Caught

Heather and I walked past the employees' lounge area. It was near the cafeteria and was only separated by a wall. Designed to be a relaxing place, it was equipped with several recreation activities like television, sound system, playstation and even board games. Unlike the ergonomic design for most of the offices, comfortability was the goal in this area for the employees to rest and recharge for a bit so the furniture were varying types of sofa sets and booths for groups. It was intended as a work-free area but some people who liked the ambiance did their work meetings in the booths too.

We were just passing by to go back from a department meeting when I suddenly halted. At the side, near the entrance of the lounge, Ethan was leaning to the wall within line of sight of the television when there was a female employee who was about to approach him.

"Miranda?" Heather called to me, presumably confused on why we stopped.

I put up a hand in her direction without looking, "Give me a second."

That female employee finally reached Ethan. She extended a hand to him after a strategic flip of her hair. My eyebrows unconsciously rose. Ethan shook her hand and that girl was talking about something I couldn't hear because of the distance but Ethan cracked a smile. I suddenly felt a pang of irritation inside me at the sight.

I glanced back at Heather, "From which Department is she?"

Without asking who I meant, she fiddled on the tablet she was holding. She pulled up the profile within a minute.

"She's from the Sales Department."

I gave it a thought, "Didn't we have that 3 month learning exchange program between HQ and R City?

Heather nodded.

It was a learning opportunity for the sales people in faraway cities and the sales that will go in exchange to the city was tasked to impart knowledge and techniques to the branches.

"Send her then," I nodded at the female in front.

Heather hesitated, looking at the employee, "She isn't senior enough and she looks quite delicate."

"That senior position is not a hard prerequisite anyway. As long as she had experience, she would do fine. I see here that she had been working a long time for the company already but she hasn't had a chance for promotion yet. She needs this type of opportunity to toughen up," my forehead furrowed as I looked at the girl's hand that was patting Ethan's arm.

"Send her immediately," I ordered, my eyes still glued to that annoying hand.

I was still looking when suddenly Ethan glanced at our direction. I swiveled my neck so hard that I think I got a cramp. I walked quickly and as naturally as I could like I hadn't seen him with Heather chasing me.

We haven't been alone together at all since that day in the car. I'd have thought that I'm a straightforward person and have nothing to hide but I've been spewing out excuses to evade him. Sometimes, if I really can't find a reason, I would ask him to get Heather first so that when I enter the car, there would be three of us. It was mind-boggling how I can't seem to control myself about this.

I decided that I needed to think about the situation but every time I did, I found myself unconsciously drowning myself with work until I forgot about it. At the same time, I couldn't fully forget as it kept on niggling at the back of my head. It was an endless repetitive cycle that had been going on for almost a week now.

I rubbed my forehead in frustration at the thought. I was busy with work but I couldn't fully concentrate on it because I've been so distracted that I had to use double the amount of focus. I wanted out of this situation but I don't know how.

Suddenly, my phone rang which yanked me out of my thoughts and I answered without thinking, "Miranda speaking."

"Are you avoiding me?" A low husky voice came out of the phone. There was none of the usual playful quality instead there was just a quiet acceptance in it.

I felt guilty inside but . . .

"Why would I?" The lie flowed out smoothly out of my mouth without needing to think.

I looked around for his shadow around the area just in case he followed us but he wasn't here.

"Really? Am I going to drive you home later?" Skepticism was obvious in his tone.

This time, I didn't have to lie, "I have a meeting later in the club so they'll pick me up here and drop me on their way. If there's nothing else, I've got to go."

"Alright." He hung up after.

I sighed heavily as I stared dully at my phone.

As usual, I buried myself with work and only stopped when I needed to go for the meeting. I took my coat off the coat rack. I've already worn it when I received a message from Lila. She cancelled the meeting today as Quinn and Elaine wouldn't be able to come due to some last minute stuff cropping up.

I've become a liar again. I hung back my coat and sat back in my chair in annoyance. I looked at the glass wall and what reflected back was an overcast sky. My mood became even gloomier.

Hours passed and I finally went down. There was almost no one in the building except for some who were doing overtime as it was way over the working hours.

I yawned listlessly. I spent too much time in the office but I felt like I accomplished nothing. I went out of the entrance and a cold biting wind welcomed me. I tied my coat to secure it and hurriedly walked to the taxi stand.

I was nearly there when I looked up and saw Ethan leaning on a pole and facing my direction.

Ugh.

My face heated at this embarrassing situation of being caught in a lie. He stepped forward and I automatically stepped backward. We kept doing it but he was bridging the distance bit by bit until suddenly he yanked me forward and stopped me by my shoulders. He signaled to someone behind me and I realized that I almost collided with a person at my carelessness.

I froze and he was silent as well, just looking at me. I couldn't get a read on his eyes and it felt like there were a hundred butterflies flying erratically inside my stomach.

I forced myself to speak because I would explode if this goes on any longer, "What are you still doing here?"

Slowly, he lifted his hand and put it on my head and gave it a light pat then murmured with a self-deprecating smile, "I think I've pushed you too much."

The slight skin that touched my forehead during that brief moment felt cold and it made me shiver. Don't tell me he's been waiting for hours here?

I've been so determined in avoiding him that I didn't even notice that I was being immature about it.

He already turned back from me and started going back. From this distance, his back looked so lonely that my heart felt like it was being squeezed knowing that it was my fault.

I called as I strode fast to chase him, "Ethan! Want to get coffee?"

He stopped then slowly faced me, his lips curved into a heart-stopping smile.

There it was.