Mr. Badass ✔

25 Even If I Were Drinking Sulfuric Acid

Gemma's POV.

I sometimes think back to that night when I was drunk—the hugs, the kisses, and that scheduled email I sent. But then I wonder—what does any of this have to do with my future?

It's like walking down a road and a leaf falls from the head. The leaf might land on the ground or be blown away by the wind, but the person is destined to keep moving forward.

Meanwhile, my interactions with Jacob have been increasing, mainly because we've been drinking together. During the workweek, I stop by the café and notice that his attitude has improved a lot. He still doesn't smile much, but when explaining the products to customers, he speaks with patience. When he cleans the tables, he even makes sure to tidy up all the nooks and crannies under the tables and chairs.

The most outrageous thing is that young girls seem to be into his whole act now. When they walk in, they ask if there's a hot staff with an eyebrow piercing. They say his resting bro face is so classy, and that they came specifically after seeing him online.

As a result, the manager has put Jacob back at the front counter. Business has noticeably improved, with lines of young girls waiting to order. By the end of the day, Jacob often receives little slips of paper with phone numbers, which he throws into the trash.

I watch in amusement and tease him, "You're not into older women, fine, but what about the young ones? Not interested either?"

Jacob closes the lid of the trash can, places his hands on his hips, and frowns. "I don't have time for relationships right now. I need to focus on my career."

His words make me laugh. "What career? Your 2,500-a-month job, half of which gets deducted?This one? "

He raises a fist, pretending he's going to hit me. But I'm not afraid of him anymore—I know his tricks are just for show.

"Oh, by the way, do you have plans next Friday?" Jacob suddenly asks.

"Why?" I respond.

"Let's have dinner together on Friday night."

"I've got a company outing during the day. We're going hiking in the mountains."

"When does it end?"

"It's an hour's drive from the city, so I should be home by around six in the evening."

"How about we meet at seven then?"

"Sure," I nod.

It's already spring, but the mornings and evenings are still chilly, so I drag Charlotte with me to buy a windbreaker, getting ready for the outing.

As we are picking clothes, Charlotte seems to remember something. She looks up at me and asks, "Now that you've broken up with Luke, how does it feel to see him at work?"

I shrug. "He's the boss. I'm still relying on him to pay me, so how else should I feel?"

Charlotte falls silent for a moment before giving me a thumbs-up. "You're a role model for women."

"When office romances fail, they usually end with the woman quitting."

I grab a windbreaker and try it on in front of the mirror. "It's hard enough to find a job these days. I'm not about to mess with my paycheck."

Charlotte claps for me, "Warrior."

Friday arrives quickly. Every spring, Allum Motors holds a company outing event. This year, everyone voted to stay at a nearby mountain lodge, close enough to enjoy the scenery without the hassle of a long trip.

Our previous boss had always been much older than us, and his position made everyone feel pressured, so he never joined the activities.

I figured Luke wouldn't show up this year either, but when I arrive at the company's entrance at 8 a.m. and see the bus, I catch a glimpse of Luke's profile through the window.