Eleven years later …
After checking the table set up ordered by the manager, the woman with her hair pulled up in a ponytail immediately sat down on the edge of the table. She smiled as she sighed softly afterward.
It had been four months since she worked at the five-star hotel as an assistant to the Food and Beverage manager, more commonly known as the F&B manager. Assisting her boss in coordinating activities between the kitchen, service, and front-of-house departments in charge of entertaining guests. Of course, the beginning was not easy for the woman named Serena Queen Adhisty. Many people thought she had deliberately sold her body to the director to get a position as assistant manager.
As if she didn't care about the slanted news that hit her, the woman who is familiarly called Serena continued to work as usual. Like now she continues to focus on the birthday event of one of the oil refinery business owners in Indonesia which will take place soon.
"How's it going, Serena? Is everything okay?" asked Tommy - the manager.
"Everything is okay, sir. I have done what you asked," Serena replied with a smile.
Tommy muttered and left without another word.
Meanwhile, at the same time, a white man with dimples that were slightly visible on his face was raising and lowering both eyebrows alternately. Staring at the hotel divisions who were presenting their month-end reports. It wasn't long before a faint smile appeared as there were no complicated issues that required special handling.
"Anything else?" He asked with a straight face.
The secretary who was now the center of his attention became misty-eyed. He held his breath for a moment after staring into the sharp eyes of his superior.
"Nothing, Sir. Everything is as previously scheduled," the secretary replied.
The meeting ended after the man who acted as a general manager left the room. Followed by the secretary who was now following him from behind.
"Sir," the secretary exclaimed with some hesitation.
The boss did not answer and hurried to his office.
"Tell me," he said after seating himself in a chair.
"Today is Mr. Aroon's daughter's birthday party at our hotel. He has invited you to attend. I think it would be best for you to attend. For five years he has entrusted this hotel to celebrate his family's party," the secretary explained.
"Well, I'll say hello. What time does it start?" he asked.
"Seven o'clock tonight, Sir. I've cleared your schedule for the future," the secretary replied curtly.
"You -"
"Sorry, Sir. I was just -" Her words were quickly cut short by a sharp glare from her boss.
"Never mind. Next time ask before you act. I hate being bossed around like this," said the now sour-faced man.
"Get out now!" he ordered without looking at his subordinate again.
It wasn't long before his cell phone rang. He stared sarcastically at the screen and ignored it. It was not until the umpteenth time that she accepted it reluctantly.
["What took you so long to pick up the phone? I heard from Jenny...You're going to the party, right?"] someone from the other side asked.
["Yes."]
["That's good. At least I won't have to replace you for the party. Bara, from now on act like a responsible leader. Don't keep giving me trouble."]
There was no reply other than a mere mumble.
["Barra, did you hear me, huh?"]
["Never mind. You talk too much."]
Tuut...Tuut...
The call was cut off unilaterally.
Adibarra Erlangga. The man who was often called Barra was no longer the sweet figure who was friendly to everyone he met. Eleven years was not able to make him switch to the life that he had gone through until now. He is only able to be gentle with his Mama, who unfortunately is gone now.
She still has Tora as her brother and a father who can still be used as a place to share. Unfortunately, Barra never even mentioned her problems to the two men who were her family.
In fifteen minutes, the event will begin. Barra, who hadn't left his room at all since this afternoon, began to groom himself in front of the mirror. The scent of masculine perfume wafted into every corner of the room. It was obvious that the GM had changed his clothes after freshening up in the private room right beside his office.
"Evening, Sir," greeted several people who passed him.
Only murmurs were given regardless of who the greeter was. That's what the cold-faced boss always did.
"David," Barra exclaimed, turning to the assistant who remained faithfully by his side.
"Yes, Sir. The gift you ordered has been delivered to the session," David reported as if he knew what was going on.
"Good job. Let's speed up our attendance at the party," he said as he immediately entered the elevator reserved for hotel officials.
Although the city of Medan was being showered with heavy rain, the excitement of the event was not disturbed at all. Moreover, the whole concept was held inside the super luxurious Erlangga Hotel in the capital city of North Sumatra, Indonesia.
While in the southern part of the cardinal direction, Serena was seen talking to the waiters and waitresses in a short meeting she had set up. Making sure that her idea could go according to the plan from the beginning. Honestly, she was so nervous because this was her first time getting a direct challenge from the director and manager.
"So tense," greeted a woman who had just tapped her on the shoulder.
Serena choked up for a moment, "Amel, don't make me even more panicked."
"Calm down, Ren. This event will be fun. Especially since you've organized the concept differently from last year. Mister Aroon will like it. It's not monotonous like the previous ones. Cool," praised Amel - Serena's friend since she started her career as a waitress until now.
Serena continued to monitor the event that had been going on since half an hour ago. She didn't even hesitate to replace the waitress role to set an example for her subordinates.
"How is Mr. Show? Do you think it's good? The concept was offered by Mr. Tommy's new assistant," the director of the B&F division said to Barra.
The boss nodded. He smiled at Tommy briefly.
"Even though he's only been appointed for four months, he's doing a great job. Mr. Director's choice is truly amazing," praised Tommy who was now glancing at the division director.
"Just a moment, sir, I'd like to thank him in person," Tommy excused himself.
"Say hello to me too," said the director.
Tommy excused himself and then approached Serena who was busy chatting with the guests.
At first, Barra only turned her face briefly to the owner of the event. But instantly his eyebrows knitted and his forehead furrowed. His jaw began to harden when he saw the figure who had once existed in his life. The woman was smiling at one of the guests.
At the same time, Tommy had arrived near Serena and was now expressing his gratitude. The sight successfully made Barra smile devilishly. His hands clenched into fists accompanied by a nod of his head at the same time.
"Welcome to my kingdom, Serena!" he said while continuing to stare at the figure from a distance. "David, come here. I have an important task for you now. Do it right and don't fail."