The New me

Back at the company, we are doing back to back presentations. My group has a fixed timeline and deadline is getting nearer. The project is to promote a newly built restaurant owned by my mother and to recognize a fresh approach to market real estates.

It was hectic. Our thoughts are being fried out yet we need to step up our game. It was so busy that even the famed company gossipers don't have time for an idle chat.

By lunchtime, I've been starving. The company gives each employee meal tickets to use daily. You can eat at the canteen for free when presenting it but it is limited to one meal ticket per person. It seemed that today most of the employees ate inside as there was only bread left when I arrived.

I was looking forward to eating rice so I decided to eat outside.

If you went left past the corner of the building three blocks away from the company, there is a small diner place that offers good food for a cheap price. The owners are an old couple. They started their business because they wanted to fill the absence of their children who are working away from home.

On the signboard, they put on lunch buffet but listed only at Saturdays on a limited time. Checking my watch, the hour is right except it is only Thursday today. Bummer.

I ordered beef broccoli with plain rice, Szechuan pork, egg drop soup, vegetable fried rice and fried dumplings. I was planning to add a bit more but restrained myself upon noticing the server's expression. I am not a glutton. It may look too much but when you are starved plus nearing that day of the month, you eat a bit more than on normal days.

I was told it will take fifteen to twenty minutes to prepare my order so I sat down at one of the two remaining vacant tables.

The place only has eight four-seater tables on a straight line. They have a custom made counter with six bar stools that are perfect for solo diners. All are occupied.

Two group of customers entered through the glass door while I was waiting for my food. The first group consists of three persons, they took a sit after my table. The second one is a two-person team. Both heads turned sideways as they look for a place. They then went ahead and placed orders.

I expected them to wait for a few minutes and try their luck in securing a seat once one group is done eating.

I never imagined that they will separate. One guy went to hug a girl who I assumed to be his girlfriend then sat beside her. And the other guy is making his way over my table.

Just in time when I heard the table buzzer sound, confirming that my order's ready.

I got up and met the guy's face. He stood opposite me as he awkwardly asks if I have a company to which I said no then he proceeded to ask permission to share a table.

"Sure, no problem." I left him and headed to the counter to get my food.

One service crew helped me bring my food to the table. I dutifully thanked him right after. And the moment he returned to his post, I began ingesting my food. I even forgot to ask my table mate to have a bite out of courtesy as I was starving.

'Kuh'

I was wolfing down the food that I choked. I instinctively touched my throat.

Cough. Cough.

I patted my chest as my other hand reaches for my water. The guy opposite me pushed it to my side and I drunk it the second I touched the glass. I can feel my cheeks flush.

Since it's lunchtime, the place is packed. It was a little noisy so I'm guessing nobody paid attention to me when I choked. It that was the case then That's reassuring.

Inwardly, I am still embarrassed. "Thank you," I uttered without looking at the guy's face.

"It's nothing." He dismissed. Thank goodness, it seemed he's the type that does not care much about others. I started eating again, though this time, I was more careful.

He went to pick up his food and when he returned, his tray only has plain rice, shrimp with garlic sauce and chicken corn soup. Aware that I was looking over his direction, he smirked.

*******! Look at that smug face! Will you die not remembering I choke on beef?! Bite-size even!

Now my eyes are shooting daggers.

"Careful, else you'll--- choke."

Argh! So hateful. Hey mister, are we close?

So yeah, I was gulping them down one by one without proper chewing. But whose fault was it?

Let's not bother each other.

I withdrew my gaze and took a deep breath. I did not say anything and just continued eating. Since there was no reaction from me, he began eating his meal. We ate in peace.

Every now and then I would look at my watch. I did so to monitor the time left on my break.

The guy finished eating right after me.

Without the smug look on his face, he looks like a cool pretty boy. One exuding sexy charms. Even when I saw him the first time, he felt charismatic. The ladies dining here kept turning their heads too. He also looks like someone around my age or a few years older.

What is beauty when your attitude's conceited. The good impression I had on him before was completely shattered.

I shook my head. I'll better admire the strays cats outside.

I came in before him but I went out last.

As my motto at work is to be 'on time', I only came back when it was exactly time to resume the job.

Filling up my stomach helped me concentrate better. We finally decided on what direction are we going with one of our projects. We used the whole afternoon in planning. I'm worn out. Sometimes the mental stress is draining more than the physical labor.