"So, where do you go to school?" Noya asked, motioning for Amayra to take a seat at her small desk. Amayra looked upset at the question, since her dad never let her attend school. She was always taught at home. Seeing her frown, Noya knelt down to her level and asked, "What's bothering you, cutie?"

"I'm actually homeschooled. My daddy doesn't want me to go to school," she said sadly. Noya frowned too, curious about the reason. "But why?" she asked. "He thinks people are bad," Amayra replied, struggling to hold back tears. She really wanted to experience the outside world.

Noya was like, "Oh, I feel so bad about this." She held Amayra's little hands and was like, "So, does your mom ever tell your daddy what you like and don't like?" She asked, super curious.

Amayra pouted and was like, "No mommy only daddy." Her words totally broke Noya's heart. It felt like someone stabbed her heart mercilessly.

"I am so sorry, baby," Noya apologized. Amayra shook her head. "Not accepted," she said, flipping her small ponytail. This made Noya chuckle. "What shall I do, my majesty, to get my apology approved by you?" Noya asked, kneeling with her head down. Amayra giggled cutely.

"Make me a chocolate cake!" she exclaimed, beaming from ear to ear. Noya stood straight in a stand-at-ease position. "Aye aye, captain," she said, saluting and making Amayra giggle. "Yayyy, let's bake a cake!" Amayra said, clapping her hands.

"Yes! And I bet you will love my baking! I am a pro at baking," Noya proudly declared, lifting her collar.

Amayra was so excited, she grabbed Noya and headed towards the cooking area where they were already preparing dishes. The delicious smell of the hot and sizzling food made their mouths water. They couldn't help but lick their lips in anticipation. They walked into the bakery cafe, still drooling over the food.

Amayra let out a squeal when she saw a freshly baked cake made by someone else. Noya laughed at her excitement and put on her apron. After a quick chat with Amayra, Noya started baking a cake.

As Noya prepared the batter, Amayra inquired, "By the way, may I ask how old you are? And what should I address you as?" She asked, crossing her arms and pouting.

"Well, I am 20 years old. You can call me by my name," Noya replied, shrugging. "No, can I call you Annie? I really like that name," Amayra said, poking her finger into Noya's cheek as she bent down to her level. Noya couldn't help but chuckle.

"Okay, does your daddy know that you are here? I mean, with me?" She asked, raising her eyebrows.

"He is the one who sent me to you. He knows that I am safest here," Amayra reassured her. Noya smiled faintly at her words. However, deep down, she was perplexed by how easily Barq trusted her with Amayra. She was now feeling conflicted.

"Don't worry about my daddy, he can be a bit moody," Amayra said, causing Noya to laugh. "He's so bossy! Sometimes I'm scared of him," Noya replied, making Amayra giggle.

Meanwhile, the other recruits, chefs, and coworkers all left as the boss arrived. His gruff voice made the two girls flinch. "Who's being moody and bossy?" Barq asked, hands in his pockets, eyes fixed on the two girls who exchanged glances, pouted sadly, and sighed together.

"We're in trouble," Amayra whispered to Noya. Her whisper was loud enough for Barq to hear, and he couldn't help but chuckle at his daughter's adorable remark.

"Amor, we should depart as it is getting rather late," he uttered, his gaze shifting towards his daughter, and then briefly glancing at Noya, who stood there meekly.

Amayra displayed a pout towards her daddy expressing her dissent, "No, daddy, Annie is currently in the process of preparing a cake for me. I have no intention of departing," she stubbornly declared.

Barq emitted a sigh in response to her persistently obstinate behavior, "My dear, stop behaving like a spoiled child. Let us depart," he stated, gently lifting her into his embrace. Despite her protests and subsequent tears.

Noya perceived the atmosphere as tense, as both the father and daughter displayed stubbornness. Is it not possible for them to reach a mutual agreement? Absolutely not!

She disapprovingly shook her head at her boss and addressed him formally, "Boss, I must say that you are not acting like an adult by engaging in arguments and stubbornness with a child." She glared at him, placing her hands on her hips. She strongly disliked his excessive strictness towards her own daughter.

Hearing Noya's words, Barq rolled his eyes at her words. He didn't like her tone, as currently he is her boss and she is his recruiter. The other recruiters who were about to leave were looking at them with suspicious eyes, some whispering and gossiping, which he hated the most. He hates being in the limelight, and being uncomfortable, he clenched his jaw.

"I guess I am talking to my daughter, I don't need your opinion, Miss Noya," he says with a pure stern voice. She flinched at his words, which showed that she was nothing in front of him.

Noya gulped nervously, a lump formed in her throat. Though he was correct, she shouldn't be interfering in their bond. She was merely a recruiter here.

Taking a crying Amayra in his arms, he marched back to his cabin. Amayra cried even more, tears streaming down her face. Barq was already tired from his not-so-good luck at the deal. Additionally, his daughter was being a brat towards him now. He made her sit on the table, causing her eyes and cheeks to turn red from crying.

Grabbing two tissue papers, he wiped away her tears and kissed her forehead. "Stop being so stubborn, baby," he said softly. She glared at him cutely and asked innocently, "Are you jealous, daddy? Is that why you dragged me here?"

He raised his eyebrows at her and replied, "Jealous of what, sweety?"

"Jealous that Annie will bake a tastier cake, a cake more delicious than yours," Amayra said in a challenging tone. Barq rolled his eyes as he rolled up his sleeves. He grabbed his keys, coat, and Amayra's small backpack.

"Let's go, amor. Daddy needs to sleep," he said, taking her in his arms. Amayra frowned as her provoking idea got crushed. Her daddy knew her tricks very well, who knows his daughter inside and out.

--

"Ugh, what a dumbass! How could he make Amayra cry like that and forcefully take her away? It pisses me off how jealous he is of our bond, so annoying!" Noya muttered to herself as she packed her bag. Meanwhile, some other girls were also leaving.

They observed her with disapproving stares and chuckled. Noya, known for her short temper, narrowed her eyes and clenched her jaw in response to the comment she had just heard about herself. "Boss's babysitter," they remarked before leaving. Noya, seething with anger, tightly clenched her jaw and marched after them, determined to follow.

"What did you just call me?" she demanded, her anger evident. The girls laughed and replied, "Exactly what you heard." Their laughter only fueled Noya's anger.

Without hesitation or hesitation, Noya delivered a firm slap to one of the girls' cheeks, causing all the coworkers to pause in their activities. "Watch your words, or I will make sure you suffer right here on earth," Noya muttered in a stern voice.

"How dare you!" the girl who had been slapped growled in anger. The loud commotion reached their boss, who was on his way to his mansion. The other girl attempted to physically confront Noya, but Noya was clever enough to evade her.

The other girls also pulled a stunt by throwing culinary items at each other, which were displayed as antique pieces. As their boss believes in the best and coziest decoration throughout his office, Noya's forehead was hit with a fork, causing her to hiss as it made a small cut. This resulted in bleeding.

Meanwhile, Barq enters the hallway. His eyes widen at the recruiters behaving like teenage girls. He clenches his jaw, while his daughter gasps at the sight.

"Enough! What are you two doing? Both of you in my cabin, now!" He said in his most dominating voice, causing Noya and the other girl to flinch.

There stood Barq, completely angry, seething from his eyes. His jaw clenched. Noya flinched and a shiver ran down her spine. She opened her mouth to justify the situation, but Barq showed her palm to stop her. He didn't want any more arguments.

Currently, both girls stood there with their heads down. While Noya stood there, rolling her eyes at her boss's glare. "Can't you believe, right? That I am a victim, not the actual culprit! But no, how can you ever believe me? You will obviously believe others as they are more sensible and good-looking than me, right!" Noya blabbered whatever came to her mouth, making Barq clench his jaw. He was extremely furious.

"Shut up! Dare you say a word, I won't hesitate to fire you!" He warned her, making her chuckle. "Oh, trust me, I am more desperate than you to be fired!" she said proudly.

Meanwhile, little Amayra shook her head and smacked her small forehead. "Annie is playing with daddy's temper, less she knows he's a beast," she thought and sighed.

"You all not only caused chaos, but also caused destruction to the office items. This serves as your final warning, as any further transgressions will result in severe consequences," Barq cautioned them with his authoritative tone.

"We deeply apologize, sir, but it should be noted that she initiated physical contact by slapping me," the young lady stated, her voice trembling as she feigned tears. Noya, with a smug expression, interjected, "In fact, one slap is hardly sufficient punishment." This remark only served to further provoke her. Barq, visibly exasperated, rolled his eyes and forcefully slammed his hand on the table. Today, Noya's behavior had become particularly aggravating. "Miss Noya, I demand an immediate apology," he declared, causing her to feel a profound sense of humiliation.

"I absolutely refuse to comply. You may terminate my employment, but I will not apologize to someone as irrational as you," she retorted, glaring at him before turning to leave.

"Miss Noya, it is important to remember that, according to the terms of your contract, you are obligated to reimburse our company for the specified amount," Barq announced, causing her to freeze in her tracks. Her hand, resting on the doorknob, remained motionless.

"And both of you are responsible for cleaning up the mess you have created in the hallway, as well as paying for the damages caused. This serves as my final warning," Barq sternly states to the other two girls. This statement caused them to sulk, and they both nodded in agreement. With no other option left, Noya felt a sense of relief knowing that she would not have to pay the mentioned amount. However, the amount specified in the contract was substantial.

Barq, accompanied by Amayra, exits the scene. Noya also makes her way back home.

However, her mind remains fixated on his words. "What if I pay him the amount? I would be free from that monstrous work! I do not desire a job where there is no respect," she ponders as she walks alone on the road. It is now around 7pm, and darkness blankets the sky, signaling the end of another day. As she observes people closing their small and large stalls, shops, and returning to their families, she yearns for a family that would love and accept her, without making judgmental comments. She smiles sadly.

--

Asslamualaikum/ hey
Hope you enjoy this book.
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