CHAPTER SIX
Atkins
The firm was still, the only sound to be heard was the clacking of the keyboards. Everyone was hard at work, except for Lukas. He was in a meeting with Bloom International, presenting the software we did for the company's HR department. If we were lucky they would approve of the software and sign us a big, fat check. Lukas was always the one presenting the software to the client. He was the most charismatic speaker among us.
Meanwhile, Georgie, Mariz, Clyde, Zang and I were here in the firm, still working on the ticketing and booking app.
"Mariz," I heard Georgie whisper-shout. "Can you ask Atkins if he's finished with the prototype?"
"But he's right here, why don't you ask him yourself?" came Mariz's reply.
"Never mind," I heard her say.
I pretended I was very much interested with doodling circles using the graphic tablet on my desk, pretending that I didn't hear their conversation. I didn't risk looking in Mariz's direction because I knew she was going to ask me why Georgie was acting weird. I didn't know how to answer it. I knew why she was acting weird, at least I think I know. But I didn't want to be the one to explain it.
The awkwardness was so thick in the air I could almost touch it. Ever since that day I kissed Georgie on her apartment's front steps she had been bent on avoiding me. I wanted to talk to her but that was probably not a great idea at the moment.
Lunch came and Clyde volunteered to go out and get us food. Just like every other lunch time, we spent it in the pantry. The room was filled with conversation, Zang having the loudest voice. My gaze caught Georgie's. She quickly looked away. I shoveled pasta into my mouth.
"Atkins?" came her tentative voice. She was looking in my general direction but not at me. Her gaze was fixed past my shoulder.
"Yeah?"
"When can you hand me the prototype?"
"I'll finish it tonight and give it to you tomorrow."
She only nodded and went back to her food. She was being civil with me but nothing more. Her eyes never laid on me for the rest of lunch hour. I watched her as she ignored my existence.
I wish she wouldn't push me away. One minute I thought I already had her figured out and then she would suddenly build these walls around her, and keep me on the other side.
Lunch time ended and we were back to work. The door opened and the chilly winter air entered the room, and so did Lukas. He was beaming like he won the lottery, which I guess he kind of did. In his right hand was his briefcase.
"How'd it go?" asked Zang. Although based on his look we already had an idea how it went.
"It went better than I hoped! Not only did they love the system we developed, they are also looking forward to working with us on another project."
Lukas hadn't even finished talking when a loud cheer erupted in the room. We were whooping and laughing. Eight months of work had been worth it. Well, a big part of the software's development was done way before I was hired but I still did some of the debugging and other little developing stuff, stuff you wouldn’t care about.
"Okay, alright, people calm down." Lukas held up his hand, signaling us to be quiet. "Congratulations, you've done well. And because I'm feeling generous we're going out for a drink tonight. On the house."
Another cheer erupted, even Clyde was smiling from ear to ear. Well, well. It looked like everyone here just loved to party.
After work we headed to one of New York's high-end clubs. We originally wanted someplace quieter but Mariz insisted getting down on the dance floor was the way to go tonight.
The loud bass thumped, the bodies on the dance floor writhed and swayed to the music. I was sitting on the bar, Lukas was beside me. The song changed to a mellow and romantic one.
"May I have this dance, Mademoiselle?" Zang bowed and held out his hand like a real gentleman. Mariz chuckled and said, "Ugh, you're so cheesy, Zang. But yes, I guess."
They made their way to the dance floor. I vaguely wondered if there was something going with them.
Lukas was silent beside me. He was nursing a glass of gin and tonic.
"Lukas?"
"Yeah?"
"Are Mariz and Zang going out?" It wasn't my business to pry or if I really wanted to know the answer I could just ask Zang directly. He would surely give me the answer.
"Who knows?" Lukas answered.
I nodded, expected to receive a non-answer. That wasn't what I really wanted to know. It was just a prelude to my real question.
"So, what do you think of office romance?"
Lukas looked at me like I've grown a second head. "Why do you want to know what I think about it?"
I shrugged. "Nothing. Just wondering, is all."
"Is this about Georgie? You like her?"
I liked her but no way was I going to admit that to him.
"No!" I lied. "Just a theoretical question, you know?"
He took a long swig from his drink. "Really? Well, to answer your question, I don't see it as a big deal, so long as the work performance doesn't get affected. We're a tight group, just the six of us. You guys are more than just my employees, you're my friends. And as a good friend, I'll support whatever makes my friend happy."
"Right." I nodded, took a swig of my drink.
"It wasn't a theoretical question, was it? You're really bad at bullshitting me, Atkins."
Lukas was wrong. It wasn't that I was a terrible liar, he was just good at smelling them.
"Nope," I admitted. "It wasn't."
"We all know about you and Georgie, we're not blind."
It was my turn to look at Lukas like he had grown another head. But he was wrong, there wasn't anything going with me and her. But I wish.
"There's no us."
"She's in a difficult situation right now. Give her time."
I wanted to ask Lukas what he meant. I wanted to know what happened to Georgie and her ex.
"Hey guys." Georgie came up beside me. "Where's everyone?"
Lukas pointed to the general direction of the dance floor. "Mariz is dancing with Zang. Clyde was here a few minutes ago and now I don't know where he is. Where have you been?"
"The bathroom. The line was unbelievable!"
"Would you like a drink, Georgie?" I interjected. Lukas was right, I should give her time. But I couldn't stay in the sidelines either.
"Sure," she replied. "Cosmo would be nice."
I nodded and flagged down the bartender.
Lukas got up from his seat. "I, uh, I'll just step outside for a bit," he declared, winked, clapped me on the back and walk on without another word.
I cleared my throat, suddenly too nervous to speak.
"Your drink will be here in a minute," I said lamely.
She hopped on to an empty stool next to me and nodded. "Okay."
"You having fun tonight?"
She tucked a few strands of her hair before answering. "Yeah, kind of. I haven't been to a club in a while. But then I'm not the party type of girl." She licked her cherry-red lips. "You?"
"This is not my scene either. But liquor-wise, I'm good." I held up my bottle to emphasize my point.
"Georgie?" A guy in a crisp business suit approached her. He had a clean-shaven face, an expensive watch and the warm and eager smile of a salesman.
"M-matt?"
The guy's smile was in sharp contrast of Georgie's panicked eyes.