The Player Meets His Match

Chapter 7: Going Out With Friends

THE next few days went by just the same. Froilan had me revise the outline I sent last Monday until he was satisfied, and had me start working on the book for that outline. He had me send him every chapter after I’ve finished working on them.

I found this a bit constricting, because I had to wait before he’s read and approved the chapter before I can resume writing the next chapter.

I didn’t want to be idle so I kept writing the succeeding chapters even before Froilan had approved the previous ones I’ve already written. By Wednesday, I’d already finished writing the entire book, and when Froilan asked me for more chapters, I sent him the whole thing.

We were all surprised when Froilan came rushing into our desks. He rarely visits the writers and he usually calls them into his office when he needs to talk to one of us. Everyone including Janus and the other junior editors were shocked as he walked towards my desk.

Froilan: “You’ve finished it already?”

Emmy: “Uhm, yeah. I’m sorry. I didn’t have anything else to do and I didn’t want to be idle.”

Froilan: “No, this is great. Good job, Emmy. Keep it up.”

The other writers clapped as Froilan complimented me. I suddenly got shy as I blushed and bowed my head down. I wasn’t used to getting a lot of attention. I just smiled and said “Thank you.”

As Froilan left, the other writers moved towards me and congratulated me.

Pam: “Girl, you finished writing a book in 3 days?”

Nico: “Actually, it was in less than 2 days. He worked on the outline on Monday, started writing on Tuesday, and she finished it before Wednesday is even done.”

Sophia: “Congratulations, Emmy. How did you do it?”

Emmy: “I don’t know. I’ve always been a fast writer. I can usually finish writing a book in a week. Maybe I’m a little inspired too.”

I inadvertently looked at Jaebum as I said that. He stayed on his desk, which is a desk away from mine. His eyes stayed on his laptop screen, but I saw a smile on his face. He must have heard what I said.

Since Monday, we have been sitting next to each other at lunch and have become quite close. We’ve also been texting each other when we’re not at work, and he’s been sending 

At the end of the work week, Nico invited all of the writers to go out and have dinner together. It’s meant to welcome me to the team. I was hesitant at first because I don’t really go out that much, but with some prodding, I finally agreed. I was a little disappointed when Jaebum said that he’s busy and couldn’t join us.

We all left to go to dinner while Jaebum stayed behind working on his laptop. Sophia noticed my lingering looks and said “Don’t worry about him. Let’s enjoy tonight, okay?”

We went to a bistro where they serve both food and alcohol. There’s also an acoustic performer. The place looks enjoyable. We ate dinner first and when we’re done Nico ordered some beer for the table.

Emmy: “Uhm, are we drinking?”

Nico: “Yeah, this is a celebration. We should enjoy tonight.”

Emmy: “I’m sorry, I don’t drink alcohol.”

Pam: “Come on girl, just have one bottle. That won’t make you drunk.”

I just smiled and took the bottle reluctantly. I poured the beer into a glass and took a small sip. I was surprised as it didn’t taste like alcohol at all. I looked at the bottle and saw that it’s a flavored beer. I just had the apple-flavored beer. Within a few sips, I was able to finish the entire bottle and asked for another one. I was curious as to how the other flavors taste like, so I got the lemon-flavored one. 

I felt myself loosening up and joining in on the conversation as I finished my second bottle of beer. I got another bottle, this time, the lychee-flavored one. Sophia noticed that I may have been drinking too fast and told me to pace myself, and drink some water to neutralize the alcohol. I did as she said, but not long after, I felt the need to pee.

I stood up and headed to the ladies’ room. I was a little tipsy as I walked, so I kept looking down to ensure I won’t trip. Unfortunately, I wasn’t looking ahead and I bumped into something hard. When I lifted my head, I saw Jaebum looking at me while holding onto my shoulders.

I was stunned and my eyes were glued on him. Suddenly, I let out a hiccup which interrupted our staring contest. I covered my face as I felt embarrassed. He must have smelled my breath when I let out that hiccup.

Jaebum: “Have you been drinking?”

Emmy: “Uhm, just 3 bottles.”

I held three fingers up as I said that. I don’t know why I did, but I felt silly and started chuckling.

Jaebum: “Are you drunk?”

Emmy: “No, I just need to pee.”

I covered my mouth as I said that. How many times am I going to embarrass myself in front of Jaebum tonight? He took my hand and pulled me towards the back. I kept asking “Where are we going? Where are you taking me?”

All of a sudden, we stopped in front of a door, and I looked at Jaebum wondering where we are.

Emmy: “Where are we?”

Jaebum: “This is where you pee.”

I turned around and saw that he did bring me to the ladies’ room. I chuckled and looked back at Jaebum. He looks amused. I raised a finger before going inside the ladies’ room. As I did my thing, I’m getting a little dizzy with the smell and the stuffiness inside the ladies’ room. I washed my hands and wiped it off before heading back out.

When I stepped out of the door, I didn’t notice the step and I fell as my foot slipped. Fortunately, someone caught me as I did, so I remained vertical. As I looked up, I saw that it was Jaebum. Did he wait for me outside the ladies’ room until I’m done peeing?

Emmy: “Hi. You’re still here.”

Jaebum: “Yes, I am. I’m taking you home.”

Emmy: “Wait, we need to say goodbye to the guys.”

Jaebum: “I already did. They know you’re with me.”

Emmy: “I need to get my bag first.”

Jaebum: “I got it.”

He showed his other hand which is currently carrying my bag. He then led me towards the back exit and into the open area where his car was parked. He opened the door to the passenger seat and had me sit. He then handed me my bag before closing the door and getting in the car through the driver side himself.

When he got inside, he reached over my right shoulder and put on the seatbelt on me. I got a whiff of him and I chuckled as I said, “You smell good.”

He chuckled as well before saying, “Well, you stink.”

I put my hand in front of my mouth and tried to smell my breath. It doesn’t really stink, but it smells like alcohol. I smelled myself and I smelled like cigarette smoke a little.

Jaebum: “It’s not your fault. You can’t avoid getting the smell of smoke and alcohol on you when you’re in a place like that.”

Emmy: “But you were there too and you still smell good.”

Jaebum: “I wasn’t there for too long.”

Emmy: “I thought you were busy. What were you doing there?”

Jaebum: “The thing I was supposed to do got cancelled. Good thing it did, or I wouldn’t have been there to rescue you.”

Emmy: “I didn’t need rescuing. Not really. Did I?”

Jaebum: “You were drunk. There were men looking at you like they wanted to eat you. If I didn’t arrive when I did, who knows what would have happened to you.”

Emmy: “Thank you for rescuing me. How can I pay you back?”

Jaebum: “You don’t have to. Just promise me you won’t drink that much anymore.”

Emmy: “That was my first time drinking, you know? I didn’t even drink too much. They even tasted like fruit juice.”

Jaebum: “That’s the danger with flavored alcoholic drinks. You keep drinking because it tastes good and it’s too late when you realize you’ve had too much and that you’re already drunk.”

Emmy: “You’re so wise.”

Jaebum chuckled once more. I suddenly sat up when I realized that I can’t go home in my current state. My parents would know I was drinking and might even think I have been smoking.

Emmy: “Can you drop me off at the next convenience store please?”

Jaebum: “Why? I could drive you home.”

Emmy: “No, I can’t go home yet. I just need to brush my teeth and drink some coffee and wait until the smell of alcohol and smoke isn’t too strong anymore. I can’t have my parents knowing I’ve been drinking. They’ll get mad.”

Jaebum didn’t reply and just kept driving. He didn’t stop even if we passed several convenience stores. He stopped in front of a residential building and parked his car in the lot. As he exited the vehicle, he said “Let’s go.”

Several thoughts ran through my head as I walked behind Jaebum towards the building. Suddenly, I couldn’t speak. When we got inside the elevator, I finally got the courage to ask “Where are we?”

Jaebum: “We’re going to my unit. You can take a shower to remove the smell of alcohol and smoke on you.”

Emmy: “Oh, okay.”

So Jaebum actually took me home. To his home. I wonder if he lives alone. It would be embarrassing if I had to meet his parents or whoever he lives with in my condition. He must have read my mind as he said “Don’t worry, I live alone. No one will be there to judge you.”

I just smiled as I sighed in relief. I suddenly realized that if he lives alone, that means that it will only be me and him in his unit. I got nervous at the thought of what could happen. Jaebum must be a clairvoyant as he seems to have read my mind once more.

Jaebum: “Don’t worry. I won’t do anything to you. Unless you want me to.”

I had a naughty grin on his face as he said that. I just stayed quiet until we reached our destination floor. I walked slowly behind him towards his apartment. As we reached his door, he went inside after opening it. He held the door and waited for me to come in.

I walked slower than I already was, as if I’m walking on glass. As I made my way inside, my heart can’t seem to stop beating faster and faster. It’s my first time to be alone with another man. What did I get myself into?