I was just about to say goodbye and leave Sarah’s office to head straight to Sebastian’s family house when, at the same time, loud banging came from the door outside Sarah’s office.

“Where’s the boss here? Bring them out to see me!” a furious voice shouted from behind the door. Sarah and I looked at each other in alarm.

“Sarah, what’s going on?” I asked her nervously. “Who *is* that? They sound so angry...” I added as I walked slowly toward Sarah’s desk.

Sarah stood and moved closer to me. “Ugh... I don’t know, El. Could it be that client of yours? But I haven’t even informed him of the cancellation yet, so... I don’t think it’s him.” Sarah was wringing her fingers, clearly uneasy. “Hold on, I’ll try to call downstairs.” She quickly rushed back to her desk to grab her phone.

“Hello? Sir, there’s someone banging on the door outside my office very aggressively. Why wasn’t he stopped?” Sarah was talking to someone on the phone, probably the security guard on the ground floor. There was a pause as the person on the other end spoke. Sarah’s face turned even more tense and uneasy. “Then... could you please send one of the male staff from the second floor office, right now if possible?” she added before ending the call.

“What’s going on? Who’s out there?” I asked, growing more curious.

“It’s... the big boss, El,” Sarah said, her face paling a little.

“The big boss? You mean Sebastian’s father?” I asked, trying to recall the nickname “Big Boss” that was often used for Sebastian’s father.

Sarah nodded. “Yes, El. It couldn’t be anyone else.”

“What’s he doing here unannounced?”

Sarah shrugged. “How would I know, El...”

Now it was my turn to be filled with anxiety and fear. What could Sebastian’s father want from Wonderland, and why go straight to Sarah’s office? It must be something serious to make him act so aggressively.

The banging came again, louder this time. A voice yelled furiously from outside, “OPEN THIS DOOR RIGHT NOW! I WANT TO SEE THE OWNER! HURRY... OPEN UP!”

Sarah and I were now standing, holding hands. I could feel Sarah’s hand was cold and clammy.

“Sarah... what did security say?”

“They said they already tried to stop him from coming up, but he just barged in and went straight to my office.” Sarah looked genuinely panicked now. This was unlike her usual calm self.

“Sarah? Are you okay?” I rubbed her arm comfortingly. She shook her head.

“El... don’t leave yet, okay? I keep thinking about that stabbing incident back then.”

I let out a slow sigh. “Alright, I won’t leave now. Just calm down, okay?” I said as I continued to gently rub her arm and led her to the long sofa so we could sit and calm down.

A moment of silence passed outside.

“El, can you check again? Is the big boss still out there?” Sarah looked at me pleadingly. I had no choice but to follow her request, even though I felt nervous myself.

A thought crossed my mind—what if he was angry because I married his son? Oh no, what if that’s true?

Suddenly, I felt a chill all over and froze. I was now standing in front of Sarah’s office door, biting my lips anxiously.

I could hear a heated conversation from the other side of the door.

“Get out of my way! Don’t stop me from going in!” a man shouted. I was certain it was the Big Boss, Sebastian’s father.

“I’m sorry, Sir, but our boss refuses to meet under these circumstances,” replied a calm, steady voice. Likely the head of Wonderland’s security.

“Refuses? She can’t refuse to see me! I have important matters that need to be addressed immediately!” the Big Boss yelled again, his voice rising.

“You may meet with her once you’ve calmed down, Sir,” the voice remained calm yet firm.

“Ugh! You people are wasting my time! If I didn’t have other urgent matters, I’d force my way in! But right now, I’ve got more pressing things to handle!” the Big Boss finally lowered his voice.
“Tell your boss this: I’ll be back in three days to meet her. I won’t be angry, so make sure she’s willing to see me then!”

“Very well, Sir. We’ll relay your message. As long as you’re calm, you’ll be allowed to meet her.”

“Alright then, I’m leaving now. I have other things to take care of.”

“Oh, of course. Please, allow one of my staff to escort you downstairs.”

I nearly screamed when suddenly someone touched my shoulder and whispered, “Pssst, El, how’s it going?”

“Oh my god, Sarah! You scared me half to death!”

Sarah pouted. “Well, I’ve been calling you and you didn’t respond at all. I got curious, what’s taking you so long at the door?”

“Sarah, I was... listening to the conversation between the Big Boss and the head of security.”

Sarah let out a slow breath. “Sorry, it’s just... I was so scared he’d actually break the door down.”

“He wouldn’t dare. He could be charged for damaging property. Besides, the head of security is a great negotiator. See? The Big Boss calmed down and agreed to wait.”

“Huh? What do you mean, El?” Sarah now looked at me, confused.

“He’s already left. No idea where he went—” I hadn’t even finished my sentence before Sarah jumped up in excitement. “Sarah, wait... hear me out first.” I patted her shoulder. “I’m not done talking.”

“Alright, go on then, El. What were you going to say?”

“He said he’ll come back here in about three days... to see you.”

Sarah’s eyes widened. “What? Three days? Oh my god, why?! What does he want?”

“He said... um, he has something important to talk to you about. In person.”

“Well, I guess that’s fine. Um, but... can you come back here too, El? Please?” Sarah sounded like she was begging. I couldn’t say no.

Still, I couldn’t help the uneasiness and worry that started gnawing at my thoughts.

***