It had been a week since Lily had last been to her employer's office. Now, she had to go back there, to take the young lady to pick up her father. She counted the chances of meeting the man as enormous. Very high. Moreover, the scope of her employer's work, according to Lily's belief, must be close. This time, James allowed Lily to wait for him in the car. For some reason, the permission James gave her earlier made her relieved. In the evening, she would thank him sincerely for that.
She did not want any coincidences that could not be tolerated anymore. Even though her employer had asked, Lily didn't feel it was worth mentioning. It was her zone of privacy. She was not just anyone who would tell a story just to get sympathy. She wasn't.
Nevertheless, Lily did not stop trying to make up her mind that the day would come when she would have to meet Levi. Her ex-husband. And she had decided on this night. Lily had calculated the various possibilities that would happen. Esp
Lily let out a long breath. She tightened her grip on the strap of her tote bag. She got out of the car slowly, determined that this would be the last time. After thanking the middle-aged man profusely for making time for her."Mr. James is worried about Miss Lily. I'm not bothered either," he said, which made Lily feel even worse. Sunday was supposed to be his day off. Mr. Ahmad was asked to drive and wait for Lily, as per his employer's orders. At first he refused, but James always had a way of keeping Lily quiet.James said, "Jakarta is big. You will get lost. It's better to be dropped off and waited for. It won't take long to meet Mr. Levi, right?"Not to mention he had to persuade Cheryl not to come along. It wasn't easy considering Lily was with him almost every day. Just like stamps, inseparably sticky. He promised that after he was done with his business, he would accompany Cheryl swimming. She also made cookies topped with colorful choco chips.C
"I'm hungry, Miss Lily."Lily already didn't know what her face looked like. If she could have switched, she would have done it since she made sure that her current employer took the wheel. Really, Lily did not understand when Mr. Ahmad switched with James?"Aren't you hungry?" asked James, occasionally turning to Lily who was now looking down. She tried her best to cover her face with her hair.The moment Ahmad's sedan rolled out of the garage, James' heart was already racing. While calculating all the worst possibilities as to what the response would be, he didn't care. After twenty minutes under a blanket of doubt, James caught up."I want to go home," Lily refused. She still didn't dare to lift her head just to make sure James wasn't looking at her with a pitying look."I was trying to cheer you up with food." James chuckled softly. His eyes were still focused on the steering wheel."Why?"Lily clearly heard James sigh. "I don't k
"Mommy, I'm hungry," complained Cheryl who immediately bumped into Lily when she met the figure standing in the school waiting room. Her life returned to the same rhythm; waking up early, making Cheryl breakfast, taking her to school until the little girl came home. Just like this moment.Lily froze for a moment. She was still not used to that the child gave her. This was indeed a secret. The secret that really won made Lily's mood at one hundred percent."Indeed Non-" Lily immediately smothered her lips as the little eyeballs glared angrily at her. "Does Cheryl want to wait for Mommy to cook? She's hungry now." She gently stroked the top of the child's head."I'll just eat the doughnuts now."She deliberately swung her hand cheerfully in the air. They intertwined with the nanny's. They walked out of the school gate to her pick-up car.Lily laughed. "Your cheeks will get rounder like doughnuts.""That's okay. What's important is that Papa sa
"Sir, this is the third time I've asked for a revision."James spoke in a light tone but it was not that simple. His head was spinning reading the report Levi had given him two hours ago. Denny even got an extra assignment to analyze the individual parts of the strategy that James thought didn't fit. At all.In front of him, the near-forty-year-old sighed in frustration. He massaged his temples lightly."Sorry.""I don't mean to patronize or anything. As the young one, I apologize in advance, but the conditions-" A pause for James to regain his breath, "We're pressed for time. Wasting time in the marketing world doesn't apply. The company's profits are in our hands, sir. Mr. Levi knows that for sure. I hope you'll get rid of what's going through your head."James stood up from the chair in front of the man's desk. "I'll be there in half an hour. Is that possible, sir?"Levi closed his eyes. Other than nodding, there was nothing else he could
Eventually Lily got used to sitting in front of the rows of books in James' study. Observing every line that was there. Picking up the ones she liked and getting lost in them. While killing time because at the other end, James still seemed to be working full of concentration.This time his choice falls on the autobiography of a former president who was in power for quite some time.While behind his big desk, James couldn't help but steal a glance at Lily. From the look on her face, it was clear that the woman was already diving into the thick book of her choice. Every now and then her eyebrows would furrow, the corners of her lips sometimes pursed-James was a little sure that they were smeared with a thin stroke of pink lipstick. Adding color to her already beautiful face.Wait. Wait a minute.He wasn't complimenting Liliana Bertha, was he? Never mind, he gave up. There was no denying that she was beautiful. Beautiful in her own way.James sighed s
James checks work as a way to kill time waiting. He deliberately arrived at the agreed place in advance. A cup of latte less sugar coffee was served in front of him along with a slice of soft cake. He tasted a little, but no longer continued. It tasted too sweet. It was different from what she often ate at home. It had to be with extra persuasion if he wanted to eat it. Because her favorite daughter had monopolized the plate or jar of snacks her nanny made.The Tag Heuer in his left hand reads two o'clock in the afternoon. As he wandered around to enjoy the interior of the café, the figure he was waiting for walked towards him. The smile on her red lipstick-covered lips was the same, seductive but full of mystery.The aura emanating from the woman made several other patrons turn their heads to her intentionally or unintentionally. The woman didn't care about what was going on around her. Her goal was clear, to meet the man she found sitting casually in one corne
"What's the need?" asked Lily coldly.She sat across from a tired-looking Levi. The look on his face was nothing like the last time they met. Did he care? Not at all.In fact, in her mind right now, she seemed to have no face if she had to meet her employer later. How could this person be so desperate to meet Lily here. In James' house. Either she felt lucky or unlucky when James approached her. After Lily was convinced, her employer went to Levi first."Solve your problem. We're out of the way. You don't have to be shy, just think of it as your own home. I assure you, this is the last time you meet."Lily only gave a small nod in response to her employer's words. "I apologize in advance, sir."It was an annoying thing for James to do with the pressure Lily was receiving, as her employer laughed lightly."I accept your apology but with conditions. Remember that, Lily." Then the man left Lily while patting her shoulder lightly. He sighe
From one corner of the cafe, Lily's eyes couldn't help but notice how the two awkward-looking people interacted. Not knowing what they were talking about, Lily chose to give them time and space.Lily still remembered when the beautiful woman approached her at school this afternoon. She was very surprised when she found out who it was. Keana Grizelle. Cheryl's biological mother."I'm sorry if my presence took Miss Lily by surprise."Keana smiled awkwardly as she never expected to take this step. She was determined to meet her daughter's birth mother. She didn't know whether James or Lily had told Cheryl about her or not. She felt that she had to meet immediately. She was afraid of missing the opportunity again. She regretted what she had done enough. This time, all her confidence led her to approach for just a moment."Have I known you before?" asked Lily confused by suddenly being approached by such a beautiful woman. There was something familiar to Lily
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