"You should be able to say no, right?"
Along the way, Indah continued to grumble incoherently to the driver of the black sedan. Her face turned gloomy when Adrian forced her to come with him to the boutique and salon. The woman suddenly became chatty. Even though just last night Adrian felt that Indah was a calm woman, it turned out that his guess was wrong.
"I don't want to sacrifice anything just to protect you again. I did it once, and I don't want to anymore." Adrian replied calmly, without taking his eyes off the steering wheel. Honestly, he didn't want to attend an event like this. But remembering his father's nature who never gave up and would do anything to get him to obey, made Adrian shudder in horror.
Indah folded her arms in displeasure. The matter of the fundraising party had become the topic of her nightmares. It was only a matter of hours before she would end up like a party clown, just like what Adrian had described this morning. The last time she attended a party, Indah had to end up with rotten eggs spilled on her body. And she didn't want to go to any parties anymore since then.
"I don't like parties." She grumbled in annoyance. His thick lips pursed.
"Neither do I. But we have to go there." Adrian replied. His gaze focused on the T-junction ahead. He turned the steering wheel to a luxurious shophouse in the Sudirman area.
Adrian's car stopped at a boutique that was also a salon owned by one of his friends. A security guard was seen smiling friendly when Adrian's car stopped there.
The man got out and was greeted by the amazed gazes of several employees there. It was only natural, for the size of Adrian's handsome face, it was considered capable of surpassing the ideal type of girls. Even his mixed face further perfected his tall, sturdy body. Adrian walked around the front of his car to Indah's side.
"Do you want to get out?" he asked after he opened the door for his new wife. However, it seemed that Indah still didn't care about Adrian. She was still hugging her seat with her face bent.
"No. I'll stay here." she snapped.
Adrian took a deep breath before finally giving in. "Okay, it's up to you."
Indah still didn't budge. Her face was fierce like an antagonist in a television drama. Not running out of ideas, Adrian leaned closer, bringing his lips close to Indah's ear. "You know this used to be a haunted place. Don't blame me if later from behind there is another hand that holds your shoulder." He whispered hoarsely.
Indah immediately got goosebumps. She was indeed most afraid of mystical things. And there was one scene where a ghost crawled up her hand while the female actor was waiting for her lover in the car. But her logic went back to normal. How could there be a ghost in broad daylight like this?
"I'm not afraid." She lied. Even though in her heart Indah cursed her heart that was beating 100 times faster than usual.
Adrian took a deep breath. It seemed that his efforts this time were fruitless. He thought Indah would be afraid of something like that, just like women in general. "Okay. I'll lock you in here."
"W..What?" Indah's eyes widened. She wasn't afraid of being alone in the car during the day, but she didn't want to be locked up in here. What if she had trouble breathing due to lack of oxygen, or what if there really was a ghost...
"If you don't want to, let's get out. Your silly behavior has made us into impromptu clowns here." Adrian snapped. Several people around them began to be interested in the scene of the husband and wife who were still stuck in the passenger car door.
Indah, who came to her senses, immediately looked around. Indeed, several people who passed by and also those who saw them from inside the boutique had been watching them since earlier.
Inevitably, Indah finally got out of the car. She gave Adrian a murderous glare. She wouldn't have ended up like this if only the man had been able to insist on refusing his father this morning.
CRACK
"Aaaw!"
"Feel that!" A sharp snort.
With the thick heels of her shoes, Indah stepped hard on Adrian's shoes and ran into the boutique. Before closing the glass door, she stuck out her tongue at Adrian who winced in pain while cursing his wife.
**
Four hours later
Adrian didn't know how many times he had looked at his silver watch. He was really bored. On his table were 5 empty glasses that were previously filled with orange juice. He had been waiting for Indah to be made up for four hours. He wondered what Jessica, one of the make-up artists at this boutique, was doing. Why did it take so long to make someone up. Moreover, he glanced back at his watch, it was already five in the afternoon. There were only three hours left before the charity fundraising event started.
Adrian swore that he would go berserk if Indah was made up like a clown tonight. He would not want to walk side by side with a woman who was disheveled.
The sound of high heels made Adrian aware. The man immediately stood up and looked towards the stairs. A woman gracefully walked down the stairs while throwing her signature smile.
"You're so slow!" Adrian grumbled in annoyance.
The blonde-haired woman named Jessica giggled. It wouldn't be Adrian if he could be the typical man who was patient and willing to wait. "As usual, you're always the most impatient."
"I've already stored almost 1 liter of tea in my body, Jessica. Don't make me destroy your place." He said sarcastically.
And while Adrian and Jessica were arguing, the sound of high heels coming down the stairs was heard again. Both of them immediately turned their gazes to the figure.
Adrian could no longer hide his surprise at this time. Unconsciously, his mouth gaped wide when he saw who the figure was who was gracefully descending the stairs like a princess. His hazel eyes sparkled because he was so fascinated by the beauty in front of him.
Indah, the woman who originally came with him wearing only a casual shirt with jeans and short heels had now transformed into Indah who was like a princess. A sleeveless peach dress that reached her knees showed off her beautiful shoulders. And again, her hairdo that was left hanging beautifully was perfect for framing her face with simple makeup.
Adrian felt a cool breeze blowing against his face when he saw the figure descending the stairs.
No.
This was not the same woman as the woman who had set foot on her feet hours ago. She was Indah, but they looked different. Out of nowhere, a sound like the accompaniment of a violin sounded in her ears.
Seeing Adrian's reaction, Jessica couldn't hide her amusement at the man. This wasn't the first time Adrian had brought a woman to be dressed up, but this was the first time she had seen Adrian so stunned.
"Close your mouth, Uncle!" She quipped.
Adrian, who came to his senses, immediately closed his mouth and returned to his senses. In his heart he cursed his stupidity that had instantly entered Indah's charm.
Indah stomped her heels on the last floor of the stairs. She stood in front of Adrian and then turned her body like a princess.
"How do I look?" She asked Jessica and Adrian.
"Very beautiful." Jessica praised. She was not wrong in choosing Indah's dress. From the first time she saw her, Jessica knew that there was a hidden beauty behind Indah's face. It only needed a little polish to highlight it. And now, she could see the results herself.
"Come on, we're almost late." Adrian turned his body away from Indah and Jessica. Suddenly seeing Adrian's reaction, Indah felt disappointed. She thought Adrian would compliment her appearance. She almost didn't recognize herself when she looked in the mirror. She was beautiful, she thought.
Seeing Indah's disappointment, Jessica put her arm around the girl's slender shoulders. "You don't need to worry. He likes her, even fascinated." She said.
Indah's eyes widened perfectly. "Fascinated?" Was it true that Adrian, who had just left her, was fascinated by her appearance. So why did his reaction feel so cold when she asked his opinion about his appearance?
"Really?"
Jessica nodded slowly. "He's just embarrassed to admit it. You're very beautiful."
Indah suppressed her smile. She covered her lips with the back of her hand because she was embarrassed. Really? Is that true?