Chapter 3 : The Offering

“Honey, I think you’ve been exhausted from all those classes and wedding preparation.”

Instead of a warm embrace, Hadi—Lalita’s father—looked at her skeptically after she told him about Citra and Aldo’s affair as soon as she returned to Jakarta.

She had only just felt relieved because the doctor had prescribed medication for her.

She had hoped her father would do something, but the man she adored so much didn’t believe her at all.

“I’m not tired, Dad. They—”

“Do you want me to make an appointment with a psychiatrist for you? We can go together...”

Thump!

“DAD!!” Lalita shouted instantly.

How could her father say something like that?

Unfortunately, her loud voice only seemed to irritate Hadi.

“I think I’ve spoiled you too much, Lalita. How dare you yell at your father!”

“Listen carefully, Lalita. While you’ve been lazing around taking classes and going out with my money, Citra and Aldo have been working hard as project managers, helping me find clients! And now you’re accusing your own sister of cheating with your fiance? They work, Lalita! And poison? You’re too obsessed with Aldo!”

Lalita frozen.

Her father’s words felt like a saw, cutting away the last remnants of her trust.

She wanted to answer. She wanted to convince him.

But her tongue refused to move.

“I failed to raise you properly, Lalita. You need professional help.”

Without giving her a chance to speak, Hadi grabbed Lalita’s arm roughly.

“Come on!”

Lalita felt frustrated and burst into tears.

What hurt even more is that her father refused to let go of her no matter how many times she tried to explain.

She had never imagined that her father could be this cruel.

Amid her frustration, Lalita faintly heard footsteps approaching them.

Brian is standing in front of the door.

He looks shocked at the sight of Lalita and her father.

“Lita? Uncle?”

“Brian, help me...” Lalita sobbed, desperately trying to free herself.

Hearing that, Brian quickly approached and tried to separate them.

“Uncle... please calm down,” he urged. “Let me talk to Lalita first, okay?”

Unfortunately, Hadi ignored Brian and continued pulling his daughter along.

“She needs to get treatment immediately!”

“Uncle, I’ve been friends with Lalita for a long time. You can trust me,” Brian said.

That finally made Hadi stop and turn toward him.

“You can trust me, right, Uncle?” Brian pressed, trying to reassure him once more.

Hadi finally let go of Lalita’s arm and pushed her to Brian.

“Ck! Take care of her!”

Hadi then turned around, causing Lalita to burst into tears again.

He left Brian to guide her outside and into his car.

“Dad... doesn’t believe me...” Lalita finally managed to say.

Her body trembled.

Compared to the betrayal of her fiance and stepsister, her father’s disbelief turned out to be more painful.

Brian is just silent beside her, giving Lalita space without pressuring her.

Only after she had calmed down did Brian ask, “What happened to Uncle Hadi, Lita?”

Lalita suddenly hesitated.

If her father didn’t believe her, then what was the point of telling anyone else?

“I might not be able to help much. But we’ve known each other for a long time. Maybe I can help you look at everything from a different perspective... and help you come up with a strategy, too.”

Brian suddenly reached for her hand, making Lalita lower her gaze.

For some reason, the gesture warmed her heart after everything that had happened.

“Aldo... is cheating on me...” Lalita whispered.

Brian didn’t react.

He didn’t seem surprised at all.

“You’re not surprised?” Lalita finally asked.

Brian gave a bitter smile.

“I knew it.”

Lalita felt as though she had been struck in the head with a hammer.

If Brian knew... maybe everyone in the office knows, too.

As far as Lalita knew, Brian isn’t the type to meddle in other people’s problems.

So... had she been the only one living in ignorance all this time?

“Everyone... knew?” Lalita’s voice caught in her throat.

“Yes,” Brian replied quietly. “Except Uncle Hadi.”

Lalita is speechless.

“How?”

“Uncle Hadi has always been proud of Citra,” Brian continued as he pulled a tissue from the dashboard compartment. “He believes Citra deserves to be his successor. No one dares to say anything. Their careers are at stake.”

Lalita wiped away her tears.

“But they can’t even do their jobs...”

Brian turned to her.

“What do you mean?”

“When I was living alone in my apartment, I was the one doing all their work. You could say that ninety percent of the tender proposals, presentations, and research were done by me.”

“You?” Brian frowned. “You mean you were the one presenting to the clients? I thought you were... busy taking classes and going out?”

Lalita shook her head.

“They can’t even give a proper presentation. I was afraid potential clients would cancel their deals, so I always helped them.”

Hearing herself say it out loud made Lalita’s heart ache.

Everything suddenly made sense.

Aldo had always told her to quit her job and take various classes so that Lalita wouldn’t have any influence at the company.

So she wouldn’t compete with the two of them in Hadi’s eyes.

Lalita then told Brian everything that had happened at the restaurant.

“I... was so stupid,” Lalita murmured after telling him everything.

She is about to hit herself on the head, but Brian quickly stops her.

“You’re not stupid. You’re just too kind.”

“But Dad doesn’t believe me and wants to take me to a psychiatrist instead, Brian.”

Brian fell silent for a moment before asking again, “What do you want to do now, Lita?”

“Take back everything that belongs to me.”

“Including Aldo?”

Lalita hesitated.

Seeing that, Brian let out a sharp sigh.

“This is exactly why I hate listening to lovesick people vent. It’s like someone has already thrown crap in their face, and they still defend the person who did it. Wake up!”

“Sorry...”

“Lita, you can’t fight them alone. They also come to your apartment often. If you keep staying there, you’ll continue putting yourself in danger. He already tried to poison you, remember? You won’t be able to avoid whatever food they give you. Break up with Aldo and marry me.”

Lalita stared at Brian in shock.

“Don’t joke around, Brian. I’m serious.”

“Lalita Ivana Adibyo,” Brian replied firmly. “So am I.”

Lalita fell silent.

She knew Brian only used her full name when he was truly serious.

Not to mention, his tone had suddenly become incredibly authoritative.

“I need someone to pretend to be my wife. Mom is frustrated because I’m still unmarried. She won’t even talk to me anymore unless I agree to an arranged marriage. If you pretend to be my wife, I’ll help you get rid of those two. It’s a win-win solution, right?”

“But what if Auntie doesn’t agree?”

Brian gave her a crooked smile.

“Mom will definitely agree if it’s you. She’s known you since we were kids. We can just tell her that I’ve liked you for a long time. It won’t seem suspicious.”

“Just two years, Lita,” he added. “After that, Mom shouldn’t complain if my marriage fails. At least I’ll have tried to get married.”