"Are they dating?"
(She was referring to Gunn and his assistant Jen)
"Not that I know of. Rumours has it that she actually had been here from the start and seen him with a lot of girls. He is kinda lady's person, fuckboy you know?
(Priya smiles)
I don't think she would let him see other girls. At first I thought they were family, that could explain the beauty they both posses. I can tell they are close but the kind of relationship they have is a mystery.
I tried poking around from the guys but they as well think Jen is just his friend. They are not familiar because they don't have similar surname"
"What if they dated before and it didn't work out? Maybe they were an item at the start. Met as lovers then evolved to friends. Or if they are playing us", Kat couldn't get satisfaction from the little given. She needed to make her own conclusions to what could or couldn't be.
"That's your own mind certifying something which is not there, they are just friends from what I know.
(A gasp when she continues)
Would you work with your ex every day and watch him bring other girls to his office next to you? Because I would have spit on at least five. (Kat gets stunned) Don't act like you thought he had been with three girls. I have seen more than ten.
(Kat fights the idea of Gunn bringing many girls. She kinda wanted her vision of him to be that of innocent guy)
She might have served them coffee back then, nowadays she is just too bossy like she own the damn place.
If they ever were an item it would be all over the place, they would have some kind of weird chemistry going on. Their relationship seems way solid.
(Kat struggles to accept that those two has never dated. They are just naturally a match. )
I know you can't shake it off how that is the case when they are like of the same kind but maybe they are not each other's type. Have you ever heard of that?"
"They must have very unique tastes then because I think if I was one of them I would definately date the other one"
(Both laughs to the truth)
" You are the worst, is it love or hate talking?If there is no connection they can't force of . My wild guess is that Jen refused to date him because of his playboy stereotype "
"I am missionary type of girl so you can imagine Jen out of my picture.
Maybe. I am more concerned about Jen than I am Gunn because she is like my competition while he is my target. Not in a sexual kinda way "
"Embrace it , I will not judge. I still think of him as hot although I have my Young. Those kind of thoughts are part of us . You should never feel ashamed of telling the truth.
Of all the guys in here you are more concerned with Jen? Not even smoking hot Gunn? What's your obsession with her?"
"Admiration, jealousy, liking her life? I just wish to be like her, she's cool. Haven't you seen her body and the power she commands? I'm guilty of my obsession with her, it's not cool
PS, I find Gunn hot too but just not my target. If I can't reach to him with beauty them my clean work will."
" Go girl. If you get to him just do everything for us two, what I failed to.
It's offensive talking about another girl like that but true, we all at some point wanted to be friends with her. When it backfired we wanted to be her foe but the stakes were too high for us .
Because you are new here I will not tell you what is and is not achievable, all Gunn cares about is person's input to the company. If you manage to beat her in that maybe you can take her place.
Let me warm you though that she has more than you have, power, favoritism and status. I don't think it's easy to compete with that"
" I don't want to take what she has, I just want to make a name for myself and make more money in the process. My line of work and that of hers is very different, outperforming her is easier than you think.
I care less about favoritism, I want to be the best and make some cash in the process "
"Why money? Why not anything else, like power or Gunn's favor like we all wish for? I mean, he likes everybody but not like her"
Kat knows how to manipulate the truth to hide some. She had to brush through it to Priya without revealing most sensitive stuff.
"You already told me your secret, I have to share mine too.
I come from a different class of people than you guys. All that separates us is how much our families have and mare stuff like that, I want to break it"
"We are not all that rich. Rather than Gunn, his hackers and selected number of geniuses we are all but simple"
"I heard you guys talk about cars and stuff like that, I am barely surviving with a roommate in basic neighborhood. I have not paid rent for almost five months now and if this one is not paid I'll be evacuated.
Do you know what that means? I bet you have no idea"
"Right, I can not lie that I have had that kind of life but it's all not about money. You seem like a great friend and have a huge heart inviting everybody.
On the surface you don't look like you are struggling at all. If you ever need some kind of handout to solve your immediate problems I am your girl.
And just know that your secret is safe with me. I think you should do what you have to in order to make it, I'll not be insensitive about your motivation anymore. That's what brought you here and you should get it."
"How can you be that calm? I'm sorry for offloading my garbage to you like that . I actually don't need a handout, the landlord is cool with waiting "
"What about food and upkeep?"
"I took care of that before this job. I was working like three shifts a day and saving it for my upkeep. I'll wait for the salary"
"Right, should we go out? I think it's too late already"
"Of course, I wanted to help you finish that before going out. I kinda felt like I am the reason for your delay, I bugged you all day"
The two went out. Gunn's office was lit but there was no sign of Jen by then. If there was anybody else in the office it would be the people from finance. Their office was lit too.
"Is he still in there?"
"Yes, he can be workaholic at times. When he has a new idea keeping him up at night he works until the morning, as some of his friends informed us.
He is in conference room with his coders probably working"
"He sounds remarkable "
"I know, do you have a car? Sorry, that was insensitive of me. See you around "
At the parking lot, Kat said goodbye to her new friend and they parted ways. She called for an Uber and went straight home. The first day was over but her life was still a living hell. She had so much to do for herself, her father and her heart. The last bit was yet to be revealed to her.
She forgot one principle , that the heart is not soft and smooth. It's hard as diamond when it sets it's standards. Hers had already chosen, the body was the one ignoring the truth.
××××××××
"Hey!" Ana shouted.
"Hi.", Raj tiptoed in.
"What may I get you?"
"The usual"
"Back at you", Ana scooped ice cubes and then poured the drink. Raj had huge smirk on his face as he tasted it. His face lit even more.
He commented, "Don't laugh, I thought my eyes would require lenses. You do know how I despise them"
"Hahaha right. What were you asking for yesterday?"
"Insights. I think the girl on your phone works at our firm"
"So? Gosh! Are you fucking kidding me right now?"
"Don't be smartass Ana, I want to know everything about her."
"You like her? I kinda knew it, it never was about me but hey! I'm cool with that.
How much", she asked.
"What?"
"Money. I can't reveal her secrets for free Mr. I must get something out of this arrangement. We are not friends."
"Cruel. We are more than friends, right?"
"Just because I slept with you doesn't mean I owe you anything. As matter of fact, you do owe me big time.
I kinda have slept with ten guys after you, give or take. We might be equal "
"I loathe that image on my mind. Okay."
"This much? You must be desperate dude. Buckle up, we are getting to the real show"
"Hope it's worth my while."
"You little devil, what saw you?"
"Just waiting for your reply"
"I don't know her much but I'll poke around her things and ask for some details. When the shit gets out of hand just don't mention me, she must hate me enough already."
"Why?"
"Obvious, I don't do anything in the apartment. She is like my mother, don't make her leave"
"Okay. My family wants to see me, talk later"
"What's with you and your family? Can't they let you at least finish?", Jokes Ana. A joke so real that Raj felt humiliated.
"See you around Ana"
"Same", she replied as he excused himself.
When they .met, a couple of months ago, Raj kinda dated her for a week or so. They didn't go home but did their affairs in Raj's car.
His family used to call time to time asking for his whereabouts. In that specific day, he was still at it with Ana when they called for the second time that evening. That's why Ana used it to intimidate Raj. They ended it next day but kept friendship going.