Relationships in the Workplace

Work Life Balance

Mano and Ari were done with their morning exercise at the park as they were sitting in their car taking a breather before driving off. "We should go out to a nice place to eat" Mano suggests as he tries to slow his heart rate by doing breathing exercises. Ari nods as she drinks half of her water bottle, "Yeah we should and it'll be my treat." Mano chuckles and shakes his head, "At least half and that is non-negotiable." She smiles hearing him say that and sighs, "Fiiiine." 

Later

Mano pulled up to the restaurant dressed leisurely for the occasion, wearing a navy colored short sleeved button down shirt, slim straight black jeans, and black dress boots. Before hopping out Mano takes his phone out and calls Ari, after a couple of rings she answers, "Just wanted to let you know that I'm here." Ari was a few minutes away from the restaurant when she told him, "Oh okay. Go on inside and get us a table. I'll be right in." Assuming that she said that because she's close he ends the call with her and goes into the restaurant. A waitress came over, "How many?" Mano signaled on his hand two fingers, "Two." The waitress grabs two menus and leads the way to a table. 

Mano thanked the waitress and took his seat. He began to browse the menu options when he heard someone clear their throat. "Hm?" He looked away from the menu to see Ari look like a complete knockout. She was wearing a collared long sleeve mini dress with a v-neckline that complimented her hair color and pink heel boots. She grinned noticing that he was speechless and proud of herself she took her seat, "If you don't close your mouth soon people will notice and start staring." He shut his trap quickly and cleared his throat, "I'm sorry I feel like I'm underdressed for the occasion" She picked the menu up and started to browse through, "Don't worry about it. You're still a snack." 

Mano choked up on the glass of water he poured himself when the waitress left a water pitcher earlier, "You have no shame even in a public space..." Ari sticks her tongue out at him playfully as the waitress comes by to take their order. After Mano and Ari gave the employee their order they began having a conversation about what they plan on doing in the near future. The waitress came by with a bottle of fallen angel, "Here's a drink for you two." Mano looks at her confused then at Ari, "Did you order this?" Ari also confused shook her head, "No?" The waitress cuts in, "I apologize, I forgot to mention it came from the couple sitting over there." The waitress directed their hands over to a well dressed couple sitting on the opposite end of the restaurant that appeared to be in either their late 30s or early forties lifting their wine glasses to them.

Mano and Ari look over at the couple, but Mano is the one who looks back at their table quickly to see the waitress about to pour into some shot glasses. "Stop!" he exclaimed scaring the waitress stiff, "S-sir?" Ari was spooked too as she turns her attention to Mano, "Mano?" He forces a light chuckle and a smile, "I'm sorry. We'd rather take the bottle home if that is okay." The waitress nods leaving the bottle with them. Mano let out a long exhale, "Just our luck..." Ari could see that he looked stressed, "Is it because of the couple?" Mano nods and crosses his arms, "The woman is Nidia's boss." Ari did a double take at the lady, "That's her?! Dang can she clean herself up well." 

The waitress soon comes back with their food and drinks serving them. Once they were done the waitress wished them well and left them. Ari was starving thanks to their exercise working up her appetite. Mano took his fork but just stared at his food lost in thought. Then he heard the sound of a utensil tapping against a plate. He snapped out of it and looked at her, "You're doing it again Mano. You'll feel better when you eat so c'mon before it gets cold." He started eating his food silently. When he was halfway done with his plate he said, "Sorry. I didn't want to think about work and there she goes ordering us a drink and I didn't like the message." Taking a sip from his drink she tilts her head in confusion looking at him, " Message? What message?"