Chapter 8 [8]

Tasya's phone isn't in a new condition. But she bought it after saving money for four months. Not for style, really. But the phone does have a large capacity and sufficient features to support her work. Although there's a work tablet, the phone is still the easiest for her to hold.

Even so, Tasya bought it after thinking thousands of times. Yes... It coincided with Ronan's tuition money. Her younger brother is studying at one of the open universities in Jakarta.

Now, Ronan works as a barista at a cafe. The money is decent enough to cover her living expenses and tuition. Tasya helps with half of it. Meanwhile, her younger sister, Robby, is preparing for final exams, which also require a lot of expenses from Tasya.

No, Tasya doesn't want to complain. She willingly spends every penny on her siblings' education. There's no sense of obligation, even though sometimes she has to sacrifice her own needs.

And because she bought that phone with great pride, she treats it delicately. There should be no scratches at all. She often wipes the phone screen to keep it clear and also to use it as a mirror. Although the face that appears there is ordinary. It's already covered by bangs, braces, and thick-framed glasses, so it's certain that Tasya's name doesn't fall into the category of women who will be noticed by men.

Including the boss.

Ugh! Instead of thinking about Nathan, she'd better focus on her work. She carefully examines the calendar next to her, filled with notes. Nothing should deviate from the schedule she has matched with Nathan's. She shouldn't make any mistakes. Otherwise, she could be hit by the merciless wrath of Raptor when he's angry.

There's a stark difference between Nathan at the office and outside the office. Maybe that's why Tasya can act like a chameleon.

A message arrives, causing her to stare at each word for a long time.

Centre of Blood:

Your presence is eagerly awaited. Located at Geosan Hospital Hall, Sunday at ten in the morning. Don't forget to register yourself immediately. We await your arrival.

She sighs softly. "It's been so long since I've been to a place like this." Tasya's eyes also begin to pay attention to her slightly thin arms. "Working hard like a horse until only bones are left." But then she laughs. "Whatever work it is, right?"

Before she can fully enjoy her laughter, it is abruptly silenced by footsteps echoing around the room.

"Tasya." Nathan walks quickly toward his assistant. Tasya looks up, a crease forming on her forehead as Nathan suddenly places a stack of files on her desk. "Check the collaboration between Faldom and Optima from 2013 to 2011. How far did it go?"

"Yes, sir." Tasya rarely questions anything that Nathan asks her to do. She tries her best to make the work as neat and detailed as Nathan wants. Although she still makes mistakes sometimes, she won't give up easily. Her prayer when Nathan gets angry is, "Don't let Raptor fire me!"

"Have you heard anything from Mrs. Nadine?"

"Not yet, sir. I've tried contacting her, but there's been no response."

Nathan nods briefly. "Does anyone know that we suddenly contacted Optima again?"

Tasya falls silent.

"I'm sure you don't know." Nathan is just strange. Sometimes he asks himself and answers himself. Like now. Although Nathan knows what Tasya is working on. He gives all the instructions regarding Tasya's movements related to Optima. So... The girl is confused why Nathan asked that.

"In two days, I have a meeting with the commissioner."

Ah... Nathan is right. Tasya's eyes once again look at the calendar, which she circles in blue. It says, 'annual report and AGM,' which means today and tomorrow will be a torment for her.

"I've already started preparing materials for the meeting, sir." That's true. Tasya, who can handle seventy-five percent of Nathan's work, has started to understand her boss's work rhythm. Her hands quickly dance over the keyboard, double-checking the report she will give to Nathan before the meeting.

"You don't need to continue, Tasya."

Tasya's eyebrows furrow. "Why, sir?"

"You focus on this file only. And don't let anyone else know what you're working on."

"A secret, sir?" Tasya blinks in confusion. "What's going on? Are we playing detectives or something, sir?"

"Tasya!"

Tasya grins widely. "Yes, sir. Understood. I'll bring the files to study them discreetly."

"Where to?"

"Naina's room. Today, your daughter asked me to teach her mathematics."

Nathan sighs. "So, I have to go home with you like that?"

Tasya shrugs. "It's up to you. Taking a taxi with me to Naina is no problem, sir."

"Letting you take company files?"

"Well, I'm confused now with what you're saying, sir. According to you, what should I do?"

"Impede my date alone." Nathan glanced at the Rolex on his left wrist. "Did you book a table at Hotel Harrison?"

"Yes, sir." She immediately opened her agenda. "Mr. Dong-lee from Panorama Group has also confirmed his arrival for lunch with you. Two of his assistants will be joining as well. I have prepared the discussion with them." She handed me another folder from a different drawer. "Please take a look again, sir."

Nathan promptly accepted the file. His eyes quickly scanned through each page, reading the contents. Occasionally, he furrowed his brow, but then a smile appeared. "All right. Prepare yourself as well. Bring everything along. After we're done with Panorama, I'll drop you off at home."

"All right, sir."

Tasya busied herself to ensure nothing was left behind since she wouldn't be returning to the office. But something felt off to her. Why hasn't her boss moved from his desk yet? Instead...

"Where was this photo taken?" Nathan pointed to a small frame showing a white-painted building with many Bank Blood emblem tents.

"Oh, that's from when I was donating blood, sir," Tasya replied calmly. "It's an old photo."

"I haven't seen it before, have I?"

Nathan was an extremely observant person. If something seemed slightly different, he would ask. And it seemed like this picture had recently found its place on Tasya's desk.

"Yes, sir. It's a memory from the year I used to donate blood regularly. I don't have time for it now because I'm too busy with work."

"Are you implying something about me?"

Tasya furrowed her brow again. "No."

"You said you're busy with work and don't have time to donate blood anymore. Is your busyness at the office related to me?"

Oh God! Are there men like Nathan? Where their level of self-confidence is too acute, often accusing without any reason or cause. Just like now! And one thing is for sure, he's too sensitive. If we use the terms used by young people now, well... Tasya can still be considered young. It's called being "moody," or overly emotional.

Just like Nathan right now.

"Come on, get to work!" Nathan said, now at the doorway of their room. "Don't take too long. Finish your working hours quickly. Otherwise, I'll be called an unaware boss."

Who said that? "You're such a sensitive Raptor!" Tasya muttered very softly. Unfortunately,

"I heard you talking, Tasya!"

***

Oh no! Tasya's intention to come to this two-story house was to fulfill her promise to Naina. Besides feeling sorry for her, she couldn't bear the thought of the little girl facing her sixth-grade exam alone. Even though the exam format had changed since Tasya wore the red and white uniform, there still needed to be someone by her side. Little did Tasya know, Naina always managed to escape her class.

She wondered how the child managed to slip away.

As Tasya took her light steps, although her hands were burdened with a bag containing files, she was greeted by the familiar figure of an elderly woman; Grandma Sun. A nickname was given by Naina because the grandmother loved wearing yellow clothes or accessories.

Her name was Sunny Summer. Oh my God!

"Tasya, what brings you to the house? Is there something wrong?" the friendly woman asked? She recognized the girl who displayed her awkward smile and extended her polite, skinny hand.

"Tasya is here to help me with math, Oma," Naina said, half-shouting. She hurriedly descended the stairs, holding a large book and a pencil box. Her long hair fluttered with her movements. "Come on, sis, let's study now."

"Be careful, Naina!" Instead of Naina, the middle-aged woman named Sunny preferred to call her granddaughter by the name Naina. Only the warned one chuckled while pulling Tasya's arm.

"Let's go, sis. Don't waste time talking to Oma. It takes too long!"

Sunny could only shake her head in amazement. She let Tasya bid her farewell and followed Naina's request. Occasionally, she overheard Naina's chatter about her school. Tasya responded enthusiastically. They acted like two close friends meeting after a long time, oblivious to their surroundings. Despite their age difference, they were two girls who connected.

"Mommy?" Nathan was slightly surprised when he entered the house and was greeted by his mother busy setting the dining table. "What brings you here?"

"What did you say?" Suny sighed in annoyance. As soon as her youngest son approached, she playfully pinched him. "Instead of asking if Mama is healthy or not, you're asking what Mommy is doing here?"

Nathan grinned. "You're unusual. Usually indifferent to us." He lowered his mother's hand. No, he wasn't pretending to grimace but rather sighed softly. "What's up?"

"Who is Mommy Seira?"

"Oh, is that what you're asking again?"

"Did you ever explain who she is?"

Nathan rubbed his tired face. "I'm tired, Mom. I need some rest. I don't want to talk about Seira. Just know that she's not the woman I'm dating. She has no connection to my life."

"But Naina keeps mentioning her. And she has so many praises for Mommy Seira. So, who is she?"

Once again, Nathan sighed softly. This time, his eyes met his mother's gaze intently. "She's just someone Naina happened to meet and is nice. But, Mom," Nathan gave a stern warning. "Seira is married and has her own family. I'm not involved in their family in any way, okay?"