Chapter 9
652 Words
Emma didn’t notice when it started.
At first, it was just “Lia at work.”
Then it became—
Lia waiting for Emma.
And now…
It was official.
Lia had claimed her.
Every morning Emma walked into the office, Lia would run to her immediately.
“Emma!”
Every lunch break.
“Emma, come sit with me!”
Every small moment.
“Emma, look at this!”
And somehow—
Emma never said no.
She found herself smiling more.
Laughing more.
And strangely—
Looking forward to work.
Even the office noticed it.
“Boss’s daughter likes her too much o…” one worker whispered.
“She doesn’t even behave like new staff again.”
Emma heard the comments sometimes.
But she ignored them.
Because Lia would be holding her hand anyway.
And nothing else mattered in that moment.
The boss noticed too.
Of course he did.
But instead of his usual harsh corrections…
He was quieter now.
Still strict.
Still serious.
But not as sharp.
Less noise.
Less fire.
More observation.
And it made everyone nervous.
Because no one understood why.
One afternoon, Lia was sitting on Emma’s lap again, swinging her legs.
“Emma,” she said suddenly.
“Yes, baby?”
“My daddy should invite you for dinner.”
Emma blinked.
“Huh?”
Lia nodded seriously. “At our house.”
Emma almost choked.
“Lia—no, that’s not—”
But the child had already turned her head toward her father, who was standing a few steps away, reviewing documents.
“Daddy!” she called.
He looked up slowly.
“Yes?”
“I want Emma to come for dinner.”
Silence.
Emma froze immediately.
“No pressure at all,” she whispered under her breath.
The boss raised a brow slightly.
“Why?”
“Because she takes care of me.”
That was enough.
Too simple.
Too honest.
He said nothing for a moment.
Then—
“We’ll see.”
Lia pouted instantly.
Emma exhaled in relief.
At least it wasn’t a yes.
That Evening
Emma had just gotten home when her phone buzzed.
Unknown message.
She opened it.
Boss: What are your plans this weekend?
Emma blinked.
“…huh?”
She sat up properly.
Why is he asking me that?
After a moment, she replied carefully.
Nothing planned, sir.
Almost immediately—
Boss: Come for dinner on Saturday. 7pm.
Emma froze.
“…what?”
Before she could even overthink it—
Another message came.
An address.
Then—
The door bell.
A delivery guy.
For you ma, just like that he walked off.
A dress.
Simple.
Elegant.
Soft colour.
Attached note:
Boss: For Lia.
Emma stared at it for a long moment.
“…for Lia?” she repeated slowly.
Then she exhaled.
“Wow…”
She looked at the dress again.
“…he really thought this through.”
For a second, she smiled slightly.
Then quickly shook it off.
“No, Emma. Don’t start thinking nonsense.”
But her phone buzzed again.
Kiki: Girl what happened?? You’ve been quiet.
Emma didn’t even hesitate.
She typed fast.
You will not believe this.
At Kiki’s Side
A reply came immediately.
Kiki: Spill everything. Now.
Emma smiled to herself.
Then started typing.
So his daughter invited me for dinner… and now he’s inviting me officially… and he even sent me a dress.
A pause.
Then—
Kiki: EXCUSE ME???
Emma laughed.
Kiki, I don’t understand this man at all.
Kiki: This is not normal office behaviour oh.
Emma leaned back on her bed.
“I know…”
But deep down—
She didn’t feel scared.
Not anymore.
Just… curious.
Very curious.
She looked at the dress again.
Then at the address.
Then whispered softly—
“Why is he doing all this…?”
And somewhere far away
He sat in silence.
Watching nothing.
Thinking nothing.
Or at least—
That’s what it looked like.
- Writer
