Darwin and Veronica are back in Indonesia. After taking a whole day to rest, they decided to get back to work and regular activities this morning.
Since their relationship has improved a lot, having breakfast together this morning was pretty chill, peaceful, and under control. They even seem to have no problem commuting to work together anymore.
Before this, they used to carpool but chose to stay silent. But it’s quite different this morning. Darwin and Veronica appear comfortable, even chatting with each other. Their conversation is dominated by work-related stuff.
You could say that spending a few days together in Malaysia helped build a bit of chemistry between them. Yeah, even though it’s just a little, it’s enough to make them feel at ease with each other.
“When I’m done correcting the files from last night, I’ll just take them to the room so they can be signed right away. The sooner it’s done, the better,” Darwin says as he and Veronica are on their way to their respective workspaces.
“Alright, I’ll tidy up my room first when we get there. Then I’ll bring them to your room.”
While Veronica goes into her room first, Darwin continues walking. When he reaches his own office door, his dark eyes catch sight of Randy and Kennedy. He’s not sure why his two cousins are at the office so early in the morning.
“What are you both doing here so early in the morning?” Darwin asks, glancing briefly at his cousin, then continuing into his office.
Kennedy and Randy stand up in sync. They follow, entering the room as well. Without much talk and without needing an invitation, they pull chairs right in front of Darwin’s desk and take a seat.
“No biggie. Just missed you and wanted to see you,” Randy jokes casually.
“Ew!”
Randy bursts into laughter. Meanwhile, Kennedy can only shake his head at Darwin’s lazy expression.
“We have a meeting scheduled in this area in an hour,” Kennedy explains. He’s the one clarifying why they showed up at Darwin’s office so early. “Since the start time is still a while away, and instead of waiting around at the location, Randy and I decided to drop by here to check on you.”
“I’m all good, Ken,” Darwin responds while flipping through one of the files on his desk. His focus seems divided, alternating between paying attention to Kennedy and Randy and occasionally checking the work in front of him.
“How was the business trip to Malaysia? Smooth? Did you reach the collaboration stage?” Kennedy asks curiously.
Darwin nods. He then shifts his gaze towards Kennedy.
“So far, so good. The project went smoothly. It’s been approved too. It’s starting operations at the beginning of the month. If everything goes as planned, the Infinix Group will make a significant profit. And I’m confident that this major project could pave the way for Infinix Group to secure other prestigious projects.”
Darwin appears enthusiastic as he explains about his work. He’s happy to share his achievements with his two cousins.
In the Walters family, Kennedy is known for having exceptional business skills. Because of this, Darwin has long been trying his best to prove to the extended family that he’s also competent and dependable.
“I hope that after this, you’ll get another big project to handle. Right now, you’re collaborating with an external company. This is an incredible achievement, Win.”
Darwin nods in agreement.
“But, I can’t deny it. I also got this project because of Veronica’s dad’s involvement. His connections are truly remarkable. They even extend internationally.”
“Well then, you should learn and follow in his footsteps to build connections that reach beyond. Who knows, this way, you might expand and broaden your business scope.” Kennedy enthusiastically offers his input.
“So, how’s your relationship with Veronica?”
Instead of discussing work matters, Randy, Darwin’s most eccentric cousin, chimes in. He throws a question that’s clearly out of topic.
“Why are you asking about Veronica?” Darwin retorts, narrowing his eyes.
“Well, as far as I know, you went to Malaysia together, right? I just want to know how things are going with your beautiful wife.”
“Our relationship is fine,” Darwin replies nonchalantly.
“Just that?”
Darwin nods.
“What were you hoping I’d say?”
“Just spill the beans, man. Did you guys make up or something? Who knows, you might secretly be comfortable around each other now.”
“Calling it comfortable might be a stretch,” Darwin counters. “It’s more about respecting each other.”
“Did you share a room yet?” Randy probes. He knows well that ever since Darwin officially got married, he’s intentionally kept a distance by not sharing a room with his wife. It’s kind of foolish. Whatever’s on Darwin’s mind, instead of happily sharing a room with a beautiful woman, he’s placed boundaries and even deliberately avoided it, using the excuse of being faithful to his girlfriend, Vivian.
“Well, in Malaysia, Veronica and I did share a room yesterday. What can you do? Papa Damian was there. It wouldn’t make sense for both of us to book separate rooms.”
Randy’s smile widens. He winks flirtatiously, even leaning his face forward to prompt his cousin for a more detailed explanation.
“Oh, come on! Already sleeping in the same room? Made love yet, or not?” Randy playfully teases with a suggestive tone. This question catches Darwin off guard and makes him feel awkward.
“What the heck? Making love and all. Come on, there’s no way I’d be doing anything like that with Veronica,” Darwin openly rebuts. Despite having the right to do so since Veronica is his lawful wife, he didn’t even think about it during their time sharing a room in Malaysia.
“Ah, what a waste!” Randy teases intentionally. “You’ve got a gem ready to be touched in a halal way, and you’re just letting it go to waste like that.”
“Well, I never liked Veronica from the start, Ran. There’s no way I’d be doing anything like making love with someone I don’t love.”
“Come on, just give it a shot. Who knows, after trying it, your opinion might change from not liking her to actually liking her. Lots of couples have experienced that,” Randy says without hesitation. It’s as if he sees making love as something to experiment with – try it, like it, continue; don’t like it, move on.
“Nonsense!” Kennedy playfully swats at Randy. “Veronica is a woman, Ran. You can’t just casually try stuff like that.”
Randy responds with a dismissive click of his tongue.
“Hey, you were the same way at first, right? Look at you and Luna. After finally getting her completely, you felt like you didn’t want to lose her, right? Who knows, after Darwin tries the same thing, he might end up liking her or even falling in love.”
“Totally different cases, Marimar,” Kennedy retorts annoyed. “Back then, Luna and I did it because we were already in love with each other. Not like Darwin, who you’re telling to experiment with it. Making love casually like that is just messed up!”
“Instead of letting your beautiful wife be experimented with by someone else, maybe her handsome ex-boyfriend?” Randy asks, his expression one of deep contemplation.
“Sean?” Kennedy responds.
“Yeah! Him,” Randy nods. “Isn’t it better for Darwin to experience Veronica rather than Sean? After all, Darwin’s her legal husband. He has a definite right.” Then Randy’s gaze shifts to Darwin. He looks intently and raises one eyebrow. “Are you really okay with your gorgeous wife being tried out by someone else? Even her past lover.”
Darwin stays silent for a moment. Taking a deep breath, he responds.
“If they do anything after we part ways, that’s up to Veronica. I have no say in it, Ran,” Darwin responds without hesitation. With no love involved, he doesn’t care about what Veronica might do in the future. He’s not interested in meddling with her privacy.
“What if she does it while still being your wife?”
Darwin immediately shakes his head repeatedly.
“No way. That’s impossible, Ran,” he confidently rebuts. “I don’t know why, but I believe Veronica is a good person. She wouldn’t do something like that.”
“You never know,” Randy counters, not backing down. “Who’s to say she isn’t secretly involved with Sean? You both work in the same office now, right? Can you really guarantee that nothing is happening between them? Especially considering they used to be in love?”
For the love of all things, Randy seems ecstatic to provoke his cousin. He purposefully pushes Darwin to overthink, and true to his word, Darwin is now indeed consumed by those thoughts.
***