I couldn't believe it when I found myself agreeing to marry my best friend that night.
**a ForthBeam short story**
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author...
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As I examined Ja's product, sparks danced in the air before vanishing. I was genuinely impressed by the remarkable progress both brothers had made during their short time at Kalayaan. In fact, I was leaning towards offering them permanent positions if they were interested. Their work was exceptional, and their dedication was even more commendable. Unlike the previous employees they were replacing, they had never been late or called in sick.
It might be challenging to come across skilled fabricators who didn't slack off whenever they pleased. The brothers presently working on welding in my workshop were incredibly valuable to me, like precious diamonds.
"Forth! Phone!" Vadee called from the back of the warehouse.
"Keep at it. I won't be long," Before heading to my office, I informed Ja and made my way across the floor. To minimize the noise of metal grinding, I closed the door and swiftly grabbed the ringing receiver.
"Forth Jaturapoom," I said.
"Hello, Mr. Jaturapoom! This is Dr. Tul Kunakorn calling from Queen of Mercy Hospital. I'm really sorry to inform you that there has been a terrible accident involving your sister. We urgently need you to come to the hospital as soon as possible to discuss the possibility of donating a kidney, perhaps even both."
"Beam," I scolded. "You're not fooling anyone."
I could hear him laughing through the phone. "Well, maybe not you, but that sweet-sounding girl who answered might believe it."
"Pretty sure Vadee knows I don't have a sister."
"Details," Beam said. "Is Jeed there today?"
I narrowed my eyes, even though he couldn't see me. "Of course. Why?"
"Let's ditch the afternoon and have some fun together. I pretended to have a terrible stomachache just to escape from a boring departmental meeting."
"How did you fake explosive gastric distress? Is that even a thing?"
"I'm completely clueless, but it seems like everyone around here thinks it is. The whole situation was incredibly intense. And revolting. However, regardless of that, I'm not the one working, they are, and at this moment, so are you. I really need you not to be."
I glanced at the Excel sheet displayed on my computer screen and took a brief pause. It was evident that we were either on time or even ahead of schedule with all our production goals for the week.
"Allow me an hour to wrap things up, and then I'll join you at home," I suggested.
"Perfect."
**
After an hour and a half, I managed to escape from work, freshen up with a shower, and put on new clothes. When I entered the kitchen, I spotted Beam enjoying a cup of coffee.
