Arriving at Andien's apartment, Lisa's cell phone rang. She looked at the screen then picked up the call.

"Hello, Vir? What's up?" Lisa asked the caller on the other side.

"Ah, hello, Sis Lisa. Are you busy?" Vira answered from across. Her voice sounded very low as if she didn't want other employees to catch her.

"No, I'm free now. What's up?"

"Sis, can you go to the Colors Advertising office tomorrow? I've helped to clean up your belongings in the office," Vira replied.

"Geez! I almost forgot about it! Okay, I'll be there to pick up my things tomorrow morning. Ouch, sorry, I'm feeling dizzy lately that I forgot to take my things!" Lisa replied guiltily.

"It's okay, just relax! See you tomorrow, okay?"

"Yes, by the way, thanks for helping clean up my stuff. See you tomorrow, Vir"

"You're welcome, Sis!"

The call was immediately closed by Lisa. She took a deep breath as she rubbed her wild face.

Since she resigned from Rangga's advertising office, Lisa hadn't contacted Rangga and vice versa. Neither of the two childhood friends took the initiative to greet each other either by phone or instant message, as if their friendship had really ended since the slander case at that time.

Initially, the reason Lisa resigned from Rangga's office was because she was going to marry Oscar, but when their wedding day arrived, something unexpected happened that they were forced to cancel their marriage.

Too much had happened in Lisa's life lately that it was so difficult for her to think clearly that she forgot to pick up her belongings at the advertising office where she used to work.

***

The next morning, Lisa went straight to the Colors Advertising office just as she promised Vira— picking up her old stuff. Fortunately, the street wasn't as busy that morning, so the office was still quiet.historical

Lisa hastened her steps towards the finance department room. In the doorway, Vira was seen standing with a large cardboard box containing Lisa's belongings.

Lisa waved her hand at Vira then said, "Geez, Vira, thanks a lot. I'm so sorry to have bothered you. How are you?"

She already knew that the situation in the office had gotten worse since Maria's arrival as a co-owner of the company. Still, it didn't hurt her to make small talk with her old working buddy.

"Did you know? Many employees have resigned since Mrs. Maria took over this advertising office. She's so fierce! I often worked overtime and got scolded all the time!" Vira replied in a languid tone.

"Oh, sorry, this is all because of me. I'm sorry that you have to suffer like this," Lisa replied, feeling guilty.

"Eh, don't say that! Blame Sis Riani! Since Mrs. Maria took over this office, Ms. Riani has been appointed as financial manager. She likes to randomly question the employees for no reason," Vira answered.

"Hah!? Is it true that Riani is now your boss?" Lisa asked in amazement.

"Yes, so when you resigned and Mrs. Maria took over this office, Ms. Riani was immediately appointed as financial manager to replace you. After all this time, Ms. Riani finally makes her dream come true. I also don't understand why she got promoted, even though I have worked in this office for 5 years. But oh, it's true that you're so lucky to have resigned from here. If not, I can't imagine what you will feel like to work under Ms. Riani's pressure!"

Hearing Vira's long explanation made Lisa a little relieved and worried about that girl's situation in the office. Since Maria took over, things had completely changed.

"Eh, by the way, have you heard the gossip yet?" Vira said, breaking Lisa's daydream.

"What gossip?"

"I heard that Mr Rangga and Mrs Maria are contesting in court," Vira replied plainly.

Lisa frowned. "Why is that?"

"They said it's a fight for child custody. Mr. Rangga doesn't want to give custody of his child to Mrs. Maria even though the child is her biological child."

"Gosh, who got custody in the end?"

"I don't know. Both parties are equally adamant about custody of the child. But Mrs. Maria insisted that she wanted to get custody because Mr. Rangga had an affair with another woman or something like that. I don't know anymore, I just heard it."

Hearing the word affair made Lisa's heart suddenly dark. Her childhood friend, a good boy since they were still at school, had now become a player. How could her heart not hurt when she found out that Rangga had been lying to her so that he could marry her at that time? Luckily, Lisa didn't accept Rangga's marriage proposal.

"Oh, I see. Alright then, thank you very much for helping out. You take care of yourself, okay? I wish you a successful career despite the steep roads," Lisa said sincerely.

"You too, I hope you get a nice new job soon!" Vira replied with a smile.

The two walked towards the exit and before long, a woman with a grim face came towards them with an arrogant gesture.

After not seeing Riani for a long time, this grim-faced woman suddenly dressed like a socialite. Her now branded and expensive working clothes added to the arrogant impression that she'd always worn on her face.

Her heels were made by a well-known designer and said to have cost 20 million rupiah. The shoes were very shiny and looked luxurious.

When Riani came over to Lisa and Vira, she stopped her steps and then looked at Lisa with a condescending gaze while crossing her arms. "What are you doing back in this office? You are not accepted in this office. Get out!"

"Sis Riani, don't talk carelessly! Sis Lisa came here just to take her stuff!" Vira exclaimed, defending Lisa.

"You dare to argue with your boss like this!? Remember, I am your boss now! I can punish you if you dare to speak in such a harsh tone!" Riani snapped, not wanting to lose.

Hearing this threat did not make Vira's self-confidence collapse, instead it tickled her to troll her 'new boss' more. She clasped her palms together while lifting one leg flirtatiously. "Ouch, what are you going to do with me, sis? Should I be scared of you just because you're my boss now?"

"You...! How dare you mock your boss like that!" Riani snapped. Her face flushed with embarrassment as she was ready to slap Vira.

"Riani, cut it! Vira has nothing to do with this. I just came here to get my old stuff and I want to go home!" Lisa said, pushing Vira behind her body so that Riani would not slap her.

Lisa had no intention of dealing with that grim-faced woman. Riani was not important to her. She could have beaten her on the spot but she was too tired for it, so she just wanted to go home and never wanted to return to this damned advertising office.

Seeing Lisa carrying the big cardboard box made Riani suspicious. The woman with the gloomy face blocked her from leaving the office and said, "Do you think you can just go around before I inspect what you brought in the box?"