[5]

Ottis:

I'm coming home late. Office stuff.

Tata falls silent, staring at her phone. Unconsciously, her fingers scroll through the conversation thread with her husband. Nothing unusual, just lately Ottis has been coming home late more often. Sometimes he texts, sometimes his reason is forgetfulness. The woman doesn't want to argue with her husband too much.

There's a sense of fatigue every time she brings up the issue. Ottis always corners it with one sentence. "You're busy too, right? I am too."

Tata doesn't want to neglect her husband. The demands of her job are like that. But even with lengthy explanations, Ottis refuses to accept. Instead of making her heart even more tired, it's better to stay silent and continue her duty; serving her husband when he comes home from work. She sighs softly. She puts her phone in her desk drawer. She picks up the scattered pieces of focus once again.

Human Greatness has approved all the instructions from the marketing division. Not to mention a few brands that are already running but still under their surveillance. Periodically, Tata still has to report to Levi about these clients they're handling.

The intercom softly sounds, catching Tata's attention. The boss's extension appears on the indicator screen. "Yes, Sir?"

"We need to discuss something briefly, Ta."

Tata blinks slowly. "Is... there an issue, Sir?"

"It's quite urgent."

"About?" Tata starts to wonder.

"Acame. Prepare the files, Ta. Check the January graphs. They're complaining."

"Alright, Sir."

Shortly after, the call disconnects. Tata quickly prepares what Levi asked for earlier. Also, a few points she can provide after reviewing Acame's graphs. Nothing seems odd from her perspective, but why does Levi want to discuss this?

They discuss Acame for quite some time; of course, not just the two of them. The marketing division consists of four teams. Since this one relates to electronics and gadgets, they discuss it with Ridwan. According to him, they've followed the existing procedures. However, dealing with Acame has been somewhat troublesome from the beginning.

They want sales to balance out the expenses incurred to elevate their brand. Especially since ShopaShop made a separate offer for any brand featured on the ShopaShop app homepage. Acame feels there are indications of fraud. They also attach responses from other similar brands they sell, but their responses have been quite positive.

The problem is, their accusations aren't directly aimed at the marketing team or ShopaShop management. Instead, they're directed at the BoD and the appointed lawyer.

"It's not logical, Sir, to blame IT and the agreed-upon promo slots. Ridiculous!" Ridwan retorts, with his hands clasped. "Their quality might just not be that good," Ridwan quickly opens the Acame product reviews section. "See?" He hands the phone to Levi, who occasionally nods in understanding.

"Do you have everything noted down, Ta? We'll compare tomorrow."

"We're filing an appeal, Sir?"

Ridwan looks surprised. He didn't expect the issue to be urgent enough. Levi just responds with a thin smile.

"Yeah. Get ready with what I asked for earlier. We'll wait for the IT team to explain too."

"Got it, Sir." Everything in Levi's workspace speaks in unison. Then, they get back to dealing with this issue, making sure not to miss finding the best way out. Although some of them believe it's just weird accusations, the data speaks for itself.

Shortly after, the IT team arrives. Everyone listens to the explanation given. It further solidifies their belief that Acame is just making baseless accusations. Tata doesn't miss anything in her notes. Also, a few things she finds unfamiliar from the IT team. Feeling like Levi has all the information he needs, the impromptu discussion ends.

Although later Tata will spare some time on her way home to make a final summary, at least the Acame case finds a resolution.

"If there's an impromptu meeting this afternoon, are you ready, Ta?" Levi asks before the woman leaves her room. One by one, the other staff members have left. Only Tata remains busy jotting down a few things.

"To Acame?"

"Yeah."

Tata falls silent for a moment. "Sure thing, Sir. Let me finish this first."

"Are you driving?"

"No, Sir," Tata says, shaking her head slightly. "I can just take a taxi later."

"Oh, I thought you weren't driving because your husband would pick you up later, Ta?"

His words seem to make Tata realize something. When was the last time Ottis picked her up? But to cover up this sudden question, she forces a thin smile.

"Yeah, if my husband doesn't pick me up later, I can just take a taxi."

Levi just nods. "Alright. I'll wait for you to finish. One hour okay?"

Sometimes... her boss doesn't know when to take a break. He always wants to go full throttle. It's not just walking anymore; with him, you have to be ready to run. Whenever and however; Levi's sprint must be matched by her.

***

The meeting with Acame earlier went smoothly. They tried to understand what Levi and Tata conveyed at the impromptu meeting this evening. Although there was a little debate, Levi didn't leave any room for his statements to be refuted. Because according to him, all the procedures at ShopaShop have been properly followed. Tata isn't too worried about how her boss wins the battle with the client. In terms of benefit, Acame needs ShopaShop as the number one third party in Indonesia as a bridge.

Unfortunately, the journey back to the office had to be diverted to the hospital because of a sudden call from Merry. Echa was hysterical again. Even though it hasn't been long since their daughter left the hospital. Her condition is gradually improving. The wound on her head and hands has started to dry. Although she's much quieter than before. Much more sensitive than usual, preferring to keep to herself and not wanting to be disturbed.

"Not good! Not good!"

Levi sighs heavily. "Echa, it's Daddy."

"Not good! Mean! Mean! Stop! Not good! Hurt!"

Levi has received countless blows from his daughter's tiny fists. Her bright brown eyes are filled with tears. Her gaze angry with rage. Her short hair, usually clipped with butterfly clips, is now messy and slightly damp in some places; sweating.

"Mean! Mean! Everyone! Echa! Echa! Hurt!"

"Echa," Levi calls gently. "It's Daddy, Sweetie."

"What Daddy! Office. Daddy. Daddy's at the office."

"Daddy's here, Sweetie." Levi tries to make eye contact with Echa who's still sobbing. "It's Daddy. Can you hear Daddy's voice?"

The girl starts to calm down, though her eyes keep staring at the ceiling of her hospital room, but at least she looks at Levi a few times, even if only for a split second.

"Daddy?"

"Yeah," Levi says patiently. He gently wipes her tear-dampened cheek. He also asks Merry to give him a wet tissue. Swiftly, it's Tata who helps.

Tata, trapped in Levi's car, can't just get out. Coinciding with the one-way lane where cars can't just turn around. Her intention was to take a taxi back to the office once they arrived at the hospital. However, for some reason, she's really curious because of Levi's anxious expression throughout the journey to this white-painted building.

As soon as the boss enters the ward, that anxiety is immediately dispelled. It's replaced by a smile and readiness very different from what Tata has seen since the journey to the hospital.

"Thank you," Levi seems to just notice that Tata is in the room. "Where's Merry?"

"It seems like she's gone out, Sir."

Levi nods briefly. He focuses on his daughter again. "Echa knows it's Daddy." The girl falls silent, there's still a trace of sobbing on her shoulder. "Wanna talk?"

There's no response from Echa.

"Does Echa want Daddy's hug?"

"No," Echa replies shortly. "Desta took Holy. Desta's mean. Echa hit, Echa's hurt."

Levi smiles thinly. "Holy's back. Merry asked Desta nicely. Maybe Desta borrowed it?"

"No! Desta took it!"

"Okay," Levi pulls Echa into his embrace. There's a possibility his daughter might have another hysterical outburst. "Should we talk while listening to a story?"

"Daddy's going to the office?"

Levi smiles very thinly. "Daddy's gonna stay with Echa for now. Daddy'll go to the office later."

Tata's eyes never leave the interaction between the two in front of her. The fleeting casual conversation with Yessy and Peony echoes back. So that news... it's true? Levi has a daughter with special needs.

But that's not what makes her unable to divert her gaze. The man she knows in the office is different. Very different. He appears incredibly patient facing the little girl beside him. Sincerity radiates from his usually stern and rigid gaze. In front of his daughter, Levi is much more humane than his everyday self at the office.

However, it doesn't feel right for Tata to keep being here. She chooses to leave and go home. She orders an online taxi and bids farewell to Levi through a message. Rather than interrupting what seems like an engaging conversation there, it feels much less ethical. She can continue her remaining work in the morning.

Well... they both seem to not want to be disturbed.

"Ta," Levi calls out, causing Tata's steps to halt. Just one or two more steps, she would've left the ward. "Hey? Where are you going?"

Tata turns around with an awkward smile.

"I... am heading home, Sir."

"Echa, wait a sec, alright? Daddy's gonna talk to Daddy's friend first."

"Friend?" Echa asks, blinking innocently. "Daddy's friend... Echa's friend."

Levi laughs. "Wanna meet her? Echa not scared?"

Tata smiles as her eyes meet the figure she's been observing. "Hi," Tata greets first. She takes a step closer, trying to align her height with the little girl's. Echa herself looks at the woman with a somewhat unfocused gaze, but she realizes the woman is a stranger in her life.

"What's her name?" Tata asks as she extends her hand. She never expected that...

"Echa!"