LIKE A MAN

"I want to wait for you. I thought if I waited for you, then you would close your laptop and go home with me," replied the spoiled Mona, "Troy, we've been engaged for half a year, but you haven't even asked me out. How can we get closer if you only keep yourself busy with work every day?" she continued whining.

"Yes, you're right! We've been engaged for six months. And during that time, no one wants to be my secretary for a long time because of your jealousy! Do I still need to explain to you, huh?!" Troy said who was already irritated.

It's not wrong that Troy responds to Mona's whimper in his annoyance. The reason is, that ever since Troy's parents matched Troy with Mona, the daughter of the Sanjaya family, his life which was already congested due to his parents' insistence on getting married, was getting more and more congested by what Mona was very protective of him.

Mona, who also works as a manager in a department at Garendra Corporation, declared her status as the future big lady of Garendra Corporation.

It was as if Mona had a monopoly on Troy's life. For example, when Troy received a female secretary, Mona always found fault with her and then fired her.

Which woman can face such a life? Thirty-five million is not worth it if you have to feel the exhaustion of working with the CEO and still have to be suspected of being someone else's male grabber. Who will stand it?

"Sorry, dear! I didn't mean to give you trouble. I'm just jealous to see you alone with other women longer than me, even though you guys are at work. I love you too much, Troy!" Mona apologized.

"That's enough! Why are you saying that apology again? I've heard that kind of sorry for you dozens of times!" Troy replied lazily, "Just find me a new secretary according to your taste. So, you don't have to suspect me anymore. I'm overwhelmed working alone like this!" Troy continued complaining.

"Why don't I just be your secretary? I can help you, honey!" asked the spoiled Mona.

"And when my parents see you exhausted, I will be killed by them? That's what you want, huh?" Troy answered and made his fiancée silent.

"Hmm, you're right. I'll find a good secretary for you, honey!" Mona said to Troy.

'Which certainly won't make me jealous of you!' she continued to herself with a sly smile.

***

"Mama? Where do you want to go looking like that?" Keanu asked surprised by Cheery's current appearance.

Cheery sat up on the edge of the bed and called for Keanu to come over. The little one immediately rushed over to her.

"Today, I want to apply for a job where Auntie Sania works. Pray for me to succeed, honey!" Cheery said, smiling and hugging her son.

"Hmm, of course, I will pray for you, Mama. But...," Keanu paused for a moment, "But, will you go out of the house looking like this?" Keanu asked doubtfully even his face was red from laughing.

"Why? What's wrong with my appearance like this?" Cheery asked confused while re-checking her appearance in front of the large mirror on her dressing table, "My appearance is perfect!" sure Cheery confident.

Keanu was seen covering his mouth as his laughter almost came out when he saw his mother's very high self-confidence. And after a bit of calm, then Keanu spoke again.

"But, what do you know? When I see your appearance like this, it reminds me of the gym teacher at my school's study park, Mama. Very similar!" Keanu said honestly but still, he was careful in his words, so that his mother would not be offended.

Cheery raised her eyebrows as she looked at Keanu, and a moment after that, Cheery smiled.

"Why don't you just say that I am like a man?" asked Cheery who understood what her son meant, "I don't mind! After all, I want to look like this, Keanu," Cheery admits.

"Hmm, why is it like that? Aren't you like this, then your pretty face won't be seen?" complained Keanu slightly objected.

"So beautiful is not always good for me, honey. Come closer. I will explain to you!" asked Cheery to Keanu while patting the side of the bed next to her.

"But, I prefer you who is beautiful as usual, Mama," said Keanu.

"Hey, the only thing that has changed is my appearance. Your mama is still the same, honey!" Cheery replied with a smile seeing Keanu's innocence, "Listen to me. The reason why I look like this is to protect myself. Also, I want the company that I will go to will accept me after judging my achievements, not based on my beautiful appearance," Cheery explained.

"Why did it happen?" Keanu asked innocently.

"Like I said earlier. Beauty is not always good for someone. Even many beautiful women receive misfortune from others because of their beauty. And again, if you are accepted based on appearance assessment only and not because of your achievements, it will lower your self-esteem, son. You understand, honey?" Cheery asked after explaining.

"Hmm, yes. I get it, Mama! Grandma once told me that you were always followed by interested men because you were very beautiful. Grandma also said that not a few of them wanted to be my papa, but you refused them," said Keanu when he remembered his grandmother's story when he was smaller.

"It's all just because I don't want to share my love and care with other people. I just want to love you in my life," Cheery replied, kissing the top of her son's head.

Keanu looked gloomy after Cheery spoke like that. And Keanu's sadness can be seen by Cheery.

"Sorry, kid. It's not that I don't want to find papa for you. I know very well, that you want a papa, but such a wish is not easy to be granted. I hope, honey, be patient. One day, you will also have a papa like other children. I promise you, son," Cheery said quietly while holding tightness in her chest. It was as if tears were about to come out, but Cheery had to hold them in.

'There's nothing wrong with your life, honey. I conceived and gave birth to you with joy. I am so very grateful that God sent you to me. I also know you want to have a father like the other children. But, it's very heavy taste, son. If only you knew, I don't want to have a relationship with any man. I just want to be happy with you and grandma!' Cheery thought in tears.

Ever since Keanu came into her life, Cherry has decided to be alone. Do not want to know even just close to any man. Keeping a distance from God's creatures named 'Men' is something that Cheery want.

Past trauma to feelings of inferiority as a dirty woman who betrayed a man's holy love, made her feel embarrassed and didn't want to repeat the feeling of falling in love.

But, can Cheery continue to glorify the principle of life that wants to be alone, when Keanu is getting bigger and starting to live socially demands him to have a father like other children?

Yes, let Cheery answer the big question itself.

***

The headquarters of Garendra Corporations…

"Anna! How about the new secretary admission I proposed to you? Have you started carrying out my orders?" Mona asked her friend Anastasia, who is the HR Department Manager at Garendra Corps.

"Already. Stay cool! I can't possibly let you down, Mona," Anna replied casually, "But, I'm not sure you will accept the women who apply to the office today," Anna continued doubtfully.

"Why not? Is there something wrong with my terms?" Mona asked confused.

"Hmm, I don't know. I am not sure. Please see for yourself the job applicant's data. Sit down on the sofa first, I will call my secretary to bring their data," said Anna while letting Mona wait calmly.

"Is there anything strange? Looks like my requirements to find a reliable secretary for the Ceo is pretty standard!" Mona is still confused.

"That's not the case. Just wait a little longer, you'll know what I mean right now!" said Anna.

A few minutes later, Anna's secretary came in with a pile of several folders containing the job applicant's data who filled out the new secretary's acceptance application form.

"Take a look one by one and please, don't be upset after seeing their data!" Anna said casually and started to continue her work that had piled up on her desk.

Not more than fifteen minutes, Mona's face already looks annoyed and disheveled.

"Geez. This is crazy!" Mona cursed herself.

Anna lifted her head to look at her friend who was annoyed on the sofa in her room.

'As expected, you will be annoyed yourself to see a new suitor who looks excited like you! Why are you bothering yourself, Mona?' Anna thought while shaking her head for Mona.

"Of the twenty-two women who applied, there was one that I thought was unique. And I'm pretty sure you'll like her, 'cause your fiancé won't even glance at the girl's appearance. After all, the girl had good work experience before. She would be suitable to be the Ceo's secretary. That's just my opinion, you'll see for yourself!" said Anna giving advice.

Mona glanced back at the pile of maps that she had made scattered about. Her eyes were fixed on a map that had not been touched by her. Then Mona opened the contents of the folder and then her smile lifted.

"Cheery Natalia Dewari! She looks like a man, but it's perfect!" Mona muttered with a smile, "Anna, I chose this woman! Please call her right now!"