A week has passed since Olive was asked to transfer to the CBD branch. Ever since she received her transfer letter, Olive hasn't been too calm. Several times, she tried to find information about the situation in Jakarta, but always came across one name.
Thomas Dimitry Adam.
"I heard he's the kind of branch manager who's rigid. Not much talk. Not fun, you know. Unlike Bu Sonia."
Olive feels even more nervous.
"But he's the only one who's annoying. The others are cool. Bu Marta, the Deputy Branch Manager, is nice too. Not annoying like him," Riana informed.
"Know-it-all, huh, Riana," Darius said as he took a bite of his lunch. His date invitation failed. Olive declined, citing the shock of receiving the sudden transfer letter. Darius tried to invite Olive to spend time together again, but it always ended in rejection. Sometimes Darius was confused about how far he should take the embarrassment of being rejected multiple times by Olive; he never took it to heart.
"Ugh!" Riana pouted. "I told you this from the most reliable source. Liam is dating Kiara. Kiara is a marketing admin in CBD."
"Oh yeah?" Darius asked, still sounding skeptical.
"If you don't believe it, whatever," Riana said curtly. Meanwhile, Olive, who overheard the debate, just shook her head silently. She was enjoying another serving of meatball soup with instant noodles and bean sprouts, her favorite. Although it was a bit spicy, this meatball soup behind her office would be her last lunch menu in Gajah Mada. She was sure she would bring a different atmosphere to her current office.
She sighed softly, sipping the remaining half of her sweet iced tea.
"Why are you so quiet, Liv? So laid-back?" Riana asked, sounding a bit surprised.
"What can I do?" Olive asked with a chuckle. Once again, she took a big bite of the meatballs and noodles that accompanied her. "I don't have to be sad, right? Besides, Bu Sonia said my probation period as a teller there is three months. Then a test for head teller. Mr. Matthew and Bu Sonia recommended me directly to Mr. Thomas. If he tries to block me, I'll just report him."
Riana nodded slowly. "The rumor is that Mr. Thomas is an old single guy who hasn't married yet. If he's not married, it might be tolerable, but he's never been close to a girl. It's worth questioning, right? Is he gay?"
"Hush!" Olive protested, not liking that. "We shouldn't speculate like that."
"Ew, I'm right, Liv. He's still not married to this day. What I heard, he's already in his forties. So late for marriage, right? But Kiara says Mr. Thomas is extremely handsome."
"Whether he's handsome or not, whether he's married or not, it's not our business, right?" Olive quickly retorted, which made Riana pout even more. But that didn't stop Riana from gossiping about Thomas, even if it was just hearsay.
"I'm sure you can do it, Liv," Darius encouraged while interjecting Riana's comments about Thomas. Darius's words were met with a mocking look from Riana. "Why do you look like that? Do you want me to flirt with you too?"
"Ew! No way. I won't let you flirt with me."
"Enough already. I've been hearing you guys argue the whole time. Just date already," Olive said casually. "You're a perfect match. The Tom and Jerry of Gajah Mada."
"Ew!!!" they both exclaimed in unison.
***
Seira woke up with a pounding headache. She staggered but tried to stand on her feet. Her vision was a bit blurry, which is why she needed something to hold onto.
"Why is Mommy awake?" Olive asked with a puzzled look. "It's still 5 o'clock, Mom."
"Mommy needs to go to the bathroom," she said softly.
"Is Mommy's stomach upset?"
Seira shook her head gently, but then she felt lightheaded because she had been using her hands as support. She pointed to her stomach. There was a very uncomfortable turmoil she felt now. Then... she vomited on the floor.
Olive quickly moved to support her mother to the bathroom. She left the floor that she usually used for her morning prayers dirty, even though she had to hurry to leave. It was her first day at the CBD branch, and she couldn't afford to be late. But her mother's condition needed her presence more.
Olive made sure her mother could clean herself up, although she initially offered help. She didn't want her mother to slip on the floor just because she was unsteady on her feet. The smell of alcohol mixed with nicotine filled the small bathroom, which wasn't very big.
"Mom, stay here for a moment. I'll clean the floor."
Seira could only close her eyes and nod weakly. Her body felt incredibly weak, as if all her strength had vanished into thin air. She could only lean against the wall near the bathroom of her one-bedroom rental. Occasionally, her eyes watched how diligently Olive cleaned the floor she had soiled. Her sense of guilt was beyond measure. If God were to show it all, it would be like foam on the surface of the world's oceans.
"Done, Mom," Olive said with a faint smile. "Come on, let's go back to the room. You should rest. You're off today, right?"
"Yes."
"I also bought breakfast for you. You rushed off last night, even though I had prepared dinner."
Seira grimaced. "Mom forgot there was a promise, honey."
Olive looked at her mother's sad eyes. The dark circles around her eyes made her look even more exhausted. "Next time, don't forget, Mom. You often remind me to eat, but you neglect yourself."
Seira smiled faintly and gently stroked her daughter's forehead. "My child has grown up. I always remember you as a little girl."
Hearing her mother's words, Olive laughed and then said something, as they rarely had the chance to meet. "Mom," Olive said while taking her mother's damp hand. "Pray for me to settle into the new place, okay?"
"Huh?" Seira looked surprised. "Are you resigning?"
"No, Mom, but I've been transferred to the CBD central branch."
At least Olive's recent statement made Seira feel relieved. "Why were you transferred? Did you do something wrong?"
"No, Mom." Olive shook her head firmly. "But I was asked to move there. The next three months will be a reference for me to be promoted to head teller."
Seira's smile, which had been absent, slowly began to appear, albeit faintly. "Promotion, huh?"
"More or less."
Seira hugged Olive tightly. "My prayers will always be with you, dear. You're a good child. I'm so lucky to have you."
"I'm also lucky to have you." Olive returned the hug just as tightly. No matter what others said about her mother, Seira was Olive's version of an incredible woman. With her hands and feet, Olive vowed to put an end to whatever her mother was doing out there.
"Alright, get ready then. Don't be late. Take care of your reputation, dear. The higher someone's position, the greater the responsibilities that come with it. Don't disappoint many people."
Olive nodded quickly.
"The pride of Seira's child must succeed. Don't be like Mom, okay, dear? Please don't."
Before she actually entered the SAVEFUND CBD branch building, Olive observed how different this branch, which would be her new office, was. Perhaps because the area was considered elite, or maybe it was the strategic location of the building, but this blue-tinted glass building looked quite impressive.
Her backpack jingled as she walked inside. She was already wearing her uniform. Her blonde hair was neatly tied up, and she had applied a light layer of makeup. For her first day, she had to meet the deputy branch manager first. There would likely be some advice and a brief introduction before she could start her usual activities.
"Good morning, sir," Olive greeted one of the security guards politely. "I'd like to meet Ms. Marta." She handed him her transfer letter as proof of access to meet the office executives. Not just anyone could meet them; even staff from other branches needed special verified permission beforehand.
Olive let the security guard check the letter she brought. She took a moment to observe the lobby, which was already bustling with customers. The greetings sounded familiar because they were part of the Standard Operating Procedure for customer service in serving clients, whether at the teller or customer service counters. She also noticed the currency counting machines that tellers used to double-check whether the deposited amount matched the manually counted total.
Her eyes occasionally met those of staff members wearing the same uniform as hers. There were wordless smiles welcoming Olive. The blonde-haired girl hoped that she would be well-received here.
"Come on, Miss Olive, let me escort you."
She smiled broadly. "Thank you, Mr. Anton." She briefly glanced at the name on the badge of the security guard's uniform.
"Coincidentally, Ms. Marta is on leave today, Miss. So, Miss Olive will meet with Mr. Thomas directly."
Olive hesitated for a moment as she climbed the stairs. She had doubts creeping in her mind. Was Thomas Adam really as stern as she had heard? Nevertheless, she couldn't turn back now, could she? She had accepted the transfer offer. She had to face what was in front of her. Complaining too much was not an option because the working world was different from her time in college, let alone school.
As they continued up the stairs - Anton had mentioned that Thomas's office was on the fourth floor - they engaged in random conversation, allowing Olive to respond naturally and ease any awkwardness. Finally, they arrived at a glass door with the words 'Branch Manager' displayed, similar to Sonia's office when Olive occasionally visited the branch manager's office there.
"Come in," came a firm and weighty command from inside.
"Well, Miss, please go in," Anton invited Olive to enter the now-open room.
"Good morning, sir," Olive greeted politely. Her eyes fell upon a figure wearing a light grey shirt with a black tie elegantly complementing it.
Olive thought that her new boss might have a few gray hairs on his head, or at least his face would show signs of aging. But Olive was mistaken. When the man in front of her raised his head from the papers he was studying, she was captivated, especially when he removed his square-framed glasses.
The rumors were true; Thomas Adam was indeed handsome, but...
"How long are you planning to stare at me? Don't waste my time. Sit down. Introduce yourself."
Olive blinked slowly. She didn't expect this kind of response from someone she had just met."Are you still going to stand there?" the man interrupted Olive's reverie."Oh, no, sir," Olive replied, folding her lips, trying to smile genuinely, though her heart suddenly felt incredibly heavy. How could her first meeting with her boss give her the impression that her new workplace would be uncomfortable? Oh my gosh! She then walked to the spot indicated by Thomas.Handsome but annoying like this, his level of handsomeness has decreased significantly! Olive grumbled inwardly."This is my transfer letter, sir." Before being asked, Olive had already given the letter to Thomas, who was busy with his reports again. Her mind immediately compared Sonia's and Thomas's treatment."Sonia would never be like this. Geez... it's only the first day, and he's already getting on my nerves!" Olive looked at her interlocutor, who was also her boss."I've read the letter," Thomas said briefly without bothe
Olive pouted, scowling for about five seconds. Her eyes kept darting back and forth between Riana and Darius, clearly annoyed. "Useless friends," she muttered. "Hey, Liv, we are useful. Look, we found out the real gossip," Darius said. "What!" Olive put her spoon down a bit forcefully. She had devoured a bowl of meatball soup with instant noodles that she loved. Though she was full, thinking about the behavior of someone like Thomas earlier made Olive want to eat even more. "Don't let it spread everywhere, okay? I don't want trouble at my new workplace." Riana and Darius laughed even more. "You're taking it too seriously," Riana said while patting Olive's shoulder. "It's not just about being too serious, Na." Olive's shoulder slumped. "He's just so annoying, seriously. Totally different from Mrs. Sonia. I really regret agreeing to this transfer." "It's only been a day, Liv," Darius chimed in. "Aside from the new boss, is there anything
Once again, Olive checked the condition of her house. She didn't want to leave anything behind, especially issues with the stove and electricity. She was very afraid of causing problems because of those two things. And since the distance from her house to her office took up quite a bit of time, she intentionally left much earlier than usual."Hey, Olive, are you heading out already?" Bu Kiran, one of her neighbors, asked. The black bags she was carrying suggested she might have just come from a local store."Yeah, Bu," Olive replied with a friendly smile. "I'm leaving first.""Be careful, Liv. Why are you heading out so early?" Kiran was a bit surprised. In Kiran's eyes, Olive was a good and polite girl, despite her mother..."Yeah, I am. I've moved to an office in the CBD."Kiran simply nodded in response to Olive's words. "The CBD is quite far, isn't it? Well, you take care, Liv."Once again, Olive nodded."Has your mother not woken
Olive stomped her foot in frustration. She hit the innocent motorcycle's seat quite hard. If only she could scream in the parking lot to vent her anger, she would have done it. But Olive was using her wits to behave herself. She didn't want to unleash her desire to curse out her boss right now. And what if someone else heard her and made things even messier?Being humiliated in front of Dela and Ayana was already bad enough.She breathed heavily in frustration, scanning her surroundings. "Argh!" She couldn't take it anymore. "So annoying!!!" She wanted to say: "You damn boss, you're so annoying and jobless!" But she held back. "Oh Lord! Give me plenty of patience! Don't let me grow old in my mind because of this crazy boss!"But Olive couldn't get rid of the image of her boss and his words, still echoing in her mind since earlier.It all started during the busy hours when the queue was quite long, and one of the priority customers wanted to be served firs
Olive winced for a moment as her neighbor tended to her. Her mother still hadn't come home, and she didn't know if her daughter's arm needed medical attention, although it was just a minor injury, it still hurt. Luckily, Olive's neighbor was a kind-hearted person, even though she often criticized Olive and her mother for working in what they considered an unsuitable place. At least someone cared about Olive, right?"If possible, don't go to work tomorrow, dear," Miranda said. She was the neighbor who was tending to Olive's injured arm. Getting pinned under the motorcycle and getting a small scratch on her elbow had caused her a lot of pain on her way home earlier. She decided to leave her motorcycle in the parking lot of the building instead of riding it with her injured hand, a suggestion Yohanes had strongly encouraged (more like forced)."What's the rush, anyway? You acted like you'd seen a ghost." Yohanes laughed as he picked up Olive's fallen motorcycle, the resul
It's been three days since Olive had her motorcycle accident, and her hand is much better now. However, Dela still hasn't returned. The food poisoning, she suffered from left her in a worrying condition. She had tried to be cautious, but it turns out the meal she had contained shrimp. As a result, her whole body swelled up, and she had trouble breathing.Hearing about Dela's condition, Olive really wanted to visit her, even if just for a short while. But what could she do? Even though she could read maps, when she got off work, she was tired and just wanted to get home. It would be dangerous to push herself, wouldn't it?The CBD branch was never short of visitors. There was always someone coming in, and there were always priority customers who made Olive nervous. She didn't want to overexert herself and end up getting sick and needing to take time off work. She didn't want to deal with Thomas again.For some reason, she had to be back in Thomas's office. That da
Thomas hasn't dealt with a stack of money for a long time, whether it's the hundred thousand or fifty thousand bills. But because he has to check the report that Olive made, he's forced to do it. With Ayana and Dela watching, after their last customer has been served, Thomas really makes his statement a reality.Olive can only watch from the outside area, confused and annoyed about why Thomas is being so thorough. In her opinion, the amount of money on hand matches the calculations and the report. But for some reason, Thomas seems to be trying to find a way for Olive to get into new trouble. She's absolutely sure that's what Thomas is up to. Why else would he be talking about his credibility as the new head teller candidate?Oh my goodness! What did Olive do to upset Thomas so much? Is that why her boss is blocking the promotion that was offered to her? Is it because she moved to the CBD branch? Is that what he wants? If only grumbling in front of him while he counts m
Matthew couldn't stop laughing, even though what they were discussing wasn't all that funny. Or was it ridiculous? Who knows? But Matthew really didn't want to lose his sense of humor over this."You seem quite amused, sir," Thomas remarks as he sips his coffee. "I'm just stating the facts.""Yeah, I know." Matthew tries to compose himself. He clears his throat briefly and looks back at Thomas. "But why is the report I received different, then?"Thomas just shrugs. "You should ask Ms. Sonia about that.""But so far, her work has been, okay?""Just okay isn't enough, right, sir?" Thomas voices his concern again. This is about Olive. Who else could they be talking about that's making Thomas a little annoyed? Why is this girl the topic of discussion? After all, meeting with Matthew isn't just about discussing Olive, right?"I understand, Thomas." Matthew puts down his cup. "As long as it doesn't cause problems in the CBD, I think it's okay."
Seira adjusts her glasses again. She wraps Olive to move away from the grave while whispering to pay attention to her steps. She doesn't want Olive to slip, even though the cemetery area is dry. There's nothing to worry about, but still, Seira doesn't want to take any risks.Before she truly leaves the grave of the woman who was once part of her life, Seira says, "I forgive you. Forgive me for not being the prideful daughter-in-law like Marissa, okay? I could only work at home and spend Tedy's money. Yes. That's just how Seira is. May you rest in peace."Olive can't stop staring at the large bowl of beef soup with broth. It contains carrot slices and sprinkles of fried onions and fresh slices of scallions. Olive inhales the aroma emanating from her ordered bowl several times."It's still hot, Bee," Thomas warns."Yeah, Sweetie." Olive grins satisfactorily. "The aroma is so delicious.""This beef soup place is Papa's favorite, Olive," Robert says wi
The gentle breeze brushing against Seira, she doesn't care at all. Her red hair has changed, much darker than the color she used before. But when she could enjoy the result in the mirror's reflection, it turns out to be truly suitable for her face. Koni said she looks much fresher.I don't know. She doesn't take the praise seriously or not. Not that she doesn't want to appreciate it, Koni always praises her every time she wears something new. So, according to her thinking, whatever Seira wears always fits her perfectly. Blessed with a face with a fairly sharp jawline, a pointed nose, and perfectly round eyes, sharply staring at her interlocutors, plus her beautifully split lips, making Seira even at her current age, as if time has stopped near her."I didn't expect you to come too."Since earlier, the man who met Seira right in front of this public cemetery gate didn't talk much. Not that he didn't want to, just greeting seems to be lost somewhere. All he could
"You always want more from me.""Come on." She nudges her husband's back gently. "I'm gonna make some smoothies. You want some, right?""Whatever you make, I'll eat it."Before Robert truly leaves the kitchen area, Seira grabs his arm. This makes Robert furrow his brow. "What's up? Earlier you wanted me to leave for work right away?"Seira's smile widens. She steps closer and when she's right in front of Robert, she gives him a quick peck as a form of encouragement. Unfortunately, Robert isn't content with just getting his lips wet."God, just be enough for his heart. Don't let anyone else break us apart. Make this man the only one who loves me with all his heart. It's only You I ask."***Olive grins widely. Like a lottery winner who just hit the jackpot today. Her eyes refuse to go anywhere else but to the printout of the ultrasound she just had. Even though she's still sitting on the edge of the examination bed. Listening, albeit n
This morning in Sydney, it's been pouring pretty heavily. The droplets drenching the smallest continent in the world have been hitting since last night. The weather forecast says it's better for folks to stay indoors. They're saying there might even be a pretty strong storm hitting. Seira's not bothered, though, about being inside this spacious unit.Two bedrooms and a kitchen area with plenty of food stocks keep her from getting too bored. She actually makes good use of it. She spends a lot of her time doing yoga. She doesn't need a private instructor. She declined because for her, she just needs privacy. Plus, there are plenty of tutorials she can watch on YouTube channels.Unless she's back in Senayan. Maybe the private issue with a special instructor is something she can consider. Honestly, Seira isn't too fluent in English. She can't just say yes or no! Oh God! Just remembering it makes her stomach suddenly cramp.That's why she chooses to be alone. She onl
Thomas's smile widens. "Patience, okay?" He then releases his hold on Olive's face. He chooses to tightly hold his wife's hand, intertwining their fingers, one of which has their wedding ring on."First, you're the most beautiful. This isn't a lie. Among all the women I've been close to, you're the winner." What Thomas says is the truth. Even when she's pregnant, although her belly hasn't grown too much yet, it seems like Olive has gained some weight. Proof is her chubby cheeks.But it doesn't matter. For Thomas, she's even sexier now. Plus, Olive's body is fuller and perfect for cuddling all night long. Even though sometimes he wonders, Thomas still goes along with whatever Olive eats within her control.Her mother says, "You're lucky, Thomas, Olive isn't picky about food. Thank God, Mrs. Giana, you know her, right? Lina? When she was pregnant with her second child, she couldn't eat at all. Had to be on IV. Weak all the time until she became skinny. Pitiful to
Olive pouts. There's really no remedy to coax a smile out of her, even a little. It feels like her heart is wrapped in annoyance and being overly emotional. Well... why not? The day she feared has arrived.Wait.A frightening day? Is there such a thing?For Olive, there are days when she feels like she no longer has Thomas's attention. It's like being in a long-distance relationship, not seeing each other for a long time. Especially not being able to see his face while he's at Senayan. Oh God! Sometimes Olive does tend to overdramatize things, but what can she do? She really feels that way.It's been two weeks since her mother's wedding. Almost every day, Seira keeps her updated, and Olive herself often gets absorbed in gossiping through the airwaves. Even though there are often signal problems, Olive doesn't mind. Proof is, she just enjoys spending a lot of time chatting with her mom, especially after work.She shares a lot with her mother, especi
"Hi, Wife," Robert greets when their eyes finally meet. Full of closeness and intimacy. Even their breaths seem to greet each other's faces."Hi, Husband," Seira replies just as warmly."Finally, today has arrived."Seira smiles tightly."Darling, last night's anger wasn't continued."The woman's brow furrows slightly."If it continues, I won't deny my words about smudging your lipstick.""Why so quiet?" Robert asks, slightly loosening their embrace. "Did I not hug you enough last night?""You're always talking nonsense, aren't you, Ro?" Seira says with a chuckle. "Come on, Johan must have been waiting since earlier, right?"Robert laughs. "When else will I get the chance to see Seira blush again?""Ro!"***Their journey to Sydney was accompanied by several family members, including Olive, whose in-laws also joined to see them off for a while."Don't forget to keep in touch, Mom," Olive says
Robert's departure back to Sydney couldn't be postponed. Besides having many projects that needed to be completed urgently, the man also prepared a special trip for himself and Seira."Nothing left behind, right?" Robert double-checked before they headed to the car Johan had prepared."Nah, I don't think so," Seira replied softly, but her eyes glanced again at the two large suitcases already at the apartment door. Her mind smoothly recalled the contents of the suitcases and what needed to be brought. "I'm pretty sure not," she said with a faint smile."Is Olive coming to see us off?""Yeah, she is," Seira laughed. "Wouldn't want to miss the moment waving goodbye to me, Ro."Robert just smiled thinly. His eyes focused on Seira standing by his side, showing a radiant face just for him. She looked even prettier in Robert's eyes, although he knew this dress she was wearing had been worn before. But it seemed different this
"Delicious or super delicious, Sir," Darius quickly responds. "Olive's taste buds don't know the word 'not delicious'. Everything is delicious to her. That's why inviting Olive to eat is the most fun. Not much comment. Before you know it, her plate is empty."Thomas chuckles. What Darius said is true, isn't it? It's rare to hear Olive comment on the taste of food that's already been ordered. Instead, she says it's a shame if it's not finished. A waste. It's a sin to waste food, she says. Better to go into her stomach.The problem is, no matter how much Olive eats, her body doesn't widen sideways. She remains slim and unchanged. When Thomas first met Olive, his wife rarely exercised. Thomas is confused, huh."Shut up!" Olive glares, not pleased. "Instead of worrying about my appetite, you better tell me what you've tried at the food booths over there. What's good?""If you like Zuppa Soup, I think it's good," Riana quickly says, pointing to the place on th