"Accompany you?" I asked, frowning. This guy was really hard to understand—what exactly was on his mind right now?
Damar didn't immediately explain his words. Instead, he just stared at me. I cleared my throat softly because what he was doing only made me feel awkward.
"Mr. Handoko's birthday is tomorrow," he said. Handoko? Do I know anyone named Handoko?
"Handoko Wiratman," he added, as if he knew I was confused.
"Mr. Handoko… the owner of Global Kimia?" I asked uncertainly.
"Yes, he's turning seventy-eight tomorrow," Damar replied.
And what does that have to do with his words just now?
"Can you accompany me to Mr. Handoko's birthday party?" he asked, making me furrow my brows even deeper.
I blinked. Birthday party? My brain was still trying to process why a man like Damar—who couldn't even be bothered to greet his coworkers in the elevator—would want me to accompany him to such an important event. Were pigs flying now?
This didn't make any sense. It was rare for an employee to meet Handoko Wiratman in person. He was a busy businessman—even directors found it difficult to meet him. Besides owning Global Kimia, he also had other companies.
So… it didn't make sense for Damar, just a division head, to be invited to his birthday party.
"Are you sure you were invited?" I asked. Maybe Handoko's assistant had sent the invitation to Damar by mistake, and he misunderstood, thinking he was invited.
"Yes, I'm sure. Why?" He looked confused. Was Damar really that important that he got invited to Handoko Wiratman's birthday?
"You're free, right?" he asked again.
If Damar really did receive an invitation, I couldn't miss this opportunity. There would be a lot of important people attending. Wouldn't that mean I'd get to meet and connect with them too?
Besides, if Damar had truly been invited, it meant he had a much higher standing in the company than I had assumed. That fact alone stirred a curiosity I couldn't ignore. Just who was this man, really?
"So, what do you say?" he pressed while I was lost in thought.
"What time?" I asked, pretending not to be interested.
"Would you prefer the afternoon or evening?"
"The birthday party runs from three in the afternoon until late at night, so we can choose when to go," he added.
Rich people really do things differently—having a party where guests can pick their own arrival time? Even some weddings aren't this flexible.
I remained silent, deep in thought. At the same time, a waiter approached, bringing our orders. The delicious aroma made it hard for me to think for a moment.
Damar didn't have any bad intentions in asking me to come, did he? Was he really invited, or would we end up being kicked out when we arrived?
"Okay, let's go at four in the afternoon," I finally said before taking a sip of my warm orange juice. It felt oddly relieving, as if I had just made a tough decision.
"I'll pick you up tomorrow," he responded before starting his meal.
For a brief second, I imagined myself arriving at a formal party, wearing batik, walking beside Damar, being introduced to high-level executives. It was such a surreal image that I almost choked on my drink.
Honestly, I still wasn't completely sure if Damar was serious about taking me to Handoko Wiratman's birthday party. Who was I, anyway? Just an ordinary employee at Global Kimia—my presence wouldn't make any difference.
Oh well, I didn't care. When else would I get the chance to meet important people?
Damar didn't bring up the birthday party again, even though I was still curious about a lot of things. He just continued eating with a blank expression. I had no choice but to do the same.
"Wouldn't it be inappropriate if we didn't bring a birthday gift for Mr. Handoko?" I asked.
"He already has everything. There's nothing we could possibly give him," Damar replied.
Even though he had a point, I still felt uneasy.
"So, we're going empty-handed?" I asked for confirmation.
"Yes, don't worry about it," he answered.
"But wouldn't it be better if we brought something? Maybe his favorite food or drink?" I suggested.
I remembered when Mr. Hardi had a birthday—he was thrilled when his employees brought him a tumpeng with his favorite grilled chicken.
"No need," Damar said firmly, as if he already knew Handoko wouldn't accept any gifts.
I didn't argue further because I didn't want this conversation to turn into a debate. After all, he was the one invited—I wouldn't interfere anymore.
"He likes traditional cakes, but not ones that are too sweet," Damar suddenly said just as I finished my meal and was about to finish my second drink.
His words made me pause and look at him in confusion. How did he know Handoko Wiratman's favorite food? Did they used to live in the same boarding house or something? Ah! My thoughts were getting ridiculous.
"Mr. Hardi mentioned it once," Damar added, probably noticing my disbelief.
"Do you want to bring him some?" I asked.
"Not really. I was just saying what his favorite food is, not that I want to bring it for him," Damar replied indifferently.
"I can get those cakes for him," I offered.
I must have sounded too enthusiastic because Damar looked at me with a confused expression.
"I can prepare it if you want," I added.
This was my chance to make a good impression on the owner of Global Kimia. Who knows? Maybe after this party, I'd get offered a better position.
Or maybe… just maybe, I wanted to show Damar that I was more than just the girl who fell asleep in his car and once spilled coffee on a client's report.
Then, I suddenly realized how weird I was being. Why was I so excited about the birthday of someone I barely knew?
"Sure," Damar finally agreed.
I smiled, feeling like I had just secured an important opportunity.
In my five years at Global Kimia, I think this year has been both my best and worst. From getting the chance to attend the Annual Meeting to now being invited to the owner's birthday party.
And the worst? It was, of course, because of the man in front of me. Because of him, I didn't get my promotion.
"What can I do to help with the gift?" Damar asked.
"Nothing, I can handle it myself," I replied confidently.
"How much will it cost?" he asked again.
"I can't say for sure yet, but don't worry about it," I said.
Did he think I didn't have enough money to prepare a simple gift?
"Let me know if you need any help," he said.
I nodded slightly in response.
The air between us was no longer as awkward as before. Not quite warm either, but… tolerable. Maybe the food helped, or maybe I was just too full to stay annoyed.
The night had deepened by the time we left the restaurant. I was full and sleepy but determined not to fall asleep in Damar's car again.
So, as we drove, I forced my eyes open, occasionally glancing at the road or stealing quick looks at Damar as he focused on driving.
In my head, I was already planning to order the best-quality traditional cakes and have them shaped like a birthday cake.
I still remembered where to order them because Leon had once given me a similar cake for my birthday.
Oh! I should stop thinking about Leon. Even just picturing his face made me uncomfortable.
"Just sleep if you're tired," Damar suddenly said.
"I'm not sleepy," I shot back, glancing at him.
"Oh, I almost forgot. Do you have a blue batik shirt?" he asked.
"What for?" I frowned, puzzled.
"The dress code for tomorrow's event is batik. Wouldn't it be better if we wore matching colors?"
Batik? Why does a birthday party feel like a formal event? Whatever, it's up to the birthday boy.
"Mr. Handoko loves batik, so he wants his party to have a batik theme," Damar explained.
"But why blue?" I asked again.
"Because I only have a blue batik shirt—no other colors," he replied.
"I don't have a blue one," I admitted.
"It doesn't have to match, right? You wear your blue batik, and I'll wear whatever I have," I suggested.
"That won't work. This time, we need to coordinate. Mr. Handoko is a perfectionist—he might not like it if Global Kimia's representatives don't match," Damar explained seriously.
That made no sense, but he looked completely serious.
"Let's find one now. There's still time," he said, glancing at his watch.
Wait… was he planning to buy matching outfits for us?
Wouldn't that make us look like… a couple?
I stared at my reflection in the car window as the streetlights passed by one by one, trying to make sense of my own feelings. It was strange—a mix of confusion, nervousness, and something… warm? I wasn't sure. There was something about the way Damar acted tonight that made my heart race, even though my mind kept trying to deny it. Maybe it was because he suddenly seemed so considerate, or maybe because, for the first time, I felt like… we were truly a team. I didn't know. What I did know was that tonight felt different.(*)