Safina “Safi” Brooks is a struggling writer who works as a personal assistant by day and as an exotic dancer by night in one of the most popular strip clubs in New York appropriately named “Fire and Desire” where she performs under the name of “Angel” unbeknownst to everyone except her roommate who is also her co-worker on her day job. After catching her boyfriend (who also happened to be the CEO of the company that she works for) cheating on her, she gets unlawfully fired and gets blacklisted on almost every corporate company in Seattle, Washington. Heartbroken by this, she decided to accept one of the private dances later that night for the club owner’s friend and breaks her own rule of strictly not sleeping with a client. And it was a rule worth breaking... Henry Alexander “Lex” Moore is the CEO and founder of Moore Industries. A widower of six years, his focus had only been in the company and his young adoptive daughter Rosella and his friends kept pushing him to loosen up and have fun ever since his wife had died of ovarian and breast cancer. He reluctantly had given in on his 46th birthday, with one of his friends booking him a private dance with one of the most sought after girls of the club, Angel. And it was the best birthday he’s had in recent years. And ever since that night, Angel never left his mind... What if the pair met again unexpectedly in a new and different environment where she is his newly hired secretary?
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Mery Thevania
Puluhan pasang mata saat ini sedang mengarah pada tiga orang cewek yang tengah dihukum di lapangan. Terutama, untuk anak kelas 11 IPA-4 melihat teman mereka layaknya sebuah tontonan drama, umpatan serta bisikkan terdengar sepanjang koridor SMA Bakti Buana. Terik matahari kian menyengat, menerpa ketiga cewek berseragam putih abu-abu itu.
"Buset dah, body goals banget!"
"Dadanya uh putih, njir!"
"Cantik bet, anjir, auto lari mantan gue."
"Kinclong semiriwing dah!"
Setidaknya itulah pujian dari para cowok yang berada di lorong SMA Bakti Buana, mereka memanfaatkan kejadian ini sebagai ajang cuci mata.
Di sana--tepatnya di depan tiang bendera seorang cewek berambut sebahu berdebat dengan Bu Martha--guru bimbingan konselingnya. Bersama dua orang cewek di belakangnya.
"Kamu tidak mengerti apa yang ibu katakan, Mery?! Sekolah ini sudah melarang siswi untuk menyemir rambut!" gertak bu Martha.
Alih-alih ketakutan Mery justru menggeleng, berdecak sebal beberapa kali sambil menyilangkan kedua tangannya. "Ribet! Ibu banyak maunya, sih. Makanya sekolahnya banyak peraturan. Rambut-rambut saya juga, kenapa ibu yang repot? Mau saya cat kek, mau saya pilox kek mau saya--"
"MERY!!" potong Bu Martha, emosinya membeludak. Beliau sudah sangat bosan menegur kelakuan ketiga cewek di depannya. "Jangan menyela omongan saya!"
Berbeda dengan kedua temannya yang jelas menunduk takut dan mulai was-was, Mery nampak lebih santai saja. Dia maju selangkah, menatap bu Martha.
"Yaudah ye, ibu tuanya maunya apa?"
Bu Martha melotot tajam, dia meraih rambut Mery dengan kasar, sedikit menjambaknya membuat cewek itu meringis kesakitan.
"Besok, ibu mau rambut kamu sudah berwarna hitam kembali. Mengerti?!"
Mery mengerling jahil, menepis tangan bu Martha dari rambutnya, lalu menatap si guru dengan mengangkat dagu. "Saya juga."
Bu Martha mengernyit heran. Sementara Mery tertawa kecil seraya menyikut kedua temannya. Raya dan Tasya. Mery melempar telepati yang hanya kedua temannya mengerti.
"Besok, saya mau liat rambut Bu Martha hitam lagi. Bisa, 'kan, Bu?"
Tawa mulai menggema, koridor yang tadinya beratmosfir tegang menjadi penuh tawa. Murid-murid bahkan berbalik mengejek Bu Martha. Guru dengan cepol tinggi dan rambut hampir memutih semua. Wajar, guru itu sudah tua dan hampir pensiun.
"MERY, KAMU IBU SKORS SELAMA TIGA HARI!" putus Bu Martha, Mery mengerucutkan bibir, menghentakkan kaki kesal lalu pergi dari sana diikuti kedua temannya.
"Dasar guru sialan, banyak peraturan!" desis Mery. Meski melewati koridor yang penuh siswa dia tidak peduli, apalagi ketika cowok-cowok melempar godaan dan siulan genit, contohnya seperti ini.
"Cewek cantik ikut abang, yuk!"
"Phewitt, jalan sama gue aja biar ademan."
"Itu bibir menggoda banget, dek. Boleh abwang cicipin?"
"Ry, kancing lo tuh, bikin gue salah fokus."
Muak? Tidak sama sekali, Mery sudah kebal dengan pujian atau godaan nakal seperti itu. Dia tahu dirinya cantik, wajar bukan jika ada yang menggoda?
Menyusuri koridor, masih dengan rasa kesal, Mery mendapati sekumpulan siswa mengerubungi mading. Entah apa yang menarik di sana, Mery ikut penasaran, diterobosnya segorombolan orang itu. Dalam sekali kibasan, para siswa memberi jalan untuk Mery lewat.
"Minggir-minggir!"
Tatapan tidak suka pun mengarah pada Mery, sama, ia tidak peduli, yang menarik baginya saat ini hanyalah kertas putih yang tertempel di mading. Kertas itu memberitahu jika.
PENTAS SENI KEMBALI DIBUKA!
PELUANG UNTUK KAMU TAMPIL DALAM ACARA PENTAS SENI TAHUN INI. ACARA DIMULAI MALAM INI PUKUL 20.00. TEMPAT LAPANGAN SMA BAKTI BUANA. JANGAN LUPA DATANG YA!"Oh my God, pensi. Gue pengen ikutttt," pekik Raya di belakang Mery. Cewek itu menatap berbinar kedua teman-temannya. "Ayolah Ry, Sya. Setahun sekali dong acaranya. Kapan lagi kita seneng-seneng kayak gini?"
"Si Bodoh!" hardik Tasya menoyor kepala Raya. "Lo lupa apa kalau Mery lagi diskors?"
"Eh iya, hehe." Raya cengar-cengir. Lalu cemberut lagi. "Terus gimana dong? Gue pengen liat Ka Bima. Sekalian kita seneng-seneng, please, dong, Ry. Cari cara supaya kita bisa ke sana," pinta Tasya memelas, cewek itu menyatukan kedua telapak tangan.
"Nggak bisa lah, bego. Lo mau kita ketahuan kayak tahun kemaren?" pungkas Tasya, Raya mengerucutkan bibirnya.
Sementara Mery menyunggingkan senyum tipis. "Bisa, kok."
"Lah, lu yakin, Ry?" Tasya memastikan.
Mery tidak menjawab, dia hanya menggidikan bahu acuh lalu tersenyum. Karena dia adalah Mery Thevania, cewek urakan yang tidak suka dikekang, menyukai kebebasan, dan pastinya memiliki solidaritas tinggi antar teman.
Sekalipun itu adalah guru, Mery memiliki kuasa lebih dari itu.
“What do you mean the florist won’t make flower arrangements for me?” I hissed, slamming papers onto my desk “I’ve paid good money to have him make my demands!” I snapped “He just doesn’t want to sir, and Miss Brooks refused the flowers you sent her last time.” Percy reasons “Call Bella to my office, I need to speak with her.” I ordered “She has resigned sir, have you forgotten?” he wondered My temper began to rise once again, pinching the bridge of my nose “No I haven’t.” I denied “Find the best bakery and buy the most luxurious red velvet cake and send it to Safina’s office.” I say, straightening up to my chair “Of course sir…” Percy nodded but held back as if he wanted to say something “Spit it out Percy, I know you want to say something.” I said sternly He took a deep breath and spoke “You really do love her sir. But sometimes you just have to know when to let go… Not doing so will hurt you even more.” “I do. She has been there for me for years-“ “And yet
Lex’s POV“I don’t know what happened with you and Angel but the other night she asked me to give this to you.” Leo handed me a small purple envelope after barging into my office just as I sat down on my desk “Maybe she’s asking you out on a date…” he teased “Good morning to you too Leo. I’m good this morning, thanks for asking.” I rolled my eyes as I took the envelope tentatively “Don’t you have a meeting to get to today?” I asked sarcastically “It’s not until 9:30 so indulge me on what happened between you and little Miss Angel. Did you guys b*ng again?” he asked with a smirk“Since when did you become a nosy b*stard with my personal life?” I scoffed, distracting myself with my computer and ignored the envelope as best I could“Two things, you’ve been seeing my shyest employee and it’s been two years since you’ve been on the dating scene, and you broke that thanks to Angel.” He points out“I’m not dating her, she rejected me the last time we saw each other after I went out
I still decided to go to Fire and Desire a few hours later and focused on getting as much tips as possible tonightThough before going to work, I decided to at least cook something for Bella when she gets home. I cooked up some rice and take out the milkfish marinated in vinegar and garlic out of the freezer that I successfully haggled for at the Asian supermarket and fried that up and I also decided to make a quick pickled salad with daikon radishes, onions and tomatoes seasoned with jalapeno instead of Asian chilies because my vendor ran out.It was something my mom loved to make for me on a daily basis, and milkfish is rare at the time“Guess who quit her job babe?!” Bella says cheerfully as the door opened “Well technically resigned and I’m starting a new job as an intern at Style Life Magazine… hopefully.” She grinned as she placed her box of things at the coffee tableI smiled as I put the prepared food on the table “When did you resign officially?” her resignation didn’t surpri
Meanwhile…Jack parked the car on my apartment’s driveway. By now I had stopped crying and kept quiet, getting out of the car and smiling at the couple “I’m sorry for the inconvenience Mama Benj… Jack.”“Don’t mention it Saf, we’re happy to help.” Jack smiled kindly“Are you sure you’re okay sweetie? You can take a day off of work-” Mama Benj began but I cut him off “No Ma, I need the money… My monthly due date at the bank is coming up and I need the cash as soon as possible.” I smiled weakly “See you later.” I waved goodbye before heading into my apartment As soon as I close the door, all the emotions came to me as if somebody stabbed me repeatedly with a knife... As the people who mattered to me most don’t think that I am good enough….“This isn’t the job I want for you Safina.” My mother says as she puts down my essay and shook her head “You’re a very intelligent girl and it’s such a shame that you’re not using your brain for a course that can lead to a high paying job in t
Lex’s Point of View“Thank you so much for your feedback sir, I’ll have the final version of the app ready for presentation as soon as possible. And I’m sorry if I disturbed you.” He smiled apologetically at me“Nonsense Clifford, I’m happy to give feedback when needed. Don’t hesitate to come to me if you have an idea or a concern, and if I’m not here then I’m sure Safina can help you too.” I assured him“Of course sir. I should get going.” He nods and went to his department I was heading to Safina’s office when I heard my phone ring, it’s Wilma… and all of a sudden, the bad feeling in my stomach rises again. I quickly answered the phone “Wilma? Is everything okay?”“No Lex, Safina left the building… crying. I’m worried about her.” Wilma says worriedly My gut feeling was right “F*ck, alright… I’ll try to contact her, has Max King left yet?” I ask, anger and irritation bubbled inside me at the mention of that man“Unfortunately not, I haven’t seen him or his assistant. They’
I did my best to calm my nerves in the bathroom. Taking deep breaths as I look at myself in the mirror “Breathe Safina… he’s just here for business, you’re safe from him. You moved on from him. He’s not going to hurt you in any way anymore.” I gave myself a pep talk and adjusted my hairI hear the door open and I saw him enter the ladies’ room with a knowing smile on his face “This is the ladies’ room. You shouldn’t be in here Max.” I turn to face him, putting on a brave face “I know, I just wanted to talk to you.” He says, stepping towards me“We have nothing to talk about the moment you stuck your d*ck inside another girl! And I knew that the girl from the penthouse isn’t the first girl you f*cked.” I spat“I apologized for that Saf!” he reasons “A-And yes I drunkily cheated on you in Greece. But I didn’t want to tell you because I don’t want to lose you.” He admits, thinking it will help his caseI scoffed “After I quit, you preceded to blacklist me in almost every company in
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