Fragile Happiness (MxM)

Work As Usual (3)

Chapter 6: Work As Usual (3)

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After I got back to my office I simply continued working. I even managed to forget about that guy and what he said. I’ll just act like it never happened and we can continue life as normal...

We are all adults, so feelings shouldn’t get in the way of our work… right?

As I was working I noticed something strange about the schedule prepared… It seems like Jenna Mayday’s interview is going to be at the same time as another author’s… I wonder if it was a mistake or are they actually planning on leading two interviews at the same time.

I should probably call Kevin and tell him about it but he seems to have his hands full at the moment… No matter, I’ll go and ask Richard instead, he should know more about this situation than anyone else.

Everyone was already back at their desks and thankfully so was the head editor. He seemed in a grumpy mood but at this point he always is, so if I back down now I might not get to talk with him.

“Richard, I noticed Jenna Mayday’s interview was at the same time as another author. Is it a mistake?” I asked as I showed the schedule to him.

“What? For real?” Richard angrily asked as he took the papers to examine them. “God damn those idiots! I’ll go for their heads this time!” It took him less than ten seconds to curse out loud the head towards the other department that made the schedule. “Thanks for pointing it out.” He said just before leaving, though if you were to see his angered expression you wouldn’t even imagine he was grateful. However I’m used to this, I’ve worked here for so long that nothing surprises me anymore…

You might think that the mistake I found wasn’t so bad or that it’s easily fixable however that’s completely wrong. You see… if there is a time slot where two authors are going to be interviewed at the same time… That means that one of them has to find time in their already jam packed schedule and relocate the interview to that time.

This makes it very difficult for both Editors and Authors. All of us are working as hard as we can and most don’t even take days off. So having a small inconvenience like this can actually become a huge burden. One little small change can cause all your plans to be ruined…

So in that regard, yes this was a huge thing. That’s why the head editor went out so furiously. I’m afraid this might have put him in a much worse mood than he already was… but that’s the type of work we do.

I went back to my desk and continued going through everything again. It was nearly time to go back home so I started packing my things… Then I remembered that I have to wait for Kane to finish work as well. So I decided to go to his department and wait for him there.

As I went to his floor, he was the only one there still working. The floor was mostly dark and everyone else had long left. Why is he still working?

“You’re here… Sorry but one of my coworkers made a mistake in the Financial Report, so I stayed behind to fix it for her. Is it alright for you to wait a bit?” Kane asked as he noticed me.

“Why doesn’t she fix it herself?” I asked, it’s not like I was being sympathetic to him, but I don’t think it’s okay for him to do other’s work for them.

“She’s a single mother that works very hard for our department… This is nothing compared to what she goes through all the time.” Kane spoke in such a sincere voice it almost made me admire him.

Staying late to fix other people’s mistakes because you know their circumstances… That seems really kind… Maybe I started looking at Kane with different eyes as I heard that.

“I’ll wait until you’re done. It’s not like I have anything else to do.” I said as I sat down on one of the empty chairs and took my phone out.

“Thank you.” Kane said in a gentle voice, I didn’t turn to look at his expression but I feel like he might have smiled ever so slightly as he said that.

After about forty minutes or so, he was done with work and we headed out.

“What do you want to eat today?” Kane asked as he turned to look my way.

“Most places are closed at this hour…” I said as I pointed to the time.

“You’re right… Then would you come to my place?” Kane asked while looking directly at me.

I don’t know if he managed to forget already but I have OCD, I’m barely comfortable to stay at the office, not to mention in someone else’s house. “I’d rather not…” I replied.

“Then would it be alright for me to come to your place?” Kane asked as he tilted his head to the side. Now that was even less possible… My home was my safe space, I’ve never allowed anyone to go there. Why on earth would I allow him to come over?

“That’s… not…” I hesitated to speak, as I looked up at him, he seemed to be feeling sorry because the restaurants are closed. So maybe this was his way of making things right. “How about we go to your place?” I then suggested as I looked away from him.

“Sounds good, let’s go through a convenience store and I’ll buy groceries to cook for you. Any preferences?” Kane asked in a cheery tone, his mood seemed to be better than before.

“I don’t mind most foods…” I answered as I followed after him. This might be the first time in my adult life that I’m going to someone else’s house. I still don’t know if I made the right choice by agreeing to go there…