"What do you mean, Madam?

" asked Michelle looking surprised.

Veronica smiled, then said,

"Can we talk in the living room, Michelle?

"

Michelle nodded slowly, a sign of agreeing to Veronica's request. Without waiting for further orders, they immediately changed places, sitting on the gray sofa in the living room. They sat on the long sofa with a slight tilt in the opposite sitting position, until now they seemed to be sitting opposite each other.

"So how is it, Madam?

" Michelle looked at Veronica questioningly. Can't wait to hear the explanation from the middle-aged woman's words.

Again Veronica flashed her smile, putting on a pitiful expression. She then held Michelle's hand which was on her lap.

"Tell me, do you love my son?

" Veronica asked, looking seriously at Michelle's face.

"What do you mean, Madam? Why do you suddenly ask like that?

" Michelle was flustered. She didn't expect Veronica to ask such a thing.

"Just answer it, Michelle. Do you love my son? I want to know your answer,

" Veronica insisted, impatient to find out how Michelle felt about Lucas.

"I-I ....

" Michelle stuttered as doubts invaded her, as if at a loss for what to answer Veronica.

"Say it, Michelle ... don't be hesitate!

" persuaded Veronica as if she understood Michelle's current attitude.

"I.

" Michelle looked down for a moment, then looked back at Veronica.

"That's right, Madam. I do love Lucas. Even from the first my feelings have never changed for him. Until this moment, Lucas is the only man in my heart.

" Michelle explained a little doubtfully.

.

Veronica widened her smile as she tightly gripped Michelle's hand.

"Yes, I already thought, you must have more feelings for Lucas, therefore I want you to keep trying to convince Lucas to believe and accept you as the most special person in his life,

" said Veronica, which managed to make Michelle wince in surprise.

"What does it mean, Madam? How can I be the most special person in Lucas' life, when Ellena is everything to him.

"

Michelle complained, unsure that she would be able to win Lucas' heart. Obviously it won't be easy for her, to melt the heart of a man who already loves another woman. Even Lucas greatly admires Ellena and is difficult to be influenced by anyone, including his mother.

It's true that Michelle is not a woman who never gives up, but sometimes she is also tired of having to fight alone, while the people she is fighting for don't really care about her.

"Trust me, Michelle, one day Lucas will definitely change. He will surely realize that there is a woman waiting for him, namely you Michelle. I'm sure you can win Lucas' heart,

" Veronica answered trying to convince Michelle.

"From the start, I've liked you. I believe that you are a good person and really care about Lucas, so I hope you won't just give up, Michelle. Fight for Lucas, fight for your love. I as Lucas' mother, from now on I will bless your relationship.

"I know, you are a woman who deserves Lucas, compared to that woman. Pray until Lucas really melts you,

" Veronica added at length.

"But, Madam. Did you not see how Lucas treated me. He seems to hate Lucas and loves his wife very much. I'm not sure I can melt your son's heart, madam. I don't think Lucas will change that easily.

" Michelle replied with a sad look on her face. Veronica, as if showing her sadness as she recalled Lucas' attitude towards her.

"Yes, you're right, that's why we have to work together, so that Lucas can change his mind,

" said Veronica, which suddenly made Michelle laugh, as if surprised by Veronica's words. Cooperation? What is this collaboration?

Michelle then knitted her brows together, surprised by the attitude of the middle-aged woman who had been holding her hand tightly, as if trying to strengthen her.

"Cooperation?

" Michelle was stunned for a moment as she paused.

"What cooperation, Madam?

" She asked curiously.

"Of course it's cooperation to win Lucas' heart.

" Veronica replied with a sly grin. Ah, even he would do that to his son. It's really bad.

"But how, Madam? What can we do to change someone's feelings?

" asked Michelle, still unsure of Veronica's plans.

"Do you ou believe that a person's feelings can change at any moment?

" Veronica asked for sure.

"Yeah, maybe that's true, but it looks like it would be difficult to enforce for a Lucas Fidell, Madam,

" answered Michelle, believing that Lucas would not be so easily influenced.

"Yeah, you're right. In order to gain Lucas' trust in you, you certainly can't stand still, Michelle. Do whatever Lucas likes. You can pursue it, but in a way that still looks elegant. Veronica said with a confident smile.

"So what should I do, Madam?

" Michelle asked curiously.

"As I just said. However, that is only a small part. There are other things that are more important than that.

"

"What is it, Madam?

" Michelle asked reflexively.

Instead of answering, Veronica just tilted her head, closer to Michelle's ear. She then whispered something in Michelle's ear. I don't know what the woman was talking about.

***

The sun had crawled up, but the cool air was still faithful. Like Ellena's cold days without Lucas' presence and arms.

"Ellena's spirit! You left not because you lost, but because of love!

" Ellena tried to cheer her up. She clenched her hands in the air, staring at her reflection from the reflection of the standing mirror.

After checking her shadow a few times and making sure her appearance was immaculate, Ellena hurried off. Leaving the room that will now witness the struggle of his life, knitting hope in a new place that is completely foreign to her.

It was still 07.15 WIB when Ellena arrived in front of her office building. Full of confidence he stepped into the building. The sound of black high heels clinging to her long legs seemed to chime along with her steps.

"Good morning, Mr. Jo,

" said Ellena with a friendly smile, greeting the security guard that morning.

"Good morning, Miss Patricia.

" The man replied simply.

"Wait!

" shouted Ellena half running. She rushed towards the elevator that seemed to be closing soon. The long mane and the employee badge slung around her neck swayed left and right, as if dancing to the contortions of the woman's body.

"Thank you, Sir.

" Ellena bowed her head as a sign of respect, as soon as she realized the person in the elevator was Richard, her boss.

The man only answered with a blink of an eye and a friendly smile.

Silence reigned in the elevator. No one had any intention of starting a conversation. Either they are busy with their own thoughts or they are lazy.

"Come on, Sir. Excuse me.

" Ellena said goodbye when she heard the sound of the elevator ringing which indicated that she had arrived at the intended floor.

"Go ahead. Good work, Patricia.

" Ellena was quite surprised to get encouraging words from her boss. Although they have agreed to be friends, they have agreed to maintain boundaries while in the work environment.

Richard stared at Ellena's reflection until the elevator doors closed. He didn't care about the assistant who had been standing right behind him. In fact, an accidental meeting with Ellena that morning had been able to become a mood booster for him.

Meanwhile Ellena walked towards her desk. Soon she was drowning with work after sitting her body there. Of course, after receiving direction from a more senior employee.

"Well, if this one works like this.

" Rini pointed at the computer screen. Yes, she is an employee whose job is to accompany and give her direction today.

Ellena made the most of the opportunity. The sooner she understands and masters everything related to her work, the better. It's illogical to keep Rini from continuing to teach her, while she must be busy with her own work.

So late at work that Ellena didn't notice that lunch time had arrived ten minutes ago.

"Ehm, my company would definitely be very advanced if all the employees were like you.

" A baritone voice distracted her from the computer screen. Richard was seen standing by standing in front of her desk. The white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows added a manly impression to the man.

"Uh, Mr Richard,

" said Ellena stuttering. Looked left and right to make sure there were no other employees in the room.

"Relax, all the employees have left for lunch. You're the only one who stays busy here. I really appreciate your work ethic, but please take care of your health. You have to eat on time so you don't get sick.

" Richard said as he crossed his arms in front of his chest.

However, Ellena instead gave him a sharp look.

"Oh, come on, Richard. We've agreed to keep boundaries. Remember! In the office we are boss and subordinate.

" The woman tried to warn the boss.

"What do you mean, Patricia? I'm only worried about you as an employee. If you are sick, then who will handle your work?

" said Richard. Even though he knew very well that it was all just an excuse.

Ellena looked blushed because she had misunderstood her boss.

"Sorry for the misunderstanding, Mr. Richard.

"

"Okay. I'm sorry, but you have to want to have lunch with me, hm?

"

The woman was silent for a moment.

"Sorry, Sir. Not that I want to refuse, but I must immediately complete the task that Mrs. Rini gave me.

"

"No problem, I can tell Rini.

" Richard was still steadfast in his invitation.

"Sir, please. I don't want to make Mrs. Rini spend her time on me.

" Ellena begged her new boss and friend for understanding.

"It's not a waste of time, Patricia. Isn't it in this office that what I say is an order, and that's absolutely the law.

"

Ellena has now completely stopped her activities.

"Dear Mr. Richard. I want to live office life in peace. Please ... please sincerely understand. If we are seen eating together, then what will the other employees say? Not only will I be rumored to be unkind, but you will be get hit by the sap.

"

Richard seemed to nod in agreement. Ellena's explanation seemed correct. If they were seen together shortly after the woman had just started working, it would certainly lead to negative public opinion. They probably wouldn't dare to say anything bad about it.

However, not with Elena. The woman who just joined the company. Especially with a beautiful face and slim body.

"All right. Well then, good work, Patricia.

" Richard said before actually leaving the room with a heavy heart. For the second time he got rejection from Ellena, although the previous day he managed to force it.

Ellena seemed to heave a sigh of relief. The reasons she put forward were true. However, the biggest reason the woman refused was because of her status as someone's wife.. Although only as friends, her heart is not ready to start a relationship with a man.