Hello, My Ex! This is My Daughter From New Husband

Waking up with shoulders slightly chilled, Samanta pulls her blanket back over herself. The sound of a sigh beside her makes her sink further into it. Even when the sturdy arm wraps around her as if asking Tata to get closer, she doesn't resist.

"What time is it?"

Tata smirks. Since when did her boss get so close? It's still too early for her to be bothered by that distinctive baritone voice.

This must be a dream, she thinks.

"Ta? I remember... we have a meeting at nine, right?"

Two days ago, they had a business trip to Samarinda. Discussing the final project issues before the boss goes abroad. The last business trip they could do together. A special order from their direct superior; Mr. Jimmy.

"Ta?"

Once again, that voice is heard. Although slightly hoarse, like someone just woke up, it's still unmistakably the boss's voice.

"Ugh... Dude, don't disturb my morning! I still want to sleep. Tired."

The man who's been hugging Tata just laughs. His eyes are wide open, staring at the woman curled up near his chest.

"So tired? I thought we only played once."

Tata blinks slowly. Her awareness is starting to come back. Even her sense of smell is disturbed by a... strange scent?

"Mister?!" she exclaims, eyes wide with disbelief. "What are you doing in my room?"

The man pulls the corner of his lips slowly.

"This is my room, Ta."

Quickly, doll-like eyes wander, observing the details of the room that she's occupied for two days, oh... three days now. Different. Correct. Her eyes aren't deceiving her. She directs her gaze back to the man. And then...

"No way," she says so softly, discovering herself without clothes. "No way."

This statement is repeated to confirm that what she sees in her mind has never happened.

However, a fleeting memory that hits her this time cannot be denied. How willingly she took off each piece of clothing clinging to her body. How she threw herself at someone who recently frustrated her. When the man was on top of her, the answer to why that figure dominated her mind was already clear.

She immediately throws off the blanket covering her body. Picks up the scattered clothes around the bed. Her heart, don't ask how it's functioning. It's already erratic. Plus, her face might have turned a shade of purple. She doesn't dare to look, let alone respond to the man's words.

"Ta," the man calls softly, "let's talk first."

"There's nothing to talk about, Sir." Tata closes her eyes slowly. She hurries towards the bathroom.

"Ta." Levi has to act fast. His deputy manager is a stubborn woman. They can't let what they did last night go without further discussion. "Wait. We need to talk."

Covering her body only with the blanket, she moves to prevent Tata from reaching the bedroom door.

Does she care? Not at all. She keeps walking until Levi blocks her.

"Sir." This time, with the remaining courage she has, she looks up. Staring straight at the man in front of her. "Don't mention anything. Forget all of this. Pretend it never happened."

Levi blinks slowly. That statement is like a bolt of lightning in broad daylight. Before his surprise even subsides, Tata has hurriedly walked away, leaving him standing there.

"How can I let it slide if you're... married, Ta."

A few months ago.

Samanta smiles faintly as she looks at the results of the cooking she just finished this morning. It's been a tiring Saturday, but she shouldn't complain. In an hour, she has to be on standby, monitoring everything related to her boss's business trip. Although at home, as the deputy marketing manager at ShopaShop, she can't just sit around waiting for the results.

"Hey... let's eat," Tata offers as soon as she sees her husband coming out of the room. There's a frown on his forehead. "Where are you going?"

The person asked just glances briefly, scans his wife's appearance, and sighs. "What's up with you? Today is Nilam's event. Don't tell me you forgot?"

Tata quickly digs into when the information about her husband's family event was organized. However, nothing. She can't find a single word about the event in question.

"I... don't know, honey."

"Come on!" Her husband, Ottis Pahlevi, waves his hand with reluctance. "When did you know? My family's events are always a priority."

The woman with shoulder-length hair blinks. "Well, not really, dear. I really didn't know."

"Nilam already told you, Ta. You just don't care about whatever my sister informs you." Ottis emphasizes the 'whatever.' His eyes also judge his wife. "We're leaving shortly. I'll wait for you for another thirty minutes."

"But, honey," Tata quickly interjects. "After this, I have a meeting. You know, right?"

Ottis sighs again.

"A meeting?" He shakes his head in disbelief. "Whatever. When can you position yourself as a good wife, Ta? Always with work, work, and work."

"Honey, we've agreed on this, right?"

Ottis still doesn't change his attitude towards his wife. He's too fed up with Tata's constant arguments. "Not just once or twice, Ta, you're like this."

Later, the guy in the sky-blue shirt just left his wife like that. As if he knew his wife wouldn't mimic his steps. Indeed, until his foot was at the door, Tata didn't follow him. Deliberately, she slammed the door of her house loudly. The deafening sound became the accompaniment to her departure this time.

Meanwhile, Tata clenches her fists. Feeling irritated and frustrated. Every time it comes to Ottis's family, she's always cornered. What did Ottis say earlier? Nilam informed her? When?

She quickly grabs her phone from the dining table. Opening all the incoming messages, especially from Nilam. There's no message there. Including, call logs from Nilam. Indeed, there was one unanswered call from her sister-in-law a week ago, but there was no other message. Then how did she know about this news?

"If I argue, I'm still the one at fault. They say I'm too busy working," Tata scoffs. She sighs softly. Once again, her eyes have to settle, the meal she intentionally prepared for her husband, who knows when he'll enjoy it. "Although Ottis knows I work for whom."

The fingers that still faithfully hold her phone are witnesses to how many 'demanding' messages Nilam has sent.

Nilam:

Sis, don't forget Mom's medical expenses are getting higher, you know. Ottis has allocated for household needs, but you know right, that's not enough? Ridho just started working. Don't rely on it.

Nilam:

Sis, Mom's medicine ran out. Ottis hasn't got money. He said to ask you. Luckily you're working, huh. Good for you. Poor Ottis if he has to bear it alone.

Nilam:

Sis, Dad wants to buy medical equipment. I've checked the price, two and a half million. It's good. I'll transfer later. I've ordered it.

Nilam:

Sis, Kay has an event at his school. He's asking for new shoes. Mas Ottis just bought him a bag. The shoes are from you, right.

Ottis knows?

Clearly, the man knows. In fact, it's her husband who asks Tata to keep working. Don't resign and endure whatever happens at the office. All for what? To support his demanding extended family. Does Tata support her family? No. She has long been an orphan. Supporting herself and feeling happy to have a 'complete' family.

Unfortunately...

Tata sighs softly. The clock on her wrist is already pointing at 10:00. She has to hurry to prepare for the meeting. She needs to redirect the squeezing feeling enveloping her heart. She mustn't let it disturb her concentration. The boss never mentions Samanta's negligence during the business trips she should actually attend. Instead, she is asked to be on standby when her boss requests data.

***

Her office inventory car is already parked right on the edge of this busy street. Before unbuckling her seatbelt, she first pulls and exhales a slow breath. Cultivating positive things because surely, being there isn't something that can make her feel happy.

Her mind is tortured.

A large paper bag with the logo of a famous bakery is already in her right hand. It's unthinkable for her to stroll carelessly into this beige-painted house.

"Come on, Ta. Cheer up!" she says softly as a way to reassure herself that she can get through this afternoon. After all, it's not like she's been in this condition for just a year or two. Her mind counts... ah, it's been ten years apparently. Then what makes her worried?

"Aunt Tata!" shouts a kid she knows very well; Kayyish. The daughter of Nilam and Ridho, her sister-in-law's brother.

"Hey, Kay."

For this 8-year-old girl, Tata's affection is quite significant. How she wishes she also had a 'Kayyish' in her life. However, it seems that God hasn't blessed her with that.

"Why, Auntie is late? The event is almost over," says Kayyish with a disappointed expression. "It was fun earlier."

Tata smiles faintly. "There's still work that Auntie has to do."

"Keep working until you forget there's an event at home," grumbles Nilam. She welcomes Tata with clasped hands.

Samanta doesn't want to argue with her, choosing to say, "Yes, Nilam. Sorry. I brought your favorite cake and brownies for you and Mom."

The creases on Nilam's lips start to fade. Replaced by a honey-sweet smile, especially when the paper bag switches hands.

"Oh, you're making trouble."

Then, she just walks away. Without caring that her sister-in-law is still in the yard. It's Kayyish's tiny hand that pulls Tata into her house. She's already very used to being treated like this by Nilam. She no longer considers it a burden. It's useless to have that in her mind. She doesn't get any defense about her sister-in-law's attitude towards her.

"Are you complaining about such trivial matters, Ta? It's understandable, Nilam just left you like that. She must be busy. Having Kayyish too. If you had a child, you'd know, the trouble of having a child."

That's what Ottis once said to her.

This is from her sister-in-law. The real issue is...

"Wow, you come when everything's already done, Ta," says the middle-aged woman sitting next to her husband. She smiles broadly, but Tata knows, that smile is full of sarcasm.

"Sorry, ma'am. I still had some work left earlier."

Rieka, the woman's name, grumbles in annoyance.

"Keep working, Ta. When aren't you busy? This is your brother's event, you know. Don't you consider Nilam your sibling? Is that it?"

"No, ma'am."

Tata approaches, hesitating to extend her hand. It's not impossible that she'll receive a gentle slap from her mother-in-law. Her head has been looking for the most suitable excuse to get out of this situation since earlier. Her husband, sitting leisurely while enjoying a cup of coffee, doesn't bother to calm his mother's heart.

"But the fact is, you come after the event is over. You know, Nilam has Kayyish. There's also I'm to be taken care of. You're just busy with your own affairs. Your husband, too, helps around the house. He also works, right? Busy too. Still manages to make time. And you? Just enjoying what's there?"

Tata falls silent.

"You, as the eldest daughter-in-law, should set an example for your sister-in-law, but instead, you're like this. Ottis must have told you, right? You're definitely stubborn. Do you feel great now, Ta?"

"No, ma'am." Tata tries to defend herself. Her hand clenches tightly. Her fingers turn white with the anger she has, it's enormous.

"Forgive me, ma'am. I'm fault."

That's all she can say.

"If your busyness is because of a child, Mom understands. Until now, you don't have a child, but your busyness is like being a president." Rieka says with a sarcastic tone. "Enough. I ashamed to have a daughter-in-law like you."

"Come in!" says someone from inside the room. They don't need to lift their eyes from the row of reports being examined. The voice already explained who entered the room dominated by white and gray.

"For the second quarter, I've finished checking." The fair-skinned hand stretches out while placing a needed file. "Nothing suspicious."

That statement makes the room's owner stop his activity. Even the glasses he's wearing are taken off. There's a soft sigh between them. "Sure?"

"Yes, Sir," the woman replies. "But," once again, the hand reaches out to place another file with a different folder, "your suspicion is in the third-quarter report. I've marked everything you asked for."

A thin grin and a satisfied look are clearly imprinted there.

"Good." He immediately takes the handed file. "I'll check first. You prepare for the meeting this afternoon."

"Does it have to be this afternoon, Sir?"

Levi stares straight at the woman. "Is there a problem?"

"From the schedule I know, the finance division has a meeting discussing the budget for this month's promotion."

"My agenda is different tomorrow, Ta," Levi says softly. "You know that, right?"

No need for words, Samanta knows everything related to Levi's work. In response, she just nods briefly.

"Don't postpone it for too long. After all, their budget also comes from my decision, right?"

What Levi says is indeed true.

"Just prepare the materials. I'll talk to Mrs. Tety about the afternoon meeting."

"Alright, Sir."

Tata gets ready to leave the boss's room. She feels she has no other reason to linger here. There's still a lot to be done even though the chance to just observe how the hot widower labeled man works, God carved him so perfectly.

Who doesn't know Levi Mathias? His name is famous throughout the ShopaShop pantry because of his handsomeness. Not to mention his quiet, firm, and brilliant attitude. Oh... not to forget, his status as a single parent officially makes Levi an idol for women around here.

Does that apply to Tata too? Of course not. Tata's mind is as straight as a highway. Go to work, arrive at the office, flirt intimately with rows of numbers and product progress analyses, then go home. That's it.

So when someone says, "Ta, you're really lucky to be close to Mr. Levi. It keeps his mind fresh," Tata is confused. In seven years of working with her boss, she has never had such a thought. The man joined ShopaShop when she had been there for about four years.

"Oh yeah, Ta."

Levi speaks again. The woman who was in front of him stops in her tracks. Maybe one or two more steps and she would reach the door of the room.

"Yeah, Sir?"

"Next week, there's a business trip to Medan. I've emailed the permit. But it seems you can't make it, huh?" Levi smiles slightly.

"That," Tata blinks slowly, "I need to talk to my husband first, Sir."

"Don't make it a burden, Ta. I understand." Levi still wears that smile on his lips. "As long as you help me from home as usual."

Business trip. A word that becomes a haunting for Tata. Once she accompanied Levi on a business trip, not far though. In Bandung. The distance from Jakarta to Bandung can still be covered in a maximum of four hours. However... she chooses to forget that bad memory. Don't let that fleeting memory ruin her already messed-up day.

"Okay, Sir." Tata bows slightly. "Forgive me."

After the woman who represents him leaves, Levi just shrugs. He goes back to dealing with the reports Tata handed earlier. This week, he has been busy with reports indicating markup fraud in the promotion fund. Everything is shifted to the marketing department. He doesn't accept these accusations. Unfortunately, many pieces of evidence have been manipulated, leaving him deadlocked. When all his focus is on these reports, his phone rings loudly. Merry's name is on the screen. There's a subtle furrow on Levi's forehead.

What's Merry calling about?

"Yeah, Mer?"

"Sir, Echa's condition is worsening. I can't handle it, Sir."

***

Ottis rhythmically taps the table in his living room. A cup of coffee, now turning cold, is his companion this time. The ticking sound of the clock adds to the loneliness. He grumbles in frustration, not for the first time, because the person he's waiting for hasn't shown up. Finally, the rumble of a car entering the garage area becomes audible.

Not long after, Tata opens the door, which has been unlocked since earlier.

"You... are just getting home?"

"What time is it, Ta?"

She sighs softly. "I informed you. There was an impromptu meeting, and I had to find a solution."

"What time is it, Ta?" Ottis repeats, but this time with a very cold and sharp gaze.

"Ten, Ottis."

Tata is actually tired. She doesn't know where the Ottis she has known all this time, the one who convinced her to enter married life, has gone. Every time her husband behaves like this, she always brings back the 'shadow of Ottis' in her mind, so that everything will be 'okay' later. She cannot accept that the changed Ottis is the one she should be dealing with.

"Ten o'clock, but you're just getting home? Are you working or fooling around, Ta?" Ottis asks loudly. He rises from his seat, taking wide steps toward his wife. He points his index finger right at Tata's face. "My office also has many female employees. But none of them come home this late!"

"There's something I had to finish, Ottis," Tata retorts. She closes her eyes tightly to contain the emotions brewing in her mind.

"Oh, please! You have so many excuses, Ta!" Ottis threatens. "I allowed you to work, but not to break the rules and the role of a wife, Ta. You come home at this hour, and when will you prepare dinner for me? Warm water? I even have to brew my own coffee! Think, Ta! Think!"

"What should I do?" Tata asks softly. Her hands have been tightly clenched since earlier. The tips of her nails feel like they are cutting into her skin due to the force of the clenching. "I work not just for myself, Ottis, but for your family too."

"Oh!" Ottis scoffs. "Are you bringing this up again?" He then chuckles unbelievably hearing his wife's words. "Those are two different things, Ta. Helping my family doesn't mean neglecting your duties as a wife!"

"But this is my job, Ottis!" Tata retorts, unable to contain herself.

"Wow!" Ottis looks at Tata in disbelief. "Are you daring to snap at me? Your husband?!"

Without mercy, without caring if the slap across his wife's cheek would cause a million pains, Ottis still imparts a lesson to Samanta Kiehl. It's a hard slap that makes a painful sound.

"Don't think that just because you're now the assistant manager, you can be arrogant. Forget your duties as a wife in this house! Acting as if our family lives because of your money!" Ottis hisses. "Never think like that, Ta!" Then, Ottis leaves his wife just like that. However, before truly ascending the stairs to his room, he adds, "No wonder God still hasn't given us a child. You're busy with your own affairs!"

The buzzing sound that was spinning in Tata's head starts to subside. However, it leaves a disturbing sting in the corner of her lips. That's nothing compared to the sudden pain that overwhelms her. It's so strong that she feels her entire body throbbing and bleeding.

Every time Tata comes home late due to her office affairs, Ottis always scolds her, saying many things that make her more upset. Unconsciously, tears fall from her eyes. Her shoulders also tremble more and more as she tries to hold back her sobbing. Until finally, she collapses to the floor. Clutching her shirt tightly as support. Tata takes quite some time to try to regain her composure, only to find that Ottis has already come back downstairs, complete with a large bag.

"Where are you going?" Tata asks, hastily wiping away her tears. Ottis tightens his lips. "I know I was wrong, but you don't have to solve it by leaving the house, right?" Tata, following Ottis' steps, reaches out and somewhat forcefully grabs her husband's hand.

"Ottis!"

"What?" Ottis snaps rudely. "Meanwhile, I'll stay at my mom's house until you can think clearly! Clear, Ta, clear! Think about your mistakes! You're defying your husband all the time!"

"What do you want me to be?" Tata can't help but voice the question in her mind. "What?"

"You clearly heard what I said earlier, didn't you? We've argued about the same thing more than once."

Tata grumbles in frustration. "In that case, I'll resign tomorrow!"

Ottis looks at Tata in disbelief. "You don't understand what I said, Ta!"

"I indeed don't understand, Ottis. Explain it then."

For some reason, Ottis still refuses to speak.

"If you want me to keep working, fine, Ottis. Anyway, since I was alone, I've been used to working. The longer the job demands from me, right? You too, huh? Why am I blamed for coming home late? I don't fool around out there. I really work," Tata says with a gasp. "Now, when my job demands something from me, you get angry. But you also need me to work. Right?"

The man doesn't say a word.

"You should think that if it weren't for me helping the family's economy, what would happen to your mom and Nilam!" Tata finally blurts out what she has been holding in for so long. Every time she received demands from both of them, Tata chose to stay silent. This time, she is truly on the edge.

That statement makes Ottis thin his lips very slightly. "Impressive. My wife is really something. So good at digging up the past. No wonder my mom always said you're only sweet in front of her."