Chapter 12: Newcomer’s Welcome Banquet (1)

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Dinner was held at a stylish Japanese restaurant. It wasn’t big, and we occupied the largest table. It was a long table with everyone sitting opposite each other. The atmosphere was cozy and casual. There were a dozen people in the design department, along with me, who was new. Director Mike was sitting at the far end. I sat across from him, and Leo sat beside me.

“Come, let’s raise our glasses together and welcome Melanda to the FB design department,” Mike said.

Except for a few of my colleagues who drove, everyone else drank sake. I didn’t want to drink, but this was a welcome party for me, after all, so I couldn’t refuse it. Shirley, who was sitting beside Mike, said, “Melanda, I recommend you drink this plum wine. It’s delicious.”

I had no choice but to let her pour me a glass. This plum wine was delicious. It was sweet and refreshing to drink. I took a few more sips. When I looked up, I felt Mike staring at me. I suddenly felt my face heat up. It seemed like this wine was quite strong.

My colleagues were very enthusiastic. Everyone laughed and chatted about interesting things and gossip at work. From time to time, someone would come over to have a drink with me, ask me a few questions, and give me some advice. I took it all. Unknowingly, I had drunk a few cups of plum wine. I got up and wanted to go to the washroom, but I felt a little dizzy and my steps were unsteady.

Leo stood up quickly. “You okay? Do you want me to join you?”

“I’m fine. I’m very good!” I flung his arm away and walked out alone.

In the washroom, I washed my face. The cold water made my warm face feel much more comfortable. Looking at myself in the mirror, I suddenly felt confident. “You can do it, Melanda! Even if Mike sits opposite you, even if you guys face each other every day at work, you can still handle it! Didn’t you do well today? The past is the past. If you want to continue living your life, you have to overcome the past.”

When I walked back to my room from the washroom, I almost walked into the wrong room, but I found it anyway. For some reason, I kept feeling like someone was following me. When I returned to my room, Mike was not there. But after a while, he returned.

When it ended, Leo insisted on driving me home. But I glanced at Shelly, who was following him, and said, “It’s okay. I’ll just call a cab. You can send Shirley back.”

Just as Leo was about to say something, Mike’s car pulled up. “I’ll send Melanda. It’s along the way.”

“Is it really along the way?” Leo asked me.

I didn’t know how to answer.

But Mike said, “Of course. We live on the same block.”

Didn’t we agree to keep it a secret? I glanced at Mike angrily and got into the car. I sat in the back on purpose and closed my eyes as soon as I got in the car. Shirley was standing right there. A company’s front desk was usually the equivalent of a gossip hub. Now, the whole company knew we lived on the same block. What a headache!

Even after the car drove out for a while, the two of us hadn’t spoken.

Mike was the first to break the silence. “Are you okay? Why did you drink so much if you can’t drink?”

“Didn’t you tell me to come?” I snapped. Even though I knew it was not his fault, who told him to tell people we were neighbors?

“I know you’re angry. I just think they’ll find out sooner or later. We’ll go the same way often in the future. I don’t want them to always guess at our relationship.”

So that was it. I was thinking about today, and he was already thinking about the future.

“Is Leo into you?” Mike asked.

“What are you talking about? This is our first day meeting.” I felt baffled.

“You have to believe me. I’m a man. I know the way a man looks at a woman.”

“Come on, Mike. There are plenty of girls in the office who are interested in him.” I didn’t want to continue the topic. But Mike didn’t seem to want to stop the discussion. “But he’s interested in you, isn’t he?”

“Okay, so what if you’re right?”

“He’s younger than you, isn’t he? He’s too young.”

“He’s only two years younger. He’s 22 years old.”

“So you like him too, right?” Why did I feel like Mike was a little angry?

“I didn’t say I like him. You’re the one who’s been pestering me about this topic. Mike, even if I like him, what has it got to do with you?” I didn’t want to be so blunt.

“Melanda, I’m worried about you.”

“Mike, I’m not a little girl anymore. I’m 24 years old and I’m the mother of a 5-year-old. You don’t have to take care of me like you’re taking care of your sister anymore.” I knew. I always knew that he treated me like his sister.

“I know. I know you’re grown up. You’re different from before. I just wanted to remind you that such a young boy won’t take relationships seriously. They have a lot of time. Maybe he thinks you’re different from the girls around him. There’s something novel about you. I’m just afraid you’ll get hurt again.” Mike analyzed it for me very seriously, and his tone was very gentle.

I said nothing more. Silence fell in the car again.

Clearly, Mike was jealous. But why? He didn’t like me. He didn’t like me before, and he didn’t like me now. He had a girlfriend. Wasn’t it strange that he was jealous of Leo? I wondered..