Chapter 7

• Sienna had been looking forward to this night all week. It was Friday night, and she and her girlfriends had finally finished their work. They deserved a break after such a long and stressful week. Sienna loved nights like this, when they could just relax and have fun together.
• They headed to their favourite bar, The Tipsy Tap. The name might sound cheesy to some, but she found it charming. It was a cosy place with a friendly atmosphere, a wide selection of drinks and snacks, and live music on weekends. They had been regulars here for months and they felt at home among the staff and the other patrons.
• As soon as they got there, they spotted a table near the stage. They ordered their drinks and raised their glasses to celebrate another week of hard work and success. Their little group was a mix of different departments: Mia from customer service, Rose from the design team, Ava and Ruth from marketing, Zoe from finance and of course Della, the project manager. They were a tight-knit team and they enjoyed each other’s company.
• Ruth spoke up as they settled around the table. “Della said you almost killed Kaemon today?” Ruth asked, munching on a chip. Sienna rolled her eyes and grabbed her drink.
• Sienna took a sip of her sangria and replied, “I guess news travels fast in our office.”
• Ruth laughed and said, “In our office? It sure does.” Sienna sighed and said,
• “Well, as long as he doesn’t find out and report me to HR, I don’t care if everyone knows.” They nodded in agreement and she drank some more.
• “Who would tell him anyway? I stay away from him as much as I can. Whenever I see him, I take the longest route possible.” Mia grumbled as she made a disgusted face.
• Ava raised her glass and chuckled, “Same here.”
• “We girls in the design team even started taking bets on when you will assault him.” Rose laughed as she joined in.
• “I think it will be verbal assault. I don’t think I can take him on physically.” Sienna chuckled.
• “Speaking of physical, did you guys see how buff he has gotten? He looks like he could be a bodybuilder.” Ruth exclaimed.
• Kaemon gathered his belongings, neatly stacking the papers in his briefcase as he briskly exited his office. The low hum of conversation and the distant clattering of keyboards faded behind him as he stepped into the elevator. His phone, a constant companion, was pressed to his ear, navigating through the final intricacies of yet another contract detail.
• As the elevator doors opened on the ground floor, Kaemon found himself amidst a group of his colleagues leaving the office. Recognizing him, they exchanged nods and waves. Just as he was about to step into the cool evening, Justin's voice cut through the casual chatter, “Going home?”
• Kaemon nodded, adjusting the phone against his ear. “What about you guys? Going somewhere?”
• “We are hitting a bar,” Ace chimed in with enthusiasm. “Join us, come on.”
• After a brief moment of hesitation, Kaemon succumbed to their persuasion. The bar was conveniently within walking distance, and soon they strolled into the vibrant atmosphere of clinking glasses and animated conversations.
• Upon entering, Kaemon's gaze was drawn to the familiar face of Sienna, her laughter resonating across the room. However, the joy faded from her expression as her eyes locked onto him. Nonchalantly rolling her eyes, she adjusted herself on the couch, sipping her drink with feigned indifference. Kaemon couldn’t help but chuckle as he Kaemon joined his colleagues on the other side of the bar.
• Sienna sighed of relief as the guys settled down on the other side of the bar. She silently celebrated their choice to sit far away, grateful that Kaemon had opted for a spot that kept him out of her way.
• “What are they doing here?” Rose muttered, taking a sip of her tequila.
• “Who cares, as long as they don’t bother us, I don’t give a fuck.” Della said, hiccupping.
• “Are you already drunk?” Sienna asked, as Della stared at her with wobbly eyes.
• “No,” Della denied, but it was obvious that she was drunk.
• “You know I’m not driving you home again, right? Last time you were drunk, you threw up on my new shoes and my car.” Mia complained. Mia and Della were roommates and good friends.
• “She did what?” Sienna gasped and Mia began to tell her story. “Remember the last time we went clubbing?” She asked and they nodded. “After you guys left, I found her passed out on the bathroom floor. And…” Mia stopped when the group of guys erupted in laughter so loud that they could hear them from this side of the room. They were cracking up at something Kaemon had said and he was shaking his head.
• “Those assholes,” Zoe grumbled as she shook her head. “It is a literal nightmare when I have to interact with those boys from IT.”
• Sienna chuckled and asked, “Should I be glad that I don’t have to work with them?”
• Her friend shook her head and replied, “You have to work with Kaemon, that too every single day. Those IT boys are far better than him.”
• “He is such a cocky bastard!” Sienna grumbled as she sipped her third glass of sangria, watching him sip beer with the guys from IT, finance, and sales. “He is always so full of himself, and you heard what he did in today’s meeting right? I can’t believe he tried to rob me of my client. Dealing with him is such a fucking nightmare.”
• “Like seriously, do you know half of the clients hate him?” Rose said as she leaned forwards. “I heard he is super rude with them in negotiations. I heard there were tons of complaints about him.”
• “I’m not surprised even a little bit. I am surprised the whole world doesn’t hate him.” Sienna grumbled. “How does the other half feel though?”
• “I think they want to just fuck him.” Ruth casually mentioned, lifting her glass to her lips. Sienna nearly choked on her drink at the blunt remark.
• “I kind of agree with the other half, he is like a tinsy little hot,” Mia said, gazing into the distance dreamily.
• “He is not my type though. I am in your team, Sienna. He is an absolute asshole.” Rose declared, lifting her glass in solidarity. Sienna chuckled at the shared sentiment.