Sofa Kursi

"Logan, just give me some sleeping pills. I haven’t had a decent night’s sleep in weeks," Xavier said to his psychiatrist and childhood friend. "You don’t need sleeping pills, Xavier. What you need is a break. How about taking ten days off on a cruise?" Dr. Logan Pierce suggested. "You know how much money I can make in ten days? And you want me to waste it sitting idle on a boat? Every minute I’m off that ship is costing me." "That’s exactly why you need it. The world will survive without you for ten days. Maybe you’ll realize you can, too." "But…" Xavier protested. "Xavier, sleeping pills won’t help this time. You’re becoming too dependent on them, and I’m not prescribing more. If you want your sleep back, take a break—a cruise vacation will do the trick." "Fine. But if this doesn’t work, I’m never listening to you again." "Deal. Now, go pack. And leave your laptop at home." Little did Xavier know that these ten days on the cruise would bring him a surprise. Girlfriend? No. Memories? No. Friends? No. Then what? Twins... Now, Xavier doesn’t need sleeping pills to sleep—just a sofa with no noise. The only purpose of Xavier’s life now is to find a mother for the twins.

Clara Quuenza Raharja, merasa dikhianati oleh suami dan adik tirinya, ketika sang adik mengaku telah dihamili oleh Adam–suaminya di usia pernikahan mereka yang ke-6 bulan. Diabaikan ayah kandung sebab hasutan dari adik tiri juga ibu tirinya, serta kurang disukai ibu mertua karena kesalahannya sendiri. Hingga suatu hari hatinya seperti nano-nano. Di hari pernikahan sang suami, ia justru mendapatkan fakta, jika Adam hanyalah dijebak oleh Rania–adik tirinya. Saat pikirannya kacau, ia mengendarai mobil dengan ugal-ugalan. Di hari itu juga, ia dinyatakan meninggal, dan menyisakan luka bagi 3 pria yang selama ini Diam-diam selalu menjaga hidupnya. Suami yang selalu menyayanginya dalam diam, ayah kandung yang ia anggap tidak peduli, dan ayah mertua yang baik. Namun, siapa sangka, di hari itu juga ia diberi kesempatan kembali ke masa lalu. Mengulang waktu yang ia manfaatkan untuk memperbaiki semuanya. Dimulai dengan memperbaiki hubungan dengan sang suami, ayah, dan keluarga suami. Menjalin banyak relasi, serta merebut kursi pewaris yang memang seharusnya untuknya.

“Valerie.” My head snapped up at the sound of my name. The Alpha was standing by the sofa, unbuttoning the neck of his coat. “Come,” he said. “We don’t have much time.” Much time? For what? A chill moved up my arms. I wouldn’t dare ask—not that I needed to. I was not an innocent child anymore. All of my training had been for this moment. There was only one reason why werewolves purchased young, human virgins. Sex. I was a slave. A pet. And my master could do whatever he pleased with me. _________ When the war started. They fought. They slaughtered. We were nearly wiped out on the earth. Surviving humans were classified into three categories: free humans, Servants, and Slaves. My name is Valerie Davis. My parents were accused of committing a crime against the creatures in the war. After their execution, I was captured and sent to the cell as a human slave. I lived in that cell for years before I was transported to a Slave Shop, where I would be picked by a Master. It was during the dry season when I was put in the display box. I wasn't afraid like the other girls, because I was unwanted for my weirdness. I was despised for being the criminals’ daughter. I was lucky, as the masters wouldn’t want to lay a finger on me. But then the Alpha came. When he looked at me, he said he want me. ___________________________ Daily Update!

This is the ninth year Dante and I have honored the Month of No Masters. The Corinni family's heir apparent believes this will make our relationship last longer. For one month after our dating anniversary each year, he is free, and we stay out of each other's lives. If either of us finds someone more suitable, we are to wish them well. If not, we go back to the way things were after a month. Around me, the men of the family are spraying champagne with abandon. "To another year of freedom! Congratulations to our Underboss on reclaiming his bachelor status!" "The family betting pool is open! Place your bets on the left if you think they'll still get married, and on the right if you think it's over for good!" Through the hazy cigar smoke, I sat on the corner of a leather sofa, a cold observer, as if this whole farce had nothing to do with me. Dante's hand was curled around Scarlett's waist as he brushed past me, whispering, "Don't get any ideas. You'll always be my only Donna." "I'm a kite. No matter how far I fly, the string is always in your hand." I pressed my cold fingers against the gentle swell of my belly, my expression a blank mask. Dante, this time at the family's betting table, I'm putting my money on "the end." I'm going to vanish from your world completely. That kite string you're so proud of? Tonight, I'm cutting it myself.

By the time I got home from my business trip, it was already past midnight—and my husband wasn't there. A woman's blouse lay on the sofa. It wasn't mine. I called him. He said he was working late at the office. I didn't bother with pretense. "Whose blouse is on the sofa?" His tone was light and casual. "Who else would it be? It's obviously a gift for you. Try it on." Suspicious, I picked it up and held it against myself. The blouse was clearly one size too small. "Honey, this is a size S. I always wear M." My husband owns a clothing company. He handles all my clothes. He's even used my measurements to design women's wear. There's no way he doesn't know my size. On the phone, he froze for half a second, then spoke as if piecing something together. "This is a new women's line I'm launching. I ordered custom pieces for you and my sister. I must've grabbed the wrong one. I'll switch it tomorrow." A moment later, his voice softened with exhaustion. "Babe, you've been gone for days. Without you, I feel so tired… I miss you so much…" It was already late into the night. Hearing him sound vulnerable—something he rarely did—made my chest tighten. I blamed myself for overthinking. But the moment I hung up, realization struck. His sister has the same build as me. She always wears size M.

On April Fool’s Day, my CEO husband cut out my heart to save his childhood sweetheart's son. After the surgery, he tossed me into a cold rental apartment, where I died in agony. Three days after my death, my five-year-old daughter played in the room as usual. Walking by the sofa, she wrinkled her little nose and mumbled, "Mommy, there's a weird smell in here." She touched my face and murmured, "Mommy, are you pretending to be Snow White? Why are you so pale?" She shook my arm harder and raised her voice, "Mommy, it's my birthday today—get up and blow out the candles!" Confused, she picked up the phone and called her father. “Daddy, did I make Mommy mad? I lit the candles, but no matter how much I call her, she won’t wake up.” On the other end of the call, Patrick Hart’s voice was cold and impatient. “What could possibly be wrong with her? She’s just pretending to be asleep for sympathy. It’s Johnny’s birthday, I’m busy. Don’t bother me! Tell your melodramatic mother to stop playing her little tricks. I don't have time to humor her." My daughter removed the candle from her bun, pinched off a piece of the bun, and fed it to me. "Mommy, I made a secret wish… I really wish you could hold me again, just like before."

"Lalu kamu mau sampai kapan hidup seperti ini? Dikeluarkan dari kampus, dipanggil polisi karena tawuran, dilaporkan karena menabrak kendaraan dalam kondisi mabuk?" "Oma ... aku masih muda. Aku masih pengin hidup bebas, jalanin hidupku sendiri!" Regita merengek. Suaranya mulai pecah, tubuhnya gemetar menahan gejolak dalam dada. Menikah bukan keinginannya. Pernikahan orangtuanya yang berantakan, menyisakan trauma untuk Regita. "Cukup!" potong Oma dingin. "Semuanya sudah Oma bicarakan pada keluarga calon suamimu. Lamaran akan dilakukan hari Sabtu ini dan menikah secepatnya di Minggu depan." "Omaaaa—!" Regita menjerit frustasi, melempar bantal sofa ke lantai. Regita terdiam dalam tangis yang tertahan. Sekuat apa pun ia ingin melawan, ia tahu hidupnya masih bergantung pada sang Oma. Rumah tinggal, biaya hidup, bahkan nama keluarganya. "Kalau kamu tetap menolak." Suara Oma kembali terdengar, pelan tapi menusuk. "Mulai besok, kamu silakan cari tempat tinggal sendiri. Uang sakumu, makan, fasilitas, dan semua yang kamu gunakan, akan Oma cabut." Regita terdiam. Sang Oma sedang tidak main-main. "Bereskan dirimu. Jangan buat hal memalukan lebih besar lagi. Berhenti main-main dan kamu harus berubah!" Menikah? Satu hal yang tidak pernah masuk ke dalam harapan Regita, tapi justru akan menjadi kenyataan yang tidak bisa ia hindarkan.

Pada malam hari jadi pernikahan kami yang keenam, aku tersipu dan menghindari ciuman panas suamiku, Arga, lalu mendorongnya untuk meraih pengaman di meja samping tempat tidur. Di dalamnya, ada kejutan yang aku siapkan, alat tes kehamilan yang menunjukkan hasil positif. Aku membayangkan senyum seperti apa yang akan dia tunjukkan saat menemukannya. Namun, tepat saat dia hendak meraih laci, ponselnya berdering. Suara sahabatnya, Omar, terdengar dari gagang telepon, berbicara dalam bahasa Jerman. “Pak Arga, semalam bagaimana rasanya? Apa sofa erotis baru dari perusahaan kita nyaman?” Arga terkekeh pelan dan menjawab dalam bahasa Jerman, “Fungsi pijatnya berfungsi dengan baik, jadi aku tidak perlu memijat punggung Hanna lagi.” Dia masih memelukku erat, tapi tatapannya seolah menembusku, menatap seseorang yang lain. “Hanya kita berdua yang tahu tentang ini. Kalau istriku tahu aku tidur dengan adiknya, mampus aku.” Hatiku serasa ditusuk dengan keras. Mereka tidak tahu kalau aku mengambil mata kuliah minor Bahasa Jerman di perguruan tinggi, jadi aku mengerti setiap katanya. Aku memaksakan diri untuk tetap tenang, tetapi tanganku yang melingkari lehernya sedikit gemetar. Saat itu, aku akhirnya memutuskan untuk menerima undangan dari proyek penelitian internasional. Tiga hari kemudian, aku akan lenyap sepenuhnya dari dunia Arga.

AREA DEWASA (21+) Akan ada adegan mes*m. Harap yang di bawah umur di skip. "Kamu tidur dengannya?" "Tentu, dia kekasihku. Aku mencintainya." "Kamu hanya mencintaiku, Al." "Itu dulu, sebelum kamu yang berkhianat dan tidur dengan pria lain." "Apakah seleramu jadi serendah itu pada seorang jalang, Alvaro?" Pria itu malah tersenyum mendengar ucapan dari wanita yang berdiri di depan meja kerjanya. Sembari memutar kursi kerjanya, Alvaro kemudian berdiri. Melangkahkan kaki mendekat ke arah wanita yang baru saja mengatakan hal yang dibencinya. Apalagi sialan ini menghina kekasihnya Alvaro. Ia mendekatkan wajahnya ke samping wanita itu dan berkata. "Setidaknya dia masih perawan saat kusentuh. Aku memastikan dia akan jadi istriku dan aku mencintainya. Dia mencintaiku juga, tidak pernah melakukan itu dengan pria lain. Dia tidur denganku, tapi aku melakukannya atas dasar cinta dan menjadikan dia ratu di hidupku. Tidak sepertimu, yang merasa suci. Tapi tidur dengan pria lain saat memiliki pasangan." Alvaro meninggalkan wanita yang bertubuh langsing di ruangannya, tidak peduli dengan hinaan-hinaan yang dilontarkan. Yang jelas Alvaro tidak akan pernah meninggalkan wanita yang telah dicintainya.

[Pa, aku setuju berimigrasi ke Prancis untuk menikah. Cepat, atau aku akan menyesal.] Pak Agus, ayah Tania Sane, langsung menjawab: [Putriku sayang, paling lama sebulan lagi semua prosedur selesai!] Tania diam-diam menyeka air matanya dan menyimpan ponselnya. Satu jam yang lalu, dia masih di dalam Bentley, mendesah pelan karena ciuman Chaz Limex. Ketika ponsel Chaz berdering, dia menjawab dalam bahasa Georgia, "Ngapain nelpon sekarang?" Orang di ujung sana tertawa. "Kenapa? Emangnya kau lagi sibuk dengan apa? Yang ini seberapa mirip dengan Nina Lopez?" Chaz membelai wajah Tania yang lembut dan berkata dengan acuh tak acuh, "70%. Kalau nggak ada yang penting, aku tutup ya!" Pria itu buru-buru berkata, "Jangan! Nina akan balik besok dengan pesawat! Rencananya akan merintis karir di sini. Baik kan aku infokan padamu? Cinta pertamamu sudah akan balik, penggantinya bisa nggak disinggirkan?" Chaz berkata dengan dingin, "Nggak ada yang nggak bisa diselesaikan dengan uang." Kepala Tania setengah terkulai di kursi, air mata mengalir di wajahnya. Chaz sama sekali tidak tahu bahwa dia mengerti bahasa Georgia. Ternyata cinta tulusnya selama tiga tahun sama sekali tidak berarti di mata Chaz.