Chapter 14 Date

• I stepped into the third-floor workspace, the morning air cool, mingling with the aroma of coffee wafting from cups on employees’ desks. Monitors were already glowing, casting blue light on focused faces typing or moving mice. “Morning,” I said, loud enough to be heard, hoping for a warm response like back in the village, but the room stayed silent. No one answered. The employees seemed indifferent, some sipped coffee, others were engrossed with earphones, as if I wasn’t there. I frowned, wondering silently. Is it because I’m new? Or is this just how it is here? I let out a quiet sigh, deciding not to dwell on it, and walked to my seat in the corner.
• Yuna was already at her desk, right beside me, but her face wasn’t like yesterday, no mischievous smile or cheerful greeting she usually tossed my way. Her eyes were fixed on her monitor, but her gaze was blank, her cheeks slightly sunken, and her normally neat bangs now fell limply, partially covering her face. She was still sulking, clearly from my harsh words on the stairs this morning. The guilt I’d tried to brush off came back, stronger than before. I sat down, turned on my computer, but my eyes kept darting to her, unable to focus.
• I took a deep breath, finally deciding to speak.