Chapter 10
Who isn't interested in ice cream? Most people enjoy this refreshing sweet treat. There are various flavors and types available, even unimaginable ones like black-colored ice cream, according to Tasya. Additionally, it is topped with fruits that Tasya believes are rarely consumed nowadays.
Firstly, it's expensive. Back when her parents were well-off, Tasya used to eat kiwi and mandarin oranges. But now? She thinks more about the other needs that her family requires. Or buying fruits at the market where she can still negotiate the price. Although her initial attempts to buy fruits failed miserably.
She got scolded by her mother! Her mother said she couldn't choose properly, everything was rotten, ugly, and nothing was edible. It would be better to just give her the money. Tasya didn't refuse to do that. Really. No matter how much money Tasya gave, it always ended up being spent by her mother. Meanwhile, she wanted her two younger siblings to have fruits together. What's so difficult about that simple wish? Unfortunately, her mother seemed unwilling to comply. Secondly, the ice cream in front of her now was also priced ridiculously high. Goodness gracious! Is it because of the location where this ice cream outlet stands that the price is so high? Who knows. One thing is certain, it doesn't make sense to Tasya at all.
Thirdly, it's the color. Why doesn't Naina feel disgusted eating it? Instead, she's devouring it so eagerly? She says, "It's delicious, sis Tasya. Come on, try it. You'll regret it if you don't eat it now. It's melting." Tasya grimaces in astonishment.
"Eat it, Tasya." This time, Sunny speaks up too. Although the middle-aged woman didn't order the same menu as her granddaughter. The variety of fruits as toppings on the cold yogurt she ordered already revealed her preference. Two hours ago, Tasya hurriedly went to Naina's school using a motorcycle taxi. If not, she didn't know what she would have to face. Naina is stubborn. Like she's made of asteroid rock from some unknown planet. Whatever Naina asks for must be fulfilled immediately, or else? Oh, dear!
Tasya would be going around in circles because for now, due to the collaboration summary between Optima and Faldom that she's currently learning in Nathan's workplace. She also took business leave for a week to Sidoarjo, with permission from her mother. Oh, God! Forgive Tasya for lying to her parents. But truly, Tasya didn't do anything bad, really!
She's working, even though sometimes she's teased by her boss and his child.
Fortunately, the motorcycle taxi driver Tasya ordered not only knew the fastest route but also skillfully overtook many vehicles ahead. Although throughout the journey, Tasya uttered many prayers for her safety, hoping that she wouldn't get a single scratch. It wouldn't be funny if she returned from this fake business trip with a long scratch on her leg, or a wounded knee? Oh... just imagining it made Tasya suddenly feel a stomachache.
"Where's Naina?" Tasya immediately asked after getting off the motorcycle.
"In the car, Miss." Mr. Jack approached the girl with shoulder-length hair right away. He had been anxious waiting for her. Not for no reason. Naina couldn't be persuaded at all. For whatever reason. He had already contacted her mother too. He didn't want to make any mistakes again, especially while Miss Tasya's mother was at home. What Mr. Jack didn't know was that Ms. Sunny was at Nathan's office.
"I've been locked up since earlier."
Tasya looks at Naina in disbelief, patting her forehead. She wants to ask how this happened, but it feels too amusing. Mr. Jack must have been tricked by Naina earlier. Mr. Jack looks at Tasya with hopeful eyes. Even if he gets scolded for disturbing her, it doesn't matter as long as Naina can be persuaded to go home. Mr. Jack lets Tasya approach the parked sedan by the roadside, but before that, he says, "Miss, I have also contacted Mrs. Sunny."
"Let her know, sir, I'm with Naina."
Mr. Jack nods obediently. "Okay, Miss."
"Naina?" Tasya calls out, tapping on the car window. Seeing that Tasya has arrived, Naina quickly unlocks the door of the car that always accompanies her. Tasya hurriedly gets in after her. "It's dangerous, Naina, staying inside." Naina pouts with her arms folded across her chest.
"What's wrong?"
"My math score is a seven?"
Tasya furrows her brow and immediately looks for Naina's bag. Once found, she quickly takes it and searches for the book Naina is referring to. But before that, she calls out to Mr. Jack. "Sir, let's go home now."
"I don't want to!" Naina exclaims immediately.
"Naina has to go home. Aunty Merry made delicious food, you know."
"I don't want to go home yet, Tasya!" Naina refuses to back down. This makes Tasya sigh softly.
"Then where do you want to go?" At the same time, Mr. Jack has already gotten into the driver's seat. He starts the car's engine, changing the air inside the cabin. He himself is very puzzled as to why Naina is endangering herself like this. "I'm really angry." She grabs her backpack and quickly rummages through its contents, taking out a sheet of paper she received from her teacher. It includes the material she studied last night. "See? My answer is correct, sis Tasya! Why am I being blamed?"
Tasya closes her eyes briefly, but a moment later, she smiles. "Did you talk to Miss Mia?"
Naina falls silent.
"I'll check first, all right?" Tasya smiles. "If Miss Mia made a mistake in grading, Naina should have the courage to ask. Where did you go wrong?"
The girl begins to soften. Her eyes gaze intently at the figure with bangs and peculiar glasses. "Mr. Jack, take me to Sour Sally. Tell Grandma that I want her to treat me."
Mr. Jack sighs with relief. "Alright, Miss!" Through the rearview mirror, he can see the young lady leaning back comfortably, even though her face is still sulky. Her companion is busy with the sheet of paper that caused the twelve-year-old to get angry. Mr. Jack quickly does what Naina asked and hopes that Tasya won't get too angry and follow them here.
Tasya's hands quickly calculate. Naina's school is really something, giving her a headache. Why are children's lessons so different from when she was young? But that's how it is now, right? The advancement of technology has led to progress in education that cannot be underestimated. Everything develops according to the available technology.
Fortunately, thank goodness, Tasya is truly a native Korean descendant.
Despite all the pressures and events that weigh on her, there is still a sense of luck within her. Including now. She's supposed to be waiting for her data from her boss. But really, she can't just leave Naina like this. What if the girl runs away again? It would be troublesome for her too! No, no. It was enough that she was constantly bombarded with questions about Naina's whereabouts when she didn't even know where she was.
"Naina, let's compare my answers with yours." Tasya handed over her version of the answers, following the provided guidelines. Although there is still a frown on Naina's face, she takes what Tasya offers.
From any angle, Naina is like a walking Barbie. Her eyes are perfectly round, her nose is cute, her skin is fair, and her long hair, although not well-groomed, cascades down. Unbeknownst to Tasya, she takes out a comb from her bag. "Come on, sis, comb my hair. Do a ponytail or just a regular style?"
The doll-like eyes, framed by long and curly eyelashes, blink slowly. They stare intensely at Tasya as if what the girl just said is something strange. But then, Naina smiles broadly. "Just a ponytail. Put a pearl hairpin on me, sis. I think it's in my makeup bag."
"Huh? You have a makeup bag?"
Without hesitation, Naina nods. "I bought it at Shopa. It was on sale." Naina's hand reaches out to grab a box placed on the seat's armrest. The car, which serves as her "home" during the day, is filled with her belongings, including a special suitcase for clothes in the trunk.
Her dad only asks occasionally, "Where are you, Naina? Have you eaten? Don't get too tired because of school, okay, Naina? Miss you."
Naina doesn't need that, what she needs is... "Hey, could you comb it nicely, sis? The other day when Mom combed it, it felt really beautiful."
"You are beautiful, Naina," praised Tasya. "After eating Sour Sally, let's buy some hair vitamins, okay? Your hair is tangled."
"I rarely comb it because I often wake up late."
Tasya laughs. "So you sleep late every night?"
Naina nods without hesitation. "I often can't sleep, so I just play with my phone."
"But you went to bed early last night, didn't you?" Tasya teases her. The girl turns her head with an annoyed expression.
"Last night, I was tired from doing homework and memorizing some parts I didn't understand." Then her eyes return to studying what Tasya told her on another sheet. "I think I made a mistake here, that's why Miss Mia deducted my grade." Tasya smiles thinly. "Do you know your mistake now?"
This time her anger dissipates, replaced by a wide grin. "Yes, Tasya. Thank you." She shakes her head. Her hair moves along with the motion of her head. "Where is my folding mirror? It should be here. Did it get lost?"
Oh, where did this child learn about makeup? When Tasya checks her makeup bag, she sighs in relief. It only contains a comb, mirror, hair ties, and hair clips. Thank goodness! Tasya was expecting things like powder, eyeshadow, lip tint, moisturizer, or anything related to teenage makeup!
"Tasya!" Naina calls a bit loudly. "What are you thinking about? The ice cream is melting!"
Tasya blinks. "Uh!" She quickly scoops the melted part, though there is still a crease on her forehead. "Is this... sure it's tasty, Naina?"
"It's delicious. Miss Tasya will definitely like it." Naina speaks casually. "The kiwi is wrapped like that, Miss, with the ice cream."
Although hesitant, seriously, Tasya is really hesitant. The ice cream is so dark, oh my! But since Naina doesn't suddenly get sick, Tasya gives it a try. And as it enters her mouth, she is astonished. "Wait, why is it delicious?" "What's delicious?"
"What are you doing here?"
"Just because I didn't ask you to come to the office doesn't mean you can have fun at the mall, Tasya!" ******
"How far have we arrived?"
Ck! That's the umpteenth question that has come out of Nathan's mouth today. Yet the man is busy with the steering wheel, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. Sometimes Nathan also honks the horn, although not too loudly. Why not just focus on driving? Instead, he asks Naina about Tasya's progress report.
"In 2011, nothing unusual happened. The cash flow was fine, and there was accountability."
Nathan nods slowly.
"In August 2012, there was a significant amount of funds that went out under the name Optima, but it didn't go into that account."
"What happened?" Nathan furrows his brow.
"I'm not sure how to show the data, sir. This is all I remember." Tasya opens her ever-present notes. The notes specifically given to Tasya by Nathan, which will always be remembered because of the boss's casual remarks.
Nathan lets out a rough breath. "I need to know as soon as possible, Tasya. That's why I asked you to work in my office. I may push you with deadlines, but I provide you with facilities to work calmly. I won't disturb you in any way." Before Tasya can speak, Nathan speaks again, confident that his assistant will interrupt. "Do you know how important that data is? I need to prove that something is amiss with the cash flow in recent years. It was my carelessness in that particular year. And I need you to check, Tasya."
Unfortunately, Tasya's anticipated objection to his statement is met with silence. The assistant sitting beside him remains quiet, bowing her head while squeezing her hands. Her hair partially covers her face. Although Nathan can still see the thick-framed glasses from the side, he knows that Tasya is reluctant to lift her face now.
She really wants to object, especially when it comes to disturbing her. Where does Nathan get the idea that he doesn't disturb her while she works? Since morning, there have been numerous phone calls, chats, and emails, not to mention... ah, forget it, she's too tired to argue with Nathan. Her boss is always right.
"Yes, sir. I'm sorry. I'll work on it immediately."
Nathan grips the steering wheel tightly. Why does Tasya never want to speak honestly when scolded? Why does she always bow like that? But Nathan knows since morning that he has made Tasya busy. At the very least, Tasya would talk. Defend herself. Do not stay silent like this.
And what's more, why was she with Naina and her mother earlier? Ck!