[5] a

Olive pouted, scowling for about five seconds. Her eyes kept darting back and forth between Riana and Darius, clearly annoyed. "Useless friends," she muttered.

"Hey, Liv, we are useful. Look, we found out the real gossip," Darius said.

"What!" Olive put her spoon down a bit forcefully. She had devoured a bowl of meatball soup with instant noodles that she loved. Though she was full, thinking about the behavior of someone like Thomas earlier made Olive want to eat even more. "Don't let it spread everywhere, okay? I don't want trouble at my new workplace."

Riana and Darius laughed even more.

"You're taking it too seriously," Riana said while patting Olive's shoulder.

"It's not just about being too serious, Na." Olive's shoulder slumped. "He's just so annoying, seriously. Totally different from Mrs. Sonia. I really regret agreeing to this transfer."

"It's only been a day, Liv," Darius chimed in. "Aside from the new boss, is there anything else annoying?"

Olive shook her head weakly. "Just him."

Riana flicked her finger right in front of Olive's face. Her friend's action made Olive furrow her brows. She gently removed Riana's hand, which annoyed her.

"Stop being silly," Olive said, glancing at her G-shock watch still strapped to her left wrist. "It's eight o'clock, guys. Don't you want to go home early?"

"Oh my God! We're kicked out, Darius," Riana said with a laugh. "Even though I miss her."

"Especially me, Liv." Darius puffed up his chest. "There's no one at the office like you."

Olive waved her hand dismissively. "Let's go home. We still have work tomorrow. Don't be late. In CBD, if you're late, it's two dollars a day."

"Seriously?" Darius responded, drawing attention from several café-goers. This also prompted Riana to give him a strong shoulder nudge, making him cover his mouth. "Sorry, slipped."

"Is that true, Liv?" Riana asked incredulously. She even pulled Olive's arm to sit back beside her.

"Yeah," Olive couldn't deny it. "The rule isn't written on a sign, but it's strictly enforced. The money goes towards meals at the end of the month."

Understandably, both Darius and Riana burst into laughter. "Wow, 'from the people, for the people'," Darius joked, making Olive pout even more.

"But the gossip about Mr. Thomas being handsome is true, right, Liv?" Riana asked, playing with the end of her straw. "My sister is really impressed with him. I'm curious about what he's really like."

"I've been talking about Mr. Thomas this whole time, didn't you hear, Na?" Olive said.

Riana laughed. "Don't hate too much, Liv. Falling in love can be complicated!"

Hearing Riana's comment sent shivers down Olive's spine. "Ew!" She quickly rubbed both of her arms. "Ew, ew, ew! Is there anything more horrifying than that?"

"Being in a relationship with Darius?" Riana asked mischievously.

Olive widened her eyes in disbelief at Riana's comment. "Are you insane?" Meanwhile, the man they were both talking about just chuckled, as if he was used to being the subject of their gossip.

"Go on, go home!" Olive shooed them away.

"Why? Haven't been kicked out by the café owner yet?" Darius teased.

Having a friend like Riana, even though Olive didn't want to meet Darius too much, what they talked about somewhat reduced her irritation about her new office. So, Olive considered this evening quite enjoyable.

"I'll come back here tomorrow," Darius said just before Olive could leave the long bench where she had been sitting. Riana had already headed to the parking lot while putting on her jacket. Darius took full advantage of the situation.

"What for?" Olive tried to free herself from Darius's grip. She didn't want Riana to see her like this. Olive had a feeling that Riana might actually like Darius. There was no way Riana would just accompany Darius if she didn't have feelings for him, right?

Olive had no interest in being in the middle of a love triangle. Besides, she...

"Well, we meet again. How have you been, Liv?" Darius smiled broadly. "Even though we're not in the same office anymore, I didn't stop at just that. In fact, if I could, I'd like to be even closer to you."

Olive pursed her lips slightly. "You should see who's close to you right now, Darius."

"That would be you, right?" Darius wiggled his eyebrows, making Olive roll her eyes.

"We never really connect when we talk," Olive retorted. She quickly grabbed the sweater she was wearing to fend off the evening chill. Even though this snack shop wasn't far from her house, Olive still had to bundle up. She didn't want to catch a cold, especially since she hadn't fully adjusted to her new office.

And speaking of her new office, Thomas's comments about time and punctuality still irritated her.

Darius sighed deeply, allowing Olive to walk ahead of him. Why was it so difficult to make Olive believe that he was serious about getting closer to her? Was it because he often looked ridiculous? But when it came to his feelings, he was dead serious. It took a whole year just to sit down and have a meal together with Olive. The blonde girl only replied to his chats with more than just short words in the past few months, and that was only because he got closer to Riana as well.

Oh boy, it seemed like Darius had a long journey ahead.

"Come on!" Riana snapped. She handed Darius his helmet, which she had been holding since earlier. "It's late. Are you going to replace the worker here?"

Darius scowled. "You're such a pain!"

"Besides, your attempt at inviting me to dinner is pitiful, especially at a snack shop. Real cool," Riana mumbled as she adjusted her helmet and jacket. "I'm sure my parents are looking for me. Come on, hurry up!"

"Patience, Anonying!" Darius got on his motorcycle. "You're such a bother!"

"Hey!" Riana protested. "I'm a bother? You're the one who's a bother!!"