Coloring the Grays

Chapter One

MIKE

I felt like my social battery had already been drained from all the conversations with my boss and new colleagues.

When I opened my lunch box, I found a Caesar salad inside, along with a separate container of freshly sliced pineapple and watermelon that I had prepared earlier that morning.

I was about to take my first bite when I heard a faint sound.

Crying.

What the hell was that?

As far as I knew, everyone had already gone out for lunch.

To hear it more clearly, I pressed my ear against the divider of the cubicle beside mine.

Oh, s**t.

There really was someone crying on the other side.

I didn't know if this was some kind of prank or what, but I was genuinely creeped out.

Slowly, I raised my head to see who was inside the neighboring cubicle, or if there was actually someone there.

I'm not a coward, okay?

I'm just not familiar with this place yet.

Tss.

I saw a woman with long black hair.

Her head was lowered onto the table, her arms hiding her face as quiet sobs escaped from her.

I seriously considered whether I should ask if she was okay or just leave her alone.

What if she suddenly disappeared?

I glanced around first.

There wasn't a single person nearby.

For a second, I even thought that when I looked back at her, she would be gone.

Tss.

But when I turned my head again, she was still there.

Same position.

Same soft cries.

I straightened up and slipped both hands into my pockets.

"Hi."

I started awkwardly.

Honestly, I had no idea what to say.

I was new here.

I didn't know her.

I didn't know her problems.

"Lunch?"

I added when she didn't respond.

Her sobs immediately stopped.

She sat upright and quickly wiped her tears.

"I'm sorry."

That was all she said before standing up and hurriedly leaving the office.

"What was that?"

I muttered to myself before returning to my lunch.

It was already one in the afternoon when people gradually returned from their lunch breaks.

Joseph came in and switched the lights back on.

"How was your lunch, Sir?"

Joseph asked, his usual grin plastered across his face.

"It was good. Maybe next time I'll join you guys."

I smiled back.

He offered me a fist bump, which I returned.

After that, he headed back to his workstation.

My eyes drifted toward the cubicle beside mine.

The girl still wasn't there.

"Uh, Joseph, can I ask something?"

I hesitated.

Honestly, I had no idea how to start this conversation.

It was my first day.

Maybe he'd think I was weird.

Or worse, a gossip.

Still, something inside me wanted to know.

"Yes, Sir?"

His attention immediately shifted to me.

"Ah, I just wanted to ask about the girl..."

Before I could finish, he cut me off.

"Aaah, Frans? Is she crying again?"

His eyes immediately darted toward the cubicle.

"Uh, yeah."

I lowered my voice.

"What was her name again?"

I didn't want him thinking I was being nosy.

"Frances Serrano, Sir. She's not part of our team. She's from another department."

He pointed toward the opposite side of the office.

"That's her boss over there. If you want, Sir, we can ask him later."

He wiggled his eyebrows and grinned.

"No way, Joseph."

I laughed and lightly smacked his arm before returning to my cubicle.

Still...

I found myself curious about her.

To satisfy that curiosity, I pulled out my phone and searched for her on social media.

Facebook.

Instagram.

TikTok.

Nothing.

Seriously?

I switched to Google instead.

A few seconds later, I felt heat rush from my feet all the way to my face.

Her full name appeared immediately.

The result led to LinkedIn.

Without thinking twice, I clicked the link.

And just like that, I felt my ears burning again.

"Sir Mike!"

Joseph's voice nearly made me drop my phone.

"Whoa! Sorry, Sir. I think I got a little too loud."

He slightly bowed his head.

I didn't realize I had glared at him.

"Oh... no. I'm sorry too."

I immediately composed myself.

"What were you saying?"

I asked in my professional voice while locking my phone.

I didn't want office gossip starting on my first day.

"Engr. Liana wants you to review the demolition site plans."

He responded professionally as well.

"Yeah, sure. Can you send them to my email? I'll handle it."

I turned back to my laptop.

"Thanks, Joseph."

He simply nodded and returned to his station.

Oh, s**t.

I already offended someone on my first day.

I rubbed my temple.

I looked up when the unmistakable click-clack of stiletto heels echoed through the office.

It was her.

My eyes followed her instinctively.

Now that the lights were on, I could finally see her more clearly.

Her long black hair complemented her morena complexion perfectly.

Her skin seemed to glow naturally under the office lights.

She had almond-shaped eyes, a slender nose, and soft rose-colored lips.

All of it came together in a face that was effortlessly beautiful.

I snapped out of my trance when an email notification popped onto my screen.

Joseph had already sent the plans I needed to review.

"Sir Mike."

I looked up.

Joseph was standing in front of my desk.

"Time to go home, Sir."

He smiled and subtly pointed his chin toward the cubicle beside mine.

I followed his gaze.

Frances was packing her things.

"I'll ask her boss after she leaves."

He winked.

I simply shook my head.

What exactly was this guy plotting?

The moment Frances walked out of the office, Joseph practically sprinted behind me.

"Sir RJ!"

He called out to a man on the opposite side of the room.

"Yo!"

The man briefly looked up before returning his attention to his laptop.

"I'd like to introduce my new boss."

Before I could react, Joseph pushed me lightly toward the divider separating the two departments.

"This is Engr. Mike. Senior Project Manager for Compliance and Regulatory Management."

He pushed me forward again.

"Hello."

I offered a smile.

What exactly was Joseph trying to do?

I had a bad feeling about this.

Tss.

"RJ, bro."

The man stood and extended his hand.

"Senior Project Manager under Innovation. Not an engineer, by the way."

He chuckled.

Then Joseph struck.

"Oh, by the way, Boss. Boss Mike noticed one of your staff crying earlier."

RJ and I both turned toward him in surprise.

I laughed awkwardly.

"Ah, I was alone here during lunch. Then I suddenly heard crying and realized someone was in the cubicle

beside me."

I gave RJ some context.

"But it's nothing, really."

I waved my hand dismissively.

"Apologies if that happened on your first day."

RJ chuckled too, though there was something sad about it.

"She's not usually like that. Lately, though, I've noticed she's been crying a lot. We all know it's because of her boyfriend."

He paused.

"I think they broke up two weeks ago."

He leaned back against his desk.

"You know, bro, Frans is actually beautiful."

He laughed.

"The problem is, I can't court her."

"Why not?"

I found myself asking.

"Because I'm her boss and we're in the same department."

He laughed harder.

"You know... that's basically cannibalism."

Joseph burst out laughing.

RJ shook his head.

"Honestly, even we end up feeling bad whenever she suddenly breaks down at her workstation."

His smile softened.

"Maybe Joseph can help her."

Then Joseph casually dropped a bomb.

"Maybe Boss Mike can court her instead."

RJ and I both stared at him.

At that moment, I seriously wondered...

Was it acceptable to assault a subordinate on your first day at work?