"Dad, are you kidding me?" The sound of spoons and forks slamming onto plates broke the silence of the dining room. Keira felt like she had just heard thunder during the day. Is that— she's getting married? At this young age? And at the matchmaker's choice?
What century has it been, but why does her father still think so old-fashioned?
"Evening!" Ratna had just come home from overtime, in her work clothes she came to the dining room and found the atmosphere looking tense, "What's going on?"
Hana glanced briefly at her eldest sister who looked confused. Didn't say anything, she just sighed softly.
"Sis Ratna should have gotten married first. He is almost in her thirties and is still single and only knows how to work. But why do I have to get married instead?" Said Keira firmly stated her disagreement.
"Besides, what century are you living in, are you still using matchmakers? Anyway, I don't agree," said Keira firmly, "I'm still young, only twenty-four years old and most importantly—I'm not ready to get married, Dad."
Hana looked at her second sister with concern. In this day and age, it was clear that her second brother said was true. Women in their twenties are still too young to start a household.
Arya took the glass of water and took a small sip, "I've already arranged a meeting for you with your future husband." Arya put the glass on the table, ignoring Keira's sharp glare who looked at her half in disbelief, "That's tomorrow night, at our Diamond restaurant."
"Dad..." Keira screamed hysterically, "Is it okay for me to step over Sis Ratna, Dad? It's better for Dad to think again..." Keira still hoped that her stubborn father would change his decision.
"Keira is right, Dad. She is still too young to get married. Her attitude still tends to be unstable. Even if this marriage is to expand business variables, it just won't work if one of the parties involved is not mature," explained Ratna wisely. As the eldest sister, she thought about intervening in this matter, "Because I'm afraid, it would only destroy the cooperation between the two companies if there were problems between them later"
Hana had just been silent and watched since then. In the family, she tends to be quiet and doesn't talk much. But seeing the frustrated frown on her second sister's face, Hana couldn't help but say, "I agree with Sis Ratna."
Keira smiled with emotion, getting support from her two siblings. They are often far apart and not too close because of their respective busy schedules.
Hana, who is busy completing her studies, often spends the whole day in her private library studying.
Her eldest sister, who is a workaholic, is never far from overtime.
She's the only one who has the most free time in this family. Even though she has started her own business, as a pioneer, she only needs to organize some important management and for the rest she just needs to sit back and check the field occasionally.
"Do you know who your future husband is?" Arya put on a serious look.
Keira just shook her head weakly.
"Son of a conglomerate from the El Murad family and also owner of PT Angkasa— the company that oversees the most advanced technology industry in the city of X. El-Murad Pasha"
"What?" Keira screamed hysterically. Who doesn't know El-Murad Pasha, the only son of a famous conglomerate in city X? The man who is better known as the 'Prince of the Night' because of his cold, piercing nature is like a frightening night wind.
It's not a good thing to go out on a cold night. If you're not prepared, you could catch a cold and if you stay too long you could get sick. Likewise with the 'prince of the night'.
The people around him must have good endurance and preparation, otherwise they will faint and fall ill. In short, being around him is really like the atmosphere at night—a time when carbon dioxide is released by the trees.
Yes, being around him is like poison, only forming an unhealthy relationship. So the title 'prince of the night' is indeed fitting for this man.
And her father intended to marry her off to a typical man like that?
"Daddy is crazy? You want to marry me to the night prince who is famous for being poisonous? Is it just for business profits that you are willing to sacrifice your daughter to suffer?" Keira panted, her face red with annoyance and anger.
Hana who discovered this could only shudder. Although he didn't know what the prince of the night who was going to marry his second sister looked like, he had more or less heard some rumors about that figure, which people said—
One of the big poisonous boss!
"Whether it's you or business, it's equally important for me. Besides, the matchmaker who matches you said that— you and him are like sunshine at the south pole. There is coldness and a glimmer of warmth, this combination can make your marriage perfect" Arya still clearly remembers what the matchmaker said, "So I can be sure of marrying you to that man."
"Dad, what era are we living in today and are we still guided by matchmakers?" Keira, who was no longer able to control her emotions, accidentally hit the dining table, making plates and spoons clink.
"Basically I don't agree. Note that!" Keira continued to get up and prepared to leave the dining room...
"Dad doesn't want to know, anyway, tomorrow night you have to join the dinner that has been arranged."
Keira irritably turned around, "I don't want to"
"That's fine, but don't blame me if all your assets are confiscated."
"Did you forget that I started my own business?"
"Don't you remember who you started this bakery with?"
Keira was stunned.
"I could freeze your funds and stop your business midway."
In that second, Keira's throat choked, she couldn't say anything else. Her eyes were hot and the bridge of her nose felt thick. She wouldn't have thought her father would be that cruel to her. Keira immediately ran away from the dining room feeling disappointed.
"Dad, what you did was really outrageous. Everyone in the business world knows clearly that Pasha is a typical toxic big boss. Many employees in his company are often stressed and even drop out because they are frustrated with his completely unreasonable performance. And you want to marry Keira to a typical man like that?" Ratna slammed the spoon and fork onto the plate. His appetite had completely disappeared.
"Basically I don't agree with Dad marrying Keira to a poisonous man like Pasha." Ratna couldn't believe that her second sister, who was cheerful and tended to be cheerful, would get entangled with the poisonous prince of the night!
"I don't need your approval"
"Huh..." Ratna took a rough breath as she looked at her father in disappointment. Then she pushed the chair, she got up and left the dining room without a word.
All that was left was Hana at the table, looking at her father doubtfully and saying, "Better Daddy, think again about this marriage."
Seeing her quiet youngest daughter, Arya let out a heavy sigh.
Hana didn't know that what the prince of the night really wanted that was none other than...
She.
—••—