>> “Good morning, senior Justine!”

Throughout the days passed since Catherine started working in the same company I’m working, the usual greeting she gives heeded.

“Good morning.” I reply with curt on my voice. I’ve always been known that she’s enthusiastic and glee towards everything. Most of my co-workers become friendly with her from the first day.

That certain personality of hers didn’t change at all; personally, I still am happy she’s still the same person I used to know.

It’s already been week since she hired here. Catherine grasps the work well and got praised by the clients from the 2nd day.

Miss Sara, my boss seemed pleased since she saw potential to the new employee. And now, I’m not getting any stress from the workload since she can handle everything much now.

“Ah, I’ve been thinking how much work our boss gives. Knowing that you handle much more than I can do, senior...”

“It’s a matter of time when you get the perfection of the task. Don’t get your high hopes up soon.”

We still are sitting next to each other until now. She seemed getting fond of talking to me from time to time. “Ah, senior... are you free later?”

Looking at the screen of her computer, Catherine asked me. My eyes glance at her. “Hmmmm? Yeah, I don’t have any specific plans for tonight.”

“Then, let’s have a drink later!” she grinned at me. “Huh? Drink? But we still have work tomorrow.”

“Come on, don’t be a bummer, senior! Just this once; it’s the celebration of our meeting once more...”

What now...? I have been asked by my co-workers to go on a drink party with them, but I always declining.

Yet, right now... I can’t find any good reason to decline her offer. Catherine then glances at me as she smiles. “Is it a yes?”

“Huh? Ah, sure... I guess...? But we won’t drink much hard, okay? We still have work tomorrow.”

“I know that, senior... Geez...” smiling wryly at me, Catherine replied.

Drinking with my junior, huh? I guess this isn’t as bad at all? Well, I need to focus on the work right now before anything else.

♦ ♦ ♦

>> “Good work today, guys!”

Miss Sara greeted us after work. “Good work today!” I greeted everyone as well as they say same thing. Clamors and chats heard in the office the time we prepare to leave.

“Hey, Justine!” from the other station, a female colleague called to me. She’s younger than me, right around 25 years of age and wears a frilled dress and pencil cut skirt.

Her eyes are round and have a wavy, long chestnut colored hair. “What is it, Julia?” I asked. Catherine goes to me right after.

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“Let’s have a drink tonight. You always decline my invitation with everyone else.” She smiles at me, as the rest of the group from the other side of the station comes.

She’s Julia, though despite of our age gap, she’s my senior at work and my team leader. “You want to join, Cath?”

“Sure, I asked Justine to go drink. Well, you’re here so I guess we should go together?”

Julia nods as she smiles. I did say yes to Catherine on her invitation, but now the supposed to be two people turned to be a group of ten.

I guess this is fine than having two at all. “Then, let’s get going!” Julia blurted with gung-ho on her voice. “Yeah, let’s go... senior!” with a smile, Catherine look at me.

I did nod to her and we left the office right away. Along the way, I pick my phone and called the landlord. “Who are you calling?” Catherine asked.

“Ah, my landlord... I’ll be saying that I’m gonna be late tonight... well, she’s always looking after me.”

From what I said, Catherine’s face turns grim for a moment as she heard my reply. However, I didn’t pay any attention to that at all.

There’s a pub near the workplace, around 500 meters away from the office. The night life started as we saw the lights glimmer at the surroundings, and a band performing on the man-made stage.

In the open area, we rented a long table enough for 10 people. Catherine sits next to me as Julia sits faces me. “Waiter! 2 buckets of cold beer here, please! And chicken wings!”

One of our subordinates called out an order. “So, how’s the work you doing, Catherine?”

Within the moment, Julia starts the conversation by asking a question. “I’m doing well; the workload’s not that much so I can focus on the details...”

Though, the music echoes loudly in the open area, we can still hear our conversations clearly at all. “... I see that you two are close to each other?”

Narrowing her eyes and grins, Julia asked the question as she stares at me. “We attended same High school... I am her senior...” I answered.

Right that moment, the waiter came with a tray on his hand. Placing the buckets and food on the table, each of us picked a bottle and opens it with the bottle opener.

I took a gulp of beer, as Catherine did same as well. “Say, Catherine... you’re dating someone?”

One from the guys asked. He’s a good looking young man, around in his 21 or 22 years old. Has a semi-scruffy style hair and slender shape face.

Wearing thin-framed eyeglasses, his vibe of being a matured man lures out. I believe his name is Patrick. Though, I don’t know him despite of being a colleague, I do understand on the way he looks at her.

He is interested to Catherine.

“I don’t, and I already have someone I like so no entertaining of other men...” with a flat rejection, Catherine utters in nonchalant way.

The whole group gave a clamor response as Patrick smiles wryly from Catherine’s reply. “So, you already have someone you like, huh?”

Julia chided in as she grins. I took another gulp of beer from the bottle. “Yeah, though that person hasn’t been giving any reply from my confession 10 years ago...”

Her looks become gloomy after. “Oh, so you’re still waiting for his reply?”

Catherine nods to answer. I gulped from the setting of the mood right now. The bitter aftertaste of beer hangs within my throat.

“That guy sure is a dolt; making a girl waits for 10 years in an answer...? Don’t you think, Justine...?”

Turning her gaze on me, Julia asked. “Huh? Ah... yeah, that’s kind of rude...” I replied timidly. “Or might be you’re that guy...?”

I shunned out from her words as she chuckles. “Why so serious? I don’t think you’re that guy. You never pay any attention to girl at all; let alone, knowing their feelings...”

Julia speaks as she takes another gulp of beer from the bottle. “Yeah, seems you’re not interested in girls, Justine. You’re gay?” interjecting on the conversation, another guy from the group asked.

“No, I’m not...” I answered. Catherine took a glance at me right that moment. “I’m not that sure how to get along with girls...” holding the bottle firmly, I added.

“Oh, so... you mean you’re not getting attracted to any girls at random, huh?” Julia chided in. Her eyes sparkle while glaring at me.

What’s with this topic, rubbernecking over my personal life...?

“Well, it’s not that I don’t attract to any girls... the feelings of being in love is too bleak for me to understand...”

Choosing my words carefully, I softly utter. Everyone looked at me with wonder on their eyes and suddenly burst into laughter. “You’re being serious about that?”

Seems that everyone thinks this is just a kind of joke. But I guess it can’t be helped; I don’t express much of myself at all.

“What senior Justine said is true. He is a little cynic to the feelings of liking someone...”

In the bustle and clamor of the group, Catherine suddenly chided in. I look at her as she shows a serious expression. The clamor suddenly snuffed. Even the smile on Julia’s lips vanished.

“I know him since. He’s kind of dolt when it comes to know someone who cares for him... but still, I think that’s one of the good points senior Justine has.”

I don’t know what makes her say these things, but I’m happy she did stand for me. Julia and the others looked at each other and nods. “We’re not making fun of Justine at all.” She said.

“We have our preferences to choose the one we want to love. Or vice versa; it’s just... you see, he’s kind of loner and doesn’t want to get interact with others.”

Everyone shows their sincere expression towards me and Catherine. “I do want to know how you and others do when it’s out of work. And we’re happy to know that side of yours. Seems you’re fond of him, huh?”

Catherine’s face blush from what she heard from Julia. Oops, I think the cat’s out of the box now.

“I do like senior Justine. He’s a reliable person and kind... though; I know he doesn’t know it at all.”

“I’m clearly aware of it, you know...” I grinned and look at her as my hand land on her head and pat it. “And you’re a good person and a friend of mine, Cath...”

The words I said are my true feelings. “All right, let’s just drink ‘til we pass out! I’ll be the one paying so let’s go all out!”

In a loud declaration, Julia announce as she raise the bottle. Everyone followed as they shout. Though, I know we have work tomorrow, I didn’t say anything and take her offer to drink.

That night, I did just enjoy the companionship and good times of being with others. Knowing their stories and share laughs on jokes, I never tell that it was my last night to live peacefully.

That night, I never imagine that something awful and ghastly waiting for me, and that will change my life forever.