"If possible, get that apartment as soon as you can. Tomorrow or the day after," Bima said firmly.
Amelia nodded. She felt that something was not right with Bima, but she did not want to interfere in his personal matters.
"Will you go back to the mansion, Sir?" Amelia asked seriously.
"I will sell the mansion soon," Bima replied. "Oh yes, help me sell it. I will give you a commission of thirty percent from the sale."
"Yes, Sir. I will make the banner and sell it through—" Amelia paused on purpose.
"In your name," Bima interrupted sharply.
"I don't need any intermediaries!"
Amelia obeyed. She had already written everything down on her phone. Seeing how serious Amelia was, Bima made another decision.
"Go to Singapore. Meet Nicky Wijaya and discuss a new international shipping contract," Bima ordered.
"When, Sir?" Amelia raised her head.
"As soon as possible," Bima said while picking up his pen and opening the documents in front of him.
"Yes, Sir." Amelia stepped back. "Anything else?"
"No. That's all."
Amelia left Bima's office. She felt relieved by his instructions. It felt like she was breathing freedom she had never felt before.
She returned to her desk and smiled softly. She tried to forget the embarrassing incident earlier. Amelia read all of Bima's instructions on her phone and began working.
She searched for a comfortable apartment for Bima. While searching, Amelia stayed quiet. For some reason, a thought crossed her mind—she wanted to leave her house.
"Should I just move out? Honestly, I'm tired of the atmosphere at home," Amelia whispered in her heart.
She thought about the worst possible consequences. She wanted a new environment. For her, the luxurious house did not give comfort.
"I'll talk to Uncle Nicky about this," Amelia thought, hoping he would give her a solution.
After finding a suitable apartment, Amelia immediately brought the information to Bima. She entered his office and saw him looking at his tablet.
"Sir, I've found an apartment. It's right across from the office, so you won't be late anymore," Amelia said while handing him the tablet.
Bima took it and looked at the apartment details. He smiled slightly. Amelia understood him well.
"Negotiate the price immediately. I don't want it to be too expensive," Bima said.
"Are you planning to rent it, Sir?" Amelia asked suspiciously.
"Why rent? If I can buy it, I'll buy the whole building," Bima replied calmly.
Amelia was shocked. Buying an entire apartment building was no small matter.
"Sir, may I give you a suggestion?" Amelia said carefully. "It's better to buy just one unit. Buying the whole building would be wasteful."
"Who has the money?" Bima asked coldly.
"You do, Sir," Amelia replied and quickly took back the tablet.
"Exactly. So just buy the whole building. Simple," Bima teased.
Amelia shook her head helplessly. Bima Santoso, the owner of BS Star Company, was extremely wealthy—one of the richest men in the world.
"I'll give you one week to secure that apartment building," Bima said.
"Yes, Sir," Amelia answered without arguing.
She returned to her office and looked at the clock. It was already time to go home. She took a deep breath, trying to release the weight on her chest.
"What happened this afternoon really made me sick. Why is money always the only thing they ask for? Can't they ask how I'm doing?" Amelia complained in her heart. "I feel ashamed, especially when I work at an elite company."
She was afraid that her mother and Dina would find out. Her life felt restless, as if something was always stuck in her chest.
"I hope I don't meet Santi tonight," she prayed silently.
"Should I just run away?" Amelia wondered.
In the end, she forced herself to go home. She put her belongings into her desk drawer and only brought her daily phone.
Before leaving, Amelia said goodbye to Bima. Then she left the office building.
She waited for the city bus. While waiting, she watched luxury cars pass by.
"If I could buy one, I wouldn't suffer like this," she thought bitterly.
"Buying a car feels like stealing," Amelia joked to herself.
She laughed quietly. Deep down, she realized something was wrong with her life. She was working, but not for herself.
The bus arrived. Amelia got on and found a seat. She looked at the tired faces of people returning from work.
Inside her heart, a soft voice whispered, "Don't go home."
But Amelia still went home.
When she arrived, the sky was already dark. Her steps felt heavy as she walked toward the house.
"Mel, something feels wrong," she sensed uneasily.
There was no car parked in the yard. She hesitated. Should she feel relieved?
She entered the house. It was silent.
For some reason, the house felt unfamiliar.
A place that should bring peace had turned into hell. Throughout her life, Amelia had never truly felt peace.
"I just want a peaceful life… but it feels like living in hell," she mocked her fate.
She walked to the sofa, memories flooding back. She remembered being pushed brutally by Santi until she almost fainted.
Amelia sat down and touched the sofa slowly. She was unsure about the apartment decision. She needed to discuss it with her uncle first.
The silence calmed her for a moment. She hoped there would be no drama tonight.
But only minutes later, the sound of a car engine broke the silence.
Her calm disappeared instantly.
"Oh look, the ungrateful child is home!" Santi shouted happily.
Just like that, peace was gone.
Amelia winced in pain. Santi walked past her with a devilish smile.
Soon after, a middle-aged woman appeared, dressed in glamorous clothes. Her eyes were sharp and intimidating.
She was the most powerful person in the house.
Her name was Nilam Irwandi.
Outside the house, she looked like an angel. Inside, she turned into a devil—ambitious, controlling, and ruthless.
"Oh, so what Santi said was true. You're actually home early for once," Nilam mocked Amelia.
"Why do you say that, Mother?" Amelia asked softly as she stood up.
"Know your place! You are an ungrateful child!" Nilam shouted.
"Then tell me," Amelia said bravely, "why do you call me an ungrateful child?"