My Secret Santa [✔️]

/ S E C O N D / / C H A P T E R /

The coffee shop, specifically Remy's House is the official rendez-vous point. Location changes every year. We're all supposed to be seated by seven in the evening, after we have all clocked out of our job.

By the time I arrive, I see that almost everyone is already there which makes sense. My company is all the way on the upper east side of London, about twenty kilometres further than the others. Not to mention that I took the bus instead of the train because I prefer long travels. I can admit that it was selfish on my part as I did not expect it to rain nor be stuck in mini traffic.

"Hey," I drag the word as I greet all the familiar faces. "I'm not the last one to arrive. Great," I conclude as I melt onto the seat just after scanning the room.

"But you are," Sabrina corrects me.

"Karina, Saige and Kento aren't here yet," I say while questioning her eye sight.

"Kento and Karina are ordering drinks for everyone and Saige went to the restroom,"  she points out.

"Ah..." I shut my eyes, nodding with her. A little less selfishness next time, Syd.

"What's up with you?" Megumi stares at me from the right side of my seat.

"A few budgeting files were missing on in my department so I had to re-print, re-read and rearrange all of it. Mind you, I still have few files to make sure the numbers are correct," I complain, keeping my eyes closed.

"What happened to the files? Surely you had to have secured them at some point in time, no?" Nobara asks.

"Of course I did," I open my eyes as I felt my agitation shift. "My so-called partner lost his usb key someone in our department. Luckily, I always kept extra copies of everything in case," I sigh as I touch my head from the fatigue.

"Oh great, Syd's here," Karina walks up from behind. She gently caresses my face before dropping a coffee mug onto the table standing at the centre.

"Hey," I say miserably. "Where's you're billionaire boyfriend?"

"He's busy paying for the drinks," she smiles as she sits down at her seat.

"Wait! I didn't tell you what I wanted," I whine with a big sigh.

"Just pay for it yourself," Yuuji shamelessly comments as he scrolls on his phone.

"Do you have the money for it?" I glare at him.

"I do as a matter of fact. Here," he places a five pound note on the coffee table.

"Save it for your next parking ticket," I get off my chair and walk straight into the cue to order. Damn, I really must not be in the mood today.

"Sydney, I see that you've made it on time," Kento notices my existence.

"Is it that much of a surprise?"

"Yes. As of recently, you have a tendency of being late. Your work place is quite far from here, isn't it?"

"It is, I suppose," I fluster.  When did he realise this? Even I don't pay attention to the amount of times I see him a week. Probably three times but that's not the point. "Anyways, since you're here, can you do me a favour and order me a vanilla latte? Use this card." I hand him my Barclays card. "Thanks you're the best ," I thank him before he can even form a singular thought and step outside the cue. I make my way back to my seat when I see Saige with chatting with another guy. Never seen him before. Must be new.

"Did I miss something?" I whisper into Karina's ear, after sitting down on my seat.

"That's Kento's closest friend. Isn't he cute?" She grins at me.