Chapter 2.2

"Thank you, sir."

"Thank you, Mr. Easton. I am really starving right now. You're such a life saviour."

"You're so generous, sir. You didn't really have to."

"I'm forever grateful for this, sir."

The surface of my forehead wrinkled.

What is this drama now? Why are they thanking Mr. Easton this time? Did they finally get the raise that they're all have been waiting for? Did they finally succeed in filling Mr. Easton's head with compliments that he found them deserving?

I shook my head and murmured, "Whatever."

"Ooh, Genevieve! Here's yours."

From the contents of the brown folder that I was holding, my eyes looked up to see who called me with a high pitched voice. I was able to keep a straight face when I saw Yvette; one of my co-workers. She's standing at the entrance of my cubicle, and she’s holding a paper bag.

I maintained a straight face while looking at Yvette. I was struggling because I can't stand her.

Everybody can't stand Yvette.

Everybody hates Yvette.

And everybody knows that.

"What's that?" I casually ask.

She smiled at me, but I knew better. It's a fake smile, and she knows that I know that everything she's showing to everyone about herself is fake.

"It's your meal, and it's free. Mr. Easton bought us lunch. Here," She handed me the paper bag and I placed it on my table. I thanked her as fast as I could as if I was shooing her away. I know that I'm being an ass right now. But sometimes, there are just people that no matter what we do, we can't afford to be fond of them. And one of those people for me, is definitely Yvette.

May God forgive me.

I continued reading when Yvette was no longer in front of me. I decided that I'm going to eat the 'free meal' later instead, and read even just a couple of the brown folder placed on top of my table.

Paperwork, paperwork, paperwork.

After the heart-stopping experience I had last night, this is what it brought me. And I'm glad that I'm used to this. Because if I'm not, I'm definitely going to run out of time complaining about how my life is such a boring unending cycle.

Later on, I felt my stomach aching. And I knew that I'm finally hungry, and it was around 1:00 in the afternoon. That's when I got both of my hands on the paper bag that Yvette gave me earlier. I was amused when I saw my name written on the outside, and there were small hearts around it. It was like something purposely written or doodled to somehow uplift our dying spirits due to working. I opened the paper bag, I took its insides and placed it on my table. The meal is from an Italian restaurant, which I think is kinda pricey.

Pricey?

Hmm, pricey.

Yeah, right.

I think, I know someone who's a bit pricey.

With that, I giggled on my own in my cubicle. Remembering Kairo again for a hundred times now. If someone can see my face, I know that, that person will absolutely tell me that I'm a weirdo. And with my head daydreaming, I will most likely agree.

"Psst! Psst!!! Genevieve!" 

I can still remember the way how everything started last night. Oh, silly me.

I was even scolding Feliza in my head about her kind of entertainment, and her definition of enjoyment. But I was such a fool; too ignorant to realize that she's right all along and that her 'ultimate surprise' made me so happy and satisfied.

"Genevieve! Hey? Earth to Genevieve?"

I positioned my chin on top of my palm as I continued daydreaming about Kairo. His delectable body, and the way that it moves for me.

I profusely blushed.

I remember the way that he thrusts deep, hard, and fast while both of my legs were wrapped around his waists—

"Are you even listening, woman?"

My eyes widened when I realized that Feliza was in front of me. Looking at me like I'm no longer sane, and that I can see something that she can't.

"Why are you being like that?" She asks with one of her eyebrows raised.

I asked back, "Being like what?" Feliza motioned her hand up and down in front of me. "Like this. You're out of your head. I pulled you out of your reverie, didn’t I?" She gave me a look that says, 'I know that you did something bad last night, and I'm going to figure out what it was.' 

Feliza got me blowing out a loud breath like I'm so fed up of everything. And I just looked at her; decided not to speak before her because I know that her question is coming up.

"Where were you last night?" I smiled like a child, "I was with you, remember? At the club." I was hoping that Feliza was heavily intoxicated by liquor last night that she won't be able to remember a thing. I'm even thinking that maybe her head is aching right now. And maybe she's asking me 'cause she really can't remember a thing at all. If I'm right, it's not going to be hard for me to lie about my truths; about my birthday gift that I will always fail to forget.

"You just disappeared!" She frowned, "Who were you with last night? And don't lie, the bartender spilled a few details to me."

I nervously smiled at Feliza whose eyes are squinty. And then I realized that she won't shut up about it if she will never know. But can't it wait for later? Can we talk about it in a café instead?

"Ahm, can we talk about this after work?" I proposed to her. She was looking at me like she's doubting every word I say, and I can feel it to the bone. "Why? Are you afraid that I'll find out about your lover last night?" Feliza, who stopped looking like an investigator, just suddenly laughed at me and my state.

It was my turn to frown. "What are you laughing at?" 

Feliza's eyebrows went up and down repeatedly. "Tell me who's the lucky guy first." Her eyes widened, "Ooh, was he working there? Was he uhm," She leaned over to my ear and whispered. "A stripper?" I bit my lip as I look into her eyes that are giving me penetrating stares. I have no other choice; I have to tell her all about it.

I just tried my best at keeping my cool, and I also kept it quiet. I also whispered at her.

"Yes, he's a stripper!" I shouted, but in a manner of a whisper. She shouted back in the same way. "What?!" I nodded at her and smiled in a naughty way when I finally have the courage to. "Are you joking, Genevieve?! Strippers working in that place are pricey!" She covered her mouth with her hand meaningfully, "Especially Kairo. He's super duper pricey." She giggled. Probably one of the girls that Kairo captured with his performance last night.

Feliza was looking at me teasingly as if I will never have the chance to be satisfied by Kairo with his splendid performance. And it made me feel the urge to make Feliza feel jealous once I tell her everything.

I feel like a kid.

"So, who was it? Don't worry I know every stripper in that club."

I grinned, "Kairo."

Her eyes widened as both of her hands landed on my shoulders. "What?!"

I looked away with a smile on my lips. "Yeah, it was Kairo."

Feliza's jaw dropped as if very surprised. And her reaction satisfied me. I bet she's not going to be able to believe it in an instant.

"Girl, you got a lot to explain."

"Uh-huh, I do. I know."

Feliza took my hand, and she pulled me. Causing me to stand up and follow her when she started walking like we're rushing; chasing time.

"Wait! Feliza! Where are we going?"

Feliza seemed like she didn't hear my question, and she just continued walking as I continued following her too. I realized that were going to the elevator, and instead of telling her to let me go, I just go with the flow.

But I instantly regretted when I saw Mr. Conrad Easton walking towards us, opposite to the direction where Feliza and I are going.

Shit. Shit. Shit. What if he'll scold me?

Damn it! I should be working right now.

I stopped walking, and Feliza looked at me with her eyes a bit widened. "What?"

I gulped, and looked at Mr. Easton who's only a few steps away from us. Feliza followed where my eyes were looking and she understood. 

"Oh, shit. I'm sorry." Worry is now visible in her face.

"Let's just go back to my cubicle. I told you, we should talk about it later instead. It's working—"

To my surprise, Mr. Easton just walked pass us. He was busy with his phone, probably talking to someone important.

I felt relieved.

But my system acted like the way it did last night. It panicked and my heart also pounded when I smelled Mr. Conrad Easton's scent after passing by.

My lips parted.

Feliza smelled it too.

"Wow, your boss smells like vanilla."