Chapter 15
Actually, Tasya needed her phone to double-check Nathan's schedule that she had saved in a special memo. Unfortunately, her phone suddenly turned terrible. She had no idea how many times the same caller ID name appeared there. "What are you doing?" Nathan looked at his assistant with a puzzled frown. A few moments ago, he had asked Tasya to go to the finance division to request some files. But why was she still sitting at her desk? Plus, her eyes were glued to the vibrating phone.
"Hey!" Tasya quickly grabbed the phone, swiftly hanging it up. Then she smiled widely to cover up what had happened. "It's nothing, sir."
But Nathan wasn't going to believe that. "What's going on?"
"I'll go to the finance division right away, sir." She immediately hurried away, slightly disturbed because her vibrating phone lightly touched her stomach. She chose to use the emergency stairs so she could answer the call that had been bothering her since earlier. It's not that she didn't want to use the elevator, but... never mind. The important thing was for her to get away from Nathan for now.
Meanwhile, the man who had been left by Tasya just blinked in confusion. "What's wrong with her?" Shortly after, his phone rang. His mother's name appeared on the screen. "Yes, Mom?"
"When do you have time for a blind date?"
"A blind date?" Nathan pulled out one of the chairs, perplexed by his mother's overly dramatic question. "What do you mean, Mom?" He loosened his tie slightly.
"Didn't Tasya tell you? Mama asked Tasya to find a potential partner for you? Someone with red hair? A bit older to handle Naina? Mama even chose someone who loves children? Didn't Tasya tell you any of that? Or arrange your schedule?" Nathan's mouth hung open wide. His mother's rambling was like a trumpet being blown repeatedly. "Mom!" he exclaimed once he understood her words. "Don't be ridiculous. There's no such thing in my life. I don't want a blind date just to fulfill Naina's strange wish. Besides, Naina hasn't mentioned anything about 'Mommy' recently."
On the other end, his mother sighed in annoyance. "Listen, Nathan. A woman like that would be ideal for you as a wife. It's not a problem if she's much older than you. But, well, not as old as Mama. Don't be crazy."
"You're the one starting this crazy conversation, Mom. Not me," Nathan retorted, displeased. "Today I had a long discussion with Tasya about fund allocation, Mom. Don't disturb my concentration."
"I can't help it," Sunny quickly interjected. "Mama already asked about your schedule with Tasya. In three days, you're meeting one of them. Tasya must have found someone who fits your criteria."
Oh God! What kind of ordeal is this?
"Mom!"
"There's no refusal, Nathan. Now Mama is heading to your house. I'll stay there because Papa is going to Jeju's island for two weeks."
"I usually become Papa's shadow." Nathan rubbed his frustrated face.
His mother, the true embodiment of hell, happened to be there. Wait. Her hell wasn't as terrifying as he imagined, not like that. But for Nathan, he had to swallow a lot of patience. It wasn't worth arguing and debating with his mother. "Mom, please, don't drive me crazy!"
"Why would you go crazy? If you had a normal partner, not like your numerous ex-girlfriends."
Nathan let out a long sigh.
"You'll learn about the woman you'll meet from Tasya. Where's your assistant, anyway?" Sunny grumbled. "Mama needs her, but she won't answer the phone."
In the end, Nathan understood why Tasya's face had changed like she was poisoned. Usually, there would be a smile and firm words without any doubt. Tasya rarely shifted her gaze unless she was looking sharply at her interlocutor. She was a credible assistant in her field, and Nathan liked the way Tasya worked.
"Don't bother Tasya, Mom." This time, Nathan genuinely requested.
"She knows your preferences, right?"
Nathan closed his eyes gently. "She only knows my superficial preferences." It was at that moment when his eyes met Tasya's as she entered his office. The girl smiled faintly, her hands clasping some necessary files. "She doesn't know what kind of woman I want Naina to be." Nathan immediately ended the call, leaving the phone on the glass-covered table. He didn't care if his mother would scold him later.
"Sorry if I disturbed you, sir," Tasya said softly. "I didn't know you were on the phone."
He waved his hand dismissively. "Have you sorted the files yet?"
Tasya nodded without hesitation. "I also marked the parts that I think are related to yesterday's report, sir."
Nathan nodded. He temporarily set aside the crazy idea his mother had about involving Tasya. He wanted to ask many questions, but the files in front of him were far more important. He did it for the sake of Faldom's continuity when the shareholders' meeting took place. It's not that he didn't want to examine old files, but there were so many things he had to do for the company to thrive.
Many people's lives depended on Faldom. Although it was still on a national scale, Noah Sinclair's cold hands, as well as Jannet Sinclair's marketing policies and strategies deployed here, made Faldom a company worth reckoning. That's why Nathan couldn't afford to lose focus and let Faldom keep moving forward.
Two or three hours passed during their discussion, which proved to be quite perplexing. Tasya made many notes, and Nathan furrowed his brow upon learning the realities. It was foolish of him to find out about this just now. But why did all the fund flows always receive Noah Sinclair's approval?
"Coffee, sir?" Tasya offered, exhaling softly. If she could be honest, her head was pounding uncontrollably. She blinked repeatedly, trying to dispel the numbers that wouldn't disappear quickly enough. She had momentarily taken off her glasses and was squinting at Nathan.
"Tired, huh?"
"A little, sir," Tasya replied with a laugh. "But there's a lot more that I've analyzed in depth to summarize for you."
"It's going to be a long day, Tasya."
Tasya smiled. "Should I order coffee as usual? You've only had one cup so far. I'll give you some leeway."
Nathan laughed. "You're only allowed to serve me two cups a day, Tasya. Just one, right? That's not leeway. It's my quota."
Still smiling, Tasya played with her fingers on her phone screen. She focused on ordering coffee from Nathan's usual cafe. However, a moment later, the smile disappeared.
From Sunny:
What do you think about this one? I need your advice urgently, Tasya. It's for Nathan's sake.
***
Tasya asked her middle brother to install a brighter front light. Not only did she still feel jittery in the dark, but she also needed to see her surroundings clearly. It's not that she was afraid of burglars. The house was in such a dilapidated state that Tasya thought it might collapse, but it was the only place she could live. Oh... her family too.
"Sista!" Robin greeted as soon as he saw Tasya entering their house. Tasya's smile lit up brightly. "Is Ruben not home yet?"
"He's already home, but he has evening classes today. He's afraid he'll miss you if he goes out to change the light."
She immediately embraced Robin. She messed up her younger brother's curly hair. He frowned, but then he picked up Tasya's suitcase and carried it inside. They walked into the house where their mother was sitting cross-legged. She wore a beautiful blouse with delicate lace, a soft ivory yellow color, and she had slightly done her makeup. The beautiful features their mother had were still visible on her face, despite her age showing. "Where is Mama going?"
Their mother, Abigail, smiled widely. "I have a dinner invitation. Wait to be picked up by Aunt Merry."
Tasya closed her eyes for a moment. "Okay. Happy waiting." She approached her mother, giving her a quick peck on the cheek. As much as she resented her mother's behavior, this woman had raised her up until this moment. She was just... too shocked by the reality.
"Don't forget to pay the electricity bill tomorrow, Tasya. The deadline is tomorrow evening at five o'clock."
"Yes, Mom."
Robin, who had been watching their interaction all this time, looked at them sadly. But he continued to follow Tasya to her room. He wouldn't let his sister carry the suitcase alone. He said, "I want to help, Sis."
"Have you eaten?" Tasya turned on all the lights in her room. Although the room wasn't spacious, there was no big bed like the one she had been using for a week, and there wasn't a refreshing room fragrance that sprayed every ten minutes, but this was her life.
"Yes. Ruben bought some side dishes from the nearby stall. Mom didn't cook, but she didn't go out either."
"Thank you, Robin, for being such a good sibling. Taking care of Mom."
Robin looked at his sister sorrowfully. "Tasya, why do you always pretend?"
Tasya quickly folded her smile. "No, I'm not. I'm tired, you know. I'm frustrated, angry, resentful, and can't accept everything that's happening, but I can't let it all go like that." She gently patted Robin's shoulder. Then she walked towards her neatly arranged bed. "Come, sit with me."
Robin, still pouting but not arguing, saw Tasya as a very cool person. He would always follow her words. Not their mother's.
"How's school going for you?"
"It's okay. I don't skip classes. I try to focus on the explanations. I have to be like Ronan and you."
"Good boy." Tasya smiled proudly. "Big sister will fight hard until you both finish college. Never be afraid to dream big, okay?"
"Yes, sis." Robin hugged his older sister affectionately, but they were suddenly interrupted by Hari's arrival. He was carrying a paper bag.
"Welcome home, sis."
Although... sometimes Tasya was tired of supporting them financially, but who else could they depend on? Their mother? That would be impossible. Instead of constantly expressing her objections to Naina and their mother, who were sometimes indifferent, she'd better be grateful that they could still be together like this.
"Sis, your phone keeps vibrating. Who is it?" Robin asked curiously. His words made Tasya loosen her hug a bit. She took out the phone from her bag. The name "Mrs. Sunny" appeared on the screen.
"Yes, Mrs. Sunny?" "Have you chosen yet?"
Tasya sighed softly. "There are four suitable candidates, and I've contacted them too. I introduce them once a week, but with Nathan's busy schedule, there are some gaps that I have to adjust."
"I don't understand all the arrangements, it's your job. What's important is that I want Nathan to come to the blind date. Don't let him refuse."
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Make sure he comes, Tasya," Sunny warned. "It's for Naina's sake too."
Sometimes, Tasya was puzzled by thoughts like this. It's not that she didn't want to bother with her boss's matchmaking issues. But Naina? Lately, Naina hadn't mentioned the red-haired woman. "Yes, Mrs. Sunny, I'll do my best with all the available options."
"Did Nathan respond positively? Did you tell him?"
"Yes. But Mr. Nathan is still adamantly refusing. However, I'll try talking to Naina. The key is there, right, Mrs.?" "Exactly! You're absolutely right. Oh... Nathan and Naina are lucky to have you. Choose the best for them, okay?"