Friday and this weekend has been crazy. I wish I could say the bread sticks were the highlight of my week, but it wasn't. No matter what I did, I couldn't stop thinking about Korra. Not just the fact she's taken, but my attraction to her on a mental level as well. Yes, her appearance was the first thing I noticed, but you can't read people's mind when you see them for the first time. Korra and I really connected, over coffee.
I know this because, when it comes to talking about my feelings or relationships, I'm a hard shell to crack. It usually takes months for me to trust someone well enough to accept their Facebook friend request. So when it comes to the subject of relationships, it takes me longer to open up.
But when I'm talking to Korra, It's like I'm an audiobook. I just ramble and talk without a filter and I sort of like that. When you worked in a corporate world for years, showing your true colors can be tough.
Despite my frustration, pain, and feelings for her, she's a taken woman. I respect that, trust me. I'm not a jerk, who ignores relationship statuses just to benefit herself. I'm not even known as the jealous type. But when I saw Mako grab Korra's hand, I was ready to fight.
I thought my feelings would be gone by now, after finding out she's taken. Sadly, they aren't and I'm so confuse! Anyone in their right mind, would see the situation and drop it. Mako and Korra are end game, there is no fighting for her love, he won it.
I spent my weekend starring out into the city, from balcony, with a glass of wine in my hand, pitying myself. No one but Bolin knows about my dilemma. Well it's not a dilemma to him, because he thinks I'm over it. Usually when things don't go my way or go as I hope they would, I drop it and move on.
If I didn't, I don't believe I would have been so productive all these year. Which goes back to my case and point. Why can't I move on?
Truthfully, I'm not over it. Maybe, I need another week to heal or whatever. But I know myself well enough that maybe, I will need more than a week. Who knows? I might need a whole decade to get over my heartbreak.
The worst part is, I knew there could be a chance she was taken. Now thinking about it, of course she was! With the purity ring on her finger, there had to be a matching pair. I never seen one on Mako's finger, but I never fully checked.
I'm not the type to assume politeness for flirting, either. So I don't understand how this could happen.
Apart of me wonders if I'm taking this so hard because Mako's the lucky guy. Actually…. that could be the reason.
Then again, I don't know what Mako's like at home. He could be an absolute gentleman to her, and maybe I happened to witness a normal couple's disagreement. It's just hard not to judge a book by its cover, when you already read the first book and not the sequel.
I keep getting texts from Korra. Which I only reply to, with half-hearted answers.
To be honest, I'm afraid to continue our friendship, because I'm worried that the more I get to know her, the more I might fall harder for her.
Cutting relations has always been a successful tactic of mine. I handled my exes that way and bad investors that way. Yet, Korra is not a bad ex or a business.
She's someone I care about and that's no way to treat anyone. I know, if the tables were turned, I would be hurt as well. To just drop someone without an explanation is terrible. Yet, I'm not dumb enough to confess my attraction to her, knowing she's taken.
Which explains why I'm sitting here at my desk on a Monday, deciding how I can go about this in the best way possible.
If only I could trouble-shoot my heart, like I can do with this laptop.
"Hey, Asami. Aren't you coming to the meeting?" I look up from my laptop and see my friend/ HR manger, Ginger.
"What meeting?" I ask, dazed and confused.
"Um, the one everyone is at." I look around and see all the cubicles empty.
"You didn't get the email?" my friend asks.
"No, I didn't." I reply, grabbing my sweater and login out of my laptop.
I was so lost in my thoughts, that I didn't notice everyone getting up. Well…. I knew they were going somewhere, but I thought they were taking a lunch break...at the same time? Alright, I really need to stay focus.
Ginger and I are the last to enter the meeting room, but no one seems to notice or care but Baatar, who does the scissors hand motion toward me, while Ginger's not looking. I ignore my immature friend and find a seat in the back, trying to catch up on what I missed.
"As you all may know. My Christmas Party is coming up."
The room erupts with clapping, as Mako takes his bow.
"Due to our great sales and progress, I decided to try something different this year."
"Wow! Are we actually getting a raise? " Baatar says, in one of his difference voices.
"Who said that?"
Everyone tries to hold in their laughter, as well as the jokester.
I'm laughing, that a good sign, maybe I'm getting back to my old self.
Mako fixes his tie and continues.
"I decided to have spirit week at the office, a suggestion made by someone very close to me."
I start to wonder if Korra was the one who came up with such a great idea. Of course it was her, she told me she loved the holidays.
"Events such as Ugly Sweater Day, Best Gingerbread House Day , Deck The Cubicle Day, and many more will take place, leading up to my party. "
" {Cough} boring {cough ]" Baatar says, lowly, which Mako finally catches and glares.
"There will be an award given to those who're a bit more creative . "
With my boss's unexpected statement, involving an award, everyone starts to perk up and be more engaged.
"What's the award?" Bolin asks.
"There will be first, second, and third place winners. The employees will vote for who they feel won that event. The day's winner will get to each lunch with me of their choice."
"Sounds like a loss." Bolin tease, as Mako gives a halfhearted smile to his brother.
"That's not all. Whoever gets the most votes out of all the weeks' combined. Will receive a grand price, one that will be exposed at the company's Christmas party.
The crowd gasps and even I'm in shocked about such a change of tradition.
"Why are you doing all of this?" Ginger asks.
"I want to motivate you all as employees. Sometimes I can come off as cold. But honestly, I appreciate everyone's efforts in making this company a success. Christmas is the gift of giving, and you all have given me a greater gift, with is being here. I just want to remind you all of that."
The room erupts with applause and even gets a standing ovation. This is so unlike Mako, I wonder what caused the change of heart? Then it comes to me and I start to panic.
What if Korra told Mako about what I did? Yes, it would be sweet of her for looking out for me, but I don't want that!
"Thank You, everyone. You may all head out for your lunch break. What the heck? Take an extra 15 minute, then come back and be productive ."
"You got it Boss!" Baatar says, with a salute.
I'm just about to head out the door when I hear Mako call out my name.
"Ms. Sato, do you mind if I speak with you in private?"
This is it. I might as well quit right now. It will save me the embarrassment of being fired.
"Sure, Mr. Ferrets, and you know you can call me Asami." I say with my fake but unnoticeable grin.
He smiles, which is creepier, than his nice guy behavior.
"Yes, I know. But your last name reminds me of your family. I feel like I'm stripping away your success, if I don't call you that."
Our last name didn't get our success, my family's hard work did!
"So you and Korra are sort of best friends now, I hear." He says.
This is too weird! This is the first time we ever had a one on one conversation that didn't involve me doing something he didn't like.
"Wellll…we just met, so I wouldn't say we're that serious, yet."
He laughs.
"Well you did a great job of leading her own because she thinks, just that."
I start to feel guilty. I do want a friendship with Korra, but I know it will be too hard.
The anticipation inside of me, wondering if Mako is going to fire me comes out.
"Did I do something wrong?" I blurt out, without thinking.
Mako looks at me confused.
"Of course not, why would you think that?" he asks concerned, which is freaking me out even more because he never cared about my feeling or anyone elses!
"I don't know. Maybe it's because I always mess up around you." I tease, trying to hide my awkward question.
"No, it's me who's the problem. I'm too hard on you. I ignore your feedback, when I should be listening to it. "He replies.
I'm just sitting here, as he talks about how great of an addition I am on his team. By the way my boss is talking, Korra definitely told Mako about what I did. I can already picture how the discussion played out between the couple last Friday.
Korra was upset, and Mako was trying to win her over. So Korra most likely ranted about how of an ass-hole he was to me without realizing and now my boss is praising me like I gave him life.
"I'm sorry, if you ever felt ignored." Mako states, ending his long speech.
I give a small smile.
"I don't feel that way, Sir." I lie, I mean reply.
"Sure you don't." he says in a tone that didn't match his jolly one earlier.
His tone sounded like he was irritated. Then it comes to me. Mako doesn't really care about his employees or me like I knew in the beginning, it's all an act.
This act, is most likely is what Korra fell in love with and sees in him. I start to be furious.
You don't do the right thing, because someone tell you to. You do the right thing, because you're supposed to do it. How dare he think telling me what he should have told me months ago, would fix anything!
"I want to offer you a raise in your salary." He says.
I get up from my seat, no longer able to listen to such a disguise.
"I'm sorry, Sir. I don't deserve it."
"Nonsense, Ms. Sato you do."
"I respect and appreciate your words, but there are people who worked here longer that deserve such thing. I don't do my job for the money, I do it for other reasons."
My boss smirks, like he takes my response as a joke.
"I'll give you time to think about it. I know such great news can be surprising." He replies.
No, what's surprising is, that he thought I would be happy about such a thing. I'm actually offended that he would think, money was my problem here. My problem is the fact he's not treating his customers and employees like humans.
If he would had told me, he would review all the bad orders, so we could fix it or come up with ways to prevent them from ever happening again, I would respect him. But I can't, when he thinks money is the problem.
"Thank you Sir, but I think I made up my mind."
"Very Well. You're free to go."
I thank him and head out the door. As I make my way to the elevator, I pull out my phone in my purse.
I know, I wasn't going to talk to her until I found a way to handle my emotions, but I can't let this pass.
Asami- Did you really tell Mako about what I did? Not cool. He offered me a raise and that's not the point I was trying to make.
I would also appreciate if you don't tell him that I told you this. I don't want any more awkward conversations, like the one I just experienced. I just need time.
After pressing send to the text, I slide my phone back into my purse. This is just too much.
Author's Note:
Thank you for all the wonderful feedback! I'm working on chapter 4 as we speak. Might even post it this week;)