A Bed of Roses

Life isn't always a bed of roses, sometimes, it's a bitter pill to swallow. There are moments in life when we face unpleasant situations that can ruin our mood. This is what Selvia is experiencing. She calls Yulius, begging her ex-husband to allow her to see their only son, but only disappointment awaits her.

"Do you think I would so easily let my son meet a woman like you? Huh!" Yulius says coldly.

"I'm begging you, Ius, please, please. It's been two months since I last saw Kenzo. Just once, let me see him," Selvia pleads.

"No!"

"Yulius... Please...."

Selvia can only sigh as Yulius ends their call. She's baffled as to why Yulius hates her so much. They're already divorced, and Yulius even has a new girlfriend.

Selvia look at her face in the mirror, noticing her swollen face from crying all day, missing Kenzo, her son. Selvia decides to rest in her small rented apartment, closing her eyes while looking at her son's face on her phone screen.

The day grows hotter, the sun seeming to scorch Selvia's fair skin. She quickens her pace toward Andre's company. She wants to meet her best friend's husband and ask him about what happened a few days ago when he caressed her breasts.

Selvia waits in the company lobby, trying to call Andre, but he doesn't answer.

"This man is so annoying," she mutters in annoyance.

"I'll send him a message," she decides.

Selvia: Good afternoon, Andre. It's me, Selvia, Diandra's friend. I'm in your company lobby right now. I want to meet you. Oh, and I'm curious about Diandra's reaction if she finds out that her husband has been... with another woman in his private room?

Selvia looked at her phone screen. She hopes Andre will reply to her message, but instead, he calls her.

"What do you want?" Andre asks coldly.

"Not much. I just want to meet you, even for a moment."

"I can't."

"Are you serious? You can't, Andre? I'm curious about your innocent wife's face when she finds out her husband..."

"Okay... okay... come upstairs. Tell the receptionist you're my guest."

"Okay."

Selvia smiles to herself, it turns out it's that easy to meet Andre. She thought he would have security drag her out of his company.

Andre feels anxious about Selvia's arrival. He's worried that Diandra will find out about Selvia's visit to his office, which could lead to a misunderstanding. Andre closes his eyes for the past few days, he's been haunted by the accidental incident in his private room.

A knock on the door breaks Andre's reverie Selvia enters the room with a beautiful smile on her face. Andre notices that Selvia looks different today. He has to admit, Selvia is indeed very beautiful, even more beautiful than his wife, Diandra.

"Why are you staring at me? I'm not going anywhere as long as you let me sit on that couch of yours," Selvia says, pointing toward the black couch in Andre's office.

"P-please, have a seat," Andre says nervously.

Damn it! Why am I so captivated by this woman? Andre curses in his mind.

Selvia, who already knows Andre is mesmerized by her beauty, is even more eager to tease him.

"You're just going to stare at me from a distance? Come sit here," Selvia says, patting the couch beside her.

"I'm fine here," Andre replies from behind his desk.

"Your office is nice and big, even bigger than my studio apartment," Selvia says, looking around Andre's office.

"Thank you. Now, let's cut to the chase. What do you want?"

"What do I want?"

"Yes, what do you want?"

"Not to much. I just want you to introduce me to your rich colleagues so I can offer them insurance."

"Is that all you want?"

"Do you want me to do something else, Andre?"

"What do you mean?"

"Come on, Andre, don't be naive. You know what I mean. But, if you don't understand, I'll call Diandra and tell her that her husb—"

"Stop! Stop it, Selvia! If that's what you want, I'll call my friend."

"Now you're talking. That's easy, isn't it?"

Andre clenches his jaw, trying to control his anger toward Selvia. This woman knows how to take advantage of his weakness. Andre calls his friend, whom he knows likes to play with fire with women; he's sure Selvia isn't just offering insurance.

Selvia sees Andre's face, which is holding back anger; she knows he doesn't like being subtly threatened. But, what else can she do? Her finances are dwindling. She'll do anything to get what she wants.

"Nine o'clock at Central Karaoke," Andre says.

"Hmm... does it have to be karaoke? Can't we go to a restaurant or something?" Selvia says anxiously.

"That's not my business."

Selvia looks at Andre in disappointment, is he not interested in her?

"Why are you still here?"

"Oh, sorry... I'll go."

"Selvia, don't think that what happened in the room will always be on my mind. I even regret touching you."

"It's okay, Andre. I even like it when you touch me like that." Andre furrows his brow, looking at Selvia in confusion.

"Don't think about it, Andre. You're a good man."

Selvia walks out of Andre's office with a disappointed expression on her face. What she wants is Andre, not another man.

"Sel," Andre calls Selvia.

Selvia purses her lips, she feels happy when Andre calls her name. She quickly turns around to face Andre.

"What's your account number?" Andre asks.

"Why are you asking for my account number?"

"Just tell me your account number."

Selvia mentions her account number and Andre types Selvia's account number on his phone.

"You can go home now."

Selvia sighs, her disappointed face clearly visible to Andre. Selvia walks to her car with heavy steps; she sits in the car seat listlessly.

A message arrives on her phone.

Andre: I hope this money is enough for you so you don't bring up anything that happened. This is our first and last meet without Diandra. Thank you.

Selvia quickly checks her ABC Mobile application on her phone. Her previously disappointed face now changes when she sees the amount of mone

y Andre transferred to her.

"This man is making me want him even more," Selvia says, with various plans in her mind.