Today, Elfara’s mood is improving. The girl went to the office address that had been sent by Joana. The ten-story building she explored with joy. The results of the interview and all the tests she passed were very satisfying. Elfara managed to impress the HRD team, they really worked professionally. Although, she had never had a history as a secretary, it would be a new and exciting experience.
Elfara’s eyes swept across the partitioned room. The silver nuanced room looks neat and clean. The people in the building looked indifferent and a little stiff, they were very focused on their respective jobs. The girl put the bag on the table pointed to by one of the HRD division, a framed portrait was placed in the corner of the table. Suddenly, the corners of her eyes warmed. The man in the photo is always bothering her. Elfara dissolves every time she remembers the figure she misses, until she doesn’t notice someone’s presence.
“Erm!” Elfara gasped when she saw someone suddenly tapped her bulkhead.
“Eh, sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“Ah no! I should be the one apologizing. I shouldn’t be daydreaming.”
“Oh, no problem. It’s your first day working here, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“Welcome to Jeda Group, Miss Elfara. Introducing, I’m Elina. You will be my partner here.” Elfara welcomed Elina’s outstretched hand, the tiny woman in front of her looked very friendly.
“So, Miss Elina is the director Mama Joana meant?”
“Correctly. By the way, just call me Elina. We’re not that far apart in age, only two years apart.”
“Alright, Elina!”
“Well, that’s better to hear. By the way, is that a photo of your boyfriend?” Elina glanced at the photo frame that Elfara had placed on the right side of the computer.
“Oh, it’s not my boyfriend! It’s a photo of my father.”
“Your father? Wow, looks so young.”
“Clear. That’s a photo of him when he was young.”
“Um, wait! I think I’ve seen it. Em, he looks like Nick Erhan.”
“Indeed he is!”
“Ha?”
***
Elfara didn’t care, whether Elina believed it or not, when she said that Nick Erhan was her father. Maybe the young boss will think, how could she want to be subordinate to the CEO of a small company like Jeda Group, while Nick Erhan owns a giant food company. After finishing her work, Elfara took the time to visit the office park. Just to release the burden of her feelings for the man she misses so much. He was Nick Erhan, a father she first and last met in her childhood.
“Elfara, are you still here?” Suddenly, Elina came over to her. Elfara turned around with a faint smile.
“This office is amazing. I fell in love when I saw this garden,” Elfara lied. Although in reality, Elfara was a little amazed by the green expanse that had many types of flowers.
“This park was deliberately built to pamper our eyes, which are strained by computers. Ahaha! Yes, I’m sorry. Do not forget to keep health. Starting tomorrow, you will be actively working.”
“Okay thank you.” Elfara smiled, looking at the shoulder-length hair girl. The girl felt lucky to have a boss like Elina. Hope this is a good start.
A moment later, Elfara’s face soured again. The image of Nick flashed in her mind again. She really wanted to see her father. All this time, she hadn’t thought about trying to find out the hospital that treated her father. The girl was too busy working and thinking about her mother. Joana’s face suddenly flashed. Hurrying up, Elfara made a call.
“Hello, Elfara!” Joana’s voice suddenly sounded in Elfara’s ears.
“Mama Joana, am I disturbing you?”
“I just finished treating the patient. Is there a problem at the office?”
“No, I’m very happy here. Elina is very humble and I like her.”
“Oh, thank goodness!”
“Actually, I just wanted to ask one thing.”
“Just say it, don’t hesitate.”
“It’s about my father. Do you know where he was treated?” Silence dominated for a moment, maybe Joana was thinking about something there. Elfara became uneasy.
“Where are you now?”
“Still in the office park.”
“Okay, don’t go anywhere. I’ll be following you soon.” Elfara agreed to Joana’s request before the phone line was cut off.
After half an hour ….
“So you haven’t seen your father at all?” Elfara nodded.
“Okay, come on, let’s go!” Elfara’s eyes lit up like a child being taken to a playground. The girl rushed into Joana’s arms.
“Thank you. I’m so lucky to know you, Mama!” Elfara kissed Joana on the cheek, something she had never done with Jess.
“I’m the lucky one because you want to think of me as a mother.” For a moment they embraced each other, Joana took Elfara to the hospital by car. Elfara’s eyes became wet, seeing the cream-colored building that was now in front of her. The corner of her heart was sliced to see that creepy building. Joana grabbed Elfara’s hand to give her strength. That girl must have been very hurt.
“How can daddy survive in a place like this for so many years. I’m sure daddy isn’t as crazy as people say.”
“Calm down, Elfara. Don’t be sad like this, Nick won’t like it if he sees his daughter fragile like this.” Elfara nodded, she wiped away the tears that rolled down her cheeks. Joana guided Elfara to continue, but when they reached the entrance, the security guard blocked them.
“Sorry, this hospital doesn’t accept visits.”
“What kind rule is that, Sir? I want to see my father! What are you guys doing in there? It’s not like this hospital is torturing him!” Elfara was finally provoked into being impolite.
“Don’t talk carelessly!”
“Then what should I say? Tell me, where is my father! Say!”
“Miss, please watch your attitude! Your voice can disturb the patient.”
“If you don’t want us to be noisy, then give us sometime, e even if it’s just face to face.”
“Sorry, Madam! You have to understand, mental patients here are very dangerous. They are like wild coyotes. You can get hurt if you meet them.” The man tried to convince Elfara and Joana, but it only provoked Elfara’s emotions further.
“Lie! You must have lied. You never know what it’s like to be separated from one of your parents since you were little, do you? You are evil, Sir!” Elfara started to sob. She thought it would be easy to meet her father, but the opposite happened. The man with the mustache didn’t even empathize with her.
“Sorry, Miss! Now, please, you guys go.” Elfara glared at the big man, if the act of hurting was not judged by sin and did not end with a prison sentence, it is certain that her itchy hands would tear the officer’s mouth.
“Elfara, already! Leave it alone, next time we can definitely meet your father. I promise and I will keep.” Joana took Elfara in her arms. Her heart melted even more when she felt the small vibration created by Elfara’s sobs.
“Wait a moment!” Moments let Elfara cry in her arms, Joana’s cell phone rang. The woman broke the hug and asked Elfara for some time.
“What?” Elfara panicked when she saw Joana’s expression turned anxious.
“What’s the matter, Ma?”
“Veronica!” Elfara increasingly did not understand why the woman was mentioned.
“Why?”
“Vero and the man who insulted you back then was mistreated by someone. Someone is gouging their flesh.” Elfara was surprised to hear Joana’s explanation. Suddenly, fear gripped her. Didn’t that sadistic event happen after them ….
“Do not be afraid! I’ll make sure your name won’t be dragged along.” Joana held Elfara’s hand, as if she understood what the girl was thinking.