1. The Ring

The frenetic cold big room. However, it still makes the body hot. Dim lights flickered there, spoiling the sea of people swaying to the rhythm of a disk jockey. Dance to a rhythm that makes the whole body hot. The smell of liquor became an addition to the opium of the people there. 

Sexy skimpy clothes, mostly worn by female visitors there. The wrapping strands of cloth following the curves of the body made the men take a sip of saliva. 

Everyone enjoys the increasingly crowded night--wrong--not all enjoy it.

At the far end of the room, there was a person wearing a gray long blazer with her hair in a messy bun from the beginning, a woman standing with a piercing gaze, staring disfavorably at another woman who was sitting leaning back enjoying whiskey.

"So, you took my ring, hm?" asked the woman with short hair, her voice slightly raised as she clashed with the boisterous music there. Her two hands crossed in front of chest. She really couldn't believe what she was seeing.

Sent her a spam message then told her to come to the NightBar. If she knew that her office mate took the ring, she would never want to come here. She really hates going to alcoholic beverege places. In her opinion, alcohol is the gate to open the door of all disasters! Also, she hated this room with a sound that she thought was very deafening.

One corner of the lips was slightly pulled. "Dear Estelle, don't get me wrong, I didn't pick it up, but found it. You should be thankful that the ring didn't fall into someone else's hands or be thrown away by the cleaner," replied the sarcastic woman who sat while gently shaking a glass object filled with ice cubes and whiskey. Behind the lips of the glass, a satisfied smile was created.

Estelle rolled her eyes while slashing irritably. "It's precisely because it's you, Julia! Why out of so many people, it must be you who found my ring!" Estelle stretched out her right hand. "Where is that thing? Hurry up and give me my ring," She continued, just seeing Julia in the office made her dizzy. Now, even outside the office, you still have to meet that two-faced woman! It feels like vomiting!

Estelle Clarice, a woman who turned twenty-five years old. Work in a GI company that runs in insurance. Estelle always gets the title of the best employee every month. A perfect thing that invites social jealousy.

Julia, is Estelle's co-worker. An antagonist who always doesn't like Estelle's presence. Since Estelle joined the GI company, the title of the best employee has always been taken by Estelle. Just hearing the praise from the superior made Julia annoyed to death. Plus, Estelle's self-righteous attitude that always refuses to be invited to drink by GI employees. Anyway, there's so much Julia doesn't like about Estelle!

"Elle, I hope you don't become a nut that forgets the shell."

Estelle choked. She could have guessed that Julia wanted something from her. "Are you a human being who deserves a word of thanks, hm?"

Julia laughed crisply. "Don't do it, if someone else hears, later I can be labeled a bad woman," Julia casually replied, one hand folded on her stomach while her right hand was still faithfully holding the glass filled with water that Estelle hated the most.

"Swapping colleagues' work materials, deleting report files on my laptop, always rejecting ideas from me. Also, keep me involved in your problems! Is that then you can't be called a bad woman yet? You are fortunate that I didn't complain about all your behavior to Mr. Ronald!"

Julia chuckled. "Don't carelessly accuse... after all, there's no evidence I did it all, right?" She snatched, grinning with one eyebrow pulled up, the look in her eyes as if she was mocking Estelle. 

Estelle grunted. Want to reverse Julia's words, it feels like you can't. It is true, so far there is not a single evidence that she can get for Julia's crimes or cheating. Luckily, Estelle is smart. So, all this time Julia's efforts to bring her down always end in vain. The black-eyed woman was also puzzled, why Julia could always be free so easily from problems that could bring down the company. 

"Calm down, I will return your ring, as long as you want to show your gratitude, it's easy, right?" continued Julia, now her two eyes turned straight to look at the expanse of humans on the dance floor.

Estelle also cast her gaze. It's tired of lingering here, let alone arguing with Julia. "What do you want."

Julia glanced, then smiled crookedly. "I just want you to do something for me."

"Something?" confused Estelle, her head immediately turned back to Julia, neatly arranged eyebrows with bent ends that fit the reflex she pulled. An ominous premonition wafted in her heart.

"You see the man over there?" Julia moved her chin towards the bar table. "The handsome guy wearing a black casual dress, he is talking to the bartender." Julia looked at Estelle. "I want you to find out about that man, what are her preferences, what kind of woman he likes and what are the weaknesses of that man."

What? Estelle took a deep look at Julia. What a crazy request! 

"Why don't you just ask yourself, now? Julia, this time, what are you planning?!" rejected Estelle, she thought it was very suspicious. The man was in the same room with them, why should she do it? Is it because Julia is embarrassed? Hell no! A woman like Julia has already broken her veins of shame, or even God forgot to create it for Julia! 

"My advice, look up the information secretly and also, please remember that I don't want you to carry my name when talking to him. Hmm... A month seemed like enough to figure out everything I wanted. How? A fair exchange, isn't it?" 

"Worth it? Hah! You are crazy! I don't want to do that! Hurry up and return it, my ring!" said Estelle. It seemed, her body temperature was now the same as the people there. Her heart and even her head get hotter every time she heard the sentence said by the woman in the dark purple short dress. 

Julia put down her whiskey glass and stood up. Stepping slowly closer to Estelle. "It seems that this thing is very important to you, huh? But, how is this? I forgot where to store your ring. Ah... If you want to do what I tell you to do, maybe this chief will remember where the worn-out thing is." One hand lightly patted Estelle on the shoulder and rubbed it as if there was dust there. "Elle... I know you are smart, nor do I care what you want to think of me. I just want you to return the favor a little bit, okay? I wait for good news from you, my dear friend."

Julia banged her body against Estelle's. Going from there with a satisfied grin, she was very grateful for what happened today.

Her memory returned when work hours were over. Before going home, Julia took the time to stop by the toilet. There, precisely above the sink, she found a gold ring whose color seemed to have faded slightly. Originally wanted to let that thing. However, when you think that rings are valuable objects for everyone. Moreover, the shape is plain like a ring that is usually used to get engaged or married.

Julia so took the thing. Her intention was to return it to its owner who she could confirm that the owner of the ring was a GI employee.

Just wanting to find the owner, Estelle had already noisy asking everyone in the office about the ring with her panicked face, Julia immediately smiled broadly knowing that. 

It's the perfect luck for her. Now, she believes that her plan will go smoothly.

The man she targeted earlier was the first person who could make her last for three years with the label of one-sided love. Actually, she could have come closer and flirted with her. However, a rumor about the man made Julia think a thousand times about approaching him. 

Either the rumors are true or not. Now, Julia wants to make sure it passes Estelle. After all, if it is true ... it was Estelle who would bear the consequences and If the rumors were false, Julia could approach the man easily as she got the information Estelle would provide.

One paddle, two three islands are exceeded!

Continued ....