A Toast to Tonight

I stepped out of the office with my bag as I typed a response, "You're the best, darling! I'm so lucky!

"Give me 30 minutes. We'll go on with that game."

I followed up with a kiss emoji and another text. "I want to cuddle with you online right now. Hehe!"

As I waited for a reply, I saw a tall figure in my periphery and hurriedly put the phone away.

I was unsure if it was because I felt guilty for badmouthing him, but I blurted, "Mr. Barlow, you're leaving work?"

Zack glanced at me coldly and replied, "Mind your own business."

I tamped my irritation down wordlessly for the sake of my six-figure salary.

My phone kept vibrating. Z had likely responded, but I dared not look at his messages. Zack was taller than me, and I was worried he'd see my messages cursing him. Then I'll be doomed.

Once inside the elevator, I tried to make myself seem smaller. I stared at the falling numbers, wishing I could arrive sooner.

I caught a glimpse of Zack's reflection on the elevator doors. A strange smile had appeared on his perpetually icy face while he looked at his phone.

What?! Zack Barlow knew how to smile? Who on earth was that person on the phone?

I was so stunned that I forgot to look away.

Zack caught me staring, and his expression turned icy once more. "Do you find my looks so surprising, Ms. Atlas?" he asked mildly.

I did not respond.

After getting home, I took a quick shower and lay down, launching my game.

As soon as Z came online, I pulled him into a chatroom. "There you are, darling! I've missed you. Come hug me!

"Oh, you're playing as Lilly? Go put on the new skin I bought."

If there was one downside to online dating, it was that Z was a bit of a novice when it came to games.

Yet, it was alright. I could play as Rex, and that was enough. I was in charge of chaos and killing, while his job was to wait and celebrate for our victory.

Back then, it was my decent gaming skills that won Z over.

I heard a low chuckle through the receiver. "Are you feeling better?"

I grinned and replied, "Much better. As long as I don't have to breathe the same air as that prick, I feel fantastic."

There was a brief silence before I heard Z's voice, tinged with mirth. "Would wearing a mask make you feel better at work tomorrow?"

"Honey, don't be so cheesy," I retorted.

Since I left work late, I only played a few rounds before it was time to sleep.

We had switched from the in-game voice chat to a regular phone call. "Darling, I've not seen your abs yet today."

Z then sent me three pictures taken from different angles. I zoomed in on each one to admire it.

I was likely silent for too long because Z asked, "Do you like them, honey?"

I kicked my feet in the air wildly before squealing, "They look amazing!"

I was never going to get tired of them, even if I saw them every day.

"Do you want to see them in person?" Z suddenly asked.

This made me pause mid-swipe.

Z and I had been together for almost a year, yet this was the first time he brought up meeting in person.

To be frank, I was a bit hesitant. I was worried he wasn't what I imagined him to be, and that I wasn't what he envisioned, either.

Given how rushed things were at first, I never imagined us lasting this long.

From our daily interactions, we seemed to get along well. He was very stable emotionally. No matter what I dumped on him, he took it in stride and never behaved condescendingly.

When that thought crossed my mind, I had the urge to say yes.