Sit, Stay, Roll Over ✓

(23) Mask On

🐾

 IT'S BEEN FIVE DAYS since Hunter left the apartment because of his suspension. I haven't heard anything from him since then, and for some reason, I have been denied access to enter the Companion's Association, which actually disguises itself as a pet shop.

     So as I waited for his return, I went back to reliving the boring life that I desperately tried to run away from in the past.

     "The sales for the issue we released sold better than we expected. A lot became curious about the model and he even became a hot topic in a couple of entertainment articles," the head of the Marketing Department stated while he was standing in front of us, showing his presentation on the projector.

     I stared at the chart that was being flashed in front and I couldn't help but chuckle. I probably contributed a huge percentage of that because of the number of magazines I bought for myself. Every time I pass by a bookstore, I'd grab a copy of Hunter's magazine and just impulsively buy it like an idiot.

     "We're already planning on our next project. A lot of brands reached out to us and are asking if Noah can model for them. We're still trying to choose what we'll take, and we're also hoping to get him to model for a billboard," he explains while everyone quietly listened to him.

     I sat at the very back of the room, doodling on my notebook instead of writing things down because I knew that Noah, AKA Hunter, is planning to quit after all this is done. He hasn't officially said it to HR yet, but that was something that we already talked about, so all this is useless.

     "Now let's talk about the commercials..."

     As everyone was still busy talking about this month's new project, I walked out of the meeting room and decided to take a break. As I got out, I saw Jane walking in my direction, holding boxes over boxes, so I rushed towards her and quickly grabbed the one on top so I could help her.

    "Oh, Day, thank you," she says. "Is the meeting over?"

    "No, I just took a break. Let me help you with this first. Where are you bringing them."

    "God, you're a lifesaver," she tells me, making me chuckle. "I'm heading to room 1209. These are the props they need for one of the shoots. Everyone else was busy so I just decided to bring them myself."

     "Alright, then let's go."

     Jane and I walked our way to the elevator so we could bring the boxes to the 12th floor. My stupid self didn't want to enter the elevator because I have a very strange memory of it, but at the same time, I don't want Jane to think I'm crazy to use the stairs instead, so I took a deep breath and finally went inside the elevator with her.

     While the two of us were waiting, I glanced at Jane's reflection on the door and decided to ask him, "Jane, you're married to someone who works at a corporate company, right?"

     Jane was obviously surprised because she looked back at me like I had something horrible on my face. I guess we never really talked about things like this so her reaction is expected.

     "W-Well yeah, why'd you ask?"

     "He goes on business trips, right? I just wanted to know how you handle that, like...how do you avoid getting anxious while you wait for him to come back?" I ask, and a huge smile suddenly appears on Jane's face.

     "I see, so you found someone," she suddenly blurts out, almost making me drop the boxes that I was holding.

     "N-Not exactly," I answer, but the look on Jane's face showed that she didn't believe me, so I took a deep breath and just nodded my head in defeat. "Yeah, you got me, I'm with someone right now."