"Ta, you know the latest gossip?"
Tata raises her eyes from the dish in front of her. "What gossip? I feel like I've missed a lot," she responds with a slight grin. This causes Yessy and Peoni to chuckle.
"You've been so busy lately. Lots of projects, huh?"
"Yeah... that's how it goes." Tata takes a spoonful of her soup.
"The gossip is that Mr. Levi is going to resign," Yessy says sadly. "I'm seriously devastated."
Tata falls silent.
"You sure you don't know about this, Ta?" Yessy asks, a bit urgently. Confused about how to respond to the question, Tata doesn't know what to say. The news spreads so quickly. Office gossip is just as dangerous as neighborhood gossip. A little spark can set off an explosion in one area.
"It's impossible for Tata not to know, Yes," Peoni chimes in.
"Yeah, maybe." Yessy's shoulders slump weakly. "Well... there won't be any eye candy left."
Tata just smiles. She goes back to enjoying her lunch
"Your girlfriend tonight looks really beautiful," Tata compliments sincerely. "Sorry I didn't know today was Echa's birthday. But I'll remember because it's the same day as Amel's.""Amel?" Levi repeats."My niece," Tata asserts with her still lingering smile.Meeting the beautiful Echa in a white dress, the joy that refuses to leave the child's face infects Tata. Especially when they meet again, the girl hugs her tightly. She says, "Missed you, Auntie. When are we going out again? To see airplanes?"That's not all, compared to her tightly held hand by Echa, it forces Tata to follow Levi, who has already reserved a table in the corner of the restaurant. Accepting sharp glares from Jenni, but through her gaze, she promises to explain what's happening. Because after that, she's here, sitting with the father and daughter. Enjoying steak and bear-themed cupcakes, the favorite of the birthday girl."Be careful eating your steak, Cha. Still seems hot," T
Tata still hopes this is a dream. But no, she has to face this reality.Levi has really decided to resign. His reasons are quite understandable, but still, she feels lost. It's not about romance; in her eyes, Levi is a successful leader. Under the command of the boss, many projects always received more appreciation. It can't be denied, Mr. Jimmy often praised them during meetings with the whole division.Then, in the next three months, Tata will replace him. Can she do it? With her current capacity?Thinking about this makes Tata's stomach churn. Although almost the entire marketing staff supports her, she still has significant doubts. Nevertheless, there's one person she hired to help her now.Her name is Gina. Both from the marketing division, but more on the administrative side. What made Tata choose her is that Gina is quite agile and meticulous. That's more than enough. There are still many projects to work on and discuss with Levi, both ongoing and
Ottis:You dare kick out my mom, Ta? You're out of line! I won't let you get away with this! Remember, that house is mine too!Tata slides her phone back into her lap. She's never responded to any of Ottis's messages, not even one. Even when her ex-husband often makes phone calls, she's still the same. Doesn't care."What did you say earlier, Jen?""Ugh!" Jenni sighs. "Wasn't my message clear, Ta?"All Tata can do is give a thin smile."Yeah, I get your concerns. I know what I'm doing."No. Tata heard Jenni's words clearly, including making sure Levi is officially divorced. She doesn't want her presence in his life to complicate things further. Especially since she herself told Jenni about her past with Rahayu.Jenni squeezes Tata's hand."I don't care who you end up with. I just want you to be happy. That's all, Ta.""I just opened up a bit to Levi. Doesn't mean I'm head over heels, right, Jen?" Tata's laughter c
Their busy schedule in Samarinda really drained their time. Often, even though tired, Tata had to work overtime because Danacom's demands were quite a lot. Her sleep time was greatly reduced, but she never felt burdened. She liked being busy.Like now, she's still dealing with charts and slides of the average achievement index if Danacom agrees."Finally done," she sighs softly. Glancing at the clock in her hotel room, it's already 8:30 PM. "Just the target draft left."Her phone, not far from her laptop, vibrates softly. One notification comes in, making Tata smile broadly.Levi:Are you asleep already? If not, join me for coffee?Without any consideration, Tata quickly replies to that message. Just like when she looked at the messages Levi sent earlier. Most were just reminders, but Tata liked them. She immediately grabs her cardigan from the edge of the bed, covering her body wrapped in pajamas.Just for coffee, right?Howev
Returning from Samarinda didn't change anything in their closeness at the office. They just went about their business, not looking like a couple who often exchanged stolen lyrics or gave attention without many people noticing. Some of the projects Tata handled showed such rapid progress. She wasn't proud; it was all because of good teamwork.For her, maintaining this success is what she must do. Because maintaining is much harder than starting something new."Ta," Levi calls softly, trying not to startle the woman who seems so focused on her report."Yeah?""Invite the other staff to lunch, Ta. When else can I eat with them, right?"Tata puts down her pen, sighing softly. Her eyes glance at the desk calendar, where she circled Levi's last day at ShopaShop. She also marked the date of their departure to Kuala Lumpur."Time flies, huh?""Don't put on that face, Ta." Levi takes Tata's hand and holds it gently. "It's weighing on me." He k
In the name of humanity, Tata is here. She watches how the body lies helpless, various life-supporting devices attached to Rieka. Her chest rises and falls weakly. Her face is gaunt, as if the flesh that covers her bones has vanished. Her eyes are half-closed. From Tata's current position, she can see the pain Rieka is experiencing now.In the past, that face used to look so cynical at Tata. The words that came out of those lips often hurt without remedy, except maybe... an apology. But how could that figure apologize when, just to stay alive, her body was supported by so many machines?"Mom's condition dropped not long after Ottis's second marriage, Tata," Nilam informs her. There's no longer any sarcasm in her voice or high-pitched tones, let alone the cynical look in the eyes of the woman standing beside her. Her presence alone is a joy because she can say, "Forgive Mom, Tata. Mom was wrong to you and Mbak. Forgive me too." Nilam sobs. "I was wrong to you.""
"Hey, Ta," Yessy and Peoni greet Tata cheerfully as they spot her sitting at one of the cafeteria tables where they occasionally have lunch together."Rare to see you here," Peoni quickly takes a seat right in front of Tata, who's busy enjoying her soup."Missing soup," Tata says with a chuckle."If only you'd come down with us earlier," Yessy chimes in, promptly ordering her lunch. Along with Peoni, her menu choice isn't too different."Super busy now that you're the new boss, huh?" Peoni remarks.Tata sighs. "If only you knew, I feel like I'm being crushed by piles of reports and meetings."Both of her coworkers laugh."But the marketing division's progress is amazing. The finance team was swamped with your projects, but the results..." Yessy gives two thumbs up. "Mrs. Tata immediately removed Mr. Levi's name as Mr. Jimmy's favorite child.""No way," Tata scoffs, accompanied by a thin grin. "I heard you both got promoted too,
Tata had given full power to Ningrum as her lawyer to handle everything related to the marital assets. The process has been going on for almost four months, and today is the day she's been waiting for.Different from the divorce trial, Ottis, who came, just sits silently in the corner with a melancholic look. Not much talking, as if losing his former dominance that once made Tata feel small.Last time she remembers, Ottis wasn't as gloomy as this. What's really going on? Accompanied by Jenni, Tata is busy thinking about Ottis, also wondering if her ex-husband is really involved in a significant case."The Chairman of the Panel decided on the division of the house located at Duta Mas Complex, Angkasa Street No. 58 RT 010 RW 001, Jagakarsa Village, Jagakarsa District, each party receiving fifty percent of the proceeds from the sale."Previously, Tata had been informed. Although only an estimate from Ningrum as her legal representative, she didn't expect the
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