C9 Nine
Riding the rolling waves that take Anna to the reef break in Kuta is the most fun thing when surfing. Especially when her feet control the board, she twists and turns, and her fingers touch the recesses of the waves until finally, the sea waves break against the rocks. She screamed with joy, feeling the adrenaline surge in her body every time the sea ripples chased her impatiently.
Her longing paid off after not visiting one of the best spots for surfing for a long time. However, the beaches on the west side of Bali are more tempting and challenging because many big waves will welcome her. However, Kuta will always leave an irreplaceable impression on those who have tried out the world of surfing for the first time.
Like Jake's kiss.
She shook her head violently, fighting off the memories that never ceased to fuel her passion. Even though the initial aim of surfing this time was so that Anna wouldn't have to remember Jake's kiss, now it turns out the image will always haunt her for who knows how long. She sneered, cursing her inner goddess for teasing her if Anna started to take an interest.
How could I like it because he kissed me? What crazy!
As a result, Anna climbed back onto her orange shortboard and positioned herself on her stomach while both hands paddled toward the middle of the sea. Not only her but many other tourists were waiting for the next wave. She turned her head when she saw an aftershock wave moving quickly from a distance of six meters from her position. Anna hurriedly prepared herself, paddling the board faster, feeling the small waves rocking back and forth.
When the shoulder of the wave came, she immediately popped up, then stood up with her knees bent. Her lips stretched in satisfaction, and her gaze remained focused forward to control where the board was going while holding out one arm for balance. For Anna, a big wave is like a lover who picks her up and can't wait to embrace her in her arms.
Anna's body leaned towards the board's tail while her left hand felt the water for a landing target for inner satisfaction. Anna bent her back slightly and twisted the board backward before the wave took her to the top. Anna stretched her arms, maintained her balance, bent her right knee lower, and stroked the waves that rolled down the hall. Like skateboarding, Anna's surfboard moves beautifully and captivates the eye.
"Woohoo!!!!" Anna shouted before the waves broke, leaving behind white foam.
Only here can Anna free herself from all the tension that holds her tightly. Struggling with the sea, letting go of all the problems or sadness that bind her. She could scream like a mad girl without shame while the sea ripples received joy instead.
Apart from the image of Jake's kiss, which always makes the blood flow, she is also hit by a dilemma at Barbara's request, followed by an unpleasant meeting with Milo and her mother's uncertain condition. It was not meant to give up on the situation that had hit Silawarti, but the doctor's explanation burdened Anna by saying that it was doubtful that her mother would come out of a coma.
She didn't want to be sad for too long. On the other hand, She couldn't bear it if Silawarti depended on these tools while Anna still needed a mother figure. Even though there is Balinese blood flowing in her body, her family never thinks of Anna as she should. They were reluctant to take care of Silawarti because the middle-aged woman had embarrassed the family.
Once upon a time, Anna shouted to her aunt and grandmother that her presence in this world was not her own will. No one could have predicted what happened to Silawarti and the man who was her father. Besides, is falling in love with a man a big sin?
"It's not wrong, love, Anna. But your mother can't look after herself out there," snapped her aunt, Made. "We thought she would attend high school and become a dignified woman again. But what? She didn't finish school; she came home pregnant. Which one is your father? It's not clear!"
Therefore, when Anna had enough money to leave her childhood village of Silawarti, which was located two kilometers from Jake's plantation, she chose to buy a house in Ungasan until an unfortunate incident happened to her mother.
"Mbok!" shouted a man from a boat waving his arms. "Are you coming back or not?"
(Miss)
Anna returned the wave and nodded. It's time for her to return to dust herself off and go on another adventure in the corners of Bali.
###
Dozens of pairs of eyes turned to the man wearing a formal suit when he stepped into the ballroom with a traditional Balinese concept but without losing its modern touch. Beautiful hanging crystal chandeliers radiate warm light; round tables covered with white tablecloths and ceramic vases filled with bright flower arrangements refresh the eyes. The chairs were filled with colleagues and Lagom officials to attend the inauguration of an Indonesian wine company listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange (BEI).
Jake greeted one of the narrow-eyed men, known to be one of Lagom's potential investors, inviting him to sit down while enjoying lunch. Then he walked to the front seat when a woman with short, shoulder-length hair greeted him politely. Jake nodded politely in response to the greeting; his thoughts focused on Anna's figure because their hairstyle was almost identical.
There was a strange feeling inside Jake for a moment, then it grew even more erratically and filled his stomach. It sparked something that tickled him and created a euphoria he didn't want to define as anything other than a friend. He looked down, seeing a classic platinum ring set with diamonds on his ring finger and a woman's name engraved. Jake stroked the object, hoping that the sensation would go away and not eat away at him from the inside.
Jake plans to release 678 million shares to the IPO for an initial stock offering. This amount is around a quarter of the capital paid up and placed in the company. Before the IPO, Jake owned 70 percent of the shares in Lagom and 30 percent of his fiancé's family.
After being given the mandate five years ago, Jake finally dared to list his company on the stock exchange to increase Lagom's funding capacity and improve governance. He is optimistic that his business prospects will grow, considering that from year to year, interest in wine from residents and tourists who visit Bali is increasing.
Apart from Lagom officials who came, there was also a director from a securities company who guaranteed the implementation of stock movements. Jake had time to chat, hoping many people would want to invest. Moreover, he is ambitious to spread Lagom's wings to South Korea and introduce its products so that enjoying wine doesn't need to dig deep into your pockets. There are many wine choices in Lagom that everyone can enjoy.
"Your idea is excellent, sir," said Amir - a man in a white shirt with a vertical pattern - praising Jake's mission.
"Thank You." Jake smiled sincerely, full of pride.
"Lagom can bring its color to the stock exchange because no similar company has been listed on the IDX. You are a pioneer."
"Mr Amir is exaggerating too much; I'm just taking advantage of the opportunity to improve Lagom. It's time for people abroad to know more about this wine. How come it goes back and forth to win competitions, but its distribution is limited to Southeast Asia and Australia?"
Amir chuckled, confirming Jake's words. "But don't you also have the Lagom center in Tuscany?"
"That's right, but under my father's management there. Tuscano and Lagom are at different levels. Tuscany is world-famous and has been around for decades since the First World War. Lagom must be the same as its older brother, sir."
"Good luck, sir, I support Lagom. I'm sure many investors will place their shares."
"Hopefully so."
###
After an important meeting in Uluwatu, Jake immediately drove to Sanur after being called by Barbara's bodyguard that his grandmother had just arrived home after being allowed to go home by the doctor. It wouldn't be Barbara if she didn't want to wait a long time to breathe in the atmosphere of Jake's residence rather than the hospital dominated by the smell of alcohol and pine. Even though she has a personal doctor and often has regular medical check-ups, Jake knows that his grandmother hates staying there for long.
Before that, the black Audi that Jake was driving stopped in front of a flower shop. He wanted to present his grandmother with a bouquet of peonies and pink roses. People say that peonies symbolize healing based on Greek mythology, where the disciple of the god of healing - Peon - was saved by Zeus. Therefore, Jake wants Barbara always to be blessed with health and the love of roses.
"How much does it cost," said Jake, receiving a large, beautiful bouquet that looked charming to the eye. Then he gave his black card to the cashier wearing Ana's name tag. Again, he was stunned for a few seconds, as if the small details leading to the sweet figure in Ungasan had attracted his attention. "Miss Ana."
"Yes, sir?" The girl with round glasses in front of her tilted her head in disbelief.
"It is okay." Jake shook his head weakly, trying as hard as possible to dismiss his imagination of the figure of Anna Asmita, especially when his lips met the girls.
"Two million two hundred rupiahs, sir, for the large size," said the cashier, swiping the billionaire's limited edition card.
Jake was just silent, his thoughts wandering to the night when Anna grabbed the collar of his polo shirt and kissed him. A passionate kiss that sparked another desire in Jake. How the sweet and soft taste of Anna's lips had clouded his sanity. After this incident was the result of compulsion, another urge told Jake to cup Anna's lips. Just one kiss to relieve curiosity.
Was the impact of the kiss like this? Aria and I have done it hundreds of times. Why does just one kiss from Anna make you lose focus like this?
Curious or...
Jake shook his head quickly when the cashier gave him the black card back and said thank you. He smiled faintly and hurriedly returned to the car to drink mineral water. Maybe the heat of Bali had evaporated, and he had to stay conscious and stick to one woman. He must not break his promise to live with Aria and betray his girl's love.
Realize, Jake, you are just a man who has to love one woman.
He almost spit out the drink in his mouth when his cell phone screen rang, showing Anna's name on it. Suddenly, the rhythm in Jake's chest increased uncontrollably. He frowned. Had Anna's name started to affect most of his body?
Anna Asmita called...
