“I’m home, everybody!” a young woman shouted, looking absolutely thrilled.
She sat on the sofa while several household staff carried her suitcases and bags to her room. No one answered right away. Understandably, the house was enormous, so she decided to open an online comic app and read her older sister’s work.
“Hmm, this episode is pretty good,” she murmured.
“Back already, you chatterbox?” Harlette’s voice made her toss her phone onto the sofa.
She stood and ran toward her older sister, then eagerly took the hands Harlette held out to her.
“How was Surabaya?” Harlette asked once they broke apart.
“Beautiful as always. Honestly, I didn’t even want to come back to Jakarta. Surabaya may be unbearably hot, but I still love it.
Harlette poked her on the nose. “But remember, your whole family is in Jakarta. You act like you don’t have parents, choosing to live with Grandma.”
Since she was little, Julietta had lived in Surabaya with her paternal grandmother. It had been pretty hilarious at first. The whole family had gone to Surabaya for the holidays, and Julietta refused to come home with them. She said Surabaya was fun because she’d found a friend to play with. Who knew whether she missed her parents? She had visited Jakarta so few times they could be counted on one hand.
However, after she graduated from Parsons School of Design, her father required her to live in Jakarta. Required—no negotiations. The only exception was that he let her celebrate New Year’s in Surabaya with her old school friends this time.
“By the way, where is everyone else?”
“Dad’s meeting with a colleague. Mom and Violette are in the studio—”
Harlette had barely finished speaking when Julietta, the youngest, ran straight toward the studio in question. It wasn’t even clear whether it was their mother’s studio or their older sister’s. Reluctantly, Harlette followed, even though she didn’t want to see the dress designs their mother and sister were working on.
“Mom!” Julietta cried as she ran over, hugged her, kissed her cheek, and hugged her again. “I missed you.”
“How’s Grandma?”
“She’s well,” Julietta answered as she released the hug. “She misses her oldest son, who almost never visits.”
“You know Dad’s busy,” Harlette replied. She sat on the gray sofa in the centrally air-conditioned room. A box of cookies lay on the table, and she immediately grabbed one.
Julietta took over her older sister’s tablet and enlarged the screen to admire the stunning dress design.
“Did we get an important client? This dress is gorgeous.”
“It’s for your sister’s wedding.”
Their mother’s words made Julietta’s eyes widen. “What? Violette is marrying Dimitriv? Why didn’t anyone tell me?”
“You just got home,” Violette replied, speaking for the first time after being silent for so long.
“But you could’ve messaged me, called me, or video-called me. That would’ve been better.”
“Grandpa only told us two days ago.” Miranti ended the rather pointless discussion.
She and her eldest daughter went back to designing the wedding dress. The ceremony would be held in three months, so they had to hurry and finish every dress that would be worn for the event. This was their first daughter’s wedding. Everything had to be perfect and beautiful. Miranti even planned to handle everything herself. It would be a little troublesome, but she was simply happy that her first child was getting married.
Without saying a word, Harlette left the room. Julietta followed, but before she went, she called out, “By the way, your latest episode was awesome, Sis!” She praised Violette’s magical hands, which matched her brilliant mind, before leaving the room.
Violette had another career as a webtoonist, in addition to being the head fashion designer under their mother’s direction at the family business, which had been operating for decades. Kartasasmita Couture was a family legacy in the fashion industry, designing luxury clothing with extraordinary precision.
Over its decades in business, the company had worked with many influential clients, including celebrities, government officials, and socialites who always wanted to look spectacular at events where flawless appearances were expected.
Harlette and Julietta also worked as fashion designers for the couture label. That was why the daughters in this family continued their mother’s line, strengthening the Kartasasmita name and brand.
Julietta also worked as a magazine model and modeled for several domestic clothing brands. While attending college in New York, she had even been hired by foreign brands a few times. Harlette, meanwhile, was nothing like her two sisters. She only worked under their mother’s direction, and spent the rest of her time finding out everything Dimitriv was up to. You could say her side job was being a paparazzo.
“Finally, that years-long engagement is ending in a wedding,” Julietta commented as she followed Harlette to her bedroom.
Harlette had no intention of discussing it.
“So, are you and Noah going to follow in their footsteps?”
“Shut up, Jule!” Harlette snapped, making her sister jump. “Don’t say that name again. Just think about your engagement plans with one of the men from the Nugraha family.”
Harlette steadied her breathing. Then she went back to sorting through the clothes she would wear to the family dinner that night.
“I like it,” Julietta replied lightly. “Abraham and Damian are both handsome. One will become a businessman, and the other will become a doctor. Two delightful options.”
Harlette glared irritably at her sister, who was sprawled across the bed and ruining the neat sheets she had just arranged. Her arrival was incredibly annoying.
“Don’t you love Noah? Don’t you like him? It’s okay. You’ll fall in love with him eventually, just like Violette loves Dimitriv.”
Her chatterbox personality was exactly like Morana’s. Whether Harlette was at home or at a friend’s house, there was always someone noisy enough to get on her nerves. Before Julietta could carry on, Harlette chose to kick her out. She took over the bed and lay facedown, letting her tears slip free and soak the sheets.
It truly hurt to hear about this wedding. How was she supposed to think of Dimitriv as her brother-in-law when she had always seen him as such a captivating husband?
Being a woman in this family wasn’t very pleasant. Every path in her life seemed to have been set in stone from the day she was born. She had to become a designer. Even if she wanted another profession, being a designer had to come first. Her match had already been chosen for her, and if she decided to end that arranged match, they would simply bring in another man supposedly destined to be a perfect partner.
After Harlette and Raiden ended their engagement, Harlette was introduced to Noah, the son of one of her father’s businessman acquaintances. It was infuriating, but Harlette couldn’t refuse. She had been challenged to introduce her chosen man to the extended family, and she couldn’t think of a single man other than Dimitriv. There was no way she could confess that unforgivable sin in front of the extended family.
‘I accepted the dinner invitation. Why didn’t you tell me?’
Her phone chimed once, delivering a short message from Noah. Harlette only glanced at it before setting the phone facedown.
“Three months?” Harlette thought. “I have so little time. It’s like my life has already run out on earth, and I’m going to hell because these feelings are torturing me.”
“Should I just be honest? Maybe the bride could be replaced with me. Besides, Violette doesn’t love him that much.”
“Or….”
“Should I just bury it?”
While she was busy arguing with herself, Harlette’s focus was shattered when her phone began ringing. She didn’t care, assuming it was Noah. But it kept ringing—and it turned out to be Morana.
“My God, what did those tears ever do to deserve being shed?” Morana quipped from the other end when she saw Harlette’s slightly damp eyes.
“It’s nothing. Why are you calling me?”
“You didn’t forget about our get-together tonight, did you?”
“I’m busy.”
Her answer was very brief. She ended the call before Morana could drag out the conversation. She had to attend a family meeting. How could she sneak out to meet her friends?
Someone grabbed the wine bottle just as Dimitriv was about to take it. His attention was scattered in too many directions, impossible to pull back together. The man in the gray polo shirt gave a faint smile and sat on the barstool beside Dimitriv.
Raiden poured fifty milliliters of wine, perhaps a little less. “Shouldn’t you be leaving now?” he asked once the dark purple liquid settled at the bottom of the glass. He didn’t want to see his older brother affected by alcohol.
“I’m not sure about any of this,” Dimitriv said. He took the glass and slowly swirled it. Although he always sounded certain that he would marry Violette, there were times when he seemed to hesitate.
“Choose the decision that won’t hurt you.”
“If only I were like you—brave enough to stand up to anyone.” Dimitriv turned toward the man, who was none other than Raiden, his beloved younger brother, though they were not related by blood.
Raiden brought his glass closer, and the two glasses clinked loudly. They spent some time talking about matters of considerable depth. Dimitriv wanted to end this arranged match just as Raiden had, but he remembered what he had once said to Harlette.
“Even if I love another woman, I’ll bury those feelings deep and still marry your sister.” His old words still clung tightly to him.
Apparently, Dimitriv had endured all this time because he was bound by an engagement. Marriage was different. Dimitriv wasn’t ready for that. But he had already gone too far with his promises and sacrifices for his family.
Dimitriv stood. He took his black jacket and draped it over his left arm. Before leaving, he patted Raiden’s shoulder twice without saying a word. His younger brother simply smiled and let his older brother’s back grow farther and farther away.
‘Jasmine is looking for you. Come home soon.’
A text message flashed across Raiden’s phone, making him leave the pub five minutes after Dimitriv’s departure.
A black sedan with the license plate B 7888 DIM sped toward a residence in Jakarta’s upscale district. Ever since he had left the pub, his phone had been ringing nonstop because everyone was eagerly awaiting his arrival.
It was none other than his own father, who was currently in one of the rooms at the home of Erwin Hartanto, a high-ranking official at the Supreme Court who would soon become his in-law. Wijaya kept calling Dimitriv and telling him to hurry because everyone had gathered except him.
After a twenty-minute drive, Dimitriv’s sedan finally arrived in the courtyard of the three-story house in Pondok Indah. One of the staff approached to move his car. Dimitriv got out, straightened his jacket, and entered the enormous house.
“He’s here,” his mother remarked when she saw her handsome son.
All the members of both families had taken their seats around the long dining table. Dimitriv was the last to arrive.
“Sorry I’m late.”
“It’s all right. Everyone knows you’re busy. Sit down,” Erwin urged.
Dimitriv pulled out the chair beside Violette.
Although one chair separated them, Harlette’s feelings continued to run wild. She still felt nervous, her chest pounding—especially when she caught the scent of Dimitriv’s cologne. She nearly fainted. Her surging love was torturing her.
Even so, Harlette tried to remain calm, as though nothing was wrong. She didn’t even intend to glance at Dimitriv, afraid it would arouse suspicion. She only waited to hear his voice, but the man said nothing.
Dimitriv merely gave Violette a small smile, then looked away.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve all gathered like this,” said Widjaja, the family elder and grandfather of the Kartasasmita siblings.
“Yes, Dad,” Miranti replied.
“We need to set Dimitriv and Violette’s wedding date as soon as possible.”
“Dad.” Erwin cut in. “We should eat first. I hear Chef Karen’s cooking is delicious. It would be a shame to miss it.”
Chef Karen, Dimitriv’s family’s personal chef, was delighted by the praise. “Enjoy, everyone.” He had been hired specifically to prepare dinner for this important meeting between the two families.
“Really? In that case, all right,” the grandfather said.
Erwin noticed a faint trace of discomfort on his daughter’s face. However, he couldn’t derail his children’s arranged match, which served political interests disguised as a family alliance. He shifted his gaze to Harlette, seated beside Noah, and then to Julietta beside him, still alone because her match was still being planned.
Tuna tartare was served on every plate, enjoyed alongside light conversation about the marriage of the two young people. The courses continued to rotate, moving on to the main course and then dessert.
Harlette didn’t say a word. She only listened to the elders discuss things. All she was waiting for was the moment Dimitriv opened his mouth to agree to their proposals.
His voice was deep and sexy, making Harlette’s heart tremble over and over.
“Want to talk?” Noah suddenly asked as Harlette set her glass down on the table.
“Good idea. You two should grow closer than ever, since your wedding surely won’t be far off either,” Miranti interjected enthusiastically.
Harlette choked. She didn’t know how to respond, but then Noah offered her his hand. After a moment’s hesitation, Harlette took it and left the dining table with him.
She glanced back once. The others had begun to disperse as well. Dimitriv and Violette had left with their parents, while Julietta gathered with Dimitriv’s three younger siblings: the twins Ryland and Seara, along with Matheo.
Noah slid open the door connecting to the outdoor pool so their conversation couldn’t be overheard. They sat in neighboring chairs. Harlette slowly rubbed her neck, uncomfortable being alone with Noah. The night wind swept through her hair, leaving it slightly messy. Taking the initiative, Noah tucked the strands that had blown loose behind his future wife’s ear.
“Have you thought about when we’re going to get married?”
“Noah, what if we—”
“Call off this engagement, like you did the last one?” Noah interrupted, making Harlette’s eyes widen.
Harlette cleared her throat softly. “Yes. Besides, we don’t love each other.”
“Did the man before me immediately agree when you called off your engagement?”
“Yes. He loved another woman, and so did I.”
“What am I supposed to do? I don’t want to behave like your previous fiancé.” Noah smiled, and there was something faintly frightening about it. His hand rose to gently caress Harlette’s cheek, making her shudder uneasily. “We have to get married because I want to play with you.”
Harlette knocked his hand away. “Stop!”
The man grinned with wolfish eyes. It wasn’t sweet. It was terrifying, as though Harlette were being watched by a handsome criminal.
Tch. No matter how perfect Noah’s looks were, his handsomeness still lost to Dimitriv’s commanding, seductive presence.
Meanwhile, Dimitriv sat facing the pool, dividing his attention between the outdoors and the faces of those so enthusiastic about his wedding. He himself was not. He could only sneer at the insolent man near the pool. Dimitriv’s crooked smile was clearly etched across his face.
“What if we set the date for—” Wijaya’s words stopped when Harlette appeared between them.
“What is it, Lette?” her father asked.
“I’m going to leave. I forgot I had an appointment with my friend for a project.”
“Tonight? Can’t it wait?”
Harlette shook her head.
Erwin nodded. “All right. Ask the driver to take you, then.”
“I’ll take her.” Noah’s voice suddenly joined in. “I’ll say good night and thank you for the meal at the same time.”
Erwin nodded again. He felt at ease knowing there was a man ready to look after his daughter.
Dimitriv steepled his fingers. He wanted to go home too, but the parents continued discussing the wedding date without reaching an agreement. They were busy searching for an auspicious day, while Dimitriv and Violette merely nodded along.
Outside the house, Harlette suddenly stopped in her tracks and whipped around. Noah instinctively jumped.
“Just go home. I can leave by myself.”
Instead of agreeing, he slowly stepped back and said, “Do I have to go back inside and complain to Uncle Erwin? Hmm?”
Crazy man, she cursed inwardly. “Fine. Take me there quickly!”
Harlette got into the car, fastened her seat belt, and sat in silence with a sour expression. The talkative, crazy Noah tried to talk to her repeatedly, but Harlette pretended not to hear a thing.
The aroma of spaghetti bolognese reached the noses of two women writhing on the sofa. Serena came from the kitchen carrying four plates of spaghetti.
Morana hauled her limp body upright. “My God, I never thought I’d get to eat something this delicious,” she said with a touch of drama.
“Cut the act,” Sanja scoffed, wearing a slightly snide expression.
“I’m seriously starving. My crazy manager didn’t buy me any food and went off on a date with his mistress instead. God, keep me safe from disasters like that. How can an engaged woman go out with another man?”
“Give it to me, then,” Serena suddenly said, reaching for the edge of Morana’s plate.
“Fine, I’ll stop talking and eat.” Morana immediately reined in her chatty mouth.
“When is Harlette getting here?” Madeleine asked between bites of spaghetti.
Serena glanced at the digital clock beside the eighty-four-inch television. “Seven minutes. Maybe.”
“I feel so bad for our friend. She might cry hard enough to create an ocean in your apartment, Ren. Oh shit, I can’t imagine the man I love marrying my older sister.” Morana spoke without thinking.
“What? She’s in love with her sister’s future husband?” Sanja cried, nearly choking on his food.
Madeleine quickly handed her boyfriend a can of soda. Morana exchanged glances with Serena. She regretted saying something she shouldn’t have.
Sanja covered his own mouth, unable to believe what he had heard. He was the only man in that circle of friends because he was dating Madeleine. And he was the last person to learn the truth.
“No wonder she called off her last engagement and refused to meet any other men. Incredible,” Sanja commented.
Morana firmly sealed her lips and lowered her head in slight regret. Her cheeks puffed out with food. Serena and Madeleine could only sigh heavily, while Sanja remained frozen in shock.
The apartment buzzer rang, and they all instinctively looked toward the sound.
“Sweetheart, don’t say anything,” Madeleine pleaded with Sanja as Serena strode toward the door.
The moment the door opened, Harlette threw her arms around Serena. Tears spilled freely down her cheeks. Serena didn’t say anything. She rubbed her best friend’s back, offering what little comfort she could.
Two minutes later, they were seated around the low table in front of the television. Harlette ordered fried chicken and two boxes of pizza. They formed a little square-table conference, shoveling delicious food into their mouths and reaching a state of inner peace.
The fact was, swallowing delicious food could make a person feel happier and temporarily forget sad things.
“Enjoy your meal, part two,” Morana quipped.
Heavy sighs escaped Harlette again and again as she enjoyed her food. She even sobbed while chewing the juicy, spice-packed fried chicken. Her friends exchanged glances, none of them daring to disturb her grieving moment.
“Three months. It feels like a doctor’s death sentence.”
“Half the population of Earth is made up of men,” Sanja replied casually, earning sharp looks from Harlette and the other three women.
“But Harlette only loves one man,” Serena countered.
“You have to accept reality, Lette. Your fate is limited to becoming Mr. Dimitriv’s sister-in-law.” Morana was sad about it too, but she was also thrilled about the bet they had made back then.
Morana gave Serena and Madeleine a smug look without Harlette noticing. Then she shoved a piece of fried chicken into her mouth. Victory was within reach. Two hundred million would be deposited into her account. Not bad.
Harlette continued sighing until she finally slammed her fist on the table, startling everyone.
“I have to make use of these three months. I’m going to confess my feelings, and I’m going to pretend he’s mine.”
“What about your sister?” Sanja asked, sounding a little naive.
“My God, this friend of mine is so stupid,” Morana scoffed. “Obviously, she’s going to hide her identity like a stalker.”
Apparently, Harlette hadn’t registered any of Sanja’s comments until then. Her gaze slowly shifted toward him, then moved irritably to Morana, whom she was certain had also spilled the secret to Sanja. Harlette could only sigh. She didn’t have the energy to argue.
“But that’s too risky,” Serena said.
Madeleine quickly nudged her and whispered through clenched teeth, “Isn’t it a great idea? Maybe God will bless it. I don’t want to lose a hundred million.”
“Just tell me. You don’t have to whisper,” Harlette called out.
Serena tucked her hair behind her ear and said, “It’s nothing.”
Harlette let out a sharp sigh, her gaze slightly vacant. Then her lips murmured, “I’m going to enjoy looking at that man for the next three months until I’m stuffed. I think I really need that to satisfy myself—not this fried chicken.”
“And after three months?” Morana asked, trying to stir up trouble.
“Die!”