Chapter 13
Nathan truly kept his word. Coming to Tasya's room was just for breakfast together, showing how enjoyable this room was when he used to occupy it. Actually, Tasya had known that since she first came here. That's why Tasya liked working in a comfortable atmosphere because she found this room so ideal. She could stay here for a long time. If only she could have a room like this, it would be really nice.
"Are you sure you don't need my help?" she asked just before Nathan walked away from the bedroom door. He already had the files he wanted in his hands.
"No," the man waved his hand dismissively. "You enjoy your vacation."
For some reason, Tasya couldn't easily believe it.
"Don't make that face, Tasya," Nathan smirked. "Or should I revoke your permission?"
Not wanting to argue, Tasya just nodded. "Thank you."
"That's more like it." Then Nathan walked away, whistling as he went. This morning had put him in a cheerful mood. Naina's mood was quite high. Although he had gone through an embarrassing incident, at least there was something funny that could make him smile a little.
Meanwhile, Tasya watched his back until he completely disappeared behind another corridor. Shrugging her shoulders, she felt that her boss was acting very strange this morning. Since when did Raptor smile so much for no reason? And his words seemed to be teasing Tasya? No, she didn't want to be tempted and teased by Raptor.
The image of the man who had been occupied by different women since he became her assistant was unforgettable.
"I'm free today, right? So if I go to the bookstore, I shouldn't be sought after, right?" Tasya entered her room again. She smiled as wide as possible, shouting with joy. "Yes! I'm free today!"
She quickly grabbed her suitcase, which only contained work clothes and some loose shirts. To some extent, she wondered about the situation at her home. But... "Taking a short break without thinking too much doesn't seem wrong, right?" She just lay down on the messy bed without arranging it. Her hand touched the blanket that had wrapped her earlier. Then she shuddered at the next scene. "Oh, God! Erase the memory of what happened earlier!" She quickly rubbed her arms. "Oops!"
Fortunately, she was immediately distracted by the loud ringing of her phone. Since it wasn't too far from the edge of the bed, she quickly grabbed it. Hari's name appeared on the screen. It took a while before Tasya finally slid the screen toward the green direction.
"Yes?"
"Are you still in Sidoarjo, Tasya?"
The girl with bangs closed her eyes softly. "Yes."
"Send Mom some money. Mom wants to participate in the gathering. It's Mama's schedule to go to Gunnam Kafe. You know, right?"
Tasya fell silent.
"Mama can't possibly comply if you don't go there. Even though we're poor now, Mama still has her dignity. It's useless to educate you to the highest level if it's not useful."
Tasya took as deep a breath as possible to fill her lungs but suddenly suffocated her mercilessly. She didn't even feel like exhaling slowly.
"Hurry up, Tasya. Ronan will take Mama there this afternoon. Mama won't let her dignity be trampled on by them."
"Mom," Tasya pleaded. "Can you stop?"
"For what?" Her mother's voice sounded louder. "Mama has to confront them, Tasya. Mama can't be belittled just because we're poor now. Do you remember what we used to be like? This is all because of your father!" "Mom!" Tasya snapped at her mother. "Instead of going to useless gatherings and wasting the money I've saved for the three of us to live on, you should think about Robin's schooling!"
"Don't tell Mama what to do! This is all because your father loved you too much! Have some self-awareness, Tasya Rosmerry!"
Oh God! Was her mother really like this? Blaming her for an unexpected incident? Is this what Tasya wanted? When everything seemed glamorous because of money and a prosperous life, it turned out to be just an illusion. Her father, who was addicted to gambling and alcohol, risked everything.
Everything they had was taken away when her father lost. Everything. And because of that, a heart attack took Lionel Jacob's life, leaving nothing behind except the house they all lived in. It had already been used as collateral in one of the banks and... was heavily in debt.
She closed the phone call abruptly. Tasya's breath became somewhat short. Ah... She had wanted a peaceful, calm break without anyone causing trouble, and she could go back to sleep peacefully. There was no denying that staying up late recently made her easily tired. But she couldn't afford to be tired when working with Nathan, right?
Once again, she sighed, and this time it was much longer than before. Although she was annoyed with her mother's unchanged behavior, she still opened her online banking app. She transferred a sum of money along with a message to her younger brother.
Tasya. J:
I just transferred the money, you can check it. Don't rush. Take Mom to Aunt Poppy's house. Are you working or off today? How is Robin?
She quickly received a reply.
Ronan:
Off, sis. Robin already left. I took him earlier. Yeah, I'll take Mom there soon, but sis, can you be tougher with Mom? Don't be like this all the time.
A faint smile appeared on the corner of Tasya's lips. The image of her younger brother's angry pouting face suddenly filled her mind. But when she thought about it, besides herself, who else would provide for her mother? Who could she rely on? Not wanting to dwell on it for too long, she casually placed her phone aside. She folded her legs and gazed outwards, towards the outer part of the room. The large curtains that covered the windows were fully open. The garden in this house was so beautiful. The green leaves and plants there made Tasya feel much better. Sunny. There was no disturbing noise that could disrupt her peace.
She slowly closed her eyes. Unexpectedly, her mind wandered back to the picture that was the origin of the embarrassing incident between her and Nathan. "I just wanted to hide this until it all blows over." One of her fingers gently traced the small portrait of her boss when he was a child. What she said was true. Nathan's younger self had a slightly chubby body. His face was round, although he was already handsome. That's why she was amazed by that photo, because what Tasya said was true. How could Nathan grow up to be so handsome?
So, it seemed that the advertisement claiming growth was upwards, not sideways, was perfectly realized by Nathan. The picture frame that Tasya took seemed to be from a photo where Nathan had won one of the competitions. In that photo, Nathan had a wide smile.
So, even from a young age, Nathan's brain was brilliant, right? No wonder he was trusted and able to explore himself in Faldom despite being the number one tormentor for Tasya. The memories of his past also accompanied the gentle strokes on the glass protecting this portrait.
Nathan's figure changed to that of a taller and more sturdy young man. Although his expression at the time was distraught. But Tasya could understand why he looked so downcast. Tasya was in the corridor where people were risking their lives, not by accident. The sound of sirens and many conversations that Tasya didn't understand echoed faintly in her memory.
At the same time, Tasya also came to a realization. Her father couldn't be saved because of a heart attack. Her mother was crying, her two younger siblings were probably hugging each other at home. Unlike her, who was wandering around the hospital corridor.
"Doctor, a four-year-old patient. Severe bleeding in the abdomen. The wound is quite large."
"Prepare the operating table immediately."
Then the two people quickly left with fast strides. Tasya prayed for the child's safety. She didn't want the family of that child to mourn. It was enough that she suddenly didn't have a father. But speaking of the child's parents, it was also pitiful if the child survived. The doctor had declared the parents deceased. Tasya had heard the sad news.
At that time, Tasya sat in a daze in the corridor leading to the emergency room. Watching how the accident victims were swiftly pushed towards the emergency treatment room was horrifying. Not long after, a young man arrived. Tasya thought he was one of the family members of the accident victims. Perhaps... the eldest child?
The girl observed the young man, talking to the doctor here and there, then busy with his phone. Nothing escaped Tasya's attention from all the things that suddenly caught her interest. Especially Nathan's face, which was handsome, but burdened with the same sadness. Tasya was too lazy to shed tears. She felt like her father's death would bring disaster in the future.
"He needs blood, right?" Tasya murmured softly. She still didn't want to get up from her seat. "His blood type is the same as mine. It's for that child, right?" She looked at her hands. Her skin was fair. She was wearing a sports shirt covered with a thin cardigan to ward off the cold. Her long hair was tied up high. No glasses or braces. Just the image of a teenage girl who had lost her sense of direction for a moment.
Tasya liked romance novels. Suddenly, many scenes crossed her mind, including proposing a deal as payment for the kindness she had shown. Although it felt silly, it might be worth a try. Let's just say she was playing the craziest joke of her life. After all, they wouldn't meet again, right?
******
Tasya quickly followed Naina's steps to her room. It was useless to tell her to be careful. That child knew the ins and outs of this house, including the distance between each step of the staircase.
"Naina, hold on a moment." Tasya gasped for breath. "I'm really tired."
Naina remained silent, her fists clenched in anger. She was ready to unleash her frustration, but she needed another outlet. One of them was the book she borrowed from her room. Why did friendship always have to come in groups? Couldn't they cross class boundaries? Wasn't friendship about anyone? Why was it suddenly Naina who was hated for being friendly with other classes?
How unfair it was, right? There was no way Naina would accept that.
"Naina," Tasya called out again. They had reached the top of the stairs, but Naina's steps showed no sign of slowing down. "What's wrong with you?" "Stay quiet!"
Luckily, Tasya was immune to being scolded and hearing raised voices. Although she was initially taken aback by her boss's niece's behavior, she had gotten used to it by now. Tasya continued to follow the girl's steps until they reached her room, and... "Hey! Wait a minute! Why did you tear up your book?"
"Shut up, Tasya!" Naina's face was fierce. Her eyes impolitely glared at Tasya. She quickly snatched the book back from Tasya's hand. In her mind, she had already planned what she would do. She would create a big tear as a sign of her frustration at school. She couldn't let her friend's behavior go unchecked.
Unfortunately, Tasya was quick. She lifted the book as high as possible, causing Naina to tiptoe and struggle to grab it. Don't ask about Naina's escalating voice, then trembling, and finally crying now. Tasya had exhausted Naina, keeping her busy, but it was better for the child to cry.
Since she grew up prematurely, Tasya knew it wasn't good to keep anger and resentment in her heart. They had to be released, even through tears. After that, she had to think about how her life would go on. So it was better to let Naina cry. "Are you calmer now?" Tasya asked, gently stroking Naina's head. It took a while for Naina to allow herself to be approached. Initially, all kinds of dolls, pillows, bolsters, even her bed were no longer in one piece. Naina had gone berserk, throwing everything at Tasya.
"I'm upset," the girl said softly.
"Upset is okay, but not angry."
"Can't you be upset and angry at the same time, Tasya?"
Tasya fell silent. Nathan's daughter, or rather her niece, was indeed smart. "Well, no."
"Then why can't I be angry?" Naina looked up at Tasya with an annoyed expression. Her hands quickly folded across her chest, indicating her desire for no further disturbance.
"Who said you can't be angry? No one did. But if your anger leads you to destroy things and ultimately harm yourself, Tasya won't allow it."
Naina pouted.
"Not ready to talk yet?"
Naina still held her ground.
"All right. Tasya will get the food first. I ordered pizza earlier, thinking we could eat together while watching a movie. But then you got angry."
The girl's face softened. "Are there a lot of pizzas?"
"Plenty, of course." Tasya smiled broadly. "Should we eat in your room or mine?"
"In your room, Tasya." Naina immediately got up from her bed, roughly wiping her damp cheeks. "But can I have soda? It's been a long time since I had any."
Tasya's smile grew wider. "Sure. But not too much, okay? Daddy might scold you."
Naina chuckled. "Okay."
They left the room feeling much better, although Tasya still didn't know what was bothering Naina. She would ask her later during their pizza dinner. She did order pizza, after all. Somehow, she really wanted to eat warm pizza with melted cheese. Tasya deliberately bought one serving for Raptor. Originally, she wanted to give it to him personally because of Aunty Merry's information. Since entering his office, Nathan hadn't come out at all.
It was said that some people from the office came to see Nathan. He was busy, it seemed. Tasya wasn't surprised. But because of Naina's explosive arrival, she took care of her niece Nathan first.
"You go to your room first. Merry will bring it to you. Wait there, Tasya will bring this for Raptor."
Naina laughed. Every time her Daddy was called Raptor, she couldn't help but find it funny.
But Tasya's steps were halted because her phone in her pocket vibrated. Sunny's name appeared on the screen as she answered the call. What could it be? "You go ahead," Tasya requested before sliding the green icon. "Yes, ma'am?"
"Tasya, I've sent many profiles for Naina's potential stepmother. Selections that you think are suitable. So that Nathan can date someone sane."
"What?" Tasya was dumbfounded.
"Are you listening to me, Tasya?"
Tasya didn't know what to say. This was really surprising. Like lightning struck around her. What does Nathan's future wife have to do with her? Shouldn't he be the one to choose?
"You know Nathan's preferences best, right? You can't count how many women Nathan has introduced to you. Now, help me choose the right one. They all have red hair. Just like what Naina wants."
Oh my God! Suddenly, Tasya remembered who the woman with red hair was.