The Alchemists

Everyone from the Marketing Department was happy to be able to eat for free at the very famous De Lune Restaurant. Everyone was warmly chatting with each other while enjoying their wonderful meal. The atmosphere felt very pleasant.

Finland liked these occasions because it gave her office mates the opportunity to get to know her better. Hopefully that way they won't have prejudice toward her at work.

Even Meilin had stopped bothering her. She was not particularly kind to Finland, but at least she was no longer demeaning her to other staff. Maybe she didn't want to get on Jean's bad side, since Jean was her idol, who turned out to be Finland's best friend.

"We are celebrating the success of getting a contract with Atlas Corp. This is not the end of our hard work; this is the beginning of a long and lucrative project, because they are just entering the Asian market. I want you to work as well as possible not to disappoint our clients." Tony raised his wine glass to give a toast, "I want to toast for our team cohesion in this department!"

Everyone lifted their glasses and toasted with laughter.

Dinner slowly came to an end and everyone prepared to go home. Finland, who finally left her chair, was suddenly stopped by Tony who was waiting for her at the door.

"Finland."

"Uhm, what's up, Boss?" Finland asked in surprise.

"Stop calling me boss. You were my junior at the university," Tony said.

"Yes, but it's been a long time. Now you are my boss in the office," Finland answered.

"Okay, then, as your boss, I order you to call me by name. Don't use 'boss' to address me."

Finland frowned at Tony's request, but she could only nod. "Okay then, Boss... uhm, Tony."

"Good." Tony looked at Finland for a long time, then continued speaking. "I just wish to tell you that so far all your work has been excellent and you have proven to be very capable. I'm sure your future is bright in LTX. There is a possibility that I will be sent to lead a new office in the United States or Europe. Should that project happen, I want to take you along with me. What do you think? You will get a proper promotion."

"I have only worked for four months... It seems a bit too early for any promotions, don't you think? Other people usually need years to get a promotion, and probably more to be sent abroad." Finland looked at Tony full of question, "Is there any hidden agenda behind this?"

Tony laughed softly at Finland's frankness.

"Hahaha, you are still as suspicious as before. Business-wise, there is no hidden agenda. I think you are very good marketing person, and you have various additional abilities that make you versatile and can do whatever roles needed. You are the person I want to bring when I am transferred." He nodded, "But outside of work, in my opinion, you are a very beautiful and attractive woman, and I have had a crush on you since we were studying at NTU."

"Oh..." Finland didn't expect Tony to say all this now. "Jean said you were ashamed to be with me because I was a poor girl. That's why you didn't want to have a relationship with me."

Tony shrugged. "I was young at that time, and I was still relying heavily on my parents' money. But it is different now; I am already established, and I don't care about what other people think."

"Okay..." Finland shrugged. "Good for you. But I can't accept your feelings. I already have a boyfriend."

"I know Jean isn't your boyfriend. During our dinner at the restaurant with the people from Atlas Corp, you were just pretending that he was your boyfriend because you wanted to make Noah stop flirting with you."

Finland was shocked to hear that Tony actually realized that Noah was flirting with her when they had dinner at De Lune. He knew but he said nothing!? How outrageous!

This made Finland somewhat angry. As the boss, she hoped that Tony would defend her when people harass her during working hours. However, he let Noah flirt too far when Noah implied to take her to Bali.

"If you knew that Noah was bothering me, why didn't you help me?" Finland asked.

"It was not very obvious, Finland. He didn't openly harass you, did he? He was just trying to flirt with you to see how far he could go. I had no good reason to reprimand him." Tony said apologetically, "Jean's action at that time was the best way to silence him..."

"Okay, if that's what you think," Finland said finally. "But I still can't accept your feelings. I already have a boyfriend."

"As I said, I know Jean isn't your boyfriend. You were just pretending to be lovers to silence Noah." Tony said again. He smiled and held Finland's hand. "I'm not that young student who relied on his parents' money anymore. I'm well-established, I'm going to lead my own company in America, and I like you."

Finland released herself from Tony's grasp, "Please let me go. I really have a boyfriend. One day you will meet another woman who can be your girlfriend."

"I'll treat you well, Finland. I sincerely like you since I was in college. You won't find a man who is better than me." Tony insisted.

Hearing that, Finland felt like calling Caspar and ask him to come over so that Tony could see that Finland's boyfriend was MUCH BETTER than him... Ugh...

Suddenly, she saw the black Maybach enter De Lune Restaurant's lobby entrance. Finland immediately waved her hand. She no longer cared if Tony saw her getting into the luxurious car.

"My ride has arrived. Good night." While saying so she hurriedly ran to the car. She entered before Ben could get out and open the door for her. "We go straight home, Ben."

"Okay, Madam."

Tony looked at the black Maybach with mixed feelings. He was somehow confused – was Finland really someone's mistress?

Was it possible that what Meilin said was true?

If Finland didn't use her work in LTX as a cover, she would certainly be happy to be promoted and transferred to United States or Europe.

It would be such an upgrade for a poor orphan from a third-world country like Indonesia.