My steps felt light as I stepped out of Damar's car. This was the first time I felt like I had won against him, even if it was just about taking leave. Neither Damar nor Mr. Hardi could postpone my leave once I stated my reason. Getting engaged—it sounded perfect, as long as no one tried to verify my story.
I held back my laughter, thinking about how ridiculous my excuse was. Luckily, I managed to keep a straight face. Damar might be confused, or maybe he didn't care at all. How could someone like me, who never seemed to be in a relationship, suddenly claim to be getting engaged?
I didn't even care if I had to lie to many people just to take leave. It was just an engagement, not a wedding. If anyone asked about it later, I could simply say that my engagement was called off for one reason or another. Problem solved.
I entered the elevator alone since Damar was still in the car, taking a phone call. Maybe he didn't want me to overhear his conversation, so he told me to go up to the seventh floor first.
Humming cheerfully, I stepped into the elevator. After this, I would head straight to Mr. Hardi's office to submit my leave request. My motto right now was: the sooner, the better.
"Has Mr. Hardi arrived?" I asked Rien when I ran into her.
"Doesn't seem like it. His office was still dark earlier," she replied.
"Why are you looking for him so early?" Rien asked.
"I have a small matter to discuss," I answered, not wanting to reveal my true reason. I definitely wouldn't tell my coworkers that my excuse for taking leave was getting engaged. I'd figure out how to handle it later if someone found out I was lying.
Taking leave shouldn't be this complicated.
Since Mr. Hardi hadn't arrived yet, I went to my desk and placed my bag down. As my computer booted up, I opened my notebook to review my tasks for the day. Just as I was focused on my notes, Damar walked past and went straight into his office.
Even without looking, I knew it was him. His distinct cologne filled the room as he passed by.
If I was taking leave next week, I needed to finish all my pending work this week. Otherwise, that annoying boss would surely pester me every single day.
"Has Mr. Hardi arrived?" I asked Doni, who had just brought coffee to Damar's office.
"Not yet, I think," he replied.
"Let me know when he does," I said, and Doni nodded. Mr. Hardi's office was near the entrance to the seventh floor, so I wouldn't be able to see him arrive since my desk was at the far end.
I was confident Mr. Hardi would approve my leave because my reason was very convincing. An engagement was like dating—it could fall apart at any time. If he or Damar asked about it later, I could simply say it was over. But I doubted they would be that nosy.
I didn't even have a boyfriend. How could I possibly be getting engaged?
"You were looking for Mr. Hardi, right? He just arrived," Rien said, apparently just returning from downstairs.
I took several deep breaths, giving Mr. Hardi time to settle in and scroll through the morning news on his phone. His usual pre-work routine lasted about fifteen minutes, and I had to wait for it to end so he'd be in a better mood.
When I felt the timing was right, I got up and walked to his office. Why was I so nervous? It was just a leave request. Was it because I was about to lie? My body seemed to reject the idea, making my hands and feet feel cold. Oh well, who cares!
"Come in." His deep voice came after I knocked. I pushed the door open, my hands still cold.
"Good morning, excuse me, sir," I greeted with a smile.
"Oh, Bulan. I was just about to call you in," he replied, motioning for me to sit. His words made me frown slightly—had Damar already told him about my leave request, or was this about something else?
"Damar mentioned that you're planning to take leave next week," he said. My guess was right—Damar had already informed him.
"Yes, sir. Just three days to go home to Semarang for a family event," I said, avoiding mentioning my engagement right away. Damar might have already told him my excuse.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"Yes, sir. I apologize for taking leave at the end of the month," I replied.
"Can't it be postponed?" he asked.
"Sorry, sir, but it can't. Since it's a family event, I can't just decide not to attend," I explained.
"I mean, can't the family event be postponed?" he clarified. I hesitated. He should already know my reason, yet he was still insisting on delaying my leave.
"Actually, I don't mind if employees take leave whenever they want, even at the end of the month, which is usually discouraged. Especially if it's for something urgent. Leave is every employee's right. But this time, I want to be a little stubborn and ask you to stay," he said, making me even more confused.
"But why, sir? Is there an important task that I need to complete?" I asked.
"Well, Bulan…." He paused, adjusting his seating position. My patience thinned as he sipped his coffee instead of continuing.
"There's an important event next week," he finally said. I frowned, trying to think—what event? As far as I knew, there was none, because if there was, the marketing team would be the first to know.
"The Annual Sales Meeting, attended by representatives from Niachemical across Southeast Asia. It will be held in Singapore," he said, mentioning the name of our parent company based in China.
I furrowed my brows, still not understanding his point. What did my leave have to do with this event? Oh no—was the company sending Damar, meaning I had to cover his work, so I couldn't take leave? If that was the case, I'd fight for my right to take time off.
"So, can you postpone your leave for this event?" he asked, making me hold my breath. I had predicted this outcome. I was always the backup, the second choice.
"What do you think, Bulan?" Mr. Hardi asked again when I remained silent.
"This is a highly anticipated event for all employees under Niachemical. Not everyone gets this opportunity, so think carefully," he said.
Why should I think carefully when I was the one being disadvantaged? This boss was strange sometimes.
"But, sir… I really can't postpone my family event," I replied firmly.
"I understand. Damar said you're getting engaged. But think again—can't the engagement happen after you return?" he said. I froze for a moment. After I return? Wait—who were we talking about here?
"What do you mean, sir?" I asked, confused, making Mr. Hardi look equally puzzled.
"You're sending Damar to that event, right?" I asked for confirmation.
"Of course, I'm sending both of you. You and Damar are the chosen representatives I trust to attend this event," he said seriously.
(*)