What's wrong with this guy? I'm the one on my period, but why does he look like he can't control his emotions? His behavior seems so childish to me.
"Are you serious?" I asked with a face as serious as my words. I no longer called him "sir" because his attitude made me feel there was no need to be polite to him anymore.
"We're halfway through the trip, and you're choosing to go back just because I complained about a stomachache. This is just a normal cramp that every woman experiences, and of course, it won't make me whine in pain when we meet the client later. When it comes to work, I'm very professional," I continued.
"But whatever, if you want to go back." I turned my face away and stared at the road ahead. Slowly, I couldn't hold back my frustration with this guy. On his first day as the head of marketing, he was acting like a child. But... well, he is a kid.
"Are you sure you'll be okay?" he asked, with a tone that sounded lower than before. I took a deep breath before answering.
"I already told you," I replied, still looking at the road and holding my stomach. Next time, I'll make up an excuse if he invites me out of town again.
Damar didn't say another word and drove toward our destination. It seemed this guy only acted annoyingly towards me. His interactions with other employees seemed fine. Back when he was a new employee, he was so friendly toward me. Such an ungrateful brat.
The cramps in my stomach were still there, but I had to put on a brave face so this guy wouldn't sulk and turn back. It's exhausting to have a boss who's so unpredictable.
I would remain professional, just like I told him earlier. Even though I was extremely annoyed with his attitude, I would stay calm and not get carried away by emotions.
"Mr. Fujita is waiting at his villa. There are a few things he wants to discuss with Global Kimia. He couldn't do so last time due to time constraints," I explained while opening my tablet and quickly reading everything I knew about our client.
I skimmed through important points about his company, which needed niacinamide for their skincare products targeting teenagers. Their products would be sold domestically.
I put my tablet back in my bag after finishing the explanation. Damar nodded with a serious expression. From now on, I would manage my emotions in front of him. This was better than continuously harboring resentment. I would make it clear that he was my boss, and I was his subordinate. Showing too much dislike would only make me look pathetic. Maybe that would make him happy.
Damar glanced at me when the car stopped at the location I had directed him to. I pretended not to notice and quickly grabbed my bag, making sure I didn't leave anything behind. With my aching back and slightly cramping stomach, I tried to look fine.
Before Damar could ask, I had already contacted Mr. Fujita's personal secretary to inform her of our arrival. Mr. Fujita, a Japanese national married to an Indonesian woman, owned a cosmetic and skincare factory in Bogor.
Several times, I felt Damar glancing at me, but I tried not to care. My business with this man was purely professional; I didn't want to make small talk with him anymore.
***
I let out a deep sigh after the long discussion with Mr. Fujita was over. When it came to negotiation, Damar deserved a thumbs-up. But that was it—everything else still looked bad in my eyes. That one thing wouldn't make me admire him.
The partnership offer was successful, which probably explained why Damar's face wasn't as sour as before. The sky darkened as we left Bogor. Honestly, I was starving since my last meal was nasi uduk this morning. Was this guy planning to skip lunch and head straight back to Jakarta?
Maybe his stomach could handle it, but mine was already growling. Plus, the cramps from my period occasionally kicked in.
Ugh... I'm so hungry.
Calm down, Bulan. Maybe by taking a deep breath, the hunger would disappear. Oh, come on! What kind of ridiculous suggestion is that? I just feel hungrier.
I glanced at my watch, hoping time would pass quickly. Should I just sleep to forget about the hunger? Yeah, sleeping until we arrived at the office sounded like a good idea.
Who cares if Damar was driving while I slept? It's his fault for letting me starve like this. Sleeping is the solution to all problems.
My eyes slowly opened when I felt the car come to a stop. Had we arrived? But why didn't Damar wake me up? Did he purposely leave me in the car?
When my eyes fully opened, Damar wasn't in the driver's seat, and the car was indeed parked. I squinted and looked outside. It seemed like a rest area, much larger than a regular gas station. Damar was probably enjoying his lunch out there. How annoying! He didn't even wake me up and invite me to eat.
My frustration grew when I tried to open the door, only to find it locked. No wonder he bought me breakfast and snacks earlier—he probably wanted me to last until we got back to the office.
I sighed in annoyance and reached for my phone in my bag. Just as I was about to call Damar, the car door suddenly opened. I wanted to pretend to sleep again, but it was too late—Damar had already seen me.
"Here, this is for you," he said, handing me a cup of coffee. The rich aroma filled my senses. I stared at him with a furrowed brow. Just coffee? Is this guy some kind of creature who gets full from a single cup of coffee?
"Thanks," I said reluctantly. Just this? A bitter cup of coffee on an empty stomach would only make my cramps worse.
I sipped the coffee slowly while waiting for Damar to start the car. My stomach still growled, but oh well... It's pointless to expect this stingy boss to invite me to eat.
My cup was half-empty, yet Damar hadn't started the car. He was enjoying his coffee too. Even after finishing his cup and placing it on the door's edge, he still hadn't turned on the engine.
"Done?" he asked. Done with what? The coffee or the hunger?
"Done," I replied, confused by his question.
"Let's go," he said and suddenly opened the door.
"Where? Aren't we heading back to the office?" I asked, still sitting in my seat while Damar had already stepped out.
"We're getting food," he replied.
"Your face is pale. Don't tell me you're not hungry," he added. For a moment, I felt like taking off my high heels and pressing them against my know-it-all boss's lips.(*)