Chapter 8 Eight

• “Wait, you’re early today, Elara?” Kaila greeted me as I entered the 4th floor, she’s the earliest one to arrive in our department, sometimes she’s the one who opens the air conditioning in the office and even in the pantry, and she turns on the PCs.
• I shook my head and sat down, taking a sip of the coffee I bought from the vending machine. “I haven’t left yet, I just went downstairs to pay for my bath, anyway, I have spare clothes in my car.”
• Her eyes widened at what I said. “What? Oh no! What if something happens to you?” She asked, leaning slightly towards me to inspect my face. Maybe I look okay today? I don’t know, I hope so.
• “I have to finish things up before I go home,” I replied, taking a sip of my coffee. I sat down and started encoding the data we would need for the next week.
• “Okay then, I’ll go to my cubicle, I still have a report to finish.” She excused herself and left my cubicle. I just nodded in response while still busy typing.
• I didn’t know what time I would finish here, I still have a lot of reports to do so I should start now. I opened my Gmail and Facebook for any new emails. Minutes passed after I logged in, then suddenly a friend request popped up. I didn’t plan to entertain it, but he messaged me, so I opened it.
• [Hello Elara! It’s me, Paul, your classmate in Gen Psych and Chemistry in college. Please accept.]
• I remembered him, so I accepted his friend request.
• [Hi Elara!] I furrowed my brows. What does he want?
• [Hello.] I replied. I was about to start encoding again when my PC suddenly beeped, indicating a new message.
• [Wazup?] I rolled my eyes. I have no time for his messages.
• [I’m working, so please don’t bother me.] I typed and sent, then logged out. He’s just ruining my mood, does he need something? Why greet me? I really don’t like that, we’re not even that close, I can barely remember him, but I remember something with that name.
• It took me several hours to finish compiling the information needed.
• I woke up and stood up, grabbing my things. I checked my wristwatch, it’s already 11:30. No wonder I’m getting hungry, I haven’t eaten since last night, and I only had coffee earlier.
• I was informed by the waiter that I would have to wait a few more minutes for my order to be served, which was fine by me. I just observed the entire restaurant. The atmosphere is quite relaxing. On the right side, there are bookshelves, and the soundtrack is classical. There are also many green plants and different kinds of flowers here. I tapped my table lightly, noticing that the furniture is a mix of glass and narra trees. There are also many people dining, almost all seats are taken. It must be really good here. I don’t have time to look for places like this anymore, unlike when I was in college.
• “Mam, excuse me. Thank you for waiting, here’s your order.” A waiter said as he served my order.
• I faced him and smiled. “Thank you.” I furrowed my brows, he looks familiar.
• “Elara?” Like me, I saw recognition in his eyes.
• “Yes, I know you, my brain just can’t track it down.” I blurted out.
• He laughed, revealing his deep dimples, but don’t get me wrong. I just noticed it.
• “You never change, you always blurt out what’s inside your head.” He said and laughed again. “It’s me, Kris, Jaxon’s friend.” I dug deeper into my memory.
• I snapped my fingers when I remembered him. “Ah! It’s you, hello.” I greeted him. He leaned in and lowered the tray he used to carry my order earlier. I looked him over. “Trying a new experience, huh?”
• Confusion was written all over his face, why? Is something wrong? “What?”
• “You’re trying to be a waiter to try a new experience, right?” I said, or am I wrong? He just stared at me, as if reading my thoughts.
• “How did you know that I’m not really a waiter here? Besides your observations?” He asked.
• I laughed softly and flicked his forehead. “Crazy, I’ve known you for a long time. If you want to remain unrecognized, get surgery. You’re the number three in the list of the wealthiest bachelors in the world.”
• I saw amusement in his face. “Woah. You did some research huh?”
• “No. I just really know you.” I replied shortly before finishing the last piece of my steak.
• “Sooo, Elara, do you still hate playboys?” I paused at what he said.
• I smiled slightly and looked at him. “I did fall for a playboy, so it’s not just that I don’t like them, I’m angry. But then I find it very childish to generalize them all. So it depends.”
• His left eyebrow raised. “Depends on what?”
• I shrugged. “Depends on how they treat me.”
• He laughed softly. “Oh Elara, you know what, I missed you. Since you lost contact with Jaxon, I lost a decent conversation partner, good thing we met again.” I laughed at what he said.
• Among all the people Jaxon introduced me to, he was the one I became closest to. He’s enjoyable to talk to and has a sense of humor. He became my best friend. I didn’t hold any grudges against him, he’s been too good to me to be angry at the things his friend did to me.
• “Glad to hear that. I’m happy to see you again too. So how’s life for you now?” I asked.
• “Hmm. Good, I’m enjoying it.” He said, and I saw a quick smile on his face, as if he remembered something.
• My eyes twinkled at his safe answer. “Your ‘enjoying it’ means something different when you say it.” I said, which made him laugh.
• “Okay fine. I have my own business now, and I’m proud that it’s because of my hard work. I never used even a single centavo from any of my bank accounts that my surname gave me.” He said.
• I nodded, it’s good to hear that he’s doing well. Back in college, even though we were from different schools, he sometimes visited me, his usual reason was “to find some use in my life.” So since then, I just let him be. Besides, he’s fun to be with, and he has a point in what he said, who wouldn’t want to have their own income, make their own decisions in life, and live their own life?
• “That’s good to hear, but as much as I want to stay, I have to go. Actually, I haven’t slept yet, so I have to go home.” I excused myself and started to fix my things. He nodded and laughed before standing up with me.
• “Do you want me to drop you?” He offered, back then it was always Jaxon who offered to give me a ride wherever I go, he would accompany me, especially if he’s not busy, you won’t hear any complaints from him.
• I shook my head. “No need, I have my own car.”
• “Alright, then, I’ll give you a call later, give me your number.” He said, handing me his phone.
• “Wow, are you being secretive? Boss? You’re so bossy.” I replied, but I still took his phone.
• He just laughed and shook his head. “Same old Elara, where do you work by the way? I’ll drop by some other time.” He asked while I took his phone, and in less than a second, it rang, he raised his phone, an indication that he’s the one calling, so I quickly saved it and faced him again, he was smiling.
• “Of course. I have to go. See you around.” I said and left. I didn’t answer where I work, I’m really sleepy now, my body is pulling me.
• “Wait! Elara!” I just raised an eyebrow and stopped.
• “What?” I asked. He was asking for it, so I almost laughed.
• “Take care.” He said, so I laughed. I flicked his forehead, which I always did to him.
• “Okay, take care too.” And I started my car.
• Hay. This world is really too small. He was the first one I saw, and now he’s a friend of his. I looked at the picture near the radio.
• Adri, I wish you were here.