3
Finally, I arrived home. It wasn't too late yet, only eight thirty.
"Mr. Sigit, please park my car in the inner lot again," I said, handing him the keys.
"Right away, miss," my security guard replied.
I went inside, and the door was opened by Sanah. She had been our housekeeper since my late mother was still alive, about fifteen years ago.
"Miss Dita, would you like to have dinner now?" she asked.
"No. I don't feel like eating. I just want to go straight to bed," I said as I climbed the stairs.
I collapsed onto my soft spring mattress and tried to close my eyes, but I couldn't sleep. Images of Chandra and Raisa happy together kept playing in my mind.
So this is what heartbreak and betrayal feel like? At twenty-five years old, I was experiencing it for the first time.
I am Dita Prameswari, the sole heir to a wealthy businessman. My mother passed away in an accident when I was ten years old, so my father was the only one by my side through the years. Even though he was busy, he never failed to give me his attention. I had grown up surrounded by wealth.
My father always gave me what I wanted, but he also made sure to teach me not to be arrogant. Thankfully, even though I was spoiled, I always tried to treat others with respect.
Father arranged my marriage to Chandra right after I graduated from college in America. I had lived abroad for years, but I never forgot my Eastern traditions. Even until I married, I had kept my honor intact.
When Father arranged my marriage to Chandra, I already had a boyfriend. He was a young man from Korea, and he had been my senior in college. We had been dating for over a year, but everything ended because of the arranged marriage. Besides, we came from different faiths.
Father said Chandra was the best man to make me happy in this life and the next. But now that things have turned out this way, I can't blame him. All of this is simply my fate.
I used to truly believe Chandra was a good man. He was polite and seemed to have no interest in my wealth.
Before we married, Chandra was just an ordinary employee at Father's company. He was known as an exemplary worker, honest, hardworking and devout. He came from a poor family; his father was a farmer.
Father had spoken about him often over the years, but after Chandra saved his life, Father became determined to make him my husband. Because Father kept insisting, I ended things with my boyfriend and agreed to the marriage. I didn't have feelings for Chandra back then.
Our wedding was held in grand style. Once we were officially married, Father promoted him to CEO of our company, taking my place because I wanted to focus on being a housewife. Father also gave him a Pajero as a gift.
Two years ago, when Father's health began to decline, we moved to Jombang. He wanted to spend his final days in his hometown, so Chandra had to commute between Jombang and Kediri every day for work. His behavior never changed; he always showed us his best side, leaving no room for doubt about his devotion.
Then a year ago, Father took his last breath. He asked to be buried here, next to my mother and his own parents. I became the sole heir to all his wealth after he passed away. But I wasn't ready to get involved in the business yet, so I entrusted Chandra with managing the company.
After three years of marriage, Allah has not yet blessed us with children. Perhaps we simply aren't ready to be parents yet. But it never seemed to bother my husband.
In this large house, I have two housekeepers, a personal driver, a gardener and two security guards who work in shifts. Bored with having nothing to do, I decided to start selling various tiered cakes and decorated puddings online a month ago. The results have been satisfying; it's nothing major, but it's decent enough. Chandra never found out about my online business.
In the end, this small venture of mine revealed Chandra's true nature behind my back. I never posted photos of myself or my family on the blue account I used for promotions, so it made sense that Raisa didn't know Chandra was my husband.
I eventually fell asleep, only to wake up when Chandra shook me awake.
"Honey, wake up. I brought what you asked for earlier," he said, handing me the items.
I was still half-asleep, and his arrival startled me.
"What time is it?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.
"It's midnight now. Oh, I almost forgot… here are the receipts you wanted. What will I do with you?" he said, gently pinching my cheek.
I immediately checked the items and the receipts. They were genuine, with an address from Malang. How was this possible? Did he really drive all the way to Malang just to buy these things for me?