Chapter 3

It was not just the tragedy in Nora's room that made Tera explode in emotions this morning, but also the fact that she had been treated as he pleased that made her uncontrollably explode.

How not?

She had been through hell for the past two years!

Tera, whose real name is Tera Hudson, worked as a Personal Assistant to Big Boss Sebastian Lim, who is the CEO of the City Trust Bank and Trust Group. The man is the sole heir and supporter of Trust Group's success inherited from his father and grandfather, Lim's pioneer.

Trust Group is a large company based in Singapore and has many branches, not only banks but also various other types of businesses and investments spread throughout the Asian region. Trust Group is a bona fide corporation that is the dream of many people.

Three years ago, Tera was one of the dream owners. After graduating from a scholarship she got in Singapore, she immediately applied for a job at Trust Group for the International Market Analyst position. Her dreams were very high, she wanted to be a successful market analyst and have a bright and shining career path like the moonlight in the darkness of the night.

Tera passed through the entire strict and lengthy selection process easily, not only because of her high GPA, reputable alma mater, but also accompanied by Tera's ability in the field she studied at her campus. Tera completed a three-month internship program during her college days at a company and handled the same field, making Tera master various ins and outs of the international market.

For two years, Tera worked peacefully under the auspices of the International Market Analysis division, until suddenly a meteor fell to Earth and turned the wheat field into delicious chocolate cake. No, Tera is not that cruel to describe her life like an advertisement she often watches on Indonesian TV channels - in her hometown where her family lives.

But the accurate definition to describe her life is just like that advertisement. Her life changed dramatically from whole wheat to delicious chocolate cake!

Delicious, but ...

Her dreams were delayed and everything changed beyond control. Although the wheat field turned into a delicious chocolate cake, Tera's wallet became thicker after becoming the CEO's Personal Assistant, although there were many advances in her life and economy, this was not her dream. The Personal Assistant position is not Tera's goal for working at this company.

Her dream is to become a master in the field of market analysts. Tera wants to become a supervisor, manager, and even director of that division.

What Tera wants is the career ladder promised during the initial recruitment period!

But now, all of it disappears without a trace!

Her life changed just because of one person who is the most annoying person in the world.

Sebastian Lim!!!

The boss from hell who has been disturbing her life for the past year!

"Huh ..."

Tera sighed tiredly, then stirred the black coffee that had mixed with hot water. Her hands were leaning on the pantry table, while her eyes were looking at the crowds on the nineteenth floor.

On this floor is the international market analysis division. They were busy with meetings and exchanging opinions with each other. Every room in this building is only separated by transparent glass walls, making the entire floor look vast and open.

All employees can see each other's activities openly. There is no chance to do anything weird in this building because the transparent design makes everyone able to monitor the behavior of each individual who occupies it.

Tera pondered for a moment while enjoying the aroma of coffee that could lower her emotions. The aroma that always managed to make Tera feel calm.

"If a year ago the meteor didn't hit my life, maybe I would still be playing in the wheat field with my colleagues in my division ..." murmured Tera while looking at her friends. "And I wouldn’t have to face the boss from hell every day ..."

Tera's thoughts drifted to the incident that brought her to the Personal Assistant position. That day, she was running frantically before the meeting started, but Tera's steps stopped when she heard the crying of a sad toddler.

Tera then searched for the source of the sound and found a baby who was crying in a lying position on the floor. Tera approached the child and only then realized that the baby was Nora Lim. The only daughter of Sebastian Lim who was with her nanny named Sofia.

Sofia is trying to convince Nora to go home so as not to disturb her father who is working. But Nora refuses and throws a tantrum until she falls and cries even more vehemently. Seeing Sofia struggling to deal with the tantruming child makes Tera feel sympathetic and wants to help Sofia. Tera persuades Nora with gentleness, but it doesn't work on Nora. The toddler is a very spoiled child, and everyone always treats her gently, saying "Yes" to all her demands, which makes Nora unused to accepting any kind of rejection from those around her.

That day, for the first time, someone said "No" very firmly to Nora. Not only that, Tera also persuaded Nora with firmness that made the toddler stop crying instantly and become silent. Nora looked at Tera fearfully but full of curiosity.

"Don't be afraid of me, lovely. I just want you to stop crying and go home with big sister Sofia," Tera's words were persuasive but firm. This child must understand that the world does not revolve around her life alone.

"I don't want to go!" the child protested while sobbing.

"Why don't you want to go?"

"Nora wants to be with Daddy here."

"Daddy is working, he will come home after he finishes work. You can ask big sister Sofia to go to the office to pick up Daddy later this afternoon, how about that?"

The compromise made Nora think for a moment, but the stubborn child still shook her head. "I don't want to be alone at home."

"There's big sister Sofia. You aren't alone. Come on, sweetie. I will take you to the car."

"No! Nora wants to be with Daddy!" protested Nora, but strangely the child still accepted Tera's offer and even signaled with her small hands to be carried by Tera.

Tera raised her eyebrows instantly, but she didn't wait long before carrying Nora in her arms.

"You can play with big sister Sofia at home, and also learn. Later, when you grow up, you have to go to school. Have to be smart like Daddy. Okay?"

"Okay... but I misses Daddy," the child said in a very sad voice.

"Daddy didn't come home last night, that's why Nora is acting like this," Sofia whispered to Tera.

"Daddy is busy working, dear. Has meetings in Indonesia, America, everywhere... when you grow up, you will be taken along. Be patient, okay..." Tera persuaded while wiping Nora's teary cheeks.

Nora pouted and didn't answer, but it seemed that the child understood and leaned her chin on Tera's shoulder.

Sofia and Tera turned to leave for the front lobby, but they were surprised to see Sebastian standing silently watching everything. "Sir..." Sofia exclaimed fearfully.

"Boss..." Tera greeted calmly.

"Daddy!" Nora shouted.

Nora, who was limp, became excited.

"Daddy, will you go home with me?" the child asked expectantly.

Sebastian just smiled a little, then reached out his hands and took Nora from Tera's arms. The single dad looked very tired, his eyes were sleepy, and his clothes were wrinkled. Apparently, he had just returned from somewhere and had not had time to tidy up.

"No, I have a meeting by ten o'clock. Nora just wait for Daddy, we will go home together," he said.

"Yay!" Nora exclaimed happily.

Tera also smiled happily.

"What is your name?" Big boss asked Tera.

"Tera, Boss. I'm from the International Market Analysis Division."

Sebastian nodded, his eyes up and down, examining the woman's appearance until Tera shrank in insecurity.

"Take care of my child while I'm in a meeting," Sebastian ordered Tera. "It seems that she likes being in your arms. This rarely happens."

That sentence was like lightning in the morning that made Tera stare like a fool, "But..."

"But what?" Sebastian asked lazily.

"I have a morning meeting, Boss. An important meeting with my division..."

"Reschedule it. The International Market Analysis Division can wait. Extend the time until ten o'clock. This woman named Tera will help Sofia take care of my child," Sebastian ordered.

"All right, Boss."