Charlotte Lewis refuses when she is forced by her parents to marry a rich widower with two children from her neighboring village. But, apparently her parents didn't just give up. She was forced to marry other man. However, this time it was not with a widower, but with a young man who was still single. Unfortunately, the man's profession is "Shoe Sole Maker". So, what will happen after Charlotte accepts the match?
Lihat lebih banyak"Aku pulang, Mas," ujar Senja yang melangkah masuk sambil meletakkan kunci mobil secara sembarangan ke tatakan kayu bulat. Ia terpaksa begitu karena tangannya sibuk dengan Red Velvet Nougat serta mengempit botol sampanye.
Namun, tidak ada jawaban.
Senja mengerutkan kening. Biasanya, Denta langsung menyambutnya, entah dari ruang tengah atau dapur. Tapi kali ini, rumah terasa terlalu sepi. Ia melangkah perlahan.
Apa karena ia pulang lebih cepat padahal sudah ijin datang terlambat karena rapat dengan kolega? Mungkin Denta tidak menyambutnya karena itu. Senja menggeleng sambil tersenyum geli, ia melangkah masuk meninggalkan area foyer rumahnya.
"Kenapa aroma lavender di sini aneh sekali?"
Senja menuju ke ruang tengah. Ia mencium aroma yang tak biasa. Denta tak pernah menyukai lavender, apalagi membakar lilin seperti itu.
Senja meletakkan tart dan sampanye di meja ruang tengah. Matanya menangkap sesuatu di sofa, jas milik Denta. Namun, yang lebih menarik perhatian Senja adalah gaun satin merah yang tergeletak di sebelahnya.
Senja mengenalinya, gaun itu adalah hasil kreasi rumah mode miliknya, koleksi terbaru yang baru saja ia rilis. Tapi yang membuatnya heran, gaun itu bukan miliknya secara pribadi.
Langkahnya berlanjut hingga ke arah kamar mereka. Pintu kamar setengah terbuka. Dalam keheningan, ia mendengar suara samar, desahan tertahan bercampur bisikan-bisikan menggoda. Jantung Senja berdegup kencang.
Langkah Senja terhenti begitu saja di ambang pintu kamar. Tangan yang memegang gagang pintu terasa gemetar, sementara udara di sekitarnya berubah menjadi tidak nyaman. Ia melihat sepasang kaki telanjang terlihat keluar dari selimut, disusul suara tawa kecil seorang wanita yang ia kenali dengan sangat baik.
Suara Citra, sekretaris yang seharusnya membantu menghadapi rapat dengan kolega hari ini, tetapi malah izin tidak masuk dengan alasan sakit. Ternyata sekarang Senja malah menemukan wanita itu tidur dengan suaminya.
Pemandangan itu membuat darah Senja seperti membeku. Tidak ada amarah yang meledak-ledak, hanya kekosongan yang menyakitkan. Ternyata begini rasanya berdiri di depan kenyataan yang selama ini hanya ia lihat melalui sinetron murahan.
"Mas, ayo ke sini. Aku belum selesai...." Suara manja itu datang dari balik tubuh Denta, yang sama-sama polos tanpa busana. Punggung kekar sang suami yang selama ini ia kagumi, kini sedang bergerak impulsif untuk menyenangkan wanita lain.
"Mas Denta..."
Desahan dan lenguhan terdengar dari sarang cinta yang seharusnya milik dia dan Denta, menyakiti gendang telinga Senja. Namun, ia tidak menangis. Tidak ada gunanya.
Senja membuka pintu sedikit keras hingga menabrak dinding di sampingnya. Membuat kedua orang tak tahu diri di atas tempat tidur terlonjak menutupi tubuh-tubuh polos tak bermoral dengan selimut.
Denta terkejut, tetapi melihat Senja yang datang, ia tidak menunjukkan reaksi panik seperti yang diharapkan Senja. Justru, pria itu hanya terdiam, matanya berkilat tajam seolah merasa terganggu.
Sementara Citra yang masih menggenggam erat selimut untuk menutupi tubuhnya, tampak jauh lebih ketakutan. Wajahnya pucat, matanya membelalak seperti seekor rusa yang tertangkap basah di tengah jalan.
"Mbak Se—Senja…" suara Citra bergetar, bibirnya mengatup seperti ingin merangkai alasan.
Senja hanya menatapnya dengan tatapan kosong. Tidak ada kemarahan yang meledak-ledak, tidak ada tangisan yang pecah di tengah ruangan. Ia hanya berdiri di ambang pintu, mengamati dua orang yang telah mengkhianatinya.
Citra terkesiap. "Mbak, aku—"
"Tidak ada penjelasan yang perlu kudengar," potong Senja dingin. "Aku sudah melihat cukup banyak."
Denta menggeram, matanya menatap Senja dengan sorot tajam, penuh peringatan. "Jangan membuat drama, Senja."
"Drama?" Senja terkekeh, meski tanpa emosi. "Kalau aku menangis, berlutut, atau memohon, itu baru drama, Mas Denta."
"Jangan memandang rendah kepada kami. Bagi pria sepertiku, kamu saja tidak cukup," ucap Denta dingin.
Senja tertawa kecil, tetapi matanya memancarkan luka. “Dan kau pikir Citra akan cukup?”
“Ya.”
Senja mencibir, “Wanita yang merebut suami orang, nilainya tidak lebih tinggi dari sampah—,”
“Senja!” Denta memotong kalimat Senja karena Citra mulai mengisak di dekatnya.
“Bahkan masih lebih baik sampah karena bisa didaur ulang. Pelakor? Lebih rendah dari itu dan bukan kelasku.” Senja terus melanjutkan kalimatnya dengan dagu terangkat.
“Mbak ... aku terpaksa. Mas Denta—,”
“Aku tidak melihatmu terpaksa ketika meminta suamiku untuk memuaskanmu, Cit.”
“Senja, cukup! Kamu tidak bisa melengkapiku! Citra bisa! Kini ia sedang hamil anakku!” Denta membalas kalimat Senja dengan suara berapi-api, membela wanita busuk yang sedang berlagak teraniaya.
Senja kembali tertawa, melempar kepalanya kebelakang. Sejatinya, ia sedang menyembunyikan air mata yang mendadak menggenang di pelupuk matanya. Lagi-lagi, kekurangan karena tak kunjung hadir anak di pernikahan mereka menjadi kesalahan Senja.
“Dia sudah hamil anakmu?! Bagus, tunggu apa lagi? Nikahi dia, Mas. Karena aku akan menggugat cerai!” tukas Senja, sontak berdiri bersiap untuk pergi. Ia tak sudi berada satu ruangan dengan dua manusia tak bermoral.
Senja memutar tubuh kembali menuju ke meja sudut tempat ia meletakkan kunci mobilnya. Ia berhenti sejenak di ujung lorong, menolehkan kepala sedikit hingga tak perlu menatap dua orang di ruang tengah.
“Silakan menikmati kue tart dan sampanye untuk merayakan penyatuan kalian. Dan Citra, tidak perlu repot-repot datang ke kantor besok. Kamu dipecat!”
Senja berbalik, melangkah keluar dari kamar dengan punggung tegak. Di dalam hatinya, bara amarah telah menyala. Ia tidak akan menangis, tidak akan meratap. Yang ia pikirkan sekarang hanya satu hal—balas dendam.
**
Senja berakhir di sebuah bar eksklusif di pusat kota. Ia duduk di sudut paling gelap bar, jari-jarinya gemetar saat meraih gelas whiskey-nya yang sudah hampir kosong.
Matanya merah, bukan hanya karena alkohol yang membakar tenggorokannya, tapi karena tangis yang ia tahan sejak ia melihat suaminya dinaiki dan memuaskan Citra.
"Brengsek..." gumamnya, sebelum menenggak habis sisa whiskey di gelasnya.
Bar itu bukan tempat yang biasa ia kunjungi. Senja tidak minum, tidak merokok, dan tidak pernah terlihat serapuh ini. Tapi malam ini, ia hanya ingin hancur. Hancur seperti hidupnya yang sudah dikoyak tanpa ampun.
"Cukup untuk malam ini."
Senja mengangkat wajahnya dengan tatapan tajam. Matanya yang sedikit kabur karena alkohol hanya menangkap sosok samar pria—tinggi, dengan jas hitam yang membungkus tubuh tegapnya. Rahangnya tegas, matanya hitam dan tajam seperti belati. Rambutnya sedikit basah, seolah baru saja menerobos hujan.
"Siapa lo?" suara Senja serak, tidak terintimidasi, meski sedikit terhuyung.
Pria itu tidak menjawab. Ia hanya melirik bartender, memberi isyarat untuk tidak menuangkan minuman lagi, sebelum menarik kursi di sebelah Senja dan duduk.
"Kalau kamu mau mabuk sampai lupa segalanya, seenggaknya jangan sendirian, Madam," kata pria itu pelan. Suaranya datar, tapi ada sesuatu dalam nada bicaranya yang menusuk Senja lebih dalam dari apapun.
Senja tertawa sinis. "Lo siapa? Motivator gagal yang kebetulan nyasar ke bar?"
Pria itu akhirnya mendekatkan wajah padanya. Mata mereka bertemu. Senja menggelengkan kepala, berusaha meraih kesadarannya kembali.
“Pak Reinaldo?”
Senja mengenali pria itu sebagai Managing Director kantor cabang United Talent Agency Indonesia yang ada di Jakarta dengan kantor pusat di New York, calon partner kerja yang akan membantunya lolos seleksi Paris Fashion Week.
Dan untuk pertama kalinya, malam ini, Senja merasa seperti ditelanjangi habis-habisan. Seolah pria ini bisa membaca isi kepalanya hanya dengan satu tatapan.
"Dan aku di sini karena kau butuh seseorang yang lebih dari sekadar whiskey.” Reinaldo tersenyum kecil. “Jangan panggil aku ‘Pak’. Kita dua orang yang memiliki tujuan yang sama."
Dalam pikiran berkabutnya akibat alkohol, Senja berusaha mencerna kalimat Reinaldo, “Apa maksudmu?”
“Aku bisa membantumu, Madam,” jawab pria itu dengan raut muka tak terbaca.
Hearing the horrifying accusation, Charlotte immediately widened her eyes, "You can make it like that?"Meanwhile, shocked, Shane said, "Mom, I don't understand how you can think like that."Charles clucked his tongue in defeat at the words of his daughter and son-in-law. Instead, the old man said, "Shane. You are also a man."He stood up from his chair and looked at Shane as if assessing what his son-in-law was thinking. "And that's why I can also tell that you must be thinking of a foul plan to bring another woman into your household. Right?" Charles said with a slight glare.Barbara said again before the couple could argue, "You are, Charlotte. Wives, don't be so stupid and don't obey your husbands too much. Didn't you know you were being cheated on?"Mita was truly shocked by the drama that was usually presented on the television station. Unfortunately, now the drama was happening in front of her eyes and involving her. Oh, the young girl felt like she was on the set. She let o
Charlotte became increasingly uncomfortable and she then said to her husband, "Just a moment, Shane. Let Mita stop by for a moment. Earlier ... she was vomiting. When she's picked up, it's okay to go home." Shane was surprised to hear his wife's words so he asked, "Why did you vomit?""Well, Mita took the bus with me and it turns out she's never taken the bus before. So ... maybe because she was not used to it and was shocked that she vomited," Charlotte explained.Shane gaped and looked at his younger cousin with a shocked gaze. In his gaze, it was as if he was asking, 'Are you taking the bus? Isn't that wrong?'However, Mita casually answered her cousin's gaze by saying, "Look, Shane. I ... feel close to Charlotte and like being friends with her. So, even though I almost couldn't make it on the bus, I still wanted to come here."Then, the young girl again gave a look like a little kitten and said again, "I've been struggling to vomit like this, how come I wasn't given permission t
"Wait a minute, Wina. Why is this going everywhere?" Charlotte replied with irritation.Mita also knew and could sense that her sister-in-law was very annoyed with the person they were talking to.Wina clucked her tongue and responded, "Yes, since you got married, you really rarely go out. You never join our neighborhood activities. Well, if your husband doesn't forbid you, who does?"Charlotte exhaled and tried to be more patient again, "Gosh, Wina. Can you not guess about anything including the reason why I never go out anymore or participate in neighborhood events?"Wina rolled her eyes as if reluctant to listen but Charlotte continued to explain, "Just so you know, I can't participate in neighborhood events around here because I don't have time.""Ih, you're really busy, Charlotte. You've never changed, being the best and feeling better than everyone else," Charlotte said, sounding sarcastic.Mita was quite surprised by the words that so clearly said that Charlotte had always had
As if she had forgotten that she was with Charlotte, Mita focused only on enduring the nausea that began to attack her.Charlotte herself who was watching the girl out of concern immediately took a plastic bag from her pocket."Are you nauseous, Mit?" Charlotte asked in a tone that sounded very worried.Mita swallowed her saliva with difficulty. She seemed to know that she was not well due to the constant shaking that had caused her stomach to churn.So when she heard Charlotte's question, she quickly nodded her head.Charlotte immediately offered a black plastic bag which made Mita even more nauseous. The girl subtly refused the object offered by her sister-in-law.Charlotte understood that and did not take offense. She then looked outside, "It's okay, we're about to arrive. Just hold on!"Mita nodded her head weakly this time because she really could barely hold back her nausea.The girl held her stomach as if commanding her body not to vomit before she reached their destination bus
Before Faye could reply to Charlotte, the young woman suddenly heard one of her close friends at the minimarket speak, "Never mind, Faye. When we debate with Charlotte, we lose."Faye clucked her tongue but then she nodded in agreement, "Oh, that's true. It feels like we never win when we argue with her.""Yeah, that's why it's useless so whatever Charlotte and her allies want to say," Abby said, who then pulled Faye's hand away from the area. Mita just shook her head at the behavior of her two coworkers and let out a long breath.The girl commented, "I wonder! They don't like you that much, Sister. How strange!" Charlotte just chuckled in response and instead asked Mita to help her with something else so that they would no longer discuss the matter. The day of preparation for the event held by the big company ended smoothly. Charlotte was quite exhausted when she said goodbye to her coworkers before she left the minimarket. Her husband could not pick her up so she walked alone t
Cecilia and Percy were silent when they heard Charlotte's words as if they realized that even though they knew Charlotte was laughing at them, they could not argue anymore. Therefore, Charlotte casually said, "Well, I guess we have to excuse ourselves first, Dad, Mom."However, before Charlotte could pull her husband's hand away, he gently said, "Honey, wait a minute. I have something to give to mom and dad."Charles and Barbara looked at each other in confusion but they didn't respond and remained silent. Shane reached into his backpack and pulled out a white envelope and placed it next to his father-in-law's plate. "Dad, this is the money you asked for yesterday," Shane said.Barbara glared in shock, while Charles glanced at the envelope with a surprised look. Cecilia and Percy, meanwhile, only glanced at it. However, Shane didn't wait for his in-laws' reactions and instead got up from his chair. The young man said, "Excuse me, Dad. Charlotte seems to be tired and needs to rest
Welcome to GoodNovel world of fiction. If you like this novel, or you are an idealist hoping to explore a perfect world, and also want to become an original novel author online to increase income, you can join our family to read or create various types of books, such as romance novel, epic reading, werewolf novel, fantasy novel, history novel and so on. If you are a reader, high quality novels can be selected here. If you are an author, you can obtain more inspiration from others to create more brilliant works, what's more, your works on our platform will catch more attention and win more admiration from readers.
Komen