6. Falling Down The Stairs

"Hey, who dropped you off just now, Emmy?" asked Grandma Dahlia as she greeted her granddaughter home from work.

Politely, Emmy kissed her grandmother’s hand and replied, "That was my boss’s driver, Grandma. My motorbike tire was slashed by some seniors at the office. They’ve hated me ever since William left for New York. Turns out bullying isn’t just in school—it’s in the office too, Grandma!"

A sympathetic smile crossed the wrinkled face of the elderly woman. Grandma Dahlia sighed and stroked her beloved granddaughter’s long hair. "Be patient, don’t hate them. Let God repay what your seniors have sown—if it’s good, the harvest will be good, and vice versa!" she advised gently.

Emmy nodded obediently; she never went against the words of the grandparents who had raised her since childhood. The girl grinned as she walked side by side with her grandmother. "Where’s Grandpa, by the way? He’s usually home, Grandma."

"Out back in the garden—he’s been harvesting sweet potatoes since morning and still isn’t done. I told him not to work alone all day, he’ll get all achy. Oh … your grandpa’s so stubborn!" Grandma Dahlia replied with a fond laugh.

The two walked toward the back door leading to a small garden filled with various vegetables and many Cilembu sweet potato plants—known for their unique sweetness. Just as Emmy had mentioned to her boss a few days earlier, their family’s Cilembu sweet potato vines could be harvested year-round.

"Grandpa Hasan, it’s already evening and you’re still busy in the garden? You’ll get bitten by mosquitoes!" Emmy called out, teasing her grandfather, who chuckled as he approached.

"My beautiful granddaughter’s home, I see. Alright, I’ll finish up tomorrow morning. What can I say—I’m old now, it’s only natural I work slower than I used to!" Grandpa Hasan replied as he joined them heading inside.

Emmy then said, "Let’s take a shower first, Grandpa. I’m hungry and want to eat, but I’m all sweaty and sticky!"

"Okay, just a quick shower then we’ll eat together, my dear Emmy," Grandpa Hasan said before heading to his own room.

Emmy’s life with her grandparents was so harmonious and full of mutual love. That’s why the girl had such a warm personality—even people she’d just met, like her boss and Haikal, found her pleasant. Only her seniors at work had evil plans to make sure Emmy wouldn’t stay at Fame Palette Artisans Co.

As Haikal Sutrimo—aka Momo—had said, the next morning her boss’s shiny black Mercedes picked Emmy up in front of her house. The girl kissed Grandma Dahlia and Grandpa Hasan’s hands as she said goodbye, "Grandpa, Grandma, I’m off to work. Pray that everything goes smoothly at the office, okay?"

"Yes, we always pray for the best for our beautiful granddaughter. Alright, off you go, Emmy—don’t keep the driver waiting too long!" Grandpa Hasan replied, waving her off with his beloved wife from the front porch.

After getting in the back seat, Emmy greeted her boss’s driver warmly, "Good morning, Mang Ali. Thanks for picking me up again!"

"Morning, Miss Emmy. It’s my job—don’t mention it. Oh, Momo said the Boss is coming home today," Mang Ali replied as he smoothly pulled the luxury car away from the house.

"Wow, I’m so happy William’s coming back, Mang Ali. Work will feel more peaceful," Emmy said cheerfully.

The driver chuckled and said, "Just be patient, Miss. Workplace competition is everywhere, after all—especially since you’re the Boss’s favorite. Before you, no other female employee ever got picked up and dropped off in his personal car like this. Oh, and Ucok fixed the motorbike tire that got slashed yesterday—it’s in the side garage, Miss!"

Mang Ali’s words made Emmy think seriously. Her boss’s attention was indeed a bit more than what most superiors gave. Back when she interned in America, her boss there hadn’t been this kind. Could there be something special going on?!

When they arrived at the grand house that also served as Fame Palette Artisans Co.’s office, Emmy hurried out of the car as it stopped in front of the porch. "Thanks, Mang Ali!" she said before firmly closing the car door.

Her arrival sparked jealousy in her seniors, who usually picked on her at work.

"Ugh, Emmy’s so stuck-up. Getting dropped off in the boss’s car and strutting right up to the second floor!"Yuni commented sarcastically, staring at the girl’s back as she climbed the stairs quickly.

Anneke stood beside her, looking at the girl with eyes full of envy. "I thought she’d take the bus or an online taxi to work. Bet she got dropped off in the Mercedes yesterday evening too. Must be nice living her life, huh?!" the woman added bitterly.

Hearing her friends’ words, Vera grew even angrier and more hateful toward Emmy. She whispered with her group to plan something terrible against her.

Virna nodded in agreement and said, "That kid needs a wake-up call to know her place. It’ll just leave her bruised and sore—no big deal, Ver. Let’s do it this afternoon!"

"We have to stick together so Emmy doesn’t get any more cocky like she’s the queen here!" Vera urged her friends before they dispersed to get back to work on the first floor, next to the winding wooden stairs.

As lunchtime approached, Emmy planned to go downstairs to meet Haikal for a casual chat, bringing her lunch box with her. Her grandmother had made Emmy’s favorite purple sweet potato cake, and she wanted to share it with her best friend.

She had only stepped down a few stairs when her foot slipped on cooking oil that had been deliberately poured on the polished wooden steps.

"Aarrghhh!"Emmy screamed as she tumbled down, her head hitting the marble floor at the bottom of the stairs with a hard thud.

The wicked women who had planned the accident pretended not to know and went back into their office. Mrs. Rita, who had been suspicious of their behavior, rushed out when she heard a woman’s scream from outside.

When Mrs. Rita found the unconscious Emmy with a bleeding forehead, she cried out in panic. The whole house erupted in chaos as people gathered around them.

"Oh my God, what happened, Mrs. Rita?!" Haikal yelled in panic when he saw Emmy lying on the floor in a pitiful state. He immediately went to find Mang Ali in the garage. "Mang, take Emmy to the hospital right now—get the car to the porch!"

Haikal then told his friends, Ucok and Udin, to carry Emmy to the car. He joined her in the back seat of the Mercedes. "Hurry, Mang Ali. Oh no … man, I’m scared the boss is gonna flip if anything happens to our pretty Miss!" Haikal rambled nervously as he held the unconscious girl.

"Emmy … Emmy … wake up!" Haikal said, gently patting her cheek. But the girl was completely unconscious from the hard blow to her head."