3. Lian DeFood : Scandalous office

Lian DeFood, food research center. Jakarta.

She felt the bustling atmosphere when she decided to go into the Lian DeFood building, where she had worked for quite some time—though not for long years.

Her full name is Jenar Tanaya Widi. Jenar has always wanted to be a successful career woman and has at least one large building in the middle of a crowded city.

"Jenar!" Someone had called. Jenar's attention was drawn to the source of the voice.

"Argh, the stranger again!" Jenar muttered to herself.

"Finally, you're in!" She tapped Jenar on the shoulder. However, Jenar did not consider them close workmates as she did. Jenar dislikes people who talk loudly, such as this woman.

Wulan, as she is known, then followed Jenar. She was the source of gossip among the interns and new hires. Every time Wulan spreads rumors, Jenar's name is included.

"Who gives a shit if I don't come back to work?" Jenar kept walking.

"Mr. Julian stated that the cold Los Angeles air caused your fever. He also stated that you had cold and severe allergies. As a result, you were forced to take some time off." Wulan sighed as she took a deep breath and looked at Jenar.

"Honestly, I wanted to see you at your house." Wulan paused in her sentence. "Sorry. That is something I need to think about a lot."

Wulan replied. "You finally started working on Monday."

Jenar ignores. Enter the elevator, which happens to open just as they arrive. She questioned, "You are all right?"  She followed Jenar to the second floor, where Jenar's workspace is located.

Jenar nodded and cleared her throat. She saw his reflection. She'll be caught lying if she says she's sick with a face that isn't pale

"Speak at least one or two words. Don't keep silent." Wulan nudged her shoulder. "I'll be scared if you just shut up."

Jenar lies, and Julian assists Jenar in lying. But, of course, their scandals in Los Angeles kept going. Also, the 'possible pregnancy' frills kept Jenar awake all night. Jenar was worried that the fetus inside her would make her stomach grow and resemble a pregnant woman. The vacation was "compensation" for Julian's mistake from a week ago.

"Is there any unfinished work?" asked Jenar. "If there is, please add them to the list. I will try to solve them one by one."

"Ck!" Wulan gave her a disapproving look. "You returned from sick leave and immediately began talking about work." 

She smirked. "You are a determined woman!"

"The mentor contacted me that an intern had just started three days ago. He stated that you do not wish to mentor the intern, so he requested that I meet with the young man."

Wulan returned Jenar's stare. "We've been busy with our teamwork. We still have a lot of product innovation before the year's end. So you want to start mentoring new apprentices?" She folds her hands together.

Then, begin to treat Jenar insensitively. "We don't even get paid extra if we help him. So let the other seniors handle it."

For a moment, Jenar was silent. Jenar waited for the elevator doors to open fully. Jenar stepped outside first when the door opened. Jenar casually replied, "I'll still take it. Your ban is an order that I must carry out." She left Wulan.

"Jenar!" Wulan approached her again. Looking at Jenar's dark eyes.

"Do you still feel something for Mr. Julian?" Suddenly, she was asked the question. Making Jenar wholly speechless and unable to respond.

"Don't just be silent. Please answer," Wulan urged.

"Since when did I like Mr. Julian?" She ducked. "I never said that to you or offended him, so why are you suddenly asking me that?"

Wulan nodded in agreement. Hiss. "I read the note you left in the desk drawer; it appears you left it inadvertently," the person said.

Jenar has been urged.

"You made a list of your ideal men." Wulan pursued Jenar.

"I read it all from start to finish. It turns out that a girl who appears simple like you has a long list of requirements, "Wulan stated. Then lightly chuckle.

"I was shocked after reading everything and trying to match it to real-world visuals!"

"Did I write Mr. Julian's name there?" Jenar replied. Now feeling quite irritated. "Show me if I put Mr. Julian's name on it." Jenar gestured with his hand. Then, when Wulan was silent, she asked, "Cannot?" 

"Don't jump to conclusions!" Jenar accelerated her pace as he became enraged.

Jenar halted not far from Wulan after walking a considerable distance. "This is not one of your gossips!" Jenar pressed her index finger against Wulan's cheek. "I'm not scared of grabbing your hair, Wulan!" Jenar highlighted the end of her sentence. Jenar departed Wulan.

She soon arrived in the room. Jenar slid the glass door, and someone greeted him with love and a wave. Some of them ignored Jenar because there was more fun and exciting gossip to come.

"What's that?" Jenar asked as she approached one of her friends. She fixed her gaze on the table where a group of people was huddled around tablets and conversing in whispers.

"I think there might be something going on. I'm missing some information," Jenar told her. Laugh casually.

"Didn't you just arrive from downstairs?" She answered back. She added, "You ought to have met her as well."

Jenar fell silent, perplexed. Then, after noticing the unusual atmosphere in this room, she waited for her interlocutor to return to explain to answer the riddle in her heart.

She repeated, "We have a special guest."

Jenar sat beside her. "What makes this special? To the point where no one is focused on work, although a mentor will be arriving soon to confirm their current progress."

"Mrs. Luce is here. She caused quite a stir when she emerged from the luxurious Lamborghini after nearly  a year of not hearing from her."

Jenar has gone silent. Her courage to compete vanished when she heard the name Luce Wileen. How could she even consider replacing her?

"What's up with your face?" she inquired. Jenar's expression changed, and she noticed it.

Jenar raised her head. Slightly smiling. "I'm returning to work."

"Oh, Jenar!" Jenar turned around as a result of the call. "You and Mr. Julian went to Los Angeles on business a week ago, along with some other employees."

Jenar gave the nod. "Then?"

"Didn't you meet her?" She inquired.

"With whom?" 

"Mrs. Luce Wileen is also in Los Angeles. Everyone in the office is talking about it. Concerning the possibility that Mr. Julian and his ex-wife could reconcile after meeting there."

Jenar felt a spark in her heart.

"I'm not sure. I don't know either, "Jenar responded briefly.

Next ...