Could It Be You? |✓

(7) Coincidence

New Year's Bash, the title says. Emma clicks on the email and a digitally generated bomb blows up in her face, showering her screen with party poppers and streamers. It's that time of the year again, and time flies as always. Her company's always swimming in money, so they hold such parties each year without fail. Without hesitation, Emma hits the RSVP button and begins filling in her details. It's after all one of the few social activities she actually bothers to attend, if only for the 5-star buffet. When she's done, her eyes stealthily shifts up as she directs her attention towards the photocopier room. She watches as more and more female employees join the beeline, all because of one single person at the head of the queue - Matt. It must be coincidental that his presence has become a proxy for the room's peak usage.

She flinches as she recalls the bunch of messages they have corresponded with each other over the past few days, and lingers on a particular one received 3 nights ago.

"It's hard not to notice someone who adds me on Facebook within 3 minutes of seeing my face."

Arrogant and cringey as it sounds, it affected her. Just the thought of it sends an unnamed thrill down her spine, but she always deflates a little when she wonders if he's been doing the same thing with the other girls.

When Matt is done with printing, he begins to head towards her direction en route to his office. It is puzzling because his eyes seem to be focused on her, or more likely, stuff behind her. But when Matt stops right in front of her station, Emma knows shit is about to get real.

"Are you free for lunch?" Matt asks straightforwardly.

Soft gasps sound from behind and Emma herself sits stunned.

"Huh?"

The audacity of him to ask her out in front of the entire office!

"We've a client to meet, team leader," he says, and throws a stack of papers onto her desk.

"Oh," Emma says belatedly, "yes, I am."

"Great. See you then!"

Smiling, he walks back to his own office.

Emma exhales loudly. What was she thinking? That was bordering on embarrassing and she hopes he didn't catch her entertaining the idea of going for a private lunch with him. She turns back to the stack and starts ploughing through the documents.

* * *

Emma brings her coat closer to her body to fend against the chilly November wind, her auburn hair wild in the breeze. Matt must have really long legs because she has to jog to keep up. They jaywalk across the roads and enter into Grand Hotel, the location of the meeting. With a magnificently decorated Christmas tree smack in the middle of the lobby, hanging lights in the shape of reindeer and mistletoes dangling on pillars, this place is all ready for Christmas.

Matt gestures her towards a suite in the restaurant, and Emma puts on her most dazzling smile, ready for business.

When the door swings open, however, Emma's smile falters. She staggers back a little when she sees the well-dressed man and his assistant. Of all persons in the world, does it really have to be this one? Can't the world be bigger? The enthusiasm she had just seconds ago is quickly replaced by repulsion and horror.

No. Not him. A voice screams in Emma's head. Not when she has resolved to never meet him again. Not -

"Joshua," Emma mutters. She stares at the man with a straight face. Although he is looking dapper in his silk suit, she can't help but feel repulsed by his presence.

She watches Joshua and Matt exchange something like a bro hug. Slowly, his gaze shifts from Matt to her and she holds her breath as he addresses her.