"Darling," My mother ran toward her husband.

Eliana and her grandmother were still standing frozen.

Behind Amon.

"Andi has already given her the signing bonus, sir," answered Amon's assistant, standing in front of the door.

"Miss Hawisa has already received the 2 million." He walked toward Amon, passing my mother, who instinctively opened her mouth and covered it with her hand.

She and Johan were already standing.

"2 million?" My mother's voice reached my ears.

Yeah...

2 Million, Mom.

Your daughter has worked even if it had to cost her life.

Not for the money...

But for the freedom I could never get.

"My apologies if the amount still feels lacking for you, Miss Wisa. We will prepare additional funds,"

"Oh, no," My head spontaneously shook. I hurried to wipe away my tears. I wasn't scared anymore. My legs could stand now. "The money is enough," I replied while rubbing my itchy nose.

I stood with my head bowed in front of Amon.

"Who are you people? How dare you meddle in our family's business!" My stepfather, Johan.

Even after getting hit, he still hasn't given up.

"Dad!" Eliana snapped at him.

Johan instantly froze.

I smiled with a wistful gaze directed at the floor by my feet.

Instantly, pain pierced my heart.

I regretted ever snapping at my father the way Eliana just did.

If I knew he would leave me all alone in this painful world... I definitely would have always been an obedient child.

Dad... please help your daughter.

I wiped my wet cheeks again.

Still keeping my head bowed.

Amon didn't react at all.

Two of Sergio's employees blocked Johan as he stepped forward to approach us.

"So, he's your father?" Amon's assistant asked Eliana with a cold voice.

I remembered, Eliana also worked at Sergio.

The director's beloved secretary. That was what I heard.

But Amon was the CEO, the heir as well, the owner of Sergio too.

Amon's position was way higher than Eliana's superior.

"My apologies, sir," For the first time, I heard Eliana apologize. Bowing helplessly.

I glanced in her direction.

"Forgive us, we'll leave," She pulled her grandmother's hand, moving her head from Johan toward the front door.

Before stepping away, Johan glanced at me full of hatred.

Full of vengeance.

But what can you do, Johan?

You can't fight my boss.

I smiled wide until my teeth showed.

I wasn't weak Wisa anymore.

Refusing to stay weak.

I had to survive by Amon's side.

I refuse to die.

I will prove that I can live without any of your help.

Eliana finally took her family away from this hospital patient room.

"Wisa," My mother tried to approach me.

I averted my gaze.

Her steps instantly halted when Amon's employee blocked her.

"She's my daughter," she said.

Now you're acknowledging me?

After hearing about the 2 Million?

What am I... what am I in your eyes?

I wiped my tears again.

My chest felt tight.

My breath hitched.

Dad... why can't Mom change?

Why is it that only money is on her mind?

"Please leave, Miss," Amon's assistant ordered.

"Wisa," My mother called me.

But I stayed silent.

I didn't answer her.

"Miss," Amon's assistant spoke up again. "The way out is over there,"

My mother clicked her tongue in annoyance. Glancing at me with an angry look.

But finally, she stepped away and left the room.

I let out a breath of relief from my mouth.

My nose was stuffy.

Hard to breathe.

"Lift your head, Miss Hawisa," Amon's voice was flat, commanding.

I was stunned.

Stepped back a few paces.

Lifting my head afterward.

My lips trembled.

I wiped the tears that made my cheeks itch.

My eyes and Amon's eyes met.

Amon instantly averted his gaze.

"Ready to work?" he asked.

"Yes, I'm ready, sir,"

He moved to face the room's exit door.

All of his employees followed behind except for just one person who stayed behind.

Silent.

Only the sound of shoes tapping on the floor as they left.

"Miss Hawisa," The remaining employee stepped closer to me.

His hand handed a small bag to me.

"Yes," I answered while reaching for the bag.

"Change your clothes, I'll wait outside," he said.

I nodded my head.

"Okay," my eyes dropped, looking at the small bag in both of my hands.

"Starting now, I am your assistant,"

"What?" My forehead instantly furrowed. My eyes widened. My head lifted, looking toward him.

"I will help with your affairs," he answered, then stepped toward the door.

Even my position now surpassed my expectations.

A servant suddenly turned into an employee who had an assistant.

Dad...

They said if I work with Amon, I will die.

If I die... we can meet, right?

Me and you can be together again, right?

I wiped my last tear, then walked toward the bathroom.

Cleaning all the mess on my body.

Cold.

Nauseous.

My clothes are completely soaked.

One-sided dizziness.

My ATM card?

My steps halted.

That card was still on the floor.

Still there...

Yeah...

I still had 2 Million.

Now I am rich.

But what if I still wasn't free?

I had to work first.

If I die I can meet my father.

If I'm still alive... I'll travel the world.

***

The next day.

I yawned.

The sea breeze hit my body.

I stood in front of a luxurious villa.

Not just me.

There were four other employees.

All men and only I was a woman.

Last night, my assistant took me to a hotel. He said my living place had been prepared, he would escort me after I finished today's task.

The task was quite dangerous.

If I fail, I could get fired.

But I didn't know what my task was?

They only said that I had to hug Amon when Amon came out of the villa.

Hug Amon?

Several media crews got out of cars.

Looks like they were going to cover news about Amon.

"Wisa, over here!"

Amon's assistant called me.

I trotted toward him.

When I arrived, he asked me to go to the backyard of the villa.

I nodded my head.

I walked fast then saw the mangrove forest by the beach.

So beautiful.

I remembered going to the beach with Dad.

A long time ago.

A very long time ago.

"Mr. Amon?" my eyes widened when I saw Amon walking into the mangrove forest.

Blood was trickling down his hand.

"Mr. Amon!" I screamed.

"Find Mr. Amon,"

"Mr. Amon, find Mr. Amon," Amon's employees panicked.

"Mr. Amon is in danger,"

My sweat poured down.

My knees shook violently.

I ran fast toward Amon.

Run, Wisa.

Fast.

Amon could bleed out.

"Mr. Amon!" I screamed when I saw Amon standing on a cliff.

His eyes were empty.

His hand was bleeding.

On the other hand was a knife.

"Mr. Amon...!" I screamed running closer.

But my steps halted.

Amon's eyes changed suddenly.

Full of hatred. Full of anger. Full of vengeance.

His jaw clenched.

His chest went up and down.

He turned toward me.

Threw the knife into the sea.

Walked fast, ran, as if hunting me down.

Why?

What is wrong with him?

Amon's hand choked my neck.

"Ughh!" I struggled to breathe.

Help!

Help!

My hands held Amon's arm.

Hurts.

Hurts so much, Daddy.

Am I going to die?

His broad hand landed on my face.

Once.

Twice.

Three.

My head almost sank into the mud.

Four slaps and my eyes closed.

Dark.

Sore.

Stinging.

Daddy? Where are you?

Hawisa, your daughter is dead now.

"Please help,"

"Pull,"

"Take Miss Hawisa fast,"

"Mr. Rayhan has arrived,"

Panicked voices sounded in my ears.

I felt my body lifted into the air.

Carried into the car.

Then...

My eyes opened.

"Haaa...!" I instinctively sat up while holding my neck with both hands.

Where am I?

My cheek hurts so much.

My lips split.

My face must be bruised.

"Miss Hawisa is awake?" My assistant came and approached me.

"Mr. Amon?" I ask.

That assistant stood beside me. Averted his gaze. Didn't want to look at me.

Was my face that bad?

Am I disfigured?

"With all due respect," his voice was soft and faint.

"The company is firing you, Miss,"

Huh?

I froze.

Silent.

Mute.

It felt like the world stopped spinning.

I turned toward him, stiffly.

Like a robot's head when moving.

What is this?

The door opened.

Amon walked in. His face was pale, but his expression was coldly frozen.

A thick bandage on his wrist was hidden beneath his long-sleeved shirt. His eyes met mine.

His eyes shifted away fast.

He stopped right beside my assistant who was bowing his head.

"Clear out your things, Miss Hawisa," Amon said.

Silent.

My lips trembled.

"Thank you," he said, then he walked out of the room.

Thank you?

After hitting me?

Not saying sorry?

Thank you but I'm fired?

What is this?

"We have sent your severance pay, Miss," My assistant placed a piece of paper on the nightstand.

"Thank you for working very well in our TEAM," he said while stepping away, leaving.