The young man in the gray suit stepped firmly into the convention center building which was already packed with several other invited guests. The reason is, he will attend the engagement party of the son of the owner of the Diamond Group company, his father's business partner.
A week ago, his father gave him full trust to manage a family company engaged in the hospitality sector. That's the reason he was present at the event, because he represented his father who had flown to Japan first to make a cooperation contract with his business partner there.
The arrival of the 28-year-old youth was warmly welcomed by Fredy, a middle-aged man who is none other than the owner of the Diamond Group company. A figure he knew before, though not so close. They greet each other and ask how they are, after a long time not seeing each other.
Yes, the athletic young man has lived in New York since college there. His return to Indonesia was none other than his father's orders. Returning to his hometown was a tough decision when he was just about to start a culinary business there. However, due to the pressure from his father, he couldn't do much.
"We haven't seen each other in a long time, Rendra. How are you?" The middle-aged man smiled warmly at Rendra.
"I'm fine, Uncle. How about you?"
"Well, that's how it is. At an old age like this, disease likes to come without permission," said Fredy, chuckling at the end of his sentence.
"I think Uncle is still fit, really." Rendra put his arm around the half-century man's shoulder.
"Ah, it's you. By the way when are you going to catch up, hm? Your father must want to caress his grandson too."
Rendra laughed until his eyes looked like crescent moons. "Later, Uncle ...." He paused, glancing at the man in his arms. "There are still many women who haven't fallen in love, Uncle. Besides, my adventure seems to have a long way to go."
"Hahaha. You really are the best." Fredy laughed at Rendra's words
"Rendra, Uncle go first. Enjoy the party." Fredy left Rendra.
When Rendra was about to take a drink, accidentally another hand took the same glass
For a moment, Rendra's gaze shifted to the figure of a beautiful woman standing beside him, in a peach-colored party dress that hung to the floor. An unfriendly expression appeared on the woman's face. Without saying anything, Rendra let go of his hand, deliberately giving the beautiful woman a chance to take the glass.
The crow-shaped woman walked away with the drink without a word, even though it was just a thank you. Suddenly, Rendra raised an eyebrow, surprised by the woman's cold attitude. He took a sip of the drink he took from the same table.
"She's so beautiful." He whispered, pulling the corners of his lips to curve upwards.
"Rendra!"
A slap from someone managed to make Rendra wake up and look back. How surprised he was when he found Nino Sagara, his old friend who was standing there.
"Nino? How are you, Bro?" Rendra was so enthusiastic about hugging Nino, after he returned the drinking glass to its original place.
Rendra and Nino have been friends for a long time, since they were in high school. In fact, they are very close. However, they became distant after Rendra decided to continue his studies at Harvard University. Even so, they still maintain good relations, even though they only communicate through technological sophistication.
"When are you going back to Jakarta?" Nino asked after they let go of each other's arms.
"Hm ... three days ago," answered Rendra casually, then looked back while wanting to confirm the whereabouts of the woman who had stolen his attention.
"Who are you looking for, Brother?"
Nino looked surprised when he saw the nervousness of Rendra who looked around like he was looking for something.
Rendra turned around and refocused his gaze forward. "Just now, I met a beautiful girl here, but I don't know where she is now," explained Rendra frankly.
"Wow ... it turns out that staying in New York for a long time didn't change you," teased Nino, who knew his best friend very well.
"Looks like someone was hit by an angel who came down from Monas, here!" exclaimed someone who managed to distract them.
"El?" Rendra was even more enthusiastic when he met Elvan Aristides Bachtiar who was also present at the event. His closest friend to him during his high school days.
Rendra was quick to do the same thing as he did to Nino, which was to hug the best friend he had missed so much lately. Although Elvan often came to visit him in New York, they had not seen each other for three months due to their busy schedule. He did not even have time to give the news of his return to Indonesia.
"You came home three days ago, but didn't tell me," Elvan joked dryly.
"Sorry, I don't have time. This is also because I have to, " replied Rendra lazily. "You know what to do if you already have the desire," he added later.
"What made you so lazy to go back to Indonesia?" Elvan asked curiously.
"Nothing. It's just that I feel comfortable now, living there." Rendra seemed to put one hand in the pocket of the pants he was wearing.
"Okay, forget it. At least, I'm glad you're here." Elvan said as he put his hand on Rendra's shoulder. "Btw, what do you mean that beautiful girl is she?" He pointed to a group of women chatting cheerfully, distracting his two friends.
"Yes, that's right!" Rendra was a little surprised when he realized the woman in question was there, talking with other female guests while holding a glass which was a silent witness to their meeting.
Rendra then grabbed his glass again, then took a sip of his drink until there was not a drop left.
"Crazy! Did you really get caught? With that woman?" Nino exclaimed reflexively patting Rendra's back.
However, it didn't have the slightest effect. Rendra remained unmoved. His eyes stared blankly at the figure of the woman who had been bothering him for a long time.
The off-shoulder dress that exposed the woman's beautiful shoulders managed to attract Rendra's attention. Not to mention the pony tail hair and red lipstick that make the lips look a little more volume. Plus sharp eyes that resemble cat eyes. All of that managed to tear Rendra's heart and made the man a little challenged to get to know this foreign woman even more.
Elvan studied Rendra's face, who was still stunned to see the woman. "Don't dream, Bro!" said the bourgeoisie, patting his best friend on the shoulder a few times.
"What do you mean?" Rendra turned around, frowning in surprise.
"You really don't know who is she?" Nino tried to confirm and was only replied by a shake of his head by Rendra.
"She's Aleeta Queen Elvina, the business queen who is known to be cold to all man. You'd better give up, okay. Based on her history, not a single man has managed to get close to her." Elvan explained at length. .
"Oh yes?" Rendra raised an eyebrow as if he couldn't believe the information he got from his best friend. However, hearing this, he felt even more challenged by the woman named Aleeta.
"If you continue to insist on wanting to be close to her, at least prepare yourself mentally, because being handsome and well-established is not enough to melt her heart."
A stern warning seemed to come out of Elvan's mouth. Somehow he was so sure Rendra would not be able to conquer the woman.
"Have you forgotten who I am?" Rendra smiled with such an arrogant grin.
"I know you're a playboy, but I'm sure you won't be able to beat her," Nino replied nonchalantly.
"We will see later!" said Rendra, grinning at the woman.