At seven-thirty in the morning, I was already standing in the living room in the most presentable outfit I owned.
I paired a plain charcoal-gray abaya with a matching hijab. I had no accessories, no expensive bag, and I had only washed my face and applied the little moisturizer left at the bottom of a small container.
Actually, I wanted to buy powder and lipstick before leaving. But ever since I received the money from Master Arya, I had used every penny to pay off my debts. Not a cent remained for personal necessities.
I had just straightened the edge of my hijab when footsteps sounded from the direction of the stairs.
Master Arya came downstairs wearing a white shirt and black slacks. He once again looked like the company executive I was used to seeing. His gaze immediately fell on me, taking in everything from head to toe.
I lowered my head, suddenly feeling as though the simple abaya I was wearing looked even worse.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
“Yes, Master.”
His gaze still didn’t leave me. His brow furrowed slightly, as if something was bothering him.
“Don’t you have any money left at all to buy some powder and lipstick, Ayu?” he asked flatly. “Your face looks awfully pale.”
I fell silent.
His words sounded ordinary enough, but they still made me feel embarrassed. My hand instinctively touched my cheek. I knew my face looked dull. For the past few days, I’d even been making do with whatever face soap I had.
From behind me came a muffled laugh.
Auntie Sum covered her mouth with her palm, but her shoulders shook as she tried to hold back her amusement.
“You really are so attentive, Master,” she teased.
“Auntie,” I chided softly, my face instantly growing hot.
Master Arya turned toward Auntie Sum. “What’s so funny?”
“Come on, Master. Auntie’s just happy to see someone paying attention to Ayu.”
“Auntie!” I cried, even more embarrassed.
Auntie Sum only chuckled harder. Master Arya, meanwhile, stared at me without expression, as if he couldn’t understand why the conversation was making me so flustered.
“I haven’t had the chance, Master,” I finally replied, trying to sound calm.
“Haven’t had the chance, or don’t have the money?”
The question caught in my throat. I looked away toward the door.
“I used all my money to pay off my debts.”
Master Arya didn’t answer right away. There was a subtle change in his expression, though it happened too quickly for me to interpret. He only let out a short breath before turning toward the door.
“Let’s go.”
I hurried after him.
The car was already waiting in the driveway. Mr. Ali stood beside the front door and opened it for me.
“You can sit up front, Miss,” he said warmly.
I looked at Master Arya, as if asking for confirmation. He had already gotten into the back seat.
“Sit down,” he said briefly.
So I sat beside Mr. Ali. A moment later, the car began moving away from the house.
Throughout the drive, I only watched the streets through the window. Solo was gradually growing busier. Shops were starting to open their doors, vendors were arranging their goods, and people were hurrying to their respective workplaces.
And me?
I didn’t even know what I would become at Master Arya’s office.
“Mr. Ali,” I called cautiously.
“Yes, Miss?”
“Is Master Arya’s office far away?”
“Not too far. If traffic’s clear, about twenty minutes.”
I nodded, then fell silent again.
In the rearview mirror, I caught a glimpse of Master Arya reading several documents. He looked serious, showing no interest whatsoever in our conversation.
But a few minutes later, his voice came from the back seat.
“Don’t be so tense.”
I turned slightly. “I’m not tense, Master.”
“You’ve been wringing the edge of your hijab this whole time.”
I flinched. Without realizing it, I had indeed been clutching the hijab fabric all along.
“I’ve just never been inside an office that big.”
“There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
“What if I’m not capable?”
“Your abilities will be tested, not pitied.”
His answer left me silent. It was strange, but that very sentence made my chest feel lighter. Master Arya hadn’t promised to make things easy. He also wasn’t giving me a job simply because he felt sorry for me.
At least I would have the chance to prove myself.
The drive I’d expected to feel long ended surprisingly quickly. The car stopped in front of a tall building with glass walls reflecting the morning light.
I swallowed.
A large sign bearing the name of Master Arya’s company was displayed at the front of the building. Several employees who had just arrived turned to look when our car stopped.
Mr. Ali got out and opened the door for me. I stepped out stiffly and stood beside the car.
Master Arya followed a moment later. As soon as he appeared, several people immediately bowed their heads in greeting.
“Good morning, Mr. Arya.”
“Morning.”
He walked inside without waiting. I hurried to keep up with him.
As soon as I entered the lobby, the scent of coffee and air conditioning greeted me. Everything looked so neat, luxurious, and unfamiliar. I felt as if my simple abaya stood out even more among the employees’ fashionable, professional clothes.
Master Arya stopped near the reception desk and turned to me.
“Wait here.”
I nodded.
He took out his phone and called someone. Less than a minute later, a woman in formal clothing hurried over to us. Her hair was neatly pinned up, her face perfectly made up, and she walked with complete confidence.
“Did you call me, sir?”
“Yes, Bela.”
The woman glanced at me, then looked back at Master Arya with a questioning expression.
Master Arya spoke without preamble.
“Interview her. Give her a position suited to her abilities.”
My eyes widened.
Bela looked startled too. “Her?”
“Her name is Ayu.”
“All right, sir. But—”
“Don’t give her special treatment.”
Master Arya’s gaze shifted to me.
“And don’t reject her just because of her appearance.”
After saying that, he walked away toward the private elevator.
I remained rooted to the spot while Bela looked at me with an expression I couldn’t read.
“All right, Ms. Ayu,” she said at last. “Let’s see what you can do.”
I drew a deep breath.
My first day at Master Arya’s office had finally begun. And for the first time in a long while, I felt that my life might truly be changing.