I'm Not My Boss' Storage
Surprise in Vienna

The weather warms as the last days of summer pass. It was a good moment for Ishaan to travel to various places. He does not need to jostle with tourists who bulldoze during the holidays. Not only that, the budget he prepared for this trip became cheaper.

On the other hand, Ishaan needs to make sure Agni is safe and sound. This is his first experience abroad and away from Indonesia in a long time. Thankfully, so far, Agni has been able to adapt to changes in weather and the food they eat.

So far, Tanisha doesn't know Ishaan is traveling with Agni.

“Serious if the project is successful, you will stay in Europe?” After the last meeting in Vienna, Ishaan again got a video call from Tanisha. “You can still hold a branch office in Tangerang or Bandung, you know.”

“I'm more at home here, Mbak.” In addition, Ishaan wants to be closer to her mother. “Bakal I take time to go home every two months. Mbak there also has Dareen who holds the job.”

Tanisha pouting. Shouldn't the newlyweds look happy? The expression of the sister was inversely proportional to the upload of her romantic honeymoon on social media.

“Mbak accidentally video call because kepengin vent, right?” shoot Ishaan. “Dareen macem-macem same Mbak?”

“Not that, I'm lonely. Beres honeymoon, he immediately takes care of the job. Where next week he was officially inaugurated as CEO,” complained Tanisha. “Means I want to go directly to the pregnancy program, let's race at home. Dareen's attention will also not be concentrated into continuing work.”

Seenteng Tanisha discusses pregnancy. However, the presence of a child in the middle of the Marlon family is essential to carry forward the line of heir to the company. Ishaan doesn't plan to have children. Let alone building a household, building a commitment just feels like a dream that is difficult to realize for him.

“Eh, how were you in Europe? Not carelessly sleeping with girls, right?” Tanisha's turn to investigate Ishaan. “Tumben very, you know, you want to trip alone. Usually at least you are accompanied by Micah.”

“Let's get used to being independent if I manage a branch here,” Ishaan issued a reason that he had long prepared. “Where can I find a girl, make a meal sometimes forget.”

“Many reasons. Ayanna used to be in the office.” Well, Tanisha even revealed a bad habit that also made Ishaan to stop from Jakarta. “Here is past midnight. I slept first, yeah!”

“Dareen not home yet?”

“Nginep again at the office. Tomorrow morning most go home, mumpung holiday. So we can also..” Tanisha giggles. “You too, eat keep sleeping! Don't forget to deposit a report to the secretary at the office!”

As soon as the video call is over, Ishaan puts his phone on the nightstand. Tanisha's words reminded him of one thing: tomorrow he has a trip with Agni.

*

Ishaan put Vienna on the list of visits to study the manufacture of furniture with recycled base materials. Breakthroughs that he considered provide a major change for the company's products. Most of the furniture Ishaan saw with Agni stunned him. From design to durability, everything is no less good than furniture with premium materials.

Another thing that Ishaan admired from Vienna was its architectural beauty. Every time he entered this city, it felt like he was being pulled into the past. This afternoon, for example, he and Agni passed the Cathedral of St. Stephens is the icon of Vienna. Its towering roof can be seen from different corners of the city, even from the aaprtenment windows they occupy.

Afterwards, the two stopped by The Albertina, a museum that showcases an impressive collection of paintings and artwork. Some of these come from popular names like Monet and Picasso. However, a visit to the Austrian Gallery that actually sparked a twinkle of admiration from Agni.

The painting is called The Kiss by Gustav Klimt.

“You know this painting?” Ishaan was made curious to see Agni who attached her gaze to the artwork. It was as if he was hypnotized. “The Kiss is quite popular, so I'm not surprised that you are familiar with the work of Klimt.”

“Iya, I've seen it on social media,” Agni admitted. “I am not a lover of artworks, but something of this painting,” the girl took a short pause, “I can look at her all day.”

If she could, Ishaan would let Agni admire The Kiss for as long as she wanted. However, they are hindered by limited visiting hours. Lunch time is getting closer. Slowly, Ishaan approached Agni, then lowered his head and whispered to her,

“I don't mean to end your happiness, but my stomach is hungry.”

Agni flinched, then pulled her body when she realized Ishaan was standing behind her. But soon, he apologized. “I—I'm done looking at the painting. Where do you want lunch?”

Ishaan invites Agni to stop by a fast food restaurant, then shop for food stock to the minimarket not far from there. The two waited on a tram that would take them to the apartment. It's still too late for Ishaan to come home, but she remembers Agni always taking the rest of her weekends to write a thesis or guidance.

“Master,” call Agni who pointed something out the tram window, “where the ring is standing?”

Ishaan's eyes narrowed. The bianglala Agni meant was slowly shrinking as the tram got further away, but she was able to recognize the origin of its location.

The girl beside him smiled shyly. “Iya, I've never been on bianglala.”

“Know that, we just stopped by there. You will love the view from the top of the ring in Prater.” The tram turns leading to their apartment. “We'll be down soon. Check again the groceries I bought earlier.”

Arriving at the apartment, Ishaan and Agni are again busy with each activity. But without Agni knowing, Ishaan is contacting some people to give him a surprise that he is impossible to forget.

*

A week in Vienna passed quickly like the wind. It felt like just yesterday Ishaan was trudging into the apartment, now that he had already packed his clothes and other items into a suitcase. However, Ishaan still has a lot of time because he and Agni just left for Prague after dinner.

In addition, Ishaan has other plans to make their Sundays more enjoyable.

The doorbell of the apartment sounded. “Let me open!” Agni exclaimed as she ran towards the door. Hearing that, Ishaan smiled faintly. The surprise outfit began to roll.

“Iya, I am Miss Karalyn,” Agni confirmed when a man asked her name. In the back, Ishaan witnesses Agni's reaction when the man asks his men to bring him a rectangular package, then asks Agni to sign proof of surrender before leaving the apartment unit.

“Who sent the package to here—”

“Open,” pinta Ishaan. He started to hustle wanting to see Agni's expression. “Be careful, do not let the contents be damaged.”

Agni obeyed him, then opened the layered wrapper slowly. When the girl realized the contents of the package, her hands moved faster until the inner layer of the package was torn apart.

“Master, is it true this—” Agni's hand fingered the surface of the thing. The painting he saw in the gallery yesterday afternoon. The Kiss's. “But, how—ini must be expensive.”

“The Kiss is already on the public domain painting list, so it can be mass-reproduced,” Ishaan explained. “I also have not been able to buy the original painting. The one you’re seeing now is a replica, made the same professional painter.”

Agni's eyes were glazed. “Why did you give me this painting? I just admire it, I don't even understand art.”

“You don't have to be an art critic to have a painting, Agni. I guess you deserve to hold a replica of The Kiss because as I see it, you have a strong connection to this painting.”

The girl was as strong as possible holding back her tears that started to flow. The reaction that somehow came touched Ishaan.

“A minute, Mr.” His voice sounded vibrating. “How do I bring this painting in the rest of our trip.”

“Quiet, before going to Prague, I will ask my acquaintance to send it to Micah's house. Once we get back to Jakarta, you can take it.”

A second later, Ishaan felt something hit his body. No, rather someone.

Agni was hugging him.

“Thank you, Sir. I—” the girl is trying to control her puff “—I don't know what to reply."

Ishaan is holding on to the edge of the table. Juda's mind was afraid to accept Agni's embrace. Focus, focus, mind. He could not fall before delivering a second surprise.

“If you want to reply, take off your embrace,” said Ishaan who immediately made Agni pull herself from the man's body. “Now, trim your hair and clothes. Wear comfortable footwear, because we will play all day in Prater.”

***

This is the painting Agni saw