BAB 5

HAPPY READING

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"Are you proud of doing that?"

"I'm not proud, but I know what I have to do. So far, it's within reasonable limits and not excessive. If you call me naughty, sleeping with different women, it's because of my biological needs."

"Think about it. Which woman wouldn't sleep with me?"

"Only crazy women who like predators like you," Rubi retorted.

Dario laughed at the word "crazy" coming from Rubi's sensual lips. He observed her anxious eyes.

"More precisely, only crazy women who wouldn't want me. I'm handsome, I have power, I have everything. It's very easy to get anyone. Right?"

"You're too narcissistic."

"I'm not narcissistic; it's based on facts," Dario said.

"You should see a psychiatrist about your mental state."

"I don't have Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Rubi. If I did, I would have seen a psychiatrist long ago. I'm just helping you understand, behave respectfully toward me. I never joke with my words."

Rubi held her breath, seeing that Dario was still staring at her. "Stay away from me," Rubi warned Dario to keep his distance because she felt uncomfortable facing him alone.

However, Dario remained in his position, smiling meaningfully. Dario shifted his gaze to Rubi's lips; he could easily force a kiss, regardless of Rubi's resistance. But he resisted the temptation and touched her lips with his fingers. Rubi held her breath while he did so, and her hair stood on end. She honestly wanted to push Dario's hand away for his audacity.

"Don't touch me," Rubi growled.

"What if I silence your lips with mine?"

Rubi swallowed hard; this time, he wanted to kiss her. Seriously? She felt Dario's breath getting closer, and warmth on her face. She didn't know what would happen if Dario kissed her. She didn't want to be kissed by a man who had just slept with another woman.

"Stop intimidating me," Rubi said.

Dario smiled. "What if we do it?"

"You!" Rubi's eyes widened in shock.

"I'm curious how you'd kiss me back."

"Don't even think you can do that."

Dario laughed and moved away from Rubi's body. Rubi felt relieved that Dario was finally distancing himself. Dario glanced at Rubi, raised his legs onto the sofa, and looked at the swimming pool. He leaned back on the sofa, still keeping his eyes on Rubi. Dario called one of his household assistants.

"Is there anything I can help you with, sir?"

"Please make me some orange juice for myself and Dr. Rubi."

"Of course, sir."

Dario looked at Rubi, examining her eye color. "Was it Alexander who recruited you?" Dario asked, changing the topic, as he wanted to know how Alexander had brought Rubi to his house.

"No, it wasn't Alexander, but Dr. Steven. Dr. Steven is Mr. Wijaya's son-in-law."

"Mr. Wijaya, who owns the hospital and is part of the Lipo Group?"

"Yes, that's him. Dr. Steven is a friend of my brother-in-law, Dr. Marco. So, Dr. Marco recommended me to work as the personal doctor in this house."

"I see. Did you interview with Alexander?"

"Yes."

"If I get sick, will you take care of me?"

"May I ask what illness you have?"

"I'm not sick now, but maybe I'll pretend to be sick tomorrow so you can come to my room."

"Hah!"

Dario laughed at Rubi's surprised expression. He glanced at the household assistant who was carrying a tray with orange juice and snacks.

"What's your full name?" Dario asked.

"Just Rubi."

"That's a beautiful name."

"Age?"

"30 years old."

Dario raised an eyebrow, smiling. "I'm thirty-four, just a few years older than you."

"Are you married?" Dario was curious.

"Do I look like a widow?"

"No, you still look like a girl. If you were a widow, that's fine too; I like both."

"What if I'm already married?"

Dario laughed, his gaze fixed on Rubi's fingers. She wasn't wearing any rings. "You're probably not married."

"How did you know?"

"You're not wearing a wedding ring."

"Not everyone who's married wears a ring, you know?"

"Tapi dari yang saya lihat, banyak wanita yang memakainya. So, I assumed that you're not married yet. Why aren't you married?" Dario asked.

"You're not married either. Ask yourself why you're not married instead of turning the question back on me."

Dario smiled suggestively. Rubi was quite sharp with her words. He had initially thought of her as a sweet and obedient girl, but she was proving to be more assertive.

"Do you know, throughout my life as a thirty-something, whenever I meet family or acquaintances, the questions that are always thrown at me are 'When are you getting married?' 'Why aren't you married yet?' 'What kind of woman are you waiting for?' 'What else are you waiting for?' Even my own father tells me to get married soon."

"To be honest, I'm not the type of guy who can socialize with many people. I find it very difficult to adapt to new people, especially women. My work is also very demanding, and I often come home late. My social circle is limited too. Most of my friends are married men."

"But now you have a girlfriend, right?" Rubi chimed in.

Dario nodded. "Yes, her name is Erin. We used to date when we were in London a long time ago. We met again in Jakarta a few months ago, and we started our relationship again."

"Why don't you just ask her to get married?" Rubi asked.

Dario laughed and glanced at Rubi. "Well, not everyone I date ends up getting married to me. As I grow older, I become more selective in choosing my potential partner. Finding someone with values is difficult, especially as you get older. The older I get, the more independent I become. If I rush into marriage, I'll just come off as clingy like a kid. Someone like me prefers to be loved with freedom. I don't like the typical template of women who are all the same."

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