Her boss, Ardianto, is a man who is known for his rigid and very professional attitude. He is the one who makes the office atmosphere feel tense. Even so, Alya feels that there is another side of him that she has never seen.
Alya checked her watch for the umpteenth time, feeling her heart beating faster than usual. Tonight is one of the nights we have been waiting for. He had planned a phone chat with "The Mysterious One," a nickname for his phone partner who always kept him awake full of anticipation. Only the voice could make him feel so alive, without ever meeting in person.
"Alya, prepare the monthly report, okay? This is important," said her boss, Mr. Ardianto, in his typical cold tone before Alya left the office that afternoon.
Her boss, Ardianto, is a man who is known for his rigid and very professional attitude. He is the one who makes the office atmosphere feel tense. Even so, Alya feels that there is another side of him that she has never seen.
Alya adjusted her sitting position in the living room, reached for her phone and pressed a familiar button. Soon, a familiar and soothing voice filled her ears.
"Hello, honey. How was your day?" the voice asked softly, as if wiping away all the worries and tension from Alya's day.
"I was looking forward to this," Alya replied, her voice trembling softly. "Today was so tiring."
"How about we make tonight even better?" the voice teased, in a tone that was both soothing and passionate.
Alya smiled, feeling comfort from this conversation. No matter how stressful her days at the office were, this conversation was always a pleasant escape.
1.2
At the office, Ardianto was checking important documents when his phone vibrated on his desk. He saw a message from an unknown number, but curiosity prompted him to open it.
"Are you ready tonight? I can't wait to hear your voice again," the message read. Ardianto raised his eyebrows. He recognized the style of language. It was the style of message he usually received from his phone partner, someone he considered mysterious and interesting.
"Ready," he replied, hiding a smile behind his serious expression.
As someone who is very professional at work, Ardianto always keeps his distance from his subordinates. However, every night he becomes a very different person, speaking softly and passionately.
1.3
It was getting late at night, and Alya was lying in bed with headphones in her ears. The soft sounds of "The Mystery" flowed through the speakers, making her feel comfortable and connected to someone who made her feel loved. She felt the sincerity and care in every word spoken.
"What if we imagine we're somewhere far away from all this?" the voice suggested. "A place where it's just the two of us."
Alya imagined the scene with awe. "I like that idea. Where are we?"
"On a private beach. The sand is soft, the water is calm, and there is only the sound of waves in the distance," the voice replied in a very soothing tone.
They kept talking, imagining romantic scenarios and sharing their thoughts and feelings with each other. This was a ritual they did every night, making them feel close even though they had never met.
1.4
The next morning, Alya returned to the office with renewed vigor. She felt fresh and ready to face the day. However, the tension in the office was still the same, and her boss seemed colder than usual. Alya felt a little awkward every time she had to deal with Ardianto directly.
"Alya, there are a few things we need to talk about regarding the report," Ardianto said without looking up, his eyes remaining focused on the documents on his desk.
"Yes, sir," Alya replied, trying to remain calm.
Meanwhile, Ardianto feels a little restless. Although he knows he should separate his professional and personal lives, he can't help but be curious to know more about Alya, whom he meets every night in his phone chats.
1.5
After a long day at work, Alya returned home, feeling tired but also excited for tonight's conversation. When night fell, she took her phone again and prepared a comfortable space to talk.
"Hello, honey. How was your day?" the voice asked softly.
"Tired," Alya replied with a smile. "But I feel better after hearing your voice."
Their conversation tonight was more than just an escape. They shared stories about their lives, dreams, and hopes, making them feel closer even though they had never met.
Alya and Ardianto don't realize how deep their relationship is, and neither of them realizes that they're closer than they ever imagined. Both are on the same path, just don't know each other's true identities yet.
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