"Have you ordered?" The man pulled up a chair in front of Lady.
Broto glanced around. A cafe with a rustic feel where some walls are left half-finished with rough cement, combined with a new interior but in an old-fashioned style in some corners. Modern style lighting, plus some pop art paintings, adds to the comfortable atmosphere.
What a fine combination, the man thought.
"Not yet. While waiting for you." Lady tried to be as calm as possible.
Broto was still busy sweeping his gaze around the cafe. They can see some young people taking pictures all the time. Indeed, this place is very instagramable. Some artificial ornamental plants were added in the room's corner.
"The place is cool," said Broto.
"Yes. It's just comfortable here, even though there are actually more young people hanging out in this cafe," replied Lady with a smile.
"We're still young, aren't we? Who said we are old?" Broto said casually.
"I'm definitely not a parent yet. If you are, right, already," replied Lady. Broto smiled while nodding.
"Looks like order directly at the cashier, huh?" Broto saw that there were no servers passing by or approaching the customer's table.
"Yep. What do you want to order?" she asked.
"Let me, Lad. What do you want to order?" Broto preceded Lady to get up from her chair.
"Hot cappuccino and garlic cheese bread. Thanks, Broto." Lady smiled.
Broto immediately headed towards the cashier while glancing at the menu list plastered on the blackboard. While waiting in line, he looked around the snack window. Looks like some bread, donuts, pizza, and some cakes in small sizes that are appetizing.
"Hot cappuccino, Americano coffee, garlic cheese bread, Tiramitsu cake, and two mineral waters, not cold ones, just normal," said Broto smoothly.
"140 thousand, Sir," said the cashier.
"Just take it back." Broto handed over two hundreds of thousands of bills.
"Thank you. Slide to the side, Sir," replied the cashier kindly.
Broto shifted to the side, while a server beside the cashier prepared his order. No need to wait long. The order is ready on a wooden tray. Broto walked carefully, carrying the tray to their table. Lady had been staring at him, making him even more nervous.
"Phew, it's really hard to bring a tray, huh?" Broto smiled, trying to make the atmosphere more relaxed. The man arranged their order neatly on the table.
"Wait," stopped Broto when Lady wanted to touch the cappuccino she ordered. Lady looked at the man in surprise.
"Photographed first, then enjoyed. It's illegal to eat right away before being photographed." Broto chuckled, amused at Lady's surprised expression.
"Oh my God…" Lady shook her head. "Since when have you become such a narcissist?"
Sure enough, after taking two pictures while standing, only then did Broto sit in his chair. He briefly scanned his portrait. A satisfied smile appeared on his face.
"So, can I drink it?" Lady couldn't help but laugh at the man's narcissistic nature.
They are both trying to comfort the atmosphere and the heart. Neither of them calmed down. Broto was curious about what Lady would say, while the woman didn't know where to start tonight's negotiations. Finally, they had a small talk about life after graduating from college to lighten the mood a bit. Just small talk.
"Back to our major business. Broto, I really need you to help me with what I have planned. Either way." Lady opened a serious conversation, after about fifteen minutes they made small talk. The man in front of her took a deep breath.
"So, you still insist on doing the surrogate mother program this way? I can't, Lady," said Broto calmly.
"If I go out on a few nights with you, would you like to help?" said the woman desperately.
She bit her lip after that. Of course, her own lips, not Broto's. The man glared. He was surprised by what the woman in front of him said. Sweet lips, but can say fierce sentences like earlier.
"Don't be crazy, Lad. I'm not a pervert! I love you and it's not just lust." Broto didn't think that Lady could get that sentence out.
"Then, I give myself to you, but I can't divorce from Kala," Lady's lips trembled. Tonight, she must be able to get Broto's approval, at any cost and risk.
Broto seemed bewitched by the spell. He stood still, unmoved, unable to speak, even move. Luckily, he was still breathing.
"I will have an affair with you, as long as you want to help with my plan," continued Lady.
The atmosphere suddenly became silent. The music in the cafe room seemed to have stopped. All the sudden noise was quiet. They could only hear each other's breath and heartbeat. Both of them froze and were both unmoved.
"Forever?" Finally, Broto's mouth could speak as well.
Lady lifted her face and looked at the man in front of her. It seems Broto is faltering. This is an opportunity for her.
"Ok, forever, as long as you help with my plan. We both live with our respective families. No one was hurt. All happy. We can buy an apartment especially for us, so it's safe." Lady calmed down seeing Broto slightly affected.
Broto is still pensive. A sliver of doubt crept into his heart. There is a feeling of not having the heart to hurt Ningrum, even though he doesn't love her. After all, Ningrum was the mother of his child, and all this time, she had been very loyal and kind to him. Is it appropriate to do this to Ningrum? Broto's heart is still weighing.
Could he pass up the opportunity to be with the woman he had always loved? This offer certainly does not come twice. He had even been waiting for years to take a sip of happiness and have a bond with his beloved woman. Now, the opportunity is offered in plain sight. It's up to him to take it or not. The decision is entirely in his hands, no longer in the hands of the Lady.
Lady who saw that Broto was still filled with doubts, tried to convince. "Don't let anyone get hurt because of the two of us, Broto. You got what you wanted, which was me, and I succeeded with what I wanted too, to have children with Kala. Our wife and husband, neither of them were hurt. We are all happy. So, what is doubt about?"
"Why don't we get a divorce? I can help you with your plan, regarding surrogate, but after you marry me," said Broto.
"You have the heart to hurt Kala and Ningrum? I need Kala to manage the company, Broto. So, how's your child? Can you stay away from him? If we can maintain what is already there, why should we lose it? Not that I'm greedy. We live in this world, as much as possible, not to lose, but to add. I'm ready to love you. But, please... don't hurt anyone." Lady said softly, but firmly.
Broto is still pensive. He doubts, will an affair be closed forever? Isn't it the best for people to save carcasses? They will definitely smell it later. What if it all comes out one day? Not only the family is in disarray, but the career can also be destroyed because it violates the medical code of ethics that he must adhere to and uphold. The practice permit may be revoked, and even the title as a doctor will also float.
Everything is worth the risk that must be faced. A big advantage, of course, coincides with a gigantic risk as well. High risk, high profit. There is a ransom to be paid, there is a sacrifice to be made, if we are to have any outstanding achievements in our lives.
"Broto, please." Lady begged.
"I need some time to think, Lad. This is not a simple matter. It's complicated, complicated and very dangerous." Broto ventured to hold Lady's hand.
The man wanted to test Lady's sincerity. As he had said earlier, this was no trivial matter. This is no joke. The agreement they make must be completely and wholeheartedly from both parties. It would be very dangerous if one of the parties did not keep their promise or backed down halfway.
Lady feels uncomfortable with Broto's sudden affectionate treatment. She pulled the hand that was being held by the man. She smiled sarcastically.
"Agreed first, then you can hold me." She answered firmly.
"Not only hands, you can hold anything. Everything in me belongs to you. You may touch any part of my body, Broto. But later... if we agree, we'll both say it."
"Are you sure, if you agree, you won't break your promise forever?" asked the man while staring intently, right into Lady's eyes.
"Sure, you know me. I never play with my words, do I?"
"Looks like it's impossible to agree tonight, Lady. Let's think things over again. How about we both think for these three days?" Suddenly, the man squinted and frowned.
"You haven't come home yet? Your clothes are still the same as yesterday." Broto was sure the woman was frantic.
Otherwise, how could she have wandered around from this afternoon until now without returning home, even to take a shower and change clothes?
"Yeah, lazy to go home. Okay, in three days we'll make a deal. But tomorrow or the day after, if you want to see me, just let me know. I'm ready, really," said Lady.