THE ARCHITECT OF STARS: SEASON 1
ARYO PURNOMO SAGA
CHAPTER 3: GLITTERING TRASH
Two days after the eviction, the sun blazed mercilessly over Jakarta's elite district. Inside the "Vellfire Motors" supercar showroom, however, the air was frigid and scented with old money.
Bayu sat with his legs crossed on an Italian leather sofa, sipping an espresso. Beside him, Eva was busy taking selfies against the backdrop of a flaming red sports car. Hardi, the uncle, spoke loudly to the showroom manager, his voice intentionally projected so other visitors would hear his grandeur.
"I want the best unit for my son, Bayu. Money is no object," Hardi declared, thumping his chest. "My father's inheritance has just been liquidated. We are here to celebrate."
Bayu chuckled softly, glancing at Eva. "Pick whatever you like, Babe. Consider it a reward for making the smart decision to leave that pauper, Aryo."
Eva giggled, clinging to Bayu's arm. "Oh, don't talk about him. It ruins the mood. He's probably queuing for lunch at a soup kitchen right now. All he took was that rusty box."
"Hahaha! True," Hardi chimed in. "Trash box for a trash boy. It's fitting."
As their laughter echoed, the entrance bell chimed softly.
A young man entered. He wore a plain black shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbows, neat chinos, and polished loafers. There were no flashy brand logos on his clothes, but the cut fit his athletic frame perfectly. His face was fresh, his hair neatly styled.
It was Aryo.
Hardi's laughter cut off abruptly, like a broken record. Eva lowered her phone, her eyes widening in disbelief.
"Aryo?" Eva hissed. "What is he doing here?"
Bayu stood up immediately, his face twisting in disgust. He marched toward Aryo with wide strides, as if shooing away a fly.
"Hey! Beggar!" Bayu shouted, his voice shattering the elegant silence. "What are you doing here? Applying for a cleaning service job? Or just looking for free AC?"
Aryo stopped. He looked at Bayu with eyes that were different from the Aryo of the past. Gone was the wilted, resigned gaze. In its place was a look as sharp and calm as a deep lake.
"I want to see the cars," Aryo answered briefly.
Hardi joined them, laughing mockingly. "See the cars? Know your place, Aryo! Did you steal those clothes? This place isn't your level. Here, a single side mirror costs more than your entire dignity!"
"Sir, please kick this person out," Eva said to a sales staff member who approached, feigning a look of disgust. "He is a fraud, my poor ex-boyfriend. He might dirty these expensive cars."
The staff member looked hesitant. Although Aryo didn't flaunt wealth, the aura he projected was intimidating—a stark contrast to the tacky style of Hardi's family.
Aryo ignored their chatter. He tapped his index finger against his ear, where a nearly invisible wireless earpiece was nestled.
"Master Aryo," Alia's voice sounded crystal clear in his ear. "The unit you are looking for is on the main podium. Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut. The only one in Indonesia."
Aryo walked past Bayu as if his cousin didn't exist. Feeling ignored, Bayu's face turned red with anger.
"Hey! I'm talking to you!" Bayu grabbed Aryo's shoulder.
Aryo swatted the hand away with a movement that was fast and firm. Bayu stumbled back, shocked by Aryo's strength.
"Do not touch me with your dirty hands," Aryo said coldly.
Aryo walked straight to the main podium, where a metallic grey hypercar was displayed behind velvet ropes.
Hardi snorted. "Crazy fool. That is the most expensive car here! Tens of billions! What do you want? To dream?"
Hardi turned to the Showroom Manager. "Sir, I want to buy that car! The one that beggar is looking at. I'll buy it right now for my son, just so Aryo knows the difference between the sky and the earth!"
The manager smiled awkwardly. "Apologies, Mr. Hardi. For this Koenigsegg unit... the price is 65 Billion Rupiah. And payment must be cash or international priority debit. Are you sure?"
Hardi choked. His wealth had indeed increased after seizing Aryo's father's assets, but 65 billion in cash would drain the company's treasury dry. But his pride was too high to back down in front of Aryo.
"Of course!" Hardi pulled out his platinum black card with a trembling hand. "Swipe it! Bayu, this car is yours!"
Eva squealed with delight. "Oh my god! Honey, you're amazing! Take that, Aryo!"
Aryo stood silently in front of the car, his hand resting on the cold hood.
"Alia," Aryo whispered.
"Ready, Master. I have hacked the showroom inventory system. The car's status is 'Available', but I can alter ownership status within 3 seconds of a transaction detection."
"Do it," Aryo commanded.
The manager brought the EDC machine to Hardi. With arrogance, Hardi entered his PIN.
BIP.
The machine let out a long, ear-piercing beep. The receipt paper pushed out slightly, then stopped.
TRANSACTION DECLINED: INSUFFICIENT FUNDS.
Silence.
Hardi's face went pale. "What? This is broken! My card has no limit!"
The manager checked the screen. "I'm sorry, Sir. The error code says 'Assets Temporarily Frozen' by the central bank."
"Frozen?! Who dares?!" Hardi shouted in panic.
Amidst the panic, Aryo pulled out his seemingly ordinary phone. He brought it close to the NFC sensor on the cashier's desk from a distance.
Ding!
A successful notification sound rang out clearly from the showroom's main computer. The large screen behind the reception desk turned bright green.
PAYMENT SUCCESSFUL.
OWNER: ARYO PURNOMO
ITEM: KOENIGSEGG JESKO ABSOLUT
Eva's jaw dropped until it nearly hit the floor. Bayu's eyes bulged. Hardi froze, as if struck by lightning.
"No... impossible..." Eva muttered. "It must be an error! Aryo has no money! We took his house!"
Aryo turned slowly, staring at the three of them with a faint, terrifying smile.
"Thank you for the house donation, Uncle," Aryo said casually. "But as Father said, that house is just an old building. The contents of the chip you threw at my face yesterday... its value is a hundred times the price of all your lives combined."
Aryo stepped closer to Eva. The woman reflexively fixed her hair, hoping Aryo still harbored feelings for her after seeing his wealth.
"Aryo... I..." Eva tried to seduce him.
"Move," Aryo cut her off coldly. "You are blocking my car."
Aryo signaled the staff to hand him the keys. He slipped into the hypercar, and the engine roared to life like a beast waking from slumber.
Before the window closed completely, Aryo looked at Hardi, who was still trembling.
"Enjoy your remaining time in my father's house, Uncle. Because very soon, I will take everything back. Including that company you are so proud of."
With an engine roar that deafened the room, Aryo sped out of the showroom, leaving behind a trail of thin smoke and three people whose dignity lay shattered amidst the crowd that now began to whisper and laugh at them.