"This isn't flour," Nadia guessed.

"Is that... drugs?" I blurted out, guessing something was hidden and secret. It reminded me of when the people in the car I wanted to see wouldn't let me get close.

Was this really a conspiracy?

"Mr. Adnan, please tidy it up again so nothing looks out of place. I'll bring a few samples."

Nadia's explanation was enough to make me realize that we were both suspicious. I quickly covered the small hole I'd torn. It turned out to be filled with small plastic bags, maybe half a kilo in size. I took the torn one and covered it, turning it inside out so the hole wouldn't be visible.

I started to worry and asked Nadia to leave. Nadia understood, so we went upstairs and closed the door as usual. I slid the box back over it, and we hurried away. Afraid someone would come and catch us.

We quickly slipped out the back, but found nothing. We passed through the bamboo trees and returned to the village on my motorcycle.

I walked Nadia home and asked her not to do anything until everything was clear. Regarding the powder, I asked to have it checked. It was already noon, and I had to get to the factory immediately because my work was after midday.

Nadia thanked me for delivering it today. I smiled at her and said it was no problem.

This was the first time I'd seen Nadia smile so beautifully, ah! Maybe I was just overconfident. I went home and prepared myself for the factory. This couldn't have been leaked before I knew what the white powder was.

@ @ @

My first day as Boss Tama's right-hand man. I immediately felt like a real boss; as soon as I passed, many people smiled and greeted me.

It's certainly unusual. I'm usually ignored as soon as I arrive and get right to work with my team. People usually see me pass by and don't care, but when Boss Tama inaugurated me yesterday, I felt like a different person.

However, I didn't want to feel different. It should be business as usual.

I felt nervous as so many people and workers greeted me. Perhaps that's the law of this world. The higher your rank, the more attention you'll receive. Ah! It's just a formality, isn't it? Humans are always like that. Officials are revered, and upon arrival, they're immediately respected.

If only the neighbors had come, they'd probably just ask, "Why aren't you dead?" Oh God, humans do sometimes respect those who can benefit them. But I hope they're not like that and just treat me like a normal person.

I headed to my team, who always work with me. I greeted them, especially Jono and Mr. Ranu. Everything was as usual. I shook their hands, and they smiled and congratulated me again.

Jono even asked me when to schedule a meal with him. I agreed, for example, if I didn't mind grilling with them on Saturday night, they were all from the same village as me. That would be easier.

"But when we eat together, don't be afraid of Satan anymore, okay?" I teased them all, including Jono.

Jono looked at me, "Of course, Boss. We won't be afraid of Satan anymore, as long as you meet one condition, Boss."

"What's the condition, Jono?" Jono was funny as usual. Innocent.

"The condition, Boss, is that Satan doesn't appear and scare us, then we won't be afraid!"

Indeed, Jono was, as usual, innocent but funny. There were always some things, of course, no one's afraid of ghosts if they don't scare them, right?

Jono rebuked me again, "Oh, Boss, how about tonight? It's Saturday night, come on, Boss!"

I looked at the 30 people in my former division, but now my duties were certainly different. "Okay, then tonight we'll roast chicken together. At my house, everyone must be here by 9:00 PM, okay?"

Everyone agreed. I'd be home around 8:00 PM and then go straight home.

I said goodbye to them, and Jono assured me that we would definitely have dinner together tonight. I reiterated my agreement.

I went straight to Boss Tama's office. When I arrived, he patted me on the shoulder and said, "Let me teach you a bit, then I'm going home to be with my kids."

Wow! Just like that, I was being left behind and replaced by Boss Tama? But what can I say, this was my new job. I had to fight to ensure the factory here ran smoothly under my supervision.

I complied. Boss Tama invited me to meet the drivers who were transporting the incoming palm oil and cassava. The prices had been set, but Boss Tama only asked me to keep a brief eye on the goods. Then, you can return to the room or stay there to see the work through.

If the incoming inspection team has reported the quantity and any shortages, then Boss Tama's job is to pay the incoming data and give the money to the driver or owner of the goods in the boss's office.

Boss Tama has already done several things in front of me, and Boss Tama told me that's the most important thing I do. Furthermore, I was told that Boss Tama can call the foremen by pressing a button in the room to report on each foreman for the day and check briefly.

That's it, that's Boss Tama's job. Other than that, he can relax in the boss's office if he wants. If not, of course, he goes around to each worker's area and the warehouse, as well as the front room with the visitors who will be selling their goods, namely palm oil or cassava, in the weighing room.

I nodded in understanding and asked if I could go around the factory for anything I needed. Boss Tama didn't forbid me from going anywhere, no matter what, as long as the important task was completed. Then, he can ask the inspectors to contact him if the goods arrive and he is looking at something else at the factory.

Quite simply and understandably, Boss Tama immediately excused himself and went home because he wanted to be with his children at home.

Before he left, he assured me that I was the right person. He said I was honest and a diligent worker.

I would try to live up to Boss Tama's expectations of me. Boss Tama said goodbye and patted me on the shoulder before getting into the car. He thanked me for saving the factory yesterday and for being an honest person all this time. He also thanked me for agreeing to be his deputy.

He said he had been looking for a deputy for a long time, and this was the first time he had found the right person, and he was confident in it.

So that was it? The boss was leaving, and I was actually entrusted with managing such a large factory? This was truly an extraordinary thing for me.