but..

I shook my head again, trying to find the right words. "It's not like that. It's just… I need to go back to my country, and I wanted to know if I could work from home."

"So it's like that," she said, a hint of relief mingling with her understanding.

I nodded, hoping she would understand the gravity of my situation without further explanation. "Yes."

She leaned back in her chair, her fingers tapping lightly on the desk. "Sure, that's not a problem, but…" she trailed off, her calm demeanor making my anxiety spike again.

"But what?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"It would be great if you worked from the office," she said, her tone neutral yet firm.

I hung my head low, feeling the weight of her words. "I am sorry," I muttered, the apology tasting bitter on my tongue.

Lila chuckled softly, her laughter easing some of the tension. "That's okay. I will apply for the changes."