My mind kept wandering back to the short story of last night as I walked towards the hotel lobby. Last night's beautiful romance bathed in fragrant sweat made me smile to myself until I unknowingly reached the lobby.
"Good morning, Ms Gerald."
"Morning, my car please!"
For a moment, I saw my car had rolled up and stopped right in front of me. The hotel gave me my keys, and I quickly got in and started the engine.
I drove my vehicle along the highway of Magnolia's capital city. My gaze scanned the streets, which were still deserted. It might be too early if I went straight to the company. I decided to go back to the apartment first.
"Yes, this might be better, while cleaning myself," I said, still driving in the opposite direction.
The city streets are still only a few vehicles passing by, this makes me drive more freely. It didn't take long, finally my vehicle arrived.
The swing of my legs felt so light as if my pain of betrayal was gone. I smiled all the way until some neighbours looked at me in surprise.
"You don't usually see Ms Andara smiling so much. Wow, you're happy!" Said a neighbour whose flat happened to be next door to mine.
"Yes, I see, Mrs Johan."
"I hope you continue to be happy afterwards."
A string of heartfelt prayers escaped Mrs Johan's lips making me laugh lightly as my fingers began to punch in some numbers for the apartment door password.
I paused and stared in wonder at the small black board. I had repeatedly entered several numbers and the door had yet to open.
"What's going on?" A question escaped me spontaneously, I frowned looking for the reason why my own apartment door password had changed without my knowledge.
"Strange, what's going on?" I monologued.
"What is it, Mrs Gerald. Can I help you?" asked Mr Johan.
"Ah, nothing. Maybe I just entered the wrong code, Mrs and Mr Johan." I tried to hide the fact in front of the beautiful woman next door and her husband.
I saw the questioning look on Mrs Johan's face, accompanied by a frown on her forehead. This made me even more suspicious. Could there be something going on that I didn't know about?
"What's wrong, Mrs Johan. Did something happen last night?"
"I don't know for sure, Ms Andara. But last night when we were returning from dinner, there was a sharp exchange of words inside. However, we couldn't understand whose voice it was either."
I was still standing at the door, staring in confusion. Then the events of the ride came to light. Could this be the three of them? I remained silent, still wondering if I should call Taufik.
"Call Taufik, Ms Andara."
Before my fingers had moved to press the numbers, the apartment door opened and a beautiful woman holding a boy appeared. Instantly my chest felt painful. 'Isn't this the woman who was with Taufik on the ride?'
"Sorry, who are you?" I asked in a trembling tone.
"Who's that outside, darling?" A familiar male voice greeted my ears.
'It's not wrong, is it?" my soul instantly trembled. That voice belonged to Taufik.
I was still standing there transfixed by the intimacy of the little family. With all the strength I had left I waited for the man to come out.
A moment later Taufik came out, neatly dressed and with his briefcase. Handsome. Yes, my man did have the advantage of his face that so many women wanted him even though he was only a bed warmer.
"Taufik... explain all this!"
"Andara, later. I have to take Arkha to school immediately. Wait for me at the office!"
After giving an answer to my question, Taufik immediately walked hand in hand with the woman. I could see that they were as intimate as a happy little family.
I felt like a stupid goat that could be easily played with. Finally, a gentle pat from Mrs Johan snapped me out of my reverie.
"Stop daydreaming. Go in and clean your body first, Ms Andara. Then come to my house!"
I didn't say much. Instead, I stepped inside and did as Mrs Johan said. In a few moments everything is in order. Your gaze scans the entire room leaving only the scent of that woman.
'Am I wrong if my heart hurts so much? Even though I enjoyed the romance last night, it hurts too much.'
My mind is hurting, but I don't know why my man is doing all this. What he wanted I always fulfilled unconditionally.
This affair was too painful. Treasure, throne and love have all been poured out without a trace. Now, this morning's scene seemed to whip my patience.
'Fine, if this is what you want. I'll follow everything you want, Taufik!'
I quickly cleaned up my dirty clothes. I picked out the ones I only wore, leaving the rest in the basket. I knew that last night she had gone through my wardrobe and put them on.
Not only that, some of my jewellery was also missing. I caught a glimpse of my diamond necklace around the woman's neck. Not only that. Even my latest shoes had been worn by her.
"Huft hah." I complained while looking at the laundry I had put in the washing machine. "Now just fold it. On my way."
I threw away all the worries in my heart, and stepped outside. However, this time I didn't do what Mrs Johan told me to do.
So I called the beautiful lady and apologised for not coming to their house. After all the home and personal matters were done, I stepped out of the apartment again and headed to the company.
The journey was so smooth, I wanted to go back in time so that I wouldn't encounter this kind of pain. It's hard, very hard to believe all the events of the past two days.
Everything is moving fast against me. What I had been fighting for turned out to be an illusion, my man betrayed me. Since the road was quiet, I drove quickly to the company.
I glimpsed the latest metallic red Porsche parked there. My lips unconsciously smiled sadly. I had just bought that car for my husband, but he wasn't the one driving it.
