Resignation

After leaving Daryl’s apartment, Cheesy jogged through the cold morning air. She clutched the twenty million rupiah check tightly, as if afraid it might vanish like a bad dream at any moment.

Without wasting time, Cheesy headed to the nearest bank. With trembling hands, she handed the check to the teller.

“I’d like to withdraw the full amount,” Cheesy said softly.

The teller gave her a brief glance, then began processing the check. It didn’t take long before the money was transferred into Cheesy’s account. She took a deep breath, feeling a bit of the weight on her chest ease.

Immediately, Cheesy pulled out the secondhand phone she had bought that morning. She opened her mobile banking app and began transferring all the money to the account of the only person who ever truly cared for her — Aunt Shu.

Once the transfer was successful, Cheesy dialed Aunt Shu’s number with trembling fingers.

The phone rang twice before a raspy, loving voice answered, “Hello?”

“Auntie…” Cheesy’s voice trembled. “It’s me, Cheesy. I... I just transferred some money to your account. Twenty million.”

Aunt Shu gasped on the other end. “Oh God, Cheesy! Where did you get that much money? You didn’t—you didn’t do anything crazy, did you?”

Cheesy bit her lip, trying to hold back tears. “No, Auntie. I’m okay. The money is clean. Please use it to pay for Ellen’s school fees.”

“Cheesy…” Aunt Shu’s voice was hoarse, “you don’t have to worry about Ellen’s school. You should use that money for your treatment.”

Cheesy swallowed her tears. “I promise I’ll be fine, Auntie. I just need you to promise me one thing…”

“What is it, dear?”

“If one day I can’t call you anymore... please don’t try to find me. Just pretend I went far away.”

There was silence on the other end.

“Cheesy… don’t say that. Do you hear me? I’ve already considered you my own child. Don’t say such foolish things again!”

Cheesy stifled a sob. “I love you too, Auntie. Thank you… for treating me like your daughter.”

Then she hung up — before her emotions could explode.

***

After that, Cheesy walked into a bar that had become like a second home to her. A place where she worked while hiding her heartbreak.

She pushed open the heavy wooden door. The scent of alcohol and cigarette smoke instantly greeted her.

At the far end of the room stood a stocky middle-aged man. When he saw Cheesy, he gave a faint smile.

“Mr. Leon,” Cheesy greeted as she approached.

Mr. Leon straightened up, studying Cheesy’s pale face. “Cheesy… what’s wrong? You don’t look well.”

Cheesy ignored the comment. She took a deep breath. “I’m fine. I’m here to resign.”

Mr. Leon froze. “Resign?”

“Yes,” Cheesy said firmly. “I can’t work here anymore. There are things I need to take care of.”

Mr. Leon went quiet. His stern face grew tense.

“Why? Is there a problem here? Are you unhappy with your pay? Is someone bothering you?”

“No, it’s not that,” Cheesy replied quickly. “I’m leaving the city. I might not come back.”

Mr. Leon furrowed his brow and shook his head quickly. “I still don’t agree.”

Cheesy stared in shock. “Why not?”

Mr. Leon opened his mouth to speak, but in the end, he just scoffed and turned his face away.

“You’re not allowed to leave,” he said sternly.

Cheesy frowned in confusion. “Why, Mr. Leon? What’s going on? I’m just trying to resign. Why are you making it so difficult?!”

Mr. Leon exhaled deeply, looking at Cheesy with a complicated gaze. He was hiding something.

“You just can’t. You have to keep working here, Cheesy. Don’t make this harder for me.”

Cheesy’s frown deepened. “What do you mean?”

But Mr. Leon just shook his head again — this time more forcefully.

“I said you’re not allowed to quit.”

Cheesy stood frozen, a feeling of something much larger lurking beneath the surface, though she couldn’t yet see what.

And unbeknownst to her, someone was watching from a distance.

“Mr. Daryl. Miss Cheesy is at the bar. She said she’s resigning. Said she’s leaving the city,” reported Very, Daryl’s assistant, over the phone.

“WHAT?!”