ISTRI CACAT CEO 2 : Aku Ingin Kamu Selamanya

103

Stina Radiance walked towards her wardrobe, her eyes scanning her collection of clothes. She was looking for the perfect outfit for today. A half-length, one-shoulder ruffled red skirt. She put it on. The skirt was as vibrant as her mood, ready to make the big move she was about to take.

With her brown hair styled into big waves, flowing casually down her back, she admired her reflection in the mirror. But something was missing.

Makeup! She squealed inwardly.

Stina carefully applied the magic touches to her face, spending an hour perfecting her look. Her red lipstick, which matched the color of her skirt, added a little extra aura to her otherwise spectacular appearance. It was as if she wanted to show the world that she was ready and happy for her decision to divorced Zyren.

She took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her decision.

"Lorrie, I'm getting a divorce," she announced to her machine.

Lorrie, ever supportive, replied, "Ma'am, say goodbye to the old one, and you'll meet a better one later, believe me."

Stina raised her eyebrows, appreciating Lorrie's wise words.

"Thank you, Lorrie. Goodbye."

"Goodbye, ma'am, have a good day!" Lorrie replied in a gentle tone.

***

Stina had arrived at the Civil Affairs Bureau, the anticipation in her heart growing. It was 8:55, and the door was still closed.

Suddenly her phone rang. It was Yma Turner, her loyal friend.

"Sti, have you arrived at the Civil Affairs Bureau yet?"

"Just arrived," Stina replied, with a hint of excitement in her voice.

"Well then, I hope you get rid of that bastard soon and move towards a new life!" Yma encouraged Stina, always the optimist.

"I will."

A sleek black car pulled up nearby, catching Stina's attention.

"Zyren Beyond is here. I'll tell you more, later," Stina told Yma, a mysterious edge in her voice.

Yma's curiosity peaked.

"Okay, okay, don't hang up. Let me tell you, I've prepared a big surprise for you today, and I guarantee you'll feel victorious in front of that bastard!"

Stina chuckled, hoping it wouldn't be too shocking.

"I hope it doesn't surprise me."

"We'll see. You'll definitely be very happy."

After hanging up, Stina turned her attention to Zyren Beyond, who was walking towards her. A mischievous smile played on his lips.

"Good morning, Mr. Beyond. I have been expecting you," Stina greeted, her voice filled with determination.

She handed over the divorce agreement, her eyes fixed on Zyren's face.

"I know you don't believe it. Here, this is exactly the same as the last one. Sign it. When the Civil Affairs Bureau opens, follow the procedures and you will be rid of me from your life completely. It's fun, isn't it?"

Zyren's cold expression finally cracked, his disbelief obvious.

"Are you serious?" he asked, his voice tinged with surprise.

Stina stared at him, silence hanging in the air. After a moment, she smiled sincerely.

"Zyren Beyond, what I said to you was never meant as a joke. And I've made that clear to you several times."

Zyren looked at Stina with a furrowed brow, his head filled with question marks. Why was Stina doing this to him? Stina had never treated him like this before.

"They've already opened the door," he said firmly, as if ignoring Stina's previous words.

Stina's heart broke at that moment, Zyren's voice echoing in her ears. A few seconds ago, Stina was still hoping for a different response, hoping that Zyren would resist or refuse.

Zyren Beyond, however, was always so calm and collected.

Stina wiped the smile off her face, turning away from him. Determined, she walked towards the Civil Affairs Bureau.

Amidst the crowd of couples who had come so early in the morning, to get married, they were the only couple filing for divorce who had come that morning.

However, Stina Radiance was dressed in a way that in no way indicated that she was filing for divorce. As soon as they entered the building, the staff inside looked at them suspiciously and whispered to each other, "Amicably divorced?"

"Exactly," Stina replied, busying herself with entering the information she had prepared into a form.

Divorce was a quicker process than marriage.

In less than five minutes, they walked out of the bureau as divorced. And both holding the new status of widow and widower.

Zyren Beyond walks ahead with a swagger, while Stina does the same, she doesn't look at her ex-husband anymore, after receiving the divorce certificate.

Although it was actually Stina's way of getting rid of the uncomfortable feelings that still lingered in her heart.

Suddenly, a Lamborghini screeched to a halt on the side of the road. The luxury car attracted the attention of everyone in the courtyard of the civil affairs bureau, including Stina, and her eyes were unconsciously fixed on the car.

The door of the Lamborghini opened, and a man wearing sunglasses stepped out.

Stina felt a flash of familiarity with that handsome and charismatic figure. His black hair was neatly combed back, his towering body was clad in a black suit but the top button of his shirt was left open.

Before Stina could react, the man called out to her, "Stina Radiance!"

It was Wilde James, a young star who rose to fame last year through a web drama that gained popularity and high ratings across the country.

He was not only handsome, but also tall and had long legs. In just a few steps, he closed the distance between them and said, "Congratulations on your freedom and new life."

"How did you know I was here?" Stina asked even though she already knew the answer.

"Yma asked me to pick you up."

Stina could not help but feel her head hurt.

"Yma Turner has lost her mind, and so have you. Wasn't your new movie just released through Reuters? Why are you here like this? Are you afraid you won't have enough scandals?"

"Radiance, don't get angry. Yma said that you recently divorced the son of the Beyond family, he will probably release news about your divorce soon. We have to control public opinion first, or else you'll be labeled as the abandoned wife of a rich family?" Wilde James spoke in a cynical and intimidating tone, while Stina couldn't help but find this situation both amusing and irritating.

"In that case, I really appreciate it," she said with a wry, resigned smile.

Before they knew it, a swarm of paparazzi appeared from various directions, hungry for stories and gossip. Wilde James acts quickly, wrapping his arms around Stina's head for protection, but his efforts to shield her are not enough, and her face is exposed to the cameras.

Some paparazzi who were crowding and pushing each other intentionally pushed Stina, causing her to stumble and fall into Wilde James' arms.

Wilde James, a popular idol adored by thousands of girls, had such a handsome face that Stina's heart couldn't help but flutter. In their three years of marriage, she and Zyren had never embraced this intimately.

Now, embraced like this by Wilde James, she could not ignore the faint scent of perfume that constantly reminded her of Zyren's presence.

Stina's face burned with embarrassment. She wanted to break away from his embrace, but Wilde James quickly put a hand on her head.

He held her tighter, and she could hear his steady heartbeat in her ears.

Meanwhile, the paparazzi continued their relentless barrage of questions and flash photography, leaving her feeling confused. Half carried and half dragged, Stina followed Wilde James forward. Towards his car.

*

*

*

Inside the black car, Zyren Beyond sat quietly, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery—of how his ex-wife was now being embraced by another man.

Silvi Collins, who was sitting in the front seat, hesitated before speaking, "Mr. Beyond, should we help Miss Radiance?"

As soon as Silvi finished speaking, Zyren turned his cold gaze towards her.

"What did you say? Radiance is none of my business anymore."

Silvi trembled, "sorry, sir."

Unable to argue, Silvi ordered the driver,

"Tahlee, keep driving."

Whether it was Silvi's imagination or not, she felt Zyren's face grow darker.

And why not? His wife, or rather, ex-wife, had just divorced him less than ten minutes ago, now with another man outside the registry office. The man embrace her like lover. And it's sickening to Zyren

If this news got out, wouldn't people think that Zyren Beyond was an unfaithful person who left his wife?

"Stop!" Zyren's voice sounded filled with annoyance. He hated being involved in scandals, and he definitely didn't like being the subject of gossip. But he couldn't help the fire that was somehow burning in his chest.

"Get out and bring her here!" He shouted.

Silvi was startled, thinking she must have heard wrong.

But when she turned to Zyren, who had a heavy expression on his face, "Now, Silvi!" He said angrily.

Silvi immediately opened the car door and walked towards the two figures surrounded by reporters.

***

"Mrs. Beyond, uhm, I mean Miss Radiance!" Silvi Collins hesitated, stumbling over her words as she adjusted to the sudden change in title. It was all very new to her, and she had to remind herself not to slip up.

Stina Radiance, her head still spinning from the whirlwind of attention, heard her name being called. She quickly disentangled herself from Wilde James's embrace and looked around her. And there, amidst the crowd of paparazzi, was Zyren Beyond's secretary, who was struggling to maintain her composure.

"Secretary Silvi, what's wrong?" Stina exclaimed, worry etched on her face. Silvi Collins, startled by the pushy reporters, lost her footing and stumbled awkwardly. It took a few precious seconds for her to regain her balance and stand upright, albeit shakily.

"Miss Radiance... er, Mr. Beyond would like you to come to his car. He's waiting," Silvi managed to say, her voice slightly breathless.