It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to avoid one guy, I reassured myself for what feels like the fiftieth time today. Sure, we work under the same company, on the same department, on the same floor, but who was paying attention? I stepped in on the crowded elevator, satisfied that that freakishly tall man wasn’t anywhere in the tight space. I sighed in relief as the doors started closing. One less encount—

“Wait!” That all-too-familiar deep voice panted as the doors opened grudgingly. Or maybe that’s just me. No. No. No. This can’t be.

Against any of my inner protests, the elevator seemed to give just enough room for him.

“Whew. That was close!” His voice boomed as the elevator started going up. The small crowd laughed along, at ease with his carefree personality. Who wasn’t? Oh. That’s right. Me.

“Oh, hey, Shiyoung!” If I didn’t know better, it would seem like everything was okay. But that slight twitch in the eye, that faltering smile, it told me just how awkward it was for him.

“Hey.” I tried to keep calm even when my feet itched to just bolt out. That was as far as conversation went. I focused my attention somewhere else. The arrow pointed up as the numbers painstakingly increased.

15. 16. 17.

Was the elevator always this slow?

20. Human Resources. The doors opened as people rushed out of the elevator.

22. Sales Department. Another cluster of workers said their goodbyes to the ever famous Park Chanyeol.

23. Accounting. There’s only the two of us left in the elevator. Awkward silence.

Why did we have to work at the highest floor?

25. The elevator dinged open happily and it took all my willpower not to just make a mad dash out of there. Man, was this what claustrophobia felt like?

So much for avoiding him. See, this is why you should never ever date a co-worker. You break up, (come on, it’s the inevitable reality), it gets awkward, and then you end up in awkward elevator rides together. Perfect.

I should’ve known better, huh? But I was blinded for a second—or maybe three months and two days, not that I’m counting—by that dazzling smile, that infectious laugh, that seductively low voice, that wonderful lankiness that makes any suit look tailor-made for him.

To say the break-up didn’t end well was putting it mildly. To say I’m over him would be a lie. To say I wanted to get back together with him… well, who said you could talk to me about that?

I lumbered my way to my office, hoping for a better rest of the day. One look at my desk told me otherwise. Stacks upon stacks of folders waited for me, taunting me. I leaned on the glass panels of my office for a second. This day’s already going so great.

I suddenly felt a finger tap the top of my head. “Not going in?” I turned towards the source of the melodious voice, already knowing whose it was.

“Ugh. Was that you?” I pointed towards my desk.

He shrugged his shoulders, a dimple appearing on his cheek as a smile formed. “Hey, don’t shoot the messenger. Boss said we need to get on it.” He tucked his hands into his slacks’ pockets as he crossed his feet, leaning on the door frame.

“Wait. Does this mean we’re working together?” The day’s suddenly feeling a lot brighter.

“Yup, along with some other people,” he nodded, putting his hands on my shoulders as he pushed me into my office. I sat down while he made himself comfortable on the other side of the desk.

“It’s a pretty big contract we’re making here, so we’re working as a team,” he began. He looked at me with that hesitant expression on his face, and immediately, I knew.

“No. Lay, don’t give me that. It can’t be.”

“I’m sorry, but the team consists of the best of the firm. You can’t leave the great Chanyeol out of such an important negotiation.” He furrowed his brows. Even though I gave the whole floor gossip-fodder with our recent break-up, only Lay knew all the juicy details.

“Is this some sort of ‘Give Shiyoung Crap’ day or what?” I banged my forehead against the desk. “Ow. Should not have done that.”

He only shook his head at me. “Rode the same elevator, huh?”

I nodded miserably.

“Well, if it makes you feel better, the hotdog stand is back. My treat later,” he winked at me. It’s become our routine. We’re hotdog-buns-for-lunch-buddies, and the day the hotdog stand disappeared was, to say the least, a very gloomy day for us.

“Yes!” I pumped a fist in the air. “I’m ordering extra, then.” I smirked at him. This is why this wonderful guy right here’s my best friend. He just always knows what to do to make me feel all better.

 “You fattie,” he stuck his tongue at me.

I gasped as I put a hand to my chest.”That is no way to treat a lady!” I reprimanded him in my best haughty voice. It didn’t last for long before we broke out laughing.

There was a knock on the glass door as Jiwon, my secretary, came in. “Morning!” The blush when she saw Lay didn’t escape me.

“Morning,” Lay replied, sunny and clueless as ever.

“Y-your messages,” she handed me a few post-its, unusually self conscious. I wanted to chuckle.

“Thank you, Jiwon,” I smiled at her. “Anything else?”

“Oh! Right. You’re training the new guy.”

“We have a new guy?” I looked at her, then at Lay. He gave me an ‘I don’t know either’ expression.

“Yup!” She nodded at me enthusiastically. I guess this is what keeps me sane—everyone around me was a ray of sunshine.

“Alright, then. When does he start?” I started looking through the files on my desk.

“Today.”

I stopped. “Wait. And our almighty boss wants me to work on this negotiation too? Why not someone else?”

“You’re the best teacher among all of us,” Lay absentmindedly twirled a folder on the tip of his finger.

I wanted to hit my head against the desk again. This is going to be a stressful week.

As if on cue, the new guy knocked on the door. I felt my breath catch on my throat. He looked… stunning: side-swept hair, lanky frame, and that wonderful face.

“Hi, my name’s Oh Sehun.” He bowed, his face an expressionless mask.

I stood up to shake his hand. Firm and warm hands clasped mine.

What do you know? Work just got a lot more interesting.

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Three guys? Whut? Lol Hello! Haha Wanted to try something new. Tell me what you guys think! <3