“What else is there to explain, Ima?” Darren grabbed his wife's grip that had slipped. “Seriously, she is my cousin.”Legally, Maureen was indeed registered as the child of Darren's biological aunt, Natasha. The reason is none other than because Natasha and Abra's marriage is legally official and benefits both parties. Meanwhile, Maureen's biological mother, Aya, only got legally married a year after Darren's aunt passed away.Complicated. The majority of the local community still considers biracial relationships to be a close family that cannot marry. So, Darren felt safe referring to the twins as his cousins even though they were not blood.“Suite room only, ma'am, the regular one.” Darren immediately confirmed the room reservation, along with handing over his ID card and cashless payment to the receptionist on duty.“Is there really no secret?” Iqlima's peaceful impression had already turned spoiled when she found Darren's gaze continuing to avoid answering. “You're wasting your fa
"How is she, Uncle?" Serena tried to contact the other contacts in her message room.Her feet kept stomping the floor every time she walked towards the terrace barrier, searching among the crowds of the pool, then quiet again at the change in Maureen's cell phone screen."Oh, My! Aunt Aya keeps calling me again. What do you think, Uncle?"Serena's thin voice tends to get rowdy, disrupting Darren's concentration on checking the suitability of the hotel facilities he had passed through with the typing of the report.[Why must connect with Ririn again?]The name hasn't changed since Darren carried the baby version of Maureen. It's not hard to remember.Disappointed, yes. Maureen seemed to be taking an increasingly distant path from him, heard from his grandfather's complaints every time we met.Parties and parties, not to mention unfortunate expenses.Though for Darren himself, Maureen's consumptive level is still reasonable compared to his wife. All have the same basis, attracting the e
Maureen's nimble fingers sassily explored the lines of Darren's face, savoring the rough sensation of the fine hairs that formed sideburns along the mature man's jawline.Maureen's elbows rest on Darren's sturdy shoulders as her white fingernails dig into each strand of hair that emits a seductive, masculine scent.With one pull, Darren looked up, facing a face without distance. The corners of his sense of smell met as if sharing a breath.In an instant, she savored the sweetness of Maureen's lips.It's not a patch like the first time, but the little sucks Maureen does, luring Darren to explore further in the sweet wine-laced oral cavity.True, Darren liked the taste Maureen gave him. However, the mistake he made went too far.Darren's big hand has already landed on Maureen's unobstructed nub, squeezing her soft nub until consciousness gives way.The wide eyes of the woman in front of Darren seemed to be begging for more, but there was no continuation."You can't do this, Rin." Darren
"Are you crazy, Maureen?" Serena's shouting really disturbed Maureen's sleep.Even though the bright sunlight had already penetrated through the curtains, Maureen pulled the blanket up even further to cover her head, especially blocking her ears even though she knew it would have no effect."You have to tell me! I'm not calm and I've been waiting all night for an explanation from you!" Serena continued to demand, tugging at Maureen's blanket until it fell off entirely. "Do you know what time it is?""You don't need to shout weirdly, ya." Maureen opened her eyes lazily. Her hand reached for the cell phone on the wireless charger on the nightstand and found the screen showing ten past. "Ah..., I'm still going to bed."She grabbed a pillow just to cover her face that still felt numb in some parts. His head was so heavy to shift. However, his stomach was beating the war drums, struggling and collecting taxes early in the day."Are you hungry?" Serena's laughter boomed in her room. The sid
Maureen had just finished stacking five volumes of copies of her two-hundred-page thesis that had passed the post-trial revision at the faculty dean. The temporary graduation certificate was already in hand.The problem was that Maureen's unemployment would end soon if she chose to look for a job.The complaints of her friends who were busy with the waiting period for job applications during her college days were enough to cause headaches, let alone her who had never been in the field with high demands.The title of being the granddaughter of a big businessman alone makes her respected enough to hang his leg in a local company during field work practice."Hi, Maureen!" Aletta's reprimand, who had just placed the box of copies on the academic dean's desk, forced Maureen to put on a friendly face. "I'm so sorry about the party. You must be really shocked."Fake? That's how the environment taught Maureen.At least Maureen was grateful that her parents didn't push her too hard to follow t
"Are you sure wanna go shopping wearing that?"Darren kept asking the same question from the moment they left home until they were in front of a well-known local boutique because Maureen chose to leave without changing clothes. Still in her oversized t-shirt and short jeans with flip-flops.In other big cities or abroad it might not be a problem, but in a city where appearance is still a big deal, she thought Maureen would definitely be labeled badly."Who's watching anyway?" Maureen deliberately squeezed her two assets as she spoke while they were still in the car. "This is freedom! I've been patched up all day.""Your shirt is white, Rin." Darren couldn't deny that seeing Maureen's behavior aggravated the pain in his head. For a long time Darren felt like he was going crazy from holding himself back."You see?" Maureen deliberately cupped hers from below to full view even though she knew Darren would ignore her. "Remember the color and shape of it, Uncle?"Darren couldn't swear even
"How stupid! Why would I offer her something like that?" Darren thought to himself the whole way home after dropping Maureen off.He still imagines every detail of his verbal agreement with his cousin, which turned out to be emotionally draining. Like Mr. Wiratama's describe, Maureen is not an easy girl to conquer.Darren had to promise things that could hurt his life choices."Great night?" Laughing at himself, Darren's brain drew memories of every detail of their interaction.The warmth and tightness of Maureen six years ago, every curve she was able to touch these days, as well as the lips that were so much fun to enjoy.It's hypocritical of him to say he's not tempted.Maureen's sensual sighs while rocking in the car alone make him wonder how it would feel if they actually did the forbidden thing. Anywhere and anytime.The fantasies in Darren's head were running wild. He had already wiped his face roughly countless times even though there was no sweat on it. No matter how diverted
"Damn!" cursed Maureen when her landlord opened the door.Without waiting to be invited, Maureen targeted the pantry near the entrance and surveyed the contents of the refrigerator. She placed the original small sling bag containing her wallet and cell phone on a spare pantry cabinet."Why else would you come in all riled up?" Serena, the owner who was surprised by Maureen's arrival, was busy fixing the outer layer of the thin overalls and tying her hair high."You know what? I was told to do hard labor!"Maureen opened the juice box from the refrigerator. Her hands deftly searched for a glass on the cabinet's drain rack to pour the liquid contents of the threadbare orange and quickly drank like she was finishing a long-distance run."Hold on. Hold on. What do you mean by labor?" Rather than being shocked by Maureen's habit of having no manners every time she came to visit, Serena was more worried about the purpose of the labor, which she thought led to a one-sided satisfactory agreem
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