A couple of days have passed since that event. Jordan got out of bed and crawled out toward the drawer with the mirror intact above it. He opened the cabinet and took out some prescription pills before plopping one into his mouth. Jordan headed over to the refrigerator to get a bottle of water to gulp the content down. His body quivered as a shiver fell down his spine, letting the soothing content go down his throat. Jordan pounded his chest and coughed.

His phone rang from the coffee table as it fell to the floor. Jordan strolled over to pick it up. Checking the number, he answered the call and placed it beside his ear.

"What is it now?" Jordan thundered. "Are you kidding me? Look, don't bother me right now. I have somewhere to be. I got plans and have this job under control. I don't need your help; you didn't even do what I asked you to do the other day! Don't give me that. You have better things to do, don't you?" Jordan shook his head and facepalmed. "Look, I'm going back to work, and the last thing I want is for you to ruin my reputation. Call me when something important comes up next time." Jordan hung up in a huff.

.-.-.-.

Jordan got to the Purple Spoon, only to find lesser workers inside, along with the boss, looking grim.

"Jordan, you’re here." He raised his head and spoke up. "I didn't think you'd arrive."

"What do you mean? What happened?" Jordan asked.

"I'm afraid I have bad news." The boss explained. "Not only is Stanley sick, but we've lost more workers."

"Will that mean more people are getting longer over time?"

The boss nodded. He turned to another employee. "Byron, it's your turn."

"Again?" One worker complained.

After the boss finished another one of his announcements, the group scattered and went back to work.

I wonder how Hilary's doing. Jordan glanced at Hilary, who also ended up in a sour mood. It might not be a good idea to bother her, but maybe he could cheer her up, regardless.

"I can see you are staring at me," Hilary mentioned without looking at him.

"No, I just happened to walk on by and..." Jordan tried to defend; his voice faded soon after.

Hilary turned to glance at him. "Uh-huh, right." She rolled her eyes.

Some silence passed, as things had already gotten awkward between the two of them. Just as Hilary was about to walk away, Jordan spoke up, making her stop for a moment.

"Wait. Look, I'm sorry about, well, everything." Jordan muttered.

"What do you mean by that?" Hilary's eyebrows arched, turning back.

"I mistreated others behind their backs, and for mistaking you for another person."

"It's ok, I guess..."

What's wrong with her? "Hey, if you don't mind me asking, what are you up to?"

"Not at all, I'm just doing research..."

"I see—" Jordan clutched his chest as a sharp pain struck him inside. "AGH!" He bent over and covered his mouth with his hand. The hairs on the back of his neck rose as his body continued to sweat.

Hilary ran over to check up on him. "What's the matter? Are you alright?"

Jordan didn't answer as he ran over to the bathroom. He opened the stalls wide and bent down to the toilet, wrapping his arms around the seat as he retched out inside the bowl at least twice. Jordan's head felt feverish; the sweat grew wide all over his body. He took some toilet paper and applied it to his forehead, wiping the water from him. His throat felt dry, like the Sahara, as he walked over to the sink to use icy water and splashed his face.

After turning it off, he sighed and slumped down to the walls. Jordan looked down at his hands and curled up in a ball, shutting his eyes tight. Jordan soon heard a knock on the door. He raised his head and leaned toward the source of the sound.

"Who's there?"

"It's me, are you ok?" Hilary's voice echoed behind the door.

"Oh, I think so, yes." Jordan got up and opened the door, exiting the bathroom.

"Are you feeling better?"

"Are you concerned about me?"

"Well, yeah," Hilary replied. "Perhaps if you call off work for—"

"Oh, no way, I can handle this..." Jordan interrupted. "I probably ate something bad, that's all."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Yeah." Jordan nodded. "Although I do appreciate the food for thought." He winked.

"That wasn't half-bad." Hilary snickered. "You sure are weird.”

"Really? Well, can I say something weirder?"

"Sure?"

"I'm not an expert on food terminologies like you are, so I was wondering if you could teach me? We could maybe do it after work like normal friends?" Jordan offered.

"I don't know..." Hilary murmured.

"Look, I know you don't feel the same way I do, but that's fine. Seeing you happy is all that matters to me, and I wouldn't force you to do anything uncomfortable."

The comment took Hilary aback. "W-Wow, that's sweet of you." She moved her foot along the floor and placed her hands behind her back. "Sure, I'll go with you later today."

Jordan's face beamed. "That's great; I'll be looking forward to it."

As he skipped across the halls, Jordan couldn't help but notice a familiar brunette figure pass him. He stopped and turned to find her, but to no avail. A ring came from his pants pockets as he took out his phone, only to see another text.

"Don't get the wrong idea; I'm just—"

"Something the matter?" A voice rang and snapped him out of his thinking process, not reading the rest of the text. Hilary walked over and waved.

"No, nothing that important." Jordan put his phone away.