Chapter 5 — Boss Huo Waited For Me For Eight Years

Every year in the winter he puts his hands in the pockets of his coat, and during meetings he uses both hands to hold a glass of warm water. Before, I simply thought he was afraid of the cold.

“Is there anything else?” he asked.

“It's over.”

I turned away. Walking to the door, I stopped. I don't understand why. Feet like nails on the floor.

“Tham Khe?” He called from behind.

I turned around. He sat there, backlit. The afternoon sun shines in from the ground-level window, covering his shoulders with a layer of golden light. This angle, this light. I suddenly realized something. For the past 8 years, I have walked into this room every day. I see you every day. But it's like I never really "looked" at him.

“What's wrong?” He frowned slightly.

“Boss Hoac.”

“Um?”

The words reached my mouth, but I didn't know what to say. Ask him if he likes me? This question is so stupid. What if I'm in love myself? What if the whole company just gossips together?

“…Nothing. I won't come again after I finish the procedure on Friday.”

“Um.”

I went out. Returning to my seat, my phone vibrated. Trieu Duy texted. [Tomorrow is your last day, tomorrow night it's the same old barbecue restaurant, see you off.] [OK.] After replying, I turned on the computer. On the screen is a folder named — “8 Years Work Notes”. My habit is to always write down everything important. Boss Hoac's hobbies, schedule habits, taboos, every detail. I opened the folder, intending to clean it up one last time before handing it over to the new person. Surf and read at the same time. 2016: Boss Hoac doesn't drink hot Latte, only drinks Americano. Year 2017: Boss Hoac is afraid of thunder, heavy rain will keep me working overtime. *At that time, I thought I had a real job so I had to work overtime.* 2018: On a business trip to Japan, boss Hoac saw a limited edition figure in a convenience store 3 times, but did not buy it. Later, I secretly bought one and put it on my boss's desk. The next day my boss didn't mention it, but that figure stayed on his desk for 4 years. Year 2019: At the company's year-end party, someone forced boss Hoac to sing, but he didn't want to. I grabbed the microphone and sang a song "The Tibetan Plateau" out of tune, everyone's attention turned to me. Boss Hoac left through the back door. The next day he texted me on Wechat: "How's your throat?" Year 2020: During the work-from-home epidemic, boss Hoac texted me at 8 a.m. every day to assign work to me. I later discovered that other departments didn't start working until 9 o'clock. Year 2021: Boss Hoac asked me to buy a birthday cake for him. I asked who to buy it for, and my boss said, "An important person." I brought home a 6-layer cake. Then that day my boss called me into the office, the cake was placed on the tea table, and two candles were placed. The boss said, "You should eat some too." That's when I suddenly remembered, it was my birthday. I stared at the screen. Fingers stop on the keyboard. 2021. That cake. He said he bought it for "Someone important". I go buy it. But it was my birthday. He asked me to come eat with him. That cake was bought for me. He forced me to buy my own birthday cake. I fell back onto the chair. The fluorescent lights on the ceiling were white. I closed my eyes. Something is breaking in my head. Like a wall, water began to leak from the brick joints. At first it was just a drop or two. Then more and more. Day the more. Can't hold back anymore. * Chapter 6 Friday, last day of work. I cleaned up the things on the table, packed them in a cardboard box and was done. 8 years, one carton. I glanced around the work area, feeling a bit dazed. Mr. Trinh passed by me, his steps stopped. He looked at my box, then looked at me.

“Are you really going?”

“Let's go.”

His lips moved, as if he wanted to say something, then swallowed again.