A/N: Disclaimer: Refer back to Chapter 1

WARNING: FLUFF, WAFF, SUGGESTIVE THEMES

Chapter 4: Oblivious

'Stupid stupid!! Stupid! Stupid brother!' she screamed inwardly as she stood outside of her villa, waiting for a cab to arrive.

She rolled her eyes, 'He could never be on time!'

Yes. She had asked for her brother to fetch her and drop her at the rendezvous point…However, fate had not been so kind to the female as her aforesaid sibling had failed to present himself before her.

And the result?

'Me waiting outside for a damn taxi cab burning in this insane heat like some…some fresh meat!' she thought angrily, gritting her teeth in irritation.

The day had finally arrived. They had had half the day off from the showroom to go for their bank's annual get-together. There she was, dressed casually yet decently, eager to attend the proceedings. And there she was, under the burning sun, waiting for a cab to arrive…which seemed to elude her.

Putting her palm over her eyes for shade, she looked up and there frowned at the blue skies, "You're punishing me aren't you?" she asked the gods with scorn, "Why!? What did I do that was so bad?!" she asked as she pouted childishly.

There she was, running late as it was!

'Damn…Harley is going to kill me!'

Aa…Yes.

She and he had decided that taking one vehicle would be enough. After all, it would just be a waste if they were to go separately. And so, they had decided to rendezvous in front of the showroom…

'Oh man…He's been waiting there for over…twenty minutes now! He'll kill me for sure!'

xxxx

Serph looked at himself at the mirror. Yuni had opted that they leave the office and came to the cruise as they were…which really didn't suit Serph's taste very much.

'There's no way I'm going to be caught at a social gathering in my office attire…' he thought with a shiver.

'No way at all.' he affirmed.

'Are you sure that's the only reason…?' another voice chimed in.

'Huh?'

'Maybe you just don't want to be in your office attire because of…you-know-who…'

At that notion, Serph ceased his movements and there stared at the mirror, noting the casual attire that he had donned on which consisted of a pair of jeans a purple polo shirt and a black sweater.

Sweater?

He shook his head, 'I know it'll be cold later on. Better be safe than sorry.'

'Trying to change the subject, are we?' the ever persistent voice said.

At that point, a pink-haired woman came to his mind and there, he blushed and shook his head.

"Shut up."

xxxx

"Aa…! Finally!" commented Argilla cheerfully.

They had finally arrived. Well…not entirely. Walking away from Harley's car, she looked form left to right and noted the empty docks.

Whipping around to face her new trainer, she blinked and tilted her head to the side, "Huh? Where are the others? The e-mail said that we should be here at 3:30 PM sharp!"

At that, the auburn-haired man chuckled, "One thing you should probably get used to is that no one's ever on time in this bank Argilla. Ever."

At that, the female's face fell, "So I guess we have to wait huh?"

"That, we do." affirmed Harley, who had already started to walk away from the female and there towards the benches.

Quite annoyed at the notion of waiting, the female growled but followed. Seating herself beside the male, she turned to him and bit her lip, looking at him apologetically, "Sorry about today…"

At the point, at hearing his companion speak, the man wrinkled his face, "I'll really kill you next time if you ever make me wait again!" he warned.

Argilla laughed and stuck her tongue out, "No you won't! You wuv your new charge!" she said in a mock baby-talk.

Harley gave her an unimpressed look, "Whatever you need to tell yourself to sleep at night Argilla…"

At that, the two laughed.

When all the laughed her settled down, Harley turned his face to the female once more, "So, how's Serph?"

At the sound of her former mentor's name, Argilla looked at Harley and raised an eyebrow, "Eeehh…? Why ask me? Didn't you already speak to him this morning regarding that 'so-called' discrepancy?"

He chuckled, "Yea I did. But that's not what I meant."

The female was completely lost.

"Eh? So what did you mean?"

The man crossed his arms and gave her an amused grin, "You know what I'm getting at…" he hinted.

At that, Argilla's face contorted to that of confusion, "Eeeehhh? I really don't get it Harley…"

Harley rolled his eyes; maybe his charge just wasn't that bright. Did he really have to spell it out for this girl!?

"Argilla, Serph likes you." the older man deadpanned.

Argilla's face blushed a tinge of pink as she assessed Harley's words and there she made a face, "No he doesn't!" she openly denied, "Don't say stuff like that!"

The older man laughed at her behavior and there grinned, "Sure he does…"

"Grrr…!" growled the girl, "No he doesn't! What makes you think otherwise!?" she bellowed uncouthly, her hands on her hips.

"I just know it." replied Harley, a smug look upon his youthful face.

"Nah! You're just saying that coz you're bored!" Argilla responded.

Harley leaned back further into the bench's backrest and continued his ever vexing smile, "Well, that's partly true but not entirely…"

"Meanie!!" squealed the girl.

Harley laughed, "But seriously Argilla. Serph likes you."

'Again with that crap…' she thought with impatience.

She groaned and massaged her temples as she suddenly found a slight headache, "Ugh…not that again Harley…!" she whined. "That's just ridiculous!"

At the mention of the word "ridiculous" Harley couldn't help but get his curiosity be roused, "Oh? Why is that? Are you telling me that some men are incapable of liking someone?"

At this, Argilla stopped her hands' movements and stared at her trainer with widened eyes; shocked not at what he had said but rather shocked that she seemed to know Serph more rather than the people he had been working with for so many months.

"Are you nuts Harley!?" she asked seriously, "I mean, have you…ever met Serph in person!? Have you ever spent time with that guy!?"

Harley put his fingers on his chin and thought wistfully, "Well…yes and no. Yes; I do call him for account checks and for status reports… And no, apart from the professional life, I really don't know the guy."

"Gah!" cried the girl, "Then how can you claim that he likes me!? You don't even know him!" she screeched.

Harley grinned at her evilly, "Argilla, sometimes you don't need to know a person inside and out just so that you can tell whether or not he likes someone or not."

Argilla opened her mouth to protest further but was cutoff as she heard the distant chattering and laughter of other people.

Turning her head towards the sounds of the voices, a smile graced her lips, "They're here!" she said excitedly.

"So is he." said a voice from beside her.

"Ugh…" she replied, rolling her eyes, "Whatever Harley…"

"You'll see…!" the older man chirped, laughing as he walked away from his trainee.

xxxx

Serph smiled within as he exited the car, 'She arrived early…She should be here somewhere.'

"Hey, are you thinking about those unsent files?" asked a voice from behind him.

Surprised at the voice, Serph whipped around and saw his fellow processor. Serph smiled at the overweight man and shook his head, "Come on Yuni. I don't even want to think of that office…"

The other man chuckled, "Sure…Whatever. I didn't know that there was a time wherein you didn't think of work."

Serph made a face, "I resent that."

Yuni said nothing but continued to laugh.

Serph rolled his eyes, "Let's just get to the ship."

"Lead the way!"

Still wearing his vexed facial expression, Serph shoved his hands into his pockets and there walked onwards. The more steps the he took, the more did thoughts of Yuni's taunts begin to fade from his mind…

Slowly, his frown had turned into a vague smile…

'I wonder how she is…'

As the ship at the docks got more visible, so did the surroundings around it.

He didn't know why, but as his feet took him closer and closer to his destination did his heart begin to palpitate, his breath beginning to get labored.

And as he envisioned more and more of his former trainee, did he come into realization that the bodily reactions that he had been experiencing was nothing more than the result of his longing to see the female once more…

'You miss her.' deadpanned his mischievous self.

He frowned at that, 'She's a friend; of course I miss her.'

'No you idiot! It's more than that and you know it!'

Serph groaned under his breath; there he was again. Again, having an argument with himself.

'This is…getting out of hand.' he told himself as he willed the pesky and bothersome voice to leave his thoughts to its own devices.

Seconds had passed with his thoughts being interrupted and again Serph's thoughts meandered over to his female friend.

His heart stopped for but a moment before it resumed its beating as he caught sight of rich pink hair.

A small smile then began to crawl up to his lips but it soon faded and altogether died as he saw something else.

His footsteps then ceased altogether as the picture before him became all the more clear.

Auburn hair.

He didn't know why but at that point, an unsettling feeling began to creep within the linings of his stomach.

At that point, he considered turning around and walking away but decided against it as he came into the realization that they were to have a social event for all the Teams at the Auto Loans Department.

Petty squabbles and hurt feelings could wait.

He frowned further, 'H-hurt…?' he mentally repeated.

'Why would I be hurt…?' he asked himself; all the more perplexed at his own behavior and unwanted feelings.

'And why wouldn't you be?! You're seeing her with Harley!' thundered a voice in his head.

Serph wanted to shoot himself at that point. Didn't he just get rid of that annoying voice?!

But wanting to preserve his sanity, Serph entertained what the voice had to say and there put forth his retort, 'So what if she's with Harley? She told me that they both had agreed to come in just one car. It wouldn't make sense if they were to go separately.'

Instead of a humbled response from the voice, Serph heard nothing save for a haughty grunt.

'Keep telling yourself that.' said the voice with a sneer, 'But then again…other scenarios could also be true.' it reasoned.

'Other scenarios?' he mentally repeated stupidly.

The voice snickered, 'It sure is a long drive from the showroom to this place… I wonder what they did to pass the time…' the voice hinted slyly.

At that point, Serph couldn't help but grind his teeth together as his mind was filled with unsavory thoughts concerning his former trainee and the auburn-haired Assistant Team Leader.

'Enough!'

"Oi!" a voice exclaimed, bringing the silver-haired man back to reality.

"H-huh?" asked Serph, disoriented.

"You suddenly stopped in the middle of the road! What are you doing?" asked Yuni, with confusion on his face.

Serph blinked rapidly and there met face to face with Yuni. He then looked around and saw that he had indeed stopped in the middle of the road. Blood rushed to his head as he considered his current position.

Well, there really wasn't any excuse. How was he to explain himself now?

"Aha! I knew it!" exclaimed Yuni, "You were thinking about those files, weren't you?"

Serph wanted to grin at that point but decided against it. Well, it would seem that someone still loved him up there.

"Yea. I guess so." he replied with a tight smile.

"I knew it!" laughed his companion, "Well, come on! For get those files! They won't be going anywhere! Besides, we're almost to the ship!" With that, the overweight man resumed his walk.

Seeing that he was one step ahead of him, Serph allowed himself a breath of relief, 'Nice save.'

Resuming his walk, again he had been reminded of his unpleasant feeling as he heard a growl; a growl that he knew that could only come from her…

Getting all the more closer to her now as he neared her, a lump suddenly formed in his throat. He froze though as his gaze met those of the auburn-haired man's.

His muscles tightened for but a moment before being released as the aforesaid man turned his gaze away.

Turning his gaze elsewhere, he was met with…pink.

Again, he smiled.

"Hey there." he spoke.

xxxx

Argilla's eyes widened as she heard a familiar voice…

Turning around, she was met bet a pair of gentle eyes…and an even gentler smile.

Regaining her senses, she returned his smile and held out her hand for an earnest handshake, "Serph! It's been a while!" she greeted cordially.

The silver-haired man laughed and grasped her hand firmly, "Yea. It has."

Argilla's smile widened a bit as she thought she had felt a strange kind of warmth originating from her colleague's hand into her own.

'It's different…' she thought knowingly. Yes; a simple handshake from people were always firm and strong…but Serph's was different.

'Not just a colleague's…but of a friend's.' she thought with a nod, pleased and touched at such a notion.

A second later, the two parted and the girl spoke, "So…how's work?" she asked pleasantly, partly knowing what he would be saying in reply.

Serph nodded and smiled, closing his eyes briefly before gazing at his companion once more, "What is there to say? Work has been…busy." he said softly, his silver orbs shining with a hint of exhaustion.

Argilla pouted as she read his hidden message and there petted his silver hair as if he were a puppy, "Aww…Poor little guy!" she said with sympathy, all the while having that playful smile on her face.

"Hey! Shaddap!" he replied, laughing. "What about you? How is the showroom? And how is Harley?" asked the silver-haired man, never letting the female before him suspect even in the slightest the other meaning to his question…

How is the showroom…? How are you…?

How is Harley…? Is he a better trainer than I was…?

He didn't know why…but the young woman before him intrigued him. She…had been different from the rest that he had ever met.

'Funny…Stubborn…Bossy…Childish…but at the same time, overly mature when she wants to be.' he thought as he continued to smile.

His eyes drifted from her eyes into her moving lips. He tilted his head to the side as he realized that even then at that point, as she continued to speak, that he didn't understand a word that she spoke…

It was as if he wasn't even at that place, at that time…

It had been as if he had been an outsider, just watching her; just being a spectator to the events.

There he was, standing there, just marveling at the woman's lips…and even more so, on her character…

'An oddball…'

"Hey! Are you listening!?" thundered Argilla, rousing the young man back to his senses.

"Yea. Yes, I'm listening." he affirmed, giving her his traditional "sincere" look.

Argilla rolled her eyes before sighing and there focusing on Serph's clothes instead.

"Hey!" she pointed to his apparel with an accusing finger and an even more accusing tone of voice, "Those are my clothes-color for the day! Why are you wearing them!?" she half-screeched.

At the sound of her loud and demanding voice, Serph couldn't help but let a blush form on his cheeks as the hair on his arms and back began to stand, 'People…are staring at us, aren't they…?' he found himself asking; embarrassed.

"Ssshh!" he scolded the pink-haired girl, "Don't be so loud!" he whispered.

At hearing Serph's words, Argilla put both palms over her lips and there laughed, "Whoops…" she said through her muffled lips, "I keep doing that! Hahah…"

Serph smiled at her; she never ceased to amuse him.

"Well!?" she thundered once more, having recovered from her momentary feeling of vague embarrassment, "Why are you wearing black and purple!? Can't you see that I'm wearing the same combination!?" she asked in feigned anger, gesturing to her semi-casual ensemble.

Serph let his eyes meander over to her apparel in an attempt to ascertain the female's claims and there blushed slightly as he discovered that she indeed, wore the same hue combination as he did.

She wore a pair of jean at her hips, a strapless and lacy purple top along with a jet-black jacket with a Chinese collar.

He blinked in amazement at that point before looking back at her eyes, scratching the back of his head, "Erm…I didn't mean to wear the same colors as you…It just hit me; that's all."

Argilla crossed her arms and pouted; unconvinced.

Serph rolled his eyes, "What-did I call you and asked you? I didn't. Right? So…it's just-"

"Oh come on Serph!" Argilla exclaimed, as she laughed heartily, "I was just kidding! I know you didn't mean to wear them! Come on! Don't think I was taking it that seriously!"

Serph made a face, "Somehow, I doubt that." he muttered under his breath, knowing his trainee's apparent childish behavior and thought pattern.

"What was that?!"

"Nothing…!" he quickly replied.

Argilla cast the man before her a suspicious look before reverting back to her former excited mood, "But, isn't it cool how we got to wear the same colors for clothes?! I mean, if that's not weird, I don't know what is!" she said with a laugh.

'I can think of a few things that are weirder…' Serph thought with a grin.

"So…Where were we?" spoke the fuchsia-haired girl, bringing the man back to reality.

"The showroom…?" Argilla asked, referring to Serph's earlier question, "It's a bit slow…But then again, what do you expect from premium brands eh…?"

He could only nod in concurrence, knowing what Argilla said to be true.

"And Harley's just too cool!" she whispered, half-squealing at the same time.

At the sound of her sincere admiration for the auburn-haired man, it felt as though something within him burst.

He blinked; confused.

Why was that so…?

Argilla's smile widened as her eyes dilated in rogue imagination, "And you should've heard how he handled those arrogant customers!"

Serph's insides churned and his gut tied itself in a knot.

He opened his mouth to speak but was cut short as he heard another male's voice.

"Argilla." the other male voice called firmly, letting the female turn around and him to look onward expectantly, wanting to know the person who interrupted them.

"Harley!" Argilla chirped, "Hiya!"

Again, at the sound of that name and at the sight of other male, Serph shrunk, 'I…There's nothing I wouldn't give for a box right now…' he thought Harley's ginger eyes penetrated his gentle silver pools.

Yup.

A box; a box that he could crawl backwards to and never come out again.

Ever.

Harley grinned within, 'Yup. I was right.' he nodded within, 'He's got it bad.'

"Hey Serph." he politely said, tightly smiling at the other male, "How is it going?"

Serph returned Harley's smile and nodded, masking his slight irritation seamlessly, "Just fine Harley. And yourself?"

The man nodded, "Alhamdullillah…" he replied before turning to the female whom he had been looking for, "We had better get on board Argilla; otherwise we'd lose our place. And we really don't want to stand. Come on." he urged her; his eyes digging deeply into hers.

Argilla blinked; a bit guilty.

She had promised Serph that they would spend time together during the cruise…But as she continued to stare into Harley's pools, she knew not what to do…

"Come on." he told her again, "I'll introduce you to the whole team."

The team.

Right.

'The other RBEs from the team…' she thought.

The decision was made.

She stole a glance at Serph, who was at that point, feeling awkward at the sight of them, and looked at him apologetically.

Serph could only smile tightly at her.

What was he to say? Was he to hold her back because of his selfish desire to be with her…?

'No…'

He nodded, concealing his disappointed feelings within and continued to wear his façade of an understanding smile, "No. Harley's right. You two had better get going. It's going to get crowded pretty soon…"

Argilla pouted, "But Serph…"

He shook his head, "It's okay. You need to spend time with your teammates. We can talk later." he said with all the sincerity that he could muster.

Argilla's smile returned once more, "Thanks Serph! See ya later!"

And with that, the pink-haired woman let herself be pulled away and there plunged into the sea of people before her.

As soon as she was out of sight, Serph let his emotions flood back…rushing like the mad waters from a burst dam.

He sighed heavily within.

He knew that he shouldn't feel what he felt, but it didn't change the fact that he just did. He knew that what he had been feeling was selfish, but he couldn't justify himself.

He knew that what he was feeling was something that he had not so long ago, considered as inconceivable and preposterous…but there he was, feeling it all the same.

He closed his eyes for but a moment before resuming his walk towards the crowd, intent on finding his colleagues.

Seeing her with her new trainer hurt him…and he didn't know why.

'This is…stupid.'

Xxxx

A/N: Terms…

Alhamdullillah: Arabic phrase meaning "Thanks be to God" which is said often in all types of conversations as a way of appreciating God when blessed/fortunate.