"We're supposed to eat, Fathia," Jess said with a chuckle. "And besides, we've been in here for how many hours? Aren't you hungry?"
Jess didn't need Jess's answer when she heard Fathia's stomach loudly demanding to be filled. Making the girl laugh. "You're right. I'm actually hungry. Tomorrow we'll continue, and the suspicious folder, we'll take it to the room. I want to study it."
"Got it, boss!"
Fathia just shook her head. Quickly tidying up some scattered documents on her father's desk. She followed Jess, who was already heading out with the folder she had pointed at earlier.
"Lunch with what menu, Aunt? I feel like I'm about to faint," Jess complained the moment she opened the door. She intentionally made her face look as dramatic as possible. As if spending hours in there had completely drained her.
Naomi laughed when she saw her. Jess's behavior was truly entertaining. If her young lady appeared quiet and untouched, Jess was the opposite, alw
"So, what's the deal?" Kenzo crossed his legs. His gaze lingered on Jess longer than usual, the girl who always left notes for him to communicate. Annoying Jess, she looked like she wasn't happy with what he had just offered her. A job.Kenzo had his own satisfaction when he told them about the kind of work for the both of them. Was it the same? Definitely not. Kenzo took advantage of this opportunity well and cleverly, even making Jess cast an unfriendly look at him.Yeah, right. Who does he think he is? Just a close relative of a servant here, right? Why does he seem to look at her with a disapproving gaze? So different from Mr. Calm who had already caught his attention. Not because of his looks, really... that was way different from Jess. But his behavior and polite body language, along with how he kept his head down, made Kenzo feel sorry for him.A note was received again by Kenzo as a response from Mr. Calm.[We'll think about it thoroughly, Sir.]
At the same time, on the balcony of Sebastian's luxurious apartment, the large curtains were pulled open on purpose. Revealing the New York City skyline pulsating at night. The surrounding buildings were illuminated with bright lights."So, how did it go?" the man who was Sebastian's guest tonight asked. In front of him, Sebastian let out a slow sigh, massaging his temples roughly."We have evidence of money laundering in our hands, Sir. Just hand it over to the police, I'm sure Mr. Alef won't be able to deny it anymore."True, what Sebastian was saying was accurate. With the help of his assistant, Sebastian had been trying to uncover what Alef had been hiding. There were a lot of projects that were hindered, but the costs flowed heavily. Every time Sebastian started digging in, Alef immediately defended himself and spoke with a dismissive attitude as usual."Before you came, Alvin always approved things for me, Sebastian. Remember, you only work here. Do
Fathia let out a slow breath, feeling the nervousness creeping in every time she entered the corridor she had stepped into before—under duress—from the man who still ruled her heart. Sebastian Sachdev.Here, Fathia was sure no one recognized her except for... the owner of the room at the other end of the corridor.Luckily for Fathia, in the four years she worked here, she had never once set foot near the CEO's office at Azure Group; Sebastian Sachdev. Azure Group consisted of five floors, with the 35th floor housing the top executives, including Sebastian. Meanwhile, Jess and Fathia were placed on the 31st floor. In the marketing division, where Kenzo worked as the Marketing Manager.Not so lucky for Jess. Often, their journey home was colored by Jess's grumbling and griping about being tormented by Kenzo. It seemed like that guy had managed to dampen Jess's cheerful days. There was always something Kenzo demanded Jess to do, and what Jess hated the
"I heard he's still in Beverly Hills. His secretary said that on the phone earlier." Fathia didn't divert her gaze from the series of numbers where Jess had found numerous markings some time ago. She still couldn't find any anomalies apart from the significant fund markup."Did you clean the area there?"Fathia glanced briefly, nodded slowly. "Just now, because Lannie wasn't there. Bu Lynn asked for coffee, so I delivered it."Jess nodded in agreement. "I heard from Biyan, you know, right?"The girl, who had been immersed in her work again, now straightened up. Her gaze locked onto Jess intently. "Yeah, our supervisor, right? Why?""She said that whether it's an office boy or an office girl, there's always a late shift that ends at 10 PM. Only a few people are assigned, it's like a rotation."Fathia continued to listen."I think... if I approach Biyan to secure that shift for us, we can access the archive room, Fathia."That th
Don't ask about Jess's response when they're in the cafeteria for lunch. Her laughter is so loud and boisterous. Not to mention, she's wiping the corners of her eyes that are wet from tears, not because she's crying. Not at all. But she finds it funny listening to all the stories Fathia just told."Can you stop?" Fathia has rotated her eyes in annoyance so many times she's lost count. This time, her lunch isn't extra cheesy pasta. For some reason, the spicy chicken dish is really tempting. Eating at one of the cafes not far from the Energy Building, but with a quick time limit because they both know that eating out in a situation like this could be considered suspicious."Ah... if you miss him, just say it honestly, Fathia."Fathia snorted irritably. Stirring the remnants of her strawberry smoothie, she glanced briefly at the watch on her wrist. "Come on. Let's go back."With a sigh, Jess finished her meal. Along the way back to the office, Jess chuckled
"Sir," Biyan greets softly. He doesn't want to disturb his big boss for too long. Throughout his years of working here, he's avoided interacting with Sebastian. Not without reason, the guy has an aura that makes Biyan's confidence suddenly shrink. Even now, when Sebastian raises his gaze from the report he's reading.His gaze as sharp as an eagle's, ready to strike him down if he makes a mistake. Biyan nervously swallows."Starting today, Anne is in my office. Cleaning the 35th floor, Biyan. Also, place two others here to assist her."Biyan blinks slowly but doesn't dare voice his confusion. On the floor where all the directors of Group Azure are located, indeed two staff members are assigned to clean and ensure all the rooms are neat and tidy. But if three people are on this floor? Isn't that excessive?"Understood, Biyan?""Got it, sir," Biyan startles but quickly thinks about how to arrange his subordinates on each floor. Even though they've jus
"What did you tell Mr. Sebastian?" Fathia presses again. She needs an answer that can put her mind at ease. Because today, Sebastian's behavior has made her feel like he knows who she is."I didn't say anything, Miss. I swear," Naomi says with the same words she's been using since the young miss arrived, bombarding her with urgent-sounding questions. Looking at her, the miss's lips pucker. She sits with a hint of annoyance, avoiding Naomi's gaze. The middle-aged woman can only let out a soft sigh. "Is something wrong, Miss?""What do you mean, something's wrong? At the office, Sebastian acted as if he knew it was me. But I haven't even told him that I'm Fathia. My plan could get messed up," Fathia complains with a long exhale."Listen, Fathia dear," This time, Jess speaks up. Taking a seat right beside Fathia. They can both breathe a sigh of relief because it's Friday night, and Kenzo won't be coming back home; he's going to his parents' house. "How long have yo
"Sit down here, quick!"Fathia pouted again. "Next time, I'll ask Aunt Naomi to get a different cookie jar. You cheated.""You're quick with food problems. You're really slow with Clara issues.""Why, though?"Despite the teasing, Jess still recounted the conversation they had at the dining table. Fathia was hit with surprise. She hadn't expected that this time the conversation would be about her Aunt, Larasati."Do you know Aunt Laras? I mean, do you know her well?"Jess's answer to Fathia's question was a shake of the head. "I've never been close to Uncle Alef's family.""I think we really need to plan this out.""Oh my gosh, Jess. We're like detectives.""Hey! We need to. Clearly, we're in the middle of a tangled web. We're just starting to unravel it, and we're already feeling overwhelmed, right? If we don't make a plan and set goals, we won't get answers anytime soon.""How about the archives?"Jess sn