C99 Are You Coming Or Not

When it was finally time to knock off, I was still focused on finishing the task in front of me.

Because I had spent part of the afternoon dealing with the rumors spreading online, I ended up staying behind longer than everyone else.

The office had already begun emptying out. As I packed away my laptop, I noticed Alicia standing near my desk waiting patiently.

Immediately, I felt dozens of eyes turn toward us. Alex. Bright. Several colleagues. Everyone seemed unusually interested. It was as if they were waiting for me to explain who Alicia really was.

The moment she spoke, every expression in the office changed. “Brother, hurry up. Today you’re the one making us late.” Her voice was clear and natural.

The single word “Brother” instantly shattered countless assumptions. Bright’s eyes widened. “Brother?” he repeated. Then a huge smile appeared on his face. “Why didn’t you tell us you have such a beautiful sister?”

Without waiting for an answer, he stepped forward confidently. “My name is Bright Gomez.” He stretched out his hand eagerly.

Alicia looked at him. Her playful expression disappeared immediately. The teasing smile she always showed around Chris and me was nowhere to be seen. Even the nagging just now had disappeared.

Instead, she simply nodded politely. “Hello, Bright. It’s nice to meet you.” Bright stood there awkwardly. His hand remained hanging in the air. Alicia never offered hers.

The rejection wasn’t rude. It was simply clear. Very clear. Bright slowly lowered his hand while trying to maintain his smile. “Ah… nice meeting you too.”

A few people nearby tried hard not to laugh. Alicia turned back toward me. “Brother, are you coming or not?”

I grabbed my bag immediately. “Coming.” Without another word, we walked toward the exit.