"Wait. Who are you?" Asleena still couldn't believe what this man named Roger was saying.

Getting a suspicious look from Asleena didn't offend Roger. Roger curved a formal, polite smile.

"May I sit here? Let me explain something to Miss Asleena," Roger replied as he extended his palm to the chair opposite Asleena.

Asleena nodded her head. "Please, it's okay, just sit down," he said. Seeing that Roger had sat back down, Asleena straightened her back even more. "So Roger, what do you mean?"

"I understand that Miss Asleena must be surprised to hear my explanation. Here, I came because of Mr. Joshua's order," Roger said, trying to explain calmly.

"My father ordered you? When?"

"One week before the accident. It seems Mr. Joshua really believed that someone was intent on causing harm. So he asked me to come to you if something bad happened."

Asleena's heart throbbed painfully after Roger said that. Even though Asleena had read through Roger's will, she still felt shortness of breath for some reason.

"Ah... father already said that," Asleena muttered. "Are you going to be..."

Asleena stopped her words as she felt uncomfortable saying the next sentence. But Roger understood Asleena's meaning, so he nodded his head.

"Yes, I will be your underling, Miss Asleena."

Asleena should be pleased. This really feels like an impossibility. His life changed 180 degrees compared to before. Asleena still couldn't digest that someone suddenly came up to her and said that she would be her subordinate's assistant.

"But I don't have the money to pay you," Asleena complained while covering half her face, embarrassed.

Roger chuckled at the awkward Asleena. "Don't worry, Miss. Everything has been taken care of by Mr. Joshua. Besides, I don't mind if I don't get paid."

"How can it be?" Asleena immediately lifted her face and looked surprised. "I can't let you go unpaid."

"If only Miss Asleena knew what Mr. Joshua did for me, Miss would understand why I said that," answered Roger without the slightest hesitation. A reassuring smile curved across his face.

Asleena's position was completely indecisive. This all happened too suddenly. Even though he could not fully accept the sudden death of his parents.

Asleena took a deep breath and returned to support the right side of her face. He looked at the scenery outside the window.

11

"Roger, I'm really confused."

"Oh, do you want something to eat?" Roger instantly understood Asleena's daze.

"Yeah... I'm a little hungry—"

"Excuse me, here is the food you ordered."

Asleena immediately turned her head after hearing someone's words. How he was surprised to see a waiter carrying a tray containing two plates. The smell of grilled steak was so strong wafting from the two dishes on the tray.

"What is this..." Asleena was stunned. He did not feel ordered this.

"Thank you for the food," answered Roger while helping to arrange the plates placed by the waiter.

Asleena's confused gaze shifted to Roger. "Did you order all of this?" he asked.

Roger nodded his head without hesitation. "That's right, Miss. Actually I was worried that Miss had eaten. But coincidentally, it turns out that Miss hasn't eaten."

Asleena immediately let out a breath as her shoulders slumped limply. He really couldn't stop thinking. I don't know how he should respond. In all his life, no one had ever treated him this way.

"Wow, Roger ... you are very gentle." The compliment just slipped away so Asleena didn't expect it.

Roger just curved a sweet smile that made his eyes squint. He didn't find Asleena's compliment to be sarcastic or anything like that.

"Please eat, Miss."

"So, what exactly is the purpose of your coming? Is it just to let you know that you're becoming my assistant underling?" Asleena asked again when she was already holding a knife and fork.

On the other hand, Roger seemed to be contemplating how to explain. His hands were still busy cutting the steak for a few seconds. Then, Roger gave a long mutter.

"Not only for that, Miss. I also intend to come to tell you that you have to start working as CEO tomorrow," said Roger.

Asleena suddenly glared, almost choking. "Me? Starting work tomorrow?" he asked, and received a nod in response. "Wow. Roger, I'm not even prepared to take on the responsibilities of daddy's job. Now you're asking me to be CEO tomorrow?!"

Seemingly not minding Asleena's worries, Roger just nodded his head.

"Yes. Don't worry, Miss. I will help you to every detail." Roger gave a reassuring smile at the end of his sentence. However, that did not ease Asleena's worries in the least.

Asleena's rough sigh was heard. "How come..." Then, she combed her hair using her five fingers, looking resigned. "I only understand a little."

"But you have studied economics and business during your studies, right Miss?" he asked. "I'm quite amazed that Miss Asleena didn't realize, the scholarship you got from the Hudge Group company wasn't a scholarship."

"Yes, I just realized that now. Indirectly, the cost actually came from my father's money. But he acted on behalf of the company," Asleena answered between her angry faces.

Roger snapped his fingers. "That's right, that's right! Wow... Mr. Joshua is really good at acting."

"That's not the point now!" Asleena subconsciously raised her voice in a begrudging rage. It took Roger by surprise.

silence. Between Roger and Asleena, there was silence.

Asleena felt awkward for a moment because she realized that she had accidentally snapped. Meanwhile Roger was silent for a moment, dumbfounded.

"Sorry, I can't control myself. Did you see that just now? I just go out of control a lot, how can I become a CEO like my father?" Asleena asked.

"Mr. Joshua is not the CEO, Miss. But he is the owner. You will take over as CEO of Ornald later."

With a look of panic on her face, Asleena immediately leaned over to sit up. Her eyes looked at Roger so seriously.

"Is he okay with being replaced with me?" Asleena asked.

Roger realized Asleena was looking for an excuse not to take the position his Boss ordered him to take. However, Roger did not want to be swayed. So he shook his head calmly.

"Not at all. Mr. Ornald is indeed going to resign, that's why Miss Asleena is taking his place."

"I can't... wouldn't be fair to the employees—"

"This is Mr. Joshua's order, Miss. I can't dispute and change orders. So, no compromises." Roger was too firm in his sentence to give Asleena a warning.

There was no chance Asleena could persuade Roger anymore. The sentence that implied firmness made him unable to move on to say anything else.

Finally Asleena could only sigh resignedly.

"Alright, alright."

Roger's car stopped in front of Halmey's house. Asleena checked the watch on her wrist, it was already eight in the evening. How could Asleena and Roger who just talked about how tomorrow was planned to spend hours like this?

"The day goes too fast," Asleena muttered as she sighed softly.

In the driver's seat, Roger was still holding the steering wheel. His forefinger tapped as he kept his gaze fixed forward.

"Ah, thank you, Roger. It seems that your invitation to move from place to place made us both not realize the time," Asleena continued again after making sure that nothing in her sling bag was left behind.

Only then did Roger turn his gaze to Asleena. He nodded his head.

"Yes, that is my job. Is Miss Asleena uncomfortable after I move around?" Roger asked, trying to be sure.

Asleena shook her head quickly. "No, I didn't mean that. After all you already paid for my food," he replied, giving a smile arc at the end of the sentence. "Next time, I'll treat you to some food too. We should have time for that."

Roger suddenly laughed at Asleena's words and at the same time witnessed Asleena's clumsy demeanor. Even so, Roger only nodded again formally. After all, Asleena was still someone who held a rank above her.

"I'm going in. Oh, you want to meet my aunt? I doubt you don't know her." Asleena didn't really expect Roger to enter Halmey's house.

Now, it's really tiring.

"No need, Miss Asleena. I didn't want to disturb your rest," Roger replied as if he understood what Asleena wanted.

On the other hand, Asleena secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He gave a small smile as he nodded goodbye, then Asleena got out of Roger's car.

Roger's car did not leave the driveway before Asleena had actually entered the grounds. When Asleena was standing in front of the house, she waved at Roger's car until she was answered with a horn.

There was silence after Roger's car engine was no longer heard. Roger's car was already out of sight. Asleena just wanted to open the door, but suddenly this door was opened from inside the house.

"Asleena!" Halmey's figure appeared who immediately slipped out of the door. Halmey held Asleena's arm until Asleena was startled. "Where have you been? Who did you go with just now?!"

Asleena was still flabbergasted for a few seconds from the shock. He didn't understand at all why Halmey's face and the way he spoke sounded frantic.

As if something worrying was going on.

"What's wrong, Miss?" Asleena asked in an almost low voice.

Halmey glanced back at the inside of the house, then turned back to Asleena.

"You...should have known that he was coming. Why didn't you tell—"

"Is Asleena here yet?" Suddenly someone's voice interrupted Halmey and Asleena's conversation. The door opened, Benny's figure appeared showing a firm jaw line and a sharp gaze.

Of course Asleena couldn't help being shocked. He couldn't believe that Benny was in his house, tonight, without a purpose and no notification to him!

"You?" Asleena pointed at Benny without hesitation.

Halmey immediately lowered Asleena's finger from Benny's face. The woman, for some reason, even smiled awkwardly at Benny as if apologizing. Very weird.

"Yes, I came to your house, but apparently you weren't home. I have been waiting for you for three hours to cancel an important meeting at the office."

Truly, Asleena had no idea what she had done wrong until Benny showed disapproval. Wasn't Benny the one who suddenly left him at the restaurant earlier? Then why did Benny show up at his house again, and now he's angry with Asleena?

"Why are you looking at me with a face like that?" Asleena asked, protesting back. "You were the one who left me at the restaurant earlier. Then, now, why are you suddenly here?"

"Asleena," Halmey says in a soft hiss. "Don't say that to Benny. He's worried about you."

Asleena didn't want to take Halmey's words too seriously. After all, why is Halmey even more inclined towards Benny?

"I came back about twenty minutes after I left the restaurant. I called your cellphone but it was off," Benny explained in a calm voice and face. That was in stark contrast to Benny's attitude a few hours ago at the restaurant.

Finally Asleena couldn't hold back her cynical laugh. Just about to answer, Halmey already cut in first.

"How about we talk inside? It's late. Asleena also just got home." Halmey gave Asleena a head nod, inviting her into the house.

With piercing eyes on Benny, Asleena stepped right in. Passing Benny, who whether intentionally or not even smiled a little. This annoying guy was actually making fun of her!

Asleena was now sitting on the couch and putting down her sling bag. Halmey didn't sit in the living room because it gave space for Asleena and Benny to talk alone.

"So why did you even come here?" asked Asleena who immediately pointed at Benny.

Benny was silent for a moment. During that time, he just sat back while putting one leg on the other thigh. Benny's eyes fixed straight on Asleena with a small smile—a very, very pretentious one.

"Did you just come with another man?" Benny asked back.

"It's none of your business," Asleena replied.

"That's of course my business since you're going to marry me."

Hearing that, Asleena laughed sarcastically. "Are you going to say that you forbade me to go out with other men?"

"Are there any men who don't forbid their girlfriends from going out with other men?"

"Are you my lover?" Gotcha! Asleena immediately smirked after asking her question. He was really irritated by Benny's pretentiousness.

Benny couldn't answer Asleena's last question. As a result, Benny looks awkward. But that only lasted a few moments.

"It's true that I'm not your girlfriend, but I'm going to be your husband. Listen..." Benny paused for a split second as his sitting position leaned slightly forward. "Asleena, you can't make anyone doubt our marriage. If you—"

"Yes, yes. You'd say, 'If you go out with another man, how will those who know we're married feel like?' That's it, right?" Asleena could already guess.

Benny was silent for a few moments, again. He just realized that he was dealing with a stubborn woman.

"Why can't you be compromised?" complained Benny, shaking his head.

Asleena just shrugged her shoulders, indifferent. "I can. But you have too many rules. I just..."

Benny's eyebrows shot up as Asleena's words suddenly stopped.

"What?"

"Just..." Asleena considered whether she should tell the truth or not. "The point is, you don't need to forbid me from going out with the guy I went with just now. He's an important person. There's no way—"

"All right, all right. Let's just say I forgive you tonight." Benny was not in the mood to continue the debate any longer. "But this is a serious warning from me if you go out with other men."

"Wow!" Asleena laughed and looked away in annoyance. "Other men? What do you think I look like?"

Benny didn't answer. But at that time, her eyes glanced inadvertently towards the road leading to a deeper room in this house. There was a silhouette of a person standing behind the wall, as if trying to hear their conversation.

Without Benny asking, he already suspected that Asleena's aunt was eavesdropping on their conversation. For some reason, since the meeting a few hours ago, from the woman's attitude, Benny felt a very strange feeling.

Then Benny straightened his sitting position without moving his gaze from where the silhouette was.

"Okay. Because I really love you..." Benny deliberately raised his tone. He stood up from his seat and walked over to Asleena.

'What's wrong with him?' Asleena thought as she noticed Benny's movement.

Suddenly Benny sat beside Asleena and embraced her without warning. At that moment, she was so surprised, Asleena almost struggled away and punched her.

Luckily, Benny swiftly held Asleena's hand. Then the man pulled Asleena closer and now wrapped his arms around Asleena's waist.

"Ssstt. Don't resist this time, please. I realized that your aunt was eavesdropping on our conversation," Benny whispered right in Asleena's ear.

Asleena tensed. He didn't know what the reason for his heartbeat reaction was now. Was it because of Benny's voice that felt as if it was tickling his ear, the notification that his aunt was eavesdropping on the conversation—that was a strange thing, or the closeness between him and Benny now.

"Somehow I feel there is something odd about your aunt," whispered Benny again.

Unlucky. Why does Benny's voice sound sensual?

"Can we pretend we love each other now? We don't know what your aunt's intentions are," Benny continued as his grip on Asleena's waist tightened.

Asleena's whole body froze and she didn't know why Benny sounded so sexy now.

Asleena shouldn't have taken the reaction of her heart palpitations too seriously.

Too bad, this is really annoying. When Benny instead tightened his grip on Asleena's waist when Halmey approached them, Asleena couldn't say anything at all.

Halmey placed two drinks on the table at the same time sliding the tins of biscuits over to Benny. As if inviting Benny to eat the food.

"Wow, it looks like your conversation is very serious. Is there a problem?" asked Halmey who looked curious.

Actually Asleena didn't really care about Halmey's odd gesture right now. But it was really awkward for him to realize how far apart he and Benny were.

'Why does Benny always have to hold my waist like this?' thought Asleena.

"No problem whatsoever, Mrs. Halmey. It's just that... I was discussing something with Asleena," Benny replied, glancing at Asleena at the end of his sentence.

At that moment Asleena realized that there was an implied code from Benny's gaze. But Asleena couldn't process what code the man next to her was giving. So, the two of them just glared at each other the whole time trying to cast the code.

In the end, Benny, who was annoyed with Asleena, took a deep breath. He turned his gaze to Halmey.

"Actually, enough of the conversation between me and Asleena, Mrs. Halmey. I'm going home now," said Benny, ignoring Asleena who was still questioning: what was the implied code he gave earlier?

Asleena couldn't protest. Even though he didn't understand Benny's code, he knew he had to keep his gestures in front of Halmey. Asleena smiled awkwardly at Halmey, then pulled Benny's jacket at the waist to make her closer.

Asleena quickly, in a feigned goodbye hug, whispered in Benny's ear, "If your actions are this confusing the next day, I'll kill you."

Benny was a bit stunned to hear Asleena's words. While Asleena backed her face from beside Benny's ear followed by releasing the hug.

Asleena chuckled as Benny looked at her dumbfounded.

"Fine. You just go home, it's already late, you'll be tired later. I'm sorry I scolded you earlier." Asleena deliberately pouted and held Benny's cheeks, occasionally shaking him from side to side.

The more shocked the reaction on Benny's face when Asleena acted like this. Benny understood that Asleena was only playing. But somehow Asleena's skit is.... grrr, so over the top!

While Asleena's gaze to Benny at that time seemed to say: This is the play you want, right, you idiot?! Feel it!

Benny immediately chuckled awkwardly as he removed Asleena's hand from his face. He held back his anger if only Halmey wasn't in front of the two of them. But even so, the glare in his eyes already showed his anger.

"Wow, I don't mind that. Besides, it turns out that the woman I'm betrothed to is a girl... how cute." Benny put emphasis on the word 'very sweet' he said.

Asleena only curved a threatening smile. As if he wanted to get back at Benny, but not right away.

"I'll call you tomorrow. Are you busy?" asked Benny before standing up.

Asleena nodded. "I start work at the company tomorrow."

Benny frowned. "Work?" he asked, to which Asleena nodded her head. Then Benny took a deep breath. "Fine. You can call me after work tomorrow."

Huh? Asleena was confused by Benny's reaction, who didn't question where he was going to work.

After their brief conversation, Benny finally stood up from the sofa. Benny bowed briefly to Halmey as a goodbye gesture.

Halmey and Asleena stood up too. Halmey laughed awkwardly.

"All right, be careful on your way. I'm sorry for Asleena's attitude earlier which might not be pleasant to your heart," Halmey explained.

Asleena frowned suspiciously at Halmey who instead acted sweet to Benny. What's wrong with the aunt?

"Auntie...shouldn't have to bring that up again," Asleena said. "Besides, Benny couldn't take it too deep to heart about what I did earlier, right?"

Benny nodded, even though he was really furious with Asleena. As a result, not wanting to prolong the problem, Benny really said goodbye. He stepped out followed by Halmey and Asleena.

It wasn't until Benny's car had disappeared from Halmey's area, then Halmey brought Asleena inside. After closing the door to the house, Halmey looked at Asleena as if she had just made a terrible mistake.

"You! What did you do to Benny?" Halmey demanded, pointing at Asleena.

Of course Asleena was confused about how to answer. Why was Halmey suddenly acting angry at him like this?

Halmey's face really showed the lines of anger. He looks like he just got tired of being a kid.

"You shouldn't act like that with Benny!" Halmey's tone rose, a far contrast from the tone he had when he was in front of Benny.

Asleena was taken aback by Halmey's snap. For a moment, he was silent to digest what his mistake.

"Don't you know that he is an important person for your father's mission?" Halmey asked in a sensitive tone. "If you keep acting like that towards him, and he wants nothing to do with you, how will you manage to complete your father's orders?"

For a moment Asleena couldn't move. Again Halmey brought 'orders' from Joshua—his father. Asleena felt like she was being cornered.

"Okay Auntie. I really do realize my mistake." Asleena chose not to prolong the subject with Halmey.

After Asleena said that, the angry frown on Halmey's face slowly relaxed. Halmey stopped talking for a moment, seemingly controlling his anger first, then shook his head.

"I don't understand why your actions are so uncontrollable. Like a child."

Asleena was actually a little offended. Only a few. Because he didn't feel like he made a big mistake, but Halmey blamed him like this. Was there a need for Halmey to act this way towards him?

"Fine. Luckily he didn't mind that. Because of your attitude, he might not be comfortable staying here for long."

'No, Benny didn't decide to leave for that reason.' Asleena argued in her heart. Remember what Benny said earlier.

"Your aunt is eavesdropping on our conversation, so we have to act."

That was more or less what Asleena remembered.

Benny realized that Halmey was peeking at their conversation. Obviously something is up. Asleena didn't know why Halmey was so eager to know what her and Benny's conversation was. But on second thought, Halmey's actions had something to do with his cornering Asleena.

What exactly does Halmey want to know?

"You rest there first. I'm also tired, want to rest." Then, Halmey walked away from Asleena's presence.

Until Halmey disappeared around the corner and heard the sound of the bedroom door slamming shut, Asleena remained silent. Everything that happened today was so confusing—and it felt like Asleena's life hadn't gotten any simpler since that day's accident.

Asleena let out a shaky breath. His chest suddenly congested remembering his parents.

'Dad, Mom, I really wish you were here with me right now,' Asleena complained to herself.

Asleena stepped towards the couch and threw herself down. Just as he was taking his cellphone out of his bag, suddenly a notification sound on his cellphone sounded.

Asleena read the message display that appeared on the pop up notification.

[Benny—CEO Sucks]

'Are you okay?'

Asleena's brows furrowed reading this message. Why is Benny's question like this?