[3]

In Levi's life, the figure lying weak with an IV line in their hand is both a blessing and a curse. There's a tremendous anger considering who this person is and where they come from. But truly, every time those bright light brown eyes look at him a certain way, the man kneels. All the anger he has dissipates. Especially when that hand touches Levi's face and asks, "Is work okay?"

God!

Can Levi be given one chance to redo life? It doesn't matter from what era, as long as he doesn't take the incredibly foolish path and decisions in the past.

"Sir," someone Levi recognizes calls. He just glances briefly, then refocuses his attention on the figure lying in this bed. Feeling no response, once again, the voice's owner says, "You can go home, sir. I'll take care of Miss Echa."

Levi smiles thinly. "Go home. Let me take care of Echa."

"But, sir." Merry, the nanny of his child, is a bit insistent. She knows the man in front of her clearly has a very high workload. "Tomorrow, sir will have to—"

"I'm fine, Merry. You go home. Let me take care of Echa tonight. You must be more tired than me."

Merry can't argue anymore. Levi's statement is final. Even if she insists, it would only provoke the wrath of her employer.

"All right, sir. I'll take my leave."

It doesn't take long for Merry to leave Alesyha Kirei’s hospital room. Leaving a silence that allows Levi to hear the ticking of the clock and the cooling machine in the room. Also, a monitor that monitors the condition of his daughter.

Even though Echa hasn't had a relapse of her habit of self-harm for a long time. Every time she gets anxious, hears too loud noises, or things that frighten her, the child resorts to extreme actions. Tightly pulling her hair. Scratching her arms until her wounds are wide open. The worst is banging her head against the wall until she's injured.

Like yesterday afternoon.

Once again, he sighed softly. He pulled the chair with careful movements to avoid making any disturbing noise, then sat by his daughter's side. He took the hand where the IV line was attached. He caressed it affectionately and kissed it with love.

"Echa, what's wrong? Is there something bad? Tell Daddy, sweetheart."

He closed his eyes, holding back the pain that now struck his heart strongly.

"You really want to have a child, don't you?"

Levi rubbed his face in frustration. "But she's not my child!"

"What's the difference? A child, right? I gave her to you, Levi. I gave her!"

"Damn woman!" Levi cursed, not caring about the place they were at that moment.

"Damn? Am I damn? You're the damn one, Levi!" The woman smirked. "That's your child. Just like you wanted. Wanted a child, right? I've given her."

***

His arrival was greeted with silence. Tata was somewhat surprised, actually. Normally, the sound of the coffee machine owned by the boss would have been heard by now.

"Good morning, Mrs. Tata," greeted Bambang, the office boy who specifically cleaned this area. In his hands was a tray containing Tata's tumbler and a cup of warm tea. "I'll leave it here, ma'am."

"Thank you." Tata smiled. "Oh, by the way, has Mr. Levi arrived in his office?"

"Not yet, ma'am."

Unusual, thought Tata.

"I'll excuse myself."

Tata nodded briefly. She let the man in the blue uniform leave her office. Her eyes returned to the glass room where the owner hadn't arrived yet. Alexander Christie on his left wrist already pointed to 8:10. Just as Tata was about to initiate sending a message to her boss, his name appeared on her phone screen.

Levi:

Today, I'm taking a day off. There's an urgent matter. If there's anything urgent, send it to my email immediately.

Her fingers quickly danced on the flat screen of her phone. Although there was a question in Tata's mind, it wasn't her concern. Yesterday, they had a regular meeting. Although she admitted that the boss seemed to sigh softly several times while looking at his phone screen. As if something happened yesterday afternoon. Maybe... is that what's bothering him?

But, what does she care? None.

Samanta:

Okay, sir.

She placed the phone back in the first drawer of her desk. The seconds kept ticking, and there was still a lot of work for Tata to do. The results of yesterday's evening meeting haven't been summarized yet.

Without realizing it, lunchtime was approaching. Perhaps due to the continuous influx of work into her email, not to mention occasional discussions with Levi over the phone, there were several things that Tata couldn't decide right away.

"What I mentioned earlier, make sure to highlight it in the report later, Ta," Levi said on the other end.

"Okay, sir."

"It's lunchtime, Ta. Just go ahead and eat. I can wait for the report."

Tata grinned slightly. "Alright, sir."

"Daddy, no. No. No. Not that."

"Be patient, Echa. Daddy will talk for a moment. Daddy's not going anywhere."

Ah... it turns out it's because of Echa. Even though Tata has never seen her in person, Levi's profile picture clearly shows how his only child looks like.

"I'll hang up now, sir. I'll email you as soon as I finish the report."

"Thank you, Ta."

After such a conversation, Levi immediately ended the call. Tata herself quickly organized the scattered files. At least when she left the room, it wouldn't be too messy.

The small bag she usually used for her wallet and phone had already been slung over her shoulder. She walked leisurely towards the elevator that would take her down to the basement. Occasionally, she greeted the marketing division staff separated by a partition and a long table on the right side of her room. Basic greetings never escaped Tata's lips.

"Hi, Ta," greeted Yessy. Although they were in different divisions, Tata was quite close to her. Also, Peony, who was never far from Yessy. Both of them were in the same division; finance. Their room was opposite Tata's.

"Where are you eating?" Tata asked with a smile.

"Uh... Why are your lips like that? Are you injured?"

Tata didn't expect to get that question. Since morning, she had been trying to cover the wound she got last night. She felt she had successfully concealed it, but why did Yessy see it clearly?

"Ah, it's nothing. Just a canker sore."

Peony's response was a laugh.

"Pretty intense, huh, last night?"

Tata just smiled. She knew the direction of Peony's conversation. Rarely did she share matters of the heart and turmoil in her life with others. Especially with colleagues in her office. It's not impossible that her story will become the latest gossip they always wait for, right?

Only to one person did Tata entrust the story that revolves around her life. Unfortunately, for some time to come, she won't be able to pour out her heart. Jenni, her best friend, is busy managing her business out of town.

"Oh, it's a shame Mr. Levi didn't come in," Yessy complained. "I purposely wore this soft shirt. Who knows if his eyes would glance at me."

"Dream on!" Peony teased.

The three of them are already inside the elevator. Fortunately, the metal box is only occupied by them. Usually, around lunchtime, the lift is crowded with other employees from this building heading to the destination; the basement cafeteria.

"Dreams are allowed. Besides, I'm single. Who knows if Mr. Levi is interested in making me his wife," Peony jokes.

Tata, listening to their banter, just laughs faintly. She's too used to hearing how the staff at ShopaShop wants to catch the attention of Levi Mathias. Often, she's asked how to approach him, a question that makes Tata bewildered. Is there a special way to approach a man?

"Moreover, Yes, are you ready to be a stepmother? Mr. Levi has a child, right? Echa its Mr. Levi’s daughter," Peony speaks with a doubtful tone. "Do you guys know his daughter?"

"The important thing is to be Mr. Levi's wife," Yessy says with a wide smile.

"Are you ready to be a stepmother to an autistic child?" Peony deliberately lowers her voice.

Peony's statement makes Tata turn her head and furrow her brows, while Yessy stares in disbelief.

"Really?"

Peony immediately covers Yessy's mouth, coinciding with the opening elevator door. They step out and walk along the corridor.

"Are you sure?" Yessy still seems curious. Since they left the elevator, none of them have spoken or asked anything.

"Yeah." Peony says confidently. "My source gave valid information about this. Right, Ta?"

Tata herself doesn't really know her boss and his daughter personally. Their relationship is purely professional. If asked about their personal lives, both Tata and Levi seem to agree that there's a boundary that shouldn't be crossed. Just a surface level knowledge.

"Don't really know," Tata says honestly.

"Come on, you're so clueless. You're so close to Mr. Levi. How can you not know that he has an autistic child?" Yessy is puzzled.

Tata smiles wryly. "Even if it's true, is there a problem?"

Peony sighs softly, while Yessy still can't believe the news she just heard.

"No wonder Mr. Levi doesn't want to be approached. Maybe he's insecure because he has an autistic child. Or ashamed?" Peony asks, shrugging.

Yessy seems to want to speak, but refrains. Unlike Tata, who enjoys her lunch today. For her, it's not her concern.

"Besides that," Peony puts down her spoon slowly, "what I heard is that Mr. Levi's ex-wife just left him like that."

"Because of having an autistic child?" Yessy asks innocently. "Oh, that's so mean!"

"How would I know the reason!" Peony sighs. "But one thing's for sure, Mr. Levi has an aversion to women. So, Yess, bury your crush on Mr. Levi deep down. It's pointless."

Yessy pouts.

Even though this is the first time Tata has heard this news, she truly doesn't care. There are many things she can think about rather than gossip about the boss. Starting from cheap gossips like Levi's favorite shirt brand to this very private matter. Where did Peony get this news, anyway? Tata can't figure it out.

The phone ringing makes Tata pause her lunch. She immediately reaches for the small bag always by her side.

Nilam:

Ta, this evening transfer money for Mom's medicine. Ottis said to ask you. Why am I in this mess? Ottis also has to give a portion of his salary to Mom. Why are you holding everything?