Chapter 7 [5]

Olive pouted, scowling for about five seconds. Her eyes kept darting back and forth between Riana and Darius, clearly annoyed. "Useless friends," she muttered.

"Hey, Liv, we are useful. Look, we found out the real gossip," Darius said.

"What!" Olive put her spoon down a bit forcefully. She had devoured a bowl of meatball soup with instant noodles that she loved. Though she was full, thinking about the behavior of someone like Thomas earlier made Olive want to eat even more. "Don't let it spread everywhere, okay? I don't want trouble at my new workplace."

Riana and Darius laughed even more.

"You're taking it too seriously," Riana said while patting Olive's shoulder.

"It's not just about being too serious, Na." Olive's shoulder slumped. "He's just so annoying, seriously. Totally different from Mrs. Sonia. I really regret agreeing to this transfer."

"It's only been a day, Liv," Darius chimed in. "Aside from the new boss, is there anything else annoying?"

Olive shook her head weakly. "Just him."

Riana flicked her finger right in front of Olive's face. Her friend's action made Olive furrow her brows. She gently removed Riana's hand, which annoyed her.

"Stop being silly," Olive said, glancing at her G-shock watch still strapped to her left wrist. "It's eight o'clock, guys. Don't you want to go home early?"

"Oh my God! We're kicked out, Darius," Riana said with a laugh. "Even though I miss her."

"Especially me, Liv." Darius puffed up his chest. "There's no one at the office like you."

Olive waved her hand dismissively. "Let's go home. We still have work tomorrow. Don't be late. In CBD, if you're late, it's two dollars a day."

"Seriously?" Darius responded, drawing attention from several café-goers. This also prompted Riana to give him a strong shoulder nudge, making him cover his mouth. "Sorry, slipped."

"Is that true, Liv?" Riana asked incredulously. She even pulled Olive's arm to sit back beside her.

"Yeah," Olive couldn't deny it. "The rule isn't written on a sign, but it's strictly enforced. The money goes towards meals at the end of the month."

Understandably, both Darius and Riana burst into laughter. "Wow, 'from the people, for the people'," Darius joked, making Olive pout even more.

"But the gossip about Mr. Thomas being handsome is true, right, Liv?" Riana asked, playing with the end of her straw. "My sister is really impressed with him. I'm curious about what he's really like."

"I've been talking about Mr. Thomas this whole time, didn't you hear, Na?" Olive said.

Riana laughed. "Don't hate too much, Liv. Falling in love can be complicated!"

Hearing Riana's comment sent shivers down Olive's spine. "Ew!" She quickly rubbed both of her arms. "Ew, ew, ew! Is there anything more horrifying than that?"

"Being in a relationship with Darius?" Riana asked mischievously.

Olive widened her eyes in disbelief at Riana's comment. "Are you insane?" Meanwhile, the man they were both talking about just chuckled, as if he was used to being the subject of their gossip.

"Go on, go home!" Olive shooed them away.

"Why? Haven't been kicked out by the café owner yet?" Darius teased.

Having a friend like Riana, even though Olive didn't want to meet Darius too much, what they talked about somewhat reduced her irritation about her new office. So, Olive considered this evening quite enjoyable.

"I'll come back here tomorrow," Darius said just before Olive could leave the long bench where she had been sitting. Riana had already headed to the parking lot while putting on her jacket. Darius took full advantage of the situation.

"What for?" Olive tried to free herself from Darius's grip. She didn't want Riana to see her like this. Olive had a feeling that Riana might actually like Darius. There was no way Riana would just accompany Darius if she didn't have feelings for him, right?

Olive had no interest in being in the middle of a love triangle. Besides, she...

"Well, we meet again. How have you been, Liv?" Darius smiled broadly. "Even though we're not in the same office anymore, I didn't stop at just that. In fact, if I could, I'd like to be even closer to you."

Olive pursed her lips slightly. "You should see who's close to you right now, Darius."

"That would be you, right?" Darius wiggled his eyebrows, making Olive roll her eyes.

"We never really connect when we talk," Olive retorted. She quickly grabbed the sweater she was wearing to fend off the evening chill. Even though this snack shop wasn't far from her house, Olive still had to bundle up. She didn't want to catch a cold, especially since she hadn't fully adjusted to her new office.

And speaking of her new office, Thomas's comments about time and punctuality still irritated her.

Darius sighed deeply, allowing Olive to walk ahead of him. Why was it so difficult to make Olive believe that he was serious about getting closer to her? Was it because he often looked ridiculous? But when it came to his feelings, he was dead serious. It took a whole year just to sit down and have a meal together with Olive. The blonde girl only replied to his chats with more than just short words in the past few months, and that was only because he got closer to Riana as well.

Oh boy, it seemed like Darius had a long journey ahead.

"Come on!" Riana snapped. She handed Darius his helmet, which she had been holding since earlier. "It's late. Are you going to replace the worker here?"

Darius scowled. "You're such a pain!"

"Besides, your attempt at inviting me to dinner is pitiful, especially at a snack shop. Real cool," Riana mumbled as she adjusted her helmet and jacket. "I'm sure my parents are looking for me. Come on, hurry up!"

"Patience, Anonying!" Darius got on his motorcycle. "You're such a bother!"

"Hey!" Riana protested. "I'm a bother? You're the one who's a bother!!"

***

Once again, Olive checked the condition of her house. She didn't want to leave anything behind, especially issues with the stove and electricity. She was very afraid of causing problems because of those two things. And since the distance from her house to her office took up quite a bit of time, she intentionally left much earlier than usual.

"Hey, Olive, are you heading out already?" Bu Kiran, one of her neighbors, asked. The black bags she was carrying suggested she might have just come from a local store.

"Yeah, Bu," Olive replied with a friendly smile. "I'm leaving first."

"Be careful, Liv. Why are you heading out so early?" Kiran was a bit surprised. In Kiran's eyes, Olive was a good and polite girl, despite her mother...

"Yeah, I am. I've moved to an office in the CBD."

Kiran simply nodded in response to Olive's words. "The CBD is quite far, isn't it? Well, you take care, Liv."

Once again, Olive nodded.

"Has your mother not woken up yet?"

"Not yet, Mrs." Every time she heard questions about her mother, she felt a mixture of pain and resentment. Having lived in this neighborhood since she was a baby, almost all of her neighbors knew what her mother did outside. No matter how she tried to persuade them, it all fell on deaf ears. "Excuse me."

Kiran smiled and let Olive go on her way. She kept her gaze on Olive until Olive's motorcycle disappeared behind the intersection ahead. "Poor Olive," she said. But then she thought to herself, it wasn't her concern. So instead of staying outside for too long, she hurried back home. There were things she needed to do, especially making breakfast.

Meanwhile, Olive struggled with her co-workers, racing against time to avoid being late. It wasn't about the two dollars she would have to pay as a fine. It was the way Thomas had belittled her that made her frustrated. Why did she agree to the transfer when, in reality, even the journey to work felt uncomfortable like this?

It took her forty-five minutes to arrive at the office. Usually, it only took her fifteen to twenty minutes to get to the Parramatta office. This didn't include finding a parking spot in the building and maneuvering through other office areas to reach the Sidney branch office. It was indeed a struggle for Olive to get to her office this time. She didn't even realize that there was another staff member in Sidney who had been with her since the parking lot.

"You must be the teller who transferred here yesterday, right?" he greeted first as they stood in front of the time clock.

"Yeah."

"Wow, don't call me like that. Just call me Yohanes."

Olive grimaced.

"Geez, you're quite flirty, bothering Miss Olive," Dela chimed in with a cheerful laugh. "Don't fall for Yohanes's advances, Olive. He's already married with kids."

Yohanes, the guy who greeted them earlier, chuckled. "Don't trying to lower my market value, Dela."

So, the three of them laughed together, and Olive finally got to know some of the other staff members. Well, even though she was annoyed with her boss at this office, the staff here were mostly friendly.

"What's the conversation in front of the time clock all about?"

That voice made Olive turn quickly, and her eyes met the figure she had been avoiding since yesterday, the invisible antagonist.

"You too. Do we have to introduce ourselves in front of the time clock?"

Olive's mouth gaped open. Was he really the boss?

"Sorry, sir," Dela chimed in, still in her cheerful mood. "It's just that Yohanes was trying to act cool and flirt with Olive. He forgot he's already married with kids."

Thomas just gave a nod and walked away without a word. Leaving Dela and Yohanes to argue playfully while sharing laughs. Meanwhile, Olive, too frustrated and annoyed, just watched his departure as he disappeared down the corridor.

"Mr. Thomas is always like that, Liv," Dela reassured Olive, quickly putting her arm around her. "He might seem stiff, but he's the best, really. He's very aware of his subordinates."

Is he really? But Olive didn't dare to ask.

"Come on, let's go to the grooming room. Get ready because the bank will open soon."

"Alright."

For Olive, Thomas was just a stiff and annoying boss. She was just frustrated. Frustrated. And frustrated.

While others may say they are good, in Olive's eyes? There was nothing good about Thomas. She regretted accepting her promotion here. If she didn't get what was promised in three months, she would prefer to go back to the Parramatta branch!

"So annoying," Olive grumbled just before she finished arranging her hair. As a teller, her job involved dealing with money and precision. Her appearance shouldn't be distracting, making her lose concentration when dealing with cash deposits or large withdrawals. Even with small amounts, Olive had to be extremely diligent, let alone with larger sums.

"Who's annoying, Liv?" Ayana asked, looking puzzled. She had entered the staff room to prepare her usual cup of milk before starting her activities. She had heard Olive grumbling with a pout on her face. But when they had crossed paths in the bathroom earlier, Olive had seemed fine, even cheerful. Was it because she was accompanied by Dela? Was it Dela who had caused Olive to vent her frustrations this morning?

"Oh! No, Miss. It's nothing," Olive stammered. "I'm just annoyed with this hair tie." She tried to act, not wanting Ayana to know that she had been badmouthing their boss.

Ayana just grinned. "Is that so, Liv?"

"Yes, Miss." Olive nodded quickly, trying to convince Ayana. "Miss Ayana, are you using a hair tie again?"

"My hair is short, Liv," Ayana chuckled. "Dela can be a bit annoying, though. I know that."

"Really?" Olive was now utterly perplexed. Why did it turn into Dela?

"Well... but I understand. As long as she can focus on work and doesn't cause too much trouble, I don't mind if Dela irritates me from time to time."

"It's not that, Miss," Olive was genuinely confused now.

"Enough." Ayana gently patted Olive's shoulder. "Your secret is safe, Liv."

Oh God! How did it turn out like this?

With the intention of speaking ill of her boss, Thomas, Olive had somehow ended up with a misunderstanding!