Chapter 3

I got so excited I slapped the desk, making her jump.

Amelia's expression was clearly bewildered, and in that dazed state, she actually looked kind of cute.

It was only then that I belatedly realized that the person online and the person in front of me were the same.

I cleared my throat. "...Sorry, Amelia, uh, I suddenly have a stomachache. I need to use the restroom. You can look at it first." With that, I grabbed my phone from the desk and rushed to the bathroom.

Amelia looked bewildered. "...Oh, okay."

There was a quick exit button on my phone, which I quickly tapped, letting out a sigh of relief.

—Mainly because Amelia would talk about *everything*, even the smallest things, and those notifications would flash in the corner of my screen. Even accidentally hovering over them could give me away, let alone clicking.

I replied to each message, then dragged my feet for a while before going back.

When I returned, Amelia had finished looking it over and gestured for me to start revising the proposal.

After telling me all the parts that needed modification, she went to her office. "I'm just going to grab something; I'll be right back."

*She's coming back?*

My heart wept internally, and I buried myself in the work.

I had to say, my junior boss really was a workaholic. Under her "guidance," it was almost midnight by the time the proposal was done.

"That's about it. We'll leave it at that."

Amelia nodded.

I let out a sigh of relief. "Alright, good then."

Though I felt pretty resentful inside.

Just then, Amelia suddenly asked, "You live in the employee dorms, right? Want me to give you a ride back?"

"Huh?"

I froze, quickly waving my hands. "No, no, that's okay, I'll just walk back, it's pretty close."

"It's not safe for you to walk alone."

Amelia was insistent.

Unable to refuse, I agreed.

At the same time, she sent me a message: "Giving a male colleague who worked overtime a ride home. Didn't let him sit in the passenger seat."

Me: "OK."

Once in the car, neither of us spoke. I felt a little awkward, but it wasn't appropriate to play on my phone in the car, so I just stared out the window like an idiot.

"Oh, right," she suddenly asked. "What kind of gifts do you guys, as guys, hope your girlfriends give you?"

I froze—she was right, my birthday was coming up soon.

I stammered, "Uh... well, actually, the gift doesn't matter, the thought counts."

"...Mainly, I've given my boyfriend some gifts before, and he really disliked them and returned them, so I don't know what to do."

She seemed troubled, but I wanted to curse.

*Seriously?* My family is just average. She gave me high-end watches; I didn't even have the clothes to match them. If I wore them, people would just think they were fakes.

Why wouldn't I return them?

After a moment, I said, "You could make some small crafts or something. They're not expensive, but since they're handmade, they show the most thought."

She seemed speechless. "...Oh, you look pretty young. How old are you?"

My heart tightened. "I'm one year older than you."

She: "What month?"

Me: "August."

She made an "Oh" sound, then seemed a bit awkward. "Um... I still don't know your name—you are?"

Me: "..."

"Leo Carter. Carter with a C."

Online, I'd told her my last name was "Grey."

Neither of us spoke after that. When we arrived at the dorm building, I politely said goodbye.

"Thanks, Amelia."

"No problem. Go on in."

I nodded, ready to leave.

"Leo Carter!"

Amelia suddenly called out to me.

"Hm?"

I turned around, looking at her with a hint of confusion. "What is it?"

"...Nothing. Just go back early."