What If?

Chapter 25 - Coffe or me?

Launa walked slowly along the upper-floor corridor, which was lined with thick carpeting, both hands tightly cradling the small cardboard box containing her personal belongings. Her heart was still pounding heavily from the onslaught of Costa's sarcastic words downstairs.

Upon arriving in front of Glenn's old office door, Launa took a long, deep breath, trying to gather what little courage she had left before knocking gently on the thick wooden door.

"Come in," a voice called out from inside.

It wasn't Glenn's heavy baritone, but rather a much friendlier voice. Launa opened the door and instantly knitted her brows in confusion. Inside the room, she saw Jerry busily packing several files and Glenn's desk decor items into a large box. The office looked half-empty.

Noticing Launa's presence, Jerry looked up and offered a warm smile. "Oh, hey, Launa. Come on in."

"Mr. Jerry... why does it look like you're packing up the place?" Launa asked in confusion, glancing around the messy room. "Is Mr. Glenn moving offices?"

Jerry let out a low chuckle, placing a stack of books into the box. "Not just Mr. Glenn, but you too. Let me explain before you even have to ask. We are all moving to a new office with transparent, see-through glass walls."

Launa knitted her brows, bewildered. "Transparent glass? But... why?"

Jerry paused his packing for a moment, then walked over to Launa. "That was my suggestion to Mr. Glenn yesterday, Lau. This office is currently running hot with rumors about the two of you. If Mr. Glenn keeps using this old room enclosed by concrete walls, the office rats out there will only get wilder, fabricating disgusting rumors to tear down his position and yours. That’s why I suggested using transparent glass."

Jerry paused, giving Launa an understanding look. "It’s so outsiders can see that the two of you inside are doing nothing but pure work, leaving absolutely no room for suspicion. But don't worry, the glass is one hundred percent soundproof. So you and Mr. Glenn can freely discuss any strategy or confidential data inside without worrying about anyone eavesdropping. They can see, but they can't hear."

Launa was stunned, amazed by Jerry’s brilliant tactical thinking to protect their operations.

Seeing Launa suddenly fall silent with an anxious look on her face, Jerry let out a short sigh. He gently patted her shoulder, trying to offer some reassurance.

"Launa, don't overthink this, okay?" Jerry said softly, his tone turning serious yet comforting. "I know all of this is incredibly sudden and highly risky for you. Especially since you’ve only been interning here for a few days, yet your position has been thrown right into the vortex of this conflict. I can guarantee that starting today, you are going to be the ultimate target of office gossip and hostility."

Launa’s heart sank at Jerry’s blunt honesty. The fears she had managed to suppress earlier instantly surged back to the surface.

"But don't you worry," Jerry continued with a warm, comforting smile. "The most important thing right now is that Mr. Glenn and I are on your side. We’re not going to let you crash and burn out here alone. As long as you keep our trust, your position is safe."

Hearing Jerry’s sincere words, the suffocating tightness in Launa’s chest slowly vanished. She gave a firm nod, a small smile finally breaking across her face. "Thank you so much, sir. Your words really put my mind at ease."

"Anytime, Lau. Well, since I’m done packing up Mr. Glenn’s stuff," Jerry deftly lifted the large cardboard box from the desk, then motioned toward the door with a tilt of his chin. "Come on, let me show you to our new office. Mr. Glenn has been waiting for us."

"Hmm, okay."

*****

Glenn leaned back in his new office chair, casting a lazy glare at the transparent glass wall in front of him. In his opinion, the view outside this room was nothing short of annoying. In his old office, he had been free to do whatever he pleased without having to maintain a corporate image. There had even been a massive TV where he would usually unwind. Yet, he was willing to throw all those perks away just to ensure his grand plan rolled out exactly the way he wanted.

Glenn suddenly turned his head when he caught the silhouette of two people approaching from a distance. Behind the transparent glass, Launa and Jerry were walking side by side, deeply engrossed in conversation.

Glenn shook his head faintly as he saw his best friend and official assistant suddenly burst out laughing, his face practically glowing. Jerry’s eyes hadn't strayed from Launa’s face for even a second.

"Ugh, your trashy flirting methods are so blindingly obvious," Glenn scoffed quietly to himself.

However, as his eyes shifted to observe Launa’s facial expression, Glenn’s brows knitted slightly. Come to think of it... why did she look so much more relaxed and at ease whenever she was around Jerry? Glenn caught himself, blinking a few times. Why am I suddenly thinking about something so pointless? Ah, whatever. What is wrong with my brain? Glenn’s mind cursed in frustration.

The next second, the glass door swung open. Launa and Jerry stepped into the room. Moving swiftly and attentively, Jerry immediately helped Launa transfer the draft files from her cardboard box onto her new desk.

Seeing the sight, Glenn instantly let out a cynical smirk.

"It’s just a few things and you still feel the need to help her out. Nice move," Glenn muttered sarcastically, then casually tossed his work pen right at Jerry’s chest.

"Ah, what's your problem! This is called coworkers helping each other out. Besides, today is her first day here," Jerry defended himself, fishing for excuses so he wouldn't look too overly enthusiastic.

Glenn let out a faint scoff. He glanced at Launa for a split second, then cleared his throat softly, feeling a bit awkward in this new dynamic. "Jerry... you might as well go downstairs and make me some tea," Glenn ordered. His tone wasn't harsh; rather, it was flat and carried a hint of reluctance, because in reality, he just wanted to break up the proximity between Jerry and Launa.

"Are you out of your mind?! I just got upstairs after hauling all your heavy boxes, and now you're telling me to go back down to the pantry?!" Jerry protested, completely refusing to comply.

"Do you want me to cut your sal—"

"I can do it, sir," Launa cut in hurriedly, offering herself to break up the bickering between the two men in front of her. "I need to head down to the lower floor anyway to grab a few personal documents from my old cubicle."

Jerry and Glenn spontaneously turned to each other, locked in a synchronized stare before looking back at Launa.

"By the way... I don't even like tea," Glenn blurted out suddenly, giving Launa a rather awkward look.

Launa merely blinked in innocence. She glanced back and forth between Glenn and Jerry in utter confusion. Why did the atmosphere inside this glass room suddenly turn so strange and awkward right after she volunteered?

"Oh... in that case, do you prefer coffee, sir? Or... just mineral water?" Launa asked, trying to break the ice.

"Ah... coffee is fine," Glenn replied, scratching the back of his neck. His voice was a bit raspy, suddenly feeling self-conscious under Launa's innocent gaze.

Launa gave a small nod, then turned to face the official assistant next to Glenn's desk. "What about you, Mr. Jerry? Would you like me to make you a cup of coffee too?"

"He doesn't need one!" Glenn cut in hastily before Jerry could even open his mouth. "He can make his own."

Jerry instantly shot a miserable, cynical glare at Glenn, even though just a second ago, his eyes had lit up with anticipation at Launa's offer.

"It’s really no trouble, Mr. Glenn, I might as well make it for both of you. That way, Jerry won't have to bother going all the way downstairs again," Launa interjected, feeling a bit guilty seeing Jerry's defeated expression.

Glenn let out a short sigh, conceding the argument because Launa was simply too kind. "Fine, whatever you want."

"All right, sir. Please excuse me," Launa said politely, turning around toward the door.

"Hey, Launa," Glenn called out again, causing her to stop in her tracks. "No sugar in my coffee. Just tell the pantry staff downstairs, they already know my usual specifications."

"Understood, Mr. Glenn," Launa replied with a faint smile, then stepped out of the transparent glass office.

The moment the glass door shut tightly and Launa's figure faded into the distance, Jerry immediately whipped around to face Glenn, his face twisted in an annoyed pout.

"Ugh, you are unbelievable! I wanted to get a coffee too, you know," Jerry grumbled.

"Stop being so coddled. Go downstairs and make it yourself!" Glenn snapped, turning his focus back to his computer screen to mask the lingering awkwardness.

"Besides, she’s my assistant, not yours."

Hearing the emphasis on the words 'my assistant' from his boss, Jerry didn't get mad. Instead, a mischievous smirk slowly played on his lips. He stepped closer to Glenn’s desk, playfully wagging his eyebrows with a highly annoying, teasing expression.

"Is she your assistant or your 'assistant,' huh? Pretty protective there, Boss," Jerry teased, then pressed his two thumbs together and made a hilarious kissing gesture with his hands toward Glenn. "Give it some time and this is going to turn into something else, isn't it?"

Glenn looked up, locking his best friend in a deadpan, murderous stare. "You're dynamic."

*****