Chapter 2

“If you can’t take it, just leave.”

Karina turned at the sound of someone’s voice and quickly wiped her tears. It was lunchtime, and she had purposely gone to a convenience store far from the office just to be alone. But somehow, someone still recognized her there.

“You haven’t signed the contract yet. Once you do, it’ll be harder to leave,” added the woman—Adel—whom Karina quickly recognized. Adel was known for her indifferent attitude, but now she was speaking to Karina again. “Honestly, I feel sorry for you. I can’t stand watching you get bullied by Raisa anymore.”

Karina stayed silent, staring in confusion at Adel who sat across from her. “I need the money. I can’t quit now. I believe once I become a full-time employee, Raisa won’t be able to treat me like this anymore.”

Without a word, Adel pulled a document from her bag and handed it to Karina. “I’m resigning soon. This is for you. Do whatever you want with it.”

“What is this?” Karina asked, confused. But Adel only shrugged.

The woman then stood up and walked away without another word.

Still puzzled, Karina slowly opened the document.

She studied its contents carefully.

“What…?”

She read it again. It was a suspicious transaction report tied to Raisa’s account—multiple travel and leave records logged under company expenses, all to luxury hotels in Puncak Bogor. The amount was excessive for a simple overnight business trip.

“So what should I do now?” Karina whispered in distress. “Even if I report it… who would listen? I’m just an intern.”

Suddenly, Saka’s face flashed in her mind. She quickly shook her head. No way she could face him. She didn’t even want to see him. Whether he remembered her or not...

~~

Almost all the office lights had been turned off.

Karina stepped out of her room. Once again, her day had been filled with pressure.

As always, she was the last to leave—forced to stay late finishing Raisa’s endless demands.

She walked slowly, only to freeze when she saw Saka just coming out of the lobby.

She instinctively clutched her bag and remembered the documents Adel had given her.

“Excuse me, sir. I’d like to speak with you for a moment.” Karina gathered the courage to approach Saka just as he was about to get into his car.

Saka and his assistant stopped in their tracks.

“What is it you want to discuss?” the assistant asked, eyeing Karina.

“I have something important to report.” Karina gripped her bag tightly.

“Speak here,” Saka finally said—expressionless.

“I found some suspicious transactions carried out by the head of the Administration Division.”

Saka’s brow furrowed. “Get in the car.”

Silently, Karina obeyed.

She sat beside him, hands clenched on her lap, heart pounding fast.

She still hoped—desperately—that Saka had forgotten her. That he didn’t remember anything.

She didn’t even notice when the car stopped at a quiet, closed restaurant.

All she could do was follow Saka. Once seated, she finally handed him the document. “All the evidence is in here. There are many irregularities. You can verify them yourself.”

Saka took the file, skimmed it briefly, then tossed it roughly onto the table.

“I already know,” he said, staring directly at Karina—whose beauty hadn’t changed a bit since thirteen years ago. Only now, she looked more mature in her sleek pencil skirt and blouse.

But then Saka smirked as he noticed her trembling.

What he didn’t realize was that Karina was shaking not just from the cold, but from fear… and intimidation.

“If you already knew, why did you bring me here?” Karina asked in a faint voice.

Saka grinned. “So… you do know who I am?”

Thud!

Karina’s heart nearly stopped. That question meant he had recognized her from the start. “I-I—”

“Karina Leticia,” he said calmly. “The school’s golden girl who once dated a nerd named Saka. The goddess who used him just to boost her grades.”

“The girl who loved mocking, humiliating, and breaking people.”

Karina shut her eyes tight at his words.

It was all true.

She had been disgusting—spoiled by wealth, enjoying power by putting others down.

Maybe that’s why fate had flipped the script: now she was the one being bullied and humiliated.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I hurt a lot of people. I’m sorry it took me this long to admit it.”

Saka let out a dry laugh. He leaned back, arms folded. “Wow. Turns out you’re a decent actress too. But your apology means nothing. How does it feel now, being the one bullied?”

Karina clenched her fists under the table. “I know I was wrong, but I’m trying to change.”

Trying to preserve what was left of her dignity, Karina stood. “Thank you for listening to me.”

“Tch.” Saka scoffed. “Running away?”

Karina paused, then turned around and took a deep breath. “I’ve apologized, Saka. What more do you want?”

He stepped closer and looked down at her—his tall frame looming. “I want you destroyed.”

Karina gave a bitter laugh. “I’ve already been destroyed, Saka. There’s nothing left. You don’t need to waste your time.”

But Saka’s jaw tightened. Her laugh, for some reason, felt like mockery to him. “Don’t you dare laugh at me.”

Karina rubbed her temples, exhausted, before placing her palms together and looking up at him with sincerity.

“I’m sorry. I hurt you. I never realized how much pain I caused others back then.”

“Sorry isn’t enough,” Saka growled.

“Then what do you want from me?” she snapped.

“I want you to live in Hell,” he said, pulling her roughly against him. His fingers traced her face without permission. “I can do anything I want to you now, Karina.”

“Let me go!” she struggled.

But his grip on her waist only tightened.

Their breaths mingled—close and heavy. She could smell his masculine cologne. And she had no idea what would happen next...

~~

“Five people were fired: the Head of Administration, the Marketing Manager, the Head of HR, and two staff members from Finance,” Adel said, snapping Karina out of her daze. Her mind had been replaying last night’s events. “Turns out they’d been embezzling for a whole year. No wonder Mr. Saka was furious.”

“I feel at peace now that those bastards are gone,” Adel added with a victorious smile.

“Why did you resign?” Karina finally asked.

Adel shrugged. “Just tired of this suffocating world. I’m planning to travel across Asia. Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Japan, Korea… and so many more. I can’t wait!” she said excitedly.

Karina chuckled at the woman’s enthusiasm—until Adel’s next words made her pause.

“I heard Mr. Saka’s looking for a new secretary. Aren’t you going to apply?”

“Me?!”