POV RITAMaria sighed. My eyes fell on the tray of lunch that she had painstakingly made. I knew that Maria never complained about her job. It's just that food is a supply of energy for the body, isn't it? If it is ignored, how can the body carry out its usual activities?“How?” asked Susi, one of the maids on the second floor. She was only in charge of serving the room with the large, elegantly carved door—my room. Everyone knows I don't want to be disturbed.“She doesn't want to be touched at all. The mistress chose to sleep and I think she is already asleep in her dreams.”Susi groaned in frustration. “Mrs. Rita could get even sicker, Maria. You know that, right?”Maria nodded listlessly. ”Even to simply enjoy the fruit I have served, she doesn't want to. I don't know how to persuade Mrs. Rita anymore. I can't fool her for too long.”Susi squeezed her hands. Her eyes stared at Maria with tears in them. “Mrs. Rita must feel very lost.”Of course. Loss is so painful. Not only them, b
“Welcome to the club.”I'm not used to such an over-the-top welcome. Too much spotlight, too many expectations being directed at me. I haven't even agreed to anything Maximilian has offered. Please understand, anything. I'm reluctant to even just reread the contract.I don't want to be in a world that will show my face in public. My quiet life will be gone, replaced by the hustle and bustle of public attention. No more peaceful afternoons with a cup of tea. No more freedom to just shop in the supermarket without being haunted by camera flashes.Being Roderick's wife alone is exhausting enough dealing with the media. Especially if I become part of this world, where my life will continue to be scrutinized and judged.No.I can't even imagine it. What Maximilian said was not a trivial matter. Who doesn't know the models and public figures under the auspices of Trinity Fashion? They are not only famous, but also have a big influence in the entertainment and fashion industries.Including t
These eyes stared at the beautiful angelic girls sitting in front of me one by one. They looked so calm, with eyes that scrutinized my every move as if I were an interesting subject worth observing. I swallowed, an uncomfortable feeling running through my chest. Maximilian's request sounded completely ridiculous to me.“Look at the three of them. Imagine they are wearing the dresses that are now attached to your body. And give your assessment from my point of view, which I think is quite observant in judging color,” Maximilian said without hesitation, as if his request was so reasonable.I could only stare at him in disbelief. Since when did I become a fashion expert? I am not someone who has ever been involved in a world full of admiration and the demands of a busy schedule. Oh my God! If only I could refuse! But, unfortunately, the opportunity never came. I was even pushed out of the car that stopped in front of this luxury apartment.A girl immediately picked me up, claiming that s
I sat restlessly in the passenger seat of the red car that had returned smoothly without a hitch. A car so familiar, belonging to Maximilian Von Ziegler. However, when he drove me to this apartment before, it was not his beloved car that was used. I don't know when he exchanged it, and I don't want to know. There were too many things I was trying to avoid thinking about further.“How?” Max's voice broke the silence that had hung between us for ten minutes. I hadn't spoken a word since getting into his car, even refusing his invitation to just enjoy a cup of coffee. I knew this must be frustrating for him.What else could he offer me? I am not someone who easily accepts something, especially from someone like him. It felt so difficult for me to just nod and follow his invitation without thinking.“What do you mean?” I asked, not understanding the direction of the conversation.“Your day at Giselle's place? You've already met Harley and Ursula too, haven't you?”“I have,” I replied brie
Nothing changed in my life after that. Everything seemed normal as usual, but there was one thing that made me feel like I was stepping into a vast space. I no longer felt suffocated, and the weight that had been suffocating my chest seemed to be lifted. I entered the DnA Property building with a light step, accompanied by a whistle that showed my mood was at its best.Occasionally I returned the greetings of employees spread across several divisions. Most of them I didn't really know. However, because they were wearing DnA Property ID badges, I assumed they were part of my staff.I ignored some whispers that caught my attention as I made my way to the room on the twenty-fifth floor. Was there something wrong with my attitude this morning? I tried to remember. Ah... maybe it was because I had slightly lowered the cold expression that was usually carved on my face. Replacing it with a slight smile and a light greeting.However, is that such a strange thing? Shouldn't a boss greet his e
Mobil Maximilian berhenti tepat di depan rumah sederhana yang masih terawat dengan apik. Aku menatapnya sejenak, membiarkan kesunyian malam membingkai pikiranku yang kacau. Cahaya di sekitar taman dan rumah utama belum menyala. Wajar saja, sebab aku baru kembali setelah perjalanan panjang yang melelahkan.Sebuah klik terdengar, tanda bahwa Maximilian telah melepas sabuk pengamannya. Ia tahu bahwa percakapan ini akan segera berakhir dengan sia-sia. Sejak awal, aku telah menolak segala bentuk bujukannya, termasuk tawaran dengan bayaran tertinggi yang bisa ia berikan. Sejujurnya, aku lelah menghadapi desakan demi desakan, seolah-olah keinginanku tak memiliki arti."Yang kuinginkan bukan ketenaran atau hal-hal menyenangkan yang bisa kau beri, Max. Sungguh. Ini jawaban dari lubuk hatiku yang terdalam. Setelah kau tahu siapa aku, seharusnya kau juga paham mengapa pilihanku seperti ini."Aku menatap lurus ke depan, berusaha menghindari sorot mata Maximilian yang jelas-jelas menunjukkan frust
Maria stared at the food she had just finished making. Occasionally she asked the main gatekeeper if the guests of this family had arrived. Maria had no idea that the woman really existed here.Actually, Maria didn't want to make any food, but she realized that her position here was only that of a butler. The person in charge of taking care of all the needs in this big house, especially the banquets.“They're coming!Fortunately, the glass that Maria was arranging did not slip from her grip. She rubbed her chest slowly. Ordered some of the servants to prepare to serve well even though ... half-heartedly. The first time she met the beautiful woman, Maria felt sympathy. How her love story with her master had to end because of a marriage arranged by the great master.She also thought that the woman who bore the status of Mrs. Roderick Langley was just taking advantage of the opportunity. Unfortunately, time passed with that assumption just broken. It wasn't just Maria who felt how sincer
Isa ate calmly. He tasted everything that was presented in front of him and occasionally commented on it. Occasionally he also talked to Rick who was sitting next to him. Sometimes he also helped the man to pick up certain types of food. As if this dining room was under his control.Oh, don't forget to be as sweet as possible to Marguerite Langley, who he didn't expect to come down to greet him. For Isa, it didn't matter if the middle-aged woman didn't greet him. His priority tonight was to spend time with Rick in this house. He silently announced that he would replace Eva's position here.A wish that she had once buried because Rick had arbitrarily agreed to her father's ridiculous request. But the fire was burning even more fiercely to be resolved because this man who smiled warmly in front of her would not let her go so easily. This gave Isa confidence that the time would come when she would achieve her goal.“The cook in this house is very reliable,” praised Isa with a smile as sw
“You don't need to complain like that, Isa,” Samantha laughed in response to all the chatter from the woman she could rely on. She didn't expect Isa's move to be so smooth and flawless, and that it had been carefully considered. She placed the cup of tea she had made especially for the woman in front of her. ”Drink this so you can calm down.”“How can I calm down?” Isa sighed irritably. ‘I believed I could influence Ursula. But it turns out she's just like Giselle. I have to retaliate for what Ursula did to me yesterday.”Samantha laughed. ’Do you really want to be friends with them?”Isa sighed softly. “You know that if I'm in their group, I can have much more influence. What's the point of that if not to enjoy it together?”The woman who owned Sams Group laughed even harder. ”You really take advantage of everything within your grasp, don't you? You've really thought through what you want to do.”Isa grinned. She slowly sipped the tea made especially for her. “I should have done this
“Why do you look upset, Isa?“ Rick asked, glancing at the woman sitting next to him. Since the press conference, which he had also attended, his wife had only smiled slightly and said little.“I don't know,” Isa sighed deeply. “Maybe I'm tired because work at Sams is quite demanding.”Rick furrowed his brow, a bit surprised by Isa's words. “You've only been working for two days. And I think you've been out of the office since lunch today.”The woman chuckled. ”You're right. I intentionally took some time off to pick up Ursula because I felt she's been helping us a lot at Unique, right?”Rick nodded.“But if this latest choice is really the best, I think we should welcome Eva properly.”Rick chose not to speak. He focused on the road ahead, which was no longer as empty as usual. The crucial hour had trapped them in traffic, and they had to be patient to reach their destination: Dominique's residence.“Are you happy to meet Eva, dear?”The man glanced at her with a sneer. “What do you m
“Are they here yet?” asked Rick, checking the watch on his left wrist. It had been almost an hour since Max had confirmed their arrival time.“Just a moment, sir. Their car has entered the lobby and is being directed to the upper floor to avoid the reporters. They are all after a story about Miss Eva.”Rick quickened his pace toward the meeting room. At least he had to entertain the guests properly; he couldn't afford to tarnish his image further. And he couldn't afford to lose focus either.“Mrs. Isa is also on her way to the office, sir.”Rick's steps slowed. “For what?”“She wants to meet Unique's new icon. It seems like Mrs. Isa is giving her full attention to sales. I've seen her discussing things with Mr. Jacob a lot over the past few days. With Mrs. Samantha, of course.”Rick chose to keep that information to himself and wait for the right time to talk to his wife. Since the investor in Milan had caused problems, his concentration had been quite disturbed. He didn't have much t
Rick's anger was pent up, his hands clenched, and he had cursed countless times, but the result was still the same. It wasn't getting done quickly. Indeed, checking several parts took time. But still, as long as Unique was in his hands, and as long as he was under his father's supervision, there had never been a problem like this before.To make matters worse, there was the new project he had recently been assigned. He had already warned the staff involved to focus more, as the production target was far higher than the previous year. There was trust, but also hard work to prove they could deliver.“No word from Gustav yet?” Rick asked, sitting down roughly in his chair. It had been two days since the bad news reached him via email. He couldn't take it lightly at that time. He immediately took action, one of which was to ask Gustav to check it out directly.He didn't know what his trusted employee was doing in Jazeran, but what was clear was that the distance between Milan and Jazeran
“How's it going?” Samantha asked, a little excited. They were enjoying some time together during what was actually a pretty busy day. But for Samantha, being here with her favorite cup of coffee and some snacks to go with it was no problem. After all, Sams Group had started to take off since the woman in front of her got involved.That's also why Samantha wasn't going to let go of the woman who was now part of her family.“I've already tried to convince Rick,” Isa sighed softly. ‘But it seems like my persuasion isn't working yet. He just said he'd think about it.”“Did you give him the most convincing reason?’ Samantha asked with a soft laugh. ”Usually, when you give that reason, a man as stubborn as Rick can't resist it.”“I did.” Isa's shoulders slumped weakly. ‘But it's okay. I'll wait patiently for his decision. I'm sure he won't be able to refuse me easily.”Samantha nodded confidently. ’No problem. I would be helped if I had an assistant, but since this position is meant for you
“According to sources that Mommy can trust, there is indeed a bit of debate regarding the marketing that has been going on. Although some of Unique's top brass know who you are, Eva, because this is outside of Unique, you are considered someone who works where you can bring them certain benefits.”Rita's explanation to Eva and Max made sense.“But this is too much of a coincidence, isn't it?” Eva asked, sighing softly. ”Maybe if they were targeting Giselle or Harvey, I wouldn't be so suspicious.”Rita nodded, understanding the concerns of the woman in front of her. When the car carrying them stopped at one of the tall buildings in the center of Yazeran, the person Rita didn't want to see greeted them. With a mischievous grin and an overly casual demeanor.Despite knowing him for quite some time, the memory of their conversation that night—when they had accidentally met at Eva's house—still made Rita's heart race with irritation. And that irritation only grew as the man's childish beha
“Thank you for helping me,” said Rita with a slight smile. ”And your cookies are getting better and better.”Danisa pouted. “I went to all that trouble to go straight to the kitchen. Why does it still feel like something's missing?” But then she laughed. “I guess the kitchen just isn't my thing.”“You're right.” Rita laughed along with her friend. “Tell Eva I said hi. I wonder when we'll get to try her cooking.”Rita gently rubbed Danisa's shoulder. “You're not the only one who feels that way, Danisa. I feel the same.”“Especially you, Rita.” Danisa smiled faintly. “Are you really okay with what happened? You know, not talking to you has been torturous for me. That woman really went too far in how she treated her own mother-in-law.”“I never considered her part of the Dominique family.” Rita giggled. ‘Don't worry, I can still hold myself together. As long as my silence is seen as stupidity and helplessness in Isa's eyes, I don't mind. Just know that I consider you more than a friend.”
“Thank you for helping me,” said Rita with a slight smile. ”And your cookies are getting better and better.”Danisa pouted. “I went to all that trouble to go straight to the kitchen. Why does it still feel like something's missing?” But then she laughed. “I guess the kitchen just isn't my thing.”“You're right.” Rita laughed along with her friend. “Tell Eva I said hi. I wonder when we'll get to try her cooking.”Rita gently rubbed Danisa's shoulder. “You're not the only one who feels that way, Danisa. I feel the same.”“Especially you, Rita.” Danisa smiled faintly. “Are you really okay with what happened? You know, not talking to you has been torturous for me. That woman really went too far in how she treated her own mother-in-law.”“I never considered her part of the Dominique family.” Rita giggled. ‘Don't worry, I can still hold myself together. As long as my silence is seen as stupidity and helplessness in Isa's eyes, I don't mind. Just know that I consider you more than a friend.”
Eva sat comfortably on the long sofa right next to the large glass window. The view she could enjoy was of Yazeran at night. The first time she came to this partly sandy and quite hot place, Eva fell in love. She was captivated by the ethnic patterns on the clothing and the ornaments found on almost every public building there.And because of that, most of the souvenirs she brought back from Yazeran were woven fabrics with unique characteristics, serving as a sign that the fabric was a souvenir from that desert region. Under Giselle's creative hands, the fabric became a comfortable dress that made Eva feel close to Yazeran.That dress was also what she wore for dinner with Max this time. It wasn't unusual for Eva to hear compliments from the man. And his annoying behavior, almost to the point of being infuriating, but Eva couldn't just brush him off. There was always something he did to make Eva end up under his control again.Including now. Where Eva was staying in the famous Paradis