The head office of The Star Cooperation was the epitome of a creative workspace. Unlike most offices with cubicles that boxed in their employee, filled with the sounds of paper flipping, keyboard clicking and phones ringing, and strict dress codes where everyone wore suits and ties, The Star made their office free from constraints, with colorful items and rooms serving various functions to ease stress.
Bahyun threw his laptop onto the bean bag the moment he arrived in his personal office, then rushed to the coffee machine capable of making 27 flavors for his first coffee of the morning. He grabbed his cup of coffee and start chatting – or technically speaking, exchanging creative ideas – with his colleagues in the office, occasionally bumping into someone who had just woken up from a room probably designated for yoga, and finally settled down somewhere he deemed suitable for gathering his thoughts.
Mostly, it was on the bean bag in his office where he would open his laptop and start staring at it. Sometimes he revised the notes he had jotted down before, sometimes he surf the internet, sometimes he watched movies or videos, all to grasp hold of an idea and brainstorm.
The laptop was just a handy tool for him to draft his ideas before visualizing them. His main working computer was located beside the French window in his office, complete with the most updated hardware and programs, capable of performing whatever he wanted. However, it usually only activated when he started to visualize his ideas, and it typically took him quite some time to first draft everything on the laptop on the bean bag. Though some of his coworkers choose to draft with their phones and tablets when they were in the same phase, he still prefer the laptop with its wider screen and keyboard for typing. Plus, it had a touch screen, which felt more convenient than phones and tablets from his perspective.
As lunchtime approached, some colleagues began their walk to the cafeteria, and the new employee were awestruck by the glamorous dining area of The Star Cooperation. The cafeteria resembled a 5-star hotel buffet restaurant, complete with chefs ready to take orders if anyone wished for something other than what was provide. Occasionally, one would find a chef showcasing a new recipe and taking the first bite of the new menu item.
This was one of the benefits rarely found in most company settings and one of the main reasons why so many people sought employment with this company.
Bahyun wasn’t sure if the chefs would be pleased to see Almandine bringing her meals here, given the food provided in the cafeteria was obviously excellent, and he was the one foolish enough to starve himself and faint in the office. Putting himself in the chefs’ shoes, Bahyun didn’t suppose they would welcome anyone bringing their own meals to the office, as it might be seen as a judgment on the quality of the service provided. Moreover, he imagined that everybody in the office would definitely tease him if he were the only one with a full set of meals not prepared by the company’s chefs.
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However, to Bahyun’s surprise, Almandine was welcomed by the chefs.
He received a call from the cafeteria intercom while attempting to grasp the last traces of inspirations on his bean bag. The kitchen intern sounded delighted when mentioning Almandine’s arrival.
Reluctantly releasing his effort to retain the inspiration, Bahyun closed his laptop and made his way to the cafeteria, hoping to perhaps spare Almandine any trouble she might encounter. When he finally reached the entrance, he spotted her from afar and unexpectedly saw the head chef speaking to her with a wide smile.
“Almandine.” He called, casually rubbing her hair as he sat beside her, “Its hot and sunny outside. Did you bring your umbrella? Better be careful not to get your skin burnt.”
“It’s fine.” Almandine replied, arranging the containers she had brought, a meal set with a surprisingly large portion compared to yesterday’s hospital menu. Bahyun couldn’t help but gape in awe as the entire table was covered with the containers she had brought.
Pointing to himself with a trembling finger, he asked, “Is…Is it all for me? Or is your portion included?”
But even considering Almandine’s appetite, it seemed like too much food for both of them. Did she expect him to eat it all?
“Today is your birthday, Bahyun. I noticed that people usually have a feast on their birthday, and a cake with candles.” Almandine then took out another bag containing a paper box, obviously the size of an 18-inch cake, and looked at him, “I know you have lots of friends and colleagues in the office. Although I can’t make enough portions for everybody, I tried my best so at least you all could have a bite of each dish and…well, celebrate your birthday.”
Bahyun felt emotions swelling in his chest when he noticed the hint of earnestness in her eyes: his “baby girl” whom he had cared for from a blank slate finally knew how to care for others and hoped for praise! He couldn’t help but give Almandine a big hug, “Thanks! I totally forgot about my birthday. I’m so happy for everything; you’ve done great!”
“You’re welcome.” Her expression clam, in contrast to his excitement. There was no smile on her face, but the atmosphere between them emitted a warm, loving feeling, prompting cheers and whistles from those around them, interspersed with “happy birthdays” directed at him. Bahyun was indeed a popular figure in the company, as Almandine had expected.
“No matter how good a cook is, their cooking can’t match the meals made by loved ones!” exclaimed the head chef as he hastily grabbed a bite of the pastry Almandine had made.
This will definitely be a memorable moment that I’ll never forget, Bahyun thought to himself, embracing the happiness that filled the corner of the cafeteria.
However, the happy moment soon took a downhill within a week as Almandine fell ill suddenly.