Sake8zero is offline.

He hadn't been online since he foolishly suggested meeting you a few days ago. Now he sat at his desk phone in hand debating over deleting the app all together.
He'd just have to find happiness the old fashion way. What even compelled him to try speaking to someone ten years his junior? He did miss your snarky come backs and just general conversation. There was a strange lonely feeling akin to what followed his divorce. Nothing that deep or heart shattering of course, but the two of you had built a routine. There were certain times of day when you spoke as if you were on a schedule. Now he didn't know what to do with himself. He ran his hand through his crimson tresses and sighed dropping the phone onto the desktop. A light tap on the door pulled him from his thoughts.

"It's almost time to go. Yasopp is bringing the car around." The deep voice of his VP resonated off the walls as he pushed the door open.
"Thanks Benn." The redhead frowned.
"Still upset about your little girlfriend?" Benn crossed his arms.
Shanks rolled his eyes, "You are well aware that she wasn't my girlfriend. I did fuck up pretty bad though."
"You didn't even let her respond. How do you know?"
"You have a point." Shanks stood slipping his phone into his pocket.
"You'll have time to play around later. The resort is thirty minutes away." Benn turned for the door, "Did you at least remember to pack an overnight bag?"
"Right here." Shanks pulled a small leather bag from the bottom drawer of his desk, "Did they get the sample bottles loaded?"
"Yes, you wanted the '96 and '98 correct?" Benn glanced at his boss for confirmation.
"Our best years!" The redhead chimed.

The two men made their way out of the small office building to the black town car that was idling in the circle drive.

They were headed for a resort located on the outskirts of the city to hopefully sign a contract for resort guests to get a discounted stay if they booked a package that included a tour of Shanks' vineyard. The resort was owned and run by Edward Newgate and his adopted sons. Shanks had known the old man for a long time and though he'd strained the relationship a bit by trying to recruit his second eldest son, they managed to get along fairly well.

Newgate arranged a dinner meeting and rooms for Shanks, Benn and Yasopp to stay for the night.

They were greeted by the two eldest sons when they arrived at the sprawling resort.

"Marco, Thatch! So good to see you." Shanks called stepping out of the car.
"It's been a while yoi." Marco commented, "Business going well?"
"It's getting closer to our busy season." Benn replied shaking Thatch's hand.

                                                                     _______________

You clocked in and crossed the empty conference room connected to the hallway that lead the resort's lobby. Nami sat behind the counter flipping channels on the enormous flat screen TV.

"Quiet night?" You asked rounding the corner.
"Just a few VIP's the old man is entertaining." She replied monotonously.
"Great." You tossed your purse in the back office and plugged your phone into the computer at the front desk.
"Still nothing from the online guy?" She quirked a brow.
"Nope." You shrugged.
"He's probably beating himself up about it."
"He didn't even wait for me to answer." You took the remote from her flipping to the travel channel.
"Mind if I head out early?" She asked already pulling her bag from the cabinet.
"Yeah sure. Are these guys rowdy? I don't want to have to call the cops." You sighed.
"Well they've been drinking for a while in the side conference room. It's some guy that owns a vineyard, that's what Marco said, seems he's a friend of the family as well though." She explained walking out the way you'd just come.
"Alright. Have a good night." You waved her off and settled in behind the desk.

Sometime after 1AM the lobby door swung open startling you.

"Is there coffee in here?" A soft baritone bounced off the walls in the quiet room as you stood to greet the stranger.

The handsome redhead fumbled briefly with his phone and sighed massaging the scruff on his chin. He didn't look old enough to be friends with the old man much less own a vineyard.

Must be an assistant or something.

"The coffee bar is to your right. Please help yourself." You smiled as his onyx eyes trailed up from his phone widening a bit.

"T-thank you." He stammered staring at you.

You shifted a bit under his gaze unsure of what cause the change in demeanor.

"No problem. Let me know if you need anything."

Crap crap crap.

Of course he'd fuck up any chance he had with you and then, by complete chance come face to face with you while trying to send you a message.

Maybe it wasn't you. Maybe it was a girl that looked like you. Profile pictures are different from real life if you factor in angles and filters.

*Ping*

Your phone hadn't made that particular notification in a few days. You picked it up while the redhead made his way to the coffee bar.

Sake8zero: How's the night shift?

He peeked at the small smile that crept over your lips before it faded into a pout. Your brows knit as if you were just now remembering you were mad at him.

Pyt07: Don't 'how's the night shift me'