Days After You's

Chapter 5 - Overtime and Midnight Chat

The sound of a 'ping' notification from the computer breaks the silence of the room, along with it a pop up bar appears on the screen displaying the email that just came in. I massaged my temples while leaning back and glanced at the screen in front of me. In a dark room, only the computer screen is the light source.

Fr: Mario D's

Subject: Notulent of Joint Meeting

Fr: Mario D's

Subject: May Company Finance Archive

Fr: Mario D's

Subject: Administrative and Secretarial Report

One by one, my eyes scanned the subject of the emails sent by Rio. For someone who looks relaxed, he always works deftly in his tasks. I admit he has a lot of stamina that exceeds normal people and that's a good thing. Because I need someone who has the ability and excellent body to keep up with the rhythm of my work, and he is the most appropriate person in his position. I might give him a bonus at the end of the month for his hard work.

I closed my eyes back. Normally I would straighten my back and start checking one report after another, but for some reason my body was not at its best. Tired of raging from all areas of the body especially on my head that started to get dizzy. This often happens when I tend to ignore sleep time for the sake of working non-stop but I don't hate it.

I enjoy spending my time working. The feeling that arises every time you get something done quickly and on time always gives me satisfaction. My mother and brother always thought I was weird because of that, but my father who saw it—like the parable of fruit falling not far from his tree— liked that side of me that was similar to him.

Since childhood, my father always used me to be able to learn to deal with more pressure, not sleeping two days should be nothing compared to all the trials he gave me first.

I heard my name being called from behind the door of the room that I had transformed into my private workspace. I cringed but remained in the same position.

"Luiz, Luiz," Call that familiar voice at an ever louder volume.

I opened my eyes a little upset. There, at the half-opened door, a head was narrowed from behind. The long, wavy hair that wrapped around the round face of its owner in disarray left me almost aghast.

"Not slept?" Stella asked without feeling any guilt. If I was a timid person with a weak jamtung condition, maybe I could have a heart attack because of his behavior. Secretly, I took note to myself not to forget to tell Stella about this tomorrow. Now I'm not in the mood to serve anyone.

Both of my eyebrows are linked, "Hm, you're alone?"

Tired and headache seemed to make my response sound cooler and flatter than it should be, but Stella was still Stella so she was not affected at all.

"I was asleep but woke up thirsty" Stella said, raising a glass of water in her hand, "I took the water and just went back to the room, but accidentally see this door has not been closed tightly. I thought you forgot and intended to close it, but you're still here....Still a lot of work?"

"Hm" I replied, and then I was about to pull him back, but not a word came out of my mouth yet, his figure immediately disappeared from behind the door.

I blinked, looking towards the door that was left open just like that. Whatisthis? He left just like that, without any further ado, should— should I consider this as an improvement from Stella's side...?

"I'm back!"

Uh. Forgetit. There were not five minutes, Stella again brought a tray above which there are two cups that still emit smoke vapor.

"This is for you" said Stella after putting her tray on the desk and thrusting one of the cups in front of me.

"Tea?" I murmured as Stella sat herself comfortably in the chair in front of me.

"Yes, green tea. Mama said drinking green tea can increase stamina and endurance for people who stay up late. Much better than coffee!"

"Oh.." I said and accidentally inhaled the green tea aroma that spread from the cup in the hand, "But I don't like to drink tea, you don't have to bother. Thank ye. Go back to your room."

"Why? Green tea has a high efficacy," said Stella, did not show any intention to go.

I scowled, "I just don't like it. Stella, my head hurts, come back."

"Ah, would you like a massage? I do it often for my father."

Either he deliberately pretended not to understand what I meant or what, but he continued to insist.

"No, there's really no need."

"You sure? I'm pretty good at massaging."

I nodded, closed my eyes and leaned back into the chair, "Go back."

Instead the situation lasted until the moment my headache began to subside. I opened my eyes and found Stella standing staring out the window. I seemed to have fallen asleep for a while and didn't realize he had moved.

"...What are you doing?" I asked, intending to approach. At a glance my eyes glanced at the cup of tea that had now cooled down and the other cup that had been empty. How long have I been asleep? Why is Stella still here, isn't she bored?

"Oh you're awake, Luiz. I just saw the street below."

The street? We live in a private apartment complex, what is interesting apart from the street lights and security that usually go back and forth in the morning blind like this?

"Nothing, but I like it" Stella said with a smile and an unusually calm voice.

I looked at my mouth, realizing that I had spoken my mind unconsciously. Without a sound, I stood one foot next to Stella to see the corresponding street I said was indeed quiet.

"You want me to make some more tea? The warm ones are better. Mama gave him a bunch of tea packages with her brewing machine to get the wrong wedding gift from him."

"Tell me I don't like tea, Stella."

"Then you have to learn to like it," Stella's tone returned to her normal volume of persuasion, "Actually, I don't like to drink green tea either. Just because my mother always forbade me to drink coffee while I needed to stay up late for the preparation of the national exam, I learned to drink it regardless of the bitter taste. Now I can like it by myself."

I paused for a moment, "Something forced is not good."

"Not forced, I just want you to learn to like it."

Hearing Stella's determined voice, I turned away from the window for the first time since. From this distance, his face looked more rounded and his eyes looked bigger as if he was trying to penetrate all the thoughts of the person who was staring at him.

"Go back to your room."

"Ah, it's been three times."

Both my eyebrows raised up.

"...What's?"

"Three times have you told me to come back" Stella replied, smilingly pointing out her three fingers, "Luiz, have you ever felt lonely working alone?"

The question surprised me, but I managed to keep my expression normal. I didn't think she would care so much to ask me how I felt.

"Not really, I prefer it to be quiet" I replied. I've been alone for almost half my life, so I'm used to it. Even more calm means a supportive environment to be more productive as well.

"I think so too. But can't I just sit here for a little while while you're staying up again? I think we need to talk to be good partners."

"Stella, we're only married for a while."

"I know, I just want to be friends. Dad said two people can work better if they know each other and understand each other."

Out of Stella's mouth, it makes sense. His uncle and aunt often counseled him with wise words. I understood his desire, from the way he spoke I was also sure he had no ulterior motive, the problem was that part of me did not want to build a relationship more than what is now between us.

Instead of answering Stella's question earlier, I twisted my body to walk back to the table. My response was short, I gave him the same sentence for the fourth time that night.

"Go back to your room."

...****************...

Bonus:

Rio (Home): Mr. Luiz long ago also reply, some are still lacking or not actually.ah maybe there is no (Smiling with relief) Time for me to sleep!

5 Seconds later.

Pinged. Pinged. Pinged.

Luiz: Something is still unclear in this section. Why is this table empty, instead of any previous funding from company D? New employee data last month is not yet in the administration report, try to ask again. PPT for the afternoon how, have you added the chart I said? Send it all over again before you leave this morning.

Rio:...