It was 5:00 AM when Celine prepared to return to her home. She had already dressed casually and gathered her belongings.Remember, Mrs. Zack had prepared some souvenirs for Celine's parents. The woman in her fifties hoped to establish a good relationship with Celine's parents. Even if fate allowed, they could become family."Celine, I hope you marry Zack soon. It's time for Zack to get married. We'll wait for the next news, Dear. Zack will propose to you," Mrs. Zack said."Ehm, yes, Mom," replied Celine nervously.There was happiness within her, but on the other hand, she still felt unprepared. Celine herself didn't know what was holding her back. At a quarter of a century old, she should be ready. It wasn't as easy as wanting to get married, even though she loved Zack.Many burdens weighed on her mind, alongside fears she couldn't comprehend. Celine was afraid Zack wouldn't be as she hoped. She was afraid that if they married, she wouldn't be a good wife.Celine was afraid she didn't
"Damn Celine! She's getting more arrogant. Taking leave whenever she wants. Others are struggling." Emma muttered to herself repeatedly.She had been envious of Celine's fast-rising career here from the beginning, even though Emma, with more experience and seniority, should have been more deserving.But it seemed like Celine's luck was better. Emma thought to herself angrily. She didn't care. She had to sabotage Celine's plan to become a supervisor. It wasn't even confirmed yet, and she dared to take leave, two days nonetheless. No one else was allowed to do that easily.Eventually, Emma's envy-filled mind pondered on ways to obstruct Celine's work. Something that would make her look bad in the eyes of the department head, Mrs. Jane, and the Head Supervisor, Miss. Tiffany.Even though Celine was genuinely liked by her superiors due to her hard work and intelligence, Emma decided she needed to do something to tarnish her image. Celine was the type who always planned meticulously in eve
"Wait, why are so many defective materials entering the Line?" Someone in the Line sewing materials was surprised when they executed their stitches and saw that the material they worked on needed fixing. There was a small hole that wouldn't pass the QC control later. "MISS Tiffany, take a look at this." The seamstress reported it to Ms. Tiffany. Ms. Tiffany was furious, especially after checking some that had already been sewn, and there were indeed several with defective materials. "So careless, Kylie!" Ms. Tiffany raged. Approaching Kylie and Celine's desks again, Kylie wasn't there, so Ms. Tiffany expressed her frustration TO Celine. "Look, there are many defective materials that entered the Line. How did this happen? Why wasn't it checked properly?" Celine examined a stack of materials already sewn in several places and found some defects. "This is strange; Kylie usually doesn't miss segregating defective materials. Especially not so many like this, Miss." Celine was not convi
Emma finally faced significant consequences for her actions. She attempted to frame Celine by cutting materials with scissors, making it look like Celine was responsible for defective materials entering the Line.And somehow, Miss Tiffany, initially furious about the material check, turned her anger towards Line and began to rage.Oh no! Her mischief was exposed. Even though Miss Tiffany didn't know the culprit was Emma, she was sure it was Line's fault. To make matters worse, Emma, responsible for adding materials, was in charge of the damaged material exchange.This is a case of the tables turning, she thought, regretting her actions. Her intention to defame Celine had backfired on her. This only fueled her envy and hatred towards Celine. How could that girl remain untouched? Everything she had done to bring down Celine had failed miserably.She contemplated adopting a new strategy. She wouldn't disturb the girl's work anymore. Now, she would interfere with another aspect of her lif
That night—for the second time—Zack and Celine's date didn't go smoothly. Zack was still furious about the presence of Celine's ex-boyfriend. His chest tightened at the thought of Leo giving his phone number to Celine and Celine accepting it without any objection.Meanwhile, there was a sense of uneasiness in Celine's heart. She felt guilty for wanting to save Leo's number. Celine knew Zack wouldn't accept her reasons in any form when she decided to keep her ex-boyfriend's number."Are you going to save that number?" Zack asked, still with an unfriendly face."No. I'm not going to save it.""Don't let your words differ from your heart. You want to save Leo's number."Why are you like this?" Celine's heart began to heat up. Zack always seemed to be able to read her mind."Do you not trust me just because Leo gave his number to me?""I want to trust, but...""But what?""But your face doesn't show it.""Whatever!" Celine's heart was irritated. She didn't expect Zack to be so angry. The
Celine sat in contemplation on her bed. It was unusual for Zack not to send messages like he did that morning. Only a casual "good morning" was received from him. After that, he didn't send any more messages."Good morning, Dear," Celine greeted Zack through a message.No response. Celine continued to wait, engaging in her usual activities. Occasionally, she glanced at her phone screen, but there was still no reply. Throughout the months of dating Zack, he never let her be alone. If it weren't a morning shift, Zack would usually come to pick her up for a morning stroll or to buy chicken porridge.That morning was different. Celine started to feel uneasy because, by 8:00 AM, she hadn't received any replies from Zack. Celine called Zack several times but got no answer. Zack's behavior made Celine agitated all day. Her heart was restless. Once again, she began to think of unfounded thoughts.Celine smiled happily when the metallic blue car arrived at her house around lunchtime. She knew
Since Leo's arrival at Celine's house, everything changed. Celine and Zack still maintained contact, but they never met again. Zack went back to his home in Manhattan.He decided to calm himself while continually convincing himself that Celine was the right choice for a future wife.Celine's chest occasionally tightened, restraining the overwhelming longing for her boyfriend. Zack was not much different. He was tortured because he didn't get to see Celine's face even a bit.Celine picked up her phone. She wanted to send a message to Zack. However, pride overcame everything. Since they stopped meeting, Celine was the one who initiated messages more often. Sometimes, she had to wait a little longer for Zack's reply.Now, Celine wanted to wait. She just wanted to know how far Zack would go for her. What she had been waiting for finally came, even though it was only through a video call. Celine was so emotional that she cried uncontrollably. Oh, how she missed Zack, who constantly stroked
43 – Lily, The ExZack stood up. He and the woman who had greeted him earlier now faced each other. Zack was impressed by the beauty of the woman who had once touched his heart. He was very nervous. However, he managed to compose himself, remembering Celine."Uh, hi, Lily.""Hi, Zack. I thought you were out of the town.""No. I rarely go there.""They say you have a girlfriend there?""Yeah. Uh, please, have a seat.""Uh, okay."Shortly after, they engaged in conversation. Lily and Zack reminisced, recalling when they were still in school, remembering their friends, and even reminiscing about their past relationship.They laughed together and regretted their naivety at that time."By the way, are you alone? Where's your husband?" Zack asked.Lily sipped a glass of orange juice and told him about her fate and her husband, "We've separated.""Meaning... divorced?""Yes.""And your kids? How are they?""I entrusted them to my mom.""How long have you been separated?""Quite a while. Abou
About 5 years later ...."Don't run around, Dear. You might fall."Celine tried to catch Eve, who was happily running around in the yard, though she struggled a bit due to her bulging belly. Despite the difficulty, Celine continued to chase after her princess. Witnessing this from inside the house, Zack quickly walked over to them."Sweetheart, don't make Mama worried," Zack said, catching and holding Eve in his arms."Papa, why haven't the others come yet? It's taking so long," Eve said amusingly.At the age of five, Eve was already very smart. Celine and Zack never expected their firstborn to be chatty like her mother but wise like her father."They'll be here soon, don't worry. That's why Eve has to be a good girl. No mischief, no running around, be kind to Mama," Zack continued, pointing towards Celine.Celine smiled while gently rubbing her growing belly. She was truly grateful that, in this second pregnancy, she didn't experience the same difficulties as her first. Even the docto
Not hearing Joe's response to her question convinced Kylie that it was true. That the real reason was Joe being tempted by the charm of the karaoke hostess. "Oh God...," Kylie moaned. She was still accompanied by sobs that seemed endless from her red lips. "You're so heartless!" she protested angrily. Honestly, Kylie never expected that her husband, who in her mind was always gentle and deeply in love with her, would have intentions to betray their sacred love! Her mind refused to accept it. "I can't believe that you have such rotten behaviour. At home, I pretend to be gentle and full of love for myself, but outside, I shower the same love to another woman. Even a karaoke hostess gets a share of your affection!" Kylie continued to curse while seeking forgiveness repeatedly. Her heart was in pain. Very painful, indeed; she couldn't describe how hurtful it was when the fleeting temptation of a karaoke hostess overshadowed her pure love and dedication! For a wife, there is no more s
After fully understanding her husband's intentions, Kylie's body automatically rose. Even the table in front of her shifted due to her movements. With an unconsciously gasping breath, Kylie looked towards Joe with a poignant and sharp gaze."You want to get married again? Hahaha! Don't joke!"Kylie tried to laugh, although it felt like the laughter coming from her mouth was very bitter. She tried to think positively, assuming that Joe was joking or trying to surprise her with some emotional twist. Unfortunately, Joe still looked very serious.The man stood up. His eyes glanced anxiously at Kylie as if afraid that the woman before him would explode."Kylie, please listen to me first. I am not joking at all. There is a woman who needs my guidance, so I want to marry her to ensure that our closeness doesn't turn into a sin."Kylie blinked her eyes several times; a thousand pains seemed to pierce her heart. Yet, what Joe revealed might not even be true. She gazed at the face of the man wh
Spontaneously, Monica covered her mouth, unintentionally shocked by what had just been said by the man who had been filling her days recently—the man whom she had targeted to be her life support."Did I hear it correctly? Do you want to marry me?" That was the only question her tongue could muster, suddenly feeling stiff.Joe stared into Monica's eyes intensely,"Listen first. I mean, I want to ask permission from Kylie first, whether she allows me to marry you—""But of course, she has to agree. You have the right to make choices. Besides, religion doesn't prohibit it, right?" Monica interrupted with great joy.She almost couldn't contain herself from jumping with happiness.However, in front of her, Joe shook his head, making Monica pout because she didn't understand what the man meant by being so elaborate. Wasn't it the man's right as the husband to make decisions in his household?"That's not the correct concept, Monica. I am indeed the husband and have the right to decide the di
"Darling, where were you? I've been looking for you!"Kylie asked as she met her husband in front of the office building. Surprisingly, this made Joe, who had just returned from Monica's place, panic.With a tense expression, Joe immediately embraced Kylie's shoulders and said, "Darling, I had lunch outside. Lately, you've been so busy and always eating in your room. So, I thought you didn't want to eat with me!"It was okay if they didn't eat together because of Kylie's recent busyness. However, knowing that her husband had eaten elsewhere, Kylie felt confused.The woman, who always appeared in public wearing a hijab, asked, "Where did you eat? I had prepared your lunch as usual. Why didn't you eat that?"Joe grimaced, just remembering the packed lunch. When he went for lunch at Monica's place, Joe would usually ask his colleague to eat the packed lunch prepared by Kylie. But yesterday, Joe forgot to do so, and Kylie must have noticed the untouched lunchbox.Guiding his wife back int
On that afternoon during lunchtime, Joe was startled by the noticeable transformation in Monica's appearance. He spontaneously stared at the beauty of God's creation embodied in Monica's figure, now adorned in a soft salmon-coloured modern gown with a simple design that perfectly complemented her body.Her beautiful face was covered with a matching ssawl, styled how Kylie usually wore her pashmina. Instantly, Joe felt as if he were seeing Kylie's twin but in a more attractive package, as Monica's curves were still entirely exposed.For a moment, the time he seemed to stand still. Joe's desires, which he had been trying to suppress, ignited passionately. The sight presented by Vioan tempted his faith to its core. It seemed as though he was genuinely captivated by Monica's undeniable charm."Joe? Do you think I look good in this outfit?" Monica asked with an uncertain gaze. She intentionally displayed a shy smile to appear like a maiden seeking approval from her beloved. My goodness! Mo
"Hello, Honey. Have you finished your overtime?" Joe spoke into the phone as Kylie called him. Remembering, he told Monica to be silent. He couldn't let Monica make any noise that Kylie might hear.On the other end, Kylie replied, "Darling, it seems like I'm going to work overtime until 09:00. Is it okay if I add an hour? Because my work is not finished yet, and if I pile it up for tomorrow, I'll be overwhelmed."Joe took a long breath, but he felt a bit happy. If Kylie extended her overtime, Joe could spend more time with Monica. Finally, he replied, "Yes, that's okay. When you're done, call me, Honey!"After that, their phone conversation ended. Joe put his phone back in his pocket. Kylie was busy; even coming home had to be postponed. But it didn't matter for now because Joe was at Monica's inn."What's your wife's position in the company, Mas? Why does it seem like she's so busy, working overtime almost daily like this?"That was a question posed by Monica as she took her seat nex
Joe firmly emphasized to Monica that he did not want to betray Kylie. A sense of guilt immediately overwhelmed him. After returning from the mall, Joe promptly dropped Monica off at her accommodation. For now, that place was the safest for Monica.Joe then prohibited Monica from going back to the karaoke place. Instead, he always gave her money and had already bought her a phone for everyday use. Joe didn't want to label what he and Monica were doing as an affair, but he realized that what he had done couldn't be justified.A shiver ran down his spine as he thought about the possibility of Kylie finding out about his actions. Indeed, she would be deeply disappointed."Aren't you coming in? Although it's an inn, I'm free to bring guests inside! Because people staying here often bring their friends in freely, the owner never minds!" Monica offered before getting out of Joe's car.The invitation Monica gave sounded very tempting, and there was a strong desire in Joe's heart to nod his he
"Oh my God! You're so absurd!" Joe retorted, refocusing on driving. They were on a quiet road, so he had pulled over easily to recover from the shock of Monica's statement."How am I absurd? I do want to be your wife. I believe I can live a better life under your guidance. I'm sure because I see, Joe, you're so good as a husband," Monica elaborated, emphasizing her words. Joe, in turn, shook his head in disbelief, wondering about the basis of her thoughts."But there are still many single men out there who would want you, Monica!" Joe, once again, expressed his disapproval. He believed Monica should not dare to speak like that to a married man. Yet... why did he feel a sense of pride and joy when he first heard it? Oh God! Something was wrong with his heart, Joe pondered."I've met many men. Most of them only wanted my body," Monica lamented with a bitter tone. "They didn't care about my job. I want a life like other women, sheltered by their husbands, feeling safe and guided to becom