CRUEL TEMPTATION OF MY EX

"It should be shared with your parents." The doctor said.

Serena starts to frown and still stares at the gestures of a doctor who seems a little bit uneasy.

"I think it will be useless, Doctor. You can tell me now because my parents will not care about it. They got divorced so long ago." Serena insisted. She is so curious.

"According to the result of USG last time, your uterus ... I mean yours is smaller than usual uterus and it does not grow up." The doctor said. Then he stares at Serena's eyes.

Serena's face becomes sad and her eyes have been flushed. The result of that diagnosis made her cry immediately.

Before that, another doctor said that MRKH syndrome has attacked one woman in five thousand women in this world. The syndrome which is abbreviated by Mayer Rokitansky Kuster Hauser is usually diagnosed after the patients say that they have not got menstruation in their puberty life. Because of that Serena accepted her friend's suggestion to go to a doctor.

"Unfortunately, this syndrome does not have ..."

"It doesn't have medicine, does it?" Serena said immediately.

The doctor nutates. "But you can take therapy, the content of which is dilatation of your vagina."

"No, Doctor. Stop telling it. I won't." Serena rejected. No man will accept a woman who cannot birth a baby like I am."

"Serena. You have to be patient. Don't say that." Fina said. She is Serena's best friend who accompanies her now.

The doctor then gives the result paper to Serena. "You can take an MRI checkup and other tests to get the real result if you want. And you also may come here again whenever you are ready."

"Thanks, Doctor."

After saying this statement, Serena left the room. Then she runs to Green Park which is behind that clinic. She wants to appease her mind, but this idea is not easy because she looks at some married couples over there. They seem happy with their children.

Not only that view but also Serena sees a pregnant woman with her husband walk in front of her. She cries because she knows that she cannot be a mother forever. Her dream of get happy life with her husband-to-be in the future will not come true.

"Serena, you are here. I didn't find you everywhere." Fina said.

Fina was worried that her best friend would do something worse. It can put Serena get danger.

Now, both of them who are still 17 years old are silent and stare at the view of Green Park. Fina does not want to talk. She gives Serena time to think about what she will do later.

When the rain comes, Fina pulls Serena's arm to go away from there.

"Why is my life so pitiful? Even my parents do not care about me. Maybe I wanna die soon." Serena is crying now.

"Serena, you still have me." Fina hugs her soon.

"I don't know what I will do. I am disappointed with this situation, Fina." Serena is still crying. "And you know what? Barra ever said that we would get marriage. But now, it is impossible. I'm not a perfect woman." Serena said. She is depressed.

"Calm down, Serena." Fina is crying too. She knows what Serena's feeling this time.

***

"It's still not late. I must end this relationship." Serena said.

She is looking at herself in front of the mirror. Her right arm take her mobile phone which is on the table. And she finds Fina's name over there.

["Hallo, Serena! Once in a blue moon, you call me now. It's still morning."]

"Sorry if I disturb your time, Fina. I need your help."

["Sure. What is it?"]

Time shows that now is ten o'clock morning. Serena is sitting on the chair. She wears a red mini dress. Every man looks at her because her clothes are so sexy and glamorous.

"Jeno, thank you for accompanying me. Even if I ever rejected your love, you still want to help me." Serena said. She clutches his fingers and smiles adorably.

"Everything will I do for you, Serena."

The man who is called Jeno kisses her finger soon. The laugh immediately.

"Serena!!" Someone shouted.

A man who is loved by Serena is stands angrily. His Adam's apple is up and down after looking at them. He was shocked.

"Barra? I'm sorry."

"What is it? What are you doing now? You are cheating. Damn!!" Barra is indignant.

"As you see, Baby." Serena is smiling. "Sorry, I chose Jeno. He can give me more money than you did."

Barra pulls Serena's arm, but Jeno takes her immediately. "Don't touch my darling."

"Okay, Serena. I promise that you will regret your choice. I hate you, Bitch!!"

Serena is still smiling until Barra goes away. After that, she cries soon.

Jeno is standing beside her. He hugs her and says, "I think it is the worst solution, Serena. You and Barra still love each other. Why don't you share your condition with him?"

"No, Jeno." Serena interrupted. "Barra can meet a perfect woman in the future. He will get a happy family."

Serena thinks that it will end, but she does not know if destiny will make her and Barra meet again.

Eleven years later ...

After checking the table set up ordered by the manager, the woman with her hair pulled up in a ponytail immediately sat down on the edge of the table. She smiled as she sighed softly afterward.

It had been four months since she worked at the five-star hotel as an assistant to the Food and Beverage manager, more commonly known as the F&B manager. Assisting her boss in coordinating activities between the kitchen, service, and front-of-house departments in charge of entertaining guests. Of course, the beginning was not easy for the woman named Serena Queen Adhisty. Many people thought she had deliberately sold her body to the director to get a position as assistant manager.

As if she didn't care about the slanted news that hit her, the woman who is familiarly called Serena continued to work as usual. Like now she continues to focus on the birthday event of one of the oil refinery business owners in Indonesia which will take place soon.

"How's it going, Serena? Is everything okay?" asked Tommy - the manager.

"Everything is okay, sir. I have done what you asked," Serena replied with a smile.

Tommy muttered and left without another word.

Meanwhile, at the same time, a white man with dimples that were slightly visible on his face was raising and lowering both eyebrows alternately. Staring at the hotel divisions who were presenting their month-end reports. It wasn't long before a faint smile appeared as there were no complicated issues that required special handling.

"Anything else?" He asked with a straight face.

The secretary who was now the center of his attention became misty-eyed. He held his breath for a moment after staring into the sharp eyes of his superior.

"Nothing, Sir. Everything is as previously scheduled," the secretary replied.

The meeting ended after the man who acted as a general manager left the room. Followed by the secretary who was now following him from behind.

"Sir," the secretary exclaimed with some hesitation.

The boss did not answer and hurried to his office.

"Tell me," he said after seating himself in a chair.

"Today is Mr. Aroon's daughter's birthday party at our hotel. He has invited you to attend. I think it would be best for you to attend. For five years he has entrusted this hotel to celebrate his family's party," the secretary explained.

"Well, I'll say hello. What time does it start?" he asked.

"Seven o'clock tonight, Sir. I've cleared your schedule for the future," the secretary replied curtly.

"You -"

"Sorry, Sir. I was just -" Her words were quickly cut short by a sharp glare from her boss.

"Never mind. Next time ask before you act. I hate being bossed around like this," said the now sour-faced man.

"Get out now!" he ordered without looking at his subordinate again.

It wasn't long before his cell phone rang. He stared sarcastically at the screen and ignored it. It was not until the umpteenth time that she accepted it reluctantly.

["What took you so long to pick up the phone? I heard from Jenny...You're going to the party, right?"] someone from the other side asked.

["Yes."]

["That's good. At least I won't have to replace you for the party. Bara, from now on act like a responsible leader. Don't keep giving me trouble."]

There was no reply other than a mere mumble.

["Barra, did you hear me, huh?"]

["Never mind. You talk too much."]

Tuut...Tuut...

The call was cut off unilaterally.

Adibarra Erlangga. The man who was often called Barra was no longer the sweet figure who was friendly to everyone he met. Eleven years was not able to make him switch to the life that he had gone through until now. He is only able to be gentle with his Mama, who unfortunately is gone now.

She still has Tora as her brother and a father who can still be used as a place to share. Unfortunately, Barra never even mentioned her problems to the two men who were her family.

In fifteen minutes, the event will begin. Barra, who hadn't left his room at all since this afternoon, began to groom himself in front of the mirror. The scent of masculine perfume wafted into every corner of the room. It was obvious that the GM had changed his clothes after freshening up in the private room right beside his office.

"Evening, Sir," greeted several people who passed him.

Only murmurs were given regardless of who the greeter was. That's what the cold-faced boss always did.

"David," Barra exclaimed, turning to the assistant who remained faithfully by his side.

"Yes, Sir. The gift you ordered has been delivered to the session," David reported as if he knew what was going on.

"Good job. Let's speed up our attendance at the party," he said as he immediately entered the elevator reserved for hotel officials.

Although the city of Medan was being showered with heavy rain, the excitement of the event was not disturbed at all. Moreover, the whole concept was held inside the super luxurious Erlangga Hotel in the capital city of North Sumatra, Indonesia.

While in the southern part of the cardinal direction, Serena was seen talking to the waiters and waitresses in a short meeting she had set up. Making sure that her idea could go according to the plan from the beginning. Honestly, she was so nervous because this was her first time getting a direct challenge from the director and manager.

"So tense," greeted a woman who had just tapped her on the shoulder.

Serena choked up for a moment, "Amel, don't make me even more panicked."

"Calm down, Ren. This event will be fun. Especially since you've organized the concept differently from last year. Mister Aroon will like it. It's not monotonous like the previous ones. Cool," praised Amel - Serena's friend since she started her career as a waitress until now.

Serena continued to monitor the event that had been going on since half an hour ago. She didn't even hesitate to replace the waitress role to set an example for her subordinates.

"How is Mr. Show? Do you think it's good? The concept was offered by Mr. Tommy's new assistant," the director of the B&F division said to Barra.

The boss nodded. He smiled at Tommy briefly.

"Even though he's only been appointed for four months, he's doing a great job. Mr. Director's choice is truly amazing," praised Tommy who was now glancing at the division director.

"Just a moment, sir, I'd like to thank him in person," Tommy excused himself.

"Say hello to me too," said the director.

Tommy excused himself and then approached Serena who was busy chatting with the guests.

At first, Barra only turned her face briefly to the owner of the event. But instantly his eyebrows knitted and his forehead furrowed. His jaw began to harden when he saw the figure who had once existed in his life. The woman was smiling at one of the guests.

At the same time, Tommy had arrived near Serena and was now expressing his gratitude. The sight successfully made Barra smile devilishly. His hands clenched into fists accompanied by a nod of his head at the same time.

"Welcome to my kingdom, Serena!" he said while continuing to stare at the figure from a distance. "David, come here. I have an important task for you now. Do it right and don't fail."

"Thank you, Sir," Serena said as Tommy praised her work.

The man nodded, "Oh yes, the GM is here too. It's not Mr. Tora anymore like he used to attend."

Serena's smile slowly faded as she heard the manager's words.

"Keep working, I want to accompany Mr. GM first," said Tommy who quickly left Rena.

The woman in the maroon suit immediately nodded slowly. Because she also didn't know who exactly the GM was talking about. Moreover, it had only been three months since the hotel where she worked had changed leadership. Somehow an uncomfortable feeling just arose because of hearing the narrative from the manager just now.

Serena's guess seemed to be right. Things were not going well. One of the waiters conveyed an obstacle that made her have to think fast and hard.

"This might be Wiwid's doing, Serena. She likes to provoke your emotions," said Amel who overheard the conversation.

"Really? Just watch out if she's the mastermind," Serena said almost frustrated.

Before the girl could make a move, Tommy the manager immediately showed a worried look on his face. Rena stammered and then sighed softly.

"Why is this, Serena? Isn't everything set?" asked Tommy still trying to show his patience.

"I-yeah, sir. Sorry, I didn't know either. The dessert was ordered long ago, but the chocolate flavor came instead. I'll ask the chef directly," said Serena who immediately excused herself.

Meanwhile, in the western part of the room, a white man was adjusting his hair back. He continued to enjoy Serena's face, which was already showing anxiety. Who else if not Barra? The only man who just realized Rena's presence in his territory at this time.

There was a moment of regret in his mind for never visiting the restaurant area of Erlangga's hotel immediately. If only he had known that his ex was already there from the start then it is certain that his revenge event would have been carried out faster.

"Done?" asked Barra who was now glancing at David the subordinate.

"Yes, Sir. As instructed," David replied with a bow.

In his heart, David kept asking why it was the GM who wanted to disrupt the event. Moreover, this was the first time he had seen the man who had long been his superior smiling triumphantly. It seemed different from his usual days. Even if he won a tender, his famously cold and flat face was never as bright as it was just now.

It was like being struck by lightning. Mr. Aaroon, the owner of the event, had a disappointed look on his face. The only daughter spilled the dessert dish that was not to her liking. While most children might be chocolate fans, that was not the case for her, a vanilla fanatic.

"Fluffy vanilla cake. I don't want another dessert," snapped the princess who had folded her hands.

What had been a festive and colorful event had now turned into a very tense atmosphere. Mr. Aaroon swore and demanded the hotel compensate him. Instead of worrying, Barra smiled. Oh, he succeeded in making Rena feel cornered now.

"Sorry, Serena. The manager told me that you were called to the Director's office right now," Amel said with an apologetic look on her face.

"It's okay. That's how it's going to be, Mel. I swear. I'm confused about where I went wrong. It's that simple, huh," complained Serena who then immediately disappeared from the pantry.

Serena's heart was beating faster as she passed through the hotel corridor. Her steps were getting faster because she was curious about the complicated problem that she would have to face alone.

The girl with dusky brown eyeballs immediately lowered her face after being invited in. The Director seemed to be staring intently at her.

Serena just nodded while saying endless apologies. She didn't know what to do anymore. Even her position was threatened at the moment. Having just been appointed four months as an assistant manager, Rena had already disappointed the F&B Director.

The girl had kept her head down for a long time but she had yet to hear a decision from her superiors. Until a knock sounded from outside made Serena look up for a moment.

"Come in," said the director.

She muttered as the secretary handed her a blue folder and then said something that Serena could not hear at all. Serena tried to smile wryly when she saw the secretary showing her little grin.

Oh, this girl does have a lot of female enemies around her workplace. Moreover, her sardonic gaze is not friendly. That was Serena who was already used to her haughty face. Especially now that she only lives alone in a tiny housing estate without any help from her parents. The divorce case between the two of them made Rena turn into a grumpy figure who doesn't like to be close to many people. She prefers to get closer to certain friends only. Like Fina and Amel.

"You are told to choose. Leave dishonorably or compensate for hotel losses. If you leave dishonorably, you might end up in jail. My suggestion is to reduce your salary," said the director.

Serena was stunned for a moment. She took a slow breath and then let it out. It was clear that being dishonorably discharged would make it difficult for her to find a new job. Not to mention that her reputation would be ruined because of the case she had just made. There was no other choice but second ammunition.

"What is the range of costs I have to reimburse, sir?" asked the fair-skinned girl bravely.

"According to your salary here, it is written that you only receive 30 percent of your salary. The rest will be paid off after two years of employment. What do you think?" said the director.

Serena lowered her shoulders which had been tense. There was nothing she could do but say yes. Surely a party like Mr. Aaroon's would cost a lot of money. What a misfortune today.

"Come to the GM's office tomorrow morning. I'll be there too. You may go."

***

This is where Serena and the director awaited the GM's arrival. The girl had signed the contents of the new employment contract without further thought. Of course, she no longer read the sentences in the document.

"Morning, Sir," greeted the director to the highest boss in the hotel where they worked.

Serena was no different. She was frozen in place with her lips pressed tightly together. Her face paled as she witnessed a sight she hadn't seen in eleven years. The wound gaped again after she closed it with great difficulty. So did the man who was now right in front of her.

"Leave us alone, Sir. I would like to have a one-on-one talk with Miss Serena Queen Adhisty," Bara said without taking his eyes off Rena's graceful face.

True to his orders. No one else was in the room. Only Serena and Barra were staring at each other. Even within seconds, they were still both diving into those long-buried memories.

"Hello, My Ex!" greeted Bara while displaying her devilish smile.

Slowly the man's body got closer until the distance created was only an inch between them.