Chapter 41: Unspoken Truths

The office party was in full swing, with music and laughter filling the air. Bose, having been initially stunned by the news of their success, was now trying to enjoy the celebration. However, amidst the revelry, she overheard a conversation that made her pause.

“Did you know that mic wasn’t an accident from the engineers?” an employee whispered, barely containing their laughter.

“Yeah, it was Habi-san who put that mic on the table before Bose got into the office,” another voice replied, laughter evident.

Bose’s brows knitted together. Habi-san? What was going on?

With a determined stride, she made her way through the crowd to where Oki was enjoying the party. She gently placed a hand on Oki’s shoulder.

“Oki,” Bose said, her voice firm.

Oki turned, her smile faltering as she saw the serious expression on Bose’s face. “Ye-yes, Bose?”

“We need to talk. Could you please come aside for a minute?” Bose requested, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Oki’s face fell as she nodded, following Bose to a quieter corner of the office. Their conversation, though conducted in hushed tones, was far from peaceful.

Two Hours Later

Haari found himself beside Oki, who was visibly upset, her cheeks streaked with tears and her eyes red. Haari’s concern was evident as he tried to comfort her.

“Habi-san, what did you talk about with Bose? Did something happen between you two?” Haari asked, his voice filled with worry.

Oki shook her head, wiping her tears. “No, nothing happened. Everything is okay,” she said, but her voice trembled with uncertainty.

Haari, deep in thought, couldn't shake the feeling that something was indeed wrong. “Something did happen, but what?”

Two Hours Ago

In a secluded corner of the office, Bose confronted Oki with a mix of frustration and anger. “So, what did you want to talk about, Oki?” Bose asked, her voice tight with irritation.

Oki, looking nervous, tried to explain. “I just wanted to give you a surprise.”

“A surprise? What kind of surprise was that?” Bose pressed, her tone icy.

“I gathered all our employees to give you a big surprise,” Oki said, her voice wavering.

Bose’s eyes narrowed. “Gathered? Wait, so they knew about our company’s success before I did?”

Oki hesitated, her face flushing. “Um, kind of.”

Bose crossed her arms. “Kind of? So, you planned this elaborate surprise without telling me the results first?”

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“Yes,” Oki admitted. “I wanted it to be special. I thought it would be a nice way to celebrate.”

Bose’s expression hardened. “Well, it seems you’ve made quite the surprise for me. And now, I have a surprise for you.”

Oki’s eyes widened. “A surprise? I love surprises. So, what kind of surprise are we talking about?”

Bose’s gaze was steely. “I was planning to increase our employees’ salaries after this success. But to make this moment unforgettable for you, I’ve decided to cut your current salary by 25% for the next six months. How does that sound?”

Oki’s face went pale. “Whaaaat? But why me?”

Bose’s tone was cold. “That’s what’s called a surprise.”

Oki tried to protest. “But—”

“This conversation is over,” Bose cut in, her tone final.

As Bose walked away, Oki stood alone, her heart sinking. The joy of the party seemed distant as she struggled to process Bose’s harsh decision. Haari, noticing Oki’s distress, approached her once more.

“Oki, are you alright? What happened with Bose?” Haari asked, his voice full of concern.

Oki tried to compose herself but couldn’t hide her tears. “No it's nothing”

Meanwhile, Bose found herself surrounded by congratulatory remarks and celebration. As she tried to enjoy the festivities, her thoughts were on the conversation she had just had with Oki.

Bose noticed an employee wearing a party hat that looked like a pineapple. The sight made her smirk despite herself.

“Nice hat,” Bose said, trying to lighten the mood.

The employee grinned. “Thanks! It’s a party pineapple. I thought it would fit the occasion!”

Bose chuckled despite her frustration. “Well, it certainly adds a touch of tropical flair.”

Just then, Haari approached, his face lit up with an idea. “Bose, I’ve got an idea! We should have a pineapple dance-off!”

Bose raised an eyebrow. “A pineapple dance-off?”

“Yes!” Haari said enthusiastically. “Whoever can do the best pineapple-themed dance wins a pineapple!”

Bose couldn’t help but laugh. “Alright, you’re on. But only if you promise not to dance like a pineapple yourself.”

Employe grinned. “Deal!”

As the pineapple dance-off began, the room erupted in laughter and cheers. Even Bose couldn’t help but join in the fun, her earlier frustrations momentarily forgotten. Employees of all shapes and sizes gave their best pineapple-inspired dance moves, from wiggling hips to exaggerated fruit gestures.

Rafta, unable to resist, tried his best pineapple dance move, which involved a highly exaggerated shimmy. The room roared with laughter.

“Careful, Rafta! You’re making the pineapple jealous!” someone joked.

Oki, still distressed, found herself chuckling at the spectacle, her earlier worries momentarily pushed aside. Haari, in a bright pineapple hat, was leading the dance with impressive enthusiasm, his moves getting more exaggerated with each passing minute.

At the end of the dance-off, Bose awarded the prize—a large pineapple—to Haari with a grin. “Congratulations, Haari. You’ve won the pineapple dance-off!”

Haari took a bow, holding the pineapple high. “Thank you, thank you! I’d like to thank my dance friends, the pineapple!”

Bose laughed, shaking her head. “Well, if nothing else, at least we know how to throw a memorable party.”

As the guests began to trickle out, Bose found herself reflecting on the events of the evening. While the future remained uncertain, the night had proven that even in the face of challenges, there was room for laughter and unexpected moments of joy.

Later that week, Bose and Oki had a chance to talk again in a quieter setting.

“Oki,” Bose began, her tone softer than before, “I wanted to apologize for how things went down at the party.”

Oki looked up, surprised. “Apologize? I was just… overwhelmed. I didn’t expect the surprise to be so harsh.”

Bose nodded. “I understand. My decision was harsh, and I should have communicated better. I appreciate your hard work and dedication. Let’s work together to make sure we’re on the same page moving forward.”

Oki smiled faintly. “Thank you, Bose. I want us to move forward positively.”

The conversation ended on a hopeful note, with both characters feeling more at ease. Meanwhile, Haari found Oki sitting alone, looking contemplative.

“Hey, Oki,” Haari said gently. “I just wanted to say… I’m sorry for how things turned out. I hope you know we are here for you.”

Oki looked up, her eyes softening. “Thanks, Haari. I appreciate that. It’s just been a tough day.”

Haari nodded. “We’ll get through it. And remember, if you need a dance partner for any future pineapple dance-offs, you know who to call.”

Oki chuckled, feeling a bit of the weight lift off her shoulders. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

The office, though now quieter, held a lingering sense of camaraderie and shared joy from the night’s unexpected pineapple dance-off. Despite the earlier tensions, the night had ended with a reminder that even amidst challenges, moments of fun and connection could provide solace and hope.