Friday, as Altezza had planned earlier, the man picked up Adaline from her mother's house. He openly stated that he would take Adaline to a family event in Kansas City and introduce her to all his family members. The reason was simple: so that Adaline wouldn't have to visit his family one by one. However, Adaline herself didn't know what the 'Family Event' the man mentioned actually was.
The journey from Manhattan to Kansas didn't take long under normal circumstances. However, as it was approaching the weekend and coincidentally at the end of the month-when some banking employees in Indonesia received their salaries and seemed to choose to go home to their hometowns-there was a considerable traffic jam.
Adaline was already tired and extremely sleepy as she hadn't slept well due to panic throughout the night. How could she not be worried? She was still apprehensive about the reception from the family of her 'prospective husband.'
Stories from Korean dramas and soap operas often seen by her mother and aunt haunted her mind. Stories about the wealthy prospective in-laws treating their less fortunate future sons- or daughters-in-law poorly.
'What if they don't like me? What if they act arrogantly towards me? Insulting my parents?' All these negative thoughts took turns occupying her mind.
Just imagine, from his name alone, everyone knew that Altezza was from one of the successful immigrant families in Indonesia. The Quirino name itself was renowned in the construction world. Their businesses were everywhere. And Altezza, despite his current position only as the Vice CEO, was still the sole heir to his father's fortune in the hospitality industry.
Yes, Antony Quirino, Altezza's cousin, who served as the CEO, was the heir to the Coskun Company, a construction company. Meanwhile, Altezza's father, who was Antony's uncle, owned Quirino Ev, a prestigious five-star hotel chain with numerous branches.
As for Altezza himself, although only a few people knew, he was an architect with extraordinary skills and popularity in the construction world. Even purchasing one of his designs could cost hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. Yes, not in Indonesian rupiah but in dollars.
Can you imagine how wealthy that man was?
And now Adaline is going to be introduced to his family? Someone like her, meeting the top executives of the company. Oh, Adaline knows what Sir Arthur and Sir Antony look like. Both have extraordinarily handsome and captivating faces. But you should know that they are people who rarely smile. Always showing a cold expression, so at first glance, people might think they are arrogant, cruel, and stern.
And what if they don't like her? What about the Quirino family women? What if they look down on her because she's nobody? Uneducated and not from an upper-class background like them? Can Adaline endure and continue her agreement with Altezza?
Adaline steals a glance at Altezza who is focused on the road. Yes, so far Altezza is the only Quirino who doesn't display a cold face. Adaline wonders if Altezza's parents will be as approachable as him.
The man has a friendly expression, even seeming mischievous. Because this boss is known for being warm-hearted. Rarely angry and never harsh.
But don't be mistaken; as the saying goes, still waters run deep, but when hit by a storm, it will surely drown. The same goes for people who always appear friendly. When they get angry, they are usually more terrifying than those who are stern every day.
Adaline bites her thumbnail while looking out the window. The glittering lights adorn the streets they pass. The closer the distance they cover, the more her feelings press on her.
Altezza glances at his watch. It's almost eleven fifteen. Quite a bit of time spent in the midst of traffic throughout the journey. Even on the toll road, there was still congestion. He glances at Adaline, who is already sound asleep.
'Poor thing, she must be feeling stressed about being introduced to my family,' thinks Altezza in his heart.
Altezza admits that he observed Adaline throughout the journey. How she seemed to be talking to herself and wrestling with her thoughts, which he couldn't fathom. All Altezza knows is that he often hears her exhale a held breath. Shaking her head slowly, as if dispelling evil thoughts. And not to forget, her habit of biting her thumbnail every time she feels pressured and panicked.
Even when Altezza stopped at the rest area to buy drinks and adjust her sleeping position, she remained completely unaware. 'Forgive me, Adaline,' Altezza apologizes silently in his heart.
Altezza parks his car in the dedicated apartment user parking lot. Yes, he has a private apartment that he intentionally bought for his own needs. It's not that he dislikes staying at his aunt's house every time he has business in Kansas, but as an adult, he values his privacy. Just as he doesn't want his privacy disturbed, he also respects the privacy of others. Even though Antony's parents are his closest family, he still desires some personal space.
Altezza puts his phone in his pocket and steps out of the car. He opens the passenger door, unfastens the seatbelt securing Adaline's body, and gently lifts her petite form out of the car. It feels like lifting Flavia, his niece. Perhaps petite girls just have a lightweight body. Jovanka is also like that.
'Jovanka?' Why does that name suddenly appear in his mind? Altezza lowers his head and looks at the small face in his lap. 'Adaline and Jovanka.' Not only their personalities but also their body shapes are vastly different. What surprises Altezza is his feelings towards his ex-wife.
Since when did he truly forget about his ex-wife? Was it when he decided to find a surrogate mother for his child? Or when he finally found Adaline to be the surrogate mother for his offspring? Altezza doesn't want to dwell on it any longer. They have arrived on the floor where his apartment is located. Adaline's body in his arms doesn't complicate matters as he unlocks his apartment automatically. His foot nudges the door until it closes with a soft thud. The only illumination in the room is the twinkling lights outside.
He walked into the only bedroom in the apartment and laid Adaline on the large bed. Altezza turned on the bedside lamp, not for any particular reason, just to ensure that Adaline wouldn't panic when she woke up. Without turning on the AC, he left her and returned to the parking area to retrieve their belongings from the car.