[Shrouded]

The first day back to work in the office after CNY with Jasmine around was pretty normal.

Shirlyn was supposed to WFH but she came back to do the onboarding, as well as teach me how to do it for future hires.

Our new ops-hr colleague also started today. A fresh graduate from Temasek Poly School of Business. She was an innocent young girl of 20 going 21. Let's call her Karen. I wondered about the appropriateness of the hire, considering there were no real HR modules being taught in business school, according to her anyway, but I guess everyone had to start somewhere.

She wasn't very tall, probably around 1.6m or less, and dressed very business-like, in a white blouse and black skirt. Her spectacles made her look like she was a stern teacher and she wore her non-dyed hair in a short ponytail. Figure-wise, I suppose she was fine. Not really curvy, but her tight blouse probably made her chest look bigger than it actually was.

Throughout the whole onboarding, I realised she kept looking at Shirlyn's chest. It probably didn't help that she was wearing a rather tight, yet low-cut top today. Probably with a good bra.

Jasmine too, kept looking at Shirlyn's chest. Then looking at me, probably trying to see if I was being seduced, which I wasn't.

I later found out that Karen had never met Shirlyn before, all the previous interviews were done by Rebecca, mostly via Zoom.

Shirlyn organized a welcome lunch as well, but it was more like me going to the hawker centre to buy chicken rice for everyone.

As usual, I had my smoke breaks with Jasmine, not really chatting much, trying not to draw much attention to ourselves.

Closer to the end of the workday, Karen came up to me.

K: Hey Mark?

Me: Yeah?

K: How old are you? You seem pretty old.

I was wondering what it had to do with anything.

Me: Well, I was probably in Poly when you were born.

K: Oh. I was just wondering why you aren't a manager or something. Since you are so old. Poor performance at work?

Somehow, I wasn't really liking this new hire. She didn't seem to have a filter from her brain to her mouth.

Me: I was in the army for 14 years.

K: Ah no wonder. Ok.

Me: I've only been here about a year.

K: Ok. So you're junior staff. Maybe I'll be manager before you.

Me: Sure. Go for it.

K: I got a diploma. All you army boys never studied right?

I bit my lip, trying to think of a suitable retort.

Me: Yeah. I only got a diploma in human resource.

K: Oh is it. Must be part time. No wonder you are still a junior staff.

Maybe her arrogance and acerbic nature appealed to some, but not to me. She kind of reminded me of Rebecca, but a little more bimbotic.

Thankfully, she was tasked with other administrative tasks, and would be learning from Rebecca next week onwards. Since we were split teams, I probably would have little to no interaction with her.

Jasmine and I were smoking just before ending work. Strangely, Shirlyn came to join us as well, much to Jasmine's surprise, but she didn't smoke. Jasmine eyed her suspiciously, probably why was she dressed so sexily today.

J: How's your new girl?

Me: Horrible.

S: Why?

Me: She reminds me of Rebecca.

S: Yeah. She kept asking me about my qualifications, and my age. And if I'm really the GM. Quite annoying.

She turned to Jasmine.

S: So, how's your first day back?

J: I'll manage. Didn't realise I left so much shit behind.

S: Don't worry about it. I'll get Joan or Mark to brief you more.

J: Thanks.

Suddenly, she held Jasmine's hand and whispered in her ear. Her face changed, first a frown, then a forced smile. I wonder what she said.

S: Well, I'll see you two tomorrow then.

We bade her goodbye.

Me: What did she say?

J: Why are you so nosy?

Me: Why are you snapping at me?

J: Urgh. I wish you didn't confess to her.

Me: Sorry.

J: She said she hopes there's no hard feelings, and not to hurt you.

Me: Erm.

J: Like hello? Don't stress me can? I just came back to work.

Me: What has not hurting me got to do with work?

J: I won't hurt you intentionally. At least I hope not.

Me: Whatever happens, I'm sure it's for a reason.

J: Oh well. Anyway, do you want me to wait for you till 7?

Me: You need a lift home?

J: Not really. I just thought maybe we could have dinner.

Me: Sure. Around here? Or nearer to your place?

J: You wanna go to that steakhouse in Joo Chiat?

Me: Sure.

J: Alright! I'll make a reservation.

We finished our sticks and headed back to the lobby, and somehow bumped into Karen on her way out.

K: Wah… so fast making friends with the new girl?

J: I'm not new, I'm more senior than him.

K: Oh?

J: I just took a break.

K: Then you so fast going after the new guy?

J: What the fuck?

K: Don't worry. I'm not your competition. He's old enough to be my father.

Then she left.

J: Urgh. That nosy bitch.

Me: Ignore her.

We chilled until I could drive out and headed over the the steak place.

Dinner was fine. And I sent her home after dinner.

We shared a goodnight kiss and I went home.

I was thankful for the lack of drama on the first day back with Jasmine in the office.