6. Spending Time Together

Arnold turned his body to face Marsha.

“Is that me?”

Marsha merely gave a small nod, her cheeks still flushed pink.

For a few moments, they simply stared at each other. Within that silence lay something unspoken yet deeply palpable, the seeds of love slowly sprouting, watered by memories of the past and the warmth of the present.

“I want to get to know you better, Marsha,” Arnold said firmly.

“Not just because our parents hope for it, but because I truly want to.”

Marsha nodded, her eyes glistening.

“So do I, Arnold. I want us to start over slowly, but surely.”

Arnold smiled, then stood up and held out his hand. “In that case, would you accompany me for coffee at the rooftop cafe? While watching the sunset?”

Marsha took Arnold’s hand, stood up, and beamed brightly.

“With pleasure.”

They walked away together, leaving the garden and heading toward the rooftop cafe. The sun began to sink on the western horizon, painting the Jakarta sky in shades of golden orange.

Meanwhile, inside the salon, Mom Dina and Mom Bertha, having finished their treatments, were sitting back and relaxing in the lounge, looking outside with radiant faces.

“It seems everything is going better than we expected,” Mom Dina said with satisfaction.

“We just need to wait for the right time later,” Mom Bertha chimed in.

“He-he-he.”

Both of them giggled softly, delighted to see their children finding something that went far beyond their plan, the beginning of a sincere love story.

One afternoon,

The sky above Jakarta was bright, although the air felt slightly warm. On the twelfth floor of a magnificent office building in the Sudirman area, Marsha Livia sat in her elegant workspace. The minimalist wooden desk was covered with design catalogs and a still glowing computer screen. The wall clock showed five in the afternoon.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated. A new message popped up.

Arnold :“Hi Marsha, are you ready to go home? I’ll pick you up. I’d love to treat you to ice cream, a movie, and dinner. Get ready, okay!”

Marsha smiled faintly, her heart beating faster. She typed her reply.

Marsha :“Are you really coming to pick me up? Wow, I’m getting nervous now. Okay, give me ten minutes!”

Ten minutes later, Marsha stepped out of the elevator, wearing a white blouse and a cream midi skirt. She carried a small crossbody bag and wore kitten heels. In the lobby, Arnold was already waiting in a navy blue shirt and grey chinos, looking casual yet neat.

“Wow, so the CEO himself is coming to pick me up,” Marsha greeted him with a sweet smile.

Arnold returned her smile warmly.

“Today I cleared all my meetings just for you. Be ready to be spoiled by me.”

Marsha giggled softly.

“He-he-he. Wow, I really am getting nervous now.”

They arrived at Pondok Indah Mall around five in the afternoon. The parking area was still fairly quiet, and the mall wasn't too crowded yet. Arnold casually held Marsha’s hand as they walked toward the second floor, heading to a famous ice cream parlor.

“Choose your favorite flavor,” Arnold said, glancing at the rows of available options.

“Hmm ... cookies and cream,” Marsha answered confidently.

“Same as me! We really are a perfect match, aren't we?” Arnold said, smiling.

Eventually, they sat at a table near the glass window that overlooked a small fountain inside the mall. The afternoon sunlight fell on Marsha’s face, making her cheeks glow even brighter.

“Are you always this busy at the office?” Arnold asked while scooping his ice cream.

Marsha nodded.

“Yep. There are so many interior projects I need to monitor. But I enjoy it. Each client is different, and every space has its own story.”

“Just like you, I guess every side of you has its own charm,” Arnold murmured half jokingly.

Marsha raised an eyebrow.

“Is that a pickup line?”

“If it works, then yes,” Arnold replied quickly.

“Ha-ha-ha!”

Both of them laughed together. The atmosphere between them felt incredibly natural, like two old friends who had just rediscovered a lost sense of comfort.

After finishing their ice cream, Arnold took Marsha to the XXI cinema on the upper floor. He had already bought the tickets through an app.

“The movie is a romantic comedy, right?” Marsha asked as she read the title displayed on the digital ticket.

“Yes. That way we can laugh together. But if you end up crying, don't worry, I’ve brought tissues,” Arnold replied.

“Ha-ha-ha, got it, Mr. CEO.”

Then they sat down in the couple seats, and throughout the film, both laughed freely. Occasionally, Marsha rested her head on Arnold’s shoulder during funny or touching scenes. Arnold let her do so, and even quietly held her hand.

When the theater lights turned back on, Marsha turned to him.

“You know what, I haven't watched a movie in a cinema for ages. I’m usually too busy.”

“Does that mean today is special then?” Arnold asked.

Marsha nodded.

“Yes. Because I’m with you.”

Arnold simply smiled, but the look in his eyes revealed feelings that ran much deeper than mere happiness.

It was half past eight in the evening when they sat at an elegantly designed fine dining restaurant on the mall’s rooftop. Small candles were lit on their table, and in the distance, the lights of Jakarta twinkled like stars.

A waiter came over and politely took their orders. Afterward, there was only a sweet silence between them.

“I’m glad I’m getting to know you better, Marsha,” Arnold said after sipping his fruit juice.

Marsha looked into Arnold’s eyes. “Me too, Nold. I never thought we could become this close in such a short time.”

“Maybe because our hearts have always been connected, but we’ve only just found our way back to each other now.”

Marsha smiled faintly.

“I used to think you wouldn't even remember me.”

“At first I didn't. But when Mom told me about you, suddenly all those memories from kindergarten came flooding back,” Arnold replied softly.

“And since that meeting, I’ve found myself thinking about you quite often.”

Marsha lowered her head slightly, her cheeks flushing again.

“I actually had a crush on you back then too. But I kept it all to myself.”

Arnold leaned a little closer to her.

“Now you don't have to keep it to yourself anymore.”

They stared at each other, and at that moment, words were unnecessary. The feelings they had kept buried since childhood were now flowing gently, coloring the night with a unique kind of warmth.

Their food arrived, and the conversation continued, about dreams, family, and their future.

“Do you have any big plans ahead for AZ Corp?” Marsha asked while cutting her steak.

“I want to establish a new social division within the company. It will focus on education for children living in remote areas,” Arnold answered firmly.

“Because I truly believe that opportunities are precious. I’ve already been given so many, and now it’s time for me to share them with others.”

Marsha nodded admiringly. “You are not only smart but also have a strong sense of social responsibility. I admire you even more now.”

Arnold smiled.

“I admire you too. You know exactly what you want, and you stand firmly on your own two feet, even while working within a family business. That’s not easy to do.”

The night grew darker. The rooftop wind blew gently. They walked side by side toward the restaurant’s balcony area, watching the city lights stretch out before them.

Then Arnold spoke up,

“Marsha ...”

“Yes?”

“If one day I want to take our relationship more seriously ... would you be willing?”

Marsha looked at him, her eyes soft and gentle.

“If it’s you, I would definitely say yes.”

Arnold smiled.

“This is the most beautiful night of my life.”

Marsha returned his smile. “And mine too.”

Beneath the dim glow of Jakarta City, two hearts that had once crossed paths in their childhood were now united once again. Not merely because of an arranged match, but because of love that had grown naturally, and perhaps, had been destined long ago.