The clock shows 8:30 PM. The office is quiet, with only Amir's footsteps echoing as he goes up and down the stairs.

Erin, waiting and doubting, wonders why she has to go through this just to get a guy's attention. Usually, one blink and a guy is willing to be with her. Maybe this is a sign from the universe that Amir isn't worth it. But she shakes off the thought—she needs to find out for sure.


She stands up, catching her reflection in the dead PC. A long-sleeved floral shirt and a dark red skirt, almost purple. She remembers Amir's shirt is a similar color to her skirt. Could this be a sign they're compatible? The thought makes her purse her lips. Anything is possible.

Erin takes a deep breath, checks herself in her iPhone 11's reflection—makeup still good, eyelash extensions neat, long wavy hair perfectly in place thanks to her regular hair vitamins. She agrees, she is beautiful.

"Let's get closer to him," Erin whispers to herself, steadying her steps as she exits the room. The office is dim except for the light above Amir's desk. He's busy, focused on his curved screen monitor, headphones on.


Erin clutches her phone to steady her nerves, feeling her hands grow sweaty. She walks over to Amir, "Amazing, huh? You're not surprised to see a long-haired girl suddenly appear."

Amir's eyes shine from the screen light. He shifts his right headphone slightly, "No way. I saw the lights in your room were on."


Erin nods, peeking at Amir's monitor but can't see much. "What are you doing?"

"Busy," Amir replies, his fingers working the mouse and occasionally typing on the keyboard numpad.

"What are you busy with?" Erin seizes the moment to move closer to the IT desk area. She pulls up a chair next to Amir, briefly dizzy from his familiar scent that had intrigued her since their first interaction.

But her eyes widen when she sees what Amir is doing. "PLAYING GAMES? You're busy playing games?"

"Quiet!" Amir remains undeterred, focused on ensuring his players hit their targets in the game.

"So, this is how you work? While others are busy in class, you're like this?"

"Oh please, if they needed me, they'd call." He answers casually. Another con for Amir—he lacks sympathy for his coworkers.

"Really," Erin shakes her head, "Does Mrs. Berta know?"

She doesn't mean to threaten, but her question implies she might report him. Amir continues playing, "No."

"Aren't you afraid someone will report you?"

"Who would report me? You?"

ADDED ANOTHER CON! His way of defending himself was borderline gaslighting.

"Maybe." Erin challenges, wanting to see how far he'd go with his pretentious act.

"Oh..." He shoots three targets accurately. Just "oh."

Okay, Amir is annoying, childish, and arrogant. Erin's blood boils, thinking she almost wasted her time on him. The screen lights up brighter with a notification of Amir's victory.

"Yes," he says simply, removing his headphones. "There's kebab in the pantry. I bought it earlier."

Erin's anger cools. What did he just say?

"For me?" Erin asks, surprised.

"Yes. You haven't gone out since this afternoon, so I thought you might need to eat."

WHAT? HOW CAN HE BE SO ATTENTIVE AFTER BEING SO ARROGANT AND GASLIGHTING?

"Oh..." Erin feels her cheeks heat up, likely turning red. "Hmm, come with me to get it. I'm scared. The lights are usually off."

"The janitor and the office guard are around."

"They're in their rooms. Come on, let's go. I'm hungry." Not really hungry—she'd had a banana this afternoon and could last till evening. But this was a chance to think over her feelings about Amir.

"Alright, alright. Watch out," Amir says as Erin stands up, realizing she'd been sitting on his jacket. He takes his phone from its pocket.

In her wildest imagination, Erin never thought she'd be in this moment. Sitting at the pantry table, eating a jumbo kebab, with Amir across from her, sipping coffee and monitoring CCTV from his phone. Surprisingly, there's an additional point for Amir this time. Erin couldn't help but notice Amir's unexpected attitude. If they were in a relationship, he'd definitely be full of surprises.

"How long have you worked here, Amir?" Erin asked, chewing slowly to stretch out the moment. Somehow, it felt more intense than being alone in the office.

"Since the beginning of the company. About five years ago."

"So you know everyone here pretty well?"

"Not everyone."

It made sense. He could chat amiably with some groups, but often kept a flat expression with his division team.

"But have you heard the rumors about me?" Erin ventured.

Amir glanced at her, and Erin almost choked on her lettuce. Why hadn't she noticed how 'masculine' and cool his face looked before? "Everyone spends so much time here. If they have something to say, it's usually just joking around. It's better not to take it to heart."

Wow, one of the longest answers Amir had given since they'd met. Interesting, especially since it was about Erin's concerns, not related with their job.

Erin feigned sadness, "I don't know how to socialize well here in Indonesia. In Sydney, I was friendly and greeted everyone. Here, I'm seen as easy."

"No one thinks that," Amir denied. "If anyone does, it just shows their lack of sense."

"Really? I'm just being friendly, Amir. I go to parties, meet people... Now, I want to invite you to a party at my friend's club. Want to come?"

Erin could almost hear her brother Nathan's voice in her head, "SISTER, YOU JUST SAID YOU'RE SAD ABOUT BEING SEEN AS EASY, BUT NOW YOU'RE INVITING AMIR TO A CLUB IN THE FIRST SECOND YOU GUYS TALK!"

Amir's frown seemed to say the same thing.

"The club is great. The DJ is popular, the baristas are amazing. There are more than ten drinks I can recommend."

Silence fell between them, like the sound of crickets. Amir scratched his head in confusion.

"It's not far from here. The vibe is really nice. You won't regret it. Come on?"

"I..." Erin had already decided. If Amir wanted to go, she'd pursue him. If not, she'd let him go. "It's Saturday night. I have plans to visit my parents in Tangerang."

Seriously? He's thirty-five and spends weekends at his parents' house?

Erin was torn. Red flag or green flag? Technically, Amir didn't refuse. But if not Saturday night, when else could she take him out? They worked every day. Erin didn't want to be exhausted from partying all night and then working early.

Or was it just an excuse? Maybe Amir didn't want to be seen with her at a club, fearing a bad reputation.

"I get it. You don't want your name tarnished by hanging out with me, right?" Erin shot back.

"Why would you think that?" Amir looked genuinely surprised.

"People keep their distance from me because of who I am. I get it if you don't want to be seen with me..."

"Hey, I said I had to visit my parents. I go home once a week."

"Then when can I take you out?" Amir seemed to ponder this. "We work every day Amir. Even on Saturdays, you have to stay late for webinars. And now you have to go to Tangerang..."

"Wait," Amir interrupted, "you really want to take me out?"

Erin felt her face flush. She had been direct before, but this moment felt different. "Yes... I want to take you out."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why me? Why do you want to take me out?"

"Because..." Erin swallowed hard, feeling nervous. "Because I want to get to know you better."

Silence fell again, heavier this time. Amir looked stunned, just as Erin didn't expect a direct response to her confession.

"You... You're funny." Amir finally said.

"Funny?" Erin was taken aback.

"Yes. You're funny."

Before Erin could respond, Amir's phone rang. A missed call from Ridwan, the production admin, indicating an emergency.

"I'll take care of this. Finish your kebab." Amir quickly downed his coffee and walked out of the pantry, leaving Erin behind.

At least tonight Erin knew Amir wasn't lying.

Later, as they all stood outside the office waiting for rides—Erin for Mr. Jalil and the rest for motorcycle taxis—Ridwan hitched a ride home with Amir, who was heading to Tangerang City. This confirmed that Amir was a family guy, willing to spend Saturday nights at his parents' house instead of going out.

Erin decided to delete all the cons on her list. Her mission to approach Amir became official, even though he didn't seem to believe her intentions.

She watched as Amir's car slowly backed onto the road. Ridwan waved goodbye to his admin friends, but Amir didn't glance back at the office.

From now on, he would need to prepare himself if Erin decided to pursue him. He wouldn't be able to guess what would happen next.

As Amir's car drove away, Erin turned to the remaining staff. 'Guys, don't you think Amir is kinda handsome?"

The three women and two men smiled knowingly. Word would soon spread that Erin liked Amir.

Calm down, Amir. This is just stage one, Erin thought with a smile.

*****