multiverse ive

intern - Couplez

Liz adjusted her blazer, taking a deep breath as she stepped into the sleek office building. The hum of conversations filled the air, punctuated by the click of keyboards and the occasional laughter from a nearby group. As an intern, she was determined to make a mark, but her heart raced for another reason—Rei.

The new employee from Japan had captured her attention from the moment she walked in, her quiet confidence and warm smile igniting something within her. Their brief introduction had left her with a lingering sense of excitement, and as she made her way to the conference room, she couldn't help but wonder about their next encounter.

Rei leaned against her desk, glancing around the office filled with unfamiliar faces. Transferring from Japan had its challenges, but she was determined to adapt. Her gaze fell on Liz as she animatedly discussed a project with a colleague. There was something about her passion that drew her in—an energy that made she want to know more. As Liz caught her eye and grinned, Rei's pulse quickened, and she couldn't deny the spark of attraction between them.

"I'm just going to grab lunch," Liz called out to her coworker, heading toward Rei. "You want to join me?" hoping for her to agreed. "Sure," Rei replied, her voice steady despite her growing anticipation. "What are you getting?"

"A sandwich and chips." Liz stepped closer, her hand brushing against Rei's. "I don't eat much for lunch, it's not my thing." Rei's heart skipped a beat at the brief contact. "Sounds good to me."

As they left the office together, Rei couldn't help but notice the way Liz's eyes crinkled when she smiled, or the way her hair curled slightly at the ends. She felt a flutter in her chest, and she knew this lunch date was the start of something more. She was intrigued by Liz, not just because of her beauty but also her passion for her work and her infectious energy. She couldn't wait to see where this would lead.

In the break room, Liz placed the sandwich on the table and turned to Rei with a mischievous grin. "Did you know we have a vending machine that sells toys? It's actually pretty fun." Rei looks excited with the information. "Oh yeah?" Rei arched a brow. "What's in there?"

"Little trinkets, mostly cat-themed." Liz leaned in, a dimple appearing on her cheek. "We can both take one if you want. What do you think?" Rei chuckled, feeling a connection between them. "Alright, let's see what we get." They fed the machine, and with a whir, their toys fell into the tray. Liz retrieved a pink heart, while Rei received a red heart. Their eyes met as they examined the small figurines.

"I guess it says we're compatible," Liz mused. Rei nodded, her pulse racing at the possibility. "I guess so." Liz looked at her, her expression softening. "Rei, can I ask you something?"

"Sure," Rei murmured, feeling her cheeks warm. "Do you like cats?" Rei's breath caught. "Yeah, I do." Liz smiled. "Me too! You have cat?" Liz asked, leaning closer. Rei shook her head, the proximity making her heart race. "I want to, but I live in an apartment and it's hard to have a cat in there."

"Well, if you ever move into a house, you should get a cat," Liz suggested. "You can even name it something Japanese." Rei smiled. "Maybe I'll name it Neko, or Kiko." Liz giggled, their shoulders brushing as she shifted in her seat. "Those are cute names. I'll have to remember them."

They continued to chat, their conversation flowing easily. Rei learned that Liz didn't like green tea but enjoyed trying different flavors, and Liz discovered Rei's love for animals. As they finished their lunch, Rei felt a sense of disappointment that their time together was coming to an end. She glanced at her watch and rose from the table.

"Well, it was nice talking to you," she said, her voice soft. "It was great," Liz agreed. "Maybe we can do it again sometime?" Rei's pulse leaped. "I'd like that."