"Excuse me. Can I sit here" A man's voice was heard, startling her slightly.
Her eyes travel up and meet his. His hand clasped on the phone as he tapped his finger repeatedly.
[Oh It's Mr. Choi]
He stood there pursing his lips. Jennifer's eyes darted around to notice that the other tables were already occupied.
He looks back briefly.
[Can those women stop looking at me now!]
She moves her head in approval, "Yes you can take the seat across the table.". Her voice sounds plain, throwing Han Gyeol into a pit of nervousness.
[Well…at least she agreed.]
The chair drags, causing her shoulders to rise as her eyebrows furrow. He noticed her reaction as he dragged the chair.
[Shoot. I'm cooked!]
"My apologies.", he takes his seat, and the chair creaks ever so slightly. He puts his lunchbox on the table while Jennifer chews on her food silently. The silence was deafening.
"Are you perhaps… upset with me?", he stares at his hands, his head downturns.
She narrows her eyes and shakes her head, "No. Not at all. I have no reason to be upset with you."
[Hmm… something tells me that his girlfriend isn't the only problem here.]
"Do you mind if I sit at the same table as you during the break?"
"Actually, I barely know anyone here… I promise won't bother you at all." He raises his eyebrows with wide eyes.
She looks upwards in deep thought.
[Should I say yes? No, I think I should set some conditions first. I'm already torn from all the rumors and accusations.]
"Yes, but I seem to have a conditions for interactions. You may only sit in front or any other place instead of sitting beside me.", her body leans back on the chair as her elbow rests on the top back of the chair.
[I wonder when he'll reveal his true self.]
Jennifer narrows her eyes and munches on her sandwich
"I have absolutely no objections to that.", The corners of his mouth turn up as his eyes shine.
[He's too good to be true.]
Han Gyeol glances at the back every few moments, tapping his feet
Both of them eat in silence. None of them has any idea how to carry on the conversation. Despite the confusion, Jennifer makes an effort.
"Are you perhaps… uncomfortable because of the torture joke earlier. If so, I understand it because my humor may not be everyone's cup of tea." Pursing her lips, she twisted her hair with her finger.
Han Gyeol narrows his eyes.
"I do admit that it was slightly startling… but, you didn't mean ill intent. Instead, I might look forward to more of it." He lets out a low chuckle as he takes a bite of his food.
[That almost made me want to let my guard down. Get a grip, Jennifer!]
Jennifer's eyes travel from his head to toe. She keenly looks for something repulsive.
[Why is she looking at me like this? Did I do anything again?]
Jennifer takes a look at his watch. Her supercomputer of a brain starts its processing.
[Is that a Rol*x? It's usually the wealthy ones who are caught tweaking.]
His hair looked well-brushed as some strands rested on his forehead.
[Where did he get his haircut from? Changbin salon?]
The awkward exchange of glances triggered many questions in their birdbrains.
Han Gyeol shifted in his chair, "Do you…need anything –"
Jennifer ends up dazed in deep thought, unaware of what is about to slip up.
"Changbin salon", her eyes widen and she covers her mouth.
Han Gyeol's coffee ended up entering the wrong tube, triggering a coughing fit.
[Why did my internal monologue leak at this very moment!? There goes my chance to create a different image of myself.]
Upon witnessing this reaction, he let out a laugh. In no time, this laugh turned into a mutual glee.
[Is this the same person who's called the Grip Reaper?]
He wipes a tear from his eyes and gazes at her as she shakes her head, covering her face.
[Who knew that she'd be a stay?]
During this instance, Jennifer senses a pair of eyes stealing glances at a distance.
Her lips purse and she shifts in her seat. "Excuse me, I'd like to take my leave."
Jennifer walks swiftly, swifter than Taylor. Her eyebrows rise upwards to increase concentration. She walks outside the cafeteria towards the window. Her eyebrows furrow and her eyes narrow.
"I'm sure I felt someone's presence there, how come is there no one here?"
She shuts her eyes briefly and exhales quietly.
Meanwhile, in the cafeteria, Han Gyeol is left on the table alone, but not for too long.
His eyebrows furrow as he gnaws "Why did she leave so abruptly?".
The chairs next to him drag and he feels presences around him.
"Hey, Choi intern. How did you bag her?" a charming man stood beside him.
Han Gyeol's eyes shoot up as he faces the masculine, sharp-featured man.
"Bag? It's not anything like that." Han Gyeol shakes his hands with widened eyes.
The man chuckles and tilts his head "It's not normal to see her interacting with a man this way."
Another man with glasses and an average build puts his hand on his shoulder.
"He's right. Would you believe that a man like him had been rejected by her, twice!"
Han Gyeol tilts his head "Uh… it's honestly not like that. She's just a senior I respect."
"Hah. You don't know how cruel she can be to men." The man leans closer.
"Maybe try not to touch her to get her attention then." Two women in formal wear walk towards the table.
Han Gyeol gulps and fidgets with his hands "Oh no, not women. Dad help me".
"Ms. Kang is right. Our head is an open-minded and strong-willed woman. Though it's scary to interact with her… she's still amazing." The other girl with air bangs and a ponytail
Han Gyeol's eyes dart between the women and the men as they continue to create tension.
[Frick this hell I'm out of here]
Han Gyeol recoils and narrows his eyes. He slowly scoots away from the table while picking up his lunchbox.
He looks at both sides and slowly gets up. He walks as fast as he can and returns to his cubicle. "Phew! What is wrong with some people.".
He rubs his chin and narrows his eyes "Why did she leave like that?"
He walks towards the backside of the office. A woman rests her arms on the metal reeling. He could hear sniffles from afar.
His brows twist and eyes widen "Ms. Jennifer?"