Adaline sat quietly in her chair, hands clasped together. Her palms were sweaty, and her chest heaved irregularly. This was her last attempt. Haris had told her last night that he couldn't find anyone willing to lend her the amount she needed. Even if Haris sought out a loan shark, the sum they would offer would be only a sixth of what Adaline required.
Now, only one option remained: contacting her financial manager and trying to apply for a loan. "Oh Lord, grant me ease," she prayed silently.
Adaline looked up every time she heard the elevator's sound, hoping her manager would emerge quickly so she could speak privately before her colleagues arrived. She had even come fifteen minutes early to ensure she'd be the first to meet with her superior.
Five minutes before eight, her boss finally appeared. Adaline tried to shake off her nervousness, stood up, and followed her boss to the front door of the office. "Miss..." she called softly. The woman turned instantly. "Yes, Adaline. What is it?" she asked as she entered her office.
"I..." Adaline stammered, "I need your help."
Miss Jessica furrowed her brow in response, assessing Adaline with a discerning look. There was clearly an issue with her subordinate, and she guessed it was related to Adaline's parents.
"Come in," said Miss Jessica, placing her designer bag on the table and taking a seat in her large chair.
Adaline entered slowly, closed the door, approached, and sat in the chair across from Miss Jessica.
"What do you need from me?" Miss Jessica asked without preamble.
"My mother needs surgery, and I need a lot of money. I need a quick loan, and I have my house as collateral," Adaline rushed, afraid her courage would waver.
Miss Jessica raised an eyebrow, her eyes locked onto Adaline, who met her gaze nervously.
"How much?" Adaline mentioned a sum that surprised Jessica.
"That much? What happened to your mother?" she inquired. "I don't intend to meddle, but at least I need to know about your mother's condition before I present your loan to the higher-ups.
"You're aware that the loan amount is not small, right?" Adaline nodded and honestly shared details about her mother's illness, the necessary surgery, and the amount needed until her mother fully recovered and could be discharged from the hospital. She also discussed the house she was using as collateral and her ability to repay the loan.
"The borrowed money and the amount you're proposing to pay in installments will be settled over ten years of your employment. Are you sure about that?" Jessica asked after Adaline finished her story.
Adaline nodded confidently. Jessica scrutinized her subordinate carefully. Since the beginning of her employment, which meant over the past three years, Adaline could be considered an exemplary employee. She never caused any trouble, whether with colleagues or work matters. She was a skillful and diligent worker. Jessica could see that Adaline was honest and responsible. So, she didn't hesitate to try and help the girl by acting as a liaison with the higher-ups.
"I'm sure. Please help me. I have no family other than my mother." She requested, tears now streaming down her face. Jessica couldn't help but be moved. She could sense the sincerity in Adaline's words.
"I will do my best to help. But I can't guarantee whether the company will approve such a large loan." Just hearing those words brought relief to Adaline.
"I will convey your needs directly to Mr. Altezza. You know he's currently filling in for Mr. Antony, right?" Adaline nodded. "Just pray that Mr. Altezza will be kind enough to assist you." Jessica said, met with another nod from Adaline. "Now, go back to work, or are you going back to the hospital?"
"No, Miss. I will wait for your response." She said, excused herself, and left the room.
***
Altezza scrutinized the loan application in front of him, his forehead furrowed. He glanced back at his Finance Manager with a questioning look. Jessica wasn't a newcomer to Coskun Company; in fact, she had been working here longer than Altezza.
Altezza knew her achievements and track record. He also knew that Jessica wasn't someone who easily got close to her employees. She was a woman of principles and preferred to maintain a certain distance rather than being easily influenced by subordinates. Seeing her directly submit a large loan application for one of her employees surprised Altezza.
He raised his head and looked carefully at the older woman before him. "This is not a small amount."
"I know. But the girl has provided the deed to her house as collateral. And if you calculate the market value of that house, it's worth twice the amount she's applying for, without her having to pay in installments over her ten-year employment period," Jessica replied in a flat tone.
Her words made sense. As a construction worker, Altezza could assess the selling price of a house just by calculating the indicated area from the house certificate now in his hands.
"Can you vouch for this employee?" he asked, ensuring, and Jessica nodded.
Her nod meant a green light. And so far, Jessica had rarely been wrong in assessing people's characters.
"Alright, I'll consider it," Altezza replied, closing the loan application document in front of him.
"Apologies in advance, Sir. But she's in urgent need and requires the money quickly. It's a matter of life and death," Jessica reassured once again.
Altezza looked at his subordinate carefully and nodded. "I will give my decision at the latest by tomorrow," he promised, met with an enthusiastic nod from the woman before him.
"Saya harap Anda menyetujuinya, anak itu benar-benar membutuhkan bantuan," she said before rising and bidding farewell, leaving Altezza's office.
After Jessica left his office, Altezza called his personal assistant, Duncan, to come in.
"Find information about an employee named..." Altezza reopened the file in front of him and read, "Adaline Scott."
"Adaline Scott? What's with her, Sir?" Duncan asked, curious.
Altezza furrowed his brow. "Do you know her?" Altezza asked suspiciously.
Duncan grinned mischievously and nodded. "Of course, Sir."
"Is she a good girl?"
"Very good, Sir," Duncan replied without hesitation.
"How do you know her?" The frown on his forehead deepened. "Or perhaps you have a special relationship?"
Duncan blinked for a moment and shook his head vigorously. "No, Sir. It's not like that. I know her because she's a friend of my ex-girlfriend."
"Ah... a friend of your girlfriend. So, what is she like?"
"As far as I know, she's an orphan. She has been working here for three years, and my ex-girlfriend used to be her mentor. She's a good girl, never flirted with men in the office. She's polite, and her work is excellent. She's diligent and never causes any trouble," Duncan's response came out spontaneously. "But why are you asking for information about her?"
"Does she have a boyfriend?" Altezza asked in return.
This time, Duncan stared at his boss suspiciously. "Mmm... I don't know, Sir. She's quite private about personal matters," Duncan replied again.
Altezza just nodded. Somehow, a plan formed in his mind. Not an evil plan, but rather cunning and might end up disadvantaging the girl named Adaline.
"Contact her and tell her to come here after work hours," Altezza ordered, ending his conversation with his assistant.