Second Hand Waitress

The morning sun streamed through the office window, casting long shadows across Kira’s desk. It was her first day in HR, a stark contrast to the whirlwind of activity she’d been managing in Tesah’s office. The atmosphere was calmer, more structured, and while she missed the fast-paced challenge, she appreciated the change of pace. She was determined to make a good impression, to prove that she was capable of handling this new role, despite the circumstances surrounding her transfer. A secret, a complicated secret involving her boss, gnawed at her, making the transition even more fraught.@@novelbin@@

She focused on her work, immersing herself in the employee files and policy manuals, trying to absorb as much information as possible. The day passed quickly, and before she knew it, it was almost five o’clock. She thought of Tesah, a mix of anticipation and anxiety churning in her stomach. Their encounter at Ramon’s, her hasty exit, and the unspoken tension between them hung heavy in the air. He couldn't know about Ramon. He couldn't.

Meanwhile, in his corner office, Tesah was finding it difficult to concentrate. He’d felt a strange unease since he arrived at work that morning, a sense of something unfinished, something unresolved. He tried to dismiss it, telling himself it was just the residual stress from a demanding week. But the feeling persisted, a nagging reminder of Kira, of their brief, charged interaction at Ramon’s, and her abrupt departure. He hadn't thought much about it beyond a casual curiosity.

He glanced at the clock. It was almost four. He knew Kira would be leaving soon. He told himself he just wanted to talk to her, to clear the air, to understand why she’d left so suddenly. Their brief encounter had sparked something in him, a fleeting attraction he often indulged in, and he was curious to see if it was reciprocated.

He picked up the phone and called Alexander, the HR manager. “Alexander, could you send Kira to my office when she’s free?”

“Of course, Mr. Clover,” Alexander replied.