The Struggle of Women
Episode 21

Chief Elma was still down. His vain attitude when welcoming hotel guests with both hands in front of the stomach still he maintained, although both hands now look restless by playing the fingers between the links.

Zian's forehead wrinkled, aware of the woman's nervousness. Glancing at the name tag on the woman's uniform, Zian immediately felt connected to the incident that had just happened yesterday to Liam at his hotel. “Ah, you employees who yesterday brought Liam to the police station?” Zian tried to control his voice so as not to sound like someone who was about to laugh.

Elma grimaced even though her face was in hiding mode. His career may be over now. The director even remembered his face which meant he was actually going to be blacklisted from the company.

“Sa-I want me—”

“Ah, log in first. I do not like to talk seriously in an open space like this,” cut Zian took a step forward to open the door of his room, automatically the movement made Elma step aside, allowing Zian to take steps freely.

Elma did not know that the director had not come while standing at the door. He thought Zian was already at the scene so did not take into account that Zian would appear from another direction.

“Log in. Don't embarrass yourself more by standing there for a long time,” rebuked Zian who was still holding the door from the inside.

Elma again lowered her gaze, hurriedly stepping into the room before Zian was more fed up with facing him. The door closed, Zian walked past Elma and occupied her study chair in the room.

“So, what's up?”

Swallowing his anxious saliva, Elma linked both hands and gripped them tightly, still not daring to raise her gaze. “I want to apologize for yesterday's incident, sir. I really don't mean to vilify anyone's name. Really am. Please forgive me.”

“We've forgiven you kok,” timpal Zian relax.

The head of Elma who had been bowed had now lifted up, daring to look straight at the eyes of her superior. And Zian had a surprised berjengit—though the man minimized his reaction so as not to read Elma. But what was on Zian's head when Elma looked at him with such a sharp gaze made the woman before him now look more attractive than a moment ago who was just busy hiding a face.

“But you guys fired me—no, I mean don't fire me, sir. I'm really sorry, I promise I won't repeat the same mistake. I will work better, so I beg your pardon me and do not fire me.”

Next to Zian's eyebrows goes up, “Lho, so the Hotel Management decided to fire you? Though I told you not to exaggerate the problem.”

Elma knew the director's words were not finished, that's why she did not want to interrupt which would actually make everything fall apart again. Believing it was Elma on his head who continued to give good suggestions.

“But how else, I think Liam has ordered it. We can do a lot here, Miss.” Zian's shoulders rose, trying not to be indifferent.

“Eh? But—”

“We have forgiven you, really. Especially those of me who think this problem is not something big. But it seems you have indeed faced the wrong person, Miss—Elma?” Zian glanced back at the name tag on Elma's uniform, making sure he didn't mispronounce the name. Zian's lips curled down before continuing his words, “Liam is not an easy person to deal with, and the stubborn one seems to have already imposed a punishment that he thinks is worthy of your acceptance. And that means it can't be sued.”

“But, Sir. I am willing to apologize to him. Please allow me, let me apologize directly to Mr. Liam. I'm really sorry for my negligence, please don't fire me, sir. I need this job,” pinta Elma trying to convince with her sincerity.

“I told you that he was very stubborn, Elma.” Zian tried to warn again. “And not tolerant.”

“I'll try it, Mr. Zian. Whatever I will do to get Mr. Liam sorry, as long as I'm not fired from here. Please give me a chance to explain to him.”.

Zian's breath sounded heavy, regretting that he couldn't help anything for the woman, because if he dared to speak, he said, Liam will get louder and will not hear any reason. But if Elma herself did it? I don't know, there's no harm in letting this woman try, right?

“Good. Later in the day he will come back here to see the hotel progress report. After that you can meet him. I'll tell Mr. Alex if Liam's time is empty, let Mr. Alex tell you.”

A soft roar adorned the woman's face when she heard Zian's statement. Elma smiled widely, bowing many times with her thanks for being given the chance. Zian chuckled small, not expecting to get such a big reaction when he did not promise Elma that he would not be fired, Zian only promised Elma could meet with Liam, because Elma's decision to stay at the hotel or not is clearly in her cousin's hands.

But why would Elma be happy just because of the chance to meet Liam she gave? Though according to his current point of view, actually Elma's chance of surviving is very small. According to him, Liam would only change his mind if miracles came down and changed his mind.

***

As Zian had promised, Elma was actually called back to her room after she finished lunchtime. That means Liam's time is empty. And since Mr. Alex himself called out to her, it allowed her to more freely leave the lobby reception desk because there was already another floor receptionist on standby to replace her.

“You heard Elma, this is really your last chance. I really can't do anything else if Mr. Liam has made the final decision. So take your chance and speak very politely to him. Don't be like when in the police station yesterday.” Alex raved along his steps leading Elma into their director's room. Though Elma can go alone, but presumably Alex worries about it too.

As already discussed, whatever Alex and look indifferent, actually the man is a person who cares for his employees. Otherwise, he will not be there as a manager who has served for approximately five years, because being an employee in the Tanu Group's territory is among the toughest, including, they are required to be able to pay attention to everything, whether it is the interests of the company or its employees, if there are a few complaints, can be cut alias fired indiscriminately. And it seems that's what Elma is now experiencing.

Elma did not chimed in other than nodding in understanding as Alex directed a glance at her. They had arrived at the intended floor, then approached the door of the director's room which he had actually visited this morning.

“Fight. This is your last chance. Good luck,” said Alex then knocked on the door of the room.

Zian's voice from inside said, telling them to open the door themselves and enter. Alex opened the door, stepping in first to report his arrival. “I brought it, Mr. Zian,” said Alex faced Zian, then switched to Elma. “Log Elma.”

Elma followed, bending over to greet Zian and—Liam who were also sitting on the guest sofa in the room.

“Thank you, Mr. Alex. You can go back to work.”

Alex nodded, withdrew from the room and closed the door. From the sofa, Liam who of course remembered the face of the woman who had abused and accused him to be taken to the police station frowned not like to find the whereabouts of Elma. “Do you want to come here?” liam's voice was cold.

Zian, who was standing, approached his desk and sat there. Both of his hands were raised for then he folded in front of his chest, noticing the interaction the two people created was as small as anything. “This lady asked my permission to apologize to you directly, Liam.” That mysterious smile was engraved on Zian's thin lips.

📽To be continue🎞