2. Mothers' Meetings

“That’s understandable, Sir. But you are human too. You have emotional needs as well. Getting married doesn’t mean sacrificing your career. On the contrary, it could even bring balance to your life,” Wira replied while steering the car through the busy main roads of Jakarta.

Arnold remained silent for a moment, then asked, “In your opinion, what qualities should a woman have to make a good wife?”

Wira chuckled softly. “Ha-ha-ha. Well, that might be different for everyone, Sir. But for me, the most important thing is that she can be a partner, not a burden. Someone you can talk to, who supports you, and shares the same values in life.”

Arnold nodded in agreement. “Sounds simple enough, but sometimes it’s really hard to find.”

“It’s hard when you’re actively looking, Sir. But sometimes it comes naturally, without you even searching. Maybe through this meeting Mrs. Dina is arranging.”

“Hmm,” Arnold murmured as he looked back out the window. “I’ve never been set up on a blind date before. Usually I choose for myself.”

“You can still choose, Sir,” Wira said calmly. “This meeting is just the beginning. You’re the one who gets to decide how it ends.”

Arnold looked at his assistant thoughtfully. “You’re actually quite wise, aren’t you?”

Wira laughed lightly. “Ha-ha-ha. I’m just your driver and personal assistant, Sir. But I’m also an ordinary person who hears many stories from people around me.”

“Sometimes you sound like a personal consultant,” Arnold said with a faint smile.

The car continued moving past tall skyscrapers toward the business district where AZ Corp’s headquarters was located. Upon arriving in front of the main building, the security guard saluted and immediately opened the automatic gate. Wira pulled the car over right in front of the lobby.

As soon as the door was opened, security staff greeted them with smiles and respectful bows. “Good morning, Mr. Arnold.”

Arnold nodded politely. “Morning.”

The CEO stepped out of the car and walked confidently into the building, his suit flapping slightly as he walked with steady steps. Inside the lobby, employees were already beginning their workday, and everyone offered respectful greetings upon seeing the CEO enter.

Wira stood beside the car, watching Arnold walk toward the private executive elevator. He smiled faintly and said quietly to himself, “Hopefully this upcoming meeting really will be the start of a new chapter for Mr. Arnold.”

Meanwhile, inside the elevator, Arnold stood looking at his reflection in the shiny metal wall. His expression looked calm, but his eyes held a hint of curiosity, about this girl named Marsha, who might just turn out to be an important part of his life.

The morning that began with breakfast and family conversation had now opened a new chapter in Arnold’s life. Even though he still had some doubts, at least he had already taken that first small step: opening himself up to the possibility of being set up with someone.

The following day.

The weather in Jakarta was bright and sunny. Sunlight streamed through the large glass windows of an upscale beauty salon located in Senopati, reflecting sparkling rays of light across the shiny white marble floor. In one quiet and comfortable corner of the salon, two middle aged women were enjoying their time together. Mrs. Dina, Arnold Zafazel’s mother, looked elegant in a cream colored blouse paired with a modern batik skirt. She sat in a foot care chair, smiling warmly at her long time friend, Mrs. Bertha, who sat beside her with her hair neatly tied up in a bun.

The two women seemed very close, laughing together and occasionally joking while reminiscing about their university days at the University of Indonesia.

“Ha-ha-ha. Do you still remember, Bertha, when we skipped Development Economics class just to buy Es Doger at the campus canteen?” Mrs. Dina asked, laughing heartily.

“Oh goodness, Dina! Please don’t bring that up! But yeah, those days were so much fun,” Mrs. Bertha replied with a nostalgic expression. “Now here we are, just busy mothers worrying about finding the right partners for our children, right?”

This remark immediately made Mrs. Dina turn toward her friend with a broad smile.

“Speaking of finding partners for our children, there is actually something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about, Bertha,” she said seriously but gently.

Mrs. Bertha raised her eyebrows slightly in curiosity. “Oh really? What is it? Tell me.”

While adjusting the edge of the small blanket covering her knees, Mrs. Dina said, “I want to set Arnold up on a blind date.”

For a moment, Mrs. Bertha’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. “Arnold? You mean your son, the CEO?”

Mrs. Dina nodded proudly. “Yes. But as you know yourself, Arnold is too focused on his work. Up until now, he hasn’t had anyone special. Meanwhile, most of his close friends are already married.”

Mrs. Bertha nodded understandingly. “Just like Marsha. She’s my only daughter, and she’s always so busy at work. She keeps coming home late every single day. Sometimes I feel sad about it, but … she really has been ambitious since she was little.”

“That’s exactly why, Bertha. I was thinking, how about we set Arnold up with Marsha?” Mrs. Dina asked straightforwardly.

For a few seconds, the atmosphere suddenly fell silent. Then Mrs. Bertha broke into a wide smile and clapped her hands happily.

“Dina, are you serious?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Of course I’m serious,” Mrs. Dina replied firmly. “I was thinking, rather than introducing him to someone whose background we know nothing about, wouldn’t it be better if it were the daughter of my best friend, someone whose background and family I know perfectly well?”

Mrs. Bertha looked delighted. “I’m really touched that you trust Marsha that much. But honestly, I absolutely agree. Especially since Marsha is also … just like Arnold, she hasn’t met anyone special yet.”

“Are you sure Marsha is still single?” Mrs. Dina asked hopefully with a smile.

“Absolutely sure,” Bertha replied. “In fact, I keep teasing her about when she’s going to bring her boyfriend home to meet us. But her answer is always the same, ‘Mom, the time hasn’t come yet.’”

The two friends laughed together happily. “Ha-ha-ha!”

Then Mrs. Dina continued, “I also asked Arnold yesterday, and he said that indeed, he doesn’t have anyone special at the moment. But he doesn’t mind being introduced to someone new. As long as we take things slowly, and don’t rush straight into marriage.”

“That’s great. Marsha is also a very realistic person. She doesn’t like things that happen too fast or too easily,” Bertha said proudly.

A beautician came over to them, offering warm herbal tea. Both mothers accepted the drinks with warm smiles and continued their conversation while sipping slowly.

“I can already imagine the two of them sitting together, talking about their work and their future plans,” Mrs. Dina said softly.

“Yes, that definitely sounds like fun. Both of them are ambitious, equally professional, and who knows, maybe they really are meant for each other,” Bertha replied, folding her hands neatly in her lap.

“In that case, how about we arrange their first meeting? Maybe a casual dinner, and the two of us can come along as well to help break the ice,” Mrs. Dina suggested.

“I agree! That way, it won’t feel too awkward. I’ll talk to Marsha tonight. And you talk to Arnold, okay?” Bertha replied enthusiastically.

Mrs. Dina smiled with relief. “I’m so glad you agree, Bertha. I just want the best for my son. And I believe you want the same for Marsha.”

“Absolutely,” Bertha replied while gently patting her friend’s hand. “Who knows, maybe someday soon the two of us will become in laws!”

They both laughed together happily, filled with warmth and hope. Inside that upscale beauty salon, two long-time friends weren’t just reminiscing about the past, they were also starting a new chapter, one that might just bring two families together through the blossoming love between their children.