The CURSE: Deadly Games

● FOURTEEN ●

"Please pay attention to all. There are things that I want to say," said the manager at the Eleanor team who invited the attention of every pair of eyes in the room, all employees who initially focus on computer screens and their work are now focused on the manager.

The manager started to speak again. "So, you know that on our team there are Eleanor and Baylor, your coworkers who are very responsible with their work and always take the initiative to help you. Yes, even though Baylor was recently transferred to headquarters, I'm sure that you're all familiar."

"Sadly, you won't see them both for the next month. Even so, stay enthusiastic about their work and do not worry, their work will be handled by substitute employees. This is all that is being said. Any question?" obviously the manager is long.

He waited for a while before he finally opened his voice again. "If no one wants to ask, please continue your busy life. So, thank you," said the manager, then walked back to his desk.

Baylor and Eleanor looked at each other and threw stupid smiles at each other. Favid, who was sitting next to Eleanor, was unhappy with the news and went straight to Eleanor, who was still throwing smiles at Baylor.

"Hey, Nor! What the fuck. You want a month off with the transfer employee and you didn't tell me? What kind of friend are you," David snorted at Eleanor and gave a rude snort.

"Emmm, I think you understand that we're not that close, Vid," said Eleanor gently, her former disposition slowly beginning to return: Eleanor is gentle and kind.

"What reason did you give our boss? You guys want a honeymoon?" said Favid, it looks like he started to get emotional with both of them.

"Dragon's talking, Vid. You don't know anything and don't dare accuse Eleanor of nothing" Baylor said, leaving her chair and approaching them, leading her and Eleanor to turn her head.

"You don't understand our problem, man" Baylor said, patting the shoulder of the now-defunct Favid in front of him.

"Can you not interfere in our affairs, Lor?" ask Favid.

"Yes, of course I won't interfere with your business if you don't accuse him of being a no-no. If you've accused my friend of being untrue don't expect me to just let you go" said Baylor who did not accept with the words of Favid earlier.

"Huh, can we talk together, Nor? Just sec. Please don't refuse my invitation this time," asked Favid to Eleanor, coincidentally now it's lunch break.

"Well, I will obey your invitation this time because today is my last day to work before the holidays," said Eleanor then turned to Baylor as if hinting Baylor to let her go with Favid.

"Thank you for accepting my invitation. How about we go to the cafe next door to talk?" ask David to Eleanor.

"Okay" said Eleanor.

Before leaving, Favid looked at Baylor with a cynical smile full of victory, like he had just won from a battle.

***

"I think you can start talking now" Eleanor said, sipping her cola.

"Well," said Favid, sipping his drink and speaking again, "Nor, I hope you won't be surprised and stay away from me when you hear this statement."

Eleanor began to worry and prepare her mind to listen to the statement of Favid.

"Actually I've been harboring feelings for you. The longer I keep, the greater my love for you. It is no longer a love, but it has grown into a love. I'm not forcing you to return my feelings right now, but I'm just asking that you don't get tempted and have sex with him.

I knew I would be too outrageous if I asked you to stay away from him. But, yes, I am jealous to see your closeness in front of me. I'm sorry I can't keep this all alone anymore. A-" said Favid at length while staring at the bead of the girl's eyes adore her heart fixed before finally stopping because a slap from Eleanor landed on her cheek.

Plakkk!!

Eleanor was again stunned and swallowed with difficulty her saliva before opening her voice.

"You've crossed a line, Vid. I'm sorry I have to go now" Eleanor said, grabbing her white bag swiftly.

As he wanted to run as hard as he could to leave, he was stopped by the tight-knit dexterity of the man who had been secretly harboring a love for him all this time.

Shamed, Favid also let go of Eleanor's hand and let her go before being approached by cafe visitors because it was thought to have done an unpleasant deed.

"You can go now, Nor. But, I'm not just gonna let you go. I will keep trying my hardest to get you. I'm not giving up, Eleanor. I'm sincere with my feelings," said Mr. Favid.

***

"Hey, Ele! You're back yet?" asked Baylor who became excited to see his best friend was back. Eleanor simply smiled in response to Baylor's question.

"Well, where'd he go?" ask Baylor in wonder.

"Can you not talk about it in front of me again?" ketus Eleanor's.

"Hey, what's going on? Why is he so irresponsible? Does he not know ethics and manners? If he dares to take a woman out then he must always take her back home" Baylor said emotionally.

"Alright, Lor. Let's get to work and get things done quickly. Tomorrow morning at dawn we have to go to the mysterious city" Eleanor said, pushing Baylor's arm back to her desk.

***

"Ele, are you ready to pack?" baylor asked Eleanor, and she entered Eleanor's apartment unlocked.

"Almost ready" Eleanor replied, turning her head slowly towards Baylor.

"Ele, we just want to go find the author and get this done. Why are you even carrying a big suitcase??" baylor was astonished.

"You are, yes. What do you think my gear is? All the equipment we need is already inside, ranging from medicines, rain clothes, snacks, instant noodles, etc. It's not just my clothes, Lor," said Eleanor.

"Again, Ele. Don't nag on. Go to bed and get ready for tomorrow. You yourself know that no one can enter the city easily" Baylor said long ago.

"You look like a mother, you know? How can I sleep if you stay here? I was going to go straight to sleep after this was over. Hurry up, you get back in there and don't come here again until tomorrow. I've been going to lock my door" said Eleanor again.

"What if I want to spend the night here?" asked Baylor in a slightly mischievous tone.

"If you intend to spend the night here just sleep in the living room. Hurry and go, I'm going to lock the door to my room" said Eleanor, pushing slowly Baylor's body toward the front door.

"I told you I wanted to be here (the Eleanor room)," said Baylor then looked warmly at Eleanor then walked closer and pushed Eleanor's body slowly to docked to the wall just like the scene in Korean dramas when a man was about to do the 'it' thing'.

"Lor" said Eleanor, she seemed a little surprised by Baylor's behavior. He closed his eyes tightly.

"Ciahhhh, there is fear" Baylor said with great energy and laughed out loud at Eleanor's expression.

"Baylor! You-" cried Eleanor as she struck Baylor, who was about to be beaten away and ran.

They chased each other for a few moments like Tom and Jerry before Baylor opened the door and turned his body.

"Good night my dear friend. Sleep well, yeah. May I dream later" said Baylor, stroking the top of Eleanor's head and running out of Eleanor's apartment.

Her behavior succeeded in making Eleanor's face blush with embarrassment and heat.

"Thank you, Baylor. Thank you for being willing to light up my life again, thank you for everything. I can't wait to get through tomorrow with you and get all this done so I can come back to you and papa, too" Eleanor thought with a smile, imagining the days ahead with Baylor.

He then disconnects the light and turns on the sleeping lamp. He threw himself on the bed and just fell asleep. A beautiful dream may have come to her in her own nature. Who is it dreaming of? Jeng jeng....