The sound of Adrianna's pointed shoes echoed loudly. The corridor she walked through was somewhat deserted. She could also hear another pair of shoes tapping rapidly, keeping pace with the woman's steps. The owner of the other tapping shoes quickened their pace and hurriedly walked along the corridors of this three-story building. Adrianna didn't want to look back because she knew she was being followed. By whom? None other than Samuel, of course! Who else was constantly bothering her these days? She knew it well because he had repeatedly called her a baby chick looking for its mother. Adrianna also knew that his reason for hitching a ride was just an excuse, a classic reason to have some alone time with her. But Adrianna was hurrying to go home because she wanted to heal. She often visited one of her favorite cafes to sit alone.
There was something she needed to do there.
She would bring the files Chloe's trusted person had organized to Beverly Hills. It wasn't that Adrianna didn't want to send them through the mail or courier service with insurance, but she intentionally wanted to revisit Beverly Hills. Adrianna planned to leave on Friday night and return home on Sunday afternoon so she could return to work on Monday as usual. She wanted to avoid taking her allocated vacation days; she would only use them if needed.
"Ly, wait for me," Sam tried to reach for Adrianna's hand. Unfortunately, he couldn't get that delicate hand. He was a few steps behind and could catch up, but it seemed like Adrianna was deliberately avoiding him. But why? Was he wrong to offer Adrianna a ride home? Oh, he was the one who asked for a ride, right?
"What do you want, Sir?"
Sam smirked. This time, she was accompanied by an awkward smile since Adrianna suddenly stopped. Sam almost bumped into the back of the girl with shoulder-length hair. His eyes were now staring at Sam, who appeared casual and innocent. Meanwhile, Adrianna? She had an angry expression on her face. But Sam was oblivious; he still didn't want to give in. "What did I say? I want to hitch a ride. Is that not allowed?"
Adrianna was taken aback. "Sir, are you dreaming?"
"No one dreams in broad daylight. You're strange. What's wrong with you? I feel bothered when you are rude whenever I try to talk to you. What did I do wrong to you?!
Furthermore, can't you call me by my name when it's not working hours? No need to use the term 'sir.' I'm not your father, and I'm not a father yet. Our ages aren't that different, right?!" Sam complained while staring intently at Adrianna's face. Their eyes met as Adrianna tried to figure out what Sam was thinking.
Not much different from Sam, trying to figure out what was on the girl's mind.
Adrianna let out a harsh breath as if tired of being criticized by Sam's words. "Sir, I will be good to you if you also treat me well. Likewise, suppose you stop being annoying, constantly burdening me with numerous tasks, and complaining about minor mistakes. In that case, I will be more than happy to follow whatever you want and desire," Adrianna explained why she had been acting rude towards Sam.
Sam, who had just heard Adrianna's answer, fell silent. He pondered and tried to digest the meaning behind the words of the beautiful girl with hazel eyes. He couldn't say anything for a few minutes. Now Sam knew where his mistake lay and what Adrianna wanted. Why was he being evaluated poorly by Adrianna, his coworker? Even though he was the boss at school, Adrianna was still his coworker.
Sam's true intention was to treat Adrianna as she had expressed, only to become closer and friendlier with her. But the person in question seemed to feel otherwise. Sam was frustrated with himself for not knowing how to get more relative to others. But was it solely his fault?
"So, that's what you've been thinking and holding in your mind all this time, Ly? That's why you've always been rude when we talk or meet. You always want to avoid me. I know that" Sam sighed briefly. "I thought it wasn't that bad, but apparently, it's reached this level of bad." Samuel's face now looked somewhat gloomy upon hearing Adrianna's unexpected answer.
"Yes, that's how I've been feeling and thinking all along. You should have known that from the beginning!" Adrianna exclaimed, folding her arms across her stomach.
"If you feel uncomfortable, I apologize. But my true intention was never to be a burden to you. I feel guilty for ordering you around so casually. That was my true intention," Sam paused momentarily, staring closely at Adrianna's gaze, waiting for her to finish speaking. He let out a slow breath. "We can become close and friendly like friends because we are coworkers, after all." Samuel Geraldo explained, feeling remorseful for his behavior towards Adrianna all this time. Samuel was a man two years older than Adrianna.
"So... maybe it's because of my attitude that you're considering resigning, Ly?" Sam guessed. Somehow he strongly felt that Adrianna wanted to submit a resignation letter, but he didn't know why.
"No, it's not," Adrianna lowered her guard. Although it was annoying to remember Sam's behavior, hearing her boss speak more humanely, Adrianna finally relented. "Who would want to resign? Sir, please don't speak without thinking. It's your habit!" Adrianna's words became rude again towards Sam. But clearly, she couldn't reveal her reason for wanting to quit her job.
Her interlocutor only nodded slightly, seemingly understanding what Adrianna said.
"Alright, I may forgive you if you feel guilty and regretful. But still, I will only truly forgive you if you don't act so annoying toward me in the future. However, no matter what, I respect you in this school. Besides, you are the principal and my boss. Thank you for apologizing; I accept your good intentions," Adrianna said. Yes, she would be happy if there were no annoying encounters, whether at school or wherever she was.
"Hah!" Sam let out a relieved sigh. "Thank goodness, I thought you wouldn't forgive me," Sam said.
Adrianna thought the problem was settled here. But then...
"Hmmm... um, Ly, about earlier, can I hitch a ride with you? Is that okay? I don't know who else to go home with," Sam continued, scratching his head, even though it wasn't itchy, with a grinning expression as he looked at Adrianna.
Adrianna couldn't comprehend her headmaster. After talking extensively earlier, didn't her headmaster have enough money to take an online taxi? Did he have to rely on her? Adrianna was annoyed, but she couldn't be angry because she had already said she would forgive all of Sam's behavior toward her. Oh God! Widen Adrianna's patience!
"Miss," someone called out faintly, barely audible to Adrianna. Her mind was still fixated on the events from two days ago at school. She couldn't understand what Sam had done to her. Even though she gave him a ride to his destination, correction, Sam was the one riding Adrianna's motorcycle. Sam was toweringly tall. He rode a small yellow Vespa, just the right size for Adrianna. Wasn't that strange?
Super strange! Along the way, Adrianna could feel the peculiar gazes of people they passed by. Most of them looked at Sam with great interest. The gentle breeze tousled her hair, partially covering her sweet face. The surroundings also kept her mind off track. The twenty-nine-year-old girl wore a brown floral sleeve dress with matching shoes.
"Miss, I placed your coffee order here," said the woman, who was none other than a waitress at the familiar café Adrianna often visited. The waitress transferred the coffee from her hand to the table. She had called Adrianna twice, but this customer seemed lost in thought. "Miss," she called once again.
"Ah, oh, okay," Adrianna responded with a wide grin, although she felt somewhat embarrassed. Shortly after, the waitress left, and Adrianna sat down to enjoy her ordered coffee. Her thoughts drifted back to the incident with Sam chasing her to the parking lot, and Adrianna shook her head, trying to push all those memories aside. Goodness! Get out of my head quickly! Adrianna's inner frustration grew.
The coffee she was supposed to savor slowly disappeared in one gulp!
"It's all Sam's fault!" she muttered aloud.
***
Unlike Adrianna, Sam was now in his room, constantly trying to find a way to make Adrianna talk to him casually. He threw himself onto the bed, letting his work clothes cling to his body. It wasn't comfortable, but his thoughts about Adrianna were only causing him more restlessness. Sam stared at the ceiling of his room, his forehead creased, clearly deep in study. He would do anything to melt her heart.
Why was it so difficult? Sam wondered.
Sam sat up, folding his legs on the bed, his fingers moving restlessly. "What should I do? What reasons should I give?" Sam mumbled to himself.
Sam desperately wanted to make the girl talk to him casually. Numerous ideas popped into his head, but he needed to figure out the ideas he had.
"Invite Adrianna to lunch?"
Sam's gaze shifted to the end of the room as he continued to think. In answer to his own question, he shook his head. "She would probably decline." He also knew that Adrianna was different from the type of person to accept his invitation so easily. That's why he needed a strong reason for her not to refuse.
"What plausible reason can I give? Oh, why is it so difficult to come up with ideas?" Sam scratched his head. "Where did all the ideas for wooing a woman go?" Sam shook his head. He felt frustrated now. Why did his mind become so challenged to find ideas? Usually, he would quickly figure out why this situation was different.
Feeling stuck, Sam walked towards the bathroom. It seemed like, after work, his mind couldn't think clearly. In the bathroom, Sam quickly changed his clothes, then splashed water on his face, hoping to find an idea to make Adrianna talk to him casually.
After washing his face, Sam looked at his reflection in the mirror. He said he was pretty good-looking, so why was it so hard to reach Adrianna?
"What approach should I use? Goodness." Sam scolded himself.
He still stared at his reflection in the mirror, his fingers moving on the sink as he continued to think.
"Adrianna, let's have lunch together. If you don't want to, I'll cut your salary?"
Silence. Sam fell silent before shaking his head vigorously. That would make him look like a fool in Adrianna's eyes. Who would invite a girl to lunch with the threat of cutting her monthly salary? Sam would sound incredibly strange; he couldn't do that. He needed a reasonable threat, something that wouldn't damage his dignity.
"Adrianna, if you want an additional bonus, you must have lunch with me."
Goodness! Was there anything more foolish than his previous words? Once again, he felt like a complete idiot.
No!
Oh, why was it so difficult to find a way to make Adrianna talk to him casually? Should he invite Adrianna for a coffee at the café or ask her to go book hunting, although that would seem even stranger? Sam decided to leave the bathroom. Frustrated, he tossed his dirty clothes around, creating a small mess in the bathroom.
As he walked towards the bed, Sam continued to try to find an idea to invite the girl. He had to find a picture that seemed elegant, not forceful, and that Adrianna couldn't refuse. But how?
Adrianna has now returned to her boarding house. She immediately removes her shoes and tosses her handbag aside before sitting on the sofa. Adrianna stretches a little and then retrieves her phone from her bag. There are many things Adrianna wants to tell Chloe, so she quickly searches for Chloe's contact. It wouldn't be possible to talk to Chloe at the café. How would her fiery voice sound? After finding Chloe's name on the screen, she dials her friend's number.
The call is answered after the third ring.
"Chloe!" Adrianna exclaims, wanting to share everything right away.
Hearing Adrianna's voice, Chloe bursts into laughter on the other end. "What's it this time?" It's as if she already knows her friend will have much to say. Adrianna rolls her eyes lazily. She doesn't feel like discussing and mentioning one particular name. But... "Mr. Sam was so strange today, even more than yesterday."
"Did he turn into Spider-Man?"
"Chloe!" Adrianna squints in disbelief at Chloe's statement.
"Then what?" Chloe chuckles on her end.
Adrianna massages her temples. "He suddenly asked for a ride."
"Really?"
"Yes!!" Adrianna yells.
Hearing that, Chloe's laughter fills the air once again.
"So annoying, right? My motorcycle was the victim! Sam is tall and huge, and Chloe is like an electric pole. He rode my motorcycle around Senayan. Well, yes, it's in the same direction as my house. But..." Adrianna massages the bridge of her nose.
"Where did he leave his car?"
"How should I know," Adrianna retorts irritably. That also makes Chloe laugh again. Adrianna falls silent, feeling even more annoyed hearing her friend's laughter. Why is she so satisfied laughing at her? Does she want to be in Adrianna's position right now?
Ding!
A message notification is heard, and Adrianna moves her phone away from her ear. Her eyes widen as she sees who sent her a message. Due to her frustration, she ignores all the notifications from Sam. She doesn't care, Adrianna thinks to herself.
She continues to talk about the strange things Sam did.
"If you knew how weird Sam was, then, Chloe."
Chloe falls silent, the sound of pouring water audible in Adrianna's ear. It seems Chloe is getting a drink. Adrianna stays silent, giving Chloe some time. After a while, Chloe's voice is heard again.
"Sorry, laughing at you made me thirsty, Adrianna. I haven't laughed like this in a long time."
Adrianna rolls her eyes. "Laugh before your laughter gets stuck," Adrianna says curtly.
"He seems determined to bother you, Adrianna. Are all bosses like that?"
Adrianna shrugs, and she walks towards her bed. She feels like the bed is calling her to lay her body there. She throws herself onto the bed. Ah, so comfortable, Adrianna thinks. After a tiring day of work, lying on the bed is the best remedy. Adrianna turns her body around. Intentionally, she moves her phone away and raises her voice.
"I don't know, Chloe. I'm so fed up. Seriously, I shudder when I think about that incident. It's as if Sam has nothing better to do." Adrianna squeezes her pillow, trying to channel her frustration. She squeezes her pillow until her fingertips turn white.
"Don't get angry. Maybe Sam is testing your patience."
"He keeps testing it!" Adrianna grumbles in frustration. "I wonder what kind of job Sam has switched to, making me annoyed like this." Adrianna puts on an angry face when she hears Chloe's laughter. Every time she tells a story, Chloe always bursts into laughter. Who wouldn't get irritated?
Ding!!
Adrianna groans upon hearing the notification sound. She ignores it, knowing it's from Sam. Why does he keep bothering her?
"Don't go to bed angry, Adrianna. Do you still work tomorrow? It's not good to sleep with frustration in your heart."
Adrianna sighs softly. "You're right, Sa."
"Now it's better for you to eat and sleep early."
It's good advice. So that's what Adrianna does. She ends the call. Before placing her phone on the nightstand, she glares at it, seeing the numerous messages from Sam. What's wrong with that person?
Sam: Can you reply to my message?
Not important! Adrianna grumbles in her heart.