It has been a week since the nude incident, and things have gotten back to normal. At least, as normal as it can.
The workers no longer whisper when I pass, but I can feel their eyes boring holes into my back as I walked.
But none of them has ever tried to confront me about it.
"I think I'm close to those who posted the pictures. Just give me a day more, and I'll provide them for you."
" Thank you, Dozzy," I smile at him. "You're my one and only, you know that?"
He snickered at my words, "Who needs to have someone like you as a one and only?"
" You, of course. Having me as your only is the best thing that ever happens to you."
" Take your good luck, I don't want it." The way he pursed his lips and all that made me want to laugh—
My office phone rang.
"It's the boss. I guess it's time for our daily project." I rose from my chair without much Ado and started packing my things.
"Oh, okay." He looked at me with an expression I didn't understand at all.
" What's wrong?" I asked when it seems he has decided to have that expression permanently on his face.
"You don't seem to frown anymore when the boss calls you." He tilts his head, "what's the secret?"
"Is there anything wrong with answering the calls of your boss?"
"Not when that person happens to be you, Osy. I know who you are. You never answer the call of the boss without sighing, but right now, you seem— eager?"
" Think what you might. He's the boss Doz, I don't see the reason I shouldn't answer his calls."
" Hmm"
He said as he watched me leave.
" Lock the door after you, dear," winking at him, I walk out.
"I will!" He called out to me.
Better.
*
*
I don't know how it started. I don't know when things progressed to another level, but I found myself smiling like a mad person as Mar laughed.
I felt drawn into his laughter. I've heard others laugh, and all that, but I've never felt the way I did now.
I laughed with him when he laughed and angrily stared at the table when his expression turns serious.
"At the rate, we are going with this. It won't take a week before we complete all this."
I nod at his words, "that's true. The pace we are keeping is good enough."
I'm almost through with the work allocated to me. The remaining work won't take me three or so days to complete them all. Luckily, it might clash with the project we are completing.
This way, I'll leave the company when everything has been completed.
But somehow, the thoughts of leaving don't seem to make me as happy as they did before. This time, whenever I think of leaving, it causes my heart to skip beats.
"Osy?"
I got startled when I heard the shout of my name.
"Yes?" I blink in awareness.
"Where did your mind run away to?"
"Nowhere," I hastily sat up, "I was just calculating the days before all these ends."
"Aren't you excited to leave this company? If I can recall clearly, this has been some time of end game for you."
"Of course, I'm excited."
But the feeling didn't reach my heart. Somehow, I've gotten too attached to this company. Leaving it will make me feel homesick.
I wish this had been my reason. At least, I would have acted as a good worker.
However, that's far from the truth. What's making me want to change my mind about leaving the company isn't the company or its worker.
Mar is my reason.
"But you don't look excited?"
"I'm just tired. I've been working ever since I came to work, why shouldn't I be tired?" I made use of my work as an excuse, but I don't feel guilty at all.
" I see."
He took up one file from the table, "well, check this out tomorrow. You can go home and have some rest."
" Thanks." I stood from the chair. As much as I would have loved to stay here, working with the boss, I can't do that.
I do need to take some rest.
My Bones are already groaning in pain.
" Have a safe trip." He called out to me.
"Thanks."
I smile to myself as I pocketed the words he said to me. I made sure I kept it in a safe place "to be made use of in the future" I promised myself.
*
*
The parking lot was deserted when I came down. I don't know what I was expecting after work hours, but I never knew it can be empty, and devoid of anything, aside from two cars.
Should Mar decide to leave, he'll be the last to take his car out of here.
I hastily walk towards my car, my eyes darting back to make sure there's no one lurking in the dark.
I don't want stories that touch the heart, by this time at night.
"Ouch!" I groan in pain when I made a collision with a lumberjack human.
"Steady," he wrapped his hand around my waist to prevent me from falling to the ground like I would have done.
The force of the collision didn't give me much choice anyway.
"Thanks." I look down in embarrassment as he righted me.
"It's my pleasure." He smiled, his eyes glittering as he did so.
Now standing on both feet, I had the opportunity to check him out.
He's not too bad. He's one of those who are considered manly, but not handsome enough.
He's dressed in all black attire like those men from mafia movies. His red hair is cut short, but not too short, and its sides were rounded.
His dark sea-green eyes made him stand out the more. The eyes are what attracts a person to him, should they be one of those who are obsessed with beautiful eye colour.