Empathetic

Zannie's vision seemed to blur. The insult she heard was like a dagger repeatedly stabbing her heart. She thought that the pain caused by her suerior's words were unendurable. As long as she can, she promised before that she would not cry while in front of them in the evacuation center even though there were even more tearful situations she experienced in this place. But this man is overdoing it. She knew his plans to smuggle other relief goods and to sell them to distant places to fill their pockets but she couldn't get enough and solid proof. She still remained silent because she didn't want trouble but she wouldn't let him blame her for the misfortune once this thing is revealed to the public. She just bowed and chose not to speak.

Howard noticed her tears. Zannie is not good at hiding it no matter how she tries to act tough in front of everyone. All of them are throwing sympathies to her but just keep their mouths shut. For sure, the silence are because of their absolute fear for the head officer and they also chose not to say anything because there are media members.

"Oh, there's the media video of that woman! Oh, she's so good at acting, she might be discovered on your network!" It's even more embarrassing to Zannie.

Howard couldn't stand it anymore and he threatened the arrogant officer.

"What? You're going to punch me? You can't handle me!"

Howard gritted his teeth. He thought for a moment. If he punched the man, the situation might get worse. It would look embarrassing, not only to him but also to Zannie. He immediately notice what's written on his ID. He was good at memorizing names. His full name and the hospital he was attending were already marked in his brain. Revenge is meant to serve to those people who wronged others, but not this time. He had another chance to retaliate and that was more successful. He let go of the man's collar and walked away. Then he grabbed Zannie's hand.

"Come on. Let them do the tasks here. Looks like they can do it."

Zannie drifted away with Howard. Here she is, being saved by the handsome prince of Trias. She was saved unexpectedly.

***

Howard was there behind Zannie to guide her walking to the bumpy road back to the barracks. It's already 5:30 PM for the second batch of distributing relief goods to those in need. The cloud was also dark and it was no longer safe to walk back without service because bad people might still meet on the road. At least, being with him makes her feel secured. Though she can't trust Howard's courage before, she proved that she is also brave like she showed before.

"Hey, are you still crying?" Howard asked.

Zannie quickly wiped her tears from her cheeks and just shook her head. "Why should I cry? What he said isn't true, that I'm useless! If he thinks he's working hard, there are still people around him who work twice as hard. He's just ordering what his subordinates must do, but those people who follow him and do what he commands are more exhausted, mentally and physically. He has a job title but he's a dunce.” While laughing and saying those words, Zannie still couldn't hide her sobbing voice.

By her words, Howard was moved. He viewed Zannie as someone who lived by good principles— Zannie, who is hardworking and determined. The memory of his SLI employees resurfaced all of a sudden. There are many like Zannie in the company that he doesn’t appreciate, because he is too perfectionist and he feels like everyone has the same mindset he has. And at this moment, he realized that 'useless' word or any adjective of it is an offense to someone. And there's no useless people, no matter what the working environment is.

"Don't mind his attitude to his team, think about the insult he did to you. Why is he blaming you for his misfortune?"

Zannie wiped away a tear and let out a deep sigh. "Because that's the attitude of superiors—that's how you are, isn't it? You feel like you're in a higher position, you're already holding the people in their neck! It was really painful in people like me who haven't been proven yet! Do you know how I felt before? Being called useless? It's like I've been stoned over and over. It's like I've been punched. I can't accept! I want to fight but I can't! I want to prove that he's wrong but he's the one who said it, I haven't proven anything yet. Why are you in a higher position like that? Why do you feel like you're holding the world?" After a line of resentment, the maiden cried again.

Howard was struck by what Zannie said to him. It would be very true if he went back to his old ways. He was strict and has no consideration, the company comes first and did not pay attention to the employee working to increase the company's income which is horribly wrong.

"You didn't say a word. Did you get hit with my words? I'm not sorry but thank you for what you did earlier. But maybe, you shouldn't interfere. You'll be talked about again tomorrow, embarrassing. That could affect your performance as a humanitarian worker." Zannie tried to turn her back on Howard.

In her mind she had to avoid the young man. She didn’t want to look pitiful and weak in his sight. And she had to avoid Howard because of the confusion she was feeling right now.

She call it the 'Howard effect'. When the two of them were close, there was something she couldn't explain. She loses focus when Howie is there, increasing her self-consciousness. This is how she felt when she first just realized that she already had a crush on Jacob. She can remember that way, but when it comes to Howard— it's so strange like she never felt it to anyone. Unfamiliar, but it gives her chills. This can't be. She loves Jacob and that won’t end just because of the inexplicable feels.

Wait, did she concluded the possibility of falling in love with Howard?

On the other hand, she was sure enough that she's not Howie's ideal type, so there's no way of falling in love with him easily. She must not be carried away by his seductive eyes even though she knows that she is hypnotized by it.

Well, maybe her feelings are going to betray her. But one hundred percent and more that Jacob is definitely the only one she loves, and she won't trade it for Howard whom she doesn't really know yet. What she meant to say is, she doesn't really know his background and she has no interest in finding out more about things about him.

"I admit, I'm like that too. I even tend to blame other people. But thank you, I reflected the right away. Just the amount I did wrong and when I return to the company, I will fix my mistakes."

Zannie smiled from ear to ear. Little did she know, that Howard's honesty could quickly change her mood. As she said to herself before, she has no intention of getting to know Howard but it looks like she will have a reason to start getting to know him. Because the man in front of her is like a book—a book with a beautiful cover and with its beauty, it's undeniably intriguing to read its content.

So, is this a start of a ceasefire between the two of them?