Lisa returned to work as usual after spending the night with her husband Oscar. So far, no one in the office knew about their marriage except Dani and Andien. Karina didn’t know that Lisa and Oscar were married, she only knew that Oscar proposed to Lisa. Oscar promised Lisa that if her former half-sister dared to act up and spread unpleasant gossip about her, he would act to silence Karina.

Next week was Petersson Communications’ company anniversary. As usual, the company always held events at luxury hotels in commemoration of its anniversary. A tradition that had been maintained since Peter Petersson, Oscar’s father was still in office.

Every department head was obliged to report the company’s anniversary event to their employees. In the finance department room, Damar Mahendra, the head of the finance department who replaced Lisa a month ago, came and said, “Listen everyone! Next week is our company’s anniversary! As usual, the president invites us to celebrate at Parahyangan Resort!”

“I hope everyone can participate in the celebration of the Petersson Communications company anniversary!” Damar added. The man then distributed invitations to his subordinates.

Employees in the finance department, including Andien, were discussing something related to Petersson Communication’s birthday celebration.

“By the way, will the president director Oscar come along?” Asked an employee of the finance department.

“Ah, right, you are close friends with Lisa, right? Why don’t you just ask Lisa? Isn’t she the president’s secretary now?” Another female employee also asked.

Not far from where the employees were talking, Oscar walked through the corridor at the front of their room. Trailing behind him were a lot of female employees from other departments who then asked, “Mr. Oscar, won’t you come to this office’s anniversary?”

Andien looked at the crowd with curious eyes. She got up from her seat and tried to eavesdrop.

“That’s right. Mr. President Director? Can you come?”

Oscar ignored the superficial questions of the female, flirtatious employee who had followed him. He turned around and said, “Excuse me, I want to go back to my room. You guys go back to work or I’ll cut your salaries!”

Upon hearing Oscar’s cold and cruel sentence, the crowd of flirtatious and shameless employees immediately scattered back to their respective places.

“Oh my, our president director is so scary!” Shouted one of the coquettish employees.

“Uh, but it’s okay! He’s a foreigner and handsome too.” Another flirtatious employee replied.

***

When lunch time arrived, Andien and Lisa met and chatted while waiting for their food. The two friends had not spoken for a long time. Andien’s last meeting with Lisa was the day before Lisa and her family went to court. After that, Andien had not heard any other news apart from a message from Lisa about her marriage to Oscar.

While sipping her meatball broth, Andien asked, “Lis, won’t ‘that person’ come to the company anniversary next week?” She was very curious, her eyebrows knitted together, making her facial expression look very serious.

Lisa rolled her eyes and answered, “How am I supposed to know Ndien! The person doesn’t say anything to me about the company’s anniversary!”

“Isn’t he your husband!?”

“Hush, don’t be loud, Ndien! I’ll be caught again like that time!”

“Oh, will you? Sorry Sorry. But seriously you don’t know at all?”

“Yes, I don’t really understand! You know, even though I’m already married to him, he seems to be keeping a little distance from me. I also don’t dare to ask questions if it’s not important. But why are you asking if my husband will come or not?”

Andien brought her face closer to Lisa’s and then whispered, “I heard he said that the company anniversary event was taken from the sponsor’s money. That means there’ll be a lot of prizes for employees who participate right? The next week’s event will most likely have some kind of raffle or competition, Lis!”

“Then what does that have to do with my husband?”

“Yes, he is the president director and you are his wife, can you not tell your husband if one of the prizes is the newest CELL laptop? My laptop is really old, and not updating! Seriously, I’m still using an old brand laptop! Dang it!”

“Are you kidding me? You are crazy Ndien! I definitely can’t ask about the present from the president!” Lisa snorted at the request of her friend who had missed her.

“Come on, Lis, don’t you feel sorry to see that your best friend is still using an outdated laptop like this? Just use it for writing, it’s slow, I’m sorry!”

“Ndien, even though he’s my husband, I still don’t know how to talk to him! He’s so busy that it’s really hard to talk to him!”

“Well .. please, just ask please. It’s okay you don’t have to ask him to give it to me. I’m just trying to ask first hehe.” Andien smiled, her face slightly welded.

Seeing Andien’s face, Lisa had no other choice but to say yes to her request. Andien then jumped with joy when she heard it.

***

At night, Lisa returned to Oscar’s house. Her husband had not come home yet because he was still busy with work meetings with other companies. The woman then laid on the bed looking straight at the white ceiling of her bedroom. Her thoughts were floating. She then remembered Andien’s conversation in the office’s canteen this afternoon.

‘Do I have to ask Oscar about what prizes he has prepared for next week’s event?’ She contemplated.

Lisa then took her cell phone from the nightstand and made a call. Oscar surprisingly received the call! Lisa’s heart was a little pounding and then she ventured to ask, “Hello Oscar, are you still busy?” Her voice was soft. For a moment, Lisa thought that her actions were a little stupid.

‘Why am I asking Oscar if he’s busy or not? It’s clear that he’s busy as hell, idiot!’

Lisa patted her forehead. She felt anxious to hang up the phone and go to sleep. However, the man on the other side of the phone still received her calls.

“Yes, I’m still in meetings with other company officials. Why?” Oscar answered from across the line. His voice was very flat.

“Oh, it’s okay, I just want to say don’t get tired and get sick. It’s really late, the problem is, it’s not good for your health!” Lisa replied pleasantly.

“Don’t worry, I’m fine. You go to sleep first, don’t wait for me late at night!”

Lisa’s heart was pounding even more when she was about to ask her husband something. She took a deep breath and exhaled. With courage, she asked, “Oh before you hang up, I have something to ask you. I heard that the Petersson Communication is having an anniversary event next week?”

“Yes, is there a problem?” Oscar replied briefly.

“Ah no, it’s just that I heard that there would be a prize for the employee, huh?”

“Yes, why? Do you want a specific prize?”

Lisa did not have the heart to ask Oscar to prepare a gift for the laptop as requested by Andien that afternoon. She knew Oscar would definitely give her a laptop without having to enter the race on the company’s anniversary next week but Lisa still had her conscience.

Their conversation fell silent for a while. Oscar asked again, “So what prize do you want for next week’s race?”

“Oh no, I’m just asking if you will be participating in the company anniversary next week. Are you coming too?” Lisa shifted Oscar’s question. She really hesitated to ask for gifts from her husband.

“Of course I will! I’m the president of that company, have you forgotten?”

“I mean, will you participate in your own event’s race?”

“Haha, you want me to join the race? Okay, if that’s what you want, then the prize will be like usual huh?” Oscar answered from across. His voice was low and sensual.

“Oh well, I just wanted to ask that. Case closed, right? Good night, sorry to disturb your time.”

Lisa hung up the phone and put her cell phone on the nightstand.. She thought her conversation with her husband just now was really awkward and embarrassing.