Chapter 4
4
J a’vari:
“Mr. St. Clair, great catch today on that system error,” a coworker of mine, Alan, said as he gathered his items from the table. I’d been in Seoul, South Korea, for almost two weeks, and I’d settled into my position at my job with ease. I worked with a company that did multiple high-end jobs, but at the moment, we were creating a system that would prevent hackers that had been breeching systems lately. During the board meeting, I noticed a few areas that would make it simple for a hacker who really knew their stuff to get in.
“’Preciate that, man.” I grabbed up my things, stuffing them in my messenger bag. It was the middle of the day, so I was preparing for my break. Alan, another guy named Johnson, a female named Vanessa who had come aboard yesterday, and I were the only Americans in the office. The rest were Korean.
“You headed to lunch with us?” he asked, already headed for the door.
Most times, I’d head out to lunch with them, but today, I didn’t really have an appetite, and when that happened, I’d hit the gym in the building. “Nah, man, not today. I’m gonna hang back.”
“A’ight, catch you after.”
My response was a head nod as I headed for the door.
“Headed to lunch?” I heard just as I stepped out of the conference room.
I didn’t even need to turn around to know it was Vanessa, but I turned anyway. She was fresh in the office, but shy or introverted, she was not. Even her asking if I was headed to lunch was just to get my attention, as it was obvious I was, since we all went to lunch at the same time. “Yeah.”
Vanessa smiled widely, her gap on display. “Mind if I join you?”
My breakup with Radiance was still fresh. The pain and realization of not having her would take some time to ease. Eventually, I’d move on, but right now, it felt like if I did, I’d be betraying her in some way. Not only that, but a piece of me still had hope that it really wasn’t the end.
“I’m actually not heading out. I’m going to the gym.” I offered a smile, preparing to walk away.
“Dang it.” I halted. Vanessa playfully pouted. “Too bad I didn’t know about your gym run during lunch, or else I would have been prepared.” The pout faded, and her smile was back. “Lunch tomorrow on me.” She wasn’t asking; her tone was letting me know she wouldn’t take no for an answer.
“Okay.”
“Enjoy your workout, Ja’vari.” Vanessa passed me, touching my arm as she did. I could tell just off her confidence that when Vanessa wanted something, she would be sure to chase it until she got it. I had no plans of entertaining her, but whatever happened would just happen.