HOT TEMPTATION

'Why do you keep coming to bother me? Don't you know that your arrival will make my husband angry because he is jealous?' Karin's mother exclaimed at the man with slightly shabby clothes and an appearance that looked like he had not slept well and was unkempt, but this did not take away from the good looks on her face.

"I love you and I want to take you and our child away from that rude man," said the man.

Suddenly Karin saw her stepfather walking closer to her. Karin could smell the strong aroma of alcohol coming from his body.

'You have to pay for the betrayal your mother has committed against me!' Karin's stepfather's hand shot up to deliver a slap, as usual, to Karin's face and thin body.

Karin jolted awake from her sleep, with cold sweat dripping down her face and back, she felt that the dream was so real. 'Oh Lord! Why does that dream come back? Why do faces from my past always appear? What does all this mean?' Karin thought.

Karin woke up from her sleep, then sat on the bench next to the bedroom window, thinking about the meaning of her dream.

Karin didn't realize that she had fallen asleep while sitting up. Until the alarm sound on her cell phone rang, it startled her. Karin hurriedly got up from her seat and walked to the bathroom.

She was too excited about the interview she was going to have today. There are high hopes for what she wants from her interview later. 'I have to get that job because this could be the answer to my problems all this time,' Karin muttered to herself.

A few minutes later Karin was outside her apartment building. She walked towards the bus stop, which would take her to the company where she was interviewing. And she almost missed the bus. Luckily, she arrived just as the bus was about to leave.

Arriving at the Atmaja Corp company. Karin walked into the magnificent building, feeling nervous and with cold sweaty hands.

According to the information she received, she will undergo a direct interview with the head of the company. Sitting in front of a room with walls painted white, the feeling of nervousness became even more pronounced.

Karin had just arrived at the door, which was promised to be the place where she would conduct the interview, as secretary to the head of the company.

A voice was heard saying her name and inviting her to enter the room, the door of which was tightly closed.

"Miss Karin Arvantie?" called a woman wearing a professional suit. A dirty expression appeared on her face, making Karin's heart beat fast when she was called. "It's your turn! How come, you will apply to be a secretary, while your appearance..." She said when she saw Karin's unkempt appearance.

Karin stood up from her chair and stepped into the room. Beads of sweat adorned Karin's forehead, clearly showing her nervousness about facing the job interview that soon awaited her. This was Karin's first experience undergoing a job interview.

Ignoring the woman's disapproving gaze, she would avoid the woman with the dirty expression on her face, which clearly showed an aura of dislike towards her. She knocked on the tightly closed door in front of her and after being invited in she opened the door.

Karin felt her back feel like it was burning. And she felt that it was certain because the woman had called her. She didn't know the reason why she didn't like her.

When she entered the room, Karin's gaze fell on a man sitting in front of a table with paper covering his face. The man's black hair was pulled back, looking very neat. His body, which was clad in a white shirt, still looked sturdy in Karin's eyes, especially because the sleeves of the shirt were rolled up to his elbows. With the top two buttons of his shirt open and showing a little hair on his chest.

Karin was a little hesitant to greet the man who was sitting in his work chair. And it looks like he is very serious about what he is doing.

"Excuse me, sir," Karin called as she stood next to the chair provided for her, not daring to sit down until she was asked.

Hearing the woman's voice, the man sitting in front of Karin lowered the paper he was holding. The man's expression looked cold, with his thin lips pressed tightly.

In that second, Karin felt frozen. Her heart immediately started beating fast, when faced with a handsome face, even though it seemed cold. However, that wasn't the only thing that surprised her. The face of the man sitting in front of her was so similar to the man who was present in her dream last night.

The sharp gaze given by the black eye was so immersive. Coupled with thick eyebrows and a firm jaw, Karin should admit that this man's face was the most handsome man she had ever seen in person. Even if Karin watches television, it seems quite difficult to find a man as handsome as that!

"Sit down." The man's deep voice shook Karin's heart, making the woman without thinking immediately act according to the direction. "Introduce yourself," he said firmly, making Karin feel a little annoyed for some reason.

Karin kept in her heart her admiration for the appearance and masculine aura that radiated from the CEO of Atmaja Corp. 'How can us women not be attracted to him? A handsome face, with a cold and mysterious aura that makes him feel like a challenge,' thought Karin.

Before daydreaming for too long, Karin immediately introduced herself, "My name is Karin Arvantie, I graduated from a famous university in this city with cum laude honors. Sir!"

While Karin introduced herself, the woman felt that the black eye was not moving from her face, making Karin's throat feel dry and her heart pounding fast.

'Why does he keep looking at me and making me anxious? His gaze seemed to want to immediately take me to bed,' Karin muttered to herself.

After introducing herself, Karin was surprised by the question that came from Ryan's lips. "Have we met?" With eyes glued to Karin's figure, Ryan added, "Your face looks familiar and reminds me of someone whose face I don't want to see again?"

Karin was surprised to hear Ryan's question, in a voice that sounded nervous she said, "We've never met in person, sir! I've only seen you interviewed on television and in magazines."

Karin bit her lip because she was afraid, she had answered Ryan's question incorrectly, which was completely unrelated to the job she was applying for.

Ryan's gaze moved to Karin's lips, which looked sexy and seductive. Those lips seemed inviting to be kissed.

Ryan stood up from his chair and circled the table before finally leaning against it. Two arms folded in front of his chest, a smile on his lips. "Hmm, what's your reason for applying to be my secretary? This is a big company, while you just graduated." Ryan asked, with an intense gaze.

Ryan's question made Karin silent for a moment. She had to give intelligent answers so that she would be accepted for work. "I want this job, because of the salary offered and I am also sure that I will be able to become a secretary, as your company requires."

Karin's heart beat faster and faster. her hands felt cold sweat. She had never felt a hot aura, being close to a man, like this, let alone Ryan's sharp gaze which never left her lips.

Ryan's eyes were focused on Karin's lips which were red from being bitten. "Is that so? Are you sure you can work professionally with me and not mix it with personal matters?" The man walked over to Karin who was sitting in her chair, causing Karin to feel a kind of magnetism that made her want to stick to Ryan, because of the man's masculine aura.

Ryan put both hands on the arm of the chair that Karin was sitting on and they were only a few inches from the woman's face, the corners of Ryan's lips lifted. "Are you sure you're not here because of me? Maybe you're trying to feel like I'm a lover, like what the media usually shows."

Karin swallowed hard, she felt uncomfortable with Ryan's closeness to her. She also tried to dare herself to look at Ryan. "What do you mean by saying that? I only want a job as your secretary and nothing else. I will not lower myself, just to be accepted to work at your company."

Ryan smiled a cynical smile at Karin. "Why don't I believe what you say I feel like there is something you are hiding from me." He then lowered his body, until his face was level with Karin's face. Karin could feel Ryan's warm breath hitting her face.

The mint scent of Ryan's breath, plus the expensive perfume he was wearing, seemed to anesthetize Karin. It made her want to pretend to faint just to feel his embrace.

Karin became increasingly nervous, plus Ryan's eyes didn't leave her face, it was like hypnosis. The look in his eyes seemed to want to invite her to go to bed. And the urge felt so strong that it made Karin feel uncomfortable where she was sitting.

"You may not believe what I say, because of your previous experience with several women. However, I did not lie in what I said just now." Karin tried to push Ryan away, even though it seemed rude, to the man who would be her boss if she were hired.

Ryan didn't move away because of Karin's encouragement. However, he was too firm where he was standing, so Karin couldn't move his body an inch. He caught Karin's hand, which was pressed against his chest.

Karin jerked roughly, Ryan's hand was holding hers, she felt as if there was an electric shock flowing between the two of them and it made something ripple in Karin's chest.

Ryan straightened his body, in fact, he also felt disturbed by his closeness to Karin earlier. "Damn! What makes this woman feel different, compared to the women I have dated is it because her demeanor looks calm? Damn! this woman!" Ryan cursed in his heart.

Ryan walked back behind his desk. He then sat there, but his eyes couldn't leave Karin's face.

Karin felt relieved when she saw Ryan sitting back in his original place. The man put on a cold face again, deep in his heart, Karin would have preferred it if her future boss looked at her like that.

Compared to his gaze earlier which was so deep and persuasive. 'Why is it that just looking at him makes me almost tempted?' Karin thought.

She bit her lip again, to get rid of her nervousness. Her red tongue stuck out to lick her dry lips. And, unfortunately, all of that didn't escape Ryan's observation.

"You want to tempt me into kissing your lips, don't you?" Ryan looked at Karin's lips sharply.

Suddenly Karin was surprised to hear Ryan's question. She didn't expect it at all.

Karin felt thirsty, but she didn't dare to take the mineral water that was on the table in front of her before Ryan gave her permission. Only her eyes looked at the glass expectantly.

Ryan followed Karin's gaze. "Please drink the water!"

Karin was relieved to hear that. Immediately she took a plastic glass of mineral water and drank the water until she emptied the contents. However, because she was nervous, Ryan continued to stare sharply at her. Making Karin choke on the water she was drinking.

Ryan quickly stood up from his seat, he then patted Karin's back hard, until Karin's eyes watered. However, Ryan didn't care.

Karin moved her body away from Ryan, she felt a little annoyed because the man hit her back hard. "Thank you, Sir! for helping me," said Karin, even though her heart was upset.

Ryan sat back in his chair. "Are you sure about the position you want to apply for?" Ryan asked while reading the CV in his hand.

He then raised his head from the file in his hand. He stared closely at Karin from top to bottom.

Karin straightened up in her seat. "I'm sure sir, with the position I want. I have also learned what a secretary must do. And it's all by the education I took."

Ryan frowned, his eyes searching. "And do you mean to use the attractiveness of your sexy body as part of your plan to get the position as my secretary?"

Karin counted to ten in her heart, to hold back her anger which was about to explode. "If only I didn't need this job to pay my living expenses, I would get out of this place right now," Karin muttered to herself.

"I'm sorry if you feel disturbed by my body. Would you prefer if I wore more closed clothes? I'm not looking for trouble by trying to seduce you. "I just want to get this job," said Karin.

A crooked smile spread across Ryan's lips. "How much do you want this job? Are you willing to do whatever it takes to get this job?"

Karin felt that Ryan was testing her, through the questions he asked. And she must give intelligent answers. "I will indeed give what is best according to my abilities, to be accepted to work here. However, that doesn't mean I will use my body to get to that position, sir."

"Hmm, okay! I have read from your CV that you are the best graduate on your campus. Do you think I should accept your proposal?" Ryan asked.

"I believe that you should accept me because I will prove that what is on my CV is real," said Karin confidently.

Ryan then leaned his back against the back of the chair. "Okay, I accept you to be my secretary. And. as long as you know, working together means you have to be prepared to work hard and also with overtime hours."

Karin quickly nodded her head. Happiness radiated in her eyes and face. "Yes, sir! I will prove that I am worthy to be your secretary."

Ryan's eyes followed Karin's movements as she stood up from her seat and her eyes lingered on Karin's chest, where she had removed the top two buttons.

Ryan's chest rose and fell, in his heart he was cursing Karin which made him want to take her to the nearest bed.

Karin stretched out her right hand to shake Ryan's hand. And, it seems like that was a mistake. As soon as her fingers were in Ryan's grasp, the man jerked his hand, until he fell onto the man's chest.

"You're just pretending you don't like my touch! "I know, before doing this interview you must have imagined what it would be like to be touched by me," Ryan whispered in Karin's ear.

Karin swallowed hard her throat suddenly felt dry. The hairs on the back of her neck bristled at the feeling of Ryan's warm breath, which touched her neck.

Karin was shocked when she realized Ryan's hand had crept into the open part of her shirt. "I ask you, Sir! not to act like this, I don't like it at all!" said Karin, in a hoarse voice.

Ryan smiled slightly, his hand moving from Karin's chest to her lips. He rubbed her lips gently. "How clever these lips are at lying, can't you hear your heart beating so fast? I can see if you've been imagining what it would be like to be kissed by me." Ryan whispered in a hoarse voice, because of excitement.

Karin was silent where she sat because she couldn't deny what Ryan said, but the image of her childhood, which she had to go through with her suffering mother, because of men made Karin afraid. She didn't want herself to experience the same suffering as her mother.

Karin shook her head in a weak voice she said, "I don't want your touch! And I also don't want to sleep with you, or any other man!"

Ryan just looked at Karin with a cold face, he then invited Karin to leave his room. "Later, when you get out of here. Go to the room opposite the elevator. Tell the woman in the room that you are accepted as my secretary."

"Okay, sir! I will say." Karin got up from her seat, happy, because she managed to get the job she wanted.

Coming out of Ryan's room, Karin went straight to the room that Ryan had mentioned earlier. Standing in front of a door that looked sturdy, Karin knocked on the door, waiting to be invited in.

After being invited to come in, he opened the door. Karin was surprised when she saw that it was the woman who had greeted her with a cold face who she had to meet.

"Afternoon, ma'am! "I was told by Mr. Ryan to report to you that I am now her secretary," explained Karin in a nervous voice, because of the disapproving look from the woman sitting in front of her.

The woman's eyes grew less like looking at Karin when she heard what she said. "Do you know what you have to do as secretary?" asked the woman coldly.

Karin looked into the woman's eyes calmly. "In general, I already know the duties of a secretary, ma'am."

The woman was seen moving the computer mouse in front of her desk and soon the sound of a printing machine was heard. Karin just kept silent and watched what the woman was doing.

"This is your identity card and you must always wear it when entering and leaving this company." The woman then handed Karin an ID card.

Karin accepted it and put, it in the bag. She felt there was no need to stay in the room of a woman who didn't seem to like her.

"Wait!" the woman exclaimed.

Karin sat back in her original place waiting for the woman to say something to her.

"You will often be close to Mr. Ryan, I warn you not to get carried away easily. Mr Ryan, likes women, so don't ever think about whether Mr. Ryan likes you, let alone falling in love with him. You don't want to be heartbroken, do you?" said the woman warning Karin.

Karin took a deep breath. She could feel the scent of competition and hostility from the woman sitting in front of her. "Ma'am, don't worry, I won't fall in love with Mr. Ryan, let alone break my heart because of him."

The woman looked sarcastically at Karin as if she didn't believe what she was saying. "Of course, you would say that, like the previous secretary. They fell in love with Mr. Ryan and when they were dumped by Mr. Ryan, they acted out."

Karin got up from her seat because her business in this woman's room was finished. "You don't need to be afraid, I'm different from Mr. Ryan's previous secretary, excuse me, ma'am!"

She left the woman's room and kept her annoyance in her heart. However, because she was walking while looking down and not paying attention to what was in front of her, Karin bumped into someone who was walking in the same hurry as she was.

Luckily the person grabbed Karin's waist and quickly prevented her from falling. She looked up to see who was helping her and said thank you.

She stopped saying those words, as soon as she saw who the man was who had helped her. Quickly, she tried to release Ryan's grip on her waist. However, instead of letting Karin go. Ryan used this opportunity to pull Karin close to his chest.

"Please let go of your arms, Sir! I don't want any of your employees to see and accuse me of trying to seduce you." Karin tried to remove Ryan's hand from her waist.

"You are a bad liar! If you don't like what I do, why is your heart beating so fast? Why do you look nervous when you're close to me?" Ryan taunted.

Karin stepped on Ryan's foot with her foot in heels, so Ryan quickly let go of his arm around Karin's waist.

Ryan's eyes widened and he stared intently at the woman he had just accepted as his secretary a few minutes ago. "You, how dare you step on my feet! Have you forgotten who I am?"

"Excuse me, sir! I didn't mean to be brave towards you. It's just that, I don't want you to hug me like before. I don't want to make enemies in your company. "I will work as your secretary professionally, but not for things outside the context of work," said Karin.

Ryan waved his hand at Karin. "You go! Don't forget, tomorrow morning, you can't come late."

Karin nodded her head, she then walked quickly into an elevator that was different from the special elevator that Ryan entered.

Arriving in front of the lobby door, Karin walked quickly out of the building, with the seventh floor. She then walked out of the building's spacious courtyard.

Karin's footsteps were hurried, she had to quickly arrive at the bus stop, which was not far from the gate of Ryan's company.

"Why is that woman walking? "Hmm, it looks like she took the bus to come here," Ryan muttered to himself. He noticed that Karin was walking quickly. His eyes were focused on the sway of Karin's hips, which teased his eyes.

"Follow the woman, sir!" Ryan ordered his driver.

Karin didn't realize at all that there was a car following her. She only focused on where she was going.

After walking for a few minutes Karin arrived at the bus stop. She sat on the iron chair at the bus stop. She waited for the bus to her apartment which was located on the outskirts of New City to arrive. Not long after, the bus she was waiting for appeared, then stopped at the stop near where Karin was sitting.

She then got up from her seat and walked onto the bus. She looked for an empty chair and was lucky, there was still an empty chair left at the back, so she didn't need to stand up.

'Why does Moi pay attention to Karin? So much so that I'm willing to wait for her to get on the bus safely,' thought Ryan.

The car driven by Ryan's driver drove back towards Ryan's luxury apartment, after stopping for several minutes to wait for Karin to get on the bus.

A few minutes later, Karin was already in her small and quiet apartment. She turned on the light to illuminate the room, which was previously dark. She walked to the kitchen, opened the refrigerator door and took a bottle of mineral water, then closed the refrigerator door again.

She walked into the living room and sat on the shabby sofa in her apartment. 'How lucky I am, to get the job I want. It's just that I have to be wary of the behavior of my boss, who seems to like paying attention to me,' thought Karin.

She looked at the portrait of her mother, which was saved in the gallery on her cellphone. She still missed her mother, even though the woman who gave birth to her was not always kind to her.

However, she could understand that it was the harsh circumstances that made her mother like that.

In her heart, Karin was determined that she would not be like her mother. Who was willing to give her body to a man who then dumped her.

I won't follow in your footsteps, Mom! Those who give in to men's advances are irresponsible! I won't let what has ruined your life because of a man happen to me too!' Karin determined in her heart.