Right There Waiting

My online boyfriend suddenly sent me a photo of his luncha steaming hot steak fresh off the grill.

[Praise me, baby! I'm being a good boy and eating my lunch!]

I was just about to send 'good boy' when my eyes darted downward, and I saw the conspicuous red letters on the edge of his plate.

Mike Tech.

What a coincidenceI worked at Mike Tech too

My heart skipped a beat as I froze right then, my mind going blank.

But could it be?

My online boyfriend, whom I had met over a year ago was right there beside me?

Chapter 1

At lunch, I was hiding in the office cafeteria, leisurely slicing into my steak.

Remembering how he always told me he never had time for lunch, I sent a text to remind him.

[Eat no matter how busy you are. Be a good boy, okay?]

My phone screen lit up again in less than ten minutes.

[Yes, baby. I'm eating like a good boy. Praise me~]

There was even a photo with it, and I tapped in to see that it was a steak, fresh from the kitchen and piping hot.

I was just going to praise him, but the more I stared at the photo, the more I found it strange.

After looking at it for a long while, I finally noticed why it looked familiar, as the red letters Mike Tech was imprinted on the edge of his plate.

Wasn't that where I worked?

I looked down at my plate, and then the photo on my phone, my steak suddenly losing its flavor.

The cafeteria was strictly reserved for employees, and no one else could get in.

In other words, my online boyfriend might be working in the same building!

Even as I turned numb, his texts came one after the other.

[Why aren't you answering, baby? (pout)]

[I'm really eating, you know (Sob)]

[Was it something I said? (Nervous)]

I had yet to recover from the shock, as I was aware that he lived in the same city, but not that he worked in the same building too!

[Baby, where do you work?]

[Baby, are you in Mike Tech right now?]

I kept drafting and deleting those messages repeatedly, having no idea how I should phrase my question.

And if I asked, he'd definitely ask where I work.

Wouldn't I be dead if he worked in Mike Tech too? What if he traced the clues and reached me?

Just remembering the cute emojis and how I flirted with a male colleague made me embarrassed.

Before I could think of anything, he sent more texts.

[Why are you ignoring me, baby? Are you having lunch with another man!!!]

[What happened? You're scaring me]

I had to salvage the situation and calmed myself as I replied: [I was eating, so I didn't see the text. Good boy (headpats)]

He was at once pleased.

[Hehe. Just had my fillI'm going back to work.]

I breathed a long sigh and looked around the cafeteria.

The other employees had mostly leftit was just other ladies and a white-haired geezer, and I didn't think there was any resemblance at all.

Forcing myself to calm down again, I decided I had three begging questions.

First of all, who was he?

Second, was he reliable?

Third, if we did meet in real life, should we keep dating or end it all? After all, it would be so awkward to meet him every day.

Just looking back in our past year, I realized how fiercely we guarded our respective privacy.

We had never sent photos of our faces or exchanged names and addresses, and the only clue I had was the pictures he sent of his abs after I insisted.

But how would I identify him with that? I couldn't lift the shirt of every male employee in the building, could I?

Returning to my cubicle, I couldn't help but shudder as I looked at the male colleagues, always bantering and teasing each other around me.

Chapter 2

If my 'baby' was really one of them, I would die.

I hence began to swipe through our chat records with a frenzy, hoping for a little clue and I really did find one.

Last month, he was looking for a cup at the mall and sent a ton of photos.

[Shopping with friends and I'm thinking about getting a cup. Pick a pretty one for me, and I'll buy one for you too.]

I eventually picked a lacquered titanium cup, but I refused a gift as I didn't want to reveal my address.

Even so, he bought it. [My baby picked it, so it'd definitely be great.]

And now, I just had to check who was using one!

Still, I didn't notice the cup even after walking around the office a few times, and I sent a probing message: [Are you still using that cup?]

His reply came instantly.

[I am! It's really great!]

He even sent a photo of it on a desk, but for some reason, I couldn't match it with anyone's desk.

Even as I was left bemused, I received a direct message on workplace software from my ever-serious boss, Neil Forest.

[There's an issue with the proposal. Please come to my office.]

As I entered, I found Neil on a call, his voice soft completely unlike his usual tone.

"Yeah, babeI miss you too. Drop by my office tomorrow Yeah, Carl's coming too. You can hitch a ride.

"I mean, I'm worried you'll get tired from drivingyes, yes, okay. You're the boss! Drive safe. I'll go back to work now. Mwah!!!"

I promptly turned to look outside the window.

It was just so cringeworthy, and I certainly didn't expect my usually ice-cold boss to be that clingy in private.

That was when Neil cleared his throat after hanging up, once again the calm and composed superior as he said, "The investor has already checked out our proposal and was mostly satisfied, but there are details that need adjustments. I've marked them, so edit them later."

"Yes, Mr. Forest," I replied.

I was ready to leave when I noticed the cup placed at a corner of his desk out of the corner of my eye.

Pure titanium, lacquered, and the exact same design that I had picked for my online boyfriend.

Thunderstruck, I froze on the spot.

Seeing that I wasn't leaving, Neil looked up. "What?"

I forced myself to stay calm and pointed at the cup. "That's quite a special cup. Where did you get it?"

Neil nonchalantly mentioned the very same mall and grinned so broadly that his eyes creased like crescents. "What, you want one too?"

I was speechless but quickly shook my head. "Nothing Just asking."

With those words, I virtually fled Neil's office, as all I could think of was the ridiculous idea that Neil was my online boyfriend.

But if I was his girlfriend, then who did he just call 'babe'?

Could he be two timing?!

I felt like I had imploded and drifted around like I had lost my soul.

Naturally, I didn't answer any of my online boyfriend's texts.

I pulled myself together to fix the proposal and headed home, feeling completely drained.

Through it all, my screen kept flashingall texts from my online boyfriend.

[Are you busy, babe?]

[Where are you, baby?]

[Why are you ignoring me?]

[You're acting strange today. Was it something I did? Just tell me, and I'll definitely fix it!]

[Say something! You're scaring me!]

My finger tips twitching, I sent a cool line back.

[Is there something you've been keeping from me?]

The response was instantaneous: [No way! I'm always serious and honest about you. Is there a misunderstanding here?]

[Nope.]

I took a deep breath, doing my best to quell my messy thoughts.

Chapter 3

Since I was mostly sure that Neil was my online boyfriend, the priority was to find out if he was really two-timingand who on earth 'babe' was.

After all, what if I was just being paranoid?

Soon, he sent another message.

[By the way, your favorite brand just launched a new series. Which one do you like? I'll wear it!]

I looked at the photos attached and picked a black needle knit sweater with a label over the chestthe type one could recognize in public right away.

I was still holding out hope that I'd gotten it wrong and Neil wouldn't be wearing it, so that I didn't have to worry about him being a two-timing jerk.

Next morning, I brought the edited proposal to Neil's office, where he sat leisurely on the couch, sipping tea.

And he was indeed wearing the black knitted sweater I had picked yesterday.

In fact, it was so black it hurt.

"The proposal is fixed, Mr. Forest," I called out.

Neil looked up and smiled mildly at me. "Thanks, Winnie. Get readythe investors will be visiting this afternoon."

"Okay," I replied, still staring at the sweater, and asked seemingly nonchalantly, "I've never seen you wear that, sir. It looks good on you."

He smiled. "Just bought it yesterday."

This time, my heart truly sankhe really was my Puppy.

I couldn't focus on work at all when I returned to my cubicle, and I found myself peeking at Neil's office repeatedly.

He said that he'd be meeting his 'babe' today, and I would most definitely like to meet her.

If the truth was as I'd imagined, our relationship would have run its course.

An hour later, a lady with a beautiful face and an exquisite fashion taste strutted into Neil's office.

I headed over, standing outside while pretending to fetch a drink from the pantry.

The door was ajar, and I could hear laughter from within. "I missed you so much, dear. And you look gorgeous in that sweaterblack really suits you a lot."

Neil's voice was quiet and affectionate. "As long as you like itI've even chosen it specifically. So, we're meeting your parents tonight? Ugh, I'm worried they won't like me."

"No way! My parents will definitely be supportive and agree with my judgement."

Those words left me feeling like I was bludgeoned on the chest.

So he was just asking me to pick his battle armor while he charmed another woman's parents.

Well, what was I? A backup plan for him to curb his boredom?

Whipping out my phone at the next second, I fought against my disgust and sent a text. [You make me sick. I'm breaking up with you!]

Once sent, I blocked his number in one fluid motion.

Soon, Neil arrived, holding the woman's hand and affectionately escorting her upstairs, clearly not looking like he had just been dumped.

I smiled wryly as I felt like a clown.

Just remembering the year's worth of sweet nothings left me teary-eyed, but on the bright side, I had only stayed in touch with him using my backup number.

Otherwise, heaven knew how awkward it would be if he caught me.

Hence, I took solace in the thought that I could make up for my defeat in romance by succeeding in my career.

And as a mature, rational woman, I couldn't just throw away my job over something so stupid.

In the afternoon, Neil texted me.

[Winnie, come in to fill our investor with the details. He thinks our project has potential.]

I composed myself and headed into Neil's office like nothing ever happened.

"Oh, Winnie! This is Carl Graham, a representative of our investors and my childhood friend. There's no need to be waryjust tell him everything you have in mind."

Brushing past Neil to look at the man on the couch, I froze when our eyes met.

Unlike Neil's warm, cheery personality, Carl carried himself with a cool, noble presence that kept people at arm's reach.

Chapter 4

Carl wore a dark suit matched with a black body-hugging turtleneck sweater.

The outline of his musculature was faintly discernable, giving him the look of strength which his suit packaged just right.

He really was attractive

Even as he picked up his teacup with those perfectly chiseled hands and took a sip, I gulped unwittingly, feeling a little intimidated by his regal presence.

Still, I started to speak eloquently under Neil's urgingI became confident once we moved on to my speciality.

After I finished, Neil led the applause. "Beautiful, Winnie! What do you think, Carl?"

We both turned toward Carl at the same time to see Carl staring fixedly at my neck.

Suddenly and seemingly out of nowhere, he said, "That's quite the special necklace, Ms. James."

I looked downwards to see that the crystal pendant was hanging out, as the neckline of my dress was lower today.

My heart skipped a beat, because I had once sent Puppy a photo of me wearing it when I bought it, captioning it: [Look, Puppy! Don't you think my necklace is beautiful?]

His reply at the time was: [Anything you wear is the most beautiful.]

Now that it was exposed, Neil might recognize me!

I looked at him sideways, but fortunately, he wasn't responding at all and waiting eagerly for Carl's response.

It made sensehe was busy with his actual girlfriend. Why would he remember about his online fling?

Shoving my pendant back under my collar, I made an excuse. "Just some trinket I bought on a whim. It amuses me."

Neil himself just sat down beside Carl, pressing, "So, back to business Do you think this project is good?"

Carl looked at him sideways, but he then turned back toward me and slowly said the words, "It looks good."

Neil was happily clapping him on the shoulder. "That's why you're my brother from another mother. The loyalty!"

My racing heart was set at ease toothose nights spent working had finally paid off.

Still, Carl shook off Neil's arm in annoyance, but was smiling at me. "That's mostly because you're outstanding, Ms. James."

It was our first meeting, but I found it strange that he was looking at me, leaving me blushing up to my ears.

Neil was shocked too. "Woah, did you just offer praise, Mr. Graham? Has the boy finally grown?

"Well, it makes sense. Our dear Winnie is outstanding, and everyone praises her, but it's still quite something since it's the first time you're praising someone of the opposite gender No, wait, there's the missusbut wait, she just kicked you to the curb. Me and my big fat mouth"

Catching gossip, my ears quickly pricked up.

What was going on? Did this bigwig really just get dumped? What divine creature could possibly have such superior standards?

Still, Carl turned a look of grief toward me in an instant.

Feeling guilty for some reason, I lowered my gaze.

Carl then turned away and quietly said, "I'm pulling my investment if you keep running your mouth."

Neil promptly gave in. "Yeah, yeah. I was just kiddingmy bad for running my mouth."

I had to stop my heart from leaping out of my throat too.

"If there's nothing else, excuse me" I said, and virtually fled with those words.

But soon after I returned to my cubicle, Neil sent another text.

[Are you free tonight? Mr. Graham says that there are finer details to be smoothed out and would like to talk about it during dinner.]

My reply was cold: [I'm busy.]

[Do this well, and I'll double your year-end bonus.]

[Deal. Send me the address.]

I caved immediatelywho would ever refuse a big fat bonus?

Still, I still feel frustrated as I put away my phone and remember that Neil was meeting his in-laws tonight.

Bemused, I could only bemoan at my poor fortunes in romance in contrast to my successful career.

As agreed, I arrived at the luxury restaurant, where I saw that Carl was already there, clearly having waited for some time.

I quickly apologized. "Sorry, I'm late"