Weeks later...
*Amora's POV*
"Stop being a dingleberry, Evan," I harshly whispered as I slightly slumped in my chair to kick him underneath the table, but failed. Mia seemed to have heard me as she turned her attention towards me with a small smile. "Evan, I swear to God-" I continued but halted as Mr. Geoff was now heading towards our side of the room.
I'm at my main job- at a government research institute. Evan and I were sitting in an emergency early morning meeting as we represent everyone from our department. The meeting was held by Mr. Geoff, the big boss from upstairs, along with the directors and head researchers representing other departments. We were assigned to sit at the end of the long-ass table and since Mr. Geoff spent nearly 30 minutes on the other side of the room, flexing his new Rolex watch at all of us.
And he said it was an emergency meeting. He always does this. I inwardly sigh, and to think that I gave up breakfast for a full "enlightening" story of how the ambassador of Italy and him were good friends and that the Rolex was a gift to him.
Eventually, Evan got bored and was now chewing paper and stuffing them into a metal straw he carries around.
Like it was bad enough that he wasn't paying attention- I know at the end of this meeting, he's just going to ask me what the fuck he was talking about. But now he has the audacity to shoot chewed paper balls at me from his straw.
What is this? 5th grade? Evan, sometimes you're funny but sometimes... Nevermind.
Mr. Geoff was just a few feet away when Evan shot another ball at me. I glared at him as I wiped it off my face. "Stop it, Evan." I made my eyes bigger to at least attempt to threaten the 5-year-old that was sitting across me.
Then Mr. Geoff's voice suddenly boomed as I was about to crumple up a piece of paper to throw it at Evan. "Ms. Van Allen and Mr. Danielson! You guys are our last hope! So if you allow me, I'll be sending you off by next month!" My head swung to meet his eyes as I shifted my weight onto my right butt-cheek to hide the ball of paper.
"Yeah... Ha, sure."
"Yes, sir."
Evan and I weakly smiled as we talked over each other, in response to whatever he just said.
Oh shit, what the fuck did he say! I glared at Evan even more now- It's because of you, you ding dong! I suddenly smiled as I stretched my leg across the table, to stomp on his foot. He makes an "O" with his mouth as he bent his head downwards to hide his face. I was really doing my best to not explode in laughter.
Hopefully, Mr. Geoff makes us stay to talk about the details.
Seriously, where are we right now? 5th grade?
"Fantastic!" He sat down in between us, he was now at the head of the table and was eyeing a tiny ball of wet paper in front of me. Evan, seriously? He smiled across me. Oh wipe that smile off your face. "I had Mar clear both of your schedule for the rest of the day..." He got handed 2 bulky binders from Lilith- I briefly flashed a smile at her as thanks. "So spend it with me, going over some of the plans we have for the plots of land." He smiled as he handed a binder for each of us.
Okay, wait- What plot of land? This time, I "softly tapped" Evan's shin, as I tried to point my lips to Mr. Geoff.
When he finally understood what I was trying to say, he gave his signature smile and said, "Mr. Geoff- You're our favorite person- Giving us the best job ever... So, in order for us to fully grasp how awesome this truly is, would you go over the entire thing you said just now, from the very beginning?" Evan wheeled himself towards Mr. Geoff, as he smoothly transitioned to a very enthusiastic Evan.
Mr. Geoff's face lit and responded, " I like the way you think, my boy!" Evan and I released a laugh as Mr. Geoff did too. "This is why the two of you carry your entire department." I turned my face away to roll my eyes at what he just said.
No, we don't, Mr. Geoff. For your information, everyone works as hard as us. Where's the equality, big man?
~~~
It was now 7 pm yet I continued to type non-stop as I rolled my chair to different areas of the room, trying to find the right file. I guess the same scenario correlates to my current state of mind. I was really stressed and everything was everywhere.
In summary of the announcement that Mr. Geoff made earlier, that we completely missed thanks to Evan, was how the institute received an international phone call from the ambassador of Italy; saying that clusters of locals all over Sicily, have accidentally dug up a section of a gigantic find, right underneath random plots of land and some of their backyards. So he has recommended our institute to Italy's very own Paleontology and Archeology Research Insitute for a partner up to study, excavate and research the supposed artifacts, together.
This means that by next month, Evan and I, and some other people will be flying to Italy. But before that- there's a problem as Mr. Geoff said. Our department will have to host a dinner party next Friday and invite the owner of those plots of land, to ask for permission if we could excavate on his land.
"Mr. Young is the CEO and founder of Young Enterprises- He's also the owner of most of the industrial and agricultural land in Sicily..." Mr. Geoff sighed. "So we'll have to go through him, in order for us to actually unearth some artifacts." He stood up from his chair and was now circling the table. "He's infamous in his industry for various things but he gets things done and is a busy man. Maybe too busy for us."
We've already emailed the invitation- the only problem is... Will he even show up? Another problem is... Next Friday, I was needed to complete an assignment that was given to me by John- a drug bust. Funny how he still gives me assignments when he knows I'm in charge of an important case- my family's car "accident".
With his backpack hung over one shoulder, Evan stood at the glass doorway as he tutted, "Amore, when can we go?" He leaned back as he checked out a woman that passed by him in the hallway. " Come on, when will the day come when you, Amora Van Allen, clocks out of work on time?"
I stuck my tongue out at him, "When will the day come when you, Evan Danielson, stop acting like a 5-year-old?" I gathered all the files I've been working on and grabbed my messenger bag, which was also filled with books and papers, then walked past him and out my office while I rolled a newspaper that was on my desk and softly hit him on his forehead. Why? Because it's impolite to stare at women like that, Evan. "Come on then, womanizer. Let's get you home."
~~~
A few days before the dinner party...
Wednesday night and Evan have been pestering me about this new indoor baseball batting place that opened nearby. He threatened me that if we don't go, he won't hand over the paper that we've been working on for 2 years. And I guess this was also payback for walking in on him while he was doing "his thing" a couple of days ago.
Gross, I can't unsee it.
So I had to comply with him and now I'm watching Evan miss hitting ball after ball. It's a good thing that you could rent out a room because I'm sure people would've talked. He's also currently putting our team in last place as I glanced over at the scoreboard- Each room is occupied by a team and ours is called "master noob_69". Evan picked the name. He's literally a man-child.
As he missed the ball again, Evan glared at me from where I was sitting. "Not. A. Single. Word." I grinned and held both my hands in the air, acting innocent. Finally giving up, he took off the protective glasses and unbuttoned his polo shirt. "Here." He handed me the baseball bat as he took a sip of beer that was on the table. "Go crazy, kid." And plopped himself next to me.
I stretched my arms as a warm-up and got into my stance. The machine- in a split second- ejected a baseball. Using my hips to rotate with my feet perpendicular to the ground, I swung the metallic bat and heard a plenk. The baseball flew across the length of the room and hit the electric banner that had real-life simulation of a real baseball game.
A sound escaped from the speakers and a "real" crowd whooped in the background. The electric banner was now blinking with the words "Home Run". Then I smirked at Evan.
He grumbled, "Whatever, I knew this was going to happen anyways." He looked at the scoreboard and then gave me a smile and said. "Which was why I dragged you here." He stood up and opened the door that led to the main room. "You needed this- To get your mind off things." He winked and then left.
~~~
I don't how long it has been but this was addicting. I think I spent nearly an hour batting as I kept hitting home runs. Every home run in this game simulation was worth at least 5 points so now as I checked the leaderboard. I smiled to myself.
master noob_69 was ranked 1st place. With the entire game ending, I took the glasses off and made my way to the main room. Where Evan is most likely tucked away in this gigantic labarynth of walls, making out with someone.
Keeping my head low, I walked up to the cashier to pay, then a voice reached my ears. "Damn, what the fuck! We lost!" The voice was deep and tipsy. "We own this shit- What the fuck happened guys?" The voice thundered and was followed by a slam on the table. "Who the fuck is master noob_69?" The once noisy room was then consumed in silence.
Shit. My eyes widened at the lady who was about to give me my credit card. Honestly, I kind of laughed when he said our team name.
Then a high-pitched voice answered, "That's her." Oh fuck, whoever said that... You better not be pointing at me.
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Highly likely that no one is reading this but I'm just gonna keep writing because I'm actually enjoying this lmao.
please, please, please stay safe out there if you're reading this!
also if you're reading this... some feedback would be much appreciated but uhh don't attack me though...
vote, comment and stay safe and happy ;)
ireck_wings