The SunSet

"So, for today's consumer satisfaction level"

Soon the meeting ended.

Jason looked annoyed. His grandfather didn't stop talking to the directors but kept holding him there, it was time to go home. He couldn't wait to see Val who was still unwell at the apartment. The old man tries to get on his nerves.

"That's good work, Mr. Pree, how about there is collaboration between teams? I think Jason also has a lot to learn from the sales and procurement team."

A man about the same age as Ian Garber, none other than Pree from the sales division, chuckled.

"Don't be modest, sir, I think Jason has learned quickly too. He mastered the market study team faster than you expected, right?"

The two old men finally chuckled. Both more and less have the same age. Mr Pree has been working since Jason's age as one of the trusted and reliable directors there. He is more like family.

"I think he still has a lot to learn"

Jason pulled his lips, he looked impatient in his place while his grandfather looked at him asking him to get into the elevator with him.

"What are you waiting for, let's go home"

"Grandpa, you know I have to go home to the apartment, right, it's not the weekend yet," said Jason, who couldn't help but stand beside his grandfather and enter the elevator. There was only him, his grandfather, and his assistant, Mr. Tyus, inside.

"This brat, did I force you to return home? Let's go back to your apartment."

Jason rolled his eyes, didn't he hear that wrong?

"What do you mean, Gramps? Don't joke around."

Ian Garber chuckled.

"You look shocked, did I look so scary? Why do young people today never allow their parents to visit their homes? What are you hiding there?"

Jason tugged at his lips, looking at his grandfather in annoyance.

"I'm not a kid anymore, Grandpa. I'm twenty-eight years old. And feel free to come, but be prepared to sleep on the couch and wake up with aching bones since I've rented out all my rooms to others.."

"Well, you can replace me sleeping on the couch, right?"

"Why should I? I need a lot of sleep, especially since the Chief Commissioner has given me a bigger workload. My brain and body need maximum rest."

"This brat" Ian hold himself from smacking Jason's head.

Shortly after the elevator opened on Jason's office floor, Ian Garber stopped him before he got out.

"Oh yeah, don't forget the office dinner next week. Everyone must participate, without exception."

Jason pursed his lips. The old man really has lots of agenda.

"Yeah Grandpa"

Jason turned around as the elevator doors closed. He checked his phone to read a message from Val that he hadn't had time to read earlier. It was an adorable sticker spreading love; he must have sent it by mistake again, as usual, that clumsy child.

In the apartment.

Val inadvertently responded to Jason's message to pick up the incoming call from Ilyana.

"Yeah, Il"

"I'm at the door, please come out for a moment"

"Ninoot!"

Not long afterward, with a slight stumble, Val opened the door.

Ilyana was standing in front of the apartment door, with one large bag placed on the floor and another in her hand, looking at Val for a long time.

"Heh Il"

Ilyana turned to Val's right hand which was wrapped in a bandage, his face looked pale.

"I just stopped by the office to take care of my resignation, someone else said, you didn't come in because you were sick, did your hand still hurt? Sorry, I did not mean it"

Val smiled, waving his hand.

"It's nothing, don't worry Il"

Ilyana looked at Val for a long time, her eyes were glassy again. She raised her hand to caress Val's cheek gently and looked into Val's eyes deeply.

"Do you want to come in?" Val asked, Il shook her head. She lowered her hand.

"It's okay, I was just stop by, I'll be leaving soon" Ilyana lowered her head.

Val grabbed the doorknob, the situation became very awkward at that moment. And the young girl looked like she had been crying because her eyes were red and swollen, even though they were covered with makeup, it was quite obvious.

"Il"

…..

The atmosphere at the lake shore is so quiet. The air blows gently, and it gets colder by the time the sky falls to the orange color, it soon will be dark. Swarms of ducks in a row swimming regularly in an artificial lake not far from the apartment complex. Surrounded by the taller buildings, it still has the great atmosphere of nature there. Although, you can still hear the sound of the vehicles passing by on the main street not far from the place.

"Pluck!"

The calm water waves a little. Val threw a small pebble in his hand onto the calm water, for a moment forming a small wave that was almost invisible but the ripples reached the shore.

It's just like him. He was nobody, barely noticeable if it weren't for the people he knows now, but he still managed to impact the lives of those around him. He is an orphan who fights hard to pursue his dreams, even though he may not fully grasp what those dreams entail. To him, simply surviving each day is a precious gift, with his focus solely on outworking others.

Ilyana, had everything. Maybe that was in Val's mind because seeing the girl's sad face made him understand that he might have made the girl suffer. But, it might only be for a moment, soon, everything would pass. Soon, she will walk out of the past, and no more Val in her life. The impact is like the water, which eventually, bounces back at him. He couldn't even think. What should he think of? He never expects anything and just follows his steps wherever it will lead him. His mind is blank. He didn't have the privilege to do that, at all.

"Heh, this lake is nice" the voice, followed by someone who suddenly appeared behind him. It surprised him. Val thought visitors had abandoned the place because it was already dark. But, he is there. The big man smiles so wide at him.

"Boss"

Jason came over and sat next to Val.

"Heh, the sky is beautiful from here, look, the stars are visible, it's quite romantic, it makes you think a lot of strange things, is it?"

Val smiled at Jason's words that seemed to tease him, he threw a small pebble in his hand towards Jason.

"Don't make fun of me, boss."

Jason took a deep breath.

"Hey dear, Ilyana is gone, are you sure you don't regret it, Val? Ilyana is beautiful, sexy, smart, kind.."

"Boss" Val stopped Jason's words. Jason smiled and looked at Val's sour face.

"It's too much, okay, let's go back to the apartment. I just got home and didn't find you in your room. Look at you, your body is still warm. Why are you sitting in the cold wind like this? What if you faint on the street, who will take you home? Are you planning not to come to work again?"

"I was just looking for some fresh air. I'm not going to faint, I'm fine now"

"Yeah yeah, look at your face, pale like a vampire"

Val puffed his mouth. His boss really knew how to make him feel excited. Jason helped Val stand up. The two walked along the garden path leading to the apartment building.

"Boss, how do you know I'm here?"

"Well, just guessing. You said you wanted to sit here watching the sunset, now you have time because you're not working. Who knows, you might come here."

Val chuckled.

"Boss is awesome. By the way, how is today going?"

Jason nodded.

"Emm, it's pretty good, so far it's gone smooth"

Jason held Val's waist, seeing that the kid still looked weak and swaying, he stretched out his hand.

"Do you want me to carry you?" he asked.

Val brushed off Jason's grip on his waist, his boss was just teasing him.

"No Boss, I don't need it" Jason held Val's hand tight, afraid he might fall.

"Come on, just climb on my back, you are so thin now, you must be very light like a kid."

"Boss, you're teasing me again?" Val exclaimed irritably. His boss turned into an annoying friend rather than his strict boss at the office.

Jason laughed.

"I'm serious, look at you walking like this, your feet still hurt, right? Come on, just climb on my back."

"Boss"

The sun was setting on the lowest horizon, and the sky was gradually losing its light. Val had no option but to climb onto his boss's back; he had to admit that his body was becoming heavier with each step he took. His vision turned to double and swaying. The two walked away from the vanishing sun, and the street lights began to lit on one by one as they passed by.