[4]

"Is the meeting stuff all set, Ta?" The 36-year-old woman has been busy preparing the report they're going to discuss with the finance team since earlier. The decision on promotion budgets and target points by Levi's team is just a step away. That's why Tata can't just let go of all sorts of summaries from previous meetings without checking them more carefully.

"Just a bit more, Sir," Tata says without taking her eyes off the computer screen. Not meaning to be rude, but she can get easily distracted. The data she's checking has to be perfect for the final presentation.

Levi understands how Tata operates. He doesn't feel offended or neglected when his subordinate answers without making eye contact. It shows high dedication from someone like Samanta to her job.

"Oh yeah, Ta, after the meeting, we've got a lunch invitation with the BoD."

This remark makes Tata raise her eyes. Adjusting her glasses slightly, she replies to Levi's words.

"Where at, Boss? I gotta tell the hubby first."

Levi smiles. "Le Meridien. Probably until around three. After that, we're heading back to the office for a wrap-up. Friday we've got a meeting with Sudar and the team."

Tata furrows her brow. "Wait... is this... a covert lunch?"

This time, Levi laughs. "Yeah. It's with the top brass from Human Greatness. New brand. They're asking for quite a big promo slot."

"Oh, the project Sudar's team is working on?" Tata confirms the project that will be discussed.

"Yeah." Levi hands another file to Tata. "You've probably already gone through it, right?"

"Some of it."

"What do you think?"

Levi slightly pulls the chair he's sitting on. Conversations with this woman are always enjoyable. Usually held in his office, but since there's one report Tata still needs to check, it's never a problem for Levi to discuss things in her deputy's room.

"It's good, Boss. But I added something about the pricing. They're offering quite high, but the quality doesn't seem to compete with Youtness brand, Boss. They brought samples of some T-shirts and hoodies. We compared them with existing competitors. All brands that collaborate with ShopaShop are money-oriented. We don't want to charge them a lot, but end up with few checkout buyers."

Levi nods slowly.

"Sudar has talked to the Human Greatness team. That's all for now, Boss," Tata adds.

"Maybe we'll discuss the continuation during lunch."

"Could be." Tata looks back at her screen. She can't pause her work for too long.

"We have a meeting in an hour, right? Before it starts, I'll check on it." Levi gets up from his seat. "I'll wait, Ta."

"Alright, Boss."

Once Levi's broad back disappears behind the door, the woman doesn't move an inch from the screen that now fills her eyes. The perfectionist boss. It's a given that the man will relentlessly pursue perfection regarding work matters. Luckily, she can balance out the sometimes annoying madness of her boss.

One habit that Levi never lets slip away. No matter how busy Tata is correcting reports, he will follow up on various projects. It requires a high level of concentration to answer and work on reports simultaneously. Remarkably, the boss doesn't need progress charts of each project just to remember what has been achieved and what needs special attention.

Once done, she immediately hands the report to Levi. While waiting for the boss to double-check the report, Tata sends a message to her husband. Most likely, she won't be able to have lunch together as usual; every Thursday they have lunch together in the Karet area. Their offices aren't too far apart, even though they have to deal with Jakarta's characteristic traffic.

She leaves her phone in her pocket after ensuring the message is sent. Tata quickly focuses on the final meeting with Levi, who is now leading it with confident strides as usual. He already has the files in hand, meaning Tata knows the report she worked on is just as he desired.

"Good afternoon, everyone," Levi greets with a thin smile on his lips. Several people already in the meeting room quiet down the light chatter that occurred before the meeting started. "Shall we begin?"

"We're ready, Boss," they respond in unison.

***

Usually, when having lunch with clients and ShopaShop executives, both Tata and Levi always use the company car. However, this afternoon, there's not a single company car on standby. This makes the woman trapped in the boss's SUV, which she's riding for the first time. Throughout her time working, she's never once been alone in the boss's car, who's currently driving.

"Everything's okay, right, Ta?" Levi asks to make sure. Since his deputy opened the car door, there's a hint of doubt on his face. He feels a bit guilty for sort of pushing her just now. If they were driving their own cars, besides being less efficient, there are a few things they need to discuss.

"It's fine, Sir," Tata tries to smile. "Usually, there's one or two more people, Sir. So... I feel a bit awkward."

Levi grins. "Yeah, right. Usually Sudar or Mr. Muh, the office driver."

Hearing Levi's words, Tata just quirks her lips thinly.

"Don't worry, Ta. I won't do anything weird," Levi jokes, earning a small laugh from Tata. Seeing his coworker is more relaxed now, he starts the car engine. "Let's hit the road now."

The journey to Le Meridien isn't long. It's just that they have to take a slightly longer route past Citywalk and the traffic flow today is quite heavy. What should have been a ten-minute journey turns into twice as long. However, Levi uses this time to ask about Tata's readiness and gather more information from her. He doesn't want to give wrong opinions or guidance on the marketing targets they'll discuss later.

"Do you have those points noted down separately?" Levi makes sure. "If possible, ask for product photo samples too, Ta."

"Yes, Sir. All the important parts have been marked by Sudar. I just added and corrected a few things."

Levi nods briefly. There's nothing more they discuss afterward. After all, their car is about to arrive at their destination soon. Meanwhile, Tata is seen taking out her phone. There are two messages there. A reply from her husband and her friend, Jenni.

Ottis:

Yeah

Jenni:

You're free this Saturday, right? Let's meet up, okay? It's been so long since we last talked, Ta.

A slight smile appears on Tata's face. She quickly responds to these messages. To Jenni, she agrees to her invitation. To her husband, she reminds him not to postpone lunch for too long. It coincides with the car engine being turned off, indicating they've arrived at the basement.

Tata walks alongside Levi on his right side. There's nothing they talk about except heading to the arranged lunch place. The only sound is the tapping of their shoes against the marble floor as they walk. They walk along the corridor on the left side and turn eventually to wait for the elevator that will take them to the fifth floor. The Zoya Meridien restaurant known for its steak is there.

Tata was so surprised when she turned the corner of the corridor. Across the way, someone she knew very well was embracing someone else. His face was beaming with a wide smile. His gaze was also filled with admiration towards the person she didn't recognize. It's as if their closeness had been established for a long time.

"Ta," Levi calls softly. "Come on, the elevator's open!"

Tata blinks slowly. The figure is still there. It means it's not a hallucination or a daydream in broad daylight. This is reality. "Ottis... with whom?"

"Come on, Ta!" Levi says impatiently.

"Alright, Sir."