dizzylagoon
Writer
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2025
- Posts
- 81
Don't look. Don't even take a glance.
Aaron's fists clenched. He wouldn't look at her. It'd be... a terrifible idea. Unprofessional. Improper. Plain stupid. But fuck, he wanted to.
The gorgeous brunette bombshell settled down in the office's cafe, idly chatting with Nancy from the marketing team. Figures. They were both working on this new project, an ad campaign proposal. The cafe itself was cozy and well stocked, most likely in an effort to lower turnover rate. They must've thought people cared more about mediocre coffee and fairy lights than the pay.
But Aaron couldn't focus on the cafe, or on his work for that matter. All he could think about was her. He ran his hands through his raven-black hair, tousling it until he felt like it looked right. It didn't do anything to clear his head. All he could think about was her. The boss's favorite, the only woman he's ever had his jaw drop upon seeing, and his ex, Valerie.
Looking away from her was a Herculean effort. It's as if she folded the room around herself, magnetizing his gaze without even trying. His emotions bubbled in his chest, a confusing mix of several, equally powerful feelings. She was so intoxicating, she made him physically dizzy. She just got a promotion, too. He wondered how she managed to work hard and look good doing it.
But she...she was his ex. And his coworker. Going for her is violating every social taboo he could think of. He took a deep sip of his coffee, stirred with embarrassingly large doses of milk and sugar.
It didn't work. So, he decided to fuck off.
As he made his way out of the cafe, and into the east wing of the building, he noticed a figure moving towards him, marked by his trademark smile. His boss, Kione. He moved with an easy, relaxed grace, as if this whole "work" thing was just a hobby he was pursuing.
"Aaron, hey! What's got you all stiff? You look like someone died."
Aaron let out a sigh. Kione was cool, though he'd never tell him. He was near his age, and the kind of trust-fund kid that you'd still want to hang out with. Of all of his managers, Kione was the only one he'd agree to help out with a task that wasn't his job. He'd consider them friends, as they hung out together a few times after work, and exchanged numbers.
"...just a little tense, y'know?"
Kione chuckled, taking a casual lean against the wall. His dirty blonde hair brushed against the wall. "I get that, man! You know what'll help? The marketing team needs help with this project. Super simple, just a quick proposal for an ad campaign. Only problem is, they're submitting it to Mr. Godfrey, so it's gotta look perfect."
Aaron hesitated before he spoke. "...more work, to relax from work. Sure, man. But if it's so easy, why do you need my help?"
"Well, since Godfrey's so in love with your last batch of deliverables, he says he wants you to help the team with this one." Kione says, saying 'in love' with a mocking lilt. "You'll be getting a bonus for it, though. Yanno, cause it's not your job."
Aaron groaned. He has been sitting at work doing close to nothing for a few weeks now. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad. Plus, it's hard to say no to a bonus.
"I'll do it."
"Awesome! Alright, shoot the marketing team lead an email...or like, maybe go find them. I dunno. Let them know you're on the team for this one." Kione says, brushing past him.
"Wait, who's the marketing team lead?"
"Oh! My bad," Kione glanced back over his shoulder. "She's new! I'm pretty sure her name's Valerie."
And Aaron's world broke. He was stunned into silence. He didn't know whether to cheer or cry. He didn't even want to think about the breakup, but now...now, he'd be around her much more often.
In any case, he'd have to find her...and figure out how to talk to her again.
Aaron's fists clenched. He wouldn't look at her. It'd be... a terrifible idea. Unprofessional. Improper. Plain stupid. But fuck, he wanted to.
The gorgeous brunette bombshell settled down in the office's cafe, idly chatting with Nancy from the marketing team. Figures. They were both working on this new project, an ad campaign proposal. The cafe itself was cozy and well stocked, most likely in an effort to lower turnover rate. They must've thought people cared more about mediocre coffee and fairy lights than the pay.
But Aaron couldn't focus on the cafe, or on his work for that matter. All he could think about was her. He ran his hands through his raven-black hair, tousling it until he felt like it looked right. It didn't do anything to clear his head. All he could think about was her. The boss's favorite, the only woman he's ever had his jaw drop upon seeing, and his ex, Valerie.
Looking away from her was a Herculean effort. It's as if she folded the room around herself, magnetizing his gaze without even trying. His emotions bubbled in his chest, a confusing mix of several, equally powerful feelings. She was so intoxicating, she made him physically dizzy. She just got a promotion, too. He wondered how she managed to work hard and look good doing it.
But she...she was his ex. And his coworker. Going for her is violating every social taboo he could think of. He took a deep sip of his coffee, stirred with embarrassingly large doses of milk and sugar.
It didn't work. So, he decided to fuck off.
As he made his way out of the cafe, and into the east wing of the building, he noticed a figure moving towards him, marked by his trademark smile. His boss, Kione. He moved with an easy, relaxed grace, as if this whole "work" thing was just a hobby he was pursuing.
"Aaron, hey! What's got you all stiff? You look like someone died."
Aaron let out a sigh. Kione was cool, though he'd never tell him. He was near his age, and the kind of trust-fund kid that you'd still want to hang out with. Of all of his managers, Kione was the only one he'd agree to help out with a task that wasn't his job. He'd consider them friends, as they hung out together a few times after work, and exchanged numbers.
"...just a little tense, y'know?"
Kione chuckled, taking a casual lean against the wall. His dirty blonde hair brushed against the wall. "I get that, man! You know what'll help? The marketing team needs help with this project. Super simple, just a quick proposal for an ad campaign. Only problem is, they're submitting it to Mr. Godfrey, so it's gotta look perfect."
Aaron hesitated before he spoke. "...more work, to relax from work. Sure, man. But if it's so easy, why do you need my help?"
"Well, since Godfrey's so in love with your last batch of deliverables, he says he wants you to help the team with this one." Kione says, saying 'in love' with a mocking lilt. "You'll be getting a bonus for it, though. Yanno, cause it's not your job."
Aaron groaned. He has been sitting at work doing close to nothing for a few weeks now. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad. Plus, it's hard to say no to a bonus.
"I'll do it."
"Awesome! Alright, shoot the marketing team lead an email...or like, maybe go find them. I dunno. Let them know you're on the team for this one." Kione says, brushing past him.
"Wait, who's the marketing team lead?"
"Oh! My bad," Kione glanced back over his shoulder. "She's new! I'm pretty sure her name's Valerie."
And Aaron's world broke. He was stunned into silence. He didn't know whether to cheer or cry. He didn't even want to think about the breakup, but now...now, he'd be around her much more often.
In any case, he'd have to find her...and figure out how to talk to her again.
