With a noisy, fully packed cafeteria and cheerful chatter all around, this was the usual evening. It seemed like a weekend; Ari and Mun often met after work to welcome the bright evening.

"Who would have thought...!?"

"What?" Mun asked, following Ari's gaze. "What are we looking at?"

"I can't believe it!" Ari exclaimed. "It's him!"

"Him who?"

"Remember a couple of years ago I told you I met some random guy in college who seemed lost and was all cute and stuff?"

"Marshmallow head?"

"Yes! Wait... You remember that nickname?"

"We both stalked him for weeks before he threw that ugly white hat away. How could you not remember him and how you made me your accomplice?"

"Right... Anyway, look over there by the fast food lane. Isn't that him?" Ari pointed out, Mun following his gaze. "The tall guy in the white shirt, if you can see him..."

"It's him, alright. Don't tell me after eight years, you're still hung up on an old crush."

"Of course not! I-I just saw someone I didn't think I'd meet again." Turning to look back at Mun, Ari added defiantly, "Besides, he deferred in his first year. And he wasn't gay either."

"Right..." Mun agreed but wasn't convinced by his friend's response. He monitored Ari for a while, tempted to look at the familiar stranger, and recalled the old memories of how his friend had obsessed over that fresher. 'He hasn't changed much, I'd say, but he sure grew muscles and taller. His physic may not be Ari's type, but it's clear he still has some sentimental feelings lingering.'

Thankfully, Ari had his back facing where the guy was standing, so he didn't notice him looking around for an empty seat. Just then, Moon stood up, pulled an empty chair to their table, and began gesturing at the familiar stranger to approach them. He seemed lost at first, but after Mun's apparent attempts to grab his attention, he started walking towards where they sat.

"What the heck do you think you are doing, Mun?" Ari asked, almost gritting his teeth.

"I want to confirm something."

"What could you possibly want to do with someone we haven't seen in years?"

"Obviously, to establish if you still hold that century-old crush." Mun teased, then sat and gestured for the man to take the empty seat once he'd reached their table.

"I'm sorry. Do I know you?" He asked politely, on his hands a tray of items he'd just ordered.

Ari looked up at him, revealing a somewhat flushed face, then let out a nervous laugh before replying. "You look tall now that I see you up-close. Rey, is it not?"

"Have we met before?"

"I'm gay... I mean Rey... Ari... I meant Ari is my name..."

A long, uncomfortable silence followed after between the three as Mun did his best to avoid bursting into laughter. After a few silent, awkward seconds, the familiar stranger turned to leave without a word while Ari buried his face in his palms, cursing under his breath.

"What the hell was that dude?" Mun whispered in between his laughter. "That was humiliating!"

"Why would you call him to our table, you dumbass?"

"I knew you'd embarrass yourself, but not to this extent!"

Burying his face further, Ari wished for the world to split up and swallow him instantly. "Darn it! Now he thinks I'm a total loser."

"You got that right!" Mun guffawed, unable to hold back any longer. "Luckily, you won't have to meet him again, so thank your lucky stars."

"We maintain a very high level of professionalism, considering we are at the very top of our game. Our editorial department has done a fantastic job, and I shall expect the same efficiency level whether you are a newbie or not. I am the department head, and my colleague here is the design team leader. Our competitor is the finance department; therefore, this year, we will maintain our crown by defeating them yet again. I understand you are new staff, but for you to be recruited means you are professionals by right; therefore, the level of efficiency and work ethic should be maintained at all times."

"Ari, you're scaring them." Mun leaned closer to his friend and work colleague and then whispered, "They are going to see you as the picky asshole of a boss, but if you ask me, I think you are lovely."

A light chuckle was heard from the crowd amongst the new staff, and disappeared just as quickly. Ari tried to find the source of it. However, everyone appeared to avoid his gaze, and their heads bent lower in respect or fear. Ari couldn't tell.

"Ignore this fool. He may have a rotten sense of humour. However, it's backed up well by handwork and resilience; therefore, do not be complaisant. I'm I understood?"

The crowd of about five teen staff replied in unison, their eyes drifting to look at Mun, who, to them, was far more approachable than Ari.

"Most of you will be used as supporting staff until we find suitable roles for you. All that will be dependent on your skills and how you perform. Still, I urge you to put your best foot forward since some of you might receive a permanent contract while others will have to walk away, taking in experience from our company. For now, team leader Mun shall call your names, and each of you will proceed to the respective departments assigned to you. I look forward to working with you."

"Thank you," Mun said, then took over the orientation while Ari proceeded to his office. He was feeling a little hangover, which fueled his irritable mood, and he almost felt guilty for coming out too strong in front of the new employees. Even so, he still showed up for work despite Mun discouraging him from doing so.

'I can take over the introduction while you get some rest. It's only for a day anyway.'

'No. I never miss such moments. Besides, I'm not one of those departmental heads whom you never get to meet and only bump into them in the lift. I have to do this so I won't have to go introducing myself to them one by one.'

"I can't wait to go home," Ari mumbled to himself, but within minutes, he was so deeply submerged in his work that he forgot about his lingering headache. Just then, Mun burst into his office, insisting they do a familiarization dinner with the new staff. "It's important to address everyone by name; this is the best way to get acquainted quickly."

"No. I'm going to drive straight home once I'm done here. Just report back to me everyone's strengths and weaknesses. That information will be useful when the time comes for us to split them up into other departments."

"How come you are always like this to the new staff? It's as if I'm dealing with two versions of you, and it's exhausting keeping up."

"This is work. Once we clock out, another me awakens. You should be used to this by now. Besides, I don't want anyone to think I got here by sheer luck when I work my ass off to keep this company afloat."

"Well, you do have a reputation for being the mean menace."

"And you are too laid back at work to make such a casual comment in front of everyone. Can you be serious for once and leave my office? Time is money."

"Actually, I have a good reason to be here," Moon spoke with a mischievous grin as he walked over and sat on the couch in his friend's office. "I've completed my preliminary duties as team leader and handed the new staff to respective staff buddies. Nonetheless, a certain file landed in my hands. On it, a familiar name and face attached."

Ari seemed irritated. "You are wasting work hours."

"So impatient." Mun laughed. Remember when I told you to be a little congenial with the new staff? Turns out there is one who was hiding quite well amongst the crowd. A guy named Rey." Mun grinned when Ari stiffened. " Did I tell you he's not gay?"

"Oh no!" Ari panicked. "D-did he follow me here?"

"Why would he? It's merely a coincidence he is one of the new recruits. I was thinking you could make him your personal assistant and have a second go at introducing yourself properly."

"This is no laughing matter! Mun, you said I'll never see him again!"

"Hush now, will you, lest someone outside hears you expose your sexuality yet again."

"He is going to blabber to everyone..."

"That's why I told you to be nice to new staff. Look at you trembling in fear."

"Where is his file? I want to peruse his resume and everything about his past..."

Mun laughed aloud, his carefree nature irritating Ari further. "Everything is under the human resource department's jurisdiction. But if you want to know about the guy, why don't you ask him? He might agree to date you if you don't blatantly introduce yourself as gay."

"You are incorrigible." Ari frowned further. "Didn't you see his face? He was disgusted by me."

"Yea. I saw it all right. That's why I pity you."

"All I wanted was for everyone to get comfortable and relax, but it appears there is tension among us. What say you, branch manager?"

"Stop putting me in the spotlight. You're the one that suggested this company dinner, Mun."

"Mun!" Mun shouted, spreading his hands wide to the rest of his team members. "You hear that? Our branch manager addressed me informally, so please relax and order as much as your stomach can take. If you want me to kick him out just so everyone can breathe a little, I shall do so, but I assure you, Ari is a gentle soul."

It didn't take long before Mun's charm spread across the table, considering how casually relaxed he was with Ari. Additionally, the table being filled with alcoholic beverages continuously elevated the mood even more to a merry uproar.

'More wine would be better!'

'Beer, please!'

'I'm done for the day, and I can't take it anymore...'

'Let's have more cocktails at this end of the table, please!'

'Is this happy hour?'

"Why don't we make a toast for the newbies!" Mun exclaimed while lifting a jug of beer in his hand.

"Read the room stupid. That honour is as good as death. Half the table are lightweights, and the rest are just scrambling for what they haven't had from the menu."

"It's never too late for a toast!" Mun shouted again as he stood up abruptly and lifted his hand further up. "Everyone! Listen up!"

"Here we go again." Ari shook his head disappointedly. "The cat is finally out of the bag."

"I like beer, and I like food...!"

"Anything else?" Ari asked sarcastically, enjoying the silence around the table as everyone waited for more words from Mun, who still remained in the same awkward standing position after losing his train of thought.

"Statue of Liberty finally holds a beer." Ari's sarcastic remark sent everyone into a laughing frenzy. Mun also joined in the laughter, his other free hand tapping on Ari's shoulder.

"Cheers, everybody!"

"Cheers!" Everyone roared, and the evening continued until their group was the last to leave the pub. Luckily, Mun had booked a private room for the team; hence, their rowdiness hadn't been exposed to the public per se. Still, despite all the chaos, Ari had one thought that kept lingering at the back of his mind.

Where was Rey?

"Hey Mun, don't fall asleep. We have to make sure everyone takes a taxi before we leave."

"I've been monitoring you," Mun mumbled, his head resting on his friend's shoulder. "You keep looking for that guy. Keep this up, and you'll find yourself stalking him again."

"You are such a jerk." Ari lamented, then tightened his grip on his friend's waist. The two were standing outside in waiting while watching the rest of the team board taxis home one by one. Several of them came to bid them goodbye before leaving, while others simply bowed their respect and then left.

"Can you please stand up straight? You're heavy!"

"I'm going to take a nap..."

"Hey! I'm tipsy, too! If you fall asleep, I'll leave you on the street!"

"You're too loud..." Mun groaned, covering his ears. "Fine. I'm not going to sleep so that you know your crush isn't here. Look around, Ari."

"Weren't all new recruits invited to the department dinner?"

Mun chuckled. "I caught him taking the lift about half an hour before we all left for this place. He looked a little anxious, so I assumed the pressure of the first day had taken a toll on him. Apparently, he was actually running away."

"Running away? Why?"

"He said he didn't want to ruin the get-together, so he opted to go home instead. This was after he made a couple of excuses that didn't add up, so I told him to tell me the real reason why he was leaving early."

"I'm guessing it has something to do with me."

"I could tell you his exact words, but I'd rather not. For now, let's refer to him as a homophobe."