Twenty years of living as a useless parasite quietly knocks on Daphne Tjia's conscience. Maybe now is the time to repay the kindness of her parents, by willingly being enslaved as a substitute for paying off debt. Despite her heavy heart, Daphne Tjia signed as well.
This morning, the time for her execution had arrived. While stirring the ramen in a bowl, Daphne Tjia kept an eye on her father. Matthew Tjia stirred the coffee and fed a sandwich. His face didn't look worried despite the fact that for the next five years her youngest daughter would be away from home, going to an island in the middle of nowhere.
"Will Daddy forget me?" asked Daphne Tjia sadly.
"Don't be silly, Young Lady."
"Has Daddy researched what Mr. Balder is like?"
"He's a nice guy. You know, out of all the suppliers, Shining is the only one who doesn't stop delivering his fertilizer even though Daddy is in arrears. So, yeah, Daddy's assuming Ansel Balder is a nice guy."
The business world is something that has never attracted Daphne Tjia. Her brain was too small to think of an all-heavy strategy. Creating attractive products, providing good service, and getting rid of business rivals. Daphne Tjia has always thought that business is a bad thing and can only be operated by bad people.
"Daddy, who came up with the idea of exchanging plantation debt for hiring me?" Even though Daphne Tjia likes to think well, the reason for exchanging debt with children doesn't make sense.
"Daddy, of course."
Daphne Tjia widened her eyes in shock. She roughly grabbed the orange juice produced by Matthew Tjia's garden. The taste that used to be sweet is now suddenly sour. Apparently in real life there are fathers who have the heart to do despicable things. For example, as Matthew Tjia did.
"It turned out to be Daddy. I thought it was Mr. Balder who was presumptuous of asking."
"When has Daddy ever done anything to harm Daddy's kids?" Matthew Tjia lowered the intonation.
Honestly often. Daphne Tjia even only has two close friends, Laura and Mona, whom she has not told about this matter. Daphne Tjia is afraid that her name will be the butt of things on campus.
"Honor your father and your mother – this is an important commandment, as is evident from this promise, that you may be happy and have a long life on earth," Matthew Tjia loves to quote his favorite Bible verse when he is in a pinch.
"Respect isn't the way to go. It's not right, Daddy."
Of course, Matthew Tjia's decision was unanimous. After all, Daphne Tjia signed the agreement without coercion. She's an adult. That is, the agreement is binding on her and the second party. Matthew Tjia tapped his fingers on the table.
"Dad has a present for you, hold on a second." Matthew Tjia got up from his seat and went to his room and then came back with a flat box which was thrust directly in front of Daphne Tjia.
Daphne Tjia lazily pulled the box binding tape, then opened the lid. A white spaghetti strap dress neatly folded. Daphne Tjia should be happy because for the first time her father allowed her to wear a short dress like a normal college student. But the reason behind giving this gift made her even more hurt.
"Wear that dress to attract Mr. Balder's attention. Quickly finish your meal, then get ready. Mr. Balder's men will pick you up soon," said Matthew Tjia.
***