Love My Friends with Benefits

It was already nine-thirty when I woke up the next morning.

In other words, I was late.

I staggered to the bathroom with a splitting headache. I looked at myself in the mirror and found two huge dark eye circles dominating my face.

"Oh, my God..."

There was no way I could go to work like this.

I sighed and took out my phone to call Mr. Chow and ask for the day off.

Once the call was connected, Mr. Chow beat me to the chase and said, "Queena, why aren't you at the office yet?"

"Something cropped up yesterday," I explained. "I want to take another day off."

Unexpectedly, Mr. Chow rejected me without hesitation. "That won't do."

My head hurt even more. "Why?"

"Austin called me and said that he was going to bring some documents over for you to go through again." Mr. Chow was obviously in a tough spot. "You know how he specifically asked for you to handle this... anyway, this is a huge deal..."

Mr. Chow trailed off. I knew what he was thinking, though.

I wanted this deal with Austin too. The commission that I'd get from this one deal would be enough for me to live comfortably for a whole year. Moreover, I was on the brink of promotion. I'd probably be able to go one step further if this deal were to go through...

I gave it some thought and agreed. "I'll head over right now."

...

It was already ten-thirty when I arrived at the company.

Mr. Chow led me to the conference room. Through the glass, I saw Austin sitting by the window, looking at something.

I knocked on the door and walked into the room.

Austin smiled visibly when he saw me. "Miss. Jones."

"Hello." I nodded and sat down across from him. "Hand me the documents, please."

"How about

moods because of my lack of sleep. Austin's words made me feel like he'd just pulled a fast one on me and my tone became a little unpleasant. "This is what you called me over for,

averted his gaze and passed the documents to

started flipping through them,

pull a prank on you or anything. I just felt that... you don't seem

feeling a little guilty. "I wasn't in

not saying

that I felt

only normal for Austin to think that I wasn't in good condition. What's more, he'd helped me out just the day before, yet

and said to Austin, "I'm sorry,

magnanimously. "It's fine, really. Everyone

heaved a sigh

personal to ask you, though." Austin suddenly

The man from yesterday?

he talking

the thought of

smiled. "I feel like I've

affairs had been splattered all over the news just a few days ago. It wasn't out of the ordinary

a moment before getting his answer. "I think

same industry. Indeed, Titan Group did seem to be involved in something

that have to do

changed the

can they not be, when Austin

looking a

and sat down next

from someone at his company

Austin's expression became more and more awkward. I quickly stopped May from

wrong?" She didn't

tell her to

Austin's ears were completely red as he waved his hands in denial. "It's also because of your company's potential and capabilities that I was

but he didn't deny the fact that

and they'd broken up just recently. Isn't it such a coincidence that both you and his ex-girlfriend share the same surname? Also, your boyfriend cheated on you a year ago, didn't he, Queena? You two make

that's enough." I

such a scatterbrained person. She was so caught up in her gossiping that she