The office of Rika was adorned with a professional aura, neat and organized. Max sat at his desk, diligently scribbling on the paperwork in a clear folder. The soft glow of the desk lamp highlighted his focused expression as he worked on the material for the presentation.
Breaking the silence, Max spoke with a sense of accomplishment, "This is the material for the presentation tomorrow. I've corrected the places you asked for." He handed over the folder to Rika, who was seated gracefully at her desk. She closed a big black briefcase, her eyes scanning the documents Max had prepared.
"Max," Rika called his name, and he walked up to her desk, his heart slightly fluttering in anticipation of what she might say next. "Can you take this to the Ford Office that you went to before?" Rika asked, extending the briefcase toward him. Max took it with a nod, his mind already planning his route.
"I'll go immediately," Max replied, eager to fulfill the task assigned to him. He gathered his belongings from his desk, ready to leave, but then Rika's next words gave him pause. "You can go home afterwards." It was a simple statement, but it carried a hint of detachment that left Max feeling a mix of emotions.
As he stood there, torn between leaving and staying, Max couldn't help but wonder if Rika was trying to avoid him or distance herself in some way. His heart ached at the thought, unsure of the reason behind her behavior. He tried to hide his feelings, but they were evident in the slight crease that appeared on his forehead and the way his gaze drifted downward, lost in uncertainty.
"Thank you for your hard work today," Rika's words interrupted his internal turmoil momentarily. Gathering his courage, Max spoke up hesitantly, "Umm... I don't need the salary. Can I still come to work tomorrow?" His voice quivered ever so slightly, revealing the depth of his concern.
Rika paused, and the room fell into an intense silence, both of them locking eyes. Max continued, his words tinged with a touch of vulnerability, "There's still unfinished work and lots of things I can learn from here." His voice trailed off, hoping to convey his earnest desire to remain a part of this place, even if it meant sacrificing his salary.
But Rika's response was not what he had hoped for. She interrupted him gently, saying his name with a hint of melancholy, as if trying to dissuade him from continuing down this path. Max's heart sank further, his head bowing slightly in response to the weight of emotions swirling inside him.
"I'm not good enough?" Max's question lingered in the air, his voice soft but filled with a sense of self-doubt. The tension in the room was palpable as Rika sighed deeply, grappling with her own thoughts and emotions. The silence stretched, leaving Max in suspense, until he finally whispered, "Can't I beat that person?"
It was a moment of vulnerability and honesty, as Max bared his soul to the woman he admired. Rika continued to gaze at him, her expression softening, torn between her own feelings and the professional boundaries she had to maintain. The atmosphere turned slightly dramatic, each heartbeat echoing the intensity of the unspoken emotions in that fleeting moment.
☘
As the picture frame laid on the floor, Evie's emotions erupted like a volcano. She picked up a bag of chips from her desk, munching on them furiously as she ranted, "What's so great about a 30-year-old woman?! She might be working and has money but so what?!"
Edward, ever the agreeable sidekick, nodded vigorously and chimed in, "You're right, absolutely right." He grabbed a teapot and poured hot tea into Evie's mug with a flourish, adopting a subservient demeanor. "Your skin is so smooth, madame," he cooed, attempting to flatter her.
But his attempt at flattery took a wrong turn when he decided to caress Evie's hand against his face, trying to showcase his affection in a silly manner. In response, Evie's fist connected with his face like a bolt of lightning, sending Edward stumbling into another chair, nursing the pain.
Despite the punch, Evie carried on with her rant, asserting, "My skin and hair are definitely smoother than hers!" Edward tried to redeem himself, placing a hot pot on the table and assuring, "Your skin is exceptionally smooth, madame," but the moment he reached to touch it again, he received another punch, this time knocking some sense into him.
Unfazed, Evie's anger shifted gears towards Max. "And Max too! Why doesn't he realize that she's just playing with him?" she exclaimed, frustration lacing her words. Edward, still recovering from the punch, chipped in, "That guy is an idiot, so it can't be helped."
Completely agreeing, Evie shouted, "He really is! Max, you idiot!" But she didn't stop there; she repeated the phrase with increasing fervor, "Max, you idiot! Idiot! Idiot!" Each time she said it, the intensity grew, and it was both amusing and alarming to witness her outburst.
☘
As Honey and Carlo continued their leisurely stroll through the market, Honey couldn't help but wear a radiant smile on her face. She felt genuinely happy and grateful that Carlo was taking the time to tour her around, showing her all the beautiful places and helping her find souvenirs for Arthur. Each moment spent with him was like a precious memory she wanted to cherish forever.
Their wanderings eventually led them to an arcade, filled with flashing lights and the sounds of excitement. One game in particular caught their attention – "The Ocean Hunter." As they stepped up to the game console, they transformed into scuba divers on a thrilling underwater adventure. Together, they aimed their harpoons at colorful fish, sharks, and other creatures, competing playfully to see who could catch the most.
In the midst of their intense gameplay, Honey couldn't contain her curiosity any longer. She turned to Carlo with bright eyes and asked, "Is the real ocean as pretty as this game portrays it to be?" Carlo, focused on the game but still attentive to her question, responded, "What do you mean?"
Honey explained, "I haven't had the chance to see the ocean in person yet." Carlo's surprise was evident in his gaze, and he momentarily paused the game to give her his full attention. "Really?" he said, genuinely taken aback.
Honey nodded shyly, feeling a mix of excitement and slight disappointment. She had always dreamed of seeing the ocean, but her life in Crescendo had not afforded her the opportunity. It was both thrilling and bittersweet to be with Carlo, experiencing these new things together.
Carlo returned to the game, shooting at a virtual shark, and added, "Well, to be honest, Crescendo's oceans aren't the most picturesque. They might not seem very pretty in your eyes, Honey."
Honey's once exuberant expression wavered slightly, but she brushed it off with a small smile. She was grateful for Carlo's honesty, even though it meant her dreams of a picturesque ocean were somewhat diminished. Despite that, the bond between them was growing stronger with each passing moment, and it made her heart flutter with happiness and a touch of melancholy at the same time.
The crane machine held a captivating display of prizes behind its transparent glass, and among them was a gleaming pearl necklace inside a small, elegant box. Honey's eyes sparkled with delight as she leaned in closer, her face pressed against the glass in awe. "That's adorable!" she exclaimed, unable to hide her excitement.
Carlo, standing beside her, couldn't resist the opportunity to make her happy. He saw her smile and decided to take on the challenge. "I'll grab one for you," he confidently declared. Honey turned to look at him with gratitude and a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "Can you grab it?" she asked, her voice filled with admiration.
Carlo replied with a self-assured tone, "Yes. It's a piece of cake." However, it quickly became apparent that it was anything but. As Carlo attempted to maneuver the crane, it seemed like the necklace was playing a game of hide-and-seek with him, eluding his grasp each time.
Amused, Honey observed Carlo's persistence, realizing that maybe winning the necklace wasn't going to be as easy as he thought. "Carlo, it's okay," she reassured him. But Carlo was determined to succeed. "What are you talking about?" he said, his determination unwavering. "I already got the key strategy, so it won't be a problem anymore."
Confidently, he showed the last token he had in hand, ready to give it one last shot. Carlo's hands shook slightly as he inserted the token into the console, taking a deep breath to steady himself. He carefully calculated the position of the necklace and the crane, trying to anticipate the perfect moment to make the move. Then, with a burst of determination, he pressed the button.
But alas, instead of grabbing the pearl necklace, the crane surprisingly picked up a sapphire ring from behind it. Carlo's face fell in frustration, and he sighed, "Geez. It's not this one." He retrieved the sapphire ring and handed it to Honey with a mix of disappointment and despair on his face. "Sorry. I'm not in my best state today," he admitted.
However, Honey's smile never wavered. She accepted the sapphire ring with a gentle nod and said, "Can I have this?" Carlo was taken aback by her request but quickly recovered, his eyes softening with fondness. "Eh? Is that one okay?" he asked in surprise. Honey nodded, her smile brighter than ever. At that moment, Carlo realized that even though he hadn't won the pearl necklace, he had won something more precious – Honey's heart.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm golden glow over the market, Honey and Carlo strolled hand in hand through the bustling streets. The market was starting to wind down, and people were returning to their homes with their purchases. Honey and Carlo carried their shopping bags filled with various treasures they had discovered during their day together.
Honey's eyes still glimmered with excitement as she gently cradled the box containing the beautiful blue sapphire ring. Her smile was radiant, and she seemed lost in her own little world of happiness. As they walked, she couldn't help but steal glances at the ring, admiring its sparkle. "That game is a little tormenting, right?" she said with a playful giggle.
Carlo chuckled softly, his heart warmed by her infectious joy. He gazed at her affectionately and replied, "Why do you say that?"
Honey looked up at him, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Because what you want is right in front of you but you can't get it," she explained, making a playful pout.
Carlo couldn't help but chuckle along with her, appreciating her lightheartedness. "You're right," he said, "it was quite the challenge."
Honey continued, her voice filled with contentment and a touch of wonder, "But this is a gift from God, right? A little reward for our efforts?"
Carlo smiled warmly at her perspective. "In a way, I suppose it is," he replied, finding her outlook endearing.
Honey's smile grew even brighter as she elaborated, "A small and happy gift for those who are not good but work hard."
Carlo couldn't agree more with her sentiment, feeling a sense of gratitude for the simple joys they had shared that day. "In this world, not everyone can get what they want, right?" he said, contemplating the deeper meaning behind her words.
"Yes, because quantity is limited," Honey added thoughtfully, referring to the ice cream cakes they had indulged in earlier. "But sometimes, the most precious things are the ones that are hard to come by."
As they continued their leisurely walk, their conversation flowed effortlessly, and their laughter filled the air. The market's colorful stalls, the delicious aromas of food lingering in the air, and the sight of people going about their day added to the enchantment of the moment.
With the weight of the day's activities behind them, they found solace in each other's company. It was a beautiful evening, and the memories they had created together would remain in their hearts.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm golden glow over the market, Honey and Carlo strolled hand in hand through the bustling streets. The market was starting to wind down, and people were returning to their homes with their purchases. Honey and Carlo carried their shopping bags filled with various treasures they had discovered during their day together.
Honey's eyes still glimmered with excitement as she gently cradled the box containing the beautiful blue sapphire ring. Her smile was radiant, and she seemed lost in her own little world of happiness. As they walked, she couldn't help but steal glances at the ring, admiring its sparkle. "That game is a little tormenting, right?" she said with a playful giggle.
Carlo chuckled softly, his heart warmed by her infectious joy. He gazed at her affectionately and replied, "Why do you say that?"
Honey looked up at him, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Because what you want is right in front of you but you can't get it," she explained, making a playful pout.
Carlo couldn't help but chuckle along with her, appreciating her lightheartedness. "You're right," he said, "it was quite the challenge."
Honey continued, her voice filled with contentment and a touch of wonder, "But this is a gift from God, right? A little reward for our efforts?"
Carlo smiled warmly at her perspective. "In a way, I suppose it is," he replied, finding her outlook endearing.
Honey's smile grew even brighter as she elaborated, "A small and happy gift for those who are not good but work hard."
Carlo couldn't agree more with her sentiment, feeling a sense of gratitude for the simple joys they had shared that day. "In this world, not everyone can get what they want, right?" he said, contemplating the deeper meaning behind her words.
"Yes, because quantity is limited," Honey added thoughtfully, referring to the ice cream cakes they had indulged in earlier. "But sometimes, the most precious things are the ones that are hard to come by."
As they continued their leisurely walk, their conversation flowed effortlessly, and their laughter filled the air. The market's colorful stalls, the delicious aromas of food lingering in the air, and the sight of people going about their day added to the enchantment of the moment.
With the weight of the day's activities behind them, they found solace in each other's company. It was a beautiful evening, and the memories they had created together would remain in their hearts.