What did I just do?
Did I just... sniff Otis's scent right in front of him?
Her face turned scarlet, and even her ears flushed with color. Panic flooded her wide eyes.
Otis, oblivious to her earlier actions, asked again worriedly,
"Are you okay?"
No, I'm not okay!
I am absolutely not okay!
My dignity and reputation!
Mei screamed internally.
Inside her mind, another version of herself was holding her head in her hands, face burning, shaking in complete mortification.
Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!
"What on earth was I doing? I just threw myself into my ex-boyfriend's arms and sniffed him. I'd rather jump off a building right now..."
She glanced at Otis's face drawing closer, her panic intensifying.
Her gaze flickered over his chiseled jawline and those full, perfect lips she used to... No, she didn't long for them!
Mei trembled, her entire body shivering.
Otis thought Mei might have hit her head, so he gently shook her and asked,
"Say something, what's wrong with you?"
Oh no, did she really bump her head?
He raised a hand and touched her forehead.
Mei froze like a computer crashing, her heart going from wild hammering to a complete stop. Her face, already flushed, burned an even deeper red, like a boiled lobster emitting steam.
To Otis, her forehead felt like it was sizzling on a teppanyaki grill.
He quickly withdrew his hand and shook it lightly.
Not just hot—scalding.
They both stood still for three seconds before Mei snapped back to reality. She took half a step back, straightened up, and stammered,
"I... You... You!"
Otis released his left hand, which had been supporting her.
"You, I, I?"
Mei squeezed her eyes shut and blurted out in a rapid-fire rush:
"I didn't mean to be cold to you earlier, I'm sorry!"
Otis blinked in surprise.
So that's what you came to tell me?
He scratched his head.
"I shouldn't have said those insensitive things earlier either. Sorry."
Mei clenched her fists tightly, her lips pressed into a stiff upside-down V, trying to keep her face from looking too awkward—though it already was.
"Okay then, goodbye! I'm going to bed!"
With that, she stiffly turned, marched back to her room, and slammed the door shut behind her.
Inside her small room, the curtains were drawn tightly, allowing only slivers of moonlight to seep through, casting a soft silver glow that illuminated her white dress and her blushing face. The pale light outlined her graceful curves.
Mei leaned her back against the door, feeling her chaotic heartbeat gradually slow. She let out a long sigh and began to calm down.
What on earth am I doing?
I just came to apologize, and yet I ended up falling into Otis's arms... and sniffing him.
It wasn't even a synthetic cologne scent; it was his natural scent—a sunny, vibrant aroma that Mei couldn't help but love.
But you can't just sniff someone like that!
She slowly slid down to sit on the cold tiled floor, burying her flushed face in her hands, too embarrassed even for the moonlight to see her.
Otis, meanwhile, stood frozen at the door, replaying the recent scene in his mind.
Grasping Mei's arm, wrapping his arm around her waist, pulling her close.
The soft, petite sensation lingered in his thoughts.
Dammit, don't let your heart race over something this trivial.
Otis chastised himself for being so useless, but he couldn't help clinging to that fleeting moment of closeness. Little did he know, Mei was feeling even more useless than him.
He stared at his right hand, which still seemed to retain the warmth of Mei's body.
Hot...
Otis headed to the bathroom and ran cold water over his hand.
The icy water flowed over his heated fingers, cooling both his hand and his scattered thoughts.
---
Saturday,
Otis woke up at 7:30 a.m.
What a nightmare—having to wake up early on the weekend.
This is the absurdity of teambuilding activities.
Going out is fine, but couldn't they adjust the schedule? Like meeting in the afternoon, having dinner together in the evening, and then everyone heading home. Wouldn't that be nice?
Otis brushed his teeth and washed up quietly. Mei's door was still closed; she was probably enjoying her morning sleep-in.
I wonder what she'll eat today.
Otis wanted to tell her to stop eating bread all the time, but given their current relationship and Mei's limited funds, her options were likely limited to bread, instant noodles, or crackers.
He shut the apartment door softly and headed to the front gate of the building to wait.
---
A week into his job, Otis had grown familiar with his colleagues.
His department wasn't large—just twelve people.
The department head, Rex Sherwood, was the mastermind behind this teambuilding event, claiming it was to properly welcome the new employees.
There were three new hires, all male: Otis, Fred, and Dominic Richart. They were all being mentored by a senior engineer named Samiel Crel.
The teambuilding event was surprisingly more enjoyable than Otis had anticipated. However, by dinnertime, the endless rounds of drinking began. Whether they knew each other or not, everyone seemed to be toasting two glasses together.
How long is this going to last?
Otis stared at the banquet table laden with untouched dishes.
What a waste!
Rex, his face flushed from drinking, started lecturing the recent graduates, spouting life advice.
"Work hard every day, stay late, and learn as much as you can. That's how you get ahead early."
Otis, half-listening, could only hear Rex's droning voice and the clinking of glasses.
And then Rex suddenly pointed at the uneaten dishes and said,
"These are going to waste. Why don't you guys pack them up and take them home?"
That perked Otis right up.
"Yes, sir! Thank you, sir!"
Rex looked slightly bewildered at the enthusiastic young man.
What's with this guy?
---
Meanwhile, back at home, Mei was sprawled out on the couch all day.
She'd ordered a spicy Mala hotpot and resolved not to eat anything else unless necessary. Perfect plan!
But her period was approaching, and menstrual supplies were annoyingly expensive.
She lay on the couch, her pale legs swinging slightly.
I wonder if Otis is having fun today. He's probably stuffed himself.
Eat up, Otis...
Mei thought to herself, wishing him well in her own way. If this had been before, he definitely would have sent her pictures of his meals.
That's what dating was like—sharing everything, every little detail of each other's daily lives.
But now, Mei glanced at her phone.
Oh, right. I deleted his contact info. Never mind.
Even though I still remember his phone number and social media ID perfectly.
I'm such a terrifying woman, Mei thought ruefully.
She glanced at the wall clock in the living room. It was already 9 p.m.
Why isn't he back yet?
Worry crept in. Teambuilding always involved drinking. What if Otis was drunk?
As she pondered, she heard familiar footsteps outside the door.
It's Otis.
Then she heard his voice calling out,
"Mei, Mei!"