"Honey, it's pouring out there," Tata complains while brushing off raindrops from the end of his blazer. "If we go out, we'll catch a cold, Honey."
Ottis laughs. "That's where the fun's at. Mom says heavy rain like this won't get you sick."
Tata shakes his head in disbelief.
"Seriously." Ottis looks at his wife convincingly. "Come on, let's go home now. It'll be fun to shower in the rain together."
For some reason, memories of the day they ended up soaked in rain, yet full of joy, repeat without warning in Tata's mind. Maybe because he's standing right in front of the window, where there are now many raindrops.
In the first year of their marriage, Tata felt everything sweet and lucky being married to Ottis. The man's treatment has yet to be forgotten. But it's balanced with his changing behavior. Every time she questions what's going on, he just brushes it off. Redirecting the conversation or even further cornering her is something she's gotten use
Ottis: Why did you put my mom's stuff in the guest room? She's my mother, Ta! How dare you do that when I'm not around?Tata has been staring at the message with a thin smile. She wants to reply but feels lazy. Not replying, there's a desire to counter all the messages Ottis sends her.Last night when she came home, her mother-in-law caused trouble again. Her belongings were put back into the room where Tata sleeps. Even though since the first day she returned home, her warning was clear.Somehow, their confidence is so high. If Tata has no rights in this house, everything in this two-story house belongs to Ottis. That's why they can act like this. Maybe they thought Tata would obey them as usual. The threats back then were just words.But this time, Tata agrees with him.Regardless of her mother-in-law shouting at her. Her sister-in-law cursing her. Kayyish suddenly scared because her loved one raised her voice to speak to Tata. None of it shakes
Tata can't take her eyes off Levi since earlier. Not because they're on the plane, which is already peacefully in the air, but because of Levi's gentle behavior towards his daughter. They took a bit longer during the initial check entering the cabin because Echa is joining on this business trip. With Merry, of course."Echa insisted on coming, Ta," Levi informs shortly after they met at the airport some time ago. "I can't just leave her like this."Levi talks about it so calmly. There's no sense of annoyance, no hassle because of Echa's behavior later on, or any dislike due to the amount of stuff she needs to bring. None of it is printed on his face. His smile even widens. His hand keeps holding Echa tightly. The daughter also looks relaxed and happy. Maybe she feels like this trip is a vacation."Come on, Ta, you going to stay here forever?""Oh, yeah, sure, Sir." Tata immediately follows Levi's steps.No. Tata is not affected at all by whether Echa is there or not. It's just that wh
They didn't stay at the soft launch for too long. Levi was still discussing a few things with the Jiayi team. Tata knew about it. But suddenly Levi invited her to leave, for whatever reason. Since Levi hung up the phone, the boss wasn't relaxed anymore. He even didn't hesitate to raise his voice a bit when the driver slowed down the car.Tata was sure something had happened. When they arrived at the hotel's courtyard where they were staying, Levi got out without saying much, leaving Tata confused.Her hunch was right, something had happened. But what? To satisfy her curiosity, she did the same. However, the answer Tata got afterward left her shocked. It was the first time she had truly seen Levi angry. Very angry."What are you doing here, huh?!" Levi immediately grabbed the arm of the beautiful woman wearing a low-cut white dress. "Go away!"As if not a bit afraid, the woman shrugged off Levi's grip. Her gaze challenged Levi without hesitation."Echa is my daughter. I have the right
Levi runs his fingers through his hair slowly. Still, he lets the night breeze mess it up again. He closes his eyes, just to neutralize the rage he had unleashed earlier."Have a drink, sir."The voice makes Levi look up."Thank you, Ta," he says after a moment of hesitation. He opens the mineral water bottle effortlessly. He takes a few sips until he feels the anger has subsided significantly.The giver just smiles thinly, then dares to sit next to him. "That... " She's somewhat afraid to ask, but her curiosity has already been exposed with her earlier words."Echa's mother," Levi cuts in softly. He almost finishes half the bottle in one gulp. "I'm sorry for scaring you earlier."Tata grimaces slightly. "It seems like it's Echa who's scared.""You're right," Levi stares straight ahead.The hotel they're staying at in Bali is near the beach. This is where they are tonight. Taking a break after the chaos earlier.The soun
Tata nudges Levi's back a bit."Sir, please... if you don't leave now, you'll be late for the grand opening. Shopashop is on your shoulders, man.""But, Ta," Levi tries to evade. "I really feel bad about this.""Why feel bad?" Tata scoffs. "Come on, it's better for you to hurry. Let Echa stay with me. Besides, Merry is here."Levi sighs deeply once more. His eyes fall on his daughter, who's lying down hugging Holy; her favorite teddy bear with a red hat. There's a fever patch on her forehead. Since 2:00 AM, the girl's body temperature has been rising, making Merry worry enough to knock on Levi's door.Finally, both of them couldn't go back to sleep because of Echa's condition. While today was scheduled for Levi and Tata to attend Jiayi's grand opening at a mall in Denpasar."Let me know right away if there's anything.""Yes, sir.""Merry, don't trouble Mrs. Tata too much," he instructs the caregiver. Merry nods obediently.
Tata tries to act as relaxed as possible. Though the corner of her eye keeps a close watch on every move of the woman sitting in front of her. It's been five minutes already, but the woman still hasn't spoken. She really doesn't want to meet with this woman. If it weren't for something supposedly important to discuss, she'd rather spend lunchtime in the cafeteria with Yessy and Peoni."What do you want from me?" Tata finally asks. She can't let her time be wasted just for this woman."I don't really like beating around the bush, to be honest. Just afraid of hurting your feelings."Tata lifts her cup of coffee latte that she ordered. She sips it slowly, feeling the mixture of flavors that greet her taste buds. "Don't waste time, Ratih. Besides, what you want to talk about surely isn't far from your affair, right?"Ratih chuckles. "You're quite sharp, aren't you?""How long has it been?" Tata places the cup down slowly. A moment later, she stares sha
Tata sighed softly. She couldn't deny how exhausted her mind was right now. Even when she closed her eyes, everything she was thinking about continued to haunt her."How long are you going to daydream over there, Ta?" Jenni chided her teasingly. Nevertheless, she had two hot teas and a few slices of cake with her. The woman sitting there just grinned faintly."I don't know. It's nice here.""Nice, huh?" Jenni sat down next to Tata after placing the tray she brought. "This is my favorite spot at home.""I don't know which part I can call my favorite spot at home." Tata took her cup. "Let me drink, okay? Daydreaming apparently requires energy."Jenni chuckled. "What's up, Ta?"Tata just shook her head slightly."Is it Ottis again?"Once again, Tata responded with a shake of her head."Rat pests and Fake Witches?""Seriously, you're so good for fairy tale character name inspirations."Was Jenni angry? Not at a
Ottis taps his desk softly with his fingertips. In front of him, his phone lies, displaying many unanswered messages from Tata.He's annoyed. Very much so.Nevertheless, there's still a sense of satisfaction that greets him. He expresses that Samanta Kiehl couldn't fulfill her duties as a defiant wife. Not following what he commanded, even though it wasn't harmful and still within religious boundaries. Two mediations have passed, and both times Tata didn't show up.His lips draw a very thin line."Don't expect you can get that house, Ta." His hand clenches slightly. "You'll regret it later.""Been a while, Honey?"Ottis grimaces slightly. He quickly grabs the phone on the table. He hides it as quickly as possible, complete with decorating his face with a wide smile. "Just got here.""Why didn't you let me know when you were in the lobby? I could've picked you up.""Ah." Ratih blushes. "It didn't take long to walk from the lobby
Days go by, months roll by, years also add up. But one thing is timeless. Togetherness in the two-story house that is now never quiet again. Sometimes Anna's voice fills the corners of the room where Nika is too active to move. The seven-year-old is like a deer in headlights. She can't keep still. I don't know where her energy comes from. Anna is not afraid that something will break or fall because of Nika. But she was worried that her granddaughter would get hurt because she was too agile. Running here and there, sometimes jumping up and down while laughing merrily. Fortunately, Levant could accompany Nika's activities, although the youngest daughter had to wait until her middle sister came home from school. Meanwhile, Cheryl was really busy with her studies. Levant also started to have a lot of activities at school. Even so, Cheryl never wasted time with her family. Even Levant. Whenever there is an opportunity to get together, they do it with great j
Lily gazed at Nika, who had fallen asleep, fondly. She still remembered how she gave birth to her youngest daughter. Although there was a lot of drama, her gratitude never subsided. "Sleep well, sweetheart. Sweet dreams." She gently kissed Nika's forehead as she prayed, "Oh God, always protect my children from nightmares. From people with evil intentions. From the hypocrites around them. Make them good and virtuous children." Fixing the edge of Nika's blanket properly, tidying up the books that Nika had messed up, and making sure the room temperature was comfortable, Lily left the room. Which turned out to be awaited by James. "Not sleeping yet?" asked Lily, who carefully closed the door to Nika's room. "I can't sleep if you're not around." James sulked exactly like Levant. That's why Lily often joked that her husband transformed into his son when he was five years old. All Lily could do was to mess up James' rather messy hair.
Even though it was loud and noisy in her father's luxury SUV, Cheryl still had a quiet spot. Even though her mouth occasionally asked Levant not to tease her youngest sister, who had no idea where Levant's nosy behavior had come from, it was still a niche that sometimes demanded attention. She deliberately created a void in her heart to imprison the figure of Keana there. The figure that should have been there when she was sad, worried, lonely, read her stories, prepared her breakfast, and all sorts of activities that little Lily used to do. Like the woman who sat beside her father; who was never late to accompany her to do anything, even when she arrived in her red and white uniform. Not in a kindergarten uniform or even a time when her memory was not too perfect. The trip to one of the malls in Central Jakarta didn't take too long. Once in the parking area, James asked Levant and Nika's nanny to enter the shopping center first.
In the past, it took a lot of effort for Lily to get Cheryl to talk. This time, Cheryl could easily tell Lily anything, especially what happened to her. From her activities at school to her friends who she finds annoying. Cheryl had something to tell Lily. For her, talking to her mom is fun. Unlike her father, who often teases her. Especially about relationships with the opposite sex. "What's wrong, mom?" Cheryl folded her arms across her chest. Her face was sullen. The look in her eyes held irritation. "What's wrong with Papa?" Lily folded her smile. She reached out her hand to tidy up her daughter's long hair which was a bit messy. "I was asked about Noah. Am I his friend? When did I become Noah Narendra's friend?" "Drink the milk first, okay?" "I'm not Levant, Mom." Cheryl still didn't accept being treated like a child.Even so, she accepted the glass Lily handed her. She sipped slowly,
The second pregnancy was a bit risky for Lily. Her age made her worry, although not as much as the happiness that surrounded her. The doctor said, "As long as you take care of your womb, condition, and food intake, God willing, it will be fine." For Lily, everything that poured into her life now was more than a gift. What she had hoped for all this time, the millions of prayers she made in every prostration happened so easily. As if without burden, God gave her that wish when Lily let go of everything. When she let go of being a childless woman. Cheryl was enough for her to show off. Risa's advice to Lily was exactly that. So when her first pregnancy happened, the happiness was not only hers. But her whole family. Nita and Rianto often traveled to Jakarta to see their first grandchild grow. As befits the name Lily gave her second child-for Cheryl was her first-Levant Akala Virza. She hopes that her life will be as bright as her name.
The man was still frozen in front of the steering wheel. There was a moment of hesitation before he decided to actually get out and walk towards the place where James Adam's fare wall party was being held. Today, his coworker resigned. He chose to continue the business he had started rather than struggle under the command of someone else. There was a mountain of curiosity in the man's heart. Especially the words that had been bothering him since this morning. "I'm definitely missing Mr. James at work."He said honestly. His coworker this time was very dedicated to work."Mr. Levi could have. I had intended to resign a long time ago but the timing always clashed. It just so happens that my wife is spoiled beyond belief, asking to be accompanied at home.""Pregnant women have different hormones, boss," said Denny, James Adam's assistant. "Ms. Lily is so independent when she's spoiled, it's really funny.""Don't imagine someone's wife. Date someone else!"
"Where's Lily, James?" It was James' turn to be puzzled by such a question. Since leaving the room he had chosen to tidy up the files in his study first and then head to the dining room. Usually his wife, Sari, was preparing breakfast. But this morning, she wasn't there. Plus his mother's question just now. "Probably in Cheryl's room." That was all James could answer. "Morning, Grandma. Morning, Papa." Cheryl, cheerfully approached her father as well as her grandmother. Giving a good morning kiss befor
Lily is tired? She must be.However, her heart was happy because in addition to the wedding party that she had once dreamed of, it was perfectly realized by her husband. Even her wishes regarding the bridal room. Although she had protested, Lily was able to get her husband to comply. There was no bridal suite in the place where she spent her first night after becoming husband and wife. Even though the hotel had offered the most luxurious package to Lily, she refused. James actually didn't understand Lily's way of thinking. Wouldn't she be amazed to see how beautifully the bridal suite was decorated?James was eager to ask, but a smile and a sad look appeared on Lily's beautiful face. He did not want to ask further. Maybe later, when she was in a better mood, he would ask her about it."Tired?" asked James when he entered the room.He glanced at his wife who w
BALI The man frowns. The wedding invitation the receptionist had just given him was enough to make him tingle, but he would still tell his employer. There was no way he could hide this invitation from her."Keana," Andri called out loudly as he entered the long-haired woman's apartment unit."What the hell, you're screaming incoherently!"Keana, who was putting on her eyelashes, felt suddenly distracted. She felt like throwing her assistant with the boots next to her. It took a lot of concentration to put on those lashes and Andri succeeded in distracting her."I have a surprise for you."Andri grinned innocently. Handing the invitation to the woman. Keana snorted in displeasure but she read it anyway. She read the wedding invitation that came to her for a long time."When will it arrive?" She was still flipping through the ivory-colored invitat