"Come with me to lunch." William Lee smirked. His eyes looked really sly. Looking straight into Wilma Herdian's eyes.
"I'll be right back at twelve o'clock. And don't hide anymore," he continued.
His eyes turned to Rere Walid. "Rere, make sure Wilma is where she is when I return."
After speaking in a commanding tone, William Lee rose from his seat, after taking his ticket and ID card. He walked towards the door, and put his sunglasses back on.
All employees and security guards on duty of course thanked and goodbye to the man who was known to be cold with the best smile. When the man passed them. Except for Wilma Herdian.
Her eyes still looked empty. Staring at the door that had closed automatically.
"Wil," said Rere Walid. Her hand patted Wilma Herdian's shoulder.
Immediately Wilma Herdian sighed tiredly, pressing one cheek on the table, facing Rere Wildan.
"If I run away from him, will I get fired?" Wilma Herdian looked lethargic.
Just two months of probation. In a month, she could just calm down and be able to continue her work contract. She needs this job.
Her father still works odd jobs, as a mechanic on call. The income is uncertain.
At home, Wilma Herdian still has two younger siblings who are still of school age. Second grader, junior high school, boy. And her youngest sister, just in third grade, elementary school, is a girl.
It costs a lot of money for the two of them to go to school. Because both of them are already attending private schools. If they attend public schools, they can be free from monthly fees. However, they still need money to buy books and school supplies.
"I don't know, Wil. William Lee is notoriously cold. It's rare that he comes alone to pick up his ticket to the TTO." Rere Wildan tried to sound neutral.
"In the last two months he often comes to the TTO ...." Rere Wildan hung her sentence.
Hoping that Wilma Herdian understands, the cause of a CEO like William Lee, who has many subordinates that he can order to take care of all his needs. Including getting tickets for him. It was Wilma Herdian's presence at the TTO.
Wilma Herdian closed her eyes for a moment. Her head suddenly dizzy.
Seriously! Lunch with the bald polar bear? Wilma Herdian thought.
Although Wilma Herdian admits honestly, William Lee's looks are quite handsome. Even with a bald head, does not reduce the level of his good looks. If he had hair, probably many women would be more fascinated by it.
Yeah, except for the polar bear title, which was pinned by her seniors, which they actually got from the mouth of William Lee's own trusted assistant, when the assistant, Ronald Nasution, took the ticket for the big boss.
"Are you sick, Will?" Suddenly, BM TTO was already in the ticketing room. Standing watching his new employee–with her head pressed against the desk.
Immediately Wilma Herdian corrected her sitting position and returned to tidying up her appearance. Her boss was in front of her, possibly lowering her judgment in this trial period. She thought.
"No, Sir. Just a little weak." Wilma Herdian wasn't completely lying. Her body suddenly went limp, thinking about her lunch time.
"Rest first then, Wil. Don't get sick." BM TTO named Rudi Setiawan gave concessions.
Feeling cared for, Wilma Herdian, in her heart became uneasy. As a new employee, she must show her best performance.
"I don't want to cancel your date with William Lee, because you're not feeling well," continued the BM TTO with a smile.
Oh my God ... even this BM TTO knows William Lee's plan to take her to lunch, during break time? Seriously! Wilma Herdian thought in disbelief.
Is that how rich people act? Bullying the people below him. Forcing him by all means, so that his wishes are achieved.
Oh, Wilma Herdian needs paracetamol this time. Her head was really dizzy.
"Wil, are you seriously ill?" Rere Wildan held Wilma Herdian's shoulder, then put a hand on her forehead, to make sure her temperature was not feverish.
Wilma Herdian's face was pale.
The gazes of her other colleagues, who had finished receiving phone calls, or issued tickets for travel agents, were fixed on her.
Some looked at her with pity, some looked at her with contempt.
According to her scornful companion, Wilma Herdian overreacted. Only accompanying William Lee's lunch, to the point of pretending to be sick. What if the one who invited her was the president?
"Here's a drink, Wil." One of the security guards who sympathized with Wilma Herdian's situation, handed her a glass of hot sweet tea.
"Thank you." Wilma Herdian sipped little by little the hot sweet tea given by Mr. Arifin Suseno.
After a while, her body felt better. Wilma Herdian decided to return to work. And accepted William Lee's lunch invitation.
Rejecting him for the umpteenth time wouldn't do her any good. Wilma Herdian had to accept it. Well, it just accompanying lunch, no big deal.
At least it's still light. If William Lee tried to do anything about it, there would be a lot of people still awake. It's different if it's dinner. After all, today is not the weekend. TTO closes at eight in the evening.
Wilma Herdian sat restlessly. Another hour, exactly twelve o'clock in the afternoon.
Her colleagues, who had shifts from day to night, began to arrive one by one.
And quickly, news of William Lee's invitation to Wilma Herdian, who had the blessing of the BM TTO spread among her second shift colleagues.
They all congratulated and teased the nervous-looking Wilma Herdian.
"Don't forget the tribute to us, will you, Wil." Brother Joe, a senior employee who got the second shift, started teasing Wilma Herdian.
Compact all agreed with Brother Joe's words. And started discussing what tribute they wanted.
"Jecki's Donuts."
"Pizza."
"Burger Queen."
"Martabak."
One by one began to mention their own version of the tribute. Which of course was ignored by Wilma Herdian.
Tribute, they said? How much did she spend to buy the tributes? Wilma Herdian began to count in her heart.
There are around sixteen employees in this TTO–including four security guards, plus six interns. It's possible to run out of her one month's salary.
Hey, it's just an ordinary lunch. Even Wilma Herdian didn't have any kind of relationship with William Lee. So the tribute, to celebrate what?
"Relax, Wil. No need to buy anything for Brother Joe and friends." Rere Wildan calmed Wilma Herdian's nervous heart. It's a kind senior.
"Yeah, you don't have to listen to what Brother Joe and the kids are saying. Just relax, Wil. They just want to tease you." Kartika Sari, one of her best colleagues, besides senior Rere Wildan also calmed her down.
Instantly the heavy weight in Wilma Herdian's heart was lifted. At least it's a month's salary.
No celebration whatsoever. Then no tribute.
It doesn't feel like time goes by so fast. The clock on the TTO wall showed ten minutes to go, exactly twelve o'clock in the afternoon.
Wilma Herdian again sighed heavily.
***
BM: Branch Manager TTO, a branch manager.