Chapter 5

After having breakfast together, Ethan took Amelia to his house this morning. Driving a black Range Rover, he personally drove to one of the upscale neighborhoods in South Jakarta.

After a twenty-minute drive, they finally arrived. The car parked perfectly in the driveway of a luxurious minimalist-style house dominated by white and brown colors.

"We're here," Ethan said. Without being asked, he immediately helped unbuckle the seatbelt for Amelia, then invited his second wife to step out.

As they entered the house, Flora greeted them excitedly. She immediately ran towards Ethan, hugging him and kissing both of his cheeks without hesitation. This affectionate display made Amelia, who was standing nearby, feel uncomfortable.

"So, how was the first night? Successful?" Flora asked Ethan after releasing the hug.

"Flora... I just got here, and you're already asking too many questions."

Ethan sighed, clearly annoyed. His expression turned sour after hearing his wife's question, which he considered too personal.

"Sorry. I just wanted to know how it went last night. Don't be mad. You'll get old quickly if you keep frowning."

Ethan stayed silent, unwilling to respond. He chose to head upstairs instead.

Meanwhile, realizing Amelia's presence, Flora turned her attention to her friend. Smiling, she grabbed Amelia's wrist and led her towards the second floor, eager to show her something important.

"Come with me. You need to see this."

"See what?"

Flora continued pulling Amelia's wrist, and before long, they arrived at a bedroom door near the balcony.

"This. I've been preparing it for a long time."

"What do you mean?" Amelia asked, confused.

Flora didn't answer right away. Instead, she opened the door and invited Amelia to step inside.

"This is your room. I've been preparing it for quite some time."

Amelia looked around, scanning every corner of the room, which was dominated by pastel colors.

It was beautiful and luxurious.

Those were Amelia's first impressions. She noticed the room featured a super king-size bed, a 44-inch plasma TV, an aesthetically designed vanity table, and a walk-in closet that seemed to be fully stocked, though she had no idea what Flora had filled it with.

"Isn't this too much?" Amelia asked, confused.

"No, I prepared all of this so you'd be comfortable living and sleeping here, Amelia. I want your room to be just as nice as mine. And if you need anything, I'm right next door. Our rooms are side by side."

Amelia nodded, agreeing with everything Flora had prepared for her. From now on, she would have to get used to and adapt to living in her new home.

"Now, just rest for a while. If you need anything, you can call the household staff. Remember, Amelia, treat this place like your own home. Since you're now Ethan's wife, you have the same standing here. So, don't feel shy or uncomfortable. Besides, all the workers know who you are and what your status is."

After letting Amelia rest in her new room, Flora returned to her own. There, she found her husband lying down and watching TV.

"Are you mad?" Flora asked suddenly, feeling guilty for upsetting Ethan earlier.

"No," Ethan replied curtly.

"Really? You're not mad?"

"When have I ever been mad at you, Flora?"

Flora smiled, climbing into bed beside her husband. She rested her head on his arm and hugged him tightly.

"You never get mad, but you probably get annoyed with me a lot, right?"

Ethan nodded, not denying what his wife said. No matter how annoying Flora could be, Ethan never got angry. Even though he often found her behavior frustrating, he preferred to stay silent rather than argue.

It wasn't because he was afraid of his wife or lacked courage. Ethan chose silence because he didn't want to spark anger that could escalate into a prolonged conflict in their marriage.

"You're quite overbearing, Flora. Not everything you want has to be done right away."

"Yes, I know. I'm sorry. I promise I won't push you again."

But that promise didn't hold. That evening, when Ethan had just returned from the mosque after the Isha prayer, Flora blocked his way. She suddenly forbade her husband from entering their bedroom.

"Flora, what now? I just want to get in, change, and rest. You know I have to go back to work tomorrow."

"Yes, I know," Flora nodded. "I know your schedule by heart. I just wanted to remind you that you just married Amelia. That means you should sleep in her room, not ours."

Ethan took a deep breath, almost forgetting that he now had two wives who needed his attention, companionship, and care equally and alternately.

"But didn't I sleep with Amelia last night?"

"Yes, but the rule is three nights with Amelia and three nights with me."

"What about the seventh day? There are seven days in a week, right?"

"Yes, the seventh day is a bonus. You can choose who you want to sleep with."

"So, tonight I have to sleep with Amelia again?"

Flora nodded repeatedly. Her decision was final and non-negotiable. But seeing Ethan's reluctant expression, Flora moved closer, giving him a quick hug, then wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Don't pout like that. Amelia will feel bad if she sees you looking like you're not happy about this."

"It's not that I'm not happy," Ethan objected.

"Then why are you pouting?"

"Because you always make decisions without discussing them with me first."

"What else is there to discuss? Do you want to revise the sleep schedule? Do you have a more fair schedule than the one I just laid out?"

Ethan fell silent, thinking and weighing whether there was a better option than what Flora had suggested. It turned out there wasn't.

"You're right; there isn't."

"So just go along with it. It's not that hard."

"But—"

Ethan's words were cut off when Flora unexpectedly kissed him, silencing all the protests he was about to voice with a long, deep kiss.

"Don't complain too much. Remember, Amelia is your wife," Flora whispered after breaking the kiss. "Now, go to her room. I'm sure she's waiting for you."

As usual, there was nothing Ethan could do but comply. Before finally heading to Amelia's room, Flora kissed and hugged Ethan once more. And unbeknownst to them, Amelia saw this affectionate gesture as she accidentally stepped out of her room.