After a long journey, the new office has finally settled into two shophouses as its headquarters. The first floor is now transformed into a tidy lobby, featuring a sleek reception desk, two sets of white sofas as a waiting area, and a dedicated hallway leading to an expanded employee canteen in the back.

The second floor boasts twelve shooting studios surrounding a central area, which is split into two zones: one side is a cozy, carpeted lounging area with synthetic grass, while the other half offers a spacious open workspace that can accommodate up to twenty people, perfect for collaborative work sessions.


As for the third floor, it's earmarked to be an office space divided by cubicles. For now, though, it serves as temporary storage for stacks of student textbooks awaiting shipment. Amir, responsible for organizing the space, oversees three junior operations staff busily moving boxes to ensure they won't obstruct upcoming cable installations. The smell of fresh paint makes him nauseous after spending several days in the room, but he claims he's helping with operations—though, in truth, he's avoiding Erin. Oddly, she hasn't shown up on this Saturday, taking leave for a week to 'work from home."

Amir has heard whispers from Ridwan, who picked up that Erin isn't actually on sick leave. She's working remotely, an arrangement no one else has ever been granted. He can't make sense of it, but there's no use trying to unravel it now.

'Sir, is it okay to leave this box here?" Azis, a sturdy young staff member, calls out, setting down a box in the room's corner.


'Move it over a bit, please," Amir replies, gesturing, 'The water dispenser will go there."

Azis obliges, sliding the box a meter to the left. 'Here, sir?"


'Yeah, that's fine."

Azis nods and hurries to fetch another box from the pile. Just as Amir turns to resume his task, a piercing scream echoes from the second floor. He exchanges a shocked look with the staff before dashing down the stairs.

On the second floor, in the shared workspace, five new female employees are scurrying around the chairs, seemingly avoiding something.

'What's going on?" Amir calls.

'Sir!" they shriek in unison, relieved to see him.

He follows their terrified gaze and spots the culprit—a large cockroach attempting to take flight. 'Oh, it's just a cockroach."

'Please, get rid of it, sir!" a blonde-haired girl pleads, hiding behind Amir as the others join her, squealing dramatically.

Amir glances around and spots a broom. He picks it up and begins a cat-and-mouse game with the cockroach, missing several times to a chorus of shrieks. Finally, with one swift move, he pins the cockroach under the broom. He lifts it to check, and the girls gasp in unified disgust.

'Anyone have a tissue or a plastic bag?" Amir asks.

'Oh, don't touch it, sir! That's so gross," one of the girls cries out.

'Well, I don't have a dustpan, so…" he starts, before a girl in a red dress named Salsa darts over, grabbing a tissue and a used plastic bag.

'Here, sir," she says, offering both.

Amir takes the tissue and, trying to ignore his own disgust, picks up the cockroach. 'Open the bag wide," he instructs, and she complies. With a quick motion, he drops the tissue-wrapped cockroach into the bag, and Salsa tosses it into the trash.

'Wow, Salsa, you're so brave!" one of her friends teases.

'It's dead now," Salsa laughs, wiping her hands.

'Alright, no more screaming, okay?" Amir says, giving them a small, amused smile.

'Thank you!" they respond in unison.

As he turns to leave, Salsa calls out, 'Wait, sir—your hands!"

'Uh, my hands?" Amir echoes, confused.

'Yes! Give me your hands," she insists, pouring sanitizer into his palms before he can react. She rubs it in, her touch surprising him into silence as her friends giggle.

'Okay, thanks, sir!" Salsa smiles, embarrassed, and scurries back to her friends.

Amir watches her go, smiling to himself. This phase always comes with new hires who think he's 'cool"—a cycle he's seen before. Most of them quickly realize he's straightforward and no-nonsense, but some—like Erin—leave a lasting impact before pulling away, leaving him wondering.

With a soft sigh, Amir heads back to the third floor, trying to refocus before thoughts of Erin distract him again.

*

In Meeting Room Three of the new building, the frosted glass partitions and a table with a six-person capacity gave the space a sleek, professional look. It felt worlds apart from the older rooms at the office.

Erin's queasiness, though partly from the strong citrus air freshener, was mostly from nerves. She was about to give a presentation to the executive team from headquarters, and she couldn't shake the lingering tension about a potential encounter with Amir.

A strange mixture of feelings gripped her—she wanted to see him, yet dreaded it at the same time.

After a brief glance around, she noticed the IT setup on the conference table was ready. Amir, who was supposed to be assisting, had clearly arrived earlier to handle everything in advance. She couldn't help but wonder if he was avoiding her, and a question clawed at her mind—why did she even care?

Ten minutes in, Erin paced, glancing occasionally at the screen. She made a quick check of the remote for her slideshow. Her work on the presentation had been thorough, with a creative team polishing her design and a finance colleague double-checking her projections. Still, the idea was hers—a step she felt proud of as someone used to receiving things ready-made.

Finally, at precisely two o'clock, Mrs. Berta, Mr. Moses, and Mr. Kim entered the room.

"How are you, Erin?" Mr. Kim asked warmly as he took a seat on the right while Mrs. Berta and Mr. Moses settled on the left.

"I'm well, sir, thank you," she replied, a little flustered but eager to get started. "Shall we begin? I'm Erin, and today I'll be presenting an idea for the future business growth of this company."

Erin outlined her plan with precision, explaining her vision to partner with regular schools by offering extracurricular programs focused on students' interests and talents. She introduced five target schools, strategies for promotion, projected costs, and the expected returns.

"So, how many team members would you need to execute this plan, Erin?" Mr. Kim asked, his eyes intent on the screen.

"Four, including myself, should be sufficient," Erin answered.

"I'd suggest adding one more, an operations person with mobility—someone quick who can handle field surveys," Mr. Moses advised, squinting at the screen as he forgot his reading glasses.

"Good point. Make a note, Erin," Mr. Kim agreed.

"Noted, sir," she replied, tapping it into her phone.

"Any thoughts on who might join your team?" Mr. Kim asked.

"Not yet, sir," Mrs. Berta answered for her. "We're still deciding whether this division will be in the main office or at a branch."

"I'd recommend placing it at the branch," Mr. Kim suggested, catching Erin off guard. The branch? Would that mean she'd still be working in the same office as Amir? Her emotions swung between relief and uncertainty, depending entirely on their unresolved relationship. "Our third floor is still available, right?"

'Yes, Mr. Kim. Should we set up a dedicated business development room there?" Mrs. Berta inquired.

"Please note this, Mr. Moses. Assign Amir to design the room for a team of five. Use frosted glass, similar to this setup—it looks modern."

The mention of Amir's name made Erin sit up a little straighter. Her heart beat faster at the thought. Would she need to coordinate with him? How should she act?

"Understood," Mr. Moses jotted down the details on his phone.

"Erin's concept is officially approved, then?" Mrs. Berta confirmed.

"Absolutely. With her vision, I have no doubts." Mr. Kim smiled, and Erin's face flushed with pride, though her thoughts drifted back to Amir.

Mr. Kim smiled at Erin. "You've got this. I'm confident you'll do well, Erin, right?"

"Of course, I'll give it my best, sir," Erin replied, fighting to suppress a sudden wave of self-doubt. Could her idea have been accepted just because of her father's connections to the company? She brushed the thought aside—it wouldn't help her now.

"Alright then. I'll arrange for Erin's contract signing with Fauzi from HR. She won't be joining Kia, will she?" Mr. Moses asked Mr. Kim.

Mr. Kim nodded. "Yes, Erin will join the center, Mr. Moses. Her subordinates, however, will join Kia, and the KPI evaluations from Erin will be routed through Kia."

The thought of interacting more with Kia filled Erin with a strange sense of excitement. Finally, she was stepping into the real working world and connecting with everyone around her. Her hands turned cold, and she rubbed them together to calm her nerves.

"Alright, I think we're clear on everything. Erin, could you summarize the outcomes for us?" Mr. Kim prompted.

"Yes, Mr. Kim. First, I'll wait for the contract to be signed by HR and for the new room to be prepared. After that, I'll start assembling my team."

"I'd recommend you begin the recruitment process now, Erin," Mr. Moses advised. "Reach out to Kia for the recruitment form link, and if there's anyone in the office you'd like on your team, feel free to submit their names."

"Understood, Mr. Moses. I'll coordinate with Kia right after this."

"Good. Is there anything else you'd like to add, Erin?"

"No, Mr. Kim. Thank you, Mr. Kim, Mr. Moses, and Mrs. Berta, for being here today."

"Of course." Mr. Kim stood, adjusting his jacket, and extended his hand to Erin. "We'll be on our way now; there's another meeting scheduled."

Erin shook both Mr. Kim's and Mr. Moses's hands, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. Once the men left, Mrs. Berta lingered, gesturing for Erin to take the chair beside her.

"This is a promising first step, Erin. From here, you'll need to focus entirely on your work. I won't be able to help you as much anymore, understand?"

"Yes, Auntie. Thank you so much." Erin reached for her aunt's hand, kissing it with gratitude.

"Also, be mindful to keep personal matters separate from work."

"I will, Auntie."

"Remember, I can't shield you as much now. You'll need to stand on your own."

Erin nodded, letting her aunt's words sink in. After one last encouraging smile, Mrs. Berta left. Erin leaned back in her chair, feeling both relief and resolve wash over her. Her real challenges would only start now—with a fresh team, real responsibilities, and no 'secretary" buffer anymore.

Relaxing in the now-quiet room, Erin realized it was Saturday. Most of the office had already cleared out by noon, and she should be getting ready to go home too. Just as she was about to grab her bag, the door opened, and her heart skipped a beat—she thought it might be Amir. But it was Steve, dressed in a navy shirt that made his smile look even more infuriating.

"No wonder the big bosses are gone! All done?" he asked, shutting the door behind him.

'What do you want, Steve? This meeting was Amir's assignment."

'Oh, come on," Steve said, settling into the chair next to hers, forcing Erin to shift slightly. 'I'm just making conversation. Aren't you bored?"

"Not really," she replied, glancing at the clock. The meeting had ended earlier than scheduled.

"Did you know your office room is being repurposed by Amir? It'll be Kia's space soon," he said casually.

'What?"

"Yeah, with your new position, you'll be moving too, right?"

"Why would you even care?" Erin tried to sound disinterested, but Steve only smirked wider.

"Relax, Erin," he said, his voice condescending. "You're so uptight—like I'm some sort of villain."

'What do you want to talk about? I'd rather head home than stay here chatting."

"Why rush? Don't you want to see Amir?" he asked, a teasing glint in his eyes. Placing both hands on the arms of her chair, he leaned close. 'You must have learned something interesting about him."

Erin shifted uncomfortably, gripping the chair as Steve's arms closed in. He seemed amused by her unease.

"Come on, Erin. It's normal for a girl like you to be interested in a young guy. It'd be a shame if you wasted your time on him."

Erin tried to ease out of his hold, but Steve tightened his grip. Glancing at the frosted glass, she noted the stillness outside—no movement, no shadows. Could they be the only two left in the office? Panic tightened her chest.

'Steve, please, why do you always do this?" She forced a smile, trying to deflect with humor. "I've met your wife and kids. Your wife's beautiful. Why do you still act like this with other women?"

'What do you mean, act like this?" Steve replied, his grin unwavering.

Erin grabbed his collar, holding him back, "Just stop. Remember your family."

"Of course I do," Steve said smoothly. "They're my family; that won't change. But right now? My eyes are on you."

"Don't you feel guilty?" she asked, her voice wavering.

"Rin, if we live with a guilty conscience all the time, we'd miss the color in life!" Steve edged her chair closer until their faces were mere inches apart. His hands clamped on her chair's arms, effectively trapping her. "Imagine it—here we are, alone in this room, yet just on the other side of that glass, the receptionist, the security guard, and the new hires are all bustling around. It's thrilling, isn't it?" he murmured.

Her hands turned cold as a surge of panic twisted through her. She wanted to move, to say something, but his words left her momentarily speechless.

Steve's laugh was low and mocking. "You're hyper, aren't you, Rin? Just like me. A beautiful woman with needs, am I wrong?" His eyes traveled over her face. "Honestly, Rin, you're gorgeous."

"Enough," she managed, gripping his collar, trying to push him back.

"Oh? A gentle touch?" Steve smirked. "Alright, I'll give you an out: push me, and I'll leave. Or, pull me in, and I'll give you a moment you'll never forget."

Her mind raced, caught between his insinuations and the strange tug of intrigue she was fighting to suppress. Steve, sensing her hesitation, moved closer. His mouth closed over hers in a forceful kiss, his hands pinning her wrists. His legs wedged against hers, making any escape feel impossible.

The fog in her mind broke when she felt the smoothness of his face, the lack of that certain texture and stubble that would have felt right. Suddenly realizing her own mistake, Erin's mind snapped back to clarity. She tried to push Steve back again, struggling against his hold, but he only smirked, his grip relentless.

But then her gaze dropped. She remembered where her knee was positioned and, with newfound determination, shifted it gently in a feigned surrender. She saw Steve's lips part with surprise.

'Oh… wow—" he groaned, his guard slipping, but before he could regain control, she slammed her knee hard into his groin.

"DAMN YOU!" she spat, stepping back as he folded over in agony, his hands clutching his pants.

At that moment, the door flew open. Amir strode in, holding a box, only to freeze at the sight. His gaze shifted between Erin, with her disheveled appearance and smudged lipstick, and Steve, who was doubled over in pain.

Rage ignited in Amir's eyes. Dropping the box to the floor, he stalked forward and grabbed Steve by the collar, slamming him into the wall next to Erin.

"What the hell were you doing?" Amir growled through gritted teeth, trying to keep his voice low despite the boiling fury in his expression. He didn't want to draw attention from those outside or expose Erin any further.

"She asked for it," Steve gasped, still clutching himself.

"Liar! You're delusional!" Erin shouted, eyes blazing.

Amir's hands clenched Steve's collar even tighter. "You want me to finish this, don't you?"

"Fine, go ahead," Steve sneered through his grimace, 'what are you going to do—strangle me?"

'With pleasure." Amir's hand balled into a fist, aiming directly at Steve's face.

Amir's eyes flashed with fury, as if he could set Steve on fire with a glance. His fist crashed into Steve's cheek, leaving a darkening bruise.

Steve smirked, blood trickling from his mouth. 'You're going to want to hear this—I have a message from Mrs. Berta for you," he said, unfazed.

'Keep it to yourself." Amir's fist landed on Steve's face again, intensifying the blood on his lip. But Steve only grinned wider.

'You want me to keep it? Well, if you hit me one more time, you can say goodbye to the promotion you're supposed to hear about next week." Amir's arm froze mid-air, his anger giving way to shock. Sensing his advantage, Steve shrugged off Amir's grip, casually dusting off his shirt as if Amir's touch was dirt.

'Good job, princess," Steve taunted, patting Amir's shoulder. 'Meet me back here in ten minutes. I'll go clean up. And let's both pretend this little ‘incident' never happened, okay?" With that, he walked out.

Amir was left standing in stunned silence, trying to process what just happened.

First, something had definitely occurred between Erin and Steve. Second, whatever it was, Erin clearly hadn't wanted it. Third, Steve had used his position to leverage Amir's silence. Fourth, Steve's comment had been Amir's first inkling of a long-awaited promotion. And fifth, he was finally alone in the room with Erin.

Amir's gaze shifted to her. Erin was smoothing her hair and wiping smudged lipstick from her mouth, her expression tense. Did Steve force her? Or had Erin, somehow, accepted the kiss?

The tension lingered as Amir's questioning gaze bore into her. Erin was inching toward the door, her bag slung over her shoulder, ready to bolt, but she paused, catching the weight of his stare, as if it were pulling her back.

Finally, she turned to him, her hand still on the door handle. "Steve forced me. I didn't want any of that," she said, her voice soft but resolute. She didn't wait for his response, nor did she look back before slipping through the door.

Amir hadn't expected to be called back to this room so soon, especially after wanting nothing more than to knock Steve to the ground again. Now, seated across from him, he tried to stifle the anger still simmering inside.

Across from him, Steve was pressing an ice pack to his bruised cheek, unfazed as he launched into an explanation. 'Now, as you know, we're activating the new building. That means more staff, so we'll be promoting a few people to new roles," he said as if nothing had happened between them just minutes ago. 'I'm putting you forward for the IT Operations Manager role. Less hands-on work, more oversight. You'd be overseeing the installation needs, coordinating with security and HR on monitoring systems—things like that."

Amir looked up, his irritation mixed with surprise. 'You mean, I'd focus on office operations?"

'Yes. No more dealing with webinar support or e-learning access. You'll have a team of two to handle that, and I'll make sure you get out on time," Steve continued with a saccharine tone. 'Now, here's the exciting part. The position comes with a twenty-three million salary, a ten million raise. Good, right?"

It was a tempting offer—his dream, really. But Steve's sly grin only fueled Amir's suspicion.

'Well? It's good, isn't it?" Steve kicked Amir's chair, pulling him from his thoughts.

'Yes… it's good."

'Perfect. All you have to do is perform well over the next week. Kia and I will be monitoring your work. You're our friend, and I want to see you succeed," Steve said with mock warmth, his smile widening. 'But lately, I've been worried about you. Your work has slipped a bit these past few weeks…"

'What are you talking about? My work's been fine!" Amir snapped, his indignation flaring.

'Maybe you think so, but remember—Kia will be the one evaluating you."

"And where is she evaluating from?" Amir shot back, barely able to contain his frustration. "Bro, let's keep personal matters out of this."

"Funny, coming from you," Steve countered with a smug grin. "You've been hiding out in the new building's warehouse the past few days, avoiding work in Building One. You really think that's acceptable?"

"I'm working in the new building too, man!" Amir protested.

"Are you, though? Kia and I don't see it."

"Of course you don't see me working; we're in different buildings. Where am I even supposed to work?" Amir's frustration bubbled over. "What do you do?"

"Oh, don't worry about that. Just stop pretending. And let's not forget, you're single—no distractions there. Just focus on work, alright?"

Amir felt a surge of suspicion. Steve's smirk, his pointed mention of Kia—it all hinted at a larger issue. When it came to Steve and Kia, their contempt for Erin, and by extension, for his relationship with her, was unmistakable. "See? You're going personal. My relationship has nothing to do with my work here, Steve."

"Of course, it does! Erin's got you all worked up. She distracts you, and let's be honest, she's… distracting for everyone," Steve's tone took on an unsettling edge. "But listen, I'm giving you an easy way out. End things with her, and by Saturday, you'll sign the contract and have the promotion you've been waiting for."

"You can't do that," Amir's voice was tense.

"Oh? Who's going to stop me?" Steve shrugged. "Even HR thinks your relationship is an issue. It's not just me."

"How is it a problem? We've never done anything inappropriate in the office!"

Steve chuckled, glancing over at Kia's empty desk. "It's a distraction. I don't need to explain any more than that, Mal. The choice is simple—secure the promotion you've been working for, with all the benefits that will support your daughter's future, or keep a girl who seems to be losing interest in you. She's just not that into you anymore." Steve stood, resting a hand on Amir's shoulder. "So, Amir, think it over: Erin or Sheyna. That's your homework."

Amir's jaw clenched, his teeth grinding in frustration as he watched Steve leave the room with that same smug expression. Defeated, he dropped into his chair, feeling powerless and humiliated. He was trying to stay strong for his daughter, Sheyna. And then there was Erin, who had just shown a glimmer of hope in their relationship.

But how could he possibly choose between them?

***