"Nduk… what should we do?"Pak Samsul stood trembling beside his only daughter. It wasn't just him—Galuh was far more frightened. This time, Baron had brought many more men than the night before. Their bodies were bigger, more muscular, and from the way they stood, it was clear—they were skilled fighters.
"I think we have no choice but to trust Mas Wildan, Father," Galuh said quietly. "After all, this happened because of Father too. If you hadn't borrowed money from him, none of this would have happened."
Pak Samsul fell silent. He could no longer argue—because Galuh was right.
"Where is that handsome young man from last night?" Baron barked impatiently, his eyes bulging. "It's already eleven. Hasn't he come yet? Or did he just give you false hope?"The sneer on his scarred face was infuriating.
Moments later, a black sedan stopped right in front of Pak Samsul's yard. Baron and his men turned their attention to the car, trying to guess who had arrived.
"Could that be Wildan, Nduk?" Pak Samsul whispered.
Galuh didn't answer. She stared at the car with quiet hope burning in her chest.
The rear door opened. A man stepped out—the same man she had met the night before.Wildan. Dressed in a cream-colored shirt and light brown trousers, he carried himself with calm authority. His firm expression radiated the charisma of a leader. Only now did Galuh realize—he looked far more handsome than he had last night.
"Thank God… Wildan has come," Pak Samsul murmured. Relief flickered across both his and Galuh's faces. Baron, however, looked uneasy.
Arya stepped out from the driver's seat, his face etched with concern, following closely behind Wildan in his black suit.
"Well, well… our young hero has returned," Baron said cautiously, signaling his men to stay alert.
"So many people today, Pak Baron?" Wildan replied lightly, smiling.
"Wait!" Galuh suddenly stepped forward. "I haven't made any agreement with you yet, Pak Wildan—uh—Mas Wildan."
Wildan raised an eyebrow. "And?"
"You didn't have to come. My father and I could've handled this ourselves."
"How arrogant," Baron scoffed. "If that were true, why didn't we settle this earlier? Do you even have the money to pay your father's one hundred million debt?"
Galuh fell silent. Her fingers clenched the hem of her pink shirt. She bit her lip, holding back words she couldn't afford to say.
Seeing her tension, Wildan felt a pang in his chest.
"Sit with your father," he whispered near Galuh. "Let me handle this."
She froze for a moment, then obeyed.
"That's better," Baron sneered. "Bagong, get a chair for our handsome guest."
A chair was placed in front of Wildan. Baron wiped it with his hand exaggeratedly.
"Afraid it's dirty, young man," he said mockingly.
"Thank you," Wildan replied calmly, sitting down. "How are you feeling, Pak Samsul?"
"Alhamdulillah… I'm fine. Thank you, Nak Wildan."
"Good."Wildan sat upright, hands resting calmly on his knees."So, Pak Baron—about my request last night?"
Baron gestured for a large ledger. Wildan skimmed through it swiftly, then handed it to Arya.
"Please check it carefully. Any fraud—note it."
"Yes, sir."
"Is everything calculated correctly, Pak Baron?"
"Of course. I double-checked it this morning."
"So?"
"The total debt is one hundred million."
"One hundred million?!""That's nonsense!"
Baron glared at Galuh. His men grabbed her arms, stopping her from stepping forward.
"Don't hurt her," Baron snapped when Wildan stood abruptly.
They released her.
"If I were cruel, your father would owe one hundred fifty million," Baron snarled. "I was generous enough not to count the interest."
"Are you sure your calculations are clean?" Wildan asked calmly.
Baron hesitated. Then he produced a plastic bag filled with stamped documents.
"These are signed agreements. Surely you understand."
Wildan examined them, then passed them to Arya.
"Are these legally valid?"
"Give me fifteen minutes."
"Good."
Wildan turned to Baron."I will settle Pak Samsul's debt."
Baron laughed triumphantly—until—
"But nothing will be easy."
Confusion crept across Baron's face.
"There's an agreement you must sign," Wildan continued. "Pak Arya is not only my assistant—he's also a lawyer for Candrabuana Group."
"And…?"
"If you violate this agreement, you will be blacklisted from this city."
"Meaning?"
"You will be forced to retire from this profession."
"And?"
"Prison awaits you. At least five years."
Baron's face drained of color. His hands trembled.
Arya finished checking the documents.
"There are multiple discrepancies," Arya said calmly. "Enough to take this to court."
Baron stared in disbelief.
"So," Wildan said evenly, "I will pay the debt—but only the principal."
"You're cheating me!" Baron roared.
Wildan laughed softly. A dimple appeared on his cheek.Galuh watched him in awe—her heart stolen without her realizing it.
"Should I return that accusation to you, Pak Baron?" Wildan asked coolly."Who's really cheating whom here?"
Baron clenched his fists. His men stepped forward.
"Shall I stand?" Wildan asked, rising slowly.
Baron stepped back instinctively.
"If I refuse to sign?"
Wildan glanced at Arya."He'll make a call."
"Wait—!"
"Sixty million!" Baron shouted.
"Deal."Wildan snapped his fingers, smiling.
The contract was signed.Baron slumped, defeated.
When the men finally left, silence fell.
"Thank you… thank you so much, Nak Wildan."Pak Samsul suddenly dropped to his knees before him.
Wildan froze in shock.
***
"Father!" Galuh called out, her emotions colliding all at once—gratitude mixed with deep anguish over her father's excessive humility.
"Please don't do this, Sir," Wildan said, uncomfortable seeing Pak Samsul bowing so low. "Please stand up."
"No," Pak Samsul shook his head firmly. "I will not stand until you tell me how I can repay your kindness, Nak Wildan."
"Enough, Sir. Please don't do this. I truly wanted to help," Wildan said, the corner of his lips lifting—aware that his words did not entirely align with his true intentions.
"Just tell me what I must do for you, Nak Wildan. I will do anything. Anything at all."
Wildan glanced at Galuh, then at Arya, who still looked stunned by the unexpected turn of events.
"Father, please stand up," Galuh pleaded, her voice trembling. "Don't demean yourself like this."
"No, Nduk. I must repay his kindness so my heart can be at peace—should God take my life at any moment."
Wildan flinched at Pak Samsul's words. The situation mirrored his own reality far too closely. His father had spoken of limited time as well—and now he was forced to hear the same sentiment once again.
"Father… let Galuh speak to Pak Wil— I mean, Mas Wildan. Please wait inside."
"I won't," Pak Samsul insisted. "I want to hear it directly from him. Even if I must become his servant, I will do it willingly."
"Father!" Galuh raised her voice, shattered by the weight of the moment.
"I am not a man who forgets kindness, Nduk."
"I know, Father. But… please, not like this."
Wildan remained silent, staring at Pak Samsul who still knelt before him.
Understanding the gravity of the situation, Arya stepped in. He gently held Pak Samsul's shoulder, helping him stand—though it took effort.
"Please stand, Sir. Calm yourself. Give Pak Wildan a moment to speak."
Only then did Pak Samsul rise. Wildan stood as well, now facing him again. Pak Samsul reached for Wildan's hand, then hesitated and withdrew.
"Please give me an answer, Nak Wildan."
"Father—"
"Pak Arya," Wildan said calmly, "please escort Pak Samsul inside. I need to speak with Mbak Galuh."
Arya nodded and guided Pak Samsul into the house. Once they were out of sight, Galuh finally spoke.
"I don't agree with your intentions, Mas Wildan. But… I still thank you for your kindness."
"You're welcome," Wildan replied briefly.
"So I will work harder to repay my father's debt. Please give me time. I know you're not someone who struggles financially like I do."
Wildan turned away, suppressing a laugh.
Galuh frowned sharply. "Are you laughing at me?"
Wildan shook his head, though a faint smile lingered. "No. I'm not."
"Then what?" she snapped.
"It's just… strange hearing you say I don't need money."
"Isn't that true? You don't have to break your back working just to survive—let alone fall into debt."
"There's no such thing as someone who doesn't need money, Mbak Galuh."
She fell silent, eyes widening, lips pressed tight.
"So that assumption is completely wrong."
"I will repay it."
"Didn't we already agree?"
Galuh looked away. "I never agreed to anything. And I stand by my decision."
Wildan studied her quietly. He hadn't expected such courage from the girl who had looked so fragile the night before.
"I don't want to get married. For any reason."
Wildan sat down on the long bench across from her, gazing upward. The midday sun was harsh, but the thick vines overhead cast soothing shade.
Silence settled between them—broken only by distant traffic.
"One week," Wildan said softly at last.
Galuh gasped. "You want to turn marriage into a game?"
"What's the difference from a real marriage?"
"There's a clear difference, Mas. Marriage is sacred. It's not a game."
"I only need a private marriage."
Galuh jumped in shock. "You mean… unofficial?"
"Yes. I only need to marry in front of my father," Wildan said firmly. "But if you want it registered, Arya can arrange it."
Galuh laughed loudly. "This is ridiculous."
"No official bond—but there will still be a religious ceremony. So it's valid before God, but not before the law."
Her laughter grew louder as she slapped the table. "This is insane."
"I won't touch you. I'll make sure you remain exactly as you are."
She shook her head, still convinced he was joking.
"You'll be protected by a legal contract. You can sue me if I violate it."
"Don't get any crazier, Pak Wildan."
"The draft is already prepared—by Arya."
"So rich people really do treat others however they want."
"I'll consider your father's debt paid—and double it as proof of my sincerity."
Galuh froze.
"I'll give you twenty-four hours to decide. The sooner, the better."Wildan stood and signaled Arya. "Let's go."
Arya followed him obediently.
"I haven't decided anything yet!" Galuh shouted.
Wildan waved without turning back.
"That's nonsense!" she cried. "Listen to me!"
But the car was already moving—leaving Galuh standing there, exhaling deeply, her heart in turmoil.
***