“What?” Kiran stared at her mother in shock from her hospital bed. “Jevan? He wants to see me?”
Kiran’s mother nodded. “Yep, he’s at the door right now with Paskal.”
“He’s already at the door?!”
Her mother leaned in closer to Kiran and whispered, “Listen, last night, I was so focused on you that I didn’t get a good look at him or ask about him. I didn’t realize he was Jevan, the lad from the orphanage near our place. Kiran, I was taken aback seeing how grown-up and handsome he’s become. My heart skipped a beat when I saw him. Can you believe it? He’s the one who footed the bill for this posh hospital room for you.”
“Mom, he’s also the big shot at Baven Group, the company that axed me!” Kiran snapped as she noticed her mother’s smile.
Panicked, she leaped out of bed and dashed toward the bathroom sink. There, she hastily attempted to neaten her disheveled appearance.
“But why did he show up at our doorstep last night?” her mother inquired, trailing after her to the bathroom. “Kiran, do you think he might be offering assistance with your termination case?”
As she untangled her hair with quick strokes of the brush, Kiran suddenly fell silent. The memory of Jevan’s unexpected visit to her home flooded back. After not seeing him clearly for quite some time, when Kiran finally laid eyes on her boss last night, she was overcome with a sense of foreboding, as if a dark and ominous aura enveloped him. It was so unsettling that Kiran had fainted.
Was it all just a hallucination last night? Why did I perceive a terrifying black shadow with crimson eyes lurking behind Jevan? Kiran wondered to herself.
The memory of the bone-chilling coldness that had pierced her to the core when she spotted the figure behind Jevan remained vivid. Before she lost consciousness, she also recalled hearing strange, unintelligible whispered incantations.
“If it wasn’t about your dismissal, could it be that Jevan came because he remembered your report to the police about him back then?” Her mother posed the question lightly, but it sent a shiver down Kiran’s spine.
“Ah, but that’s ridiculous, isn’t it?” her mother continued, waving her hand dismissively and laughing. “Could he really harbor a grudge for eight years? He couldn’t be that vindictive.”
Her mother’s attempt to reassure her only heightened Kiran’s anxiety. She vividly remembered witnessing Jevan exact revenge on a thug who had harmed him, a memory that now fueled her fear.
That’s it, Kiran thought to herself. There’s no other logical explanation for someone like Jevan to pay a visit to my home except for that incident eight years ago. Could he have already deduced that I was the one who reported him back then?
“Come on, Kiran!” her mother urged as she exited the bathroom. “It’s impolite to keep someone as important as him waiting at the door for too long. Plus, you don’t look all that disheveled.”
“Mom, just hold on a second!” Kiran blurted out in a panic, clutching her mother’s arm firmly in front of the bathroom door. “Please, tell them… tell them that I drifted off while chatting with Aldi. Say I’m not feeling well and can’t see them right now because I suddenly feel sick again.”
“Sick?” her mother raised an eyebrow, studying her daughter’s sudden distress. “They know you’ve been dealing with gastric issues and you’re fine now. Are you asking me to fib?”
“But… but…”
Her mother withdrew her arm, shooting Kiran a disapproving glare. “What’s gotten into you?! It’s embarrassing to act so impolitely! How can you turn down a meeting with someone who owns the very company you work for, who provided you with a VVIP room, and who’s come to visit you so courteously?!”
“But what if he’s still holding a grudge against me for what happened back then?” Kiran persisted, her tone still fraught with panic.
“He didn’t seem angry earlier,” her mother remarked as she made her way toward the front room, brushing off her daughter’s concerns.
“That’s because he always looks expressionless by default,” Kiran argued, but her mother continued walking toward the living area of Kiran’s hospital room.
Before Kiran could conjure up any more excuses, her mother had already swung the door open, ushering Jevan and Paskal into the room. Unprepared for Jevan’s arrival, Kiran instinctively grabbed her mother’s thin shawl from the nearby chair and draped it over her face.
“M—Mr. Paskal, Mr. Jevan,” Kiran greeted as soon as she spotted the two men entering the inner part of her room.
With Jevan and Paskal staring bemusedly at her shrouded face, Kiran offered an awkward laugh. “Ah, sorry about this. I’m experiencing an allergic reaction to an insect bite, so I have to shield my swollen face.”
“Um, you seemed fine earlier,” Paskal remarked, appearing puzzled. “Can you even breathe properly with your face covered like that?”
Kiran nodded. “Yes, sir. I can still see you, too. It’s a hereditary allergy that tends to flare up unexpectedly.”
Something suddenly crossed Kiran’s mind upon receiving Jevan’s surprising offer. She had initially thought that he would come and be cynical towards her because he might have known that she reported him to the police back then. However, he didn’t mention the case from eight years ago at all and instead offered her something exceptional.
Was last night a hallucination? Did our eyes really meet last night?
Suspicious of Jevan’s sudden change in demeanor, Kiran resolved to test his reaction with a daring move.
“I’m grateful for your offer, sir,” she replied cautiously, “but I believe… Mr. Aldi may also consider a salary raise after my three-month evaluation period. I’d sincerely appreciate the opportunity to continue working under Mr. Aldi alongside my colleague, Dika.”
Jevan’s anticipation of enthusiastic acceptance was met with Kiran’s diplomatic refusal, leaving him visibly surprised. Taking a deep breath, he composed himself.
“Threefold,” he declared firmly. “I’ll triple your salary… no, I’ll quadruple it if you agree to work on the top floor.”
If I agree to work on the top floor? Is he trying to woo me? Has he really fallen under my spell?
Kiran’s materialistic side flared up at Jevan’s words. She gripped her thigh tightly, ensuring she didn’t faint from the unexpected windfall.
“And this offer… does it extend to Dika as well?” she inquired, her tone betraying her eagerness.
“Yes, certainly,” Jevan affirmed, though his tone suggested a hint of reluctance.
Kiran fought to suppress her smile, her lips quivering with suppressed excitement. Despite her inner joy, she maintained her facade of reservation, opting to play hard to get.
“But, sir,” she began, “I’ve heard that working on the top floor entails significant risk. As a new employee, I’m concerned that I might inadvertently make another mistake—”
“I’ll assign you manageable tasks,” Jevan interjected impatiently. “Any disciplinary action or termination would be solely at my discretion. So, you needn’t fret about potential risks. You’ll be in safe hands as long as you adhere to my directives.”
Kiran froze in shock. Nini… Nini’s spell was truly remarkable! Damn, if I’d known this spell would benefit me like this, I would have met him from the start!
“So, will you accept or not?” Jevan’s question snapped Kiran out of her reverie, pulling her focus back to the present.
“What specific tasks will I be assigned on the top floor, sir?” Kiran inquired, her thoughts now consumed with anticipation. Her heart raced as she calculated the potential financial gains she could make by leveraging Jevan’s wealth.
“Yes, Jevan, what roles will Kiran and Dika undertake on the top floor?” Paskal interjected, equally taken aback. “We already have an established receptionist and numerous secretaries up there. Are you planning to replace them with Kiran and Dika? What positions are you offering them?”
“Paskal, you’re still handling the assistant position on your own,” Jevan replied impassively.
Paskal’s jaw dropped at the revelation. “Are you suggesting… that you want to appoint Kiran and Dika as your assistants?”
“You’ve frequently voiced concerns about your workload,” Jevan countered.
“When have I ever complained?” Paskal retorted incredulously.
“You juggle office affairs for me, handle legal matters as my lawyer, and attend to my various external obligations. Your workload has become overwhelming, causing a dip in your productivity,” Jevan accused, fabricating reasons on the spot.
“Me? Losing focus…?” Paskal seemed taken aback by Jevan’s accusation.
“From now on, you’ll prioritize my most critical external engagements and legal matters. This will afford you the opportunity to pursue personal endeavors, as per your mother’s request,” Jevan declared. “Leave the day-to-day office affairs to Bika henceforth.”
“Dika, sir, not Bika,” Kiran corrected promptly.
“Ah yes, Dika,” Jevan acknowledged. “Let Dika oversee operations at Baven Group alongside my chief secretary.”
“I’m turning 27 in November; why the rush to find a partner?!” Paskal protested. “You’re almost 30 and still haven’t married Selia!”
Despite his initial frustration with Jevan’s seemingly arbitrary decision, Paskal let out a resigned sigh. “But… perhaps this isn’t such a bad idea. Working 24/7 with you makes me worry about potential strokes. I could use a break from the constant barrage of phone calls.”
“What about me, sir?” Kiran interjected, her curiosity getting the better of her. “If I were to become your assistant, what exactly would my responsibilities entail?”
Jevan paused, shooting her a sharp glance before responding, “You’ll attend to all my personal matters. It’s a straightforward role, just as you desired.”
“Your personal matters?”
“Yes, you’ll serve as my personal assistant,” Jevan explained in a hushed tone, seemingly embarrassed to discuss it in front of Paskal. “Following last night’s incident, the doctor here advised me to prioritize self-care. You’ll oversee everything related to that and any other personal needs.”
“What kind of personal needs, Jevan?” Paskal’s suspicion was piqued by Jevan’s cryptic statement. “Wasn’t Selia managing your personal matters all this time?”
“Selia is too busy as well,” Jevan explained. “Her workload at the office is heavier than yours. Besides, she’s also one of my lawyers. Therefore, small matters concerning me will now be taken care of by Kiran.”
Kiran froze again. Did I hear wrong? Does he want me to handle all his personal needs? What does he mean? Why does this suddenly make me worried?
“Paskal, you can now contact the people at Baven Technology and my secretary team to inform them about my latest decision. Tell them to send a new employment contract for Kiran to sign right away.”
“Uh… but I haven’t said I agree,” murmured Kiran, looking bewildered.
Jevan suddenly turned to her with an even sharper look. “I don’t like people who play hard to get and intentionally delay seizing golden opportunities, especially after I give them the best chance. I’m sure your friend, Bika, wouldn’t hesitate to accept this offer, just like the other employees in the office. If you don’t want it, I’ll give this opportunity to them instead.”
Panicking at the perceived threat, Kiran felt compelled to nod quickly. “I—I want it, sir, I want it! But… let me talk to Mr. Aldi first because, after all, he brought me here.”
A thin smile spread across Jevan’s lips. “By all means, inform him. And don’t forget, after you officially become my personal assistant, you also need to quickly pack your belongings from your home. Like Paskal, those who become my assistants… must live in my house.”
___
In another place
“Aldi, over here!”
Aldi turned towards Selia who waved at him from a table at the edge of an open-air rooftop restaurant not far from the hospital where Jevan was being treated. He walked over and sat down in front of her without smiling.
“You’ve finally agreed to share a meal with me again,” Selia remarked cheerfully, offering the menu book to Aldi. “I think the last time we dined together was… three months ago?”
Instead of accepting it, Aldi pushed the menu book back towards Selia. “I didn’t come here to eat. Selia, there’s something I need to discuss with you.”
Seeming disappointed, Selia decided to maintain her smile. “Looks like you’ve got something pretty serious on your mind if you can’t even muster a smile for me.”
“It’s about the dismissal of Kiran and Dika,” Aldi continued, ignoring Selia’s remark. “I’m here to ask you to revoke your decision.”
Upon hearing that, Selia sighed. “So you already know and came here just because of that? This is why I had to use Jevan’s email to dismiss them. I don’t like having to deal with you about this.”
Aldi remained firm. “Why did you fire Kiran and Dika? Is it really because Kiran accidentally walked into the men’s restroom?”
“She unbuttoned her uniform in the men’s restroom,” Selia muttered, shifting her gaze to the menu list in her hand. “If a guest from Baven Technology had walked in, it would’ve tarnished the reputation of our office receptionist. And as for Dika… I let him go because he supposedly suggested it to Kiran.”
“I spoke directly with Kiran about what happened,” Aldi replied. “According to Kiran, Dika only suggested she wash her uniform in the restroom and immediately dry it so she would still appear clean in the eyes of the guests. Even though Kiran was careless here by mistakenly entering the restroom, firing them both for this reason is completely unreasonable, Selia. Kiran’s eyes were even stinging at the time.”
“You know I care deeply about the image of Baven Group,” Selia commented briefly while still scanning the menu.
Hearing this, Aldi let out a sigh. “But that couldn’t have been the real reason for letting Kiran go, could it? You’re not one to dismiss people casually like Jevan does. You’re careful about your image, Selia. That’s why you used Jevan’s email to terminate Kiran and Dika.”
“Selia,” he continued, “then and now, you’re still the same. You’ve always been adept at using others to cover up your own misdeeds to maintain your flawless facade. You did something similar to me back when you manipulated me into giving you the answers for our high school entrance exam, which resulted in Kiran’s mom losing her job.”
“In the past, I allowed you to manipulate me because I had feelings for you,” he pressed on. “I foolishly overlooked your actions until Kiran began to resent me. But now, are you resorting to using Jevan, your own fiancé, to uphold your pristine reputation? Are you leveraging his reputation for dismissing employees via email just to let go of Kiran and Dika?”
“I know you too well. You wouldn’t fire Kiran and Dika over a restroom incident alone. You’d only take such drastic measures if there were personal motives at play. And as for Dika… he’s just collateral damage to divert attention from any personal issues you may have had with Kiran.”
Selia chuckled cynically. “Personal issues? If I were to tell you the real reason behind Kiran’s dismissal, you’d probably think I’ve lost my mind.”
“Your actions speak volumes,” Aldi responded bluntly. “Firing Kiran and Dika without consulting me or Baven Technology’s HR was rash. Plus, Kiran is still new, and the situation could have been resolved without resorting to termination.”
“Remember how Kiran’s grandma was known as a renowned shaman?” Selia suddenly shifted the conversation.
“Why bring that up?” Aldi inquired, his brows furrowing.
“A few days back, I overheard Kiran talking on the phone in the Baven Technology restroom,” Selia disclosed, her tone serious. “She confessed to casting a love spell on someone in our office. I didn’t believe in such things, but back then…”
Selia abruptly halted her own sentence, a wave of discomfort washing over her as she considered revealing to Aldi her suspicions from eight years ago, when she believed Kiran had cast a spell on him, leading to the abrupt end of their relationship.
Until now, Selia couldn’t comprehend how Aldi, who had once been so enamored with her, had turned against her. And now, he was staunchly defending Kiran, whom she had terminated.
“I have strong suspicions that she’s cast a spell on someone in our office,” Selia resumed after a brief pause. “Especially since she mentioned the person she cast the spell on hadn’t seen her in eight years and might encounter her again in the office… that should narrow it down, right?”
“Are you suggesting it’s me?” Aldi inquired, his expression impassive.
“She made that statement in the restroom just a day after joining Baven Technology,” Selia elaborated. “It likely wasn’t you she was referring to, considering you had met her the day before. Among the seven high school classmates in the office, only two are male— you and Jevan.”
Aldi arched an eyebrow. “So… are you genuinely concerned that Jevan might be the target of Kiran’s spell? Is that why you let her go?”
“Aldi, eight years ago, Jevan coincidentally returned to our school,” Selia countered, her tone more serious.
Aldi took a deep breath. “You were making sense before; now you’re sounding a bit paranoid. I thought you were a rational woman with progressive views, but firing people over such far-fetched reasons?”
“I have valid grounds for my suspicions regarding Kiran all this time,” Selia insisted.
“What grounds?” Aldi pressed urgently. Observing Selia’s sudden silence, Aldi rubbed his tired face. “Selia, I’m asking you to be reasonable and rescind Kiran and Dika’s termination as soon as possible. Don’t misuse the authority granted by Jevan to toy with people’s livelihoods.”
“I… cannot do that,” Selia responded after a moment of silence. Her demeanor towards Aldi turned icy. “If you disagree with my decision, feel free to lodge a complaint with Jevan. Let’s see how he handles your receptionist matter.”
Aldi seemed poised to respond, but his phone suddenly rang. Upon seeing the caller’s name, he promptly answered and engaged in a serious conversation for a few moments. Once he concluded the call, he refocused his attention on Selia.
After a few seconds of wordless scrutiny, he rose from his seat.
“It appears I no longer require your assistance, Selia,” he remarked with a slight smile, reflecting a mix of relief and concern. “The call I just received was from Kiran. You may not be aware yet, but your fiancé, Jevan, has resolved Kiran’s dismissal. As of tonight… Kiran has been officially appointed as his personal assistant.”
Optimized by Seraphinite Accelerator
Keren, ayo dong Thor Upin banyak²