Chapter 2

“Hey, man. You need to hear this.” Miles comically dashed his way towards our cubicle in haste. He just came from the pantry which was the center of gossip since they usually gather there to talk.

Like a gossip girl, he always reports to me about news, updates and even rumors circulating in the company. He was always updated with the latest gossip. He’s also very close to the girls in the office. They love him because he’s funny and always has something to talk about.

“You won’t like what I'm about to say.” He said as soon as he sat on his chair, dragging it closer to me. I had to stop my work for a moment. He had a habit of making me listen to him.

“What?” I asked as I turned to him.

“The director came here and talked to Hudson.” Hudson was our manager. “You won’t believe what he did- actually, you’ll believe it because of course, the guy is an asshole. I mean continuing on, they talked and the director was impressed with the latest website and app ‘you’ made. He was so happy about it that it was performing well despite the recent launch and some minor bugs.” He made sure to emphasize the ‘you’. “You know what he did? He took the credits. Your well deserved credits! Dude, what the hell! You need to step up and take it!”

I sighed. “You know tricks like this are no longer new to us. I mean he always does that to us.”

“Especially you.” He pointed to me using the hand holding the cup of coffee. He then started leaning in closer and whispered, “I heard he’s going to have a huge ass bonus.” He leaned back. “A bonus that you deserved! Dude, come on! It’s time we take what’s rightfully ours!”

I went back into typing. “You know I tried before but the guy always wins. I don’t want to lose this job, man. This is very important to me. He’s going to threaten my position again and I don’t want that.”

His shoulders slacken at my resolve. “Yeah, you’re right. You know what, let’s have barbecue tonight. I’m feeling pork and beef and some beer. My treat.” He said, wiggling his eyebrows funnily.

I chuckled. “Tempting. It is Friday night.”

“Alright! I’mma go ask the girls.” He then stands and walks out lazily obviously towards the girls.

“Hey! I thought it’s just the three of us!” The third meant Aiden who sat next to him. The three of us have been very close friends ever since we started working here.

Miles ignored me anyway. He is just an outgoing type of guy and a lot of people feel comfortable around him easily while I, on the other hand, is a bit of an introvert so I kind of feel awkward when there’s more than three people present.

Our shift ends at six. After punching out, we went straight to a Korean restaurant nearby. A couple of girls came with us. They usually hang out with us whenever Miles invites them. The married ones obviously won’t be able to come. They always hurry home after office hours.

Miles ordered unlimited samgyeopsal and beer for us without even checking the price. The guy’s family was pretty well off so he tends to treat us a lot of times for food and sometimes trips outside the city.

For him, our work is just a hobby. Although he thinks our management sucks, he stayed because Aiden and I were his closest friends. Probably because other than being his officemates, the three of us sat together and not a day goes by where we get bored.

“She’s so pretty, right?” Aiden, who was sitting beside me, nodded towards Ami who was laughing with the others because of Miles’ joke. “She’s the company’s sweetheart and you got the honor as the apple of her eyes.”

I bumped him against my shoulder to warn him of his blabbermouth. “Shush. They’ll hear us.” I was fighting a blush appearing in my cheeks.

“I can hear you.” Charlotte, one of Ami’s friends, butted in. She was sitting beside Aiden so it’s only obvious she could hear us.

I blushed. I glared at Aiden only to be returned with a shrug while he continued eating the beef that I grilled.

“You really need to start making your moves, Dylan. I know you like her, too. She’s just waiting for you to ask her out.” My cheeks warmed even more at her revelation.

“Yeah, man. I’m getting sick and tired of watching you two meeting your eyes and then look away. What is this? Some anime or drama?” Of course he had to open his mouth like that. It’s already embarrassing enough that they are talking about Ami when she’s right in front of us.

“God, Aiden. Shut up. If they can hear us, I’m not going to grill some meat for you anymore.”

He then zips his mouth. He kept eating the meat that I placed on the grill as soon as it was cooked.

“But seriously though, it’s about damn time you make a move.” Charlotte somehow didn’t get the memo that I was already beet red not because of the beer but because of how much I was blushing.

Why did they have to talk about it right now when the said girl is right across from me?

“Can we please not talk about it right now? I mean like not in front of her?” I low key pointed at Amilia through my eyes as I whispered to them despite the noise.

“Okay.” Charlotte raised her hands in surrender while Aiden stuffed his mouth with lettuce and meat.

The two didn’t forget to remind me about making a move towards Ami as all of us decided to go home. They pushed me to take Ami home. And because I was so slow, Charlotte had to declare that I will take her home.

And I did. Despite the embarrassment, I was happy that I could take her home. Ami’s apartment was a walking distance from our building. It would take ten to fifteen minutes but in our case we managed to reach her apartment in twenty-five minutes.

We took our time walking as we made a carefree conversation. We laughed about random stuff from our stories, especially our experiences in the office. Our interaction tonight ignited the reason why I like her.

Amilia is pretty but I’d rather describe her as cute and her shortness only added to her charm. She was about 5 foot 2 with black hair and big brown eyes. The color of her eyes were on the lighter side. Her smile was adorable with two dimples on each side.

A lot of guys from the company adore her. It was obvious she holds the title of being the most beautiful there. She didn’t even need to wear revealing clothes for her to be a head turner. Her charming self was enough.

When we reached her doorstep, she gave me a short kiss on my cheek before she stepped inside. I couldn’t stop smiling and blushing all the way home. My heart was skipping beats with giddiness.

As soon as I got inside my apartment, my smile immediately wiped off my face as I sensed a figure swallowed into the night.

There sitting behind my desk was a person covered in darkness. His legs placed arrogantly on top of the table, hands clasped lazily on his stomach.

I was shocked… nervous and scared. I didn’t know how he got in when everything was perfectly in place, even the front door. I stood frozen by my bedroom’s door. My heartbeat was fast and deafening- the feeling of giddiness was replaced with trepidation.

Millions of questions ran through my head. It worsened the emotions swirling inside me, all were negative and overwhelming.

“Ciao… Dylan Ross.”

I flinched, the hair on my skin stood in fear. The voice was calm, mocking, arrogant… sultry. And it shocked me that the person bathed in shadow was actually a woman.