Dinner with Joshua

I shrugged as I returned to my office. After our lunch earlier, I feel like I've lost the urge to work all day. Some people say... Don't expect too much, because you will only get hurt. I thought there was a reason why he kissed me. I thought it was important... That I was important to him, that he likes me, but I was wrong. The kiss was not a big deal to him. I felt the pang in my heart.

It hurts to hear those five words. IT’S. NOT. A.BIG.DEAL. I smiled wryly as I sat in my swivel chair when I entered my office and stared at the folders lying on my desk.

I had to be busy so that I won't even think about it...about him.

So that's what I did, busying myself reviewing our projects, that I didn't realize day had turned into night. If Abby hadn’t come in and said goodbye, I wouldn’t have noticed the time.

“Ms. Ashley, I'm heading home. Are you staying late?” Abby said as she peeked from the connecting door to the office. I was a bit stunned.

“Oh.” I looked at the watch on my wrist, it was night already. “Okay, go ahead, be careful. I'll be leaving soon. I'll just finish this.” Referring to the revisions I made to our other project. She nodded and left.

After a few minutes, I was still so busy with the paperwork that I didn't notice who entered my office. I jumped in my seat when Joshua suddenly spoke.

“Ashley, she mentioned--.” He couldn't continue what he was saying after seeing my reaction. “I'm sorry,” he apologized.

“It's okay. I'm sorry, I'm just ... Just busy, yeah... Ha-ha.” I laughed. He looked at me, confused. “I'm sorry, what was it again?” I asked.

“Abby mentioned you were still here, so I came to see you. Umm... aren't you going home yet? Do you want to grab dinner? My treat?” He asked. There's nothing wrong with what he said, and I'm sure I would just keep on thinking back to what Mr. Moon said earlier, so it was better for me to entertain myself, so that when I get home, I’d be able to sleep. Mr. Moon said that I could take off tomorrow so I would be able to prepare for our two-day business trip to Cebu, anyway. And now that I'm done with my work... I might as well accept his offer because I'm a bit hungry anyway.

“I'm just wondering if you’d want to. It's also late and--,” I interrupted him when I answered.

“Yeah, it's fine. I'm hungry too.” I smiled, and so did he. I noticed he mouthed "Yes!" to himself.

I was a bit startled when we encountered Mr. Moon inside the elevator. We bowed our heads to him to show respect.

“Good evening, Mr. Moon.” Joshua greeted him. But Mr. Moon didn't reply. I ignored him because until now, all I could hear in my thoughts was that damn phrase “not a big deal.”

“Where do you want to eat, Ashley?” Joshua asked joyfully.

“Umm... It's up to you.” I said. I heard Mr. Moon scoff.

“How about a Korean restaurant?” Joshua asked.

“That’s fine with me.” I simply said. In my peripheral view, Mr. Moon was glaring at me intently. Why is he acting like I did something? Because if looks can kill, I will be dead by now for the kind of stare he was giving me.

“You're having a dinner date?” I looked at Mr. Moon when he spoke, and I immediately regretted it. It felt like he was judging me, that I did something that made him unpleasant.

I scoff. Why is he looking at me like that? Like he's judging me!

I felt relief when the elevator door opened as we reached the lobby. “Goodnight, Mr. Moon,” Joshua said. Mr. Moon just nodded. He looked at me again, and I just bowed my head.

We made our way peacefully to the restaurant and immediately ordered food as we settled down to our seats.

“How's your day? You seemed very busy.” Joshua asked. I sighed.

“Exhausting.” I groaned, which made Joshua chuckle.

“Well, I need to finish those revisions. Mr. Moon and I have a business meeting... out of town.” He frowned.

“Just the two of you?” I nodded lazily.

“Yeah.” I rolled my eyes when I saw his reaction. He was about to speak when our order came. And we were silent the whole time, both lost in our thoughts.

“Thank you for dinner,” I said after we ate.

“Nah... It's fine. It's lonely to eat alone, so I should be the one thanking you.” He said. I nodded in agreement, and we both chuckled.

****

It was a rainy morning the day of our flight to Cebu, and here I was stuck in traffic for about an hour. My boss kept calling me several times, and he was getting mad because he was already at the airport waiting for me. I looked at my phone when it rang. I sighed heavily when I saw who called.

“Where the heck are you, Ashley?! It's been an hour and a half past, and yet you're not here!” I heard him yell on the other line.

“Sir, the traffic jam is terrible because of the heavy rains... I am so sorry for keeping you waiting. But I am almost there, Sir. Just give me 15 more minutes.”

I heard him sigh. “Fine, there's nothing else I can do anyway. Make it fast our flight will be boarding any minute now.” He said.

“Okay, Sir... and I'm very, very sorry.” After I inserted my phone back into my bag, the cab stopped, and I felt relieved that I finally reached the airport. I hurriedly went in and called Luke.

“Hello?”

“Hey Luke, it's me... Ashley.”

“Oh... Ashley,” I frowned when he stopped talking.

“Ashley, where are you now? Why didn't you call me? Why are you calling Luke instead?” I rolled my eyes when I heard his voice.

“Hello to you too, Sir. I'm at the airport, and I am now heading to the boarding area.”

“Okay.” Then he dropped the call. What the heck?!

Luckily I saw Luke looking around. I waved at him, and he sighed in relief when he saw me. I smiled at him, but it faded right away because my boss was glaring at me. If looks could kill, I'll be dead by now. I rolled my eyes before I faked a smile.

“I'm sorry for being late,” I said. Luke stared at me apologetically when we saw our boss walk out. We both sighed and chuckled before we followed Mr. Moon.