Julie Anastasia could only smile proudly. As she gazed at her reflection in the large mirror hanging in front of her. A waitress from a wedding dress boutique was straightening a white ball gown that wrapped her slender body beautifully. Everyone who looked at Julie immediately praised her beauty. However, Julie was not very happy. Instead, her face looked troubled. Because the man who was supposed to praise her was not there. James Edmund, her future fiancé. Instead, he didn't show up when she had to do a dress fitting for their engagement the day before tomorrow.
In fact, Julie had repeatedly tried to contact him. The man picked not a single call up.
"What exactly are you doing, James? Why aren't you taking my calls?" Julie muttered as she stared at the screen of her smartphone. Her hand nimbly dialed the number again for who knows how many times.
The boutique waitress turned her face away. Then she made a face of vomiting. Actually, she had been holding her breath. She couldn't stand the smell of Julie's body odor.
'This girl is indeed beautiful. Unfortunately, her body odor is unbearable. Does she not know what deodorant, perfume and the like are? Perhaps her future fiancé ran away because of this too?' thought the boutique waitress. While smiling mockingly for a moment.
"How is it? Do you like it?" the girl asked. While trying to keep smiling. Even though it was a little forced.
"Yes. I like this dress. But, I need some advice from my boyfriend. Wait a little longer! He must be busy right now," Julie said as she continued to try to contact James.
"Okay. Then let me use the restroom for a moment."
"Yes, go ahead. But don't stay too long. My boyfriend should be here soon."
The girl nodded. Then quickly left the place. She felt like she was going to die from holding her breath for so long. Meanwhile, Julie was busy with her cell phone again.
"Come on, James. Pick up the phone," Julie muttered as she put the phone to her right ear. However, it still didn't pick up. Julie felt increasingly anxious. She was afraid something bad would happen to James. "James. I hope you're okay now." Julie repeatedly looked at the entrance. But James did not come.
While waiting, Julie was getting bored. She opened her friends' social media statuses. Until she came to Retta's post. She ceased moving her hand. Her heart seemed to stop beating. Julie's eyes continued to stare at the picture of a pair of shoes that were phenomenal to her.
'The favorite guest has finally arrived,' Retta wrote alongside the picture.
"No, no, no. It can't be him," Julie whispered. But her heart couldn't lie. If she was getting upset now. Julie quickly asked the boutique waitress to take off her dress. After that, she immediately went to Retta's apartment.
Julie's heart was beating faster and faster. Cold sweat suddenly broke out on her body. Her thoughts were mixed. She saw James's car in the parking lot of Retta's apartment. Julie loved James very much. She was also afraid of losing him. Really hoped that what was on her mind would not happen.
Julie's steps slowed as she neared the door to Retta's apartment. She pressed the lock button she had memorized with a hand that was rocking. Julie opened the door slowly. Her heartbeat was getting out of control. Those shoes really belonged to James. She recognized them so easily. Now she walked listlessly towards Retta's room. And when she opened the door. Suddenly....
"Julie!" both of them screamed.
"So this is what you guys are doing behind my back?" asked Julie with tears welling up.
"Julie. Listen to my explanation first!" James said as he picked up his scattered clothes.
"Never mind, James. Stop your theatrics right now. You better tell me the truth. If it's the truth from the beginning. You never loved that girl," Retta said without guilt.
"Is that true, James?" urged Julie.
"Julie. Listen to me-"
"Answer quickly, James!" snapped Julie.
"Yes." Julie was stunned at her lover's answer. "Yes. I never loved you, Julie."
"What? Then why did you approach me for almost three years, James. Did it mean nothing?"
"What do you think I'm torturing my nose for by approaching you? If not to promote my position in the office and the fortune of your easily duped parents. You're Mr. Sam's favorite employee and your wealthy parents are easy to fool. For me, those two reasons are worth the body odor torture you've been giving me," James retorted in a lofty tone. Hearing that, Retta, who was still sitting on the bed, just smiled triumphantly.
"What, aren't you willing to accept me as I am? You said that my body odor is not too much of a problem since your nose is already immune to various kinds of smells."
"And you believe that?" said Retta, who had been silent and watching. She smiled dismissively as Julie turned to her. "What a stupid girl," she added with a small shake of her head.
"So, this is how you treat me? Retta. You are my cousin and best friend since childhood. Is it just because of this guy that you've become my enemy?"
"Julie Anastasia. I'm sorry, friend. But, what I did a long time ago wasn't sincere either. I did it all so that I could go to an excellent school and enjoy all the facilities provided by your parents. Because, to be honest, my parents are not as lucky as yours. Whereas your parents are willing to pay for everything I want as long as I'm friends with you. So, I'll just do it."
"No, no, no. This is not possible. You are telling the truth. Take back everything you just said. Be honest if this is just a game you're playing to surprise me! I really am. It's really not funny," Julie said in frustration.
"Wake up, Julie. Don't beg for James's love like this. You'll only embarrass yourself. What a loser! Hahaha." Both of them burst out laughing. Julie looked at them with a desperate face.
"You guys! You're really bad!" Julie shouted and turned around to leave. However, at the entrance, she met Mrs. Victoria. James' mother.
"It turns out you're here too, Stinky Girl. Thank goodness! That way I don't have to bother looking for you to give you this invitation!" she said as she handed over an invitation.
"Invitation? What invitation? Why are you here? Do you know about their affair, too?"
"Infidelity? Who do you think James's lover is? Retta is the best daughter-in-law for me. How could I not approve of their relationship? And you! You're just trash. Now you are no longer needed by James." Mrs. Victoria walked in. She stroked the cheek of Retta, who was now wearing her clothes again. Retta smiled triumphantly at Julie.
"What? Then what about my engagement to James tomorrow?"
"Hahaha." The three of them laughed out loud.
"You're so stupid, Julie. You think the party you're preparing is really for you. You're wrong Julie. The engagement party is going to be for mine and James," Retta said.
"What, so it's all a trick? James! Please explain!" Julie couldn't believe what was happening.
"Yes, Julie. It's all a trick to you, but it's going to be a reality for us. Hahaha." James put his arm around Retta's waist intimately.
"You guys! You're so evil!" Julie's tears were welling up. Julie couldn't take it anymore. She quickly left the place to go back.
Julie's heart really felt broken into pieces. All the way to her apartment, Julie continued to cry while driving her car. She became less focused on the road in front of her. Until the moment she overtook a box car. Suddenly, another car appeared from the opposite direction.
"Aaarghh!"
Julie swerved to the left and almost hit the road divider. However, a few seconds before the hood of her front car made contact with the road divider. Suddenly her car stopped. Julie who closed her eyes slowly opened them with a pounding heart. Thinking that she was dead. However, Julie was shocked to see a huge black figure with terrible hair holding her car.
"Aaarghh!" Julie screamed loudly again until she fainted.
Julie woke up in the hospital. Someone found her unconscious in the car. So they immediately brought her here. However, after feeling better, Julie asked permission to go home. While walking out of the hospital. Julie turned her cell phone back on. Hundreds of notifications came in from the WhatsApp group chat of her office friends.
"Congratulations James. Congratulations Retta. Your engagement party was amazing. I hope you'll be a couple forever," were most of the messages.
"James and Retta got engaged today." Julie rushed into her car. Then she drove fast to the place where they had gotten engaged.
"Wow. This diamond ring is really beautiful. It fits perfectly on your finger Retta," a woman praised. Julie could only stare in tears at James and Retta's happiness.
"You're really very lucky. James is an almost perfect person. He's handsome, kind and has a good career in our company. When else would there be a man like him?" said another.
"Yes. He is indeed the perfect man. That's why only a perfect woman like me deserves to be with him," Retta said in a sarcastic tone. Because she had already seen Julie's existence.
"That's for sure. Even if she's beautiful, but her body odor is disgusting. Who would want to come near? Except rats and flies. Hahaha." They burst out laughing together without realizing Julie's presence behind them. Julie couldn't reply. She could only cry and cry sadly.
"Julie. Julie. What's really on her mind? How can she survive with such unpleasant body odor?" mocked another.
"Haha. Don't be so rude. Who knows if your jokes will reach Julie's ears?" said Retta with a face that pitied Julie.
"That's good then. I wish she was here. I would call her a skunk girl. Because of that horrible body odor. Hahaha."
Julie wiped away her tears. Then quickly left. She couldn't listen to their insults anymore.
When she got to her apartment, Julie cried on the sofa. She kept thinking about what she had just heard from her friends. Although this was not the first time she had received such insults, it was much more painful than usual. Suddenly, Julie remembered something. She got up from the spot. Then she looked around her sharply.
"All right. I have to change my life from now on! No one is allowed to insult me because of my body odor," Julie muttered determinedly.
Julie went to the bathroom. Filled her bathtub with warm water. Then put some soap into it to make a bubble bath with a soothing lavender scent. Julie inhaled the scent as much as she could. Instantly, a sense of freshness and relaxation filled her mind. Without thinking, Julie immediately put all the soap that was still left in the container into the bathtub so that it could overflow even more and fall out of the tub.
Julie smiled happily looking that. She made a promise to herself. If after this, the fragrance of her body would mesmerize the people who had insulted. Julie quickly took off her clothes before getting into the bathtub. Then she soaked there for a while.
Having had enough. Julie came out of the bathroom wearing a bathrobe and a towel wrapped around her long hair. She went to the kitchen to throw away all the food that was there. The food she got from her mother, who often came to visit or was sent by courier. All of them contained quite a lot of onions. So that became the root of the problem in Julie's life so far. Not only that, her mother also installed some traditional air fresheners that she made herself. The fragrances also contained onions. Although her mother always denied it when Julie asked her, but Julie could guess it from the smell mixed in the fragrance. Julie also wondered about her mother's strange behavior, but her mother always had a reason to answer her questions. Hence, all this time, Julie could only obey all her mother's orders. However, this time, she had to be firm. Those things ruined her life.
"Sorry, Mom. It's not that I've become a disobedient child who no longer listens to your messages. But, you saw for yourself, right? My life is a mess because of these things. So, let me live a normal life like other girls," Julie muttered after putting the objects into the trash can outside her apartment building. Julie closed the bin again and smiled sweetly before leaving. However, she had just turned around. Suddenly, the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. "Why is it so cold suddenly?"
Julie glanced around. There was nothing strange about the place. It still looked crowded. Many people were passing by or sitting in the park nearby. However, in one corner, she saw a large black figure similar to the one she saw yesterday. It was just that the place didn't get enough light. So the figure was not clearly visible. Julie had to squint her eyes to sharpen her vision. However, when she realized that the figure was really the one she saw yesterday. Julie immediately ran away from that place.
Julie arrived at her apartment with a frightened face and labored breathing. She immediately locked the door to her apartment. Then she ran into her room and did the same thing. Julie hid under her thick blanket.
"What exactly did I see earlier? Why did I see it again?" muttered Julie. Her chest was pounding and cold sweat was breaking out. "Relax, Julie. Relax. You just saw it wrong. It was quite dark. Maybe it's just the shadow of a fat man or a tree or something. Remember, there are no ghosts or monsters in this world. They only exist in horror movies." Julie tried to calm herself down.
Before she knew it, Julie was asleep. In dreamland. Julie opened her eyes to an enormous bed in an ancient castle. Julie was confused as to why she was there.
"Where is this?" Julie asked herself. She continued to look around. The place was quite spacious, but the light was dim. Julie got off the soft bed. She walked over to the large window, whose curtains were still closed. Julie intended to remove the thing that was blocking the light. However, a voice suddenly stopped her from behind.
"Don't open that curtain!" Julie reflexively turned around. To her surprise, she saw a large, shaggy figure with a wolf-like face standing in front of her. It was exactly the figure she had seen before she fainted yesterday.
"Aaarghh!" screamed Julie as she tried to run. However, the creature's large, sharp-hoofed hands immediately grabbed her.
"You can't run away anymore. Because I won't let you go!" The baritone voice mixed with the dog's whine seemed to fill the entire room. Julie was getting scared. It was all she could do not to rebel as her body was thrown onto the bed. Then the lycan's body was on top of Julie's body to take her virginity.
Julie woke up with shortness of breath and sweat pouring out. Her body felt crushed and exhausted, like she had just run a marathon while carrying a very heavy load. Her eyes immediately looked around to confirm her whereabouts.
"Thank goodness this was just a dream," he muttered with a sigh of relief. He turned his head to the side. She saw a glimmer of light coming through the curtains that covered her bedroom window. However, after shaking off the blanket, her gaze fell on the white sheets covering the bed. Her eyes immediately widened. She reflexively bent her body to
check the red spot staining the clean cloth.
"Blood?"
"Blood? "Julie stared in confusion at the liquid in her hand. "How can there be blood here?" muttered Julie. She quickly recalled what happened last night. "That was weird. Wasn't it just a dream? "She had yet to get an answer to that question. Suddenly, Julie's cell phone rang quite loudly. Julie's attention immediately turned to her cell phone, which kept vibrating on the dressing table. Julie quickly reached for it and took the call.
"Hello, Julie," said a man whose voice was quite phenomenal to Julie's ears.
"Yes, Mr. Sam. Why are you calling me this early in the morning?"
"I just wanted to let you know. Today, our new CEO will arrive unexpectedly and start working for the company. So, we have to organize a welcoming event. He is known to be very disciplined and always arrives on time. That's why I called you. So that you can come earlier than usual. We will hold a briefing before the event. Do you understand?" asked Mr. Sam.
"Yes, sir. I understand. But, sir-" Tut. The connection was cut off before Julie could protest. She had just gotten up and had to come in early.
'Oh my God. This is a disaster,' Julie thought as she ran to the bathroom.
Julie did all her preparations in the shortest time possible. Fortunately, she was not the type of princess who liked to preen for hours in front of the mirror. So, it didn't take long before Julie was driving her favorite car to the Heaven Diamond Group office.
When she got there, the other employees were being briefed. She was the one who had just arrived. Immediately put her bag on the table. Then she quickly joined the others.
"After all, we can't make even the slightest mistake. Because our new CEO is a very disciplined, strict, and perfectionist person. If one of us makes even the slightest mistake. Then he will not hesitate to fire him. Do you understand?" said Mr. Sam in front of all the employees.
"Understood, sir," the employees replied in unison.
"Good. "Mr. Sam said proudly. As he cast his gaze around. His brow furrowed when he saw that Julie was not wearing her ID card. "Julie. Where's your ID?" asked Mr. Sam. Everyone immediately turned to Julie.
"It's in the desk drawer, sir. I'll put it on after the briefing," Julie replied casually. At that moment, Retta and James smiled sarcastically.
"Yes. All right. Don't forget to wear them!"
"Of course, sir." Mr. Sam nodded in understanding.
"Then please line up in front of the door! Mr. Liam will be here soon."
"Yes, sir," they all said at the same time. They all went straight to the main entrance of the building. Except for Julie, who went to her desk again.
Julie opened her desk drawer to look for her ID. However, she didn't find what she was looking for there. Julie turned her attention to the pile of books and files on the desk. However, the object remained invisible tucked among them.
"Oh my God. Where is my ID? I have to wear it immediately. Otherwise, I'll be in big trouble," Julie said as she continued to search. She still couldn't find it there. Until finally, she remembered the expression on James and Retta's faces earlier. "Wait. I think I know where my ID is?"
Julie got up from her seat. Then walked towards Retta's desk. She looked for it there. Including the unlocked drawers. But she couldn't find it there. Julie didn't run out of ideas. She moved to James' desk, which was in another room. Even though she was not a member of that room, Julie was not afraid to check her identity at James' desk. Because there was no one else there but here. Julie did not find her IDENTITY for a while. Until finally, she chose to pause.
"Wait. Where does James usually hide things so that others don't notice? "Julie asked, muttering. Soon she remembered something.
Julie squatted under James' desk. There were several pairs of change of shoes that were used when James got bored with the shoes he was wearing. Julie reached into the holes of each shoe. As she expected, there was an ID card with a long cord that usually hung around his neck. Julie smiled triumphantly.
"Apparently your bad habits haven't changed, James," Julie said before leaving.
Julie had to rush to the lobby for the welcoming ceremony of their new CEO, Liam Cullen. Of course, she still wanted to work there, and she didn't want to get fired just because she was late for the welcoming ceremony. Julie chose to run as fast as she could to get there. Until the moment she had just rounded the corner into the office lobby. Suddenly, she collided with someone until they both fell together.
Julie was stunned by the handsome face of the man in front of her. She didn't realize that the people around her were looking at her with panicked faces. The man pushed Julie's body away. It finally brought her to her senses. Julie quickly got up. Meanwhile, the man was immediately helped to stand next to the assistant beside her.
"Are you okay, sir?" the assistant asked.
"Yes," the man replied briefly, his eyes fixed on Julie's terrified face.
"I'm sorry, sir. I'm sorry. I really didn't mean it," Julie said in a shaky tone. Mr. Sam soon arrived.
"Mr. Liam. I'm sorry. Please forgive this employee. She was a little careless. However, you should know how many jewelry designs she produced. All of them instantly became the latest trend and were accepted in the market," Mr. Sam said trying to defend Julie.
Julie didn't dare to lift her face. In her heart, she cursed herself. Because of her stupid behavior earlier. Moreover, Mr. Liam continued to look at her with a flat face. Without expression.
"However, Mr. Sam. We must tell Mr. Liam as well. If Julie is often late. So, in my opinion. It's only natural that she would be late for this welcoming ceremony," Retta said, warming up the atmosphere. Julie wanted to deny it, but Retta didn't give her a chance. "Besides, she also has a disgusting body odor. Actually, she often makes other employees uncomfortable when they have to work next to her."
"Retta's had enough!" said Mr. Sam in a high tone.
"Why, sir? Mr. Liam is the new leader of this company. He should know. Which employees have potential and which employees are a waste of salary budget," said James. Sensing the opportunity to be heard by Liam. James pressed Julie harder. "Besides, sir. The employees have long been bothered by Julie's unpleasant body odor. We just want to be in a comfortable and fresh environment. It's easy to think and do our job. But what happens when that woman is next to us? Everything falls apart. Because we can't think calmly. So sir-"
"Enough!"Liam snapped, which immediately made everyone surprised. Especially Julie, who was standing next to him. "I'm not one to allow anyone to intervene so easily," snapped Liam, which instantly shocked everyone, especially Julie, who was standing beside him. Especially lowly employees like you two," he said sternly, which instantly made Retta and James' guts shrink. They immediately looked down in fear. "And about someone's body odor. That's not part of the company's SOP. So, he can't be fired just because of that. And let that be his personal problem. I'm sure she'll also try to get rid of it. Isn't that right?" said Liam while glancing at Julie.
"Yes... Yes, sir. "Julie, who was in awe of the man, immediately stammered. She didn't expect Liam to pull her into his harsh ultimatum. However, she was very happy. Because this was the first time someone else was willing to stand up for her.