The whiskey burned my throat as I chugged it down. I slammed the glass down. My face burned. I glanced at him.
"That fucker wouldn't promote me even if his life was on the line. It's been 7 years…and I've been working the same damn front desk job all this time."
I hiccuped and settled my head down on the table.
"But you're *hic* better than me. You'll probably get a promotion in no time."
"That's not true."
"Huh?…"
"Psh…I only took this job because of someone."
"Who was it?"
"Hm…well…I took it to maybe find someone. You don't know how boring it is to be unemployed."
"What do you mean 'find someone'?"
"Meeting someone…interesting."
"…that could be anyone."
"Really? Well, someone who I would have fun with."
"So, me."
"You figured that out quickly."
"Ha…the things boredom makes you do. You'll get bored of me really fast."
"No, I already think you're interesting."
"Hm?…"
"You have a younger brother…you went to school to become a journalist…you did an internship at-"
"Alright! You're good at investigating people. I should arrest you for invasion of privacy."
"Oh, it's all online. I could do much worse that would warrant an arrest."
"Pft…what kind of cop are you?"
"A rebellious one."
I cackled and slapped the table.
"Ah…haha…oh my god…you're sure the interesting one here isn't you?"
"Mhm."
"Ridiculous…"
His eyes looked me up and down and he smiled.
"You seem pretty fit to go into action."
"What do you mean?"
"It can mean anything you want it to."
My eyebrows scrunched. As an officer?… His tone sure didn't indicate it.
"It's not healthy to flirt with your co-workers. Also, I'm an alpha too."
"I know." he beamed.
"Ah…"
What the hell do I say to that?
"But I can be anything you want me to if you let me."
My heart skipped a beat and I cleared my throat.
"Hm…let's talk about that when you're sober."
"I am sober."
"Pft…let's be honest, none of us are sober right now."
"Then we'll both forget."
I glanced at him. It's true, I wanted to do him right here and now, if I could. I eyed his body carefully. He had muscle, but was on the lean side with that slutty waist of his. He fixed his bun and smiled.
"Seems like you're interested."
Breath escaped my lips and I turned towards him.
"I'm not into alpha pheremones."
"We can fix that."
He grabbed my wrist and pulled me close.
"Let's go the hotel nearby."
***
"Who was that officer?" I asked.
"I…don't know."
Antoine's hands shook and his breathing was laboured. He fell onto the bed.
"Hey, Antoine. Antoine?!"
My hands pushed his body. His eyes were closed. Sweat dripped down his neck while his breath quickened.
I settled him down and ran to the bathroom. My hands grabbed a towel, soaking it in under the tap water. I closed the tap.
The towel rested on his forehead. Finally, his breathing returned to normal. I sighed in relief. Thank god.
*
My mother was really proud of me. I could bath in the satisfaction of her pride until there was something else I had to do.
"My son, have you thought about getting married?"
I turned to her and she smiled.
"I know…you're not good with girls, but maybe you haven't met the right one."
"But Ma-"
"Hush! I know I'll get the perfect girl for you, huh?"
"…okay."
What else was I supposed to say? I really…hated this shit.
But as long as she loved me and was proud, it was okay.
*
"Wow, you're hotter than in the photos."
The girl giggled and I nodded, smiling painfully. Why the fuck did I go? I have a boyfriend I shouldn't be doing this. As long as I didn't flirt, it should be fine…right?
"So…finance, huh?"
"Yeah…"
"I'm also in finance!"
Her synthetic whitened teeth shone. I winced and looked away.
"…Uhm hello?"
"Oh yeah, sorry."
"Ha…the least you could do is respect your date."
"I wouldn't call it a-"
She slammed his hands on the table and stood up. I gulped as sweat dripped down my temples.
"What the fuck do you mean? You're even lucky an awkward guy like you could get a date with me. Or do you think you're better than everyone else?"
"No, I don't! I'm sorry if I offended you in any way…"
Fuck, why was I the one apologizing? She's the one getting ahead of herself.
"Whatever. Anyways, I'll tell you what company I work at…"
She continued to talk about herself for hours and I tapped my fingers on the desk while drinking the coffee with my other hand. It was bitter with no amount of sweetness, just like the girl in front of me. I wished I were in front of my boyfriend instead of her.
"I need to go to the bathroom real quick, sorry!"
"Take your time." I said.
She left and I sighed. How much longer would I have to sit through this shit?
Ding!
I picked up my phone.
Mon cher *: Hey babe, wanna come over?
Me: Sorry, can't, I have a lot of work tomorrow
Mon cher: poor you. I missed you and looked through our old photos
Me: The good old days. Show?
Mon cher: Of course!
He sent a photo of me giving kiss on his cheek on the beach. Back then, I caught him by surprise, and he was so flustered…
Me: You're still so cute.
Click. My eyes widened and I turned around. The girl lifted her phone up and smirked.
"What a cute boyfriend you have! Guess you really like someone else, huh?"
She laughed and my hands trembled.
"Please…delete that."
"Oh…haha…you don't really think I would do something like that? Too bad, auntie won't like this at all…"
"DELETE THE FUCKING PHOTO!"
The people around us went silent and she frowned.
"H-how could you yell at me like that…"
"I didn't-"
Woosh. The sound of a photo sending.
"Well…this is what you deserve for cheating on your boyfriend."
"I…"
No…I wasn't cheating on him.
*"Mon cher" means "my dear" in French.