The phones ringging sounds filled the fifth floor. Each staff member was busy and drowned in their work. Three o'clock in the afternoon was a critical time but would pass very quickly until it struck five for the end of the workday.
Ria was seen going in and out of Jason's office, carrying documents to be signed by the General Manager.
"Here?" Jason asked. Ria nodded. Occasionally, Jason glanced toward the front room, separated by a glass wall, so he could see clearly. He frowned when he saw someone comes from the doorway and approach Val at his seat. He recognized the young woman dressed neatly, who was none other than his grandfather's secretary on the upper floor. What was she doing here? It was unusual, especially approaching Val.
"What is Ros doing here?" Jason asked.
Ria turned, seeing the young woman who stayed briefly before heading back to the door after finishing, carrying something in her hands. Val seemed to know Jason was watching, only turning briefly before back to his screen.
"Looks like she's taking the documents, boss. I can ask her."
Jason pursed his lips.
"Does that senile old man even know his limits? At least ask Val's superior first if they want something. Maybe it's about medical expenses, that old man." Jason muttered, looking at Ria waiting for his answer. He shook his head.
"No need, I'll ask her myself later."
Ria nodded, then took the signed documents from the desk and leave.
"Alright boss."
Approaching evening. Val turned off his computer and get ready to pack his bag, just about to stand up from his chair when someone grabbed his hand.
"Come on, let's go home."
Val stammered, Jason had already pulled him up before he could grab his bag, almost causing it to fall.
"Hey, boss."
Jason pulled Val toward the elevator. Anwar, Alex, and Roger, who were rushing to the elevator, had to step back when they saw their boss pass by and enter the open elevator door.
"Boss." Val couldn't pull his hand free as Jason kept pulling him inside the elevator.
Jason pushed Val against the wall.
"Do you want to say something, Mr. Valiant?" ask Jason with his big eyes fixed to Val.
Val pushed Jason's body away.
"Eh, what do you mean, boss?" Val asked nervously.
Jason pursed his lips.
A moment earlier, Jason had called his grandfather's secretary's extension.
"Hello, Ros, what are you doing in my office, and with my staff? Are you making him pay the hospital bills? Don't you know he is my employee, which means the company covers the costs as per the contract?" ask Jason.
Jason widened his eyes.
"Birth certificate? For what?" Jason looked surprised, hearing what Ros, his grandfather's secretary, said.
"Family card?"
Jason held Val's hand above their head, looking at the kid with wide eyes.
"I don't agree with you being registered in my family card. For what? Do you want to be my brother?"
"Boss."
Jason's question made Val stammer, seeing Jason's eyes staring at them wide as if angry, he held Val's wrist tightly, even gripping it firmly.
"I don't want that, did you hear me? I don't want you to become my brother, no matter what that old man tells you, you should ask for my opinion first, don't agree just like that. Do you hear me?" Jason's voice was loud; this was the first time Val had seen him like this, apart from scolding his staff at work.
"Ah, boss, please let go, it hurts."
Jason widened his eyes, quickly releasing his grip. Had he gone too far? He stepped back just as the elevator doors opened on the ground floor.
Without waiting, Val grabbed his bag and ran out, avoiding Jason who had hurt him. Jason realized he had gone too far. What had he done?
"Val." Without a second thought, he followed Val.
....
"Val." Jason ran, crossing the bridge but still couldn't catch up to Val. Last he saw, the young man was running very fast toward the bridge and in an instant disappeared from sight. What had he done? He scared him.
"Heh, damn you Jason," Jason slammed his hand into the air, standing in place and looking around. He should go back to the apartment; maybe Val had already gone home.
The sky quickly lost its light. It was just past six in the evening, and Val was sitting in front of the minimarket where he had just bought a drink for himself. He looked at his wrist bruised from Jason's grip earlier. In his condition, even a slight bump could leave a bruise, let alone such a strong grip. Who knows what had possessed his boss, but clearly, he was very afraid of him.
"Ugh."
Val slammed his hand down. Annoyed.
"Said would protect me forever, persuading me to come home from far away. I thought he'd softened, but he's just the same, so annoying," he muttered.
Val opened the cap of his drink and took a sip, stopping mid-motion when he saw a pair of white shoes had stopped in front of him. He lifted his head, looking up at someone standing right in front of him.
"Naughty kid, what are you doing wandering around here? Do you want to get hurt again?" The voice was a bit loud.
"Eh, Doc, you're here?"
It was Doctor Rio. From the coat he wore, it was clear he was still on duty. Val looked around. Yes, he had run quite far from his office building, and this spot was very close to the hospital—not far, among the tall buildings next to the minimarket.
Rio pursed his lips and pointed behind him.
"Yeah, not far. I should be asking what you're doing here. Feeling unwell again?" Rio looked at Val's bruised wrist and immediately grabbed it.
"How did this happen?" Rio asked anxiously.
Val quickly pulled his hand away.
"It's nothing, Doc. Uh, it was an accident," he lowered the sleeve of his long shirt to cover the bruise.
Rio tightened his lips, watching Val avoid his gaze.
"This kid."
.....