Relationships in the Workplace

Weekend Evening Stroll

Later that same day Ari dragged Mano out of his home and took him down to the river walk. "We've been talking about coming down here ever since we met Mano and here we are!" she opens herself wide to the 2.6 miles they can walk. Mano would typically be upset about being dragged out of someplace, but she was right they were talking about visiting the river walk for some time. "You're right," he said as he took in a deep breath and exhaled. Ari pushes him from behind to get him moving, "C'mon!" Mano laughs not expecting her excitement, so he starts moving on his own. 

The evening sun comes as the sky becomes amber-red, Mano and Ari are looking out at the water as a cool wind blows a nice breeze. "On a warm day like today, that breeze was needed..." Ari said exhaling happily. Mano nods in agreement, "Ari, do you plan on staying with the company long?" That caught her off guard as she looked at him taken aback, "Where did that come from?" He doesn't make eye contact as he focuses on the water, "Please answer the question..." She takes a moment to process his question and her answer, "Well no Mano. I aspire to work in art and make a name for myself in that space. Why?" He gives a sad smile and looks at her, " I um...Man, am I stupid, but knowing you, you won't let it go." She nods determined, "Damn right. Now spit it out 'cause you're concerning me." He sighs as his shoulders lower, "I suddenly had this fear that we're only together because we work under the same employer. I should give you more credit than that, but I'm just trying to be open and honest with you."

It got uncomfortably quiet as Ari stared at him a bit stunned by what he thought, "You jerk..." She gives him a seriously good punch on his shoulder that makes him turn to face her, "Ow!" She glared him down, "It'll take a lot for our relationship to be a concern, Mano. I could move to Europe or Asia and I'll still want to be yours... Give me more credit damn it..." The fist she used on him is clenched and shaking. Mano noticed this his eyes were already as wide as golf balls, so he responded with, "You're right... You put up with my b.s enough already. I think you're definitely a keeper if you can last this long putting up with me." That got a smile out of her as she lowered her fist, "Damn right now let's get back to our walk. We got a little over a mile to cover"

Another half a mile went by filled with conversation it's almost as if Mano and Ari can talk the entire time and always find new things to talk about. Something catches Ari's eyes, so she sticks to Mano's side some more as if trying not to catch someone's attention. "Um? Ari are you good?" he questions trying his best to still walk normally since she is so close now. She whispers, "Just keep moving." It's not like he stopped, but he was looking around to see if he'd be able to figure out what got her like this.  All he saw was a handful of other couples, families, and a restaurant, but nothing that gave him red flags. They made it to the other side of the restaurant and a decent chunk of space away from the others on the walk. She unglued herself from his side and sighed in relief. "Aria! I knew it was you!" an unfamiliar voice to Mano called out. "Sh*t..." she said loud enough for Mano to hear.

Mano traces the origin and see's a man about their age approach them, 'Who's this douche?' He immediately thought to himself as something about him he didn't like. "Heeeeeyyy Dom heh heh..." she braves through her discomfort greeting him. Dom crosses his arms, "You are a really hard woman to get in touch with" he comments. Ari tried her best to hide disgust, but a bit showed "Are exes supposed to be in touch consistently?" Dom sighs and shakes his head, "I don't know why you talk to me like this. We had history. I thought we'd at least be friends" She scoffed no longer hiding the fact she disliked running into him, "Are we done?"

Dom now shows irritation as his eyes dart at Mano the back at her, "Who's he?" She glared at him like a lioness ready to hunt, "My partner. Problem?" Dom stayed quiet for a bit and turned his attention to Mano, "How long have you two been together?" Hearing that question made Ari roar, "That's none of your business!" Mano glanced at her, but locked his gaze on Dom, "I would follow the lady's advice" he coldly said. Dom scoffs this time saying, "She's no lady. More like an ogre" Ari's patience wore out as she was going for a slap, but it did not connect, "W-what?! Mano!" He caught her arm in mid-travel and shook his head, "He's not worth it Aria."