By Zephyria Time flowed slowly, as if it had stopped.
I arbitrarily anticipated, got disappointed, loved, and then hated. I was tormented because there was no way to hold onto my restless heart. If so, where is this feeling… heading now?
My gaze moved as if drawn. They, nodding with polite smiles, were obscured by the back of the general manager who had come to greet them. Occasionally, their faces were briefly visible between them before disappearing.
Winter was dressed in lighter clothes. I hid my head under the monitor, unable to handle my expression. My seat was directly visible from the entrance, making it easy to spot when entering. However, conversely, if I hid as if I weren’t there, it was easy to pass by without noticing.
I moved the mouse meaninglessly out of nervousness. All my attention was focused on them standing at the entrance. I was curious about what kind of expression you were making, but it felt like I shouldn’t even make eye contact.
As if we were playing hide-and-seek.
“Thank you for your hard work coming such a long way. I heard you came straight from finishing your schedule in Canada.”
“I’m Ian, Team leader of the marketing team at Rodisa. I was worried that my joining would be too late, but thank you for the warm welcome.”
I slyly peeked to the side to assess the situation, ready to hide at any moment. Fortunately, they were focused on their conversation with the manager.
The sound of them greeting each other warmly thumped like a heartbeat. I could feel that Tony next to me and Mina in front of me were also being friendly to them.
It was understandable. Ian, with his hearty smile that was visible head-on, had a very neat appearance. Yes, to be honest, he was handsome. He had a face that would easily win Winter’s favor.
Whether the introduction of the employee next to him was over, Ian turned his face to the left.
The person Ian was looking at had a sharper face line, as if he had lost weight in the meantime. Ian opened his mouth, looking at him with a gaze that anyone could gauge as firm affection.
“This is Winter. He has recently established himself as a promising talent in our company with good performance. I have no doubt that he will stand out in this project as well.”
“Ah, Mr. Winter. I’ve heard a lot about you. I heard you did a big deal again this time.”
I didn’t like that neat smile that endlessly softened when looking at Winter. Ian was naturally placing his hand on Winter’s shoulder and introducing him.
What was the personal space between them like that they were so close?
Without even realizing that my hand had stopped moving, I stared intently at Ian.
The manager extended his hand as if asking for a handshake, and Winter firmly grasped it. I was able to relax a little and observe them. It was clear that my gaze wouldn’t be felt because it was entangled with the gazes of others.
“I will do my best not to cause any harm.”
The answer was concise but full of confidence. My eyes stung. I just realized that I had spent a really long time with you, but I had never properly seen you working. So this is how you work at the company.
Before, and now. Like fate, our relationship was continuing. I couldn’t guess which direction it would go.
However, it was certain that enough time had not passed for you to hate me as much as you wanted. The unwanted reunion was too soon.
‘His shoulders must be heavy…’
Thump, my heart swelled up. Even in this situation.
Even though the conversation was somewhat over, Ian’s hand was still on Winter. He didn’t do that to the other employees who came with him. Winter didn’t even seem to recognize the hand. If he had noticed, wouldn’t he have asked him to take it off?
…Would he have? Can I be sure?
“Aren’t you excited? Ian is known in the industry for being talented. I heard that our company’s recruiter also tried to contact him but failed.”
Tony, who had come to my side before I knew it, whispered softly. While collaborating with Rodisa, I often heard about how great his abilities were. If Winter hadn’t bought perfume for him, I would have completely agreed with that statement.
His news often came to our company as well.
Ian was about one and a half palms taller than Winter. His forearms were as big as his face, and even his chest was broad. And how thick were his thighs? Even the black suit he was wearing suited him very well. The lines were neat, attracting attention.
Blue eyes often reached Winter. Habitually, or unconsciously. They lingered for a while before repeatedly heading elsewhere. Then, when Winter opened his mouth or smiled, his eyes rolled to the side. As if drawn by a magnet.
I thought I was used to unrequited love…
Without giving any answer to Tony, I was distracted by Winter, who was smiling and talking beautifully. I was nervous that even my breath might reach you. I breathed as shallowly as possible.
It was a mess. Nothing was organized.
What should I say if you happen to find me? Should I utter an unconvincing excuse that I didn’t know either, or should I ask for forgiveness with a clumsy excuse that I didn’t tell you because I thought you would hate me if I pretended to know you first?
“Sirius, are you listening?”
The moment Tony lightly tapped my desk, Winter’s eyes moved to the side. As if he had heard his name called. My body stiffened, and I even forgot to breathe. It sank downwards as if a weight had been added to my heart.
Fortunately, your gaze didn’t reach this far. He was slowly moving, introducing where to sit. Where was the marketing team’s seat again? I recalled the blurry layout.
‘…Ah, I think the diagonal desk was empty.’
I barely managed to find the right information in my tangled mind. Even in the meantime, Winter was getting closer and closer to me. He seemed too busy being introduced to the people he was passing by, but I knew my turn would come soon.
Tony suddenly grabbed my shoulder. Perhaps because he didn’t hold back, a short groan reflexively burst out from the slight pain. I barely turned my head and met his eyes.
His eyes were filled with worry. So was his voice that followed.
“You don’t look too good. Are you sick?”
Cold sweat was running down my spine because I was nervous, but I wasn’t in a state to say I was sick. I was just too immersed in Winter, I couldn’t properly respond to Tony’s words, and… I felt like my heart was plummeting to the ground, but that didn’t mean I was really sick.
I shook my head without moving my vocal cords.
Even at this moment, Winter was getting closer. Now, my sense of smell was drawn as if it was solely intoxicated by Winter’s scent. And the familiar perfume scent surrounding him.
“This is the development team. They are in charge of creating the website and app that will be newly launched this time.”
The people directly across from me were being introduced. Winter seemed to be completely focused on the person in front of him, so he didn’t seem to have found me. Because he’s so calm. If he had noticed, wouldn’t he already be despising or hating me?
Because you decided to hate me with all your heart and soul.
I helplessly succumbed to fate, entrusting my whole body to the rushing waves. If I had wanted to run away, I should have moved a long time ago. Instead of blankly waiting for Winter to come. In the end, I didn’t have the heart to do so.
There was no problem in the world that could be solved by avoiding it.
I slowly got up from my seat. Winter’s gaze had been steadily looking at me for some time. Did he just recognize me now? I was rather embarrassed by his unwavering gaze.
“This is Mina, and over there across from her is Tony, and Sirius.”
Winter turned his head with a peaceful look. Following Ian, he shook hands with Mina, moved his body, and stopped exactly in front of me. Ian went to Tony, but Winter came to me.
He still had a smile on his face, but that appearance rather aroused a more uncomfortable feeling. My mouth wouldn’t open because I was nervous. I couldn’t hide my foolish face at all.
“Hello, I’m Winter from Rodisa.”
You were polite as if there was no connection between us. As if we were complete strangers.
That attitude felt foreign, and I repeatedly grabbed and released the hem of my pants. I wanted to get out of this situation quickly. I wiped my sweaty palms on my pants, leaving marks.
Even under the bustling noise, you were completely focused on me. You shouldn’t be distracted by other things.
Are you gauging whether I’m Sirius or Tony? His eyes shone brightly. I wanted to change my name to Tony. The guilt of deceiving you was increasingly coiling around me and tightening my neck. Even though I didn’t have the courage.
He bravely extended his hand to me first. There was no hesitation in the gesture of asking for a handshake.
“…Sirius, that’s me.”