Love My Friends with Benefits

Mr. Chow asked me to sit down in front of him.

I sighed, not intending to explain. "I'm sorry, it's all my fault."

There was no point mulling over the reason since the mistake had already been made. That was how things were in the workplace.

Mr. Chow shook his head and sighed. "You don't look so good. Have you been crying? Did you and your boyfriend break up?"

...

My breath hitched.

The word "boyfriend" hit me in a sore spot. Leonard had never treated me as his girlfriend. We could only be described as friends with benefits.

I didn't say anything. To Mr. Chow, this was a yes answer.

He stood up, walked over to me, and patted me on the shoulder sympathetically. "That's how relationships are, you know. There's no need to take it so seriously. You're still young, Queena, and there are many fishes in the ocean."

I tried to smile. "Thanks."

Something seemed to occur to Mr. Chow and his eyes lit up. "Oh, right, how about that guy from the investment firm? He seemed really interested in you!"

Was he referring to Austin?

I lowered my head and said nothing.

Mr. Chow winked at me. "Out with the old, in with the new. Queena, think about it. If you get together with Austin, you'll be able to close so many deals for the company!"

His enthusiasm flared up instantly. I could only go through the motions and say, "Thanks. I'll think about it."

"You should get some rest today." Mr. Chow sat down behind his desk again. "Get a good night's sleep and come back to work tomorrow."

...

Since my direct superior had given the order, I started packing up my things to go home.

As soon as I was done, the phone on my desk rang.

I answered it, and Lily's voice came through. "Miss. Jones, there's a client looking for you at the front desk."

Another client? It was the last thing I wanted to deal with at the moment.

tell her that I'd been given the day off. "Give me a minute, I'm

bag back into the drawer underneath my desk and turned to see

Could it be...

"Which client is here to see

denied as she shook her head. "I haven't been in contact with him. How would I know whether he

dispelled a

She urged, "Hurry up!"

acted at Phoebe's wedding, my suspicions were raised again.

would I lie

May blinked innocently.

her eyes darting

"May, you..." I sighed.

was about to say something else when Austin's voice rang out from behind me. "Hi,

he get up

was my turn to look sheepish. I turned around and reached out a

She started typing away, but who knew what she was

out a

warm and dry, and I could smell his expensive cologne. Inexplicably, I thought of another pair of hands, one that was longer, slimmer, and better-looking than

a little dazed, he smiled and held up his briefcase. "Aren't you going to invite me to have a seat? I have something important to talk

"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure."

led Austin

a chair for me before seating himself. He pulled out a document from his briefcase but didn't hand it to me.

a finger over my dark eye circles and lied, "Not

insistent.

and my tone became much

I'd made the wrong move the moment the words were out of

direct impact on our profit for the remainder of the year. I couldn't offend such an important client

didn't mean it like

not to blame. It was unprofessional of

gentleness easily resolved the awkward

and started to read

long time, but I couldn't absorb anything. It felt

waited patiently, not saying a

embarrassed I felt. I had no choice but to put the document aside

"It's fine.

gaze was so gentle that it pierced me. I bowed my head, not daring

be this accommodating and gentle with a woman when he was interested in

it seemed that he could no longer be satisfied