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“Lonaa,” called one of her friends, Alluna, who came along with Maili and also Leena. “Hi,” said Lona cheerfully. “We're still hanging out later, right?” said Maili. “Of course,” replied Lona. Leena and Alluna nodded, and they all walked toward their class. After class ended, they continued their hangout at a café near the campus. “I’m so bored, it’s always the same,” said... “Why are you bored, Lona?” said Alluna while eating a piece of potato. “Yeah, why are you bored, Na?” asked Maili. “What kind of fun are you looking for?” asked Leena. “I think I wanna look for a guy.” “But you already have Galen.” “Yeah, just accept his love already.” “Ew, no way! I don’t want to be with a guy like that. He’s like a crocodile!” (Note: “Buaya” or crocodile is a slang term for a playboy.) “Come on, let’s head back, it’s already late,” said Maili. They all soon returned to their own homes. “Mamaa, Lona’s home. Mama, where are you? I don’t see you,” Lona said while walking to the kitchen. “Mbok, where’s Mama?” she asked. Lona met their housemaid, Mbok Jarmi, who had worked with their family for a long time. Mbok Jarmi no longer had a family; she lived alone and decided to dedicate herself to serving the Barrett family. Actually, she wasn't completely alone — she had a child, but they were separated because the child was taken away by her ex-husband. “Madam went out with Sir,” said Mbok Jarmi. “Oh, okay.” “Do you want to eat?” offered Mbok Jarmi. “No, Mbok, I’ve already eaten. I’m going to my room now,” Lona replied. Lona placed her bag on her study table and threw herself onto the bed. She felt extremely tired. KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK... someone knocked on Lona’s bedroom door. CLICK... since the door wasn't locked, the person entered right away. “Lona, sweetheart, wake up. Why are you sleeping at this hour? You should change clothes first,” said Mama Bella, Bella Aster Barrett, Lona’s mother. “Come on, sweetheart, wake up. Go take a shower, it’s already late.” “Emm… yeah, Mom, in a bit. I’m still sleepy,” said Lona as she continued her nap. “Sweetheart, come on, wake up and get ready,” said Mama Bella. “We’re having dinner out. Papa is already home, so we’ll leave together later.” “Dinner? Ah, I don’t feel like it, Mom. Why don’t you and Papa just go have dinner, just the two of you?” said Lona lazily, because she was really tired at the moment. “Lona, how could you not want to have dinner with Mom and Dad?” said Mama Bella, sounding sad. “Alright, I’ll get ready first, okay, Mom? Please go out for a bit,” said Lona, finally giving in because she knew her mom would definitely use her usual tricks to persuade her, and Lona wouldn’t be able to refuse. “Okay, I’ll go out. Your dress is on the bed, sweetie,” said Mama Bella as she stepped out of the room. “Huff…” Lona entered the bathroom reluctantly. Initially, she wanted to take a bath, but she had to cancel that plan because there wasn’t enough time to soak. After getting out of the bathroom, she immediately put on light makeup and wore the dress her mom had given her earlier. After finishing, Lona checked herself in the mirror to make sure her appearance was perfect. “Hmm, it's nice. Mom’s choice is great. The dress is beautiful,” said Lona, admiring the maroon-colored dress with a sleeveless design, knee-length. It looked beautiful and fit perfectly on her. Lona went downstairs, where her parents were already waiting for her. “Sweetie, are you ready?” asked Carlos, Lona’s father — Carlos Rionad Barnett. “Yes, Papa, Mama. Let’s go,” said Lona. They immediately left, with Lona sitting in the backseat. “Mom, I love this dress. It’s so pretty,” said Lona, still amazed by the dress she was wearing. “You really like it?” asked Mama Bella. “Yes, I really do. Your choices are always great,” said Lona again. “That wasn’t my choice, sweetie,” replied Mama Bella. “Huh? Then whose choice was it, Mom?” asked Lona, confused. If it wasn’t her mom’s choice, then whose? Her dad? But that couldn’t be — her dad didn’t know anything about women’s fashion, especially dresses for girls like her. Lona also continued to shake hands with the two people. Actually, there was a man too—he also shook hands with Lona's parents, but not with Lona. He only looked at her. If you looked at his age, he might be slightly older or the same age as Lona. Ah, Lona didn’t know. "No, not long. Come, sit down," said the man. They all then sat down and enjoyed dinner, accompanied by small talk from the parents. "Lona is still in college, right?" asked the woman. That was something Lona didn’t know either. "Yes, auntie, still in the same semester," replied Lona, answering vaguely. Lona didn’t ask any more. After arriving, they immediately went down to the ordering area. "Why are we going upstairs, Dad, Mom? What for?" Lona asked, confused. Usually, if they just wanted dinner, they would book a table downstairs. If it was upstairs, it meant a private room. "Yes, the dinner is upstairs with Dad and Mom’s friends," said Papa Carlos. Lona just nodded and listened quietly. CLICK... "Hello, it's been a while," said Carlos, who immediately shook hands with a man—possibly the same age as Carlos. Mama did the same, shaking hands with a woman who was probably around the same age as her. "Dear," she said again. "Yes, Auntie," said Lona. "Lona, do you like the dress?" the woman asked again. "Yes, Auntie," Lona replied, confused as to why she was asking about the dress. Wasn’t it her mom who chose it? Her mom had said she didn’t choose it herself. "That’s good then. It looks really beautiful on you, dear. Ares chose the dress," said the woman, while touching the shoulder of the boy next to her—probably her son, right? "Yes," Lona could only smile. Why did he choose it? Ugh, his face was so expressionless—couldn’t he smile just a little? "Aunt Diana and their son Ares," said Papa Carlos introducing them. Lona just nodded. "Lora dear, the purpose of tonight's dinner together is because we want to unite the two families by arranging a marriage between you and Ares. You want to, right?" asked Papa Carlos. Lona was shocked to hear it—an arranged marriage? Oh no. "Lona dear, you once said you wouldn’t mind being in an arranged marriage, remember?" asked Mama Bella. Lona indeed had once been asked if she would agree to an arranged marriage, and she answered that she wouldn’t mind as long as the guy was her type. If not, then no problem—this face of hers couldn’t smile anyway. "Umm, I want to," said Lona quietly. She was surprised, but she had to stay calm. She reminded herself that all problems could be resolved calmly. Besides, it seemed this future husband of hers didn’t agree with the arranged marriage either, so that was good. Let him be the one to cancel it, and Lona wouldn’t have to go through the trouble or even argue with her parents. "Ah, I'm so smart," she thought in her heart. "That's great," said Aunt Diana happily. "Finally, we can become in-laws. It wasn’t for nothing that we always kept an eye on each other's children," she continued. "I'm so happy," said Mama Bella, clearly excited. "If it's okay, I’d like to speak with Lona alone for a moment, is that alright?" asked Ares. "Maybe she has something to say about our arranged marriage." "Sure, go ahead," said Papa Carlos, giving his permission.