Her thoughts drifted back to the past, to the day they first met. At an elite gathering hosted by one of Tera's socialite friends, it was just another charity event, a place where people like them mingled. Back then, Tama was much younger, and every movement he made mesmerized Tera.
"I thought you weren’t coming?" Qiara said, clinking her glass against Tera's.
"Mom insisted, Qi. Indra is impossible to pin down because he’s so carefree," Tera replied.
"Don’t expect much from Indra, Ter. He’s a total playboy," Qiara said with a hint of disgust.
Qiara’s dress was too extravagant for a charity event. Rather than appearing philanthropic, people might think Qiara was there to find a prince charming to marry. Despite knowing her friend’s penchant for dressing this way, at least Tera had someone to talk to before facing Tama one-on-one.
"He’s coming, he’s coming," Qiara whispered, grabbing Tera’s arm.
The man in question was Pratama Irawan, or Tama, the eldest son of the founder of Sigma Future Group. News of their arranged marriage had likely spread through their social circles. This was why Tera came tonight, to meet Tama in person before their stiff family meeting.
"I guess we both know, and should get to know each other," Tama said as he stood before Tera and Qiara.
Honestly, Tera didn’t expect to be approached like this by a man, especially since Tama was clearly mocking her. She already felt too annoyed to respond to him. But she didn’t have the power to cancel their marriage, so Tera had to remain polite, as a woman of her stature should. Qiara excused herself under the pretense of greeting other friends, though Tera knew it was just an excuse.
"I’m Tera, and yes, I know who you are. We’re supposed to get married soon to maintain our family businesses," Tera muttered, staring down at her pretty shoes, custom-made by the best designer she’d ever met.
"I don’t like small talk, and I don’t want you to hear this gossip from anyone else," Tama said as he stepped closer to Tera, whispering, "I have a lover I plan to keep seeing. Our marriage will only exist on paper, and I hope you don’t mind if we have a child soon after."
The man stepped back, watching Tera as she seethed. How could she not be angry? On their first meeting, Tama had the nerve to insult her like this. Talking about his affair and the desire to have a child immediately—did he think Tera was some kind of baby factory? Bastard!
"I don’t understand what you’re implying, Sir," Tera retorted sarcastically.
Tama smirked. "Don’t try to understand me, Ter. Just go with the flow."
"Jerk," she muttered, her eyes flashing with anger.
"I’m much worse than that," Tama replied arrogantly, ending with an infuriating smile.
***
Back to the present, in this gloomy hour, Tera didn’t know what time it was, and she still hadn’t turned on the lights. What was so wrong with wanting her marriage to be real? She thought that with the death of her husband’s lover, there might be a chance. But it seemed hope was just that—hope.
"Should I just ask for a divorce?" she murmured.
Without realizing it, tears had already gathered in her eyes. She had never lost control like this, and it made her angry. What was Tama playing at? The man had a heart of steel. It hurt even more when Tera saw her husband being kind. Ugh, pretending to be kind.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She was his legal wife in both the eyes of God and the law, yet why did she feel like a beggar fighting for her rights? Tama was the most difficult man to understand. Finally, Tera rose from the bed, her head full of thoughts about Tama.
As she reached for the light switch, her bedroom door opened, and there stood her husband, already dressed in casual sleepwear, looking at her with a questioning gaze. Why? Why come here in the middle of the night? Hadn’t they talked enough about business and money?
Tera was tired of pretending to smile and be interested in their discussions. She was feeling melancholic and wanted to be alone; Tama should leave before she strangled him right now. Let the headlines tomorrow scream about the death of a young CEO at the hands of his own wife. The motive? Revenge! Her heart had been torn apart for years, never fully recognized as a wife, and ‘the wife, whose name is withheld,’ had long wanted to rip out the man’s heart. If those damned journalists still couldn’t understand, Tera would gladly detail how she planned the murder.
"Is something wrong?" Tera asked, keeping her expression neutral.
"I checked on the kids just now. I accidentally woke up Ben, and he immediately looked for you, but I got him back to sleep."
Alright, so he was a good father and a perfect husband. But not a man who could bring peace to Tera’s heart. Tama’s answer only made her give a thin smile; perhaps her husband deserved some hollow praise.
"Thank you," Tera said as she turned on the light.
"You look a mess," he said as he stepped into the room. "Usually, you’re like a fortress, impossible to penetrate. Even when I was sick, you could take over as CEO."
Tera inwardly scoffed, "Is that a compliment or an insult, you bastard?!"
She bowed her head for a moment, taking a deep breath before looking back into those beautiful eyes. If only he knew, deep down, she wanted him. Tera wanted Tama to see her as a woman, not just a wife on paper.
"Maybe because it’s so late and I’m tired," Tera replied, emphasizing the word 'tired' and hoping Tama heard it clearly.
He didn’t immediately react to her verbal jab, and Tera waited, trying to assess the situation. Why had Tama come here? Should she start enacting the murder plot that had been replaying in her mind? But when she looked at his defeated expression, something made her soften. Pity.
"I’m sorry about that. Maybe I should take some time off, a vacation with you and the kids or something," Tama said, slipping his hands into his pockets and smiling faintly. "My mind’s been a mess. That’s all," he confessed, gazing deeply into Tera’s eyes.
"Oh, don’t think too much about it," Tera replied half-heartedly. She began to busy herself, removing her watch and her favorite blazer.
Who cared if Tama was still here? They were husband and wife. Tera knew where all his moles were, and vice versa, so she didn’t care if something out of her control happened next.
"Need some help?" he asked.
Tama moved closer, offering to help when he saw her struggling with the zipper at the back of her dress that had suddenly gotten stuck halfway. She let him assist her without answering his earlier question.
"Can we start over? I think I’ve been too selfish. You’ve been a little lonely because my attention’s been on someone else and the kids." Tama wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on top of her head.
Tera chuckled bitterly, feeling played. "Don’t try to woo me with cheap words, Sir. Especially when you mention our kids. If you really want it, just say so."
Tama chuckled softly. "I’m serious, Ter. Yeah, I’m also serious about it."
"Jerk," Tera murmured, amused.
"I don’t have time to seduce other women. I think it’s better to seduce my own wife. Let’s make this marriage real, Ter," Tama said.
"Prove it." Tera began to close her eyes as his lips moved to her neck, letting her sanity be taken over. It felt like betraying herself, considering how she had wanted to kill him moments ago, but she still wanted to give Tama a chance.
"Let’s solve our problems as husband and wife. Right now, you’re too upset to talk seriously, and I’m the only one who can calm you down. After that, I’ll prove my sincerity. I promise."
~ The End ~