Protagonist! Please Stay Away from Me 2!-Chapter 49: I Am Exotic

After our time together in the bathroom, Tina surprised me with a fresh set of clothes laid out on the vanity—practical yet stylish everyday wear—a soft cotton blouse in flattering sage green, comfortable wide-leg trousers in charcoal gray, fresh underwear, and simple black flats with cozy crew socks. I have agreed to be her girlfriend, which honestly even shocked me.

I dressed quickly after a refreshing rinse, the clean fabrics feeling like a comforting hug against my skin. Everything fit just right, as if Tina had guessed my exact measurements. A quick glance in the mirror showed me looking put-together and relaxed, ready to navigate her world.

Well, it wasn’t that surprising—Tina loves my legs, especially my thighs.

Tina gave me a quick peck on the cheek before heading out for a client meeting down the hall. "Make yourself at home... or office, love. Lena will check on you." Left alone in her spacious office, I took in the surroundings more fully.

Sunlight flooded through large windows overlooking the bustling city below, warming the light oak floors and highlighting shelves of design magazines, potted ferns adding green pops, and a whiteboard scrawled with project timelines.

Her L-shaped desk was organized chaos—laptops, colour swatches, coffee mugs half-full. The air carried a mix of fresh linen from the AC and faint vanilla from a candle. It felt professional yet inviting, a true reflection of her creative life.

My socks padded softly on the smooth floor as I wandered, peering at framed photos of completed projects—cozy family homes, sleek corporate lobbies—and flipping through a portfolio of before-and-after renovations.

A knock sounded at the door, friendly and unhurried. "Come in," I said cheerfully. It was important for me to maintain my image of a cheerful-slash-innocent girlfriend.

In walked Lena, Tina’s assistant, balancing a large tray with easy confidence. Mid-thirties, with warm brown hair in a neat ponytail, kind eyes behind wire-rimmed glasses, and a cardigan over her blouse, she radiated efficiency and friendliness.

Tina told me that she had two assistants—divided according to the type of the work they specialized in.

The tray was loaded with lunch—a classic burger wrapped in foil—bun toasted golden, a side of seasoned fries steaming hot, a small salad with vinaigrette, fresh fruit cup, and two iced teas. The smell was pure comfort—grilled chicken, melted cheese, hints of ketchup and pickles—making my mouth water instantly. Ah, I really like junk food!

"Hey there! Hope I’m not interrupting," Lena smiled broadly, setting the tray on the coffee table by the sofa. "Brought you some lunch. Do you like the clothes? The boss texted me your sizes this morning."

I nodded, smoothing my blouse appreciatively. "Yes, I like them a lot—super comfortable and nice quality. Were you the one who bought these for me?"

"Yup! She gave me the budget and said ’practical but cute—something Sharon would love.’ Picked them up from the mall nearby—great sales on basics." She uncovered the food with a flourish. "I brought some food for you too. Do you like burgers? It’s from the deli downstairs—fresh patties, all the fixings."

"Yes, I do—burgers are my weakness," I grinned, unwrapping mine. The first bite was heaven—juicy, well-seasoned meat, crisp lettuce, tangy sauce, all in a soft bun. Perfectly satisfying. Well, it’s the perfect time to act, right?

Noticing the extra portions, I gestured to the tray. "You eat something too—there’s enough for two here. I can’t eat this much, Lena."

"No, no, I’m not hungry," Lena replied politely, waving it off. "I ate earlier."

"Please eat something," I encouraged, sliding the fries closer. "Fries are better shared. Please, Lena... I can’t. And I don’t like to waste food."

"But... I don’t want to take your lunch."

"I insist, please!" I said with a laugh, handing her a napkin and a fry. "Tina won’t mind, and it’ll be fun to chat while we eat."

She paused, then smiled, relenting. "Well, okay—if you insist. Thanks!" She took a seat on the sofa arm, grabbing a few fries and a corner of burger. "These are good. So, how does it feel being official with the boss? She’s been smiling all morning."

I blushed, acting as if I was some kind of a shy, virgin—kind of woman, who has a very simple and innocent mind. "She is good to me—I mean, she is always attentive to the slightest of the grievance that I might face."

"So, she is utterly whipped, isn’t she?" Lena gave me a wink before laughing loudly.

I put a fry into my mouth as I lowered my gaze, face reddening even more. "Please, don’t talk like this... I am feeling utterly embarrassed."

"Sorry, Sharon—but I have to praise the boss’s choice. She really found a cute girlfriend for her. I mean, look at you—even a legit model is nothing compared to you. Your looks are phenomenal," praised Lena. She had a starry look in her eyes.

I laughed awkwardly, pinching my nose slightly. "Lena, please don’t praise my beauty so much. You are very beautiful too."

"Nothing compared to you, Sharon. So, what’s with your hair?" Lena pointed at my hair, with a confused look.

I smiled a bit at her blunt question. "Well, this is my hair." I twirled a strand of my silver locks over my index finger. "It’s not dyed. My hair is really silver in colour."

"Oh my god! You look like some goth woman, who also a vampire—lost in a different timeline."

"Are you praising me? Or, are you mocking me, Lena?"

"Yes, I am praising you! You are very exotic. To be honest, I am feeling jealous. If I had a girlfriend like you, I would have been completely whipped for her—only thinking about her," Lena said.

This woman is blunt, yet a bit foolish. Good for me, I guess. It’s time to gather some vital information on Tina—I don’t think anyone will be this open to me in her office. So, I have to be careful about the questions that I ask.

Thanks to Lena, I am pretty sure that I can really gather some utterly vital information on Tina.

"Lena, how many years have you been working here?"