Love My Friends with Benefits

Mr. Chow asked me to sit down in front of him.

I sighed, not intending to explain. "I'm sorry, it's all my fault."

There was no point mulling over the reason since the mistake had already been made. That was how things were in the workplace.

Mr. Chow shook his head and sighed. "You don't look so good. Have you been crying? Did you and your boyfriend break up?"

...

My breath hitched.

The word "boyfriend" hit me in a sore spot. Leonard had never treated me as his girlfriend. We could only be described as friends with benefits.

I didn't say anything. To Mr. Chow, this was a yes answer.

He stood up, walked over to me, and patted me on the shoulder sympathetically. "That's how relationships are, you know. There's no need to take it so seriously. You're still young, Queena, and there are many fishes in the ocean."

I tried to smile. "Thanks."

Something seemed to occur to Mr. Chow and his eyes lit up. "Oh, right, how about that guy from the investment firm? He seemed really interested in you!"

Was he referring to Austin?

I lowered my head and said nothing.

Mr. Chow winked at me. "Out with the old, in with the new. Queena, think about it. If you get together with Austin, you'll be able to close so many deals for the company!"

His enthusiasm flared up instantly. I could only go through the motions and say, "Thanks. I'll think about it."

"You should get some rest today." Mr. Chow sat down behind his desk again. "Get a good night's sleep and come back to work tomorrow."

...

Since my direct superior had given the order, I started packing up my things to go home.

As soon as I was done, the phone on my desk rang.

I answered it, and Lily's voice came through. "Miss. Jones, there's a client looking for you at the front desk."

Another client? It was the last thing I wanted to deal with at the moment.

lips, deciding not to tell her that I'd been

bag back into the drawer underneath my desk and turned to see May

Could it be...

walked over to May. "Which client

jump to conclusions," May denied as she shook her head. "I haven't been in contact with him. How would I know

dispelled a little

She urged, "Hurry up!"

skillfully May had acted at Phoebe's wedding, my suspicions were raised again. "Are you really not lying to

why would I lie to

May blinked innocently.

darting around, she'd

"May, you..." I sighed.

Austin's voice rang out from behind me.

up here

sheepish. I turned

She started typing

out a hand and grasped

could smell his expensive cologne. Inexplicably, I thought of another pair of hands, one

up his briefcase. "Aren't you going to invite me to have a seat? I have

"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure."

led Austin into an empty conference

a chair for me before seating himself. He pulled out a document from his briefcase but

dark eye circles

was insistent. "You

much

the moment the words were out

extremely important to our company and would have a direct impact on our profit for

it like

to blame. It was unprofessional of me to ask

easily resolved the awkward

and started

a long time, but I couldn't absorb anything. It felt

patiently, not saying a

more embarrassed I felt. I had no choice but to put the document aside and

fine. Happens to

gentle that it pierced me. I bowed my head, not daring

man would only be this accommodating and gentle with

seemed that he could no