“Abi!!!” greeted the three toddlers in the courtyard when Darren arrived.After the grueling incident earlier in the day, hugging the three kids gave Darren some comfort. He searched as far as he could see for Iqlima, but there was no sign of her other than the row of maids lined up behind the children.“Ummi has left for work?” asked Darren as he kissed each of his children on the forehead.“I did earlier, Bi.” Althaf replied. He was still clinging to his father's hand, then moved to ride on his back, while his two younger siblings led by uniformed nanny followed behind.“Aren't you ready to go yet?” Darren continued his interrogation because usually at the time he arrived, the children were already at the special school for babies and toddlers.“Ummi said today is a holiday.” Syabina replied with a lisp.Without letting go of Althaf on her back, with the help of the nanny, Syabina moved into Darren's arms.“Going to Nini's?”He might be blamed for failing to keep his wife at home, b
"Come on! Who's Resti?" Even during the lunch break, Maureen was still questioning the name of the woman Ben's friend had mentioned earlier. "Be honest with me, I won't be made fun of anymore."Still in the cubicle, Ben's gaze sometimes stung every time Maureen asked the same question. Just one name, but he was bullied all day."Ben has a girlfriend?" Anne, the deputy division head, had stopped walking in front of their cubicle and was waiting for an answer by leaning against the divider.One of Ben's fans was actually beautiful and fashionable, and Maureen could even calculate the price of the branded items on her body. Not worth in their monthly income.Maureen turned her stool to be in the same direction as Anne, facing Ben who was busy with his fingers on the keyboard. "I think so, ma'am. He just doesn't want to tell me.""Isn't she pretty, Maureen?""I don't know, but I think they still communicate often. Just this morning, he used to borrow a book."Gossip, more you rub it, bett
"Do we need to renew the contract?" Ben asked after getting off the motorcycle he was riding and removing the helmet from Maureen's head.She had agreed to watch Ben compete at the rink because of the invitation after the failed kiss in the pantry.Yes, Maureen thought she could get a quick heat session between the adrenaline rush of being in a public place. Instead, Ben kept his distance and laughed at her with satisfaction.Though Maureen had already surrendered when the young man she was with gathered her hair in one tug, giving free access to the curve of her slender neck.Ben had succeeded in tormenting her, torturing her desire for more. Just imagining the pressure in the apartment's pantry makes Maureen twitch violently.Her body had very well recorded every previous struggle with Darren and was able to react afterwards. Maureen thought being with Ben would be just like the events with her exes that ended due to rejection down there."What needs renewing?" asked Maureen, curiou
"Still not working, ma'am."Iqlima was frustrated that the five payment cards she had in her wallet could not be used to pay for breakfast at one of the hotel's restaurants. She had spent the whole night resting, introspecting, praying to the Creator.Friends? She didn't want to share her sorrow if she was only subjected to pseudo-defense or even blasphemy that would spread family disgrace. Not to mention the gossip and reproaches that become a mine of sin.Family? Should Iqlima's parents be disappointed to see their child's household?Moreover, the blame must be placed on her. Because of Iqlima's decision to keep working, because of bed affairs until Darren chose another woman, then which part could Iqlima tell without hurting anyone?In the end, she would only be trapped in a dilemma."Here, have you tried it?" Iqlima handed over the last card, her debit card with a low limit from her government job.The waitress took the card from her to the cashier, then back to the table where Iq
"How much did I get?" Maureen approached Angga who seemed to be dealing with the bookie."Not bad." Angga showed the pink sheet of money that finally passed into Maureen's hand.Angga was right, it wasn't much for hand-to-hand combat that required a doctor's care when you saw Maureen's opponent lying on the arena floor covered in bruises.Angga shuddered once, imagining that every woman Ben knew was not 'normal' in his expectations. Unlike his sister, Angga who was far from tough, Resti always asked for his help with trivial things like opening jar lids.He handed over Maureen's bag and blazer, watching her transfer some money into a branded wallet. Angga is increasingly convinced that Maureen is an expensive woman who does not need a man as a protector.The same concept he learned from Dera, Ben's late wife, before meeting his 'soulmate'. Perhaps a woman needs to first find a partner who can thrill her, then she can defeat her inner ego.Angga's guess is that Maureen does not have a
Angga combs through Maureen's bound hair, letting her fly with her strongest passion. He sat down, propped his hands behind his body and continued to watch the dexterity of the boneless protruding object that continued to dampen his tension."Maureen, hah ...." Sighs and whimpers continued to escape, responding to the lips wrapped around Angga's manhood. It descended slowly and tightened, sucking away all consciousness.Angga's waist lifted. His big hand gripped the back of Maureen's head, restraining her movement before he launched a million seeds without exception.Maureen choked, letting go in a rush as she covered her mouth and ran to the bathroom. The coughing and retching that could be heard repeatedly from inside the echoing room made Angga giggle.He pulled his big pants up to his waist again and lay down, staring at the ceiling. He hadn't even known Maureen all day, but they could be in a small room and Angga got his first release."Are you okay, Maureen?" Angga shouted weakl
"Please enjoy it, sir."The waiter served a cup of coffee that was still hot on the table, while the customer was still busy with the tablet computer in hand, watching the women across the room."Thank you," nodded the customer, declining the waiter's offer of another menu item. He was trying to figure out the woman who was talking to his wife there.He didn't know much about his wife other than her family background and interesting personality from the information obtained from the religious institution where they met. They were also not close during middle school due to the gender segregation of learning activities.They did talk about their likes and dislikes on the first night, but even that did not guarantee harmony in the bedroom. It wasn't just about the bed, but also the thoughts that evolved over time."What's up, Bro?" Another man came over, taking the seat across from him. They were obviously more than eleven years apart, but the cousin seemed to have more experience with w
Early in the morning, Maureen still hasn't closed her eyes even though Angga has completed the second release that lasted quite a while. She don't know which part of the room they haven't used in finding the right position without getting dressed.Even lying down, Maureen is still suffering from caresses that can increase her sensual libido. Angga feels at home, playing with Maureen's core which has reached pleasure many times."How did you know that I rarely fuck?" Even with just one man, Maureen has to work hard to look like an expert tease. Are her movements still too stiff?"Can I be a little vulgar?" asked Angga as he moistened the small bulge at the front of Maureen's hole with the tip of his tongue. "It might sound pornographic to you.""What the hell is asking for permission?" Between wanting to see Angga's game and being annoyed that he kept questioning her, Maureen tried to sit against the headboard.Angga crawled up the bed, opening the gap that Maureen had closed. He lay d
An impromptu visit that I didn't expect, it turns out Angga told me our wedding date so Matthew and Ben came, of course with their spouses. Maybe they're on vacation?Then the arrival of Darren who followed alone with a line of food service workers was enough to confirm that they intended to hold a small party without the host's permission.I only saw him after changing into a looser floral overalls that allowed me to breathe. The dress was too tight although it still didn't cover my pregnancy at all."You weren't invited, but you came." The satire I said wasn't funny at all, but they still laughed when I returned to the center of the conversation with a bottle of champagne ready to open."Ow! How cruel, Sister." Matthew snatched the fun out of my hands and quipped back, "Alcohol is not for pregnant women.""Damn it!" I cursed in annoyance, only to be met with an instantly infectious laugh.Angga had just followed me to where I was standing. He handed me a glass of avocado juice and a
"Maureen!" I faintly heard Angga calling my name, then it was replaced by the echo of air bubbles in my ears.I thought I could die here or wake up somewhere else. In fact, when I gave up, a stream of water replaced the blast of air on my face.I was still very much conscious, just afraid to open my eyes and face reality. The chill of the early spring air washed over my already wet skin along with the pressure behind my shoulders and behind my knees. It was warm on the right side, but instinct demanded that I find a grip.Angga, who I first saw, was also wet. His slender neck becomes the target of my trembling grip. This time, I'm afraid of being dropped.From this vantage point, his parted lips along with the angular movement of his firm jaw create a charisma of their own. Could Angga possibly hide the cruelest side of a warrior like him?Fool. I should have remembered that everyone has a dark side, a poison from their own life experiences. They only need to choose; oppress or be opp
Maureen demanded an explanation, before we had even had a chance to change?She and I had just arrived in our room, barely stripped to the surface of the fabric that covered the entire bed. Dusty, full of sawdust and mustiness. We should have taken down all the protective covering before attempting to use the room.Yes, almost.Just being alone with her could heat up the temperature around us. It felt like breaking free from all the coverings and letting instinct take over.Then, Maureen's question threw everything off. "So..., did you make a deal with Grandpa?"I was still in front of her, on top of her body while supporting myself using the elbows perched on either side of Maureen, avoiding the pressure on her stomach. Our lower waists were already attached as our legs slipped over each other.Argh! She messed up the appetizer.The look of rejection forced me to roll over to Maureen's left side, following her to gaze at the room's ceiling covered with sheets of bright albasia wood. T
Deciding to get married was not on my life list at all, especially under the age of thirty. What's happening now?Just a few months ago I turned twenty-five and within minutes had signed the marriage certificate. Everything I've been through has been beyond expectations, pregnant and married?Still in my simple wedding dress-just a white lace-covered overalls that didn't hide the size of my belly at all, I noticed Angga's figure when dressed officially like now. A clean-cut face and freshly cut hair refresh Angga's look with a black suit overlaying the white suit inside.Even though it was only a few days ago that I saw his face full of bruises, the main reason I made the choice and said yes, so that he wouldn't have to do such menial work anymore.What was I thinking at the time?"Not like this again!" I shifted the conversation from Angga's request to the cause of the bruises on his face, again he said about marriage.Des he really want to tie me up in a commitment? So what, I can't
I was almost desperate as I repeatedly checked my phone screen, waiting to hear from Maureen's friends about her whereabouts in the last two days. Maureen was unreachable, her phone dead.I don't know how many cans of beer I've consumed since returning home from last night's brutal game. I could have killed someone out of disappointment with myself. I felt like a failure.The phone screen lit up, but it wasn't someone I wanted to call. Maureen's sugardaddy was listed there. I deliberately gave him a name like that, so he'd think twice when he needed help. I still couldn't make peace with the past between them.Just glancing at the message display outside, without opening the messaging app, it was clear that each word indicated the address. No pleasantries or greetings.That's funny. He asked me to come there?A few minutes after putting the empty cans into the trash bag, an incoming call echoing the voice of a prominent rapper distracted me. Darren seemed genuinely intent on asking me
"Aren't you in college or doing something?" Uncle Darren was already babbling this early. Even the sky outside the window when he drew the curtains wasn't fully lit yet even though the alarm clock on the nightstand read seven o'clock. "Really, Rin, I'm confused to see you just lying in your room these days."A few days? I've only had a mattress this soft for two days. The sheets were soft and didn't rub against my skin. This time I can somewhat agree with Angga's previous insinuation about our ... well, lifestyle.The only choice is for me to give in and try to lower my standards, or for him to raise his income. Fix, yeah, I don't want to get married yet.In the last month of living together, I can't keep giving in to the future that Angga offers even though everything can be distracted with sex or Netflix and ignore everything.But, how to talk about it? Our fights would only continue to end with unification. I hated that."Why did you wake me up, Uncle?" I squirmed and kicked off th
"Uncle ...." I moan, feeling the ludicrous touch that traverses the skin. It descends from the arrangement of bones that make up my shoulders, collarbone, and then cupping the wedge of the neck divider of the body-wrapping overalls.From where he stood, Uncle Darren must have clearly seen the puffs that were getting denser as a result of his actions. I reflexively tilted my head to the right side, letting his warm breath caress the recesses of my neck without being covered by hair."You're always delicious, Rin." Uncle Darren's whisper sounds lulling behind my earlobe. The mint-scented exhale and woody-herb traces were replaced by the wetness of a taste bud that was beginning to venture out.Some seconds were fun to savor, but the next, what I was doing was more like an escape to get recognized. It felt like being a traitor.The corners of my lips twitched, realizing Uncle Darren wasn't doing anything more than that. Even though I liked the way he treated me, I still couldn't deny tha
"Move on, Is." Angga was seen patting the woman's cheek. What is her name? Isma? I could hear Angga talking casually through the barrier like that. "Anyway, stop following me."I was close enough to hear their conversation. It was just a stack of boxes at the turn of the foyer facing the exit of the supermarket.At first I thought Angga was still asleep because all my voice messages and calls had gone unanswered. Well, I should have sent a short message about going shopping before going home and asked Angga to ignore my request.Turns out he was in this place and met a 'flower snake' like that Isma. She really used to be a campus slut, right?Angga just told me about his habit of fighting in the arena just to buy time with Isma in the past. No wonder Angga didn't complain about getting a woman like her to support him.Well, I guess any man in Indonesia would always think of ways to get a virgin, but he chose the hardest way by capitalizing on feelings. Including me.Are there still peo
"Raka!" Isma waved from where she was pushing the shopping trolley towards me.Even though this monthly shopping business is usually the part of Maureen who understands best, but this morning when I woke up, there was already a note stuck to the refrigerator door. Correction, noon. I even got home early in the morning after last night's battle."Please, you do the shopping," accompanied by a heartfelt emot, a very long shopping list with special notes, and her black card. Including an incoming message on my phone explaining why Maureen was in such a hurry. Company research."Shopping too?" asked Isma after aligning the trolley she was pushing with mine. She even took the note I was holding and nodded, as if she understood.Why did we have to meet here, anyway? I'm even more uncomfortable with Isma around."Feeling better?" She still asked after returning the shopping list along with a few things taken from the shelves in the left row to my cart."When was the fight?" I arranged each i