Walking to her place at the counter, Hanni placed her belongings and started to check the files in her computer. Checking the day's work while her officemates arrived one by one and started their day...some preparing breakfast, some brushing their hair and putting on makeup.
In comes the head librarian, Ms. Perez. "What are you all doing?" Everybody, like one single person, stopped and hid whatever they were doing under, at the side or whereever they could hide their things and paid attention to the just arrived head librarian. "Is this how an employee should behave?" You came here to work not to put makeup or eat!" "You should have done that in your own houses earlier before you came here!", exclaimed Ms. Perez. "I really don't know what to do with you people, except for Ms. Lim all of you are simply indescribable!" At this some people's faces soured, hearing Ms. Perez comparing Hanni to them again, as usual, that suck up!
In a normal office environment this kind of thing cannot be helped, people who get envious of outstanding performers while they themselves do not notice how their work ethics are really low compared to others. Hanni being a sheltered person, believing that everyone doesn't have any reason to be jealous of her, did not have a clue that she was being targeted by some people at all. The idiot actually thinks that those people actually like her and trust her that's why they kept on piling more work to her!
The library regulars entered one by one. One of them is the handsome student Jae Tan, the "soy latte guy". He made a beeline to the counter where Hanni is currently checking for overdue books.
"Excuse me Ms. Lim?", Jae nervously called. Hanni looked up and seeing Jae gave him a smile. "Mr. Tan, ready to return the books?" Jae shyly nodded while handing out three heavy books to her. Hanni accepted the books but when Jae released his hold Hanni's grip slipped. The boy being too alert whenever Hanni is concerned saw this and quickly caught the falling books together with Hanni's soft and smooth hands trying to catch the books as well!
They both looked at each other's eyes. Both trying to outdo the other's blushes. Hanni took her hands away from Jae's and stutteringly said, "I, I, ahm I'm sorry, I didn't expect that the books are that heavy."
"Ah no, I'm sorry for grabbing you Ms. Lim, I panicked, I thought the books will hit you, are you alright? Did you sprain your wrists?", Jae worriedly asked her despite the thundering beats of his heart.