This is the first story of a series. It is purely fictional; any resemblance to any real people is purely coincidental. Be sure to practice safe sex in real life.
Janey had worked at Emertech for three weeks, but was already bored. She never stayed at workplaces like that for more than a few months, even though she easily made friends. She had already done so at Emertech and very little seemed interesting. It was mostly the same thing, day in, day out. Get there at 9, work until 12:30, have lunch with some colleagues, get back, work until 5:30, then home. There was however one person in her office space that had piqued her interest. This was somewhat ironic since they had never spoken; in fact they had never even made eye contact, but she had learned his name: Adrian Greene. He was in his late 20s, about the same age as Janey, fairly attractive, had short, brown hair and was always seen working at his computer. Today was Thursday. Janey went to talk to Ed, a co-worker, near the coffee machine.
"Ed?"
"Hey, Janey. Did you need something?"
"What can you tell me about Adrian?"
"Who?"
"Adrian Greene, over there."
She pointed discreetly at Adrian, although he probably wouldn't have noticed if she used a signal flare.
"Greene?"
Ed chuckled.
"What could you possibly want to know about him?"
"He's interesting."
"He always works."
"I find that interesting. Does he have a girlfriend? Boyfriend? Pet?"
Ed chuckled again.
"I really don't know. Nobody does. He never talks to anyone here."
"Not even during lunches?"
"He doesn't have lunch, in the technical sense. When everyone leaves, he brings out a Tupperware box filled with leftovers and eats while working."
"When does he stop?"
"I'm not sure if he does. He always comes here before everyone else, works all day, sometimes grabs some coffee and always leaves last. Bet he works at home in the weekends."
"Does he always eat here?"
"I've seen him at the small restaurant just around the corner a few Fridays. Of course, he was working there, too."
"He never stops, huh?"
Ed looked at her suspiciously.
"What is your interest in him, anyway?"
"I'm thinking about asking him out."
"Really?"
"Yeah, why not?"
"For one thing, he seems to be an anal, workaholic neat freak."
"So?"
"Do you have some kind of dating death wish?"
"I'd like to get to know him, it might make passing by him more comfortable. Hell, it can't get any worse if it fails."
"You're really serious about this?"
"I guess."
Ed looked at Adrian's desk, where he was still working away.
"Best of luck to you. You'll need all of it you can get."
The next day it was Friday and during the lunch break, like Ed said, Adrian left without saying a word. Janey then followed him to the restaurant. It was a small restaurant, fairly cheap. Janey waited ten minutes after Adrian entered before doing so herself to avoid suspicion. Not unpredictably, he was still working on his laptop. Janey approached him.
"Hi."
"Hi, Adrian said with a lot of suspicion when he raised his vision from the screen and saw a young, attractive, red-headed woman."
"Emertech, right?"
"Yes, do I know you?"
"Janey Samson, we both work there."
"Thought I recognised you."
"Do you want to share a table here?"
Adrian contemplated the proposition carefully.
"Sure", he replied nervously.
Janey sat down.
"I didn't catch your name."
"Greene, Adrian Greene. Did you lose a bet, or something?"
"What do you mean?"
"That's the only reason I can think of why somebody would have lunch with me."
"You haven't done a lot of dating, have you?"
"I did some in high school, haven't done it again since then."
"Why not?"
"Decided to focus on my career. Besides, I lack social competence."
"If you don't mind me asking, when's the last time you got laid?"
