Chereads / Full Circle Love / Chapter 4 - Chapter 4: Play Pretend

Chapter 4 - Chapter 4: Play Pretend

Life had settled into a predictable rhythm. Rosel had managed to navigate the treacherous waters of avoiding Jun Yale. The man had been frequently spotted in her company to discuss the collaboration and its ongoing works. Demands of the new project consumed her, leaving little room for anything else. Formulations, verifications, meetings—it was a relentless cycle that kept her mind occupied. The fast-paced environment was a welcome distraction, blurring the lines of time and space. In an attempt to reclaim some semblance of sanity, she had retreated into a digital cocoon, silencing her phone and ignoring the mounting notifications. Her friends carried on as per usual, knowing she would be back when she was done with her work. 

A desperate need for caffeine propelled her towards the pantry. The acrid scent of instant coffee filled her nostrils as she poured herself a third cup. "Why does the CEO have to personally visit so often?" she muttered to herself, the bitter taste of the coffee mirroring her growing frustration.

Finally having some space to breathe, she opened her telegram chat, a digital abyss filled with unread messages. The group chat with Flora and Zoe, aptly named "Trios or Churros," was a chaotic whirlwind of emojis, memes, and endless banter. As she scrolled through the conversation, a particular image caught her eye, causing her to choke on her coffee. Her colleagues who were hanging out with her at the pantry sensing her distress, quickly offered tissues and concerned inquiries.

"Thanks," she managed to croak out, her voice barely audible.

Rachel, her eyes wide with excitement, pointed at the screen. "Who is that cutie!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with breathless anticipation. Her excitement was contagious, as the other girls leaned in to get a glimpse of the screen.

Rosel, still recovering from the shock of nearly choking on her coffee, snatched her phone back, scanning the messages below the image sent by Flora. "Teehee, I got you a date @Rosel. You're probably busy now but I gave him your Instagram, so check your DMs when you're back online. Love you!" Flora's message read.

Before she could process the information, her colleagues had taken control of her phone, their fingers flying across the screen as they explored her Instagram profile. "Hey! Invasion of privacy much!" Rosel protested, her voice barely audible over the cacophony of excited chatter.

"Damn, he's a nerd. A hot one. Totally your style, Rosel!" one of the girls declared. Another chimed in, "Holy shit, he's totally interested. He's even asking you out, saying he doesn't mind waiting until you're free. Talk about cute."

"You have to go, Rosel!" Rachel insisted, her voice filled with enthusiasm. Their chatters grew as Rosel felt a headache coming on. Just as she was about to respond, a deep voice cut through the conversation.

"What a lively group we have here," Jun Yale said, a chuckle following his words. Rachel, startled, stammered, "M-Mr. Yale. What brings you here?"

He raised his coffee mug in response, a silent answer to her question.

Glancing at the suddenly quiet group, Jun let out a low chuckle. "I see Ms. Rosel is quite popular," he remarked, a hint of amusement in his voice. If this was his attempt at mocking her, it was subtle, but it stung nonetheless. A wave of irritation washed over Rosel, dredging up unpleasant memories.

Standing up abruptly, she plastered a forced smile on her face. "I am at that age after all," she replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Nice to see you're still as friendly as ever, Mr. Yale. But pardon me, I have work to do." With that, she grabbed her phone and coffee, making a hasty retreat to her desk. The moment she was out of earshot, the mask of professionalism slipped, replaced by a scowl. 'Popular, what a joke coming from him,' she muttered to herself.

Sensing the awkward tension, Rachel and the other girls quickly excused themselves, leaving Jun alone in the pantry. A fond smile crept onto his face as he watched Rosel storm away. 'Her temper is still the same,' he thought, a touch of nostalgia in his voice. She was like autumn, unpredictable and captivating in equal measure. He poured himself a cup of coffee, savouring the warmth in his hands. This unexpected encounter had been a pleasant surprise. With a renewed sense of purpose, he returned to the meeting room, a smirk playing on his lips. 'It might be worth coming down here more often,' he mused.

"Can you believe that's what he said!" Rosel exclaimed, her voice echoing through the phone. The pent-up frustration of the day was finally spilling over. The decision to leave work early was impulsive, but it was exactly what she needed. With a swift motion, she packed her belongings, eager to escape the confines of the office.

Zoe, currently engrossed in a Netflix binge, turned her attention to the phone. "You know, I've realised he has a weird way of showing affection. Like, he teases you relentlessly for no apparent reason."

Flora, multitasking like a pro while applying eyeliner, chimed in, "Remember how he would randomly pull you away from us when we were walking home from school? He was so dramatic."

Rosel hugged her soft toy shark tighter, seeking comfort in its familiar presence. Was she overreacting? Perhaps. After all, they are business partners now. The past was just that—the past.

A sudden interruption from Flora pulled Rosel from her thoughts. "Babe! Coming!" she said, her voice muffled. A few moments later, Flora was back on the line. "Sorry, girls. Gotta run. Oh, and Rosel, you should definitely go on that date. You deserve it!"

With Flora off the line, Rosel and Zoe were left alone. Zoe paused her show, her expression turning serious. "Look, Rosel, you're strong. You can handle this. Don't let him get to you."

Rosel managed a sad smile. "I know. You two are my rocks."

They chatted for another hour, their conversation a soothing balm to Rosel's frayed nerves. As the night deepened, they agreed to call it a night, both looking forward to a fresh start the following day.

The following morning, Rosel woke up feeling refreshed. The weight of yesterday's events seemed to have lifted, replaced by a sense of determination. She decided to approach the day with a fresh perspective. After all, work was work, and personal feelings should be kept separate.

As she arrived at the office, she was greeted by a flurry of emails and notifications. Among them was a message from Flora, a link to an article about the company's new project. Curious, Rosel clicked on it. The article highlighted the potential impact of the project on the skincare industry, emphasising the collaborative efforts between the two companies.

A pang of realisation hit her. She was caught in a professional relationship with Jun, a relationship that was becoming increasingly complex. The more she tried to avoid him, the more their paths seemed to intertwine. It was time to face her fears and address the situation head-on.

With a deep breath, Rosel resolved to approach Jun with professionalism and maturity. She would not let her personal feelings interfere with their work. Playing pretend as a kid and as an adult was definitely different but she exhaled, she would be fine, this was just another game, another day.