I'm Not My Boss' Storage
Turns out There's a Want

from the author: hello, this week is a bit slow update because I am busy working. All of you want to give an explanation that this story will be divided into two parts. Part one was when Agni became Ishaan's assistant, then part two was when Agni became secretary a few years later.

Enjoy this chapter! ^^

***

“TUAN, I'm done, we—”

When looking back, Agni only found two women who were busy choosing spices.

Where is Ishaan?

The size of this supermarket is smaller than what Agni often visited in Jakarta. It's easy to surround him to find Ishaan. The problem is, he's abroad. Agni ogah risks circling foreign places without mastering the common language used by citizens to communicate.

Cell phones. Agni reaches into the jacket pocket to contact Ishaan, but her call ends up continuing in voice mail. Then, he recalled that Ishaan's cell phone battery ran out shortly after they had completed the last meeting. Agni is only one option and she hopes to find Ishaan soon or—

Nguung~

Agni turned a deaf ear to the hum of the speaker, followed by the sound of a woman speaking French. Agni who did not understand the language ignored it until then the voice changed with a voice that she recognized.

“To Sister Agni Karalyn, please return to the main door. Located next to cashier No. 4.” People around Agni seemed confused to hear the call in Indonesian. While Agni gaped at Ishaan's orders. “If confused, find staff and ask directions to the main door. They can speak English. Thank you in advance.”

No, no, Agni chose to find her own main door rather than being the center of attention. Then, he decided to follow a woman who walked towards the cashier. Her eyes count the checkout board, then as soon as she finds the No. 4 cashier, the girl scans the passerby and finds Ishaan waiting with their trolley.

“Master,” Agni set her breath puffing, “Sorry I didn't mean to leave Master inside. I was—”

“It's not your fault, I'm daydreaming to lose track,” cut Ishaan fast. “Have you taken the seasoning you need? We pay first, keep going home.”

*

The weirdness of Ishaan's attitude which Agni initially considered the wind then apparently has not disappeared. When paying for groceries, Ishaan keeps an eye out for a friendly male cashier and occasionally invites Agni to chat because she has been on vacation in Indonesia. Ishaan, for the first time, offers to bring her a shopping bag. Usually, he had a waiter or driver on duty.

However, Agni chose silence. Afraid that I would offend Ishaan if I asked.

“What do you want to cook tonight? I help.” Tuh, right? Tumben once Ishaan plunged into the kitchen. “Skill cook me is far below you, but for business peeled onions or cut carrots is still good.”

“Master doesn't want a message from a restaurant?”

Ishaan shook his head, then approached Agni who was arranging bottles of spices. “If I move to Europe, I will be away from home, including from the waiter and driver who takes care of my needs. I don't want to depend on the staff who work here. Occasionally want to be independent like you.”

The last sentence made Agni's face warm up. “It is not more practical if you are assisted by a servant? So you can focus on taking care of the work.”

“You know when was the first and last time I cooked? College time in Berlin. Most of the food I made was either raw or overcooked.” Ishaan looked out the window. “While upset, I always finish all the food I make. It was far from expected, but I was satisfied.

“Mean me to feel that satisfaction again, Agni. You want to, right, teach me? Simple recipes are enough.”

When Ishaan gave her a hearty look, Agni could not resist. Half in disbelief also found the man who was respected by some of these clients showed a soft side to him. So, Agni chose a soup recipe that she often made with Shia while making savings before payday.

**

“Master ever tried egg drop soup?”

“Alright, we make that soup for dinner. The recipe is easy, all the ingredients are on the shopping list earlier.”

Ishaan observes Agni putting out egg drop soup ingredients. Four eggs, four garlic cloves, a leek, chicken broth, and a packet of cornstarch. The girl asks again if Ishaan likes corn which she responds to with a nod.

“Master, please cut the onion and dissolve the cornstarch,” Agni gave instructions while shelling the corn and shuffling the eggs. “If the water is boiling, reduce the fire, then check what the boil is giving off the aroma of garlic.”

Be careful, Ishaan pours the eggs into the stew while Agni keeps stirring in consistent movements. Slowly, white and yellow fibers sprung up. Ishaan was amazed to observe it, but Agni continued to focus on stirring and asked him to put onion, broth, along with seasoning.

“Last stage, pour cornstarch solution.” Agni hinted Ishaan poured the material. The next few minutes passed in silence. Only a gurgle of water from the soup filled the kitchen. Before turning off the fire, Agni tasted a little soup to check the taste and texture. Smile them. Meaning, the egg drop soup they made was successful.

“We can save some for breakfast tomorrow,” Agni said while preparing two bowls of soup. “I forgot to prepare rice so focus on making soup.”

Ishaan doesn't think much about rice. “Take tomorrow morning. I'm hungry, want to try the soup now.”

From the aroma, egg drop their artificial soup is very tempting. The impatient Ishaan immediately spooned the soup into his mouth. Suddenly, his tongue burned because of the soup that was still hot. In front of him, Agni tried to hold back a laugh, then thrust a glass of water at him.

“You often make this soup? Looks pretty memorized same recipe.” Ishaan likes his rather thick sauce. Not to mention the game of taste and texture of corn and egg shells that make soup more delicious. “Suitable also for cold weather, soon, right, autumn.”

“You could say this is a versatile soup for me and Shia.” Agni also seemed satisfied with the results of her cooking tonight. “Master can experiment the same ingredients. Just be careful while stirring eggs and cornstarch.”

“Oh, can I add other ingredients such as chili oil or minced meat?”

“Iya, anything you like.”

“Include you?”

There was a long pause between them until Ishaan realized what he was saying. He could have slipped when his mood was this good!

“Just kidding,” ishaan fast. However, it was too late to save Agni who was unmoved in front of him. “Earth to Agni, are you okay?”

“Umh, sorry, sorry. I want to wash the bowl, all the same tableware.” Agni was wrong. “Have you finished eating? Let me take the bowl.”

Ishaan did not respond. Agni's confused and embarrassed reaction suddenly led her on their first night in Rome. The night Ishaan dreamed of Agni.

“Excuse me, Mr.” Agni was about to take her empty bowl. Before the girl's fingers touched the edges of the bowl, Ishaan held her back. He then pulled Agni until the distance between them narrowed. The figure in front of him desperately avoided eye contact and Ishaan knew what attack to make for full attention.

“Remember my words, Agni? My eyes are not on the floor.”

Though hesitant, Agni finally looked at Ishaan.

“I want to make sure of something you asked at the club first.”

“Something—which, Mister?”

Ishaan really going to bring up the topic? He was too curious to ignore it.

“Soal service plus that you offer,” Agni's eyes grow when Ishaan whispers it, “what are you still willing to do?”

***