I felt like I was turning into a hermit.
As the workday ended, Logan clapped his hands. "Today, our team is hosting Mr. Munoz, with a lavish seafood feast and KTV..."
My temples throbbed. I was about to excuse myself for tonight's event, but team leader Logan Perez said, "Who leaves early buys the bill."
I could only shut my mouth.
The office girls buzzed like energized bees, planning beauty and clothing store visits. By the time we reached the dinner venue, it had turned into a mini banquet.
Looking down at my plain dress and flats, I felt out of place.
Rebecca Hansen, "the Company Beauty", stood in front of me. "Taylor, could you respect the Colorlight Restaurant's standards? If you can't afford a dress, you can rent one."
Glancing at her exposed bosoms, I retorted, "What? Does your nightclub outfit match this restaurant's standards?"
Rebecca, the daughter of Olivano's richest man, was always arrogant. She seethed with anger and was about to slap me. I braced for a slap, but she just smiled, moving her hand behind her back.
"Mr. Munoz."
Her cloying voice made me stiffen, the familiar scent filling the air. With a glance catching Jaxton's shiny shoes and trousers, I instinctively clenched my fists.
Jaxton sat amidst adoring gazes. Rebecca immediately sat by his side, adjusting her clothes to reveal more skin.
"Mr. Munoz, what would you like? Spicy or mild? Any allergies? Seasonings..."
"Ms. Dempsey is from Anderlin?"
Suddenly singled out, I fumbled with my fruit fork, a melon falling onto the table.
Jaxton's gaze met mine, calm but deep as the vast cosmos.
"I've read up, Ms. Dempsey and I are from the same place. Season it as per our hometown taste."
I sat there in silence.
The taste of Anderlin people leaned towards spiciness, yet Jaxton's palate preferred mild flavors, steering clear of anything too stimulating.
I had barely finished seasoning when Rebecca swiftly swiped the condiments from my hands, placing them with a smile on Jaxton's seat.
Seated, I gazed at the seafood feast before me, only belatedly realizing my allergic reaction to seafood. I couldn't touch a single bite of it.
As I prodded at the fruit in front of me, Rebecca's cloying voice kept intruding, making this meal even more unbearable.
"I heard Ms. Dempsey used to be a crab shucker?"
Jaxton's voice created an eerie silence at the table, all eyes inexplicably fixated on me.