"But what about Aylin? Didn't you say Aylin is pregnant with Alvian's child?"
"I've taken care of her, Mum. I complained using Alvian's name so she'd be fired from that café. I also went to see her at her flat earlier."
"Why did you go to her flat?"
"To threaten her, of course. I also bribed her neighbour. Anyway, Aylin's issue is resolved, Mum. Now nothing can stop me from getting Alvian."
***
One week later....
The news of Alvian and Riana's engagement spread quickly among the employees. Many complained about Riana's luck in finally getting the big boss, even though she was only a secretary.
The engagement ceremony would be held in the next few days. Riana and Mama Veny were busy preparing for the engagement ceremony, which was planned to be held at a luxury hotel.
"Your engagement to Riana has caused quite a stir in the office," said Galih, who suddenly entered Alvian's office carrying several folders.
Alvian, who was still busy with company reports, only glanced at him briefly. In truth, he didn't really care about the rumours circulating. Everything felt empty. There was not a shred of happiness in his heart.
"Oh yes, I'm still curious about what made you accept the arranged marriage. Don't you dislike career women and prefer stay-at-home women?" continued Galih, looking at Alvian questioningly.
"It's for Mum's sake. Besides, I don't have anyone else in mind at the moment. I don't think there's any harm in obeying Mum's wishes."
"Wow!" Galih was amazed. Alvian, who had always strongly opposed the arranged marriage, now submitted to his mother's authority.
"That's amazing. This is truly beyond the BMKG's predictions."
"And it would be beyond the ancient Mayan predictions if you don't get out of here quickly!" Alvian replied.
Suddenly, the atmosphere in the room felt as horrifying as a graveyard to Galih. Especially after seeing Alvian's expressionless face.
***
Riana felt like she was sitting on the highest throne. Ever since Alvian decided to accept the arranged marriage, she had become arrogant and often acted recklessly towards other staff members. She would not hesitate to reprimand or scold anyone who made even the slightest mistake.
Anyone who dared to argue with her would be threatened with dismissal. As the boss's future wife, many were naturally afraid of such threats.
Like now, he was furious after nearly slipping in the lobby. Even a cleaning staff member was not spared his wrath.
"You better do your job properly. Remember, I am Mr Alvian's fiancée and I can fire you anytime!"
"I'm really sorry, Ma'am. I'll mop the floor again." The woman bowed her head. She no longer dared to lift her head to look at the woman in front of her. Riana's attitude had indeed become increasingly arrogant in recent days.
"Clean it up, I don't want to slip again because of your incompetence!"
"Yes, ma'am."
Riana, who was busy scolding her employee, did not even notice Mama Veny's arrival.
Mama Veny was standing at a distance from Riana, but she could still hear Riana's loud shouting.
Mama Veny was a little surprised. This was the first time she had seen Riana reprimand an employee with words she considered quite harsh. Even Alvian, the company owner, had never treated his employees this harshly.
Slowly, the woman approached and stood right behind Riana. The cleaning staff there looked down.
"Clean my room after this! Watch out if your work isn't done properly!"
"Riana...."
Riana was startled to hear the voice greeting her from behind. Of course, she knew exactly who the voice belonged to.
Hesitantly, she turned around. Riana could only smile when the woman looked at her questioningly.
"What's wrong, Riana? Why are you angry?"
Nervously, Riana rubbed the back of her neck. "I'm not angry, Mah. I was just reprimanding an employee who wasn't doing their job properly. The floor was too slippery. If someone fell, it would be dangerous."
Riana glanced at the cleaning lady. Her fierce attitude immediately changed to a friendly one.
"Oh, why did you suddenly come to the office?" Since agreeing to the matchmaking, Riana had changed her form of address from 'aunt' to 'mum'.
"I came here to ask about your mum. Your mum will be home on your engagement day, right?"
That question made Riana's whole body feel cold.
Mum? Which mum? The mum who had been running the mining company abroad was nothing more than Riana's own invention. A fictional character she had created with nothing but lies.
"Right now, my mum is really busy, Mah. She has a new collaboration with a foreign company."
"Then give Mum the number there so she can contact her. Mum will talk to your mum later." Mama Veny's request made Riana even more flustered. She racked her brains to find the most reasonable excuse to give Mama Veny.
"My mum has been difficult to reach these past few days, Mah. I haven't been able to contact her for several days." Riana tried to hide her nervousness with a smile. "But, I'll talk to my mum later and ask her to make time."
"You have to, Riana. How can your daughter not come on such an important day?"
Riana just smiled as she rubbed the back of her neck.
"Oh yes, Mum, we have a dress fitting this afternoon, right?" Changing the subject was probably the best way to end the conversation about her fake mum.
"Of course. Mum is here to remind you and Alvian. Don't forget to come to the boutique this afternoon."
"Yes, Mum."
Riana could breathe a sigh of relief after Mum Veny left the office building. Mum Veny had wanted to meet Alvian as well. However, it turned out that Alvian was in a meeting and could not be disturbed.
Riana slumped in her chair. Right now, her mind was filled with thoughts of her fake mother. It seemed that Mama Veny really wanted her future son-in-law to come to the engagement party.
Riana sat in uncertainty for almost an hour, until she saw Alvian walking towards his room. Riana immediately stood up and followed the man.
"Al, your mum came here earlier," said Riana.
"Hmmm." As usual, Alvian was indifferent. Even though Riana was his future wife and Alvian should have treated her more gently, the opposite was true. Riana was sometimes annoyed by Alvian's attitude.
"Your mother said that this afternoon we have to go to the boutique to try on clothes for the engagement ceremony."
Alvian sat down on a chair, ignoring Riana's words. "You go there by yourself."
"But Al, your mother asked us both to go there. Besides, what's so hard about taking a little time?" Riana's urgent words made Alvian give her a sharp look. A look that made Riana fall silent immediately.
"You're only going to be my fiancée, not my wife. So don't try to control me because I don't like it!"
"All right, it's fine. I'm sorry if I seemed pushy," she said, trying to give in even though she felt resentful.
"Now get out! I don't want to be disturbed!"
"But, Al-"
"Do I have to remind you that at the office, you're just a secretary, nothing more!"
Anger sank deeper into Riana's heart. For now, she was indeed nothing to Alvian. But just wait until they were married; she would make Alvian submit completely.
Without saying much, Riana immediately left the president director's office. She chose to go to the top floor of the skyscraper to calm herself down. Already panicked by Mama Veny's request for her mother to come, now Riana had to deal with Alvian's attitude.
Upon arriving at the top floor balcony, Riana immediately called her mother. It took several attempts before the call connected.
"What's wrong, Riana? It's unusual for you to call me during work hours," replied Bu Nana.
"Bu, this is serious!"
"What's so serious?"
"Aunt Veny wants my parents to come to my engagement with Alvian. What should I do now?" Riana's words made Mrs Nana panic too. If only Riana hadn't pretended to be the daughter of a rich family, maybe they wouldn't be in this mess. "It's your fault for pretending to be the daughter of a rich family! Now you're the one who's in trouble!"
"What else could I do, Mum? If Aunt Veny knew that I was just a maid's daughter, she wouldn't want Alvian to marry me. You know that."
"Yes, yes. So what do you want to do now?"
"Find a solution, Mum. I'm so confused, Mum!"
"Just say your parents are busy."
"I already did, Mum. But Aunt Vany didn't care. She even asked for my parents' phone number."
A long sigh was heard on the phone. Both of them were silent for a moment. Until finally, Bu Nana came up with an idea to save her daughter.
"If there's no other way, just hire someone to pretend to be your mum."
"What do you mean, Mum?"
"I have a friend. You can hire her to pretend to be your mum at the engagement party."
Riana paused for a moment, considering her mother's words. It seemed like what Mrs Nana said made sense. "But your friend won't embarrass me, will she?"
"Don't worry, Riana. My friend is reliable. You just need to give her nice clothes and make her look pretty like a socialite."
A perfect smile spread across Riana's lips. Slowly, the fear and worry she had been feeling faded away. Her mother was indeed clever when it came to deceiving others.
"Thank you, Mum. You are indeed clever."
***
Until late afternoon, Riana had to swallow her disappointment once again. Alvian did not show up at the boutique for the fitting. So Riana had to endure the embarrassment of being the centre of attention of several employees because she had come alone without her fiancé.
Alvian had simply asked the boutique staff to deliver the tuxedo to his private apartment. However, Riana decided to take it herself.
At that moment, Riana was already inside the special lift that would take her to the top floor of the luxurious apartment building. From the moment she entered, she couldn't stop admiring the opulence that delighted the eyes. Even the standard units in the apartment were extremely luxurious, let alone Alvian's penthouse unit.
Riana had already imagined how wonderful her life would be after marrying Alvian. Everyone would bow down and respect her. She would no longer need to work because she would just wait for transfers from her husband. Besides that, Alvian would definitely give her an unlimited shopping card.
"I'll be able to buy a luxury car, live in a palace-like house, travel around Europe, or get expensive beauty treatments at the salon without having to go into debt. Ah, goodbye poverty."
The lift doors finally opened. Riana walked towards the only door there and pressed the bell repeatedly. After a few minutes, the door finally opened to reveal Alvian, who was only wearing a white towel wrapped around his waist. It seemed like he had just finished showering.
Riana froze in place. She stared at every perfect curve of Alvian's athletic and seductive body. Riana was even carried away by the fresh scent emanating from his body.
"Why are you here?" That sarcastic remark was Riana's first greeting. Alvian hadn't even invited her in yet.
"The boutique employees were busy, so I brought your clothes. I happened to be passing by here."
Without being invited, Riana immediately entered. She was once again amazed by the luxury of Alvian's super-luxurious penthouse. It was fully equipped. It was truly a sultan's residence. And it seemed that Alvian was alone there.
"Just hang it there." Alvian pointed to the corner of the room, where there was a clothes hanger. "I'll try later."
"Okay, no problem."
Riana walked to the corner of the room and hung up the tuxedo. For a moment, she glanced at Alvian, who was pouring a drink into a glass. The man's straight back was truly tempting. Riana thought she had to take advantage of this situation to make Alvian fall for her.
If even Aylin, who was unsophisticated and unattractive, could tempt Alvian to the point of pregnancy, then surely she, who was far more beautiful and modern, could do the same. Moreover, Riana was currently wearing a mini skirt and a tank top under her blazer, which revealed her provocative cleavage.
"What cat would refuse fish?" That was Riana's thought about Alvian.
Slowly, Riana approached Alvian, who was standing with his back to her. She unbuttoned her blazer until her chest was exposed. Then, she wrapped her arms tightly around Alvian's body, pressing her chest perfectly against his sturdy back.
Alvian reacted quickly. He tried to remove Riana's arms, but her embrace only tightened.
"Don't let go, Al. Do you know how much I love you?" she whispered. She deliberately sighed a little to tease him.
"Let go, Riana!"
Instead of letting go, Riana kissed Alvian's bare back. She tightened her arms around him until their bodies were completely joined.
"Why are you always so indifferent to me? What am I lacking? I'm a beautiful, modern, and intelligent woman. I'm very worthy of you."
If Riana thought Alvian would be tempted by her beauty, she was sorely mistaken. Because Alvian remained indifferent. As if there was no desire within him, no feelings or passion like when he was with Aylin a few months ago.
"Once again, I ask you to let go!" Alvian pushed Riana's hand away roughly. However, Riana was not ready to give up. She moved to stand directly in front of Alvian. Her cleavage was now more visible because she deliberately lowered her tank top.
"Look at me just this once, Al. Open your heart to me. I'm sure you can accept me the way I accept you."
Alvian smirked, which unfortunately looked terrifying to Riana. The woman's confidence slowly faded away due to Alvian's cold attitude.
"Remember one thing, Riana. I agreed to engage to you not because I like you. But to fulfil my mother's wishes. So don't expect more from me."
In that instant, Riana's flushed cheeks turned pale. Alvian pushed her until she fell onto the sofa.
"Get out of here now. I want to rest!"
Riana's eyes filled with tears. For the umpteenth time, she had to swallow her disappointment. She didn't know what else she could do to win Alvian over. Even her beautiful body and face weren't enough to melt his heart.
***
On the other hand, Aylin was sitting alone in a mosque. She had been sleeping in the mosque for several days because she had not yet found a new place to live. Some of the places she had visited were quite expensive, and she did not have enough money left. She also did not dare to ask for an advance at her new workplace because she had only been working there for a few days.
Aylin stroked her stomach. The baby inside had been moving constantly since earlier. However, this time Aylin felt a little strange. Usually, she felt happy and calm when she felt her baby move, but now it felt different. For some reason, there was a pain in her heart that she did not know where it came from.
If she was sad because she hadn't found a place to live, it didn't seem like that. Life now was much better than when she lived with Riana and her mother, where she was often beaten or treated like trash.
Suddenly, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. Within seconds, Aylin was sobbing. Her heart told her that her sadness was because of the baby in her womb. Moreover, Aylin's thoughts suddenly turned to Alvian. They say that babies in the womb have a strong emotional bond with their biological fathers.
"What's wrong, dear? Are you sad?"
She stroked her belly again. Her hand moved with the tiny baby's movements.
"Be patient, dear. When we get some money, Mummy will find a new place to live. Then we won't have to sleep on the floor in the cold anymore."
***
"Dear, who are you and where are you going? I've seen you sleeping here for several days now." A woman's voice startled Aylin, who was sweeping inside the mosque.
"Sorry, Ma'am. My name is Aylin. I'm staying here because I've been looking for a rental place for several days, but I haven't found anything affordable yet."
For a moment, the woman, who was about 45 years old, looked at Aylin from head to toe. She noticed Aylin's swollen belly, covered by her clothes.
"Are you pregnant?"
Aylin nodded hesitantly.
"Where is your husband?"
This time Aylin remained silent. She didn't know what to say. If she spoke honestly and said she didn't have a husband because she was pregnant out of wedlock, she might be kicked out and not allowed to stay there anymore.