Chapter 2: The Tempting Aroma

Budi’s apartment door shook violently. The sound of Rocky pounding from outside still echoed like a concrete crusher. Budi collapsed onto the floor, his breath ragged. That sweet aroma—a nauseating mix of vanilla and caramel—still wafted from his pores.

“Holy crap, is this guy possessed or what? He’s totally insane!” Budi cursed, covering his nose with his dirty shirt.

He got up, ran to the bathroom, and cranked the water tap to maximum. He scrubbed his body with bar soap, shampoo, even pungent floor cleaner. However, every time he rinsed himself off, that intoxicating scent only grew stronger.

“This isn’t working. I can’t let this slide. I have to go to work; if I skip it, Daniel will lose it,” Budi muttered, staring into the mirror. His face was pale, but his eyes looked more alive, more sparkling than usual.

The next morning, Budi arrived at the office wrapped in a thick leather jacket and wearing three layers of masks. He tried to hold his breath whenever he passed by his coworkers. At the pantry table, Gibran, who was brewing coffee, suddenly froze. His nostrils flared as he stared at Budi with a blank expression.

“Budi? What... what are you wearing today?” Gibran asked, his voice hoarse.

“What do you mean? I’m just wearing a jacket so I don’t catch a cold, Gibran,” Budi snapped while pouring hot water.

“But your smell... how does it get better every day? I swear, it smells like cheesecake fresh out of the oven. Can I just sniff your neck for a second? Just briefly,” Gibran said, moving closer, his trembling fingers beginning to creep toward Budi’s shoulder.

“You’re crazy! Stay away, demon! I want to work!” Budi slapped Gibran’s hand away roughly and ran off toward his desk.

No sooner had he sat down than the phone on his desk rang. The name “Daniel” appeared on the screen. The big boss, usually cold, demanded he come to the executive suite immediately.

“Come in,” Daniel’s deep voice sounded as Budi knocked on the door.

Budi stepped inside. The room was cold, yet the vanilla aroma emanating from his body seemed to fill every corner, even overpowering the scent of Daniel’s expensive perfume. Daniel stood up, staring at Budi with eyes that couldn’t blink.

“Budi,” Daniel said, standing and slowly walking around his desk. “You know, lately I’ve been finding it... difficult to focus.”

“S-sorry, Sir, I worked as fast as possible earlier,” Budi replied, bowing his head deeply.

Daniel stopped right in front of Budi. “It’s not because of the work. It’s your scent. What are you using? Why does it smell like... an invitation to something wild?”

“I’m just using bar soap, Sir. I swear, I’m not wearing any perfume,” Budi answered, his voice trembling.

Daniel laughed lowly, a laugh that sounded very unstable. “Bar soap? Don’t lie. You know, Budi, from the moment you entered this room, I’ve had to restrain myself from devouring you right here on my desk.”

Daniel took a step forward, closing the distance between them. Budi could feel Daniel’s warm breath near his ear.

“Sir, please don’t. I am your employee,” Budi tried to back away, but his spine hit the locked door.

“Employee? Too bad, Budi. Right now, you just look like a very tempting dish,” Daniel whispered.

Daniel’s large hand landed on Budi’s shoulder, gripping it with possessive pressure. His nails dug into the fabric of Budi’s jacket, as if wanting to tear it open. Budi felt a hot sensation spreading from the point of contact. His world began to wobble. Was he going to give in? Was he going to let this boss enjoy his cursed body odor?

“Sir... I-I... I suddenly feel dizzy. I’m sick, Sir. Please allow me to go home,” Budi said with the last shreds of his consciousness.

Daniel rudely sniffed the hollow of Budi’s neck, his breathing heavy and irregular. “Sick? You look very healthy, very sweet, and very much like someone I want to own, Budi.”

“Sorry, Sir! I really have to leave!” Budi pushed against Daniel’s chest with all his strength, then opened the door and ran out of the room without looking back.

He sped out of the office building and got into the elevator, his heart beating erratically. He didn’t know whether he had just saved himself or provoked a bigger monster.

Inside his office, Daniel stared at the closed door with undisguised hunger. He pressed the intercom button on his desk.

“Teddy, come here now,” Daniel ordered in a cold voice.

A well-dressed young man entered the room. “Yes, Mr. Daniel?”

“Find out where Budi lives. Right now. Make sure he doesn’t slip out of my reach.”

“Yes, Sir,” Teddy replied before rushing out, leaving Daniel smiling thinly, inhaling the lingering traces of the sweet aroma in the air.