"Are you okay?" Damar asked right after Leon walked away from me. I let out an annoyed sigh; this was like escaping the lion's mouth only to fall into the crocodile's jaws. Both were people I tried to avoid.
"I'm fine," I replied, shaking off my arm that was sore from Leon's grip.
"I'm heading home," I said eventually. Damar used to call me 'Kakak' because I was three years older and his senior at Global Kimia. But somewhere along the line, he started addressing me with 'you' and 'I,' which only made me uncomfortable with his overly familiar attitude.
"The event isn't over yet," he said, stopping me in my tracks.
"I'm not feeling well," I replied without looking at him.
"No one is allowed to leave before the event ends," he said, making my hand itch to scratch his face. Oh... I just realized why he was acting so annoying—he's my boss now, isn't he? That means I have to follow all his orders.
I turned and stared into his eyes without blinking. I had made up an excuse earlier, but his response made me want to come up with another lie.
"My stomach hurts, and I don't think I can sit inside any longer," I complained.
"So, Mr. Damar, can you grant me an exemption?" I asked formally. Since he was my boss now, I'd treat him as he wished.
His forehead wrinkled at my words. Ever since rumors spread that Damar would be promoted to head of marketing, replacing the current head who was about to resign, our relationship had changed. I could no longer smile when he greeted me or engage in small talk. I was jealous that he got the position, but wasn't that only natural?
"This is already outside of working hours. I can't stay here any longer," I added.
"Fine, but come in earlier than everyone else tomorrow. There are some things that need to be done," he said with a commanding tone. I just discovered how arrogant he could be, and he'd only just gotten the promotion.
I nodded in response and, without another word, got into my car. Running into Leon was bad luck, and that misfortune multiplied with having to deal with this new boss whose arrogance rivaled that of top celebrities.
For some reason, Damar didn't leave and stood there watching until my car disappeared from view. I hated that two-faced man. I hated how lucky he was.
***
After ending things with Leon, I blocked all his access so he couldn't contact or meet me. I changed my apartment's passcode, blocked his number, and took different routes to work. But Leon was relentless, finding ways to run into me, like he did yesterday.
He was so possessive that even after we broke up, he still acted that way. But his possessiveness didn't guarantee his loyalty; he still cheated, blaming me for neglecting him. It was absurd. I couldn't accept that I was being blamed for his infidelity.
Ugh, my head throbbed just thinking about him. And now, I had to arrive early at the office due to my dear new boss's request.
Sure, arriving early helped me avoid traffic, but the thought of being in the same room as that pretentious kid was worse than being stuck in traffic. I could even remember the scent of his signature cologne.
Maybe I should try my luck at another company.
As I drove into the office basement, my phone rang, displaying His Majesty's name. I sighed in frustration. He probably thought I forgot his order from last night.
I ignored the call and focused on parking. It was still early, but he had already ruined my mood.
Global Kimia occupied the sixth and seventh floors, and my office was on the seventh. The elevator was empty, and I could have arrived half an hour later.
My phone rang again just as I tapped my access card on the seventh floor. I figured I should find out what he wanted.
"It's already seven in the morning," he said when I answered.
"Good morning, Mr. Damar. Lovely morning, isn't it?" I greeted him, phone still to my ear. When he saw me, he ended the call and gave me a sharp look.
"What can I do for you today, sir?" I asked as I placed my bag on my desk.
"Come to my office," he replied before disappearing into his newly acquired office. Why couldn't he just talk here? Was he trying to emphasize the difference between us now? That he was the boss and I was the subordinate? His self-important behavior made my blood boil.
Under the previous head of marketing, we never had to come in early. I still didn't understand his mission.
Reluctantly, I walked toward his office. Just days ago, he sat next to me, staring at his computer.
Whatever. Thinking about it only made me angrier.
"There are a few things we need to do today," he said without preamble.
"Shouldn't we wait for the others?" I asked, puzzled that he was sharing the day's plans with just me.
"No, we have to head out of town this morning," he replied, leaving me stunned. Usually, we'd be informed a day in advance to prepare, but this guy sprung it on me like it was normal.
"But, sir..."
"Haven't had breakfast?" he guessed, though that wasn't what I wanted to say.
"I already asked Doni to get breakfast. Eat first, and we'll leave in half an hour," he added. We? Just the two of us?
"You... uh... you're coming too, sir?" I asked. I'd already called him "sir" since yesterday, so I might as well keep it up. His nod made me hold my breath. Annoying. He should just enjoy his new position from the office.
After briefly explaining our plan, I left his office. At the same time, Doni, the office boy, approached me.
"Miss Bulan, your breakfast is in the pantry," he said. I thanked him, though I wasn't thrilled about accepting food from that man.
A bag sat on the pantry table. It must be the breakfast Damar ordered. His attempt to show concern for his subordinates didn't impress me.
I decided not to think about that annoying man. Eating was my priority after barely eating last night.
Inside the bag were nasi uduk, bread, fruit juice, chocolate, and painkillers. Nasi uduk was a typical breakfast, but bread, juice, chocolate, and oddly, painkillers? This couldn't be mine.
"Is this really mine?" I asked Doni, who had just entered the pantry.(*)
"It's yours, Miss. Mr. Damar asked me to buy all that for you," he replied.
"And the medicine?" I asked, still unsure.
"That's for you too. Mr. Damar said you were sick yesterday, so he wanted to make sure you had it," Doni explained.
"No thanks. I'll just take the nasi uduk. Give the rest to Damar," I snapped.(*)