Some Things Were Still the Same

Graycastle Corporation is situated on the west side of the city near the downtown area where some of the old residences and apartments were located. The company is also near one of the factories outside the city which is convenient for the Design Department employees.

By the time team leader Gerald got back from the factory visit, the design team already finished their breakfast and started continuing their respective tasks for the project. Gerald first went to the department head's office to talk of his visit with their boss.

Cheng Yan still wasn't able to give the rent money to Timothy since it looked like the guy was taking advantage of their one day off to come to work later. Cheng Yan was having a problem with this since it was the start of HIS day off after lunch and he did not want to waste his time waiting for Timothy.

Cheng Yan decided to talk to Tilly as she's the only one he can ask for a favor and who can interact with Timothy without arguing or stuttering. Tilly was just clearing away her homemade breakfast when he got near her desk. "Tilly, a favor, can you pass this money to Timothy when he gets here? It looks like we won't be able to meet today."

Tilly smiled slightly, "Sure. Is this another errand from your ex?"

Chang Yan just frowned in answer. "Thanks."

"Why don't you just get a cat like me? British Shorthairs are easy to take care of and Ashes is really sweet and cute. That's why I prefer animals instead of humans." Tilly joked.

Cheng Yan laughingly replied, "Maybe you just got lucky on a cat that really loves you. I remember that time when we visited your home. Ashes wasn't actually fond of me."

Tilly also laughed and then smiled affectionately, "Yes, I'm lucky to have her. I have new pictures of her playing. Let me--"

They heard a slight slap from the table beside Tilly. "It's working hours and we still have a lot of work to do. I suggest you talk about your personal problems during the break." Garcia said with an eyebrow raised.

"Oh! Sorry, I got engrossed in our discussion. We'll continue working now." Tilly replied.

"Mmmn.." added Cheng Yan while nodding when he suddenly felt a piercing stare. He looked at another table and just saw Veronica avert her eyes.

"Cheng Yan, weren't you going back to your desk?" reminded Garcia again.

___

As Cheng Yan finished his work for the day and started putting away his things, Gerald just finished his report to the boss. They both came out of the main office and Garcia stood up to talk to them.

"Manager Barov, Gerald, the newly opened restaurant I told you about has an open table. Why don't we go have lunch there today?"

Manager Barov smiled. "That's great. I always try to get a reservation and they're always full. Thank you for the invite. Gerald?"

"Yes, of course, I'd be happy to." Gerald grimaced a little once Manager Barov stopped looking. He would have been much happier if Garcia was not doing this to try to get his position.

Manager Barov turned to the rest of the team. "We'll just have a short lunch and we can all return to work after so we can finish the project earlier." He then turned to look inside his office, "Anna, you go have lunch too."

"Yes, boss."

Cheng Yan waited for the three to leave before calling Petrov for lunch. Ryan already invited Anna and was rejected so Cheng Yan didn't dare try it himself.

Petrov was his highschool friend and the only one who got in the same college as him. Even though they took different courses, they still managed to keep in touch and also got in the same company once they graduated.

Petrov answered the call after a few minutes and started talking. "Man, can you wait a few more minutes? The Pearl of the Finance Department is still not done with her lecture. I want to leave since I'm not part of the error today but I can only go out for a few minutes to take your call."

Cheng Yan agreed, "Okay, but if you're not in the lobby yet in 30 minutes, I'll have lunch first. I still have to catch up on my sleep." Then, he sniffed his shirt. "And I also have to take a bath."

"Okay, okay, I'll be there."

A few seconds before the said 30 minutes, Petrov got off the elevator panting slightly. "Let's go!" he said and they started walking to the nearby fastfood restaurant.

Once they got their order, Petrov started talking again. "Manager Edith was at us again especially since your department started that project and the results were really looking good. Seriously, why do they still have to fight when their divorce was already finalized. But, at least your manager was faring better." Lowering his voice, he continued, "Is he really together with that hot secretary?"

Cheng Yan truly wished Petrov would just stop his gossiping. "I don't think so." He frowned, "They give more of a father-daughter vibe."

"So it's true she was his illegitimate daughter?" Petrov asked. "Well, at least cheating from his first wife."

Cheng Yan ignored his question. "Can we just eat? I told you I want to catch up on my sleep."

"Yeah, and take a bath." Petrov twitched his nose, "You smell, man."