PRIZE COUNTER GIRL
CHAPTER SIX
‿︵‿︵ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ・❉・ ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ‿︵‿︵ 

❝ FLIRTING AROUND ❞

Working for the first three hours went surprisingly easy for you. The arcade was half-empty this Friday morning and everyone obviously doesn't show up until about noon, where things start to get crazier. If working full-time on some weekdays allows your mornings to start off calm and quiet as this, you had no complaints.

   It was better than sitting around at home all day and not getting anything done.

   You head to the arcade dining area for lunch break, noticing Michael arranging some pizza boxes on the table until he noticed you approaching. By now he's more alleviated and composed around you, like how a well-behaved, professional manager should act in the workplace. But deep down, he always ends up in a sinking feeling, like knots tied in his stomach. Too much guilt, too much pressure, too much underlying feelings. The only way to subdue them, but not get rid of them entirely, was to maintain that professional impression.

"Hey. We've got pizza for lunch. You know, the usual."

You sit across from him at a booth, setting down your water bottle to grab a napkin, a paper plate, and then a slice. Michael follows suit, eyes darting at random corners to avoid prolonged contact or getting caught staring at you. At least there wasn't any lingering awkwardness or some kind of tension floating in there compared to before. Michael is finally at ease enduring the silence where a single word doesn't have to be spoken. But he did want to engage in conversation with you anyway.

   "So. How's the arcade so far? Any problems?"

   Your softened gaze settles onto his face. "No, thankfully. The arcade was half-empty. Everything seemed very peaceful to me."

   Michael gives a small chuckle. "Yeah, there's obviously not a lot of people in the mornings compared to our afternoons. But you still did good out there with assistance."

   "Have you been watching me?"

   The little smirk forming at the corner of your lips while asking the question made Michael almost choke on his pizza. The slight playfulness in your tone. The subtle head tilt you gave him. Already teasing him right at broad daylight that his cheeks could be turning hints of red anytime now. The flashbacks of you as a camgirl, dirty talking on your livestreams...

   "No, not— Not like that! I'm your manager so, like... I just gotta look out for you, you know," he sputtered.

   You had this hearty laugh at Michael's reply that he was suddenly amused by. "I was just kidding, Michael! I don't really mind you watching me. I mean, it's important to hear from you on how to improve my performance and other stuff. So thank you for that."

   Michael gulped down a portion of his pizza along with his agitation. He decided to not say anything else— just embrace this beautiful kindness you've been giving each other everytime you're together. If only he could offer much more to you besides his generosity...

"Oh yeah. You mentioned before that during power hour is when things get crazy, right?" you suddenly inquired.

Michael was opening his can of Dr. Pepper. "Mhm. But this time you won't be alone at the prize counter. At around 4pm is when I'm stationed there— we'll be together."

"Well that won't be a problem for me at all," you beamed. "Also, what do you usually do in the mornings?"

"Just some adjustments over at Parts and Services. Sometimes you'll see me fixing the arcade machines, too. But sadly I can't stop by to talk to you."

There was this brief glimmer in your eyes; a doe, coquettish expression you gave while sipping on your fountain drink with a straw. "You must really enjoy my company, huh."

Michael's heart raced once again after mentally repeating what he just said. His face was starting to heat up again and he was struggling to maintain eye contact. If you were taking in his words with different undertones, he might as well be subtly flirting or hinting his little crush on you. And hell, you wouldn't be that oblivious of knowing. How many times has he blindly admitted to you so far already?

   He nearly stammered again. "Uh— well, you know— It's encouraged for us to build good relationships with our employees. This is a family-friendly pizzeria, so..."

   You stifled a soft chuckle, your knuckles pressed against your lips and your eyes squinting away from Michael's face. "Oh my god, Michael. It's okay! You know you don't always have to feel so pressured to act that professional around me. Especially when we're on break— c'mon now."

   Michael dipped his head down to rub the back of his neck from how fucking flustered he was. There was discomfort in his stomach and his skin started growing hotter. It was sad enough to say no matter how many times he feels confident enough to be around you, he always lets himself down with embarrassment, especially internally.

  "I know you've had a rough morning," you continued, "and it sucks not being able to get a lot of sleep, but... what I really meant is that you don't have to hide away your struggles from me with the rules you stick to as a manager or with your professionalism. If you want to build a good relationship with your employees, you gotta communicate. Obviously, I won't force you to open up to me or whatever, but only when you feel ready. We can always take it slow."

   Michael kept his gaze down at the table, your words of courage and advice hanging over his head. Suddenly, he found himself tugging a small smile at the corner of his lips. His heart fluttered at how much you cared for him more than anybody at this goddamn job. Charlie was enough to keep him company before nightguard duty, but even though she's gone now, she never sought out his internal anxiety like you did.

What did a loser like him ever do to be eating pizza with a girl that cares more about him than himself?

You really cared a lot for him. As if his secret crush just couldn't get any worse— your interest in becoming closer with him was a good sign. But he can't let himself admit anything yet. Not until she's ready as well— it's all strictly platonic as of right now. Or at least, that's what it seems at the surface. But digging down deeper, there is this spark below the surface. Some kind of tension stirring— something that just couldn't be reached just yet.

Michael scoffs softly, finishing the last bite of his pizza. "You know, I've never received this kind of, um... kindness before, so I— I don't really know what to say besides that I appreciate you. So much. Your company is just what I need to keep me going."

As lunch break progresses, the tension was alleviated once again. It was as if most of the stressful weight finally got lifted off his shoulders, even though there is much more he needs to get off and confess about. But not right now. The both of you finish up your lunch while other employees were finally starting to come by on their breaks and grab a slice of pizza with drinks.

"So about power hour... What's gonna go down tonight?"

"Well, it's gonna be after school hours and kids are gonna be running around here," replied Michael. "A lot of young adults also come here for our happy hours, billiards, lazer tag, bowling— you know. My father strayed away from making the pizzeria have kids-only entertainment and made it inclusive for everyone."

"Yeah. That's what I really like about it," you acknowledged.

"Me too. On weekdays it's not really that crazy compared to Friday and Saturday nights. I mostly see more adults and arcade couples here more than kids. And it still gets hectic."

You scoffed. "Arcade couples?"

"Yeah." Michael inched closer to you in his seat and spoke lowly. "A couple weeks ago, one of the employees caught a couple, uh... having sex in the neon hallway that leads to the restroom for employees only."

   Your jaw dropped in bewilderment. "Holy shit, no way. I just know that was very awkward and uncomfortable for the poor employee to walk into."

   "Oh, it was. That was the first time that ever happened at the pizzeria, too. Like damn— there's kids here, you know."

   As you two were wrapping up, Michael randomly thought about couples for some reason. Of course, one thought leads to another thought, and that thought ended up being you again. He often wondered about your past relationships, but that was absolutely none of his business. And even if he were to ask no matter how close the two of you get, hinting something like that would be extremely risky. He can't go too far into her personal life.

   "I'll see you later, Michael. Take care," you say as you leave the arcade dining area. Michael kept subtly watching you with mire lingering thoughts in his head until you left, relaxing back in his seat and finishing his drink. But it wasn't until someone else decided to sit across from him.

". . . So. I see that you've been getting along quite well with Y/N," William says, feigning an enthusiastic smile. "See why I hired her? Her charisma and enthusiasm is just what we need here. What you need too, apparently."

Michael choked on his own words again, struggling with a proper response after surprising him like this. He didn't know how to take in the question since most of everything he says just sounds ominous or sardonic to him. As much as he wished to walk away from this conversation, he couldn't bring himself to even stand up. He couldn't deny to him that you and him were just together awhile ago. He was about to make an effort on drifting the attention on both of you together away as possible and now his very own father was getting suspicious.

"I, uh... I didn't know what to expect from her. She's just... good at what she does," Michael ruminated. There were a million more compliments to say about you but it could never see the light of day. Or— not until the right time. But on the other hand, William should never know. As much as he doesn't want to turn away from his rules and lead the both of you into trouble, he needs to learn to not let the cat out of the bag sometimes.

"You were so nervous the first time you met her. Why's that?"

All Michael could reply with was a weak shrug, keeping his thoughts to himself. Stay calm. Don't be a dumbass and blindly admit things nobody needs to know about.

"I don't know, father. I guess I just get tongue-tied a lot. But I'm not that nervous or awkward around her anymore. We're building a good work relationship— just what we need here as you always said."

"Hm... Work relationship," William mused. "It better stay that way, Michael. I don't want you or anybody else here flirting around in the workplace. You know our fraternization policy; romantic relationships are strictly prohibited. Especially when employees are in two different positions. We're a family-friendly place and our job is to entertain these kids."

"Wait a minute— Flirting around?" Michael frowned, pretending to act baffled from such an accusation. "What makes you think we were doing that? We're just really close coworkers. Nothing else."

"Sure... keep telling yourself that," William rolled his eyes, mimicking Michael's laid back position and keeping his arm over his head to lean on. "I've just never seen you act like this because of a girl. So I had my suspicions."

"Father, I swear. You trusted me before with the nightguard shift so I need you to trust me as a manager. I would never take advantage of Y/N or any employees in anyway, nor would I violate your policies."

"Well, that's exactly what I expected from you." William taunted, sighing deeply. "As much as I adore our newbies here along with Y/N, I don't want this 'relationship' to be distracting for both of you. She's not just your little eye candy walking around here to keep your life interesting, Michael. Got that?"

Michael pursed his lips and exhaled deeply through his nose. He already endured an unnecessary amount of exasperation and agitation and decided to not argue more.

"Yes, father. I understand..."

When Michael went back to work the next few hours, he thought about what's going to happen now knowing that William will be watching the close interactions between you two. This was exactly what Michael was afraid of— he knew he shouldn't have let his guard down. But... if you could do something as scandalous behind closed doors without letting anyone bat an eye, perhaps he could do the same, too.

im so sad i update this
every two months.. 
this fic is too addicting
to have slow paced updates :(
but guess whos fault is
that anyways 😄😄😄

there probably wont be
an update in october bc
im writing my kinktober!
its NOT gonna be available
on wattpad obviously lmao
but im hoping to get back to
this fic soon enough

thank you babes for
enjoying and reading xx
next chapter will be steamy
and hopefully worth the wait