Di hari pernikahannya, Adellia Carisse Mahesa memergoki tunangannya bercumbu dengan adik tirinya. Ketika semua orang menuntutnya tetap melangsungkan pernikahan demi nama baik keluarga, Adellia memilih jalan mengejutkan: menerima lamaran Keenan Daviero Mahendra, paman dari tunangannya. Pernikahan kontrak pun terjadi. Tapi semakin hari, dunia 'palsu' yang mereka jalani terasa terlalu nyata, apalagi saat luka mulai berubah menjadi cinta.
Lihat lebih banyakEthan's P.O.V
As a Master's graduate from the University of Montana, I felt thoroughly insulted when I was recommended Imphal High School as my first choice of schools and to top it of, as a teacher of chemistry.
Not only was I a Bio major, I had to go teach in Imphal, a matchbox sized town bordering Montana. Somehow, I feel like Edward Cullen hightailing out of the city so the sun doesn't scorch his ass, but unlike Forks from Twilight with its population of 3,120 people, Imphal's population ranges between a bare minimum of 1,300 to 1,800 people. Not to mention there wasn't even an airport or railway station in sight.
The bus ride from Butte, Gold West Country, Montana took me almost 10 hours. Ten treacherous hours of admiring nature at her wildest and gloomiest overnight. So it was a relief when the bus finally pulled up at the station and I got a first glimpse of the town. Bright and sunny and totally not what I'd expected.
Here people didn't seem distant. Everyone greeted everyone with a smile. Quite a few of them was directed my way by giggly teens who most probably studied at the High School I was about to teach. I smirked, shaking my head as I pushed past them with my backpack slung over my shoulders, as their expression turned from hopeful to rueful. 'Be seeing you around', I thought to myself as I made my way to a cab that'd take me to Imphal High.
*
*"Welcome, Mr. Whitmore. We've heard a lot about you from your teachers." Mr. Jeremy Bennett, the principal greeted me as soon as I walked through his cabin doors.
"Good things I hope." I took a seat opposite to his when he motioned me to.
"I'm afraid one doesn't exist without the other." He leaned back in his chair and looked directly at me. He seemed like one of those people you hate or love as much as you want but you simply can't ignore. "I also heard you were quite reluctant to teach here. Why is that?"
"With all due respect Sir, I have nothing against teaching, but for someone who has spent most of their life in Montana...it's difficult to teach in such a small town." There was no need lying, we could work better if I get all my cards out on the table.
"I see," he shrugged. "Fair enough. But since you are here," he pushed forward a blue file in my direction, "why not stay here for a year and then decide if you want to renew your contract or not."
I opened the file and quickly filled up the form inside. He was right, since I was already here, there was no use playing hard to get and a year's contract is going to be the shortest I'll get.
"Thank you, Mr. Whitmore, I'm sure you won't regret your decision." He gave me a folder envelope from a drawer next to him. "This has your appointment letter and the book list of all the books you'll need for this year but for the time being, you can borrow them from our library until you're settled in. Since you're a Masters graduate, you'll be teaching the seniors this year as a trainee teacher. Good luck, Mr. Whitmore and I hope to see you tomorrow."
"Thank you, Mr. Bennett." I shook his outstretched hand and
*
*"This is your schedule, Mr. Whitmore. Good luck on your first day."
"Thank you", I took the piece of paper from the Principal's Secretary and went in search of my classroom. They had permanent classrooms for each subject, not just practical's but theory as well.
It was near the main hallway that I first saw her and something about her just had me rooted to my spot. The main reason for that may very well be her scarlet hair that stood out like a beacon amongst the crowd, made you notice her. Even the baggy clothes she had on couldn't falter my attention. And that is usually a major turn off for me.
She seemed to be in some important conversation with a brunette guy standing next to her. And from his body language, it was clear as day that the guy was into her, while she looked like she has friendzoned him completely. That's interesting.
"Hi there!"
Startled, I looked down at a young girl of about 17 or 18, caked with makeup, clothes down to near zero and hair a dull platinum blonde. "Yes?"
"You must be new here. Aren't you a little old to be attending school?" She batted her eyelashes, folding her arms in such a way that her breasts nearly spilled out of her top....if you could call it that.
"You're right. I'm looking for the chemistry class." I told her, taking a small step backwards. But her cunning little smirk told me that she noticed the move.
"Oh, I can take you there! I'll even give you a tour of the entire school." Does she seriously think I'm a student?
"Just the Chemistry class will be enough, thank you." I said politely.
I followed behind her, averting my eyes to the hallway as she purposely swayed her hips provocatively and kept glancing back at me. Thankfully, it wasn't long before we reached my class.
"Thank you." I stepped inside the classroom without a backward glance and realized my mistake only after I heard the door shut and lock behind me. "What are you doing?" I turned to face her, crossing my arms across my chest.
"Me? We are simply about to do what two people do in a closed room." She removed her bag and placed it on a nearby desk.
"Oh really?" I raised an eyebrow at her. "Because I'm having a strong urge to call the principal and showing him exactly what happens behind closed doors in this school."
"Come now," she came up to me and wrapped her hands around my neck, the strong smell of her perfume giving me an instant headache. "You're not going to play hard to get now, are you? Why would the Princi bother about what the urges of two students?"
"One student and a teacher." I removed her hands easily as she stood gaping at me. "My name is Ethan Whitmore and I'm the new chemistry teacher. Now, if you do not want to be suspended from school, you will get out of this room immediately."
Her shock turned to anger as she stepped back hastily and picked up her bag. "How dare you!" He screeched. "You're going to regret this, Mark my words."
With that, she flung the door open and stomped out of the class.
Thankfully, the hallway was still empty, but I had a feeling that my reputation wasn't going to be as spotless as it was.
So much for a fresh star.
Akira's P.O.V
Dear Diary,
I can't believe I just wrote that! But since I already did, I might as well get this over and done with.
I'm a good girl, I swear. I finish my homework way before time. Eat my veggies without complaint (my sister is an awesome cook, by the way). I don't have a boyfriend and I've never kissed or had sex with anyone....okay, so one kiss on the cheeks in a game of truth or dare doesn't count. I'm a straight A's student and all the teachers love me. No really!
So then, why did I suddenly decide to write down my frustrating life story you ask? Because I feel like I'm about to turn into a very, very bad girl. The reason for that you ask? Ethan Whitmore.
He joined last week as a trainee teacher for the senior classes. I'm still a junior, so I'm not in his class yet, but be still my breaking heart! I've only two more months till I'm a senior, until my eighteenth birthday and then I can have a whole of 45 minutes to have wet dreams about him.
But according to the rumour mill, he's not as clean as he looks. Apparently, he started sleeping with the Bee's the instant he stepped foot into the school. But instead of reporting him to the police, everyone's waiting for their turn to come. Even some of the boys who hope that he miraculously turns out to be gay or at least bi.
But character sketch aside, he really does make me want to be the next girl on his list. Thank you to whoever is upstairs, for finally sending a hot teacher to our school. I have a feeling that his lessons are going to be just mind blowing!
Hey! That's a great idea! Why don't I write it down? About a sexy blonde teacher having sex on top of his desk? Or kitchen counter? Hmmm. Such tempting ideas. Wonder what I should write first. And there's also this new writing competition coming up for that town magazine. Maybe I can enter it there as a prank. Wish I could see their reaction when they read my work. They'd probably fall off their chair in horror.
This is gonna be so much fun! Can't wait to get started.
#####################
Disclaimer: Please note that this is just a story and it doesn't define how any kind of relationship should be. This story is purely fictional and does not have any connection to any actual story or any persons lives.
Keenan tidak berkata apa-apa lagi. Ia hanya menatap pintu observasi yang tertutup. Detik berikutnya, pintu itu terbuka. Seorang dokter keluar dengan wajah tegang namun tenang.“Pak Keenan?”“Bagaimana kondisi istri saya? Dan bayi kami?”“Dia mengalami luka di bagian kepala, tapi sejauh ini tidak ada tanda-tanda pendarahan dalam. Cekikan di lehernya cukup parah, tapi tidak merusak saluran napas permanen. Kami juga memantau janinnya... dan untungnya, detak jantung bayi stabil. Tapi kami akan terus observasi selama 24 jam ke depan untuk memastikan tidak ada komplikasi lanjutan.”Keenan menutup matanya, bahunya merosot sejenak. Seperti menahan tangis yang hampir pecah.“Boleh saya masuk?”“Dia sudah sadar. Tapi... mungkin masih sedikit trauma.”Keenan mengangguk pelan lalu melangkah masuk.Adellia terbaring di ranjang putih dengan infus di tangan. Kepalanya diperban, lehernya tampak memar. Tapi matanya terbuka, menatap Keenan dengan lemah.“Del...” suara Keenan pecah saat duduk di sisi ra
Clara terkekeh lirih. Matanya basah, tapi bukan karena sedih—melainkan frustrasi. “Kamu pikir kamu bisa ambil semua ini dari aku? Dia, perusahaannya, bahkan anak yang harusnya...!”“Kamu gila,” bisik Adellia.Clara mendekat lebih agresif. “Aku nggak akan diam. Kalau Keenan nggak mau denger aku, kamu yang harus dengar! Kamu pikir dia mencintaimu karena kamu istimewa? Tidak. Kamu cuma pelarian. Dia kesepian. Sama kayak aku.”“Tapi aku nggak menyakiti orang lain hanya karena kesepian!” balas Adellia lantang. Ia menarik napas, mencoba menahan emosi. “Clara, aku kasihan sama kamu. Tapi ini bukan caranya.”Clara gemetar, masih menggenggam lengan Adellia.“Bukankah kamu yang bilang, kalau aku butuh teman ngobrol, kamu siap menjadi pendengarnya?”Suara itu membuat bulu kuduk Adellia berdiri.Dengan wajah pucat, mata merah, dan senyuman miring yang jauh dari waras. Tangan Clara mencengkram sesuatu di balik jaketnya, tapi Adellia terlalu fokus pada sorot matanya yang membara.Adellia menyipit.
Mereka tertawa bersama. Lalu hening. Tapi bukan hening yang canggung—melainkan damai.Keenan menatap jendela, lalu berbisik pelan, “Hari ini aku mau kita keluar sebentar.”“Keluar?” tanya Adellia, sedikit terkejut. “Kemana?”“Ke tempat yang belum pernah kita kunjungi. Cuma kita.” Ia menatap perut Adellia dan tersenyum.“Trip dadakan?”“Yup. Cuma sebentar. Aku cuma pengen nunjukin ke dunia kalau kamu... keluarga yang ingin aku tunjukkan dengan bangga.”Adellia membisu. Matanya sedikit memerah. “Kamu serius?”Keenan mengangguk mantap.**Matahari mulai naik ketika mobil Keenan melaju menyusuri jalanan pinggir kota yang dipenuhi pepohonan. Angin semilir masuk melalui jendela yang sedikit terbuka, membawa aroma rumput dan tanah basah yang menenangkan. Di kursi penumpang, Adellia menyender nyaman dengan bantal leher dan headphone di telinga, sesekali mengelus perutnya yang makin bulat.“Nyaman, Nyonya?” tanya Keenan sambil melirik dari balik kacamata hitamnya.“Nyaman banget. Tapi aku kaya
Keenan mengunyah dengan dramatis. “Hmm... 80 persen cinta, 20 persen gula, dan 100 persen kamu.”Adellia tertawa keras. “Matematika kamu kacau!”“Cintaku juga kacau waktu kamu belum datang.”“Oh Tuhan...” Adellia memutar mata, tapi ia tak bisa menyembunyikan senyumnya yang semakin lebar.Keenan bangkit, menghampiri istrinya lagi, kali ini tanpa menyandarkan tubuh. Ia hanya berdiri di depannya, memandangi wajah Adellia dalam-dalam. Lalu, ia mengusap pipi gadis itu pelan dengan ibu jarinya.“Terima kasih, Del.”Adellia menelan ludah. Suasana tiba-tiba terasa hangat, berbeda dari canda mereka sebelumnya. “Untuk apa?”“Untuk bangun lebih dulu pagi ini. Untuk masak sarapan. Untuk masih mau bercanda sama aku, walaupun kamu pasti capek. Untuk... tetap di sini.”Adellia menggigit bibir bawahnya. “Aku juga harusnya yang bilang makasih. Karena kamu nggak pergi, walaupun banyak alasan buat ninggalin aku.”Keenan menyentuh perut Adellia yang kini membulat, lalu mencium bagian atasnya dengan lembu
“Dua puluh menit cukup untuk satu tawa,” sahut Adellia, menyeretnya duduk. “Pertanyaan pertama. Di antara kita, siapa yang paling drama kalau lagi flu?”“...Kamu,” Keenan menjawab cepat.“Jawaban salah! Yang benar: kamu. Aku cuma bersin satu kali langsung dicek suhu, direndam air hangat, dan ditawari ranjang rumah sakit.”Keenan terkekeh pelan. “Itu karena kamu hamil.”Adellia menyilangkan tangan di dada. “Oke. Pertanyaan dua. Kalau suatu hari aku berubah jadi sapi, kamu tetap sayang?”“Sapi?” Keenan menyipitkan mata, geli.“Ya. Sapi. Bukan sapi betina biasa. Sapi agresif. Yang suka tendang pintu.”Keenan tertawa kecil. “Ya. Aku akan tetap sayang... tapi kamu tidur di kandang.”“Kurang ajar!” Adellia mencubit lengannya, membuat Keenan semakin tertawa.*Sepanjang hari itu, Adellia terus melancarkan operasi "Penculikan Senyum". Dari menyanyikan lagu dangdut sambil cuci buah, sampai menyelinap ke ruang kerja Keenan dengan rambut palsu dan menyamar jadi ‘asisten pribadi dari Viremont’.D
Keenan menatapnya sejenak, lalu meraih tangan Adellia.“Clara bukan orang jahat, Del. Tapi dia... rapuh. Sangat rapuh. Dan kalau emosinya terganggu, dia bisa menjadi orang lain. Dia pernah menyayat lengannya sendiri hanya karena merasa diabaikan.”Adellia menelan ludah, jantungnya berdebar tak nyaman.“Aku akan bicara dengannya. Sementara itu, kamu tetap di sini. Jangan ke luar kamar. Apa pun yang terjadi—jangan buka pintu kalau bukan aku yang datang.”“Keenan—”“Aku serius,” potong Keenan, menatapnya dalam. “Aku nggak tahu dia datang karena apa, atau dalam kondisi seberapa parah. Tapi aku gak akan ambil risiko dia menyakitimu.”Adellia mengangguk pelan, lalu menggenggam tangan Keenan lebih erat. “Hati-hati.”Keenan mencium keningnya, sekali. Lalu berbalik dan melangkah keluar dari kamar.**Ruangan itu dingin, remang-remang. Salah satu ruang cadangan di lantai servis, yang biasa digunakan untuk rapat tertutup atau tamu yang tak diinginkan.Clara berdiri di tengah ruangan, tampak puca
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