Trap.

Lana's hands kept shaking. Her heart was pounding so hard because she was nervous. She stepped into the spacious lobby with several people passing by. She took a deep breath and exhaled before deciding to go to the reception desk.

"Excuse me," said Lana to the two female receptionists.

"Yes. Can I help you?" asked the female receptionist kindly.

"Umm… I came here to take the interview test."

"Interview? On behalf of whom?"

"Lana Sharin. The company said they asked me to come today for a job interview."

"Oh, Miss Lana Sharin."

"Yes."

"Please come with me. I'll take you to the interview room."

"Thank you."

Lana was ushered into the interview room by the female receptionist earlier. They went up to the top floor using the elevator and stopped on the fourth floor. The receptionist took Lana to a room where the walls were made of glass so that Lana could see that there were two people, a woman, and a man, sitting in there. The two were having a serious conversation but were stopped for a moment when the female receptionist knocked on the door and entered the room.

"Excuse me, I would like to take Miss Lana Sharin for an interview today," said the female receptionist.

Lana reflexively bowed half her body to greet her when she was introduced by the two people in the room.

"Oh! Lana Sharin. Please sit here. We've been waiting for you for a long time," said the bespectacled man.

The receptionist then left the room. Lana sat on the chair in front of them nervously. Her hands were sweaty even though Lana had wiped them by rubbing her palms.

"Lana Sharin," the bespectacled man opened the document containing Lana's personal data.

"Yes."

"You took the interview today because of a recommendation from your friend. Right?"

"Yes."

"Judging from your high academic scores, why don't you continue your studies?" he asked.

"There are several reasons that made me decide not to go to college and choose a job."

"Cost?"

"Yes." Lana smiled awkwardly. But other than that, Lana also does it to survive.

"You've never worked in an office?"

Lana shook her head in response.

Lana has been frightened and has negative thoughts in case her lack of work experience, as well as her low academic background will get her rejected.

"Whatever it is… you can put me anywhere. I promise I will do my best. Please…." Unknowingly, Lana spoke nonsense to the man in front of her.

The bespectacled man smiled slightly. "You don't have to beg me for this job, Miss Lana," he said, "basically, we called you here because we were planning to recruit you to be one of the workers in this company."

"R-really?!" Lana screamed in disbelief. There was no way he could get a job as easily as she is now.

"Yes. We'll put you in the same section as your friends. Starting next week, you can go to work."

How easy is that?! Lana screamed in her heart.

This is not possible! More precisely, this is impossible!

Lana shook her head in disbelief.

"Y-you sure?" asked Lana to confirm. The look on her face right now was one of confusion.

Instead of answering, the bespectacled man held out his hand. Lana, who was still confused, could only extend her hand and the man shook it with a full smile.

"Congratulations on your new job, Miss Lana," he said.

"T-thank you!" cried Lana, unable to hide her excitement. "I promise I will do my best!"

"She's Clarisa, who will guide you in explaining everything about this company. She will also teach you as long as you start your first job here," said the bespectacled man. "We will prepare the contract when you start work next week."

***

Darren watched Lana walk out of the interview room from the top floor behind the glass wall.

"What are you planning, Darren?" asked Rafael confused because Darren hired Lana in his company.

"There isn't any. I just gave her the work she needed," Darren replied casually.

"You're either guarding or trapping her."

The bespectacled man who had previously interviewed Lana bowed half his body when he realized Darren was upstairs, watching Lana.

"Pets need to be caged every now and then so they understand who owns it."

"It's up to you," said Rafael, "are you going to tell her that you own the company that he works for now?"

"She needs to know whom she's working with," Darren said, "prepare the paperwork for the meeting this afternoon. And make copies for the office staff," he continued as he walked away from the room.

***

_Meet me at the cafe where we met before_

A text from Stefanny came in just after Lana left Darren's company.

What more could that woman want, Lana thought?

Lana had had enough of dealing with Stefanny and didn't want to be dragged into her troubles anymore. Half-heartedly, Lana replied to Stefanny's message and met her at the cafe where they had met before.

Upon entering the cafe, Lana immediately found Stefanny sitting at one of the empty tables, waiting for her. Lana then sat on the chair in front of Stefanny with a lazy expression.

"What more could you want, Stefanny?" asked Lana bluntly. "Weren't you the one who told me not to contact each other?"

"That's true," said Stefanny. She then took out a small, thick brown envelope for Lana. "Take the money and leave this town. Inside is more than enough money you can use to start your new life. It doesn't matter where you want to live, except here."

"You are crazy?! Why should I take your word for it? And who are you to dare manage my life like this?!" shouted Lana. Her annoyance rose in no time. "You think I'm interested in your money that you can tell me this for some money? Just so you know, if it weren't for the uncle and aunt problems, I wouldn't want to meet a bad woman like you."

"Oh yes? Do you think I didn't know you really needed money? You think you have enough money to survive?" Stephanie smiled mockingly. "Taking the money I gave you and leaving this town is the right choice, Lana. I'm trying to help you."

"I was wondering, what made you insist on telling me to leave this city."

"No reason whatsoever!"

"And there's no reason whatsoever to make me take the money you gave me," Lana smirked, "just so you know, I've got my job. And you can never force me to leave this city because I'm determined to start my life again. You have no right to throw me out of my own birthplace."

"Stubborn child! You'll regret it, Lana!"

"You're the one who will regret it." Lana got up from her chair and glared at Stefanny. "This is my last warning. Don't disturb my life anymore or I will do the same to you. I beg of you, Stefanny… we live our own lives."