THE OFFICE BET
293 Words
Everyone noticed.
Except Mia and Adrian.
Their coworkers began betting on when they would finally admit they liked each other.
Jules started the official spreadsheet.
THE ADRIAN-MIA ROMANCE FUND
By Friday, the total had reached ₱8,700.
Mia discovered it by accident.
She stared at the spreadsheet.
“What is this?”
Silence.
Jules slowly stood.
“Team-building exercise?”
“You bet on my love life?”
“Technically, your love life is currently fictional.”
Mia turned.
Adrian was standing behind her.
He looked at the spreadsheet.
Then at Mia.
Then at Jules.
“Who has the highest bet?”
Jules raised her hand.
“Me.”
“How much?”
“Three thousand.”
Adrian nodded.
“Put another five thousand on Mia quitting before we date.”
Mia's mouth fell open.
“You're impossible.”
He walked away.
Jules grinned.
“Interesting.”
—THE ALMOST KISS
They stayed late one Thursday.
The office emptied.
Rain hammered the windows.
Mia leaned over Adrian's desk.
“This headline is better.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Too emotional.”
“You have no emotions.”
“I have emotions.”
“Name three.”
He looked at her.
“Annoyance.”
“That's one.”
“Patience.”
“You don't have that.”
“I'm patient with you.”
Mia stopped.
He stopped.
The air changed.
He stepped closer.
She didn't move.
Their faces were inches apart.
Then—
The fire alarm screamed.
They jumped apart.
Mia covered her face.
Adrian started laughing.
“Don't laugh!”
“I can't help it.”
“You ruined it.”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
They looked at each other.
Neither said what almost happened.
But both remembered.
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