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[PROTAG] sighs as his coworker yaps about god knows what. They’ve been walking around for 3 hours looking for there designated where a business meeting was being held. Normal guy told them they’d be business traveling for a few weeks and were assigned partners. Now in France they’ve been going from building to building talking with new people.
“Man we’ve been walking for a long time, why don’t we get something to eat?” [COWORKER] says, looking at his watch. [PROTAG] takes a deep breath in, “We’ve been running around for over 3 hours trying to find our location. Is this really the time for us to stop and eat?” He looks at his colleague with a tired look.
[COWORKER] stares at him for a few seconds. “Not sure if you remember but you’re the one that’s too stubborn to ask for help from other people.” “I-“ [PROTAG] sighs. “Sorry, I’m just still a bit anxious to interact with people I don’t need to.” His colleague rest his hand on his shoulder. “Cmon let’s just eat somewhere, we’ve been to a bunch of meetings already and most of them are exactly the same, what’s one day missing will do?” [PROTAG] thinks not sure if he agrees. “I’ll pay.”
[PROTAG] agrees.
After a few minutes they stand in front of a bit small but fancy restaurant. “So this is the infamous restaurant you were talking about back on the plane?” [PROTAG] questions. “Yup, I’ve heard the owner of this restaurant lost his taste so he actually doesn’t know how his own food taste.” [COWORKER] says half discreetly telling him. [PROTAG] hums.
Walking in, they look around the restaurant. The smell of food hitting them. [PROTAG] was actually hungry he just didn’t want to admit it. He wondered if they have spaghetti. Walking to the counter they ring a bell. No one seemingly in the front. A Auburn colored hair person quickly comes over running to the counter. “Sorry for the wait, we’re a little busy and understaff-“ he pauses. [PROTAG] hitched his breath. They both stare at each other in shock. [COWORKER] looks between them confused, “Um, we’re dining for two.” The guy shakes out of thought. “Uhhh, yes!! Follow me.” [PROTAG] stares at the back his head as he leads them to a dinner table.
“Here are your menus for today, can I get you anything to drink?” The waiter asks holding a small notebook. [COWORKER] replies, “I’d think I’ll have wine.” Jotting down in his notebook he looks at [PROTAG] hesitantly before letting his eyes. “What would you like to drink?” He asks in a bit of a high pitched voice. [PROTAG] awkwardly stays silent for a few seconds, “Um. I’ll just have water, thanks.” The waiter rights down taking note. “Okay! I’ll be with your drinks in a few minutes.” He runs off.
[COWORKER] stares at you for long time.
“What?” [PROTAG] asks.
“Oh I don’t know, just wondering. He just paused talking when he saw you. And you looked surprised too. I saw the way you were staring at him.” [COWORKER] leans on his chair. [PROTAG] cringes at himself. Was he really that obvious? “Have y’all met before?” His coworker asks.
[PROTAG] thinks in his head. Should he tell him? They’ve known each other for a while now. [COWORKER] isn’t always an arrogant guy. They’ve shared decent conversations before. “Yea, we have.” [PROTAG] replies. His colleague urges him to go on.
“We’ve met in college. I didn’t really have a lot of friends there but we shared a dorm room. I don’t know how but we became friends. He’d always invite me to go hangout with him and his friends. Even if I didn’t want to bother him, he always made sure I was included in whatever he had planned. I…” He stopped. Contemplating in his mind. “I won’t judge.” [COWORKER] replied. His tone sounded serious unlike usual. He continued, “I had a crush on him at some point. Everytime he sat next time or brushed his hand on my shoulder, I’d get a giddy feeling in my chest. I didn’t want to ruin our friendship though. Plus didn’t want anyone outting me you know? But one day we went to a party that was hosted by one of his friends. There was alcohol there obviously, I had a few drinks and so did Rody. We weren’t sober but I wouldn’t say we were fully drunk yet. We left the party a bit early, returning to our dorm. When the door closed, I thought the night was over but before I can turn, he pulled me close and kissed me. I returned the kiss back and we were kind of a thing. I guess? We weren’t that affectionate around other people or outside, but when it was just us in the dorm…” [PROTAG] stops.
[COWORKER] takes a deep breath in. “Um, wow that’s…” [PROTAG] internally screams. Why did he share that much? WHY DID HE COME OUT TO HIS COWORKER???? Rody comes back with two drinks in hand. “Alright, here is your wine,” he puts the red liquid into the blondes glass. “And your water.” Pouring water in to his cup. “Are y’all ready to order?” He holds his notebook up. [COWORKER] looks over his menu, “Can I get the grilled hanger steak?” Rody nods. “Of course. And you?” [PROTAG] quickly looks over the menu. “Can I get pasta, please?” “Okay.” He writes down. “I’ll come with your dishes soon.” “Thank you.” [COWORKER] says before Rody walks away.
They stay silent for a few minutes. [PROTAG] fiddles with his napkin. “Do you still like him?” He pauses at the question. “What?” [COWORKER] repeats, “Do you still like him?” He takes a sip of his wine. “No, it’s been lots of years we sort of fell out.” [PROTAG] holds his cup of water looking to the side.
After a few seconds, “Nothing changed my opinions about you.” The blonde said. [PROTAG] lifted his head looking at him. “You’re still my business partner so nothings changed between us.”
[PROTAG] stares in surprise before slowly gaining a small smile. They shared a conversation over work and a bit of their personal life before the waiter came back. “Okay, here’s your steak.” Rody sets down the plate in front of the blonde. “And your pasta.” He slides the plate in front of him. [PROTAG] gathers the courage, “Thank you Rody.”
Rody pauses for a moment. “No problem.” He answers before running back over to the counter to serve other customers. [COWORKER] grabs his fork, “Well bon appetit.” They both ate their food in peace aside from the sound of other customers. [PROTAG] quickly devours his pasta. Not realizing how hungry he actually was. Both workers sit in comfortable silence after finishing their food. Before they leave [PROTAG] excuses himself to go to the restroom.
After finishing washing his hands, he walks to the door opening it. As he opens it he hears a thud followed with a grunt. Quickly looking over he sees Rody on the floor with wine spilled on his uniform.
Shit.