Destiny of true love

Episode 9

"Mark! Fancy seeing you here," exclaimed David, a friendly coworker with a penchant for socializing. In his hand, he held a beer, clearly reveling in the carefree atmosphere of the venue.

Mark, momentarily caught off guard, greeted David with a nod. "Hey, David. What brings you here?"

David grinned, his eyes darting between Mark and Emily. "Oh, just thought I'd unwind a bit after a long day. And who do we have here?" he added, gesturing towards Emily with a friendly smile.

Mark introduced Emily to David, and the trio exchanged pleasantries.

David, always the playful colleague, couldn't resist a bit of teasing as he noticed Emily's slight blush. "I thought it was your girlfriend," he quipped, a mischievous glint in his eyes. The mention of the word 'girlfriend' caused Emily's face to turn a shade of red, a subtle yet noticeable blush gracing her cheeks.

"Don't tell me that you are still single?" David continued his playful banter, his tone light but with a hint of curiosity. He turned to Mark, awaiting a response with an expectant smile.

Mark, usually composed, found himself momentarily caught off guard by David's teasing. After a brief pause, he responded with a wry smile, "Well, for now, yes."

David feigned disbelief, widening his eyes in mock surprise. "Really? Oh my God, it's unbelievable," he exclaimed, adding a touch of dramatic flair to his words. He then turned to Emily, as if seeking confirmation. "You know, Miss Emily, he is the favorite not only to all the girls in our batch, but also with the professors. Please don't let him be single for a long time," he concluded with a hearty laugh.

Emily, caught in the playful exchange, gazed at Mark with a mixture of amusement and admiration. His Stoic demeanor in the professional setting seemed to melt away in the face of David's teasing, revealing a more lighthearted side.

David, seemingly ready to continue his banter, was interrupted by the sudden chime of his phone. He glanced at the screen, his expression shifting from playful to businesslike. "Oops, duty calls. I guess I'll have to leave you two to sort out the mysteries of Mark's relationship status," he said, chuckling.

Mark, seizing the opportunity to redirect the conversation, joined in the laughter. "You're off the hook for now, David. Duty first."

As David excused himself to attend to his phone call, Emily couldn't help but smile at the unexpected turn of events. The teasing, though light-hearted, had added a touch of humor to their evening. She turned to Mark, a playful glint in her eyes. "Most favorite, huh? You're quite the enigma, Mark Anderson."

Mark, appreciating the shift in tone, chuckled. "Enigma or not, I believe in letting things unfold naturally."

David, with a friendly pat on Mark's back, broke away from the group. "Anyway, it's nice to see you again, buddy. I have some urgent work to do, so I have to go. Please tell your sister that I asked about her well-being," he said, his tone friendly yet hurried.

Mark, understanding the demands of work, nodded appreciatively. "Will do, David. Thanks for stopping by. We'll catch up soon."

With a swift motion, David retrieved a business card from his pocket and handed it to Mark. "In case you need to reach me or if there's anything work-related. Take care, and let's plan something outside the office soon," he suggested, a genuine warmth in his voice.

Mark accepted the card with a nod of gratitude. "David. We'll make plans. Have a good night."

They exchanged a friendly hug, a gesture that spoke of camaraderie beyond the confines of the workplace. As David made his way towards the restaurant's entrance, Mark watched him go, appreciating the spontaneity of the evening and the connections it had brought.

As David disappeared into the night, Mark turned back to Emily, a smile playing on his lips.

"Come on, dude, hit the dance floor with me," Nike insisted, returning to their table with infectious enthusiasm. He playfully pushed Mark, who, not particularly keen on dancing, initially resisted but ultimately succumbed to Nike's persistence.

Mark, always composed and reserved, excused himself with a polite smile. However, the relentless enthusiasm of Nike left him with little choice. He found himself reluctantly stepping onto the dance floor, his movements a stark contrast to Nike's exaggerated grooves.

The colleagues looked on, a mixture of amusement and bemusement evident on their faces. Emily couldn't help but laugh at the sight of Mark reluctantly dancing alongside the energetic Nike.

Nike, determined to impress his female colleagues, showcased his dance moves with a level of enthusiasm that bordered on theatrical. He spun, twirled, and executed flamboyant gestures, all to captivate the attention of the onlooking women.

However, despite Nike's spirited attempts, the female colleagues seemed more entertained by the unexpected sight of Mark reluctantly participating in the dance. Emily, in particular, couldn't contain her laughter at the juxtaposition of Nike's exuberance and Mark's more reserved approach to the dance floor.

As the music continued to pulse through the venue, Nike's efforts to create a dance spectacle fell flat. The female colleagues exchanged amused glances, appreciating the comedic turn of events. It was clear that Nike's enthusiasm had not translated into the dance floor success he had envisioned.

Amid the lighthearted chaos, Mark found himself engaging in a few basic dance steps, attempting to match the rhythm of the music. His movements, while not as extravagant as Nike's, added an unexpected element to the scene. The contrast between the two friends became a source of entertainment for those watching.

As the night unfolded, a group of affluent girls, seemingly from a super-rich family, took to the dance floor nearby. Their designer dresses and sparkling jewelry hinted at a lifestyle of opulence and extravagance, catching Nike's attention. An insidious idea took root in his mind, a mischievous glint appearing in his eyes.

Beneath the surface of his playful demeanor, a simmering resentment took root. The insidious idea that had initially driven him to mingle with the elite had morphed into a desire for revenge, fueled by the feeling that Mark had stolen the attention and spotlight from his colleagues.