In the bustling metropolis of Kuala Lumpur, two individuals, Jessie and Norman, find their lives entwined in a delicate dance of fate and circumstance. Jessie, a resilient young woman on the brink of a life-altering career move, grapples with her im...
Few days later, Sam was on leave, leaving Norman to go for lunch alone. He swiftly pressed Ctrl-Alt-Delete to lock his laptop, then reached for his water bottle, unscrewing the cap and taking a few gulps. Mid-swallow, he spun the lid to secure the bottle shut.
Tracie approached him with her characteristic grace, her chest-length black hair framing her lightly tanned Eurasian features. Some in the office likened her to Jessica Alba, a comparison that Norman considered an overstatement. Nonetheless, Tracie exuded a sweet and endearing aura. Clad in her usual formal attire, she had donned a black dress with a quirky flair, slightly shorter than the previous week. Norman and Sam often playfully monitored the evolving length of her skirts and dresses, humorously teasing about their apparent shrinkage each passing week. With one side of her hair delicately framing her face, the V-cut dress showcased her collarbones, accentuating her elegance. The subtle interplay between the contours of her hair and the curves of her dress hinted at an understated allure.
"Hey, Norman, do you want to join us for lunch at Sooka today?" Tracie asked, leaning against the edge of his desk.
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He hastily swallowed the water in his mouth, responding, "Err, I have to go to the bank; you go ahead, maybe next time."
"Alright, you said the same thing last week. Anyways, we'll be in Sooka if you change your mind," Tracie shrugged before heading off.
Sooka, the food court adjacent to their office, was renowned for its local delicacies.
Meanwhile, Amber, Tracie's junior colleague who had joined the office just a couple of months ago and was still under probation, was waiting for Tracie by the elevator at the lobby. Observing Tracie's return alone, Amber couldn't help but inquire curiously, "Did he ever join you for lunch before?"
Tracie pressed the down button for the elevator, stepping back slightly. "Yeah, twice," she confirmed, a hint of disappointment in her voice.
"What happened? Why is he avoiding you now?" Amber probed further.
"Apparently, some people in his team started teasing him by linking us together, and ever since then, he's been keeping his distance. I'd say Sam is the culprit," Tracie explained, a tinge of frustration evident in her words.
"Why Sam?" Amber asked, puzzled.
"Because he instigated it all and hasn't stopped teasing us even now," Tracie revealed, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
Amber couldn't help but notice Tracie's softening expression and whispered, "But you like him, don't you?"
Tracie blushed, attempting to conceal her true feelings. "Hmm... I think he's cute, but I'm not sure if I'm serious about him," she confessed, hinting at her secret crush on Norman. Tracie and Norman's sister had been schoolmates, having spent countless afternoons in the school library together during their high school years. Tracie had been the junior librarian, and Norman's sister had been her dedicated study buddy. This connection had led Tracie to be acquainted with Norman, forming a friendship that had endured since their high school days.
