"Welcome, Mr. Wiratama," said Mr. Wildan, making me realize that this was not a dream or a hallucination.
"Call me Dave," he said, still expressionless, his gaze fixed on me. I could feel his sharp gaze traversing my entire body as if to strip me naked. God, this asshole, how dare he?
"Oh yes, Pak Dave, I am Wildan Handiansyah. I am the manager in the Marketing division, and this is Agneta Laurinda Aretina; she is the best employee in the marketing division at this company," explained Pak Wildan.
I still stared at him hatefully; I even clenched my fists on both sides of my body. The wounds that I buried long ago are now coming back to the surface. There is a pain that is imprinted in the recesses of my heart. The wound is very painful because of the man in front of me.
He stared back at me with a glare full of intimidation of his own. Absolutely nothing has changed; he is still the same Dave as he was five years ago. He walked towards me, making me take a step back to put some distance between us. He kept approaching me as if he wanted to close the distance between us. I immediately lowered my head because I was no longer able to return his scary gaze or melt my heart.
"Long time no see, Neta!" His whisper made me shiver and swallow my own saliva.
I still don't want to return that intimidating stare. I really hate this meeting. I really hate it.
"I miss you," he whispered right in my ear, then walked away. Makes my breath stop for a moment.
After he left, this time Pak Wildan looked at me questioningly. It seemed he was curious about Davero's behavior just now.
"Excuse me, sir!" I said that because I didn't want to discuss anything about Davero with Pak Wildan.
***
I'm currently sitting on a chair in the office cafeteria. I'm enjoying my food. Luckily, Aiden was at work, so he couldn't have lunch with me. No, more like I was stirring my own food without tasting it. My mind drifted, thinking of that man. How did he come back? The man I desperately wanted to wipe off the face of this earth was in the same office as my boss. Should I leave this office? Doesn't that sound exaggerated? I really, really hate it. I don't even want to mention his name.
"Hey! Even dreamy. Thinking about Aiden's brother, huh?" It dawned on me. I immediately corrected my sitting position and the look on my face.
"No," I replied.
"What's wrong, Tae? Are you still mad at Aiden?" she asked.
I just shook my head dispiritedly.
"Does this have anything to do with Regan? Regan is fine, right?" He asked again, and Sonya looked worried.
"He's fine, Sonya."
"Then why?" He touched my forehead, making me wince. "Not hot," he said.
"I'm fine, Sonya, dear," I assured her.
Sonya is my best friend and neighbor; she is the closest to me. After that incident happened, I never wanted to have friends again because everything was only sweet in front of me. Sonya didn't even know about my past life; she knew I was a single parent who was abandoned by my husband and raised Regan alone. He was also the one who helped me get into this big company, so I was able to meet Aiden. Aiden knew my story, but he didn't leave me. He still accepts me as I am, even though I haven't said everything. Our relationship has entered its first year, but I repeatedly rejected Aiden's good intentions to marry me. I don't know what I'm considering again, but what's certain is that my heart isn't completely for Aiden.
He is still there. The man who became my first love The man I love and hate at the same time The man I never wanted to meet in my life is now my boss, and unfortunately, he is the sole heir of this big company. Another bitter truth is that he is the cousin of my beloved Aiden. My God, what is the point of all this?
"In fact, daydreaming again, your mood is really bad right now," Sonya said, making me realize again that she was still in front of me.
"Yes. It's really broken," I replied.
"But at least keep eating, please," he said, and I nodded.
My gaze went out the cafeteria window; there, it was clear that the man was walking towards the office lobby.
"Look at our new boss! So handsome, right? This is the so-called perfect prince. Already handsome, he is also a billionaire. The company is in several developed countries, and of course there are lots of women who are willing to humble themselves just to be able to sleep with him," Sonya said exaggeratedly. For some reason, it made my chest feel hit and feel pain.
"Not all women are like that," I said, annoyed. Offended by his words.
"Heh, Lo, why are you so emotional? What impression does he have that he is not good for Lo? But really, he's a bit ignorant; he can't even make a smile," Sonya said at length, and I couldn't help but snort.
How could that heartless man be called the perfect prince? Seriously!
***
The next day, I arrived late to work because Regan was somehow cranky this morning and I didn't want to leave her at school. Aiden also couldn't deliver because he was having a meeting out of town. I was forced to wait for him for an hour until he recovered and mingled with his friends. After entering the lobby, I rushed to the elevator without paying attention to my surroundings so I could enter the elevator, which was almost tightly closed. I immediately pressed the number seven button to go to my room, but I smelled a familiar masculine perfume on my senses. Perfume? I look back, and damn it! I didn't realize that I had entered the special elevator for high-ranking officials and that jerk was standing right behind me with his gaze, as usual, sharp and full of intimidation. I immediately pressed the elevator button many times to stop the elevator and get out of this cramped and scary room.
"I didn't think we would meet again after so long," he said haughtily.
I didn't want to respond at all and kept trying to press the elevator button while reciting prayers for the devil behind me to disappear from world civilization. I flinched as he grabbed my arm and pinned me against the elevator wall. What does he want? Afraid? Well, that's how I feel right now. Memories from five years ago came back to haunt me. A painful incident that succeeded in ruining my life.
"What do you want to do?" I asked sarcastically:
"What is it?" He flashed a grin, one eyebrow raised. It still looks the same as before; nothing has changed.
"Get out of the way!" I said it sharply.
He probably thought I was still Agneta from five years ago, whom he easily tricked and fooled. Now I am Agneta, who will never lose again. Love? I don't want to know that word love anymore. Enough of all that pain!
"You just look prettier. Where are those thick glasses of yours?"
His words made me look away because I didn't want to look at him again. "Sorry, honorable Mr. Davero. Can you step aside? If other people see us like this, then bad gossip will spread quickly. You don't want to be gossiped about in magazines and newspapers because you were caught being indecent to your subordinates," I said firmly, not wanting to show my fear.
Of course, she just smiled sweetly at me—not her usual sweet smile. It was a sweet smile that kept a deadly poison in it—a smile full of mystery that even made me shudder.
"I don't care," he said.
He's getting closer to me; even if I move a little, maybe our noses will touch. His minty breath tickled my skin. Oh God, help me. Now I feel very scared, with cold sweat all over my body. Shadow fragments of the past filled my mind again. The brain that I had previously erased and replaced with good memories of Regan and Aiden was again attacked by a virus from this man. I looked down in fear, not wanting to see the look in her eyes that could deceive. My whole body feels frozen and has goosebumps.
Aarghhh! let go! it hurts! Please don't do this, please! Sob. Scream after scream jostled my memory back.
Ting!
Thankfully, the elevator doors opened on time. I pushed Davero's big body with all my strength and immediately ran out of the elevator without wanting to look back. I went straight to the toilet, which was near my room, and cried in one of the cubicles. My chest feels squeezed; it feels very tight. The painful fragments are gradually rising to the surface.
Why? Why didn't God answer my prayer? Why should he come back? How about this? What should I do? Should I get out of here and choose to go as far as possible?
No, Agnes. It is very difficult to get into this company, even just relying on your high school diploma. You must be strong, Agneta. If you're weak, how about Regan? What would you eat if you were to leave a job that has helped keep Regan and your life alive so far? You are no longer the weak woman you were five years ago, Agneta. You are a strong woman, and you have to be strong for Regan.
Yes, all for the sake of Regan alone. Only him and for him! My only son That's what I thought when I cried over everything.
***
Tonight, I just finished cooking for Regan. I immediately sat beside him, who was engrossed in learning to write."Wow, Mother's child can already write the letter A, huh? Regan is so smart," I complimented while rubbing his head."Yes, Mother. Mrs. Gulu said, Egan was already good at writing," Regan said with a lisp, which made me not want to miss always kissing his chubby cheeks."Your Prince is hungry, isn't he?" I asked."Very tired, Mother. I don't want to eat," he said excitedly."Then let's fly to the dining table!" I lifted Regan's petite body and sat her on a chair at the dining table. "Landing successfully," I said, making him chuckle.Mom, cook what?" he asked, staring at the food on the table."Mother cooks Egan's favorite fried chicken," I said, taking her favorite rice and chicken thighs."Fun! The problem is that at Aunt Ilen's house, Egan doesn't eat fried chicken," he said.I smiled and handed him the food. "Eat a lot, unfortunately, Mother."I haven't told you who Ir
After cleaning my face in the bathroom, I quickly returned to my room.Dugh!I winced at bumping into someone. Looking down while walking is not good, and your forehead hurts when you rub it."Are you ok?" The bass sound made me look up at Aiden's familiar voice.He stared worriedly while I quickly hugged him. It doesn't matter if you're still in the office; you really can't stand the pain anymore."What's wrong, Netta?" he whispered while rubbing my back.No longer able to speak, I just cried in his arms."What is it, honey?" he said again softly.I let go of his hug to wipe away the tears. Now my face is not messy anymore. Aiden's soft hand stroked my wet cheek."Calm down. Everything is fine," he said, making me smile sweetly."I'm sorry, Mr. Aiden," I said when I realized where we were right now.I immediately distanced myself from Aiden and asked permission to go to my room. Aiden was still looking at me with confusion, but never mind. It's also impossible to tell her everything
Before I got to the bus stop, I screamed because a luxury car splashed a pool of muddy water all over my clothes. The luxury car stopped in front of me, and soon the driver got out of the car using a black umbrella. My hands clenched even tighter when I saw Davero approaching."Oops. Sorry, Agnes. I really didn't do it on purpose," he said innocently as he stood in front of me.I just snorted in annoyance because I didn't want to respond to anything and chose to leave immediately."Agnet!" Davero said, while I flinched as my wrist was grabbed by him. "Come in! I'll take you."I waved my hand vigorously in refusal and said, "No need, sir. Thank You. Excuse me."I rushed to leave, but again he took my arm. "As your boss, I order you to get in the car, Agneta!" said Davero with such pressure that it was hard for me to swallow.Like it or not, I obeyed his orders by getting into the car. He caught up and threw his umbrella into the backseat, quickly getting ready to drive the car. This he
Davero sat and stared intently at one point in front of him. His hand gripped a cocktail glass with a little ice mixed in. His memory drifted to the incident at Agneta's house. That kid, Regan, There was another feeling that Davero could feel, but he didn't know what was going on. The touch of Regan's tiny hand seemed to be able to reach his cold and dark heart. Davero had never liked small children, but the boy was an exception for him.He took out his cell phone and called someone to give orders."Find out about his life and report it to me immediately!"The line was then hung up, and Davero gulped down his drink before he heard a shriek."You're having a great time relaxing here, while I have to finish all the damn work!""Aiden?" he muttered."Well, it's me! I did not come as your representative in the company! I came as your cousin, and stop keeping me busy!""You are more mature and experienced than me. So it's natural for you to finish everything."Dave said it casually as he p
"Are you sure that she is the girl from your past, Dave?" asked Kay when she was in her superior's room."Are you doubting me, Kay?" asked Davero in a cold tone."It's not like that, but..." Key did not continue his words."Are you two uncomfortable working with me?" Davero asked, annoyed."You're taking things too seriously, Boss!" Key replied with a wry smile."Yes, don't take it too personally, Boss!" Kay said calmly, all of which made the corners of Dave's lips lift."Find out about Agneta's life, who is her husband and her child's biological father, understand?" Dave asked to make sure once again and made his two friends nod."Yes alright. We'll start right away, Boss. So don't worry, all matters are handled by experts." Kay and Key smiled, looking at each other."Seeing you guys like that actually looks so cute and adorable," Davero commented with a grin."Then we'll excuse you," said Kay, to which Key nodded, and they smiled wryly.The two of them stepped out of the room and a
Davero had just finished meeting with a client outside the office. Now he was in his limousine on the way home. His eyes stared out the car window; he recognized the road through Agneta's house and accidentally caught the figure of the little boy he had met a few days ago, Regan. The child was seen sitting on a swing in a deserted park. Davero immediately asked the driver to stop the car. He quickly smoothed down the front of his jacket before getting off to approach Regan."Not picked up yet?"Regan turned around; her round eyes, so cute and adorable, stared at Davero."Uncle?" Regan tried to remember a name.Davero, do you still remember?" asked Dave, making the boy nod enthusiastically."Uncle, Mother's work friend," Regan said with a lisp, which made Davero smile."Why are you alone?" Davero asked, still smiling.This is a rare occurrence, even very rare. Davero's figure smiled at a child, remembering the fact that Davero had never liked any child."Aunt Ilen hasn't picked up Egan
Agneta is restless at home. He had been tired of crying since hearing the last news from Iren. He was forced to go home early from work when he heard the news that Iren couldn't find Regan at school. Iren was indeed late picking her up because the motorcycle taxi that used to take her arrived late, but when she got there, it turned out that the school was empty and Regan wasn't around. Agneta had even gone there and looked for him, but she still couldn't find Regan. Agneta also contacted Aiden, but Aiden was having a meeting with Mr. Oktavio and said he would come right away when the meeting was over."Regan, where are you now?" sobbed Agnes.His heart pounded in pain. He had never lost Regan like this. Bad thoughts kept churning in her mind, especially now that cases of child kidnapping were rife, making Agneta even more worried and weak.Agneta's breath caught when she heard Regan's laughter. He ran out of the house, shouting the name of his baby. However, her eyes widened when she
At that time, Aiden and Agneta were in the car heading to the office. Aiden asked about Regan's condition because, when he picked up Agneta's house, he didn't meet Regan."He is fine and remains as cheerful as ever. I already told Regan not to accept solicitations from anyone, including my co-workers." Agnes explained.Agneta is still upset when she remembers that Regan left with Davero yesterday without anyone knowing. Agneta felt anxiety still lingering in her mind."But I didn't know that in our office there is an employee named Vero, especially in your division." Aiden was still surprised, and that made Agneta a little confused, and her tongue felt numb to answer."He is not an employee in the office. Maybe I misspoke. He was a friend of mine when we were in school, and recently it was a coincidence that we met again," said Agneta without wanting to look at Aiden."Oh, I see?" Aiden tries to believe him, especially since Agneta has never lied to him."Yes," said Agneta, turning to