FOCUS

*thud!*

Everyone jolted from their seats as the door closes; letting out a dreadful sigh as they slump their body onto the chair, feeling drained. They did not know if they should be thankful that the meeting is finally over or be ungrateful that they have to revise their works for only TWO WHOLE FUCKING MONTHS!! What the hell did they do to deserve this??

Revise?

The whole book?!

Really?!!

But they don't have much choice, do they? All they could do is go to their work stations and start discussing what plans they must do in order to impress, not only the Chief Editor, but also, the main company for the publishing to stay running.

Back in her office, Liu Yang runs her fingers to her head as she lands her butt on the swivel chair. She had seen this headache coming ever since from a while ago. It's her fault for forgetting to check that she is already out of stock of her sleeping pills. How careless of her. She looks at her wrist watch and noticed that it is only 8:30 am. That one-hour meeting drained all her energy.

She did not know the meeting only lasted for an hour. It feels like an eternity, though.

*kkrrr!*

Liu Yang froze, looking everywhere from where the sound came from. She paused and realized, that is definitely her stomach.

'Fuck! I haven't had breakfast yet.' She just realized she is really starving if not for her stomach grumbling.

Liu Yang decided to go to the breakroom and grabs some coffee, at least to appease her grumbling stomach, and calm her nerves from all the stress; and she needs a strong one to wake her up. When she got back, she saw Xu Wan Li lazily leaning against her desk with his lips pouting – probably bored of waiting for her.

She raised her brow and asks, "What the hell are you doing here?" then sips on her coffee.

"Can I not visit my beloved friend at work?" Wan Li said, emphasizing the word 'beloved'.

"Boo!" she said as she gives him a smug look and walks by him. "Come on, cut the crap. I know you have something to say. What is it? I'm busy here. Aren't you busy, too? We all have some work to do!" She said while looking through her email on the computer.

Not hearing an answer from him, she glance at him standing across the table and saw he is giving her an intense stare.

"What? Why are looking at me like that?" she frowns, "You're creeping me out."

Wan Li pulls a chair for himself. "Actually, I'm just here to remind you that Yu Mei and Li Jun are back from their various trip. Well, Li Jun got back three days ago. We'll be having a get-together this Friday, just the four of us. You better come, 'kay?"

"When did we party with people? And they are not on a trip, they are working," she grumbles softly. She is still busy looking at the computer but she understood what he is saying.

Liu Yang looks up at him and rolls her eyes. "Just that? Of course, I know that. Do you think I don't read your messages? I wouldn't miss it for the world. Now, get out of here. I'm busy. You're obstructing with my work, Editor Xu."

The tone of her voice may sound serious and angry but the both of them know that that is not what she really meant.

"Okay, okay. Oh, and let's go have lunch together. It's your treat, right? You promised!" he said with a wink.

She narrows her eyes at him. "You're weird, you know that?"

"Am I the only one?" he retorts.

"Shi-!" she laughs and kicks his leg from underneath the table but missed the chance to hit him. "Get out of here! And when did promised I'll treat you?!"

Wan Li secretly sticks out his tongue before seeing himself out of her sight. To be honest, he came here to ask her why she looked distracted during the meeting this morning. He knows something is up but is reluctant to ask, afraid that he might be wrong.

Or he isn't, is he?

Whatever.

Liu Yang will eventually tell him, or them, whenever she feels like it.

When Wan Li is gone, Liu Yang noticed that her subordinates were looking at her suspiciously. Bet their minds are questioning about their real relationship despite knowing Wan Li's gender. It was then that she realized her voice was way too loud to be heard by everyone outside her office. But knowing how unbothered she is by what everyone might think about her, she just gave them an intimidating look and said, "What?"

That made them turn their heads back immediately and continue on what they are doing. Well, since everyone knew what kind of relationship she has with Wan Li, Liu Yang reckons all of them will shrug it off.

Liu Yang sighed and returned on checking her emails, taking one last glance at the door, checking if everyone returned to their several work. A deep crease is formed on her forehead.

She hates how Wan Li knew her really well.

'Is it evident on her body language. What to do? I made sure to forget about it before I came in the office.'

"What. The. Fuck." she curses in voice only she could hear. She must not let it distract her. Liu Yang lightly tapped her cheeks to wake herself up.

'Focus!' she tells herself over and over then goes back to work. It is going to be her mantra for today.

A moment later, she called the literary agent in to call the author to set a schedule and discuss about revising of the novel.

When the agent is out, Liu Yang started reading the papers in her hand and put notes and markings on the things that needs some serious work. From time to time, she massages her temples and drinks from her coffee. The caffeine as well as the workload helped her forget the headache and starvation for a bit. Also, it distracted her of her anxiety from the nightmare she had.