"Sir, it's better to talk about my resignation—

" Lisa said, trying to provoke a response from the manager. But the man interrupted her.

"No, no, I was wrong. I only listened to one side and didn't consider the other one. As manager, I shouldn't have the right to fire you without the approval of the department head.

" The manager lowered his head, expressing his deepest remorse for Lisa.

"So, I won't get fired or have to resign?

" Lisa asked, trying to convince herself before making any assumptions.

"Of course not, Lisa! Come on, our company really needs an exemplary employee like you! I'm really sorry for what happened to you just now. I didn't listen to my underling to cross-check before drawing conclusions…

" The manager seemed even more regretful and ran out of words other than apologies.

"It's okay sir, if you have nothing more to talk about, I ask permission to go back to my work,

" When Lisa turned around to leave the manager's room, the man suddenly stopped her.

"Lisa, wait!

"

Lisa turned around and turned her gaze to the manager.

"What's the matter, sir? Do you have something else to say?

"

"Tht two women who were brought by the police earlier…. Have they ever had a problem with you?

" The manager rested on his chin while looking at her with suspicious eyes, as if he was a detective. The incident just now made him amazed and raised many questions inside his head, so he couldn't help but ask it out loud.

"Why, sir?

" Lisa asked back, feeling a little uncomfortable with the manager's question.

"They were very strange. They intentionally set a trap for you though I can see that you don't have such a rotten heart like them. I'm so curious, did they hold a grudge against you? Sorry if this makes you a bit uncomfortable,

" the manager explained, his eyebrows raised sceptically.

Hearing the question just now made Lisa stunned. She didn't know how to react in front of her manager. However, she no longer wanted to hide her problems with Veronica and Karina.

"Sorry, if it's not comfortable then you don't need to answer. I'm just curious since they were very mean to you,

" the manager said, trying to calm Lisa.

"Oh no problem, I'll tell you anyway. It's okay,

" Lisa replied in a steady voice, and without the slightest hesitation.

The manager sharpened his hearing senses and then looked closely at Lisa's face, paying close attention to the story he was about to hear.

Lisa returned to the chair where she initially took her seat and cleared her throat. Then, with a shaking voice she tried to tell him the truth.

"They are my former stepfamily. Veronica is my stepmother and Karina is my half sister. My father left me and my family and then ran away with Veronica. The two of them did not like my family for no reason. They never let me live in peace, especially Karina. When we both were still working in the same company and department, she always tried to make everything hard for me,

" Lisa explained at length.

The manager nodded. He crossed his legs and then asked,

"How about your relationship with the company president that Karina said?

"

Lisa looked into the manager's eyes with a serious and stern look. She answered without any hesitation,

"I don't think I can answer it. That's my personal business. All is over. But what you need to know is, don't believe everything Karina says. I'm not the type to sell myself just to be promoted!

"

The manager nodded again, now he understood everything. Luckily, the man realized and understood all of Lisa's stories. He could also feel Lisa's clear eyes that radiated honesty and sincerity. The man knew that the woman told him her life problems as they were.

"Okay, then, I apologize once again for accusing you. Hopefully you can forgive me, Lisa,

" said the manager sincerely. He's clearly feeling sorry.

"It's no problem, sir. I already forgive you. By the way, if there is nothing else to discuss, I ask for permission to return to work.

" Lisa got up from the chair and then looked down a little in front of the manager who still looked sorry.

"Alright, back to work. Don't be discouraged!

"

Lisa turned around and walked out of the manager's room with a calm heart. After a great storm, the tide eventually receded for her. However, even though the problem with her manager had been resolved, the employees in the finance department still looked at her with a sharp and unpleasant gaze.

Some of them even thought that it was her who caused Veronica and Karina to be arrested by the police, though they did not know anything that really happened. But Lisa didn't care what people said about her. Her job now was to work hard so that she could support her family in Jakarta.

As Lisa returned to her desk, her new coworker Alia came over and leaned forward. It so happened that her desk was opposite Lisa's, so the two could whisper to each other.

"Lis, what about the manager? Have you fixed the problem yet?

" Alia asked curiously. Her face was more worried than curious.

"I've fixed everything, just calm down. It's just a matter of misunderstanding, Al!

"

Hearing Lisa's answer just now made Alia's heart relieved. She took a deep breath and then said,

"Thank goodness, I'm sure you're not the kind to indulge yourself with those thugs!

"

***

The night had come, it's time for Lisa to go home after struggling with a mountain of work she left when she still needed to be treated in the hospital. When Lisa was standing in front of the gate, she intended to contact Rangga. However, a black Mercedes pulled over nearby. The driver rolled down the window and greeted her in a nosy tone.

"Wait, is that you? God I'd just wanted to call you. Are you going to stay in Bekasi?

" Lisa asked after the man pulled over and greeted her.

"I've just finished my work. I will return to Jakarta again tomorrow. Uh, you haven't eaten yet, right? What if I treat you?

" Rangga said cheerfully. A cute smile was clearly displayed on his handsome face.

Lisa was stunned to see that the man still had time to ask her to dinner even though his business in Bekasi was over. She thought Rangga came and pulled over nearby just to say goodbye and then returned to Jakarta as he had just said.

"Huh? No, I just want to go back to the boarding house. I'll buy food at the street vendors,

" Lisa replied a little reluctantly. The problem was their friendship was still a little awkward.

Lisa didn't have any grudge against the man she had known since childhood. However, if she met and spent time with him too often, she was afraid that the man would develop his old feelings for Lisa again.

No, Lisa couldn't risk it. She didn't want him to chase her again and begged her to be his lover, let alone his wife.

"Come on, just this once. Before I go back to Jakarta, when else can we hang out together like before?

" Rangga asked, putting on a pitiful face that Lisa couldn't refuse.

She took a deep breath while rolling her eyes.

"Alright, fine. Let's eat together...

"

"Come on, hurry up!

" Rangga exclaimed, his eyes sparkling. His face was beaming like that of an outstanding student who had just received praise from the teacher. The man then stepped on the gas and drove away.

"What do you want to eat, Lis?

" He asked

"Whatever, I'm not picky,

" Lisa answered briefly. Her face looked displeased as she was getting tired from work.

"Come on, make a choice! I don't know what you want to eat,

" Rangga said firmly.

"Okay, let's eat Padang Satay by the side of the road,

" Lisa replied briefly. She rested her chin while glancing at Rangga as the man was driving beside her.

Arriving at the stall, the two childhood friends looked for seats that faced the road. For Rangga, eating street foods would be more enjoyable while watching the passing vehicles. The two of them then sat on a chair near the sidewalk, ordering two jumbo iced teas.

While waiting for their Satay Padang to arrive, Lisa suddenly raised her voice and broke the silence,

"Rangga, thanks for helping me earlier. If it weren't for you, I might have been fired by my boss for real.

"

"Hey, we're friends! Don't worry about it!

" Rangga exclaimed, a sweet smile appeared on his lips again. The man then took a quick sip of his drink.

"Crazy, Bekasi is still hot at night, huh?

" He said spontaneously, trying to make small talk.

Hearing his small talk made Lisa laugh dryly. She stared at the busy street with the vehicles that were passing by. The darkness of the starry night adorned the city's sky beautifully.

Lisa raised her eyes, staring at the sky blankly. Her thoughts returned to the memory of the past, when Oscar was still beside her.

"Oscar… How is he now?

" Lisa said to herself. Not long after, the woman immediately slapped her own cheek.

"Damn! Why do I have to remember that man again!

" She exclaimed to herself.