"Too late, Rin?" The man standing by the glass wall turned around to see the presence of Maureen who had just closed the door to the room. His face looked tired. His jaw was covered with faint sideburns that seemed to have not been shaved. The dark bags under his eyes were thickened. "Sorry, Mr. Darren." Awkward with the atmosphere that had developed between them after days of no direct interaction, Maureen emphasized, "Isn't the late business the responsibility of HRD? You can check through our supervisor." Actually, from the beginning, there was no interest in connecting Maureen's work with Darren directly. There was a layered hierarchy between their positions. Besides, Maureen was more inclined to curse herself because she'd also gotten Ben into hot water with the HRD for last night. The young man's explanation of a possible post-traumatic sexual disorder was met by Maureen's laughter and challenge. Yes, Maureen laughed at the var
"Do you wanna play on the floor?" Darren pulled Maureen's pants back up, closing each button on the appropriate hole, ending with a brief peck on the corner of her temple."Yeah no, Uncle!" irritates Maureen as she eases the casanova's slightly struggling movements until they are sitting cross-legged, facing each other."You're getting cute." Resting his elbows on the tips of his knees, Darren looked at Maureen's astonished face that was easily replaced by laughter. "You were refusing, now you're protesting to get it done." Bending slightly, he handed her a series of metal objects connected to a hanger with Maureen's name beautifully embossed on the leather."What are these?" Maureen was stunned when that man before her forced her palm open and accepted the keys."A house," Darren called out along with a short address that Maureen knew well.Maureen knew it was a key of somewhere place by the shape of it. Apartments in midtown were still a rarity. But, houses? Where was a midtown hous
"What's so hard about your mouth apologizing, Ren?" Ben was still demanding an apology from me. But apologizing isn't about getting everything over with, then insisting I'm the guilty one. That's not it."After apologizing, what after? Are you going to repeat this rudeness again?" I didn't want to endure being humiliated. I also had the right to speak up, especially seeing Ben in such a weakened state. "I told you many times .... I'm tired of explaining myself to you again. This is me. I am what I am."Previously, Ben had asked me for help, from screaming to faint mumbled sentences. Unusual thing. When I opened the bedroom door, Ben was having a seizure, like a stroke.Fortunately, medical treatment he's got was quick when we arrived at the emergency room. What did the doctor say? I don't know, I don't understand neurological medical terms, but it was all temporary.After he admitted that he almost died from suffocation, now he still wants to act selfish?"I love you, Rena ...." He ad
"Why are planetary humans looking at you all the time?" asked Anne as she approached Maureen's desk to hand over the other requested data. She noticed Wahyu's annoyed look every time she passed in front of the cubicle. "I don't know. Maybe a crush?" Maureen replied, not wanting to jump to conclusions and staying focused on the laptop screen in front of her. She didn't really care what the head of her division thought as long as everything Wahyu saw remained a secret to the rest of the office employees, though it didn't guarantee that the socialite man's conversations remained within her safe domain. "Uh, yes. Do you want to accompany me shopping after work?" Maureen changed the subject as she took the folders from Anne, who had chosen to sit next to Maureen on Ben's stool. "Won't you treat me?" Anne's habit seemed to be a sycophant in Maureen's eyes when dealing with shopping. What woman doesn't like shopping? Especially if it's near the end of the month. Maureen could praise God
Maureen thought shopping with Anne would take the edge off her frustration with Ben who kept forbidding her to see Darren and threatening not to help if anything bad happened to her again. As it turns out, even being in Darren's mansion fuels her anger. Since arriving there, Maureen had prepared a romantic room; the bed was made up with new sheets of soft silk and fragrances filled the room. She was also willing to cook even something as simple as rice and various side dishes that could be provided in a short amount of time just to elevate herself above that man's wife. Only then does Maureen clean herself up, making sure she is fully dressed in the red transparent lace underwear that can ignite a man's passion. But where was the inviter? The owner of the house who had given Maureen the key had not yet arrived even though her phone display showed it was almost midnight. The food had gone cold. She ended up alone in boredom. "Uncle Jerk!" Maureen kept swearing in annoyance. The cu
"Ririn? Rin?" Darren tossed his coat onto the sofa after seeing the dining room, which was not separated from the living room, in disarray. Ceramic tableware is scattered shapelessly across the floor, and the sight of dried blood trickling into the master bedroom makes Darren even more anxious.All night long his phone had been confiscated by the youngest Liara because Darren was considered too devoted to work even in the midst of a family that was chatting with each other, especially since Maureen's number that he saved under the name of the advertising division kept calling. He really couldn't do anything about it.What had happened to Ririn? The question kept repeating in Darren's head until he found his beloved still asleep in the middle of the bed, he could exhale with relief.Maureen's pose on her back without a single thread covered was very seductive indeed. The large breasts that puff out beautifully with the rosy peaks sticking out instantly create a hunger to pounce. Not to
"Hey! Hey! What's wrong?" The tall man who climbed the stairs seemed to have rushed down to the point that his wet body was only wrapped in a towel from the waist down. Water droplets emphasized the muscles that had formed on his smooth body."Angga?" Almost mesmerized despite repeated looks, Maureen cleared her throat, ignoring the voice from outside the door. "Are you home?"The man nodded. "Just finished showering."Yes, Maureen saw clearly without needing to explain.Angga walked over and gave her a hug from his cool skin. "Any injuries?" He observed the dry scratches on Maureen's arm."Rin! Open the door!" Shouts from outside alerted them to the fact that someone else kept hitting the sliding door of the shophouse."Angga?" Maureen held Angga's waist to stay with her. It was better to stay away.However, Maureen's anxiety over him made Angga feel cared for."I'll do it." Angga kept both of Maureen's hands behind him, keeping her protected as he opened the door and fired questions
"I still have to work this morning," Maureen complained.It wasn't that she wanted to dash Angga's hopes who seemed serious about building a relationship with her, but skipping work outside of sickness was not Maureen's habit. College was no different. Although hedonism was her lifestyle, Maureen did not want to spend her attendance allowance easily."Do you still want to work there?" Angga snorted. The man took a work suit in the form of a dark cloth shirt and pants, contrasting with his skin color that was too light for a local man.That was also why Maureen had not expected Angga to have skills as a fighter. In fact, she first underestimated Angga's appearance at first, which seemed more like a limber boy band. It turned out that underneath the thick jacket worn at that time, many charming things were hidden.Maureen shook her head, dismissing the possibility of her falling too deeply with the man before her. Returning to the conversation, "My contract is still unfinished, Angga."
"Did you choose to settle here?" This was Maureen's question. I've gotten to know her better since moving to this country. Maybe a few blocks apart, but close enough to do our weekly shopping together."Ben said he had some business, so I guess his offer for me to stay here until graduation wasn't a bad choice," I explained as I pushed our shopping trolley into the trunk of the car, while Maureen looked tired from pushing the babies' stroller."Yeah..., I think your choice isn't bad. I can have someone to talk to too while you guys aren't back yet." Her intonation was clearly hopeful.For me who barely had any friends, moving around more than expressing what I felt, being friends with Maureen was a luxury. She was quite chatty, and I barely had anything to talk about other than responding to her."The twins really enjoy sleeping ...." I glance at the presence of Maureen's babies. Boys.I thought Maureen had a special relationship with Ben, but she ended up marrying Angga. I guess I wa
"Are we really moving there together?" Rena questioned after seeing the e-ticket I had on my phone screen. Well, that was a bit of a surprise. "It depends on how long you want to stay there." Since the visa Rena applied for was also for non-immigrants, it was valid only during the student exchange. If she wanted to extend it as a tourist or even stay, I wouldn't mind. In fact, for the time being, it might be better for Rena to take a vacation or find something that isn't tiring. The previous incident that took away our future child sometimes made Rena shed tears. "How are you doing?" Rena asked again. She continued to fix the toga I was wearing. Even though there was no departmental photo session and it was okay to take off all the graduation gear attached to my body. The weather lately has been in favor of taking off my clothes. "Which job is it?" I moved closer to Rena's side, looking at the photos of the camera she had just taken from the tripod, used earlier to capture moments
"Any hurt?" I asked after finding Rena pinched between the passenger bench and the protective airbag. At least I could still breathe a sigh of relief knowing Rena could still walk out after the collision just now.I saw Satya still on the driver's seat, pressed against the door next to him that was wrenched in. He was unconscious.Maybe someone could say that I was really reckless in crashing the motorcycle into the car carrying Rena, and the four-wheeled vehicle swerved to avoid me. It was partially destroyed by the road divider.Me? Well, I'm fine with a little friction on the skin of my arm from being dragged on the asphalt when I let go of the motorcycle I was riding earlier. After all, the injuries I got before were much more. All of this... is nothing."Ben? How could you...," Rena was holding my waist, more like she was pulling my arm to rest on her shoulder, "you still have to need rest?""Think of yourself, Rena!" I refused, feeling that she was much more in need of help."Me?
A few months in a second-floor room in a Somerville neighborhood, about an hour away from campus by public transportation, was not so foreign to me. It was like sharing a house with strangers without interfering in each other's private affairs.Shared common spaces, with private rooms. Don't forget the private bathroom for me. It's a bit more expensive than the rent for other residents' rooms, but it's better than having to wait in line at a crucial time.This morning I was surprised by the arrival of a thousand white roses, the delivery courier said. It's a good thing they weren't real roses, or I would have acted like I had a cold all day.Who knows about my allergy other than close friends? Uncle Darren has 'almost killed me' many times for giving me real flowers.By the way about Uncle Darren, I offered him to redo our relationship completely from scratch. As a good cousin, not based on desire that I know is hard to resist.Who could resist a Maureen?Okay, call me narcissistic. A
"We need to talk, Uncle." Maureen almost pushed the blanket off her legs when Darren nodded. In his opinion, they needed to settle their dangling relationship outside of the decisions of the people around them. They had the freedom to decide their future regardless of the stigma attached to Maureen snatching Darren. "Yeah, we have to," Darren smiled instantly even though the airline's departure announcement seemed to delay them, "but later. See ya." The man signaled his departure by pointing outside. Of course Maureen clearly knew she had to wait for Darren to meet her. However, the flight--which she had read on the internet--lasting for over eight hours until arriving at the transit airport further strengthened her curiosity. "Shit!" There wasn't the slightest hint of enjoyment in any of the amenities that could divert his curiosity. The airline's signature main course reminded her of eating with Angga even though it was served in small portions. The expensive wine offered by th
"Yes, Grandpa gave me a first class ticket. It's really cool, isn't it?" After going through the check-in section, Maureen dragged her suitcase through the corridor directed by the attendant to be placed on the flight baggage entry rail while continuing her phone call to a friend on the other side. "Not really. I've only ever been on private jets."It wasn't just a different island, but also a different continent. Serena's friend had already left for another country."I and Angga just let it flow. We don't have to get married quickly." Maureen's steps quickened as she looked at the white gold band-like watch around her left wrist. Her departure time was just around the corner. She needed time to relax her waist for a moment."Are you sure he can stay with you so far away?" Serena's question had been a long consideration for Maureen to maintain a relationship with Angga until it needed to be discussed.Angga's time-consuming profession sometimes made Maureen doubt if the man was only o
"What, huh?" Angga tapped each of Maureen's fingers that hung in the air as they grasped each other, comparing the same shape that differed in size. "My family is not very close." Every time they met face to face, they would smile at each other, considering the accident as part of fate. "Is that how you get along?" Maureen recalled how Erlan, who was also a doctor under her father's position, could talk as light as a feather when they met. There was indeed a conversation that was avoided, and Maureen's curiosity led to questions until Angga, who was usually to the point, pulled out the trump card he wanted. "Well, just to say hello. Not more." Angga straightened his back, placing it against the glass wall of the room as he looked at the dark sky outside. Clear without clouds. "So, there's not much we can invite from your family?" asked Maureen, looking for ways to pry information using the alibi of their wedding needs. Angga's narrow eyes widened in amazement. "You said you haven
"M.J. Abraham...," said the man who made Angga turn to the clapping hands nearby, "it's Angga's surprise, ihuh?" A couple of people Angga knew greeted him in turn, then Resti joined their small circle. Maureen reflexively followed Angga even though she felt she had never seen that two people before, she was a bit surprised by the title the man had given them as if they had known each other before. "Wow, Uncle Erlan and Aunt Iren came too!" Resti offered two glasses of drinks on trays carried by the waiters and was immediately greeted with a look of friendliness. Perhaps confused, or rather observing, Maureen had to take a quick look at each face near her in turn. There was no falseness that came to her from Angga's life, including the family that came. They were even newly reunited. "Can't word on your candidate, here." The woman called Aunt Iren chimed in. Although the knee-length dress she wore was formal with long sleeves and no special accents, she had her own charisma behind
A dark SUV pulled up in front of a spacious ironwood house, dropping off a pair of people who seemed perfectly matched in both appearance and body language. The sturdy old building in front of them was surrounded by a heavy guard, reinforcing the notion that an important event was taking place inside."Do we have to come like this?" asked the woman, adjusting the skirt of her evening blue satin dress to cover her ankles. A headpiece of similar material was pinned with a simple silver hoop, adding to the expensive nature of the overall look.She regretted the impression of a family that had to look perfect at all events despite the fact that they were going through a long war of contention that had yet to be resolved. From legal settlements regarding the division of joint property during marriage, to custody matters and the accompanying financing.Iqlima could use the alibi of Darren's infidelity if he still insisted on taking their three children from her side. It wasn't just snippets