Clothes of a manager's wife

 "Every time she comes to this house, Mom always tells me to cook a lot of food. But she's not important enough to be treated to a feast every time she comes here. I'm not even allowed to have a bite, even though a woman like her doesn't deserve it," Riana pointed at Serly's face with emotion.

"Riana, don't you dare-" Mayang's cut her off.

"What? Don't you dare try to fight against all of you, is that what you mean, mom? I'm tired of being treated like this all the time. If I resist even a little, my whole body will be covered in bruises. So go ahead and hit me if you dare!"

Everyone was silent, even the baby, listening to Riana's anger. After realizing that no one would react to her words, Riana decided to go to her room to change the wet clothes, which her mother-in-law had drenched her with.

"Rey, your wife is so bold with mother. Can't you see it?" Mayang's clung to her son, trying to defend him.

"Yes, Rey. She even called me someone who got pregnant out of wedlock. I'm so upset right now," Serly whimpered, holding onto Reynald's right arm.

"It's your own fault for behaving like this! She didn't even get a side dish, even though she cooked it," Reynald retorted.

"It's your own fault for behaving like that! She didn't even get a side dish, even though she cooked it," Reynald retorted.

"I already told you, Rey. I cooked everything myself," Mayang's replied.

"I saw it myself, Mom. You just watched Riana cook and even ate in front of her without inviting her!"

"What about me, Rey? Didn't I do anything to your wife? Then why does she still insult me?" Seriously, she asked with a twinkle in her eye.

"You are also to blame for asking Mom to pour water on Riana. Mom, where is the rest of the money that was taken earlier? I want to buy breakfast for Riana, she hasn't eaten anything yet."

"But you already gave it to me. Why are you asking for it again?" Mayang's asked.

"I didn't give it. You took it from me," Reynald replied.

Mayang's reluctantly handed over the rest of the money, her face showing her displeasure at giving it to Reynald.

"Here, your child's." Reynald handed Leo to Serly, and hurried into the room to follow Riana.

"It's Auntie,"

"But didn't you tell me to pour water on Riana?"

"Riana," Reynald called quietly.

Riana didn't answer her husband's call; she remained lying with her back to him.

"Riana, forgive me, please. I admit I was wrong," Reynald gently touched Riana's arm.

The woman still didn't answer her husband.

"You must be very hungry, my dear. Let's go outside, and buy some food, whatever you want to eat, I'll pay for it," Reynald persuaded her.

Riana finally turned to her husband. "Is what you said true?" Riana asked with teary eyes.

"It is true," Reynald replied.

"In that case, let me get ready," Riana immediately got up from the bed to get ready.

Meanwhile, Reynald watched his wife with fascination. When Riana smiled, she looked beautiful. Her smile captivated him, a smile with dimples that made her even more charming.

"Why are you daydreaming?"

"It's nothing, I was just thinking about something," Reynald replied.

"Oh, earlier all your money was taken by Mom. How will we pay later?" Riana asked worriedly.

"Don't worry, I still have some money. Let's go now, my wife has been hungry since morning." Reynald playfully ruffled Riana's hair.

"Oh, Rey! Now it's messy again," Riana fixed her hair with her little fingers.

Reynald chuckled, and pulled his wife's hand gently to get going.

They left in Reynald's car since he was a manager in a well-known company. It was unlikely that his salary was small, but he always gave his salary to his mother, and kept only half of it for himself. Riana never knew how much he earned because Reynald always said that Mayang's was good at managing money to buy food. So all Riana had to do was cook, and keep house.

"Where would you like to eat, my dear?" Reynald asked.

"Up to you, wherever is good," Riana replied.

"Don't be like that, when else do we get to eat like this?"

"Just grilled chicken, I've been craving it for a long time. When Mom orders food online, I get so jealous when I see it," Riana chuckled.

"All right, if that's what you want," Reynald replied.

They didn't have to wait long as they arrived at the restaurant that served the grilled chicken Riana wanted. Reynald parked his car in the parking lot provided by the restaurant.

"The smell is so tempting," Riana said happily.

"Let's go," Reynald invited.

They walked into the restaurant hand in hand, like a couple in love. Riana chose a seat in the corner, feeling uncomfortable in crowded places.

"Waiter!" called Reynald.

"What would you like to order?"

"Two grilled chickens, and iced tea," Reynald replied.

The waiter left after taking Reynald and Riana's order.

"It's been so long since we ate like this," Riana said.

"I've been busy, my dear. Besides, if we eat out too often, our expenses will go up," Reynald replied.

"By the way, how much is your salary at the office? I've never known how much you earn since we got married," Riana asked curiously.

"Um, it's decent," Reynald replied nervously.

Riana fell silent. Her husband never wanted to reveal how much he earned at the office. However, she was very curious about Reynald's salary because some people said it was enough to provide them with a decent lifestyle. As a manager's wife in a well-known company, Riana had a very modest appearance. Sometimes, people made fun of her appearance, but some felt sorry for her.

Her order finally arrived, and Riana was happy to see the grilled chicken in front of her. She ate it eagerly, making Reynald feel sorry for his wife.

"Reynald?"

"Oh, Chiko. With whom are you here?" asked Reynald.

"None other than my wife," Chiko replied.

"Your wife never misses anything," Reynald teased.

"Of course. The woman I have chosen to accompany me for a lifetime deserves to be treated well," Chiko said.

"Yes. Man loves woman," Reynald joked.

"Who is that, Rey?" Chiko asked and looked at Riana.

Riana was enjoying her meal, and didn't notice her husband's friend approaching.

"This is my wife," Reynald replied shyly.

"So this is the wife of our manager. Let me introduce myself, my name is Chiko." Chiko held out his hand to Riana.

Riana blushed with embarrassment. She hadn't noticed that her husband's friend had approached her. She wanted to shake his hand, but her hands were dirty from eating, so she smiled at Chiko.

"Riana," she replied.

"Darling, let's eat," Chiko's wife clung to her husband's arm.

"Wait a moment, darling. Our manager is here, having dinner with his wife. Let's greet them first," Chiko said.

"Laras," Laras said, looking alternately at Reynald and Riana.

"Reynald," Reynald replied.

"Riana," Riana said with a smile.

"Oh, I just realized. Why is your wife here wearing those clothes? Aren't you a manager? Buying expensive clothes for her is pointless," Chiko teased.

Laras gently elbowed her husband, as Chiko was always like that. He never hesitated to say what was on his mind.

"Sorry, we have to go now," Laras apologized, leading her husband away.

Reynald nodded, but for a long time, he stared at Riana, who had lowered her head. Indeed, his wife's clothes were not bad. They were still in good condition, with no visible seams, but the colors had faded, making everyone realize that they were very old.

"Let's go home!" Reynald said with gritted teeth.

"But Rey. I haven't finished my food, there's still half left," Riana refused sadly. It was rare for her to enjoy such a delicious meal.

But Reynald became more and more irritated. He stared sharply into his wife's face. "There are no buts!"