Playboys

Chapter Bonus: Before Storm

Hi, sorry for the delay, after today will update as usual again. 

Happy reading and happy new year

Our short vacation was over, and we were back to our activities. It was short, but I enjoyed it. It's so different like our honeymoon, I just felt something I just learned from my own husband. I re-acquainted with a new man, and fell in love again.

Is it too much? But I do feel that way. Whatever problems will happen in the future, I will try to deal with them. I feel more mature in the face of this problem. Whatever happens, I will still trust my husband first compared to others, I will try it even if in hindsight this is quite difficult for me.

This afternoon something was different, I decided to attend a small reunion of my classmates when college first. I rarely do this, even when Nabila asks me to, I will reject him outright. But, this afternoon I set foot voluntarily to a restaurant.

Let's just say I'm looking to get some experience other than flower arranging and also lunch with Dimitri. Chatting a little with my friends is also a form of socialization and expanding partners, although I am not very familiar with them, even their names seem to have been forgotten.

Guess what made them know me?

Yeah, correct. The answer is Dimitri. The news of my marriage and Dimitri used to be very excited among our college friends and also people who knew us very closely. If you can say, I don't have many close friends. Just Nabila, and also Ayu. It was really just the two of them who were very close to me.

The rest? We only connect through group chats on mobile, as well as this reunion invitation. You know, right, how popular Dimitri was when he was in college? As a result of being close to Dimitri, I became very famous, especially among women. Some even threatened me if I still approached Dimitri.

If you think that my youth is full of drama, then your mind does not miss. Unfortunately I only became a supporting actress among Dimitri as well as his lovers.

“Hai, sorry I'm late. The streets are very crowded because,” said when I arrived at the table that was just appointed by the waitress.

There were a total of six women at this table, I thought this time it would be very crowded, but only a few were present. I know their kindness is sincere. But, there are also those who pretend to be innocent and just think this is one of the best things they can do so that the life they live is more elegant and able to match others.

“Content, Li. We're just getting started, kok.”

The atmosphere suddenly became awkward after my arrival. Do they not express my presence? We were never very close to each other, either. Maybe just as a task group friend, the rest of us just smile in exchange for greetings.

I sat on an empty chair beside the woman who greeted me first. Her name is Linda, she's pretty good and we haven't been involved in any disputes. The remaining five people, they were women who used to be very infatuated with Dimitri. Dimitri's popularity can match that of Afgan maybe, I don't know too much about singers.

“How are you doing?” ask Linda.

“I'm good. How are you guys doing? I think it's been a long time until we collect kayak gini again,” said I.

“I'm good. Slightly heartbroken when you know you're married to Dimitri.” The woman with straight hair and pretty thick face makeup replied. I forgot his name, but I can't forget his face. It could be said that she was a very ambitious woman to get Dimitri.

I just grimaced hearing that answer. Is it possible that there was a national heartbreak when I found out that I was married to Dimitri?

“Excess you, Mon. You also used to date as many guys,” said the bob-haired woman.

I remember this woman. Her name is Lisa, and she's pretty tomboyish. I don't know why he was able to get in touch with Dimitri first. He didn't do anything bad to me, he just vented his frustration on me when Dimitri dumped him. I really remember how to cuss at the uncensored one, very frontal, but also

not offending me. One of my colleges almost recognized me the same way they recognized Dimitri. If you mention Dimitri, then it's unfair if you don't mention me.

“But at will Dimitri ends up with his own best friend, on appeal he is with you, Mon. Don't love how your household is.” The woman wearing the toska-colored hijab chimed in.

And that woman's opinion was confirmed by everyone at this table except me and Mona. I just gave a thin smile. This is the reason I never come to the reunion that is held every year. Imagine if I had to face something like this every year, it was never my choice.

In previous years, they could gather almost all the children in my department. Right now, maybe the others are very busy with their lives so absent. I wouldn't be able to deal with them if they were so crowded.

Then our conversation went well, and I began to adjust. A lot of what we talk about, from work, marriage, children, even infidelity. It turns out they're not as bad as I thought, we're all grown up, which is natural, right?

“You still want the same Ririn? The most pious girl in our class?” ask Mona.

We all nodded. I also can't possibly forget the girl who can be said to be more closed than me, but luckily very smart. He graduated with the best grades in our major. From the news that I know, he is currently a lecturer at a private campus.

“What's the same as Ririn?” ask the hijab woman. Name's Alisia.

“Her husband cheated on his own co-workers.”

**

Our little conversation was still clearly on my mind. Of all the topics that we could have discussed earlier, why should cheating suddenly become a hot topic between us? Is this another coincidence?

“No way, Mon. You know for yourself how her husband is, her husband often filled lectures in the study assemblies. I also know very well how Ririn's husband is,” said Alisia. I heard Alisia and Ririn are quite familiar, they often come to the joint study assemblies.

“The news is quite widespread, they are indeed cheating because of the boarding house project they work with. Ririn didn't tell you anything? You guys, it's pretty close,” continued Mona.

“What do you not make up this story, Mon. In view of from any side, it is impossible for Ririn's husband to admit it—“

“Don't pull that off, Lin. We, right, don't know how Ririn's husband used to live. Some of you are sure that a man like that will not cheat, every man has his own side of mischief, want him loyal like how it is,” cut Mona.

I was on my way to my flower shop after the reunion with the private driver Dimitri hired. Lately, I have been very easily influenced by other sentences even though the sentence itself has no meaning as I thought. I've already said that I would trust Dimitri no matter what, it's just that my stance is easily swayed at the moment.

“Udah to, Mbak.”

There were two customers waiting for her order when I got there, and when I went inside, Ms. Tari just finished her flower arrangement. I immediately sat myself in the seat that was there when Mbak Tari finished the payment and all sorts of things. I felt so tired, I didn't do anything.

I really have to control my own thoughts before I go crazy. At least I have to make sure my baby is healthy until the day of his birth, then I can think about what to do next.

Actually I don't have to bother myself like this, Dimitri even promised me, and I knew that he would keep that promise. Dimitri never reneged on his promise, but the thought of Dimitri being able to cheat secretly made my head spin. Dimitri can do anything I don't know, just like Ririn's husband.

“Li,”

“Lili,”

I opened my eyes, and found Ma'am Dance smiling at me. “You overslept here?” tanyakanya.

“It looks like that, Ma'am. What's up, Ma'am?”

“Oh, that's what's ahead of you. Wash your face first, deh, new to the front.”

I nodded my head and got out of my seat on this comfortable sofa. Maybe it's because of my pregnancy, because I'm so tired right now. My mom's house was like that yesterday too. After walking all day visiting tourist attractions, I will immediately fall asleep in the car or other places that are quite comfortable.

In front of this flower shop there is a little room that I have made a canopy with chairs and tables, the goal is that customers can relax while waiting for the order to be completed. A little useful also for me who usually have guests like this. Maybe next time I will think also if you want to open a cafe that is also aligned with the flower shop.

The person that Mbak Tari was referring to was sitting at the table I was referring to. I'm afraid I'll get the next surprise if I greet this guy. My feeling is that this could be bad for me.

The man turned his body around to me when I thought of greeting him first. She's a woman, and when I say that this could be bad, then it really is. That woman Evelyn.

**

I try hard to show my smile and keep my attitude friendly. After all, this woman is my husband's client. I wouldn't want to add to Dimitri's predicament if I just slapped him in the face right now. The desire had already been repeated many times when this woman turned her body to me.

“I was just from Dimitri's office, and then I remembered that you had a flower shop not far from Dimitri's office. So I decided to stop by.”

“Ah, so.”

Maybe I'd rather face Michelle on this woman's appeal. As beautiful as this woman seems now, it cannot change what she did to Dimitri. Maybe it wasn't Dimitri who was teasing this woman, but this woman who was flirting first. I can clearly see this woman's skinnier face, just like Mona's, the difference is that Mona can be a little better than this woman.

“How does it feel to run your own business? Must be hard, right? At first I was like that too, until I could have my own company without the help of my husband. There is pride in itself because of that,” he said.

I didn't even ask that question at all, nor did I care about how hard he tried to have his own company. I don't even know what it means to come see me. We're not like old friends who can ask each other the news.

Did he forget that he had only seen my husband? Like she didn't realize I was Dimitri's wife. I don't know what he's gonna do here.

“Sounds so amazing, I didn't expect that you were that great.” That's satire, if this woman realizes it, which I'm sure she won't notice.

There have been many clients I have met, with various types of traits, and Evelyn is also very easy to know how her personality. Experience has taught me so much.

“But, by the way what is there to come here?” tanyaku carefully. Believe me, I try very hard to keep my attitude.

“I just want to get to know more about what kind of woman is capable of standing next to Dimitri. And now I understand why Dimitri married you,” he said with a smile.

I really don't understand what this woman's saying. Who is he to recognize me? Not the kind of phrase a client would use from my own husband.

“I'm sorry, but I don't understand. I thought you weren't supposed to say such a sentence, you're just my husband's client.”

I looked at this woman coldly, so sick of calling this woman. I could feel bad if I mentioned this woman's name.

“Yes, I know. But, did you never think that maybe me and Dimitri were a good fit?”

What did he just say? I didn't hear the wrong words, did I? This woman just said this sentence. Is he still sane? Please tell me, is there a woman who is so selfless like this who asks for her match in front of her wife. She's this married woman that I heard also had children, does it make sense to snatch someone else's husband?

“It looks like this chat is just nonsense, you better get out of here.”

The woman showed me her grin this time which made me believe that this woman was worse many times than Michelle. “You just don't know what we've been doing all this time. I could even see the satisfaction on his face when we did it.”

“Go from here!”

After showing her grin for the last time, the woman disappeared from before me. I try to regulate my heartbeat racing fast.

“Lili, are you okay?” ask Mba Tari to worry.

I was unable to answer the question, my head suddenly turned and my gaze blackened.

“Lili!”

**