It's everybody's favorite hour, working out- as they said. It is mainly stretching and some yoga to reduce fatigue and improve performance. A culture that was practised since the founding days of the company. Gunn and Jen started it. The synergy between them is a force to be reckoned with - one nobody gets to see. Unless you are extremely lucky.
All the employees ready for the exercise are lined up, with guys leading the team and last line dedicated for girls. It's not totally inclusive as those sensitive to it are exempted. Currently, only two guys. In case you don't feel like it you can always take a break - which gents hardly do.
Due to eyes temptations, guys suggested that they would rather lead the way- a thing never seen before. That made girls comfortable doing it unobserved and secure- as they should be.
They are fewer. Taking the last row works best with conjunction to nosy tendencies. They can safely gossip about it all from the back.
From the outside there was no flaws found on the practice unless looked at by someone who has a little bit of vision. Smart.
Kat, Jen, Priya and a couple of girls from finance have formed their line. Kat will hardly do anything before of her choice for clothing. It happens after lunch when everybody's lazy to allow blood circulation and improve body performance. It is a norm.
Kat could not resist her curiosity. She needed to know about what guys were up to and the whole arrangement. She was not buying their theory It was sketchy.
But first, she had to gossip about Jen, she had always been the talk of office to the newbies. They all wonder why her desk is that classy and the power she possesses as a mare assistant. Kat was in for a treat.
"Look at her, isn't that something? God! I wish I had that body", Kat stated. Trying to keep her unique voice low. As boys with Yoga gets sketchy that's the same case with Jen and GPLAy. She seems too good for the job.
Priya looked at Jen to make sure that she wasn't looking at them, she never wants to get in trouble. The session is fast and serious to avoid wasting time unnecessary. They a tend to observe time, a thing Kat needed to learn.
"Don't we all? Watch out for the queen , she doesn't tolerate lagging", Priya replied to Kat's remark. Jen had a body to be admired by all gents and ladies wanted exactly what she had.
"Where's the Boss? Does he do the stretching?", Kat asked trying to locate Gunn.
"Yes dummy, but only during the mornings before starting work. You better cut it off "
"By himself?", Kat asked staggering as she tried to stretch out, that one is done at personal level. It's messy but necessary for cracking the bones and keeping them in order, it reduces injuries.
" Keep focus, he does it with the genii, she is the instructor "
"I want life"
As Kat was admitting just how jealous she was of Jen a guy asked them to keep it low. Jen walked to the front and started instructing them.
"She is the instructor too? What else does she do around here? Might be a life well lived for her"
"We all starts ambitious until we realize that she is not our competition,job that brought us here is. I hate the bitch but with respect, she deserves it whatsoever . It's said that she was here from the start "
"Must be important to him"
"I gather, don't mess with her if you want to have a fruitful life in here, she has right to hire and fire minor staff like us"
"If not for his hotness I would assume she is onto girls, that is too much beautiful for a guy. Am I the only one unprepared?"
"Shh! We'll talk about it later"
Jen started by simple stretches like Neck , Shoulder stretch, Chest and other practices – which were very hard for Kat at first. She did some hard working out as well before finishing up with everybody's favourite Side bend stretch and Butterfly stretch.
Now Kat could understand why guys threw themselves in the front row, there was nothing to do with their respect for girls or any crap they bluffed about. They all wanted to be close to the instructor.
They all knew that Jen would be showing them how to do it and wanted to be in the front row of the show. The way they were paying attention to that Yoga screamed their dirty truth to Kat. It was evident that they couldn't get more of Jen.
If she knew their intentions as Kat now knows or if she was having innocent thoughts like Priya was is up for debate. She didn't seem to concerned about what they would think of her body, it was already perfect. She was the only one who dressed for the occasion properly but with loose workout suit
Kat believed if Jen knee their intentions and went on with it she was dirty. If she was actually innocent then she was dumb. Either way the stretch time was over.
As it was basic, most of the guys didn't sweat and so they went back to their respective jobs. There were two bathrooms for anyone who needed to take a quick shower.
Kat craved it but without preparation she had to cancel it until she was back in her apartment. For the coming days she would be prepared, she saw them drawers where people keep some sensitive stuff, like clothes. Hers was empty.
××××××××
Kat didn't have much to do for her first day. She spent most of it looking at how the marketing department operated and playing some games to familiarize herself with the company and it's products. She was given all brands of phones to try out with.
"You have all these phones lying around the office? I almost feel like I should have stolen one, they are better than my cracked low performance cell", she said admiring one. Hers was wanting but still operating.
"You are free to pick whichever works best for you, everybody does that on their first day here. Look around and see the types of phones we own, they're all free given"
"Will they subtract from my salary? Can I take it home with me?", Kat was enthusiastic again. She finally had a chance to get her dream phone. Her upgrade to iPhone was long overdue.
"Yes dummy, just go to finance section and ask for any phone model and brand you like. You will have it on your desk by tomorrow morning "
"It almost feels impossible working here, how do you guys make money anyway? I know sources but how particularly to this firm? I mean high revenues to keep innovations flowing and salaries at the top. I didn't know games do pay that much"
"In app purchases for items and initial purchase deposited direct to company's account. We do run adverts for free versions of the games and mostly offline games . The whole thing is here", Priya said passing to her a handbook.
Bruno needed to know if she could score a lift from Priya. They don't live in the same neighborhood but she does help him out when in need. She basically gets to her home and lets him drive to his house and pick her up the next morning. They are somewhat friends.
"Can I score a ride today? My car broke down", he begged. Priya looked at Lee for comment then said.
"You have to buy another one dude, I am like your designated driver/ mother by now. If you have to drag your feet or catch an Uber I don't care.
(She then faked sympathy)
I actually have to lag a bit so I don't think you can wait for me . Call for a ride"
"That's what I was avoiding but it's fine"
"How did you get to work anyway?"
"Lee, he swore that I'll not step foot in his car again"
"What a dush!"
"My bad, he warned me that there was a problem with my car almost a month ago and I ignored it. Kinda feels like I deserve that"
"Definately", Lee chimed in.
Kat was listening to people with cars brag about how they didn't have a way to get home. It felt like pretence.
Maybe one of this days she would get a vesper or a bike. Anything to make her trips less costly. To make herself feel better she thought ' it's for the climate '
Only if she knew her worries were going to end. That she would meet a friend coming far from her. That she would not spend a dime on transport anymore.
She once had a car. She used to be driven anywhere she wanted. How her life took a drastic change nobody knows. A secret she was willing to die with than tell to anyone.
Not like she didn't have more secrets. That was just impactful and the most costly one to keep. As long as it was safe , she was too.
×××××
After working hours were over, Kat requested for the phone of her dreams. She then remained with Priya in the office until it was dark. She was helping her prepare a list of countries where a game was underperforming and how to strategically place ads for the game .
It was then that they continued their gossip about Jen, a subject of Kat's interest . She couldn't have controlled her urge to know about Jen, maybe she hoped to get clarity or maybe how to approach her.
Truth might be that she wanted to defeat her. The attention and respect Jen was getting was a power she would have liked for herself. A thing Priya had warned against - not to make Jen her enemy. Because Jen doesn't make enemies, she's all about work.
"I didn't get to ask you, are they two dating?", Kat started.