A Life Once More-Chapter 69: Chatting with Marik

'Life really is all about love, money, and coffee!'

I wiped a little bit of bacon grease off my face. Marik turned his phone toward me, and I saw the list of attendees—specifically, his name and my initials.

"Are my initials enough?" I thought they would need more for a guest list.

He nodded, his green hair swaying. "I put your name, but I hid it. So the master list has it, but not the public version."

"That's pretty cool." I leaned back in my chair, taking in everything. It felt good to be included in something without having to overthink it for once. This was a casual chat and way calmer than when I talked with women. Women's conversations have their own charms, but it seems I can't forget how easy we dudes talk.

'Adam and Kyle, I should hang with them at some point.'

[I can't believe you actually remembered them.]

'That's rude. We are classmates.'

[But they are only that. You've done a lot in the last two weeks.]

'Still, it's kind of hard to forget two blondes who are almost as good-looking as me!'

[Okay...]

Ezryn just left it at that. I mean, I was speaking the truth, but alas, some people can't handle it.

Before I could dwell on it too much, Marik suddenly checked his phone and jolted upright.

"Oh snap! I gotta go, bro. See ya there at 8?"

Nodding my head, I waved him off and decided to keep chilling. This place was really comfortable.

With the food and coffee warming me up, I figured I might as well knock out some errands while I waited.

"I should get Naomi to send that report," I muttered while pulling up Naomi's number. I had made sure to let Kate know too, but she just smacked me on the head.

Her words were, "It's an employee, so why are you even worried about it?"

I told her because it only made sense to. Then she giggled, calling me a good boy at the same time.

One, I didn't get why she acted two different ways. Two, I still couldn't find myself liking "good boy," but wanting her to be happy, I could only hope I'd get used to it.

"Naomi."

"Yes, boss?"

"Seems you're in a good mood?"

"Yes, boss! The algorithm has been formed perfectly. We've run a few test runs, and the app is nearly done—about 75% now, and it should be 85% by the end of the week."

"Wow, I didn't even have to ask. Thank you for being competent."

"As a woman with a goal, I would prefer having a good reputation!"

"Oh god, please don't quit..."

I could only imagine the headache.

"Bhehe~ don't worry, boss, that's not what I mean."

Her voice sounded goofy and very joyful, making me shake my head. Whatever this woman had in mind was not really my business. I think I could guess what she meant anyway.

"So, what's everybody's mental state looking like?"

"Hmm, it's okay, I guess? I think they're waiting to see if you'll really give a bonus."

"Understandable. And the announcement we put out?"

"It went very well, especially since the gift cards actually worked."

"Phew~"

"We've seen 10,000 redownloads and 50,000 people have it on their wishlists. Also, the help from some Itubers has really boosted us!"

I looked up at the blue sky, smiling brightly. Everything was really working out well. In due time, I felt myself standing at the peak with just one more big push. But still, for the original Eizkel, I couldn't settle with just this.

'To you, who was taken too early, I'll stand by my words.'

[...]

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