Chapter 3: A Missed Arrow, A Love Fiasco.

Kai

The ruffling and toppling stacks of paper were everywhere flown in the entire office. Some of the papers are confidential private papers that needed only certain eyes to be seen and some were merely just data papers that tell about the company's status in which when put two and two together, the chances of separating which paper is which would be highly near impossible to do alone when they are now scattered all over the place... in my office.

I groaned for almost the twentieth time now when I saw the whole paper being in the state that they are. The other times that I groaned was because a worker spilt their coffee on my shirt, a guy trying to come into my office and bring up why the company should take his idea for the next product line and the last thing that I remembered that had made me groan and cried out of distress was how everyone in this whole did not understand the meaning of 'understood on the first listen' when they're given instructions to do things. Which then resulted in a lot of more work to be done at the end of the day when what is important at the end of the day is to go home.

Can anybody work properly right now? Or are these positions need to be replaced every single damn time?

I went down to pick up the scattered papers on the shiny floor, without having care to pick which is which and organized them at that instance. There was so much thing to do on my schedule and after this, I have a meeting with the head production team to see what was the new thing that they had come up with. The idea of a new product to them was something that had been done by the other company as well and to that, I had trouble cooperating. So that was the last time I had a meeting with them about the new product until they tried to have something better in mind.

With all due respect, I am not being picky or stubborn or dainty towards everything that they had. It's just that the company needed something that was absolutely brand new to be introduced. Something revolutionary, something sophisticated and something that speaks creativity at its finest.

Yes, you may be wondering what job I am doing?

I've decided to just join my dad's company and be one of the head engineers of the company. Which soon would be my company as well when dad would choose to retire any time he wants. It was the absolute definition of terrifying for me because I have only started working here for a year and a half and all I have known to do what solving and doing other people's mistakes.

It was catastrophic.

"Hey, Kai... Woah...," Hayes stated as he enters my office with two cups of coffee in his hands. I look to him from the corner of my eyes, my hands were continuing to pick up the pieces of papers that went all over the room. "Here, let me help you," He offered, putting the two cups of coffee on the coffee table then walking next to me. His hands were picking up the papers swiftly and once in a while, he would brush his skin with mine purposely.

I took a glimpse of him and saw that he was staring at me. Stifling a cough, I tried to make the atmosphere more work-friendly. "So... is the coffee for me?" I asked, shooting a look at the two cups of coffee that he brought in.

He turns to the coffee and smirked. "Oh yeah... I wanted to ask you to go to lunch with me since it was now lunchtime. So... wanna go?" He proposed, nudging his head to the door. I went to look at the pile of work that I had on my desk then back at him.

Well... he helped me, and he even brings me coffee. Should I go? Or should I politely reject? But if I go, wouldn't it be weird?

Is it weird? Everyone knows that I'm in a relationship. So, what's the harm?

"Sure... let me just settle some stuff first then I'll meet you at the lobby," I answered, getting up with the stacks of papers in my hand. My eyes went to the wall clock and saw that it was five minutes into lunchtime. We better get to hurry.

"Alright, I'll get a head start then. Don't be late! Wouldn't wanna ruin the date," He winked, getting out of the door with a woosh. I stood there frozen because he thinks it was a date when I just thought of it as nothing. Hopefully, he wouldn't get the wrong idea... right? Am I leading him on? I don't want to do that... it would be such a bummer.

Speaking of a ruined date. My date with Stan two days ago. The thought of it ruined was nowhere near my mind but... it feels as if Stan was unsettled about it. He doesn't even want to talk what he was so disgruntled about with the date. I never did anything wrong...

My relationship with Stan wasn't turning out to be the best, I would say. It just... I don't know... Maybe something's changed? I just can't pinpoint where it all went wrong. Before this, it was running smoothly, and I just felt like sometime soon, he would kneel down on one knee and say those magic words that I'm dying to hear.

Could it be that he doesn't want to get married?

Shaking my head, I decided to not organized the messy desk of mine and just grab my wallet and go out to Hayes. I needed to stop thinking about my relationship when I'm at work. Work is work and relationships should be held at home. It was for the best...

-

"Are you sure you're not gonna get that muffin? It looks tempting to me," Hayes asked, staring at the lines of muffin that was showcased vibrantly at me.

I shook my head in a 'no' manner. I can't have those muffins when I can have one Stan would make for me. Likewise, I learned to love Stan's cooking and baking that I would never look at any other twice. But Hayes here was testing my boiling water and I couldn't help but be ashamed of myself.

"No. I don't like muffins. So stop asking me that," I glared then looking down to my burger I bought and the coffee he bought for me.

"Bull. I saw you eating tons of them at your boyfriend's café. You really suck at lying,"

I bit my lips in defeat. The feeling of slight anger and annoyed came rushing into me and I couldn't stand the vibe I was in. Maybe I shouldn't have agreed to go with him.

Then, when I look up to tell him that I was gonna get back to work and eat in my office, he wasn't there anymore. I glance around to search where did he go and finally found him putting some dollar notes onto the cashier counter. Thereupon, when he turns around - I saw a muffin being held in his hand and all I could do was shrugged that he, himself wanted to eat it all along. But then, it looks so good...

"Here," He suddenly said, placing the muffin in front of me.

"W-what?" I frowned in bewilderment.

He grinned, pushing the muffin further to me. "Just take it. I know you're aching inside to have one. So I bought one when you're being resistant,"

"But Hayes-,"

"No buts... I spend my money on you and it would be really rude to not accept it," He smirked, sitting back down again. His elbow propped onto the table as he had his head in his hand and looks at me.

I look down onto the muffin and became anxious whether I should eat it. So to not feel so, I kept reminding myself that I was doing this to be polite and be grateful that I had a co-worker like him. I couldn't risk the friendship.

With a smile, I took the muffin by the hand and started eating the sweet delight. Shit... what I am doing? This doesn't feel right, but it feels so good to be enjoying this for free. Hayes couldn't be flirting with me, is he? He knows damn well about my relationship, and he supports it. But why does it felt like I'm being drawn over into some traps that would lead to trouble? Whether it is troubling or not, I'm not taking this as a privilege for me to be calm.

So when lunchtime was over, I went separate ways and go back to my office as quickly as I could. With a huge sigh, I continue to walk towards my desk and continue the work that I would have and the meeting that would be on in an hour. I can't decide if the meeting would be long but all I know is that I need to get out of here before six.

I had asked Stan on another date to make up for the one on my birthday. My conscience tells me that I needed to have another date with him so that he doesn't look upset anymore. I know he was upset and it shows. Even if he was still making me breakfast, he wouldn't even stay to eat together with me. Furthermore, I had to drive my own car to get to work when I saw that he left for work earlier than usual. It's like he doesn't want to see my face.

So with high hopes that I would try to make things better for us this evening, I would apologize if I ever did wrong to him. I know that we don't spend much together with each other a lot, but we lived under the same roof. It shouldn't be a problem to be together.

Was it?

- - -

Is Kai cheating? What do you think?

"Another two chapter before the actual plot kick in! I hope you enjoyed the chapter"