II : Love Mission

"Father, I'm sure we can do other things" Veronica tried to negotiate this,

"We have read his last month's report, and do you think he has done a proper job as the vice leader?" The Charisma of Mr. Kusuma was overflowing, he spoke with a calm tone but yet it may give you chills.

"And yet, you always ask me to make him the president," He added, making me imagine Axel that I just met today to be a president. Wow, it would destroy the company in a day.

"How can he be the president if he doesn't have the capability to do the bare minimum of his job?" I'm so glad that Mr. Kusuma was doing the right thing. He was the founder of the company, I'm sure he wanted the best for the company.

Axel's mother couldn't even answer Mr. Kusuma and just had a deep sigh "Father, I am very disappointed with your decision."

Axel's mother grabbed her pouch and left the garden, seeing that she could not refuse his plan no matter how deeply she despised it. I could see how powerful Mr. Kusuma's words were in his family.

"I trust you, Cora, and I will do whatever I can to support you." Mr. Kusuna tried to convince me.

"But I can't guarantee that I can make that– I meant Axel to," I cleared my throat before continuing my words, "To able love me"

"I know him, and I already met you. Even though it's true that both of you are totally different but you and Axel will be the perfect match for each other." He gave me an encouraging smile.

I took my time to think before saying more things, I don't think I can do it but above that, I don't think I can say no to him. He helped me so much, I couldn't forget his kindness to me when I was in highschool.

"Mr. Kusuma, I will trust you too and I will do my best to do what you said." I gave a little nod at the end of my words. I won't let him down

"You won't regret it, Axel will love you so much" I got literal goosebumps hearing that, I couldn't even dare to imagine it.

I saw the time on my watch, "Because it's already late, I think I have to go back."

"Our driver will take you home then." I hesitated to accept his kindness, "But, Mr. Kusuma–"

"Because it's hard to find a taxi here, and I will feel more at ease" His smile was extremely kind

"Thank you Mr. Kusuma"

"Cora, Here is my direct contact number" Mr. Kusuma gave me a black business card with gold lettering, all this time I was only able to contact him by the email which has been managed by his secretary and the closest I could get was his secretary office telephone number.

"You know, I'm getting older and don't have much going on anymore. It'd be nice if you could come by more often, okay, Cora?" He made me miss my late grandparents

I responded with nod and give my biggest smile "With pleasure Mr. Kusuma"

"In our next meeting, please call me Grandfather." He tapped my shoulder lightly.

I nodded my head for the last time, "Good night sir"

On the way home, I think about what I have to do and how Mr. Kusuma asked me to call him grandfather, I had so many mixed emotions—like I was confused, flattered, and overwhelmed all at the same time. Confused and overwhelmed because I didn't expect that additional task at all, and felt flattered because of how he asked me to call him grandfather, and he treated me extremely thoughtful. He was still the most humble and mature human that I've ever met, not different at all with what I remembered. The only thing different about him, is his wrinkles are getting more obvious.

I won't forget what he had done to me, so I will do anything to repay his kindness, even though I must make that jerk to love me.

As soon as I got home, I immediately fell asleep—I was completely exhausted. When I woke up today, the first thing on my mind was figuring out how to make Axel fall for me. I really need to come up with some plan but my mind still too tired to think

When I arrived at the office, I still hadn't figured out the strategy so I grabbed a black sheet of paper and a pen. Right where should we start?

Thank God He is always late, so maybe I got an hour or more to make the plan. A plan to make a man fall in love.

The question is HOW?

My love experience is really zero, nothing at all. I have never dated anyone properly, and the last time I fell for someone, is probably to my senior at High School.

I've got absolutely zero experience with love—I've never dated anyone properly. The last time I had feelings for someone was probably back in high school, with a senior. So yeah, I'm totally new to this whole thing.

Based on my experience and what i saw, there are two biggest reasons for humans able to fall in love with another human being

First, ideal type—the person you've always imagined in your head. And when you meet someone who fits that image, it feels like destiny, they look right. Maybe you fall for them at first sight, or maybe it happens from time to time, but either way, the attraction will always be there.

Second, familiarity, there's the kind of love that sneaks up on you. It happens when someone treats you better than you ever expected. You get comfortable, they become familiar, and before you know it, they've carved out a place in your life.

Realistically? I know I don't stand a chance at the first kind. Axel's ideal type? It's pretty clear. The women he's attracted to look like they stepped off a runway—model bodies, flawless faces. And me? I'm just... me. A regular girl who works too much, trying to keep it together. There's no way Axel looks at me and thinks, "Wow, she's the one."

I wear makeup every day. It's part of my routine, something that makes me feel more confident—especially at work, to look more presentable and professional. But even with all the effort, I know it's never quite enough.

But I think I still have the chance for the second reason, I just need to treat him well and make him familiar to me. Since yesterday we didn't start it well, just a little bit of kindness will make me look better in his eyes. I only need to give my biggest smile and saying hi

Should I ask about his day yesterday? Yes Cora!

Also maybe I was too focused on getting the work done yesterday, and that's why he left such a bad impression on me. First impressions aren't everything, right? People can change. They just need a little kind push.

And I'll be the one to give him that push.

I heard footsteps approaching from my left and quickly prepared my best smile. I could already catch a whiff of his cologne before he even appeared. It's different from yesterday—definitely stronger today.

"Good morning, Axel!" I greeted him with the friendliest smile I could give. But he walked right past me without giving any glance in my direction.

Okay, that's fine. Totally fine Cora.

I'll be the one who makes the first move then, It's cool. I've got this.

I started heading toward his office, but just before I arrived at the door, he nearly slammed the door in my face. Fortunately my hand reached out just in time, barely catching it before it hit me.

Finally he looked at me, "What do you want?"

"Have a chat with you before we started our job, just like usual colleagues." I sat beside him on the sofa, He looked at me in disbelief "So, how was your day yesterday?"

I have never approached people first, especially men. And yet, the first man that I approached kept playing with his phone and won't look at me. "Did you sleep well?" But I still tried my best, there is nothing I can't do.

"Don't smile at me like this, It's weird" Hearing him I dropped my smile immediately

"What do you think my day was like yesterday, when my employee shouted at me?"

"C'mon, It's not shouting. More like giving a lesson" With the calmest tone I spoke, "Remember, even though I'm your employee. I'm your teacher as well"

Why it sounds like I was nagging him, that's not what I wanted. "That must feel good right? to have your boss as your peer" His tone was agitated.

"Of course not, cause it should have the employee who learnt a lot from the supervisor not the other way" I really can not do sweet talk, now I'm nagging him more.

"Nice chat that we have" He said it with his flat expression sarcastically. Then, we both were silenced, I think I have to give him a compliment.

"Well done today, you came 10 minutes earlier than yesterday. Even though it's actually still almost an hour." I tried my best to say something nice.

"Please try to stay here for the entire workday," I said, half-politely nagging him. "But if you really have to leave, that's totally fine. I'll happily let you go... as long as I come with you too," I added, flashing him a smile, of course.

"Alright, alright. I'm staying." Without realizing it, I smiled genuinely. "You're done with this shitty chat right? Then go!" He shooed me away with his right hand.

"Thank you for your time, Axel." I getted up from my seat and I realized that he didn't complain at all when I called him by his name. I think he let me call him Axel. I'll take it as sign that our relationship improved.

To be honest, if we're being fair about what happened yesterday, the fault was on me. I didn't exactly show the best manners. But, to be clear, I only did it because he needs to learn that respect, especially as a leader, is something you have to earn. It doesn't just come automatically.

Before I left his room, I turned to talk to him, "I promise, I'll call you whatever you want, once I see you as a true leader," I said fervently.

"That's not exactly something I'd be proud of," Axel replied dryly.

"Well, we'll see then" Then, I walked to my desk and began my work for today.

I grabbed the stack of documents he needed to sign, review, or give his input on.

"Here's your work for today," I said, handing them over. "Please read through them carefully. I've sorted them from the most urgent to the least."

"Why are there so many of them? When Val worked here, there were not that many."

"That is exactly the reason, because you didn't do your work properly last month, it became postponed to this month. So if you want this desk to be cleaner, you gotta work your ass sir."

He just shook his head, "How about you? Where are your works?"

"I will appreciate it, if you take a look at my desk" I pointed to a lonely desk outside his room that was filled with piles of documents and paper. Another worker gave it to me this morning saying that those are all the works that the old assistant hasn't done yet or needed revision. It means I have to do the last month's work, this month's work and also revising it at the same time.

Not to mention I have to teach the materials that I showed to Mr. Kusuma yesterday to Axel, and also the additional task to make Axel like me at the same time. Wow, I began to realize that 10 times pay actually makes sense and worth the pain.

I started doing my job, suddenly the heavy sigh noises were heard in Axel's office room.

"Cora!!" It's his first time to call me by name

"Yes, I'm coming."

"I'm torn between choosing to renew the contract with our old wood supplier or should we work with the new suppliers who are willing to give a cheaper price?" He showed me the proposal

"Why don't the operation team just decide it by themselves?" He added.

"Well, I'm sure they are confused just like you. And your responsibility to take charge for choosing the best option" I gave the decision for him

"Okay, I'll choose to keep working with the old ones."

"And I'll get back to my work" I turned to my desk

"Cora!!"

"Yes?" I immediately woke up, and approached him.

"I need caffeine, americano with 5 shots and ice"

Ha… That's my first errand as an assistant, of course I have to do it happily right?

"Is there anything else that you need, Axel?"

"Cake, some tiramisu cake but I don't want it to be too sweet." I nodded and smiled, "Okay, I got you." Just before I go, he raised his right hand giving sign that he hasn't done yet with his order, "I want some sandwich too, because I haven't eaten my breakfast yet"

Wow, so many foods and so little work that he has done.

If I wasn't thinking about that ten times pay raise, I swear I'd slam this damn door right in his face. But since I'm such a kind, patient soul (obviously), I'll stay calm.

I glanced at the pile of work on my desk and let out a long sigh. I swear, just before I turned toward the elevator, I caught a glimpse of him smiling. But when I looked again, the smile was gone, like it was never there.

He's playing me, and he's good at it. But I can't help letting him get away with it. After all, it's my job, right? To keep this spoiled, overgrown rat happy.