"Wilna, do you know that the marketing department needs the most up-to-date input on the exhibition in three months? Have you prepared it?”I looked up as Thomas Edison's heavy voice filled my room. The guy just walked in without knocking on the door first. Really, this was the dozenth time I had protested his bad habit, but he didn't seem to care at all.It seemed like God had created Thomas as a challenge for me. So I had to extend my patience in order to face the man who had pulled out one of the chairs in front of me. Ready for a long talk that I'm sure won't be over in an hour. Ugh! I have a lot of work to do but I still have to deal with this guy? Seriously!“I've prepared it, sir,” I replied as I straightened my shoulders. My eyes glanced at the thick document lying neatly on the table. The work Thomas was asking about was really testing my patience. The financial reports of the last three months were a burden on my mind, not to mention the big exhibition plan that would become
“Damn,” I grumbled with an annoyed step. The encounter with Charles had completely ruined my mood. I was hungry but because of the argument, my taste buds just disappeared. I had to fill my stomach immediately because my job as Helena's replacement could not be taken lightly.Along the way to Helena's room, I kept thinking about that shameless Charles. God, he showed me a very bad side. And I felt that the sadness and disappointment that my marriage had failed was not as bad as it seemed. I was indeed sad, because what I wanted and longed for had come to an abrupt end. With an affair that I never expected.But the more days I pass, the more grateful I am that the failure happened.Including the incident this afternoon.Perhaps because I was too busy with thoughts that didn't lead to work, I had unknowingly stepped closer to Helena's office. The elevator that took me to my floor destination also seemed to be moving quickly. Unfortunately... I haven't put anything in my stomach as food.
Thomas really made me do a shitty morning activity. I had to wake up early, missing breakfast with Aunt Merry just to pick him up at the apartment. Ridiculously, I couldn't refuse not because I didn't have the courage. I saw that Thomas was really busy with his files. So... what that man was asking for wasn't just an excuse.He needs my help.So here I am now. Choosing a suit that suits him-tie, cufflinks, watch, and shoes. It must all match, or else I will get him angry. That's also why I had to take the time to study colors. It must be because the stuff in Thomas's clothes comes in a variety of colors.“Your clothes are ready,” I half shouted. I couldn't possibly talk in front of Thomas' bathroom door. Ugh! After sorting the clothes, I glanced at the dining table where there was nothing but a slice of bread with no jam on it.“How can he have so much energy with just two slices of bread?” I said as I opened the fridge. I took out the eggs, sliced beef, lettuce, tomato, and cucumber
“Why is this happening to me?” I grumbled with a grumpy face. Really, dinner this time made me sick. Plus, Lily hasn't come home yet because she has work to finish immediately. At least if Lily joins us at the table, I can hold my temper a bit.What exactly is this asshole doing?“You don't have to bother bringing us a lot of food like this, Charles.”I heard my aunt speak in a friendly tone that was so sincere. Charles brought two large paper bags with the logo of a famous restaurant as gifts. I saw them as useless items in this house. Aunt Merry had prepared a separate dish for dinner.I stirred the food on my plate with no intention of actually eating it. Several times Aunt Merry offered me various delicious dishes at the dining table, but I refused. Really, I didn't want to eat the food Charles had brought for dinner this time.Uncle's voice talking about the house renovation plan sounded like the buzzing of mosquitoes in my ears. I only replied as needed, one or two words that I
I really wanted to get rid of this uncomfortable feeling. Even though the vibe was quite relaxed and the song I was listening to was pleasant, it still felt awkward.“Where are we going, sir?” I asked. For the longest time. His answer? Just a big smile and a mischievous grin. Typical of a man named Thomas Edison. More often than not, he was annoying with his multiple desires, dizzying with so many detailed things he wanted, not to mention that sometimes he acted like a sulking five-year-old.I don't understand why so many people admire him. I know he has extraordinary capacity as a leader. But... I guess that's a performance Thomas often gives in front of many people. In front of me? It's a different story.Just like this afternoon. Even though his meeting schedule with Sofie had been arranged in such a way. It was a little difficult to contact the woman in the middle of her busy schedule with the launch of the new product she was managing. Sofie Ansela, the daughter of a rich family.
Six months had passed since all the drama.“Is there a follow-up meeting?” Helena asked Wilna who was still going through some files. Because of Helena's question just now, Wilna looked up and stared at her best friend and boss. She seemed to think before she finally spoke.“I don't think so. Besides, all your dealings with the production and marketing teams have been handled by Gio. He's reliable.”Helena chuckled. “But afterward, he must have complained about a lot of things, especially that he couldn't go back to his apartment because he had too much work at Nakia.”Wilna spluttered. “Who told him to live so far away from the office?”“Sometimes I feel sorry for Gio. He's adapting a lot to his surroundings but there's no denying it, if that's what you have to do. Right?”Wilna nodded enthusiastically. “Should we ask him to transfer? Gio is a potential employee for Nakia, Helena. Do you know how much of an impact he could have on Nakia's survival?”“I know,” Helena replied immediate
“What's got you in such a mood?” asked Wilna after returning from lunch. In her hand was the cup of coffee Helena had ordered. At first, she thought she would hear an exciting story from Helena about her meeting with her future in-laws. But there seemed to be something wrong here.Helena, who was originally cheerful, looked somber.“Nothing,” Helena said with a fake smile.Wilna raised one eyebrow, not believing Helena's words. She sat on the sofa in front of Helena and offered her the coffee she had brought. “Oh, come on, you can't fool me. How long have I known you?” Wilna asked as she savored her cup of coffee. “Your face looks more pathetic than any tragic play I've ever seen.”Helena just sighed as she took the coffee and sat next to Wilna. The heat that the coffee cup brought to her palm made Helena hold it tighter. She hoped Wilna would give up and stop asking questions. But who was she trying to fool? This was Wilna-the friend who could always get her to talk, even when she di
Helena stood in the room with her suitcase open in front of her. Some of her clothes seemed to be scattered on the big bed, as well as some other necessities that she had to put in the suitcase. Occasionally, she looked out the window, where the mansion's garden looked green and beautiful.“Miss Helena, what else do you need?” asked Vania, the maid who assisted Helena during her stay at the main house.“I don't know, I'm confused,” Helena chuckled in disbelief. “I haven't traveled like this in a long time.”“I'll help you and make sure you don't leave anything behind while you're abroad.”“Thank you Vania.” At least Vania's words relieved her. “Don't forget my hairdyer. In case it's not provided there, I'm too lazy to find a new hairdryer.”“Yes, Miss Helena.”Hanry entered after knocking on the door.“Papa?” Helena looked surprised not by her father's arrival but by what was in his hand. “Let me carry it. Why don't you ask the servants to bring it here?” Helena grumbled. Hanri brough
“Do you want to have dinner somewhere else?” asked Thomas with a hint of anxiety on his face. He had made a special reservation at this restaurant so that they could have dinner in peace. After all, it had been a long time since Thomas had spent time with Wilna in a place like this.“Why would you go somewhere else?” asked Wilna in surprise. “The menu is perfect here and I was just about to eat this dish.” Wilna gave the man sitting in front of her a strange look. “Or is it you who doesn't really like it here?”Thomas shook his head while stifling a laugh. “In case you forgot, this is one of my favorite restaurants.”Wilna couldn't deny that. “Then... why did you offer me to move to another restaurant?”“You don't seem to be interested in the food,” Thomas said without mincing words. Knowing Wilna for almost more than four years, he understood what kind of woman she was. She didn't like things that were too much ado, hardworking, although she often made mistakes but Wilna was always w
“Where's my husband?” asked Helena, who had just entered the dining room, surprised that Michael was no longer there. It was as if he had left her to have breakfast alone. It had been a month since Helena and Michael returned from their memorable honeymoon in the Maldives. However, married life was starting to show a different side.Helena didn't mind, it was just that... they had just gotten married, right?“Mr. Michael has just left, Mrs. Helena,” one of the waiters said, bowing politely. She also invited Helena to sit in her chair. The dishes made by the butler were quite appetizing but... for some reason Helena was reluctant to touch them. But she couldn't just skip the morning intake. The agenda was so overwhelming that she had to have more energy to deal with it.That morning, Helena sat alone at the dining table. A cup of coffee and a plate of toast accompanied sheets of paperwork about the new product launch of Nakia, the cosmetics company she worked for. The job took up almos
Helena sat by the window of the airplane, her eyes unable to escape the breathtaking view below. The bright blue sky combined with the crystal clear sea, revealing a cluster of small islands that looked like jewels. She took a deep breath, a smile never leaving her face.Michael turned his head, looking at his wife with great affection. “Should I be jealous that you're more mesmerized by the view than I am?”Helena giggled, glancing at him. “Don't be silly. But you're right, it's amazing.”Michael smiled with satisfaction, taking Helena's hand and holding it tightly. “Wait until you see our villa. You'll fall in love even more.”Helena frowned, pretending to think. “Fall in love with the place or the person who brought me there?”Michael chuckled. “Probably both.”When they arrived at the resort, Helena was completely lost for words. Their villa stood majestically over the water, surrounded by the sea shimmering in the sunlight. There was a private pool, a deck directly overlooking th
“Are you tired?” asked Michael as he unhooked his tie. They had just finished the last of a series of events they had to go through together at the wedding.“Are you asking me?” Helena laughed at the question. She had already taken off her party dress which felt suffocating. Perhaps it was because she had to receive so many guests, making her feel very tired.“I really want to sleep,” complained Michael, who was now sitting on the edge of the bed.“You're right.” Helena was still busy drying her hair. “By the way, Wilna has prepared our departure schedule for a week. But isn't that too much?”“Why is it too much?” Michael laughed. “You haven't taken any time off anyway, have you?”“At least not one that I've deliberately taken for a long time.”Michael looked at Helena's back, which was still wrapped in the satin bathrope that his wife seemed to be wearing so comfortably. Ah, wife. Michael never thought he'd get to this point and it was a joy to him.“Take a shower,” Helena said, turn
Wilna was still thinking about what Thomas had said a moment ago. Why did Helena and Michael's wedding have to be broadcast throughout the city? Wasn't that too much? Even just because of this, Helena had scolded Thomas. But as Wilna knew, Thomas didn't really care. According to Wilna, the more she scolded Thomas, the more he acted out.The media covering her best friend's wedding were even placed in a special area so as not to disrupt the event. They had their own time to ask questions to the happy couple when the time came. That's why they waited patiently.“Are you tired?” asked Wilna who approached Helena. The woman sat on one of the chairs in the corner of the room. As if to get away from the crowd of guests who came. Even though this afternoon was not the peak day of their wedding party, Helena already looked tired. It was undeniable that this wedding event was so luxurious and attended by many important guests.“Yeah... even if I complain of being tired, I can't go back to the
The wedding day had arrived.“Are you nervous?” asked Wilna who had just helped Helena put on the glittering belt that adorned the wedding dress Helena was wearing this afternoon. Although it looked simple, the details of the dress were not as simple as it looked.“You're asking me that?” snorted Helena with a look of distaste. “I can't wait to see when you'll feel the same way about me.”Wilna shook her head lightly. “It will take a long time. Mr. Thomas has a lot of work to do anyway.” She shrugged as if she didn't really care about her relationship with Thomas.“Until when are you going to call your lover 'sir'?”Wilna grinned widely. “Let it be. He doesn't mind anyway.”“What's all the fuss about?” asked Vera who walked into the room where Helena and Wilna were preparing. Apart from making sure Helena's makeup looked perfect, Vera also didn't want to miss the time to give Helena support. Since Helena's mother passed away a dozen years ago, Vera believes that at a time like this, t
“Looks like you've been busy,” Helena greeted Michael as he entered the office. Ever since the man had decided to take care of his mother's travel agency, the company had had many branches even overseas. They travel to many destinations and work with many airlines. Not to mention the hotels and restaurants that are the top recommendations for travelers around the world.Thanks to Michael, the company has grown rapidly and has been recognized as a trustworthy travel agent that makes many people want to use their services. From young couples to large families, many of whom don't want the hassle of organizing their own time and destination, choose to entrust it to the travel agency that Michael manages.For this reason, Michael rarely had any free time when he first started the company. But now, he is able to organize and direct his employees without the need for him to be present in the office. However, there were some things that Michael could not leave unattended, including his financ
“Wilna! Are you still in the room for long? What time is it already?”Aunt Merry's shout made Wilna, who was still struggling with her make-up and hair to make it less messy, speed up her preparations. “Yes! I'll be ready in a minute!”“You've been waiting for Thomas.”Wilna's movement in combing her hair stopped. As soon as she realized Aunt Merry's words. She accelerated her activities to get ready before leaving for the office. Wilna rushed out of her room with her hair half done, wearing a casual blouse and trousers. But her steps stopped at the dining room door when she saw Thomas sitting at the table, sipping coffee while reading the newspaper.“Mr. Thomas?!” she exclaimed, her eyes rounding. “What are you doing here so early?” It was an unusual sight for Wilna to see. How the man, who was already well-groomed in a navy suit, sat comfortably among his family.It was nothing compared to the reception of her family, especially Aunt Merry. The middle-aged woman looked so happy with
“Have you made up?” asked Wilna half-jokingly. This Sunday morning Wilna was already at Helena's main mansion. Ever since Helena decided to marry Michael, the woman had returned to her main house. Apart from making the wedding preparations easier, Helena also wanted to be near her father. Keeping the middle-aged man company, making up for the time wasted taking care of things including Nakia.Helena only gave an annoyed glance. “I don't really want to be angry or ignore him.”“But?”Helena scowled. “Why should I have a best friend like you? I can't hide anything from you.”Wilna laughed with satisfaction. “So... why are you like that?”“I don't know.” Helena shrugged. “I don't like that woman. I feel like I've been transported to the day I knew Tiara.” She looked down sadly. “Temptations from third parties always come at unexpected times. Learning from that painful experience really sucks.”Wilna took a sip of her hot tea as she looked at Helena sitting in front of her with a troubled