Genevieve might be persistent but I'm a certified hard-head with stubborn as my middle name to listen to her when it comes to accommodation. She insisted I stayed with her because of how dangerous it is to be on my own in my late second trimester, at a three star hotel that's an hour away from everyone. She even whined on how unfortunate her little sibling is to live in a dumpster when the sister and brother are spoiled with luxury. Her endless chatter in manipulating my mind about what my baby deserves versus what he's getting because of my stubbornness, won. I finally moved to a brownstone near theirs on the next day; she accepted the condition that I would go anywhere but hers and Nate's place because the last thing I wanna do is to disturb them or interrupt their daily life. A week later I'm still here, with frequent visit from Gen which on the day she isn't coming, she'd call me to get updates, asking if I'm okay or if there's anything I need. There couldn't be possibly anyth
I hate how my grandparents still have control over me despite being in my forties. The fact that I too have four grandchildren makes it hilarious of how silly this has become. But that's what everyone in Gunn family gotta do- listen to the one who holds the mighty power. I'm not sure if all of us are in the will but it would be stupid to risk your name being excluded just because you're not feeling Thanksgiving this year. I've been working in Berlin for more than a month now. I made a deal with my cousin to switch our role that instead of handling the headquarter at New York, I asked if I can take the European branch. She wasn't too excited about it; nobody knows about my divorce except for my lawyers so she didn't understand why I asked for this all of a sudden.Our grandfather is the founder of Gunn Chocolate so everything has to be signed off by him. Emily suggested to hold it off and present the proposal to Grandpa in three months for me to think it through, only then we'll go a
"You did a good job today, Princess." Dad has marched to his eldest grandchild who would always hold a special place in his heart, the same way she does to me. Genevieve immediately turns to him with a wide smile, "Wait till the dinner is served, you're gonna be even more grateful I'm the planner this year!" "I'm already grateful you managed to bring Alya here this year." The twinkle in his eyes can't be missed, as if he's really glad my ex-wife is joining. I knew it, I should've told everybody about the divorce. I should've known my grandparents would account every Gunn for this yearly family event, her included. Somebody is hitting the glass again, signalling everyone to be seated- the event is about to begin. I can see my grandparents are already at the head of this long table, thankfully they're at least ten seats away from us. The perks of not being a favorite family member. "Calvin." Dad suddenly calls my name, grabbing the attention of everyone to turn around and look at m
"You're... still pregnant?" I can't believe that came out of his mouth. What did he mean by that? I was only five months pregnant when he left, of course I'm still pregnant six weeks later! Does husbands have pregnancy brain too? But he looked so fuckable since I laid my eyes on him at the dining hall so I'm gonna let it pass. You're lucky you're gorgeous, Honey. Tapping my tummy, I reply him with the sweetest smile, "Nope, just had a big Thanksgiving dinner." "But... but the kicks-"I rub my tummy in a big circle, the way we always do when we're full from eating too much, "Must be the turkey." "Alya." He warns dangerously that I bat my eyelashes as adorable as I can, "Yes, Honey?" "It's not funny." He puts his palm back on the same spot, which I can't help but to grin. Have I told you how fuckable he looks right now? Or since my eyes laid on him earlier in the evening? Sooo fucking hot with the whole beard thing, I swear it feels like I'm back to the time when I was his sugar b
It was my first weekend in New York, after a rather boring week since all I did was go to the office, walk back home, cook dinner, and sleep. Hit repeat.I landed here last Saturday, all the way from my home country that is so different from this big city. Born in Jakarta, grew up in Jakarta, attended uni at Jakarta, worked at Jakarta; my entire life is stamped with Jakarta all over it that stepping foot here is like a slap to my face. My parents are the kind of people who prefer their kids to blend in with the surrounding community so despite the abundant amount of money they have, they sent my siblings and I to a government school instead of those private ones. I'd like to think myself as a lucky person considering the amount of procrastination and lazy-ass attitude I've been practicing since forever that somehow, along the way, I always, always managed to get away with everything. Lucky because I was granted a full scholarship for my bachelor degree at a local university. To be
It takes three days for me to surrender. Once I reach home, I run to my room and look for the bag I used last Saturday searching for that specific white card because today, my boss has officially called for a war. She publicly criticised me in front of seventy executives during our monthly meeting. At first she was just introducing me to the team but towards the end of her speech she told me -fucking mentioned my name with her eyes directed to me- to be better than what I've been this one week. "Maybe it's a slow week for you since you're still settling in but I expect better from now onwards." Last week, on my third day here she called me to her office to ask me to step up my game. Because apparently, according to her, I'm lacking at delivering impactful results. She expects to get the job done yesterday if she's asking it today.That's how I became determined from that moment onwards to be more efficient. I worked eight hours every day compared to what I used to back in my home
"You'll be taking a role as Scarlett Monroe." "What do you mean I'll be taking a role as Scarlett Monroe? Where is she? Why do I need to be her? Is this like Vanessa Hudgen's Christmas movies at Netfl!x? Taking over somebody's role just because they have the same face?" "Pretty much," Drey nods, "But you'll be getting money out of this." "And Mr Gunn is fully aware you're not the real Scarlett Monroe." "Mr Gunn? Who's that?" I'm getting dizzy with all these shocking information. From the pictures I have in my hand, Scarlett Monroe seems to like dressing up, and always has herself put together. Unlike me who'd wear anything to the office if I'm too lazy to plan my outfit. Especially on one of those weeks when I hibernate. I have this tendency of going all out after spending weeks at home. I'd go out, hang out with friends, and after a fun, tiring weekend with them I'd hibernate for weeks until I'm ready to come out and play again. "Mr Gunn is Scarlett's husband." "Ooohhh?" Inte
This is officially my fourth week in New York, and I'm getting used to being here. Wearing hijab is a norm in Indonesia but here in New York, especially in my office, I'm like a rare species simply because I'm the only one who wears it. I've received multiple questions from my colleagues that sometimes I wonder if they ask because they genuinely don't know about it or simply to mock me; “Do you sleep with it”, “Do you shower with it”, and the one that got me extremely speechless was, “Do you actually have hair?”I try to be positive and answer them with a smile eventhough sometimes I do wanna be spiteful and throw that “Of course I shower with it, I use Hijab and Shoulder”. But no, compose yourself Alya. Show them that Islam is beautiful, not condescending. "Oh wow," I hear a gasp next to me, "You look so much better without that thing!" I turn to her as I put another one of my friendly face, "Thank you." Is all I said then I get back to putting on my hijab. Sometimes this chiffon