Days passed quickly without Seno's presence. The house felt so empty. Lara didn't even leave the house because Melati was always taking care of her needs. For two days now, Lara had just been inside the house without wanting to go anywhere. This progressing pregnancy also limited her movements. "Are you ready to take a bath, Ma'am?" Suddenly, Melati interrupted Lara's reverie. Lara was watering the flowers in the pots. She didn't know why, but she felt like doing it. Usually, she was lazy to take care of these plants. "What time is it?" "It's 8 in the morning, Ma'am. Let's have breakfast." "Oh!" Lara was surprised. She thought it was still 7 in the morning. "Okay," she agreed. Lara quickly cleaned up the gardening tools and started washing her hands. Melati opened the bathroom door, Lara entered, and began to clean herself. After that, a delicious aroma wafted as soon as Lara stepped out of the bathroom. "What's cooking?" "Beef soup, Ma'am, and potato patties," Melati replie
Lara shook her head, not wanting Melati to know about her husband's depravity. "It's okay, Ma'am. You can go," Lara said. Melati nodded and then left. Lara resumed her halted crying. Then, she scrolled through her phone screen to find 'Seno's' name there. At first glance, she couldn't see clearly. These teardrops blurred her vision. She was still sobbing while trying to press the 'call' button but failed. The wet screen was the cause. Lara quickly wiped the screen and tried again. This time, she found a busy tone. "Seno, damn it! Where has that man gone? Why hasn't he even once informed me?" She pressed the 'call' button again and tried to contact Seno's phone, which was still busy with another call. Suddenly, the call was cut off. She felt even more despondent. Why didn't Seno answer her call? What was really happening out there? Those questions kept spinning in her mind without clear answers. Lara tried to gather courage and call Seno's number again. The busy tone sounded, in
Lara's head felt dizzy. It seemed like she needed to rest. "Ma'am, do you want to take a nap?" Melati asked while hanging clothes. "Yes, Melati. My head hurts," Lara replied, frowning. "Ma'am, do you want some warm tea? Shall I make it for you?" "No need. I just want to sleep." Melati nodded and then returned to her work. Lara headed towards the bedroom, wanting to rest immediately. However, suddenly the front door opened. "Seno?" she said. "Hm." Seno only took off his shoes and then walked in as usual. Lara didn't want to cause a scene, especially with Melati behind her. "Welcome home, Sir," Melati said, hurriedly putting down her laundry basket. She then quickly walked towards Seno and took his work bag. "Usually, it's the wife who welcomes her husband like this, not the maid," he quipped, then glanced sarcastically at Lara. "What?" Lara was even surprised by his unusually brusque attitude. What was wrong with him? "Never mind, tired." Seno then messed up his hair and wa
BAM!Piles of files slammed onto Mahya's desk. The girl's eyes widened, her mouth trembling as she struggled to speak. "Wha—what are you doing, Sir?" she asked after taking a deep breath."ARE YOU CRAZY?!" her boss exclaimed, restraining his rising anger."I don't understand what you mean. Explain, what's happening here?" Mahya asked, rising from her seat. Even the coffee on the table almost spilled, threatening to ruin all the scattered work analyses on the desk. Her cramped space became noisy with her boss's shouts, as if he wanted to forcefully dismantle her room."You! How dare you investigate Seno Adhijaya? I'm returning your files!" he yelled persistently."Oh! So, this is about my investigation proposal? What's the problem, Sir? I don't feel like I've done anything wrong!" Mahya retorted, equally fierce. In journalistic work, structural positions were just diagrams on boards, not unresisting zones in the field.Mahya wasn't afraid of being fired.As long as she knew why her work
According to her promise to Carol, Mahya began searching for the contact of the rising star doctor. She went to the hospital where the doctor practiced and asked the receptionist to escort her to the handsome doctor."Sorry, Dr. Andre is very busy. You can contact the PR team for an interview," said the female receptionist who received Mahya's request."No, I must meet Dr. Andre in person," Mahya firmly refused. She forgot how to sweet-talk to win over her sources. Mahya was used to acting on her own, especially because she was used to dealing with data and ... criminals!"Sorry, Miss! Not possible!"In line with Mahya's firmness, the receptionist also did the same. Their auras even radiated red, as if silently launching an attack on each other. Mahya was relentless."At least, give me his phone number!""Dr. Andre's phone number is confidential!""What?!"A verbal duel then ensued, neither of them willing to back down. The commotion caught the attention of Dr. Miriam who happened to p
Mahya patiently waited for Dr. Miriam's update. All day long, she anxiously awaited the important call from the authority figure that might come."Bring this week's coverage draft to my desk. I want to see it," the baritone voice suddenly said. Mahya looked up at the owner of the voice. Her annoying boss was looming over her. "Huh?" Mahya was puzzled. What business did that jerk have coming here?"Did you suddenly go deaf?" he asked sarcastically.Mahya rolled her eyes, then quickly got up from her seat. She felt like she was hallucinating, but she wasn't."Shit!" she cursed in frustration. She had been hoping for a call from Dr. Miriam since she entered the office.Why did the anxiety she had been feeling suddenly turn into tension? It was all because of the unwelcome guest! Mahya was absolutely furious."The draft is already in the editor's email, Sir," Mahya replied lazily. She didn't want to upset the other two reporters who might have a heart attack if Mahya exploded and cursed th
The day awaited by Mahya finally arrived. She managed to meet face to face with the legendary Dr. Andre. Of course, that title was exaggerated because Dr. Andre's popularity was still far behind Jaka Tarub, who became the partner of fairies in ancient times.Legendary? Well, not quite."Nice to meet you, Dr. Andre," Mahya said with a cheerful face."Nice to meet you too, Mahya Grace," Andre replied calmly. He seemed difficult to express emotions, very different from Mahya who was explosive like easily combustible material."All right. I'm very lucky to be able to meet you here. My visit is certainly to interview you," Mahya started the conversation.Andre nodded and cleared his throat, ready to answer every question from the reporter. The girl's appearance was quite eccentric with a leather jacket snug on her body. Andre even thought she was a musician, not a reporter as introduced."Can you tell me a little about yourself?" Mahya asked for the initial question."Well, what do you want
Actually, Mahya had only fallen asleep briefly, and when she woke up, they had just left the hospital complex area. She didn't know that James had been stealing glances at her since earlier. Mahya didn't care.As the car was almost leaving the main gate, Mahya's eyes suddenly caught sight of someone she knew: Lara. Her friend seemed to be entering the parking building with a worried expression. Mahya was curious, but... she shouldn't just show up.Mahya was still considering keeping her distance from Lara regarding her case. She didn't want any bias that could interfere with her investigation process."Sigh..." Mahya sighed, conflicted. On one hand, Mahya really missed Lara. On the other hand, she shouldn't act rashly. It wouldn't benefit her at all."What's wrong? Why the sulky face?" James asked after glancing at Mahya, who had already opened her eyes."Ah, nothing. It's just that I saw a familiar face entering the parking area earlier," she replied lazily. Mahya then took out her ph