ALDERANDA

Still Trapped

As previously suspected, it was Dera who woke up earlier. Even though she stayed up late last night, she still managed to get up early. After Dera got ready, she rushed to wake up her boss who was still engrossed in dreamland.
"Dera, hahh.. I overslept huh?"
"Almost, if I don't wake you up. But not yet."
"Thank you, honey."
"Yeah, you better get ready!"
"Ready madam."
While Nanda was taking a bath, Dera prepared everything, clothes and Nanda's needs for today.
"Nan, earlier I wanted to order breakfast from room service, but recently I got the news that CEO Adikara asked us to have breakfast together at this hotel before the meeting."
"Oh, I see. Okay, honey. After this, we can go down immediately," said Nanda, who was still buttoning his jacket.
They went downstairs, looking for the table that Mr. Tristan--CEO Adikara had chosen.
"Mr. Tristan said he was here?" asked Nanda to make sure.
"Yes Nan. He said he was here first. But where is the table? Shall I just try to contact him?"
"Wait a minute... Uh, there it is, Ra. Come on!"
Finally, Dera and Nanda met Mr. Tristan who was waiting for them. There was greeting each other between the three. Mr. Tristan asked about Nanda's condition. Dera said he was not feeling well yesterday and could not attend the meeting. Mr. Tristan's and Nanda's laughter suddenly stopped when someone appeared who would also join the breakfast this time.
"Sorry, I'm a bit late."
"Please, Mr. Al. Mr. Nanda and his secretary also just arrived a few minutes ago. Haven't started breakfast yet," said Mr. Tristan.
Nanda's gaze went to Al's gaze. Meanwhile, Dera, who was sitting between the two men, could only remain silent, somewhat nervous. The atmosphere started to feel hot.
They started ordering the menu. When Dera mentioned her order, Al spontaneously interrupted.
"Ehh wait, for her order, don't have a mixture of shrimp, okay? She's allergic," said Al to the waiter who took the order.
Hearing this, Nanda was immediately annoyed. He himself doesn't even know about allergies and what Dera can't eat because so far Dera has never told him. Mr. Tristan was even more confused. He also ventured to ask about Al, Dera, and Nanda, who seemed to have known each other for a long time to dispel his curiosity.
"Yes, Sir. Me and Dera were really close, we--" Al's response was halted.
"Dera just happened to be Mr. Al Putra Darmajaya's 'former' lover," interjected Nanda, emphasizing his tone when he said the word 'former'.
"Oh, now I understand. And now Miss Dera works as Mr. Nanda's secretary," said Mr. Tristan.
"At the same time she is my lover now, Sir," said Nanda firmly.
"Wow. Okay, it's clear now. Gosh, this early in the morning I've been treated to a love triangle drama," joked Mr. Tristan. "It's a coincidence that you have to be united in this contract. Yes, I hope that everything will go smoothly. There are no significant conflicts that can affect this cooperation."
"Of course Sir, in terms of business, the Armandito group will continue to uphold professionalism."
"The Darmajaya group must also do the same thing."
The cold war between Al and Nanda really disturbed Dera at this time. How could Dera be calm working with the two of them?

---

Breakfast is over. In one hour they will continue the meeting and work discussion at Adikara's office. Prior to that, Nanda expressed his complaints about Al when they briefly returned to the hotel room to prepare some files.
"Honey, I want to know everything about you that you have never told me about, like your allergies, food you like and don't like, whatever it is. I was so annoyed earlier, why did he have to tell you."
"Nanda, sorry.. But I never really told you because there wasn't a moment that I had to tell you about that all this time."
"I should be doing more detailed interviews about you, so I know everything."
"Not really, Nanda."
"Dera, okay like this, after our work is done, I want us to have q-time . Let's talk alone. You can tell me everything that I don't know about you. Can you, right?"
"Okay Nanda. Well, let's go now!"
Dera and Nanda's activities at the Adikara group company began. So far, work is going smoothly. Every now and then Nanda's attention was diverted to his secretary. He didn't want to be caught off guard, he didn't want his secretary's ex-boyfriend to act up again and look for opportunities. However, Nanda certainly couldn't keep an eye on Dera every minute. His focus also needed to discuss the project with Mr. Tristan.
When Dera arrived alone, Dera had just come from the kitchen office and was about to return to meet Nanda. However, she had to stop because she ran into Al.
"Hi, honey! Where are you from?"
"I-I'm from the kitchen. Sorry Al, I have to--"
Al made Dera even more clumsy. Al actually deliberately teases Dera by getting closer to Dera.
"Al, you... Please , I--ahh!"
Dera's back hit the barn door and they fell inside. Al and Dera fell to the warehouse floor with Al on top of Dera's body. The warehouse door was closed.
Their position made both of their hearts beat faster. There were just the two of them and the rhythm of two heartbeats mingling together.
"Ra.."
"Al, you--"
"I love you,"
Their lips started to meet.
However, a second later Dera tried to keep Al's face away from her. Maybe Dera remembered Nanda.
"Darling?"
"Al.. Wake up! I beg you to wake up, Al !!"
They got up and wiped the dust off the warehouse floor that had stuck to their clothes.
Dera wanted to rush out, but unfortunately the barn door could not be opened. They are locked inside.
"Gosh, why is this so hard to open! How about this?"
"Why, dear?"
"Al, the door won't open. How do we get out of here?"
"Really?"
Al tried to open the door, sure enough he couldn't get it open either.
"It really is."
"So we're really locked in here? Jeez, what now? HELP! ANYBODY OUTSIDE, PLEASE OPEN THE DOOR! THERE'S SOMEBODY HERE." shouted Dera while pounding on the door.
"Ra, what are you doing? Alright, calm down first. Later someone will pass by and open the door. We can definitely get out of here."
"Yes but when? How long shall we wait here?"
"Honey, maybe fate did this on purpose so we could be alone here first."
"AL! You don't have to start again."
Dera tried to check her cell phone.
"Gosh! No network."
"What do you want?"
"Call someone to open the door."
"Who? Do you want to call Nanda?"
"I don't want to stay here too long Al. Nanda will definitely look for me."
"Huh!"
"There's a window," Dera exclaimed as she headed towards the window. "Open, but how come it's so high! How are we going to get out of here?"
"Ra, what do you want? Hey, you'll fall!"
"Who knows there's a network nearby, Al."
"No, Dera!"
Al pulled Dera's hand and held Dera in his arms.
"I said no! What's wrong with you? What if you fall? I don't want you to get hurt."
"I just want--"
"What? Don't be reckless. No need to climb over the window. We'll get out of here, you just take it easy okay? Darling, you know I can't calm down if something happens to you."
Dera was silent hearing Al's concern for her. She gave up when Al hugged her tighter.
Their hugging session ended at the sound of the door opening. An office employee intends to check the warehouse.
"Finally, the door is open Al!"
"Apparently there were people inside. Sorry, the door is often jammed," said the employee.
Dera rushed out of the warehouse followed by Al who caught up with her.
"Dera wait!"
"What else, Al?"
They didn't realize that their debate in front of the warehouse was now witnessed by Nanda who happened to be passing in that direction at the same time.
"Dera.. Are you here? I was looking for you earlier, and he--"
"Nanda.."
The employee came out of the warehouse, "Excuse me, once again I apologize for the inconvenience. The warehouse door tends to jam."
"It means?" asked Nanda.
"Yes Sir, they were locked inside. Once again I'm sorry, come on." The employee left the three of them.
"Darling, you ... Together with him, locked inside? Since when?"
"Ehh maybe thirty minutes, Nan."
"Why? You didn't try to ask for help or contact me?"
"Enough Nan, but in the network--"
"Mr. Nanda Armandito! Why are you making such a big deal out of it? Relax, Dera and I haven't done anything. Or are you afraid that Dera will change her mind and prefer me? As it should be."
"Shut your mouth!" Nanda started to get emotional.
"Al, Nanda already.. You don't want to make a fuss in other people's offices, do you?" answer Dera.
Nanda left Al and Dera without another word. Dera knew what Nanda was thinking and how Nanda was feeling now.
"Ra.. Never mind."
"Al, I have to go after Nanda. He misunderstood."
"Just let it be. How important is it for you to explain it to him?"
"Al.. Now I'm with Nanda. As much as possible I have to take care of his feelings."
Dera left Al, she ran to catch up with Nanda's steps which were almost far away.
"Nanda! Nan, wait!"
Nanda didn't care about Dera's voice that kept calling him. His heart is still really disturbed now. He continued to walk out of Adikara's office.
Dera was almost tired and gave up. She was not strong enough to run after Nanda again. In her current position, Dera stood still and shouted once more.
"Nanda.. I beg you, I can't run after you anymore!"
Nanda stopped. He froze in his position now. To be honest, he couldn't bear it, he didn't want Dera to get tired just from chasing him.
Seeing that Nanda was no longer taking a step, Dera felt that she had a chance. She immediately walked quickly towards Nanda. Dera arrived before Nanda.
"Hahh.. Huh.. Thanks for stopping," Dera was still panting a bit. "Nanda, I hope you understand. Don't misunderstand me. I accidentally got locked in there with Al. I've been trying to call you, but inside my cell phone doesn't have any network. I didn't do anything to Al." Dera grabbed Nanda's hand.
"..."
"Sorry Nan, I know you're angry, you're annoyed, but I've been trying to get out of the warehouse, I almost even wanted to go through the warehouse window, but the height. I know you must be looking for me. I'm sorry, Nanda.. I--"
Nanda immediately embraced Dera so tightly.
"Honey, I can't possibly be angry with you for a long time. I just don't want to lose you. Don't stay away from me, OK?"
Their misunderstanding just disappeared. Nanda decided to invite Dera to have lunch outside the hotel. Instead, Dera recommended a roadside angkringan stall for them to have lunch. Even though he wasn't used to it, Nanda still followed Dera's wishes.
"Me too, Ra."
"Yes Nan, because the gudeg here is really delicious."
"You been here?"
"Once, during a high school outclass event in the past. Hehe.. But I used to come here at night."
"Oh yeah? Come on, let's find a place to sit."
They also got a place to sit down. After Dera ordered two servings of rice, they immediately enjoyed their lunch.
"Nan, I'm sorry if this makes you uncomfortable. You must be unusual, right?"
"Hey, it's okay honey. If it's for you and makes gudeg this delicious, I'm willing. You're right, this is really good. Let's just continue eating."
Dera smiled seeing Nanda liked the food.
After eating, they took a short walk. Around the road they took, many accessory vendors selling their wares. Nanda is interested in buying a pair of bracelets. He also put one of the bracelets on Dera's wrist.
"Nanda... you, we're not ABG anymore you know, this--"
"Husstt, let me. Don't take it off. Now, put one on me."
"Hmm, okay."
"Nice, isn't it? It's funny you know, a couple like this. Since I only met you after we grew up, it doesn't matter if we make our youth feel like our own, right? I wish I could have known you from the beginning."
"Really?"
"Yes, I won't get the title of ice cube singles for long."
"W-what? Singles--ice cubes??" Dera burst out laughing.
"Well, you're not laughing, are you?"
"After all... Haha, gosh it's okay, sorry-sorry . Besides you Nan, ohh so you've been cold towards people from the past huh? No wonder, ice cubes.. Hihihi."
"Ra.. You! Just keep going! It seems like you're the only secretary who can bully her own boss."
"Okay, sorry Mr. CEO, sorry. I'm just curious, how cold are you until you are called an ice cube, you are different from me."
"The problem is I can't be cold with the person I love the most, Miss!"

---

In the evening, Nanda went out of the hotel to meet Mr. Tristan and other business partners, including Al who was also there. They made a meeting at the same time to talk business casually. This time, Nanda did not invite Dera. Nanda thought it was too late and it would be better for Dera to rest at the hotel.
However, after the casual meeting had passed, Nanda's heart grew even more vulnerable when he heard Al's words.
"You better not be too confident, Nan."
"Al, I'm not interested in listening to your talk right now."
"Are you sure? I know you will change your mind if it's about Dera, about what I'm sure you don't know."
"..."
"Dera--she's still the same, my old Dera. Have you ever asked Dera what percentage she can forget me? She even still misses me."
"Come on Al, your bullshit doesn't matter."
"But that's a fact that I heard straight out of her lips. The word longing, even her opinion of you. You might make Dera feel safe, comfortable, protected, but fall in love... Nothing . "
"AL PUTRA DARMAJAYA!"
"Before you get angry with me, don't you want to hear the full story? Aren't you surprised why the contract award meeting took too long for Dera? It's not about the meeting, but just so you know, after that meeting she managed to spend time with me, and in there the longing is revealed."
"ENOUGH AL! I won't let you be in Dera's life again, never."
Nanda was so disappointed, why didn't Dera tell him anything at that time. Or maybe Dera deliberately covered it up from Nanda. Nanda returned to the hotel full of questions that he couldn't wait to throw at the owner of the answer--Dera.