“Meyna, this isn’t what you think.”
Carlo was still standing stiffly beside his desk, while Caramel had just pulled away from hugging his arm with a perfectly casual expression, as if nothing had happened.
Meyna, standing in the doorway, only smiled faintly. “I’m not thinking anything, sir.”
Her voice was soft, even sounding as if she didn’t have a problem with anything at all. She then walked in, carrying several folders that had nearly fallen from her hands earlier.
Caramel, watching her face, immediately narrowed her eyes.
“Hmm…” She studied Meyna’s smile. “That’s a sweet smile.” Her eyes then drifted slightly down to Meyna’s lips. “But why do I feel like there’s shrimp paste sambal hiding behind it?”
Meyna carefully placed the folders on Carlo’s desk. “These are the documents you asked for earlier, sir. For the meeting with Arkan Group.”
“Oh, right.” Carlo’s usually flat voice suddenly turned a little softer. “Thanks, Meyna.”
Caramel immediately turned around. Her head moved so quickly, like a doll whose batteries had just been installed.
“Uhhh? WTF!” She stared at Carlo. Then at Meyna. Then back at Carlo, with the look of a stepmother in episode five of a Spider-Man movie series.
“Why do you say ‘thanks’ to her?”
Carlo picked up the folder and opened it. “The three o’clock meeting is still on, right?” he asked Meyna.
“Yes, sir. I’ve prepared all the documents too. If you’d like, I can come along so I can help right away if there’s any data that needs checking.”
Carlo nodded. “Yes, come with me. I was planning to bring you anyway.”
Caramel, who had been sitting quietly until then, finally couldn’t take it anymore. “Uncle Carlo.”
Carlo turned toward her. “What?”
Caramel immediately pouted in spoiled, adorable annoyance. “Why are you so gentle when you talk to Ms. Meyna? But when you talk to me, your face looks like the Kumon logo.”
Carlo furrowed his brow. “The Kumon logo?”
“Yeah, all tense, like the Kumon logo.” Caramel pursed her lips.
Meyna let out a laugh.
“I’m perfectly normal,” Carlo replied.
“Normal where? With me, you sound like a convenience-store security guard scolding a little kid for stealing candy, but with her, you’re so gentle.”
Meyna held back a laugh as she said, “Mr. Carlo is always like that when he’s working.”
Caramel immediately turned toward her. “The thing is, he’s not working when he’s with me, so he should be more relaxed.”
Carlo sighed. “Caramel…”
“Yes, Uncle?”
“Don’t start.”
Caramel nodded with an innocent expression. “I haven’t started. I’m just warming up to love you.”
Meyna smiled faintly. Caramel caught it.
There! See? She’s annoyed. Caramel thought to herself.
Whether it was true or not, Caramel had already added Meyna to her list of people she needed to keep an eye on. Not because she was suspicious, but because her negative thinking, combined with her unhinged instincts, rarely let facts get in the way.
Carlo closed the folder and stood. “I’m going to the meeting now.”
Caramel stood too. “I’m coming.”
“What for?” Carlo looked straight at her.
“To attend the meeting.”
“You don’t need to come.”
“Why not? I can entertain everyone if the meeting gets tense.”
“Because you have no business there.”
Caramel pursed her lips.
“I do.”
“What business?”
Caramel pointed at Carlo’s chest. “Matters of the heart.”
Carlo stared at her flatly. “I’m meeting with a client, not getting romance advice.”
“I know. That’s why I’m coming.” “No.”
Caramel immediately crossed her arms over her chest. “If I don’t come, I might cause a scene.”
Carlo sighed. “Don’t threaten me.”
“I’m not threatening you, Uncle. I’m trying to give you a glimpse of our future.”
“You’d better go home.”
“If I go home, I could suddenly call everyone in this office and tell them their CEO is having a secret relationship with a young woman.”
Carlo shot her a sharp look.
“You’d dare?”
Caramel nodded casually. “I would. I’m a risk taker.” “You’re not going to do that.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re not that cruel.”
Caramel fell silent for a moment. Then she smiled proudly. “So you’re starting to know me.”
Carlo shook his head. “I’m actually starting to regret it.” “I’m not cruel, but I’m already in love with you. Love sometimes has no logic, Uncle.” “You think you’re Agnez Mo?”
Caramel then moved closer with a crablike gait. “I’m coming. End of story!”
“No.”
“I’m coming.”
“No.”
“I’m coming.”
“Caramel.”
“Uncle Carlooo.”
They ended up calling each other’s names back and forth.
“You’re making me late for my meeting.”
“Then don’t go to the meeting.”
Carlo stared at her in disbelief. “If the meeting gets canceled, my company will lose money.”
Caramel shrugged. “If I don’t come, my heart will lose.”
“Why do you have to come?”
Caramel glanced briefly at Meyna, who was organizing the documents. Then she looked back at Carlo.
“Because I don’t trust business trips.” Carlo furrowed his brow. “Business trips?”
“Yeah. Usually it starts with a meeting, then lunch, then talking, then laughing, and then suddenly you’re making sacred vows to each other.”
Meyna finally turned around when she heard that. Carlo, meanwhile, rubbed his forehead.
“Not everyone thinks the way you do.”
Caramel smiled. “That’s why I’m coming—to keep your mind healthy.”
Carlo looked at her for a long moment. Then he sighed. “What do you actually want?”
Caramel answered without hesitation.
“I want to be your perfect match.”
“I want to find the right match.”
“I hope you find one soon, Uncle.” Caramel held out her hand as if she wanted to shake his. “Hi, my name is RIGHT.”