⊱On se connaît⊰

We know each other

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Working at a higher position for one of the top companies in the world was no joke. Even though some time had passed for me to adjust, I was still struggling. The people here were kind enough to bear with my mistakes.

"Bloom, I still don't see your report. Did you send it yet?" My superior, Lin asked, peeking over my computer.

I gasped. "I'm sending it right now!"

"Hurry up. Boss is asking for it."

I apologized and bit my lips, punching my keyboard like a madman. I had to multitask even more than my previous job and I kept forgetting some things. It was embarrassing. I had to get things perfect on the first try.

"Everyone! Attention, please!"

Chairs creaked in unison against the floor and everyone rose so suddenly, I jolted up out of reflex with my eyes still on the screen.

"This is our new recruit, Park Jay. He's a graduate from Harvard!"

My blood stopped flowing. I was frozen in place while a loud wave of surprised exclamations surrounded me. Jay? No way...

I looked up at the said man and my eyes widened. Clean cut features and an icy cold demeanor... It was Jay. But what was he doing here? New recruit? Is this a prank cam? He had multiple companies owned by his family, he definitely did not need to work here.

He also dyed his hair blond.

With a flick of a wrist, he fixed his glasses and scanned the room until his eyes stopped at me and widened slightly. Did he recognize me or something? Bloom, don't be delusional. There's no way he would know you.

"Anyway, welcome, Jay," the director cheered and patted his shoulder, grabbing his attention. "I hope you learn many things as a manager here and contribute well."

"Of course, sir. It's my pleasure," Jay said politely and bowed. Bowed? He was well mannered. Why did I expect less...?

The director turned to us. "Please treat him kindly, everyone."

Everyone agreed and clapped, welcoming the newcomer. Someone shouted, "Are you single?" among the cheers that made laughters erupt.

"Uh, yes. I'm single," Jay said, a little taken aback but chuckled. I had never seen him laugh. How... human. His cold features melted. Sort of.

"Please introduce yourself," my superior, Lin asked after the director left us.

He bowed. "Hello. My name is Park Jay. I'm 24. As said, I graduated Harvard with a business degree."

"Wow. That's crazy," someone murmured.

"I'm happy to start working here with you all. Please treat me kindly." He smiled. It was... cute. His small but full lips turning up into a smile was somehow adorable.

"Finally, a handsome guy in our department," one of the women squealed, earning huffs of disbelief from the men.

"Hey! What's wrong with us guys?!"

I quickly sat back down on my computer to finish my report while they were bickering. Priorities.

"Jay, tell them upfront that you're not interested!"

"Hey! Don't tell him what to do!"

"Anyway, he's under my delegation so don't bully him around now or else," Lin said and naturally dispelled the crowd.

Wait, what?! But Lin is my superior! Then that means...

"Jay, this is Bloom."

Something dropped to my stomach and I hoped it wasn't my heart. I stood up and nodded out of courtesy when our eyes met again. His eyes were so sharp, they made my breath hitch every time.

"I think we know each other."

My eyes popped out. "Huh?"

"Really?" Lin asked.

"Yeah. If I'm not mistaken, we were in the same high school in the same year." His voice was usually monotonous whenever he spoke. Lazy and deep but sophisticated. As expected of the heir to a rich family.

"Yes. I'm surprised you know me," I stammered. "You were really popular back then."

He smirked but it looked classy. "I'm flattered."

"Ooh," Lin teased and I hated it. "Then I'm sure Bloom wouldn't mind introducing our work to Jay? Your works are almost the same."

Aw, heck no. I had a report to finish!

"S-Sure."

"Great! Then I'm counting on you, Bloom." She gave me a thumbs up and continued introducing our team to him. How did he know me? We had never spoken to each other before...

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After work, I had to give myself some time to breathe before heading to the flower shop. Today was a little too draining than usual. Jay had appeared out of nowhere and my position was at risk now. He would definitely do things better than me. He graduated Harvard for goodness sake. Of all the places, he chose to be next to me and make me look like trash.

I kicked a rock on the road, a little resentfully, and aimlessly ambled along. I was going nowhere in particular but my legs brought me to a small park. There was no one in sight so I sought for a chair to sit until a melody began playing.

A forlorn melody. An abandoned piece. A pitiful piano crying gracefully. It drew me around the trees and I took slow and careful steps following it.

An old wooden piano with scratches here and there, aged over time. Playing it was a lean and graceful man clad in black whose face was hidden behind his dark locks. Beautiful. He was playing the sorrowful melody for no one in this empty park but it was dedicated for someone. Even with no audience, he was pouring his heart into the piece that I couldn't walk away. I crouched behind a tree and listened in silence. The frustration that piled up in my chest earlier was slowly melting away.

The longer I stayed there and the more I watched, the lonelier he seemed. It made me wonder. Why was he playing the piano there alone?

The piece suddenly ended and he turned around with a smirk. I gasped when his face came to view. It was a man who came to my shop before.

"If you enjoyed my performance, you should pay up, no?"

I was hiding behind a bush. There was no way he could see me. But there was no one else but us in this silent garden.

He breathed out a laugh. "Miss flower shop owner."

I flinched.

"I know you're there. Stop hiding like a thief and applaud me if you liked my play."

"Thief?!" I bellowed and jumped up. "How rude! This is a public space and I'm a responsible citizen."

He turned his body to face me on his stool and tilted his head. As he did, his dark locks softly brushed against his cheeks. "Then I take it you liked it."

"Sure. Whatever keeps you going." I sighed, crossing my arms. "There was no piano here before...."

"I put it here. It's mine." His slender fingers brushed against the white keys like they were delicate petals. "No one really comes around here so I thought it would be fine."

I bit the inside of my cheek. "Ah so you're littering."

He smirked. "Yes and you definitely didn't enjoy my performance."

I pursed my lips.

"It's getting late." He looked up at the lilac sky with dwindling sunlight. "May I accompany you to the flower shop? It's not safe for a lady to walk alone."

I smiled sarcastically. "It's not safe to walk with a stranger, no? I'm an independent woman. I can handle myself, thanks."

"Not safe to walk with a stranger says the stalker," he chuckled.

My cheeks burned. "I'm not a stalker!"

"Good night, milady." He smiled softly at me. Smiling like that, he seemed so delicate and gentle. Milky skin and white outfit. Maybe the melody he played was hypnotizing me to see him as that.

"You, too."

I walked back home.

The dreamy scene and melody visited me in my dreams.

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I see people reading, but not voting...

Oh well 🥲🤙