I'm Not My Boss' Storage
First Night in Rome

“BASIC cheap women, get out of my house!”

“Mother misunderstood. It's not me who teases mom's boyfriend.”

“Many reasons you! Then why is my boyfriend in your room? You must have seduced him into leaving me, right?”

“Oath, Mom, not so the story—”

“If it were not for your rich father, I would have stayed with a snake woman like you. Get out of here or I'll call people to parade you around the complex!”

“Bu—”

“Mother!”

Agni jerked from her sleep. For a few seconds, he froze in place. Her eyes caught her feet covered in blankets, and under the window was a tiny television that had been shut off for a long time.

His consciousness slowly gathered. His hunting breath was also in order.

Agni now remembers, she was in the cabin of the first class plane that took her to Europe with Ishaan. I don't know how long they've been flying in the air. One thing is for sure, Agni fell asleep long enough to dream of things she did not want to remember.

After getting the dream earlier, Agni was actually reluctant to go back to sleep. On the other hand, he wanted to get off the plane in a fit fresh condition. Where could he possibly waste every precious second on the Blue Continent, hundreds of kilometers away from Indonesia.

Not having a chance to close her eyes, Agni felt someone watching her. At first he wanted to ignore it, but the feeling never went away as he turned to face the window. In the end he ventured a peek from behind the shoulder and—

Under the dim lighting, Ishaan was looking at her.

“Tuan—” With sprightly, Agni straighten back. “Sorry, surely my screams woke Mr.”

“Not really. I haven't slept since we took off from Jakarta,” Ishaan said. “The first time you board a plane must make you nervous to the mind of family.”

Agni smiled wryly. “I haven't seen my mother in a long time. She—dia moves to her new husband's house.”

“Your father?”

“A long time ago died.” This discussion reminded Agni that she had not had time to pilgrimage to the tomb of the father. “Sorry, sir, I—I'm not comfortable talking about family.”

“I should be the one apologizing. This topic I won't reveal again.” Thank goodness Ishaan is not the kind of woman. “You need something? Snacks or drinks to help you sleep. Our flight is still ten hours away.”

Agni checked the supplies of drinks and snacks that have not been touched. “No need, Sir, thank you. I can ask myself later to the flight attendant.”

“Alright, but do not hesitate to ask for help from me,” concluded Ishaan while installing headphones and continuing the spectacle.

Watching a movie or series might help Agni take her mind off the nightmare. He dubbed it television and searched for titles he hoped would be entertaining for the rest of the trip.

*

Based on the schedule that Ishaan shared, Rome became the first city visited in the three-month trip. After that, the two will circle eight cities in Europe before a short vacation in Marrakesh, Morocco.

“Lho, I'm coming too?” Agni made sure when checking the itinerary the day before departure to Rome. “I only work for a while for Sir. I don't mind going home first—”

“You can take care of your own return to Jakarta? We're only a week in Marrakesh,” Ishaan said casually. “Partially I want to see Mama. She lives there now.”

Instead of being calm, Agni was even more panicked. How could Ishaan drag her stranger into the middle of a family gathering?

“I'm so bad, Sir,” Agni squeaks.

This time, Agni was unable to dodge. If he dared to resist, Ishaan could leave him in the middle of their journey in Europe.

“Good night, Mr. Marlon. Your Dinner.” A flight attendant approached them, then arranged a set dinner for Ishaan. Without Agni guessing, the second flight attendant appeared to bring her the same dish.

His mouth opened when Ishaan said, “I ordered. So when you get to the apartment, you can sleep to eliminate jet lag.”

Agni nodded obediently, then ate the wisest dinner that had ever stopped by her tongue.

**

Despite having stopped by Rome several times, Ishaan is always impressed by the beauty of the city. So while driving the taxi driver to the apartment he rented, the man occasionally admired classic buildings amid the bustle of local residents towards the end of summer.

“It's a pleasure that I can help Mr. Marlon again in Rome,” said Luca, the driver, while helping Ishaan and Agni remove their luggage from the trunk. “Do not hesitate to contact me or wife if you need help.”

“It is precisely me who is happy to be back to meet you.” Ishaan slipped some money into Luca's hand. “Thank you. Bueno sera*.”

So fun to talk to Luca, Ishaan to forget Agni who had just gawked behind him. It seems that the girl was confused to listen to his conversation with the driver who uses Italian.

“Agni, let's go in.” The delicate pat Ishaan gave on Agni's shoulders instantly made her aware. “This is the apartment I used to live in when I stopped by Rome. We occupy the third floor. There is direct access to rooftop.”

Half an hour later, both Ishaan and Agni were both busy unpacking the contents of the suitcase and bag. The apartment unit they occupy has two bedrooms equipped with an inner bathroom. The size is not as large as Ishaan's apartment in Jakarta. But that's what he needs. He deliberately chose an apartment with a design that shows the characteristics of Rome.

On exiting the room, Ishaan finds Agni taking a glass of water from the kitchen. The girl sped up the pace, but Ishaan blocked her way towards the room.

“Relax, Agni. I'm not gonna act like shit.” Ishaan then tilted his head. “Remember, don't sleep too late. Tomorrow we go straight to work. What time do we have to meet the first client?”

“Ten o'clock in the morning,” Agni replied quickly with her head down.

“Look up, what are my eyes on the floor?” Her smile expanded as both of Agni's eyes were on her. “Eye contact is very important in business, Agni. Get used to looking directly at your opponent or we will lose hundreds of millions of rupiah.”

“Good, Sir. I understand.”

“Please,” Ishaan shifted so Agni can enter her room, “Dormi nice, Signorina*.”

Agni turns to Ishaan for a moment before closing the door of her room.

Suddenly, Ishaan remembered Micah's words. Is he really capable of taking care of both jobs with Agni?

Ishaan has often served to Europe without or with the office team to carry out duties. Indeed, when bringing Ayanna two years ago, some of her work was metered because they were preoccupied with finding a place to have fun. Fortunately there is Micah who helps solve everything before the deadline is met.

Now Ishaan is confident of being able to give the best performance. From her observations so far, Agni has shown no reaction like most women who usually melt when they hear Ishaan speaking in a foreign language. The girl also blatantly kept her distance from him.

It seems safe, inner Ishaan. He then went into the room; hoping to enjoy a quiet sleep.

However, Ishaan did not expect that on his first night in Rome, he even dreamed of making love to Agni.

***

* [Italy] Good night

** [Italy] Sleep well, Miss