Amir appreciated Erin's dedication to a healthy lifestyle—her commitment to good food and regular exercise meant she'd be back at work Monday, strong and energetic. In the lively office environment, where sounds from the neighboring department spilled over, the employees on the third floor fell silent as Mrs. Berta took hold of a megaphone to begin the morning briefing. She looked almost like Edna from The Incredibles, thanks to her new round glasses, though Amir's attention wasn't on her.

His gaze was fixed on a tall girl in a lime-green blouse and white pencil skirt. Erin's hair was pulled back into a ponytail, small pearl earrings adorning her ears. Amir couldn't stop thinking about how well he'd come to recognize her scent, recalling even the way he'd glanced at her as she slept. It was hard to believe how far they'd come; Erin, who once annoyed him with her persistence, had now become the one he couldn't stop thinking about.


"Starting tomorrow, we'll be welcoming new employees," Mrs. Berta announced. "Some of you will be moving to the new building next door on the first and second floors, especially those in production and admin who mostly work in the studio." She paused, scanning the room. "I hope this is the start of real progress for us all. Let's keep our spirits high and continue growing this company together."

Mrs. Berta handed the megaphone to Xavier, who struggled with a backpack far too big for his frame, and they both descended from the third floor.

'It's rare for her to be so cheerful. She's in a good mood, huh?" someone joked from the back row.


Amir pretended to roll up his charger cable, sneaking a glance at Erin, who threw a quick look his way, signaling for him to stop by her office first. He looked down at his computer, signaling that he had something urgent to handle. Erin, not satisfied, made an offer he couldn't ignore—a look that instantly broke his resolve. Perhaps he could stop by her office, even just for a moment, and give her a quick kiss for encouragement before they parted for the day. After spending a full day in Bali together, the idea of not seeing her for a few hours felt oddly heavy.

"DON'T YOU DARE DITCH US, MAN!" Steve's voice snapped Amir back to reality.


Seated on Amir's right, Steve, along with the new IT guy Taufik, usually darted out of the room the moment Mrs. Berta left. But today, Steve stood rooted, holding up his phone with a mix of amusement and disbelief. The screen displayed Erin's Instagram post—a photo of their hands intertwined, captioned with, Taken by Mas A. Amir's face flushed. Had Erin really stayed up late just to caption that?

'Erin! Where's our treat, huh?" Steve called out as Erin was about to step into her office.

Everyone seemed to pause, holding their breath. If Erin agreed, it would be the unspoken confirmation that she and Amir were indeed a couple. The whole room waited, excitement buzzing in the air.

Hand on her office door, Erin paused, turning back to face the room with a playful gleam in her eyes. "What do you all want, then?"

Somewhere in the room, someone started a playful chant of 'Ooh la la!" and the crowd erupted in laughter. Ridwan even gave Amir a friendly shove.

"Just Starbucks? Simple enough?" Erin's playful offer set off more laughter, and Amir, smiling despite himself, lowered his head, feeling the heat of all the attention.

"What's wrong? Starbucks too cheap for you?" Steve teased, winking.

"Alright, alright," Amir said with a grin, surrendering. "Order through Uber food, and I'll cover it."

Seeing the radiant smile on Erin's face, Amir couldn't help but feel his own heart swell with pride and relief. It was official—they were now a couple, publicly acknowledged, and seeing Erin's joy made everything worth it.

"Okay! Just keep it simple, don't overdo it!" Steve called out as a line formed, everyone eagerly tossing in their coffee orders.

Amir chuckled, shaking his head as he watched even Raya join the lineup for coffee. But in the corner of the room, his gaze fell on Kia. She sat quietly, withdrawn, a stark contrast to the lively atmosphere around her.

A notification buzzed on Amir's phone. He glanced down to see a message: Meet me in Studio 6. Please.

It had been a long time since Amir last spoke to Kia.

Studio 6 felt suffocating as Amir entered. Kia leaned against the wall, her arms crossed, face tense,

Kia looked much thinner than Amir remembered; her cheeks appeared sunken, her glasses smudged, her shoulder-length hair uncombed. Even her once pristine white blouse and pencil skirt looked wrinkled. In the past, Amir would've been the first to notice something was wrong, the one insisting they shop for new clothes so she'd feel her best at the office. But now, Kia seemed indifferent to her appearance.

Amir resisted the urge to comment, leaning against the wall opposite her. The hammering of renovators and the chatter of workers laying tile next door filled the silence between them.

It was Kia who finally spoke, her voice laced with a quiet strain. 'So, it's true? You're dating her?"

Amir didn't like the way Kia emphasized that last word, as if it left a bitter taste in her mouth. 'Yes," he answered firmly.

'Why? What's going through your mind, Amir?"

'Why what?"

'Why would you end up with someone like her? Just because she asked you to stay over one night, and now you're okay being the talk of the whole office?"

'Do you hear yourself right now?"

'Oh, I hear myself." Kia's eyes narrowed. 'I know Erin's type—she's only got physical appeal. What guy wouldn't want her? Sure, if a cat is offered salted fish, it won't say no! But you—" she spread her arms wide, as if presenting him—'you're Amir. The Amir I've known for years. You're not the kind of man who'd settle for something so… superficial."

Amir clenched his jaw, forcing himself to stay calm. 'If you know me so well, then why—"

'I do know you, Amir," she interrupted. 'I know you can't stand Steve. I know you're obsessed with being better than him in everything. But does that mean you'd stoop to dating a woman like Erin just to show him up?"

'Funny you say you know me, Kia," Amir said, his tone sharpening. 'Because everything you've said so far is dead wrong. Not a single word of it is true." His arms stayed firmly crossed, an act of self-control he was barely managing; if it had been anyone else, he might not have been so restrained.

'Is that so?" Kia shot back, voice rising. 'Because the Amir I know wouldn't be careless with his choice of partner. I warned you—she's just a spoiled girl who still wants to be the center of attention. You don't need someone like her!"

'What kind of girl do I need, then, Kia?"

'One who's motherly, mature, someone who knows how to take care of a family. Not someone who spends hours on her makeup and hair every morning just to get everyone's attention." Her voice softened as if pleading, 'Amir, come to your senses."

'I'm more clear-headed than I've ever been," Amir replied, his voice steady. 'I'm fully aware that I love Erin. I want to be with her… forever."

Kia laughed—harsh and mocking. She turned to the wall, her hand thumping it as her laughter broke into gasps. Amir shook his head, fighting off the sting her reaction left behind.

'Love? You call that love?" Kia spat, her laughter subsiding. 'Does Erin know about your past, then? Has she accepted all of you?"

The question hit Amir hard, making him momentarily uncross his arms. Kia's eyes widened, sensing the impact.

'No? She doesn't know the real you?" She smirked, triumphant. 'You're saying you love her, but you're not even honest with her? Where's your sense, Amir?"

'Whatever's in my past, that's between Erin and me." His tone hardened, as much directed at himself as at Kia. He knew he hadn't found the courage to tell Erin everything, and Kia's words only deepened that frustration.

'Look at her!" Kia's voice grew sharper. 'She spends hours just to get ready each day! Do you think she's cut out for family life? Do you think she'd ever want to take care of a child?"

'Thanks, Kia," Amir said, a note of finality in his voice. 'But you don't need to worry about that."

'Someone has to, Amir!" she snapped. 'You're blinded by her looks, and my job as your friend is to remind you of that."

'Then stop giving advice I never asked for."

'That's exactly the kind of response someone blinded by love would give."

'So what if I am?" Amir challenged, his patience fraying. 'If Erin can't accept me, if she decides to leave, then fine. That's a risk I'm willing to take."

'You might be okay with it, but people who care about you will be the ones hurt!" Kia's voice trembled, growing softer as she admitted, 'Some of us still care about you, Amir…"

'Who?" Amir's voice was laced with skepticism. 'You?"

'YES!" she shouted, the raw emotion catching them both off guard. Her voice echoed in the cramped room, and her gaze, a mix of anger and vulnerability, held his steady. 'I still love you. That's never changed. But it's like you go out of your way to hurt me." Her voice cracked, trailing off into silence.

"Bet you anything, Amir, that girl won't be able to handle all of you, your past, your flaws—none of it!" Kia's voice rang with certainty.

Amir winced. It was a thought that had only briefly crossed his mind, but Kia's words sliced deeper than he'd care to admit. Yes, maybe he'd been a little blinded by how quickly his feelings for Erin had grown, but still…

"What?" Kia's lips curled into an infuriating smirk. "Starting to worry now?"

"No," Amir answered, biting back irritation. "I'm more concerned for your mental health. Be well, Kia." With that, he pivoted, leaving the room, desperate to clear his head. Maybe it was time he talked to Erin, opened up about his past.

Erin couldn't stop smiling that afternoon as they headed to Kelapa Gading Mall. Amir was driving, and his hand never left hers, occasionally lifting it to his lips for a gentle kiss. He seemed a little preoccupied, thoughts lingering elsewhere as he drove, but Erin loved these fleeting, unguarded moments. It was as if he didn't even realize he was holding her hand so tightly.

"Alright, babe, I want to stop by Paw Fairies, get some sushi, and then maybe catch a movie. Sound good?" she chirped.

They walked in through the main lobby, the weekday crowd thin, though the queue to the event space nearby had a small line. People were showing their Instagram feeds as a free entry pass.

"Are you thinking about adopting a dog?" Amir asked, his thumb tracing soft circles on her hand.

"Maybe," Erin shrugged. "But I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because of Nathan," she replied, stepping forward as their queue moved. She pulled out her phone, ready to show the Instagram account.

"What's wrong with Nathan? Allergic?"

"Not exactly, honey. Nathan's touch is, well… let's just say every pet we've had hasn't survived long," Erin grimaced.

"Seriously?"

"Yep. Started with a hamster, then a rabbit, then even my dad's favorite dog. It's like some bad luck charm, I swear. So, yeah, no pets allowed in the house."

They were ushered inside a pet adoption fair. Rows of food stalls were replaced with dog and cat stands on either side, filled with animals looking for new homes.

"Come here, honey!" Erin excitedly dragged Amir to the first shop, cooing over a small poodle with dark brown fur and round, button eyes.

"This little guy's cute. Look, his eyes even look like yours," Amir teased, poking at the poodle's paw through the bars.

"Really? I'm cute like him?" Erin batted her eyes playfully, her gaze catching on Amir's intense stare. It lingered too long, almost distant, before he leaned in, planting a soft kiss on her cheek.

"You're even cuter," he murmured, making her blush.

She quickly brushed off her embarrassment, though Amir's expression held a glimmer of something she couldn't quite read.

"What about Huskies?" Amir said, leading her toward the next stall where a young woman with an oriental appearance greeted them warmly.

"Aw, look at him! A little white Husky!" Erin gushed, crouching down to peer at the two-month-old puppy. His bright blue eyes sparkled, and she tapped her chin, thinking.

"If you really want him, we could always keep him at my place," Amir suggested.

"Mm, sounds tempting," she mused. "Maybe I'll need a reason to stop by more often," she joked, punching him lightly on the shoulder.

A smile flickered across his face, but before Erin could enjoy it, the stall attendant gestured to another section. "We also have chow chow puppies here. Would you like to see?"

"Oh! Where?" Amir straightened up, intrigued, and followed her eagerly to a pen where a teddy bear-like chow chow gazed up at him with soft, expressive eyes.

Erin watched as Amir lit up, bending down to get a closer look. "Wow, you're so cute!" Amir exclaimed, almost in awe.

"Six million rupiahs for this one," the attendant noted.

"Sheyna would love this," he said under his breath, nearly to himself.

The words hit Erin like a slap. She swung her bag, clipping him on the shoulder.

"Ow!" Amir rubbed his arm, taken aback. "What was that for?"

"Did you even realize what you just said?" she replied, her tone flat.

Confused, he followed her to an empty spot, away from the stalls. "What's going on?"

She crossed her arms. "You didn't notice? You've been so out of it today, Amir. Distracted. And then, you just casually dropped her name—Kia's name! Sheyna loves chow chows? Really?"

He blinked, struggling to remember. 'I... did I?"

"Yes, Amir. You said ‘Sheyna would love this,' in front of me, just now! As if I'd forget. The name on your lunchbox—the one with the little heart you carved in. Don't think I didn't remember."

Panic flashed across Amir's face as he grasped what he had done. "Erin, wait..."

Erin pushed his hand away, her tone full of contempt. "I despise lies, Amir. I hate people who can't let go of the past."

"But Erin," he pleaded, "I don't have any relationship with Kia anymore. She's married."

"That makes it even worse! I can't stand dishonesty, Amir. Lies are time bombs—keep pretending, and you're just setting me up for heartbreak!"

"Do you mean that? You'd prefer honesty even if it hurts?" Amir's voice was unexpectedly serious.

The question made Erin pause, her anger colliding with a growing anxiety. "What... what are you saying, Amir?" Her throat tightened, fear bubbling up.

"Erin…" Amir hesitated, then sighed, gathering his courage. "Sheyna isn't Kia. Sheyna is… someone else."

Erin's world tilted. The room around her felt like it was spinning, the revelation knocking the air from her lungs.

"Sheyna Anastasia Winarto… is my daughter."

The word hung between them, a shockwave that shattered Erin's composure. Her body went numb, leaning against the wall for support as tears slipped down her cheeks. She stared at him, the man she loved, her mind racing to comprehend.

"Daughter?" Erin whispered, almost to herself. "You have a child?"

"I was married once, Erin," Amir explained, a heavy burden lifting as he finally told the truth. "It didn't last. I have full custody of Sheyna. She's why I have to go back to Tangerang so often. She's the one woman in my life I could never abandon."

Erin's chest felt like it was being torn apart. Everything clicked into place—the times he couldn't stay, his empathy for her father's protectiveness, his fierce devotion. But he hadn't told her. He'd hidden it all.

Her mouth twisted into a bitter smile. "And you didn't think I deserved to know?"

Amir looked pained, his voice barely a whisper. "I didn't think we'd get this far."

"You didn't think? You thought I was playing games?" Erin's voice cracked with a mix of fury and heartbreak. "I hate you, Amir. I hate how you've made me feel. I hate people who lie, who make me feel like this." She turned, tears streaming down her face, and stomped away.

Amir felt his entire world crumble as her footsteps faded. His vision blurred, ears ringing, as he sank to the floor, clutching his head as the weight of the truth finally crushed him.

***