"Master Ethan, Miss Stacy is about to start working as a saleslady in the White Lotus Department. She was tasked to be the opening as well as the closing since she is a novice. She will start on Monday from 8:30am to 9:30pm." Larry reported.
"Okay. Continue watching her." Ethan answered.
"Yes master. But are you really sure about this? Miss Stacy will surely have a hard time standing all day long."
"It was her who asked for this. Let her experience the lowest position first. It's also good for her to learn new things at the same time. She can't become the Chief Manager of WL if she won't learn the basic." He stated.
Aisha was getting bored staying at home doing nothing. She hated being idle at home so she decided to work. She remembered that Stacy was the chief manager of White Lotus Department so she tried to ask Ethan about it. At first Ethan refused because he knew that Stacy didn't know the workarounds of being the Chief Manager. He also reiterated that Stacy didn't have basic knowledge about the company, that's why Ethan rejected the idea. However, Aisha spent her time in the library learning about the company's concept. She even sought the help of Larry who has managed the department for a long time. Her determination reached Ethan and he was surprised to know that Stacy was working hard to learn about the company.
One night, Aisha waited for Ethan purposely. He came home at around 12 midnight and was surprise to find Stacy outside waiting for him. After serving him a cup of tea, she once again asked him about working in the White Lotus Department. Every night, she waited for Ethan to come home, prepared a hot bath and a cup of tea as she keeps pleading him. After a week, Ethan finally agreed. She was so happy that she hugged him tight while sipping his tea. The content almost spilled. Good thing he drunk almost half of it already. However, he made a condition; she had to start working as a saleslady. If she did her job well, then she would be promoted to a higher position, until she reached the managerial position. She rejected the idea at first, but Ethan explained that she had to learn from the basic if she wanted to succeed as the chief manager. She then agreed.
"Watch over her and make sure to report all her daily activities to me at the end of the day." He told Larry.
"Yes Sir."
Aisha started her training as a saleslady. Everything was going well except for their uniform. Aisha was not used to wearing skirts or dresses, even wear sandals with heels. She never tried them before except for special occasions. She only wore a dress during her college graduation, that's why she was so disappointed when she saw their uniform. It was a black pencil cut skirt 2 inches above the knee and a close black heels.
Her first week was a hellish one, not because she could not do the job, but because her feet were aching with the heels that she was wearing. She was also pulling down her skirt from time to time hoping it will cover her knees. She felt as if she was naked especially when she had to reach stuffs for her customers.
Aisha usually goes home at around 10:30. With her tiredness, she couldn't even have a proper meal, missing dinner most of the time. Every now and then, when she got home from work, Ethan was already fast asleep. But sometimes, she slept without Ethan by her side. Her strict schedule inflicted more pain and sacrifices so much more than what she expected.
"Miss Stacy, are you okay?" Larry asked her while she was on break. She ordered her food but she didn't have the appetite to eat. She was just leaning on the cafeteria's barricade.
"Emmm," She answered with her eyes closed. She looked so tired. Larry pitied her but he could not do anything unless Ethan ordered him.
"I'm sorry Miss Stacy, I wish I could help, but---"
"It's no one's fault Larry. Don't blame yourself…" Then she opened her eyes and looked at her untouched food. "Does he hate me that much?" She asked with a frail voice. Larry didn't know what to say.
"Miss Stacy, please don't say th------''
"Don't mind me Larry. I'm just a little tired. I'm going back, it's almost the end of my break now.'' She smiled at him as she stood up and went back to the White Lotus Department.
The branch supervisor dismissed the staffs early. It was a rare chance so they grabbed all their things before the supervisor change her mind and they all hurried outside the mall. Everyone was laughing at their silly reactions. While everyone was laughing, they didn't notice a Black Bugatti car parked 2 blocks away from the entrance. The man inside was watching them closely.
"Guys, since the night is still young, do you want to go and have a party instead?" One of her workmates suggested. The others agreed while Aisha was just smiling. Kian, one of the salesmen, approached her,
"Stacy, you'll go with us right?" Stacy smiled half-heartedly. When Ethan saw him talking to the guy, he clenched his fist. Larry noticed it so he asked Ethan, "Sir, do you want me to go and get Miss Stacy?" Ethan didn't answer. Then they heard her answered.
"I'm sorry Kian, I can't. My son is waiting for me." She declined politely. She took her phone and dialed his son's number while waiting for taxi.
"Hi sweetheart, are you still awake? Mommy's coming home early tonight. Did you eat your dinner? Ah, that's my boy. Read you a story? Yes of course, mommy will read you a story then. Okay, wait for me then. Bye sweetheart!" She was smiling while talking to his son from time to time. Ethan loosened his grip when he heard her spoke with Eli. They were looking at her waiting for a taxi to arrive. She kept looking at her wristwatch from time to time. Larry was about to go out to call Stacy when a Gray SUV suddenly appeared in front of her. He halted.
"Stacy." Kian got off from his car.
"Kian! I thought you went with the others?"
"Ah nah, I remembered I have something to do tonight. If you want, I can give you a ride ..." He offered.
"Oh no, I'm okay. I don't want to bother you, Kian. You can just go ahead."
"Don't worry, I don't mind being bothered if it is you. Beside your son is waiting for you."
"Ah yeah. You're right." Stacy knew that's there's no point of declining him because he was very persistent, so she agreed. Kian opened the door for her and he rushed to the driver seat.
Ethan was grinding his teeth when Stacy went into the man's car. He was trying to calm himself but it was still pretty obvious that he was so upset. Was he being jealous?
"Follow them!" He ordered.
Aisha asked Kian to drop her off at the main gate of the subdivision. The mansion was at the edge of the road but she didn't want Kian to know where she lives. It would definitely create a havoc. After dropping her at the main gate, he drove off. Aisha sighed defeated when she realized the slope that she has to climb. She didn't bring her sneakers because she never thought Kian would send her home.
Aisha felt her feet stumbled many times as she continued walking the elevated road ahead of her. She didn't notice the car behind her so she removed her sandals and walked barefoot instead. Suddenly, she was blinded by a black car ascending. It was Ethan! But he only bypassed her.
"Hmm… What am I even expecting? He hated me that much for him to even care." She was saddened with the thought. She might deny it, but she's hurt. A tear escaped from her eyes. "Ahh, maybe I'm just too tired for the whole day." She encouraged herself.
"S-sir Ethan, are you sure about leaving Miss Stacy behind?" Larry asked for a second time.
"That's the second time you asked me Larry. If you pity her that much then you can get off the car and accompany her instead." He said coldly. Larry averted his gaze and looked at the road instead. He didn't ask Ethan anymore.
Aisha arrived home after 20 minutes. It should only take her 10 minutes to reach home but her feet went numb so she rested for a while. Ethan watched her as she entered the mansion's gate limping with her heels on. She wore them back when she was nearing the mansion gate. They couldn't see her like that. Ethan averted his gaze. He couldn't stand to see her in pain. He felt a pang of guilt within, but whenever he remembered how she smiled ear to ear at Kian, his heart throbbed in anger.
As soon as Aisha reached home, she changed her sandals into the house slipper. She sat at the couch feeling her feet for a while, and then she went directly to Eli's room. She found Eli half-awake so she went near him and lay beside him.
"I-I'm sorry sweetheart, mom is a little bit late today.'' She cuddled him.
"It's okay mom, I understand", Eli answered sleepily. He snuggled closer to his mom and went back to sleep. After a while, Aisha dozed off to sleep as well.
On the other side of the subdivision complex, a gray SUV was parked in a corner. A man lighted his third cigarette while talking to someone over the phone.
"Yes, I already met her. I know where she's staying now. It seems like her husband doesn't even care about her at all." He snoozed mockingly.
"Good job Kian, just continue to watch her. Her time is coming to an end." The person on the other line laughed as if there's no tomorrow.