Right There Waiting

If my 'baby' was really one of them, I would die.

I hence began to swipe through our chat records with a frenzy, hoping for a little clue… and I really did find one.

Last month, he was looking for a cup at the mall and sent a ton of photos.

[Shopping with friends and I'm thinking about getting a cup. Pick a pretty one for me, and I'll buy one for you too.]

I eventually picked a lacquered titanium cup, but I refused a gift as I didn't want to reveal my address.

Even so, he bought it. [My baby picked it, so it'd definitely be great.]

And now, I just had to check who was using one!

Still, I didn't notice the cup even after walking around the office a few times, and I sent a probing message: [Are you still using that cup?]

His reply came instantly.

[I am! It's really great!]

He even sent a photo of it on a desk, but for some reason, I couldn't match it with anyone's desk.

Even as I was left bemused, I received a direct message on workplace software from my ever-serious boss, Neil Forest.

[There's an issue with the proposal. Please come to my office.]

As I entered, I found Neil on a call, his voice soft completely unlike his usual tone.

"Yeah, babe—I miss you too. Drop by my office tomorrow… Yeah, Carl's coming too. You can hitch a ride.

"I mean, I'm worried you'll get tired from driving—yes, yes, okay. You're the boss! Drive safe. I'll go back to work now. Mwah!!!"

I promptly turned to look outside the window.

It was just so cringeworthy, and I certainly didn't expect my usually ice-cold boss to be that clingy in private.

That was when Neil cleared his throat after hanging up, once again the calm and composed superior as he said, "The investor has already checked out our proposal and was mostly satisfied, but there are details that need adjustments. I've marked them, so edit them later."

"Yes, Mr. Forest," I replied.

I was ready to leave when I noticed the cup placed at a corner of his desk out of the corner of my eye.

Pure titanium, lacquered, and the exact same design that I had picked for my online boyfriend.

Thunderstruck, I froze on the spot.

Seeing that I wasn't leaving, Neil looked up. "What?"

I forced myself to stay calm and pointed at the cup. "That's quite a special cup. Where did you get it?"

Neil nonchalantly mentioned the very same mall and grinned so broadly that his eyes creased like crescents. "What, you want one too?"

I was speechless but quickly shook my head. "Nothing… Just asking."

With those words, I virtually fled Neil's office, as all I could think of was the ridiculous idea that Neil was my online boyfriend.

But if I was his girlfriend, then who did he just call 'babe'?

Could he be… two timing?!

I felt like I had imploded and drifted around like I had lost my soul.

Naturally, I didn't answer any of my online boyfriend's texts.

I pulled myself together to fix the proposal and headed home, feeling completely drained.

Through it all, my screen kept flashing—all texts from my online boyfriend.

[Are you busy, babe?]

[Where are you, baby?]

[Why are you ignoring me?]

[You're acting strange today. Was it something I did? Just tell me, and I'll definitely fix it!]

[Say something! You're scaring me!]

My finger tips twitching, I sent a cool line back.

[Is there something you've been keeping from me?]

The response was instantaneous: [No way! I'm always serious and honest about you. Is there a misunderstanding here?]

[Nope.]

I took a deep breath, doing my best to quell my messy thoughts.