingled at the touch of Topan's thumb. Their gazes locked. The close distance between their faces made her heart race faster.
Topan's red eyes—like blood—dove into Dewi's dark ones. Her tongue froze; she couldn't speak, especially when her eyes drifted to the soft, inviting lips just below.
It was unclear who moved first.
But slowly, their faces drew closer. The quiet atmosphere in the shop—so different from the bustling evening outside—made their heartbeats echo with each other.
Almost there…
When their faces were only an inch apart—
Crash!
Drap! Drap!
"Woah, rain! It's raining, thank God!"
Footsteps echoed inside, accompanied by excited cheers. Topan and Dewi instantly pulled apart. Their faces warmed up, avoiding each other's gaze.
Meanwhile, in front of them, the shop owner, their child, and a few others cheered, grateful for the long-awaited rain.
TO BE CONTINUED…