Adrian’s POV
You think Salma’s the only one at the office with a virtual girlfriend? I have one too, though for some reason, our timing matches up way too closely.
After work, I took some time to check my phone.
I saw my virtual girlfriend complaining about her workday. I really felt bad for her.
It’s not that I can’t get a girlfriend and chose virtual dating instead. I just need someone to listen to me, and I’m way too lazy to go on dates.
They drain my energy too quickly.
While I was lying on my bed, my virtual girlfriend sent me a message.
[Jay, are you busy?]
I really liked being sought out and needed like this. My manly side seemed to come out. You know the saying that a man is supposed to protect his woman? That’s what I was feeling right then.
[I’m not busy, Maura. What’s up? Want to talk about something?]
After replying to my virtual girlfriend, I decided to turn on the TV and watch my favorite show.
[Jay, I’m so pissed at my coworker. How can she be so annoying?]
[What did she do that was so annoying?]
[During my presentation, she kept interrupting me!]
After reading that message, I coughed a little—not because my throat was dry, but because the exact same thing had happened to me with Salma at the office earlier.
I immediately pushed the thought away. It was probably just a coincidence.
[Jay, why aren’t you replying?]
I finally replied to the message.
[Oh, I was washing my shoes, babe.]
I made up an excuse so my virtual girlfriend wouldn’t get any weird ideas.
[Oh, right. Maura, where do you live?]
I tried to make sure we lived in the same area. That was something I absolutely had to ask.
[I’m in Bandung. Why do you ask, Jay?]
I immediately breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness. The thought that my virtual girlfriend might be the same person as Salma finally disappeared.
It was just a coincidence that the same thing happened to both me and my girlfriend, right?
[It’s nothing. I was just curious.]
I replied to her message.
It was already eight that night, so I said goodbye to my virtual girlfriend.
[I’m going to go, okay? I have to finish some overtime work for my boss.]
My girlfriend replied right away.
[Okay, you’ve got this, babe!]
I turned off my phone and decided to leave the house.
I’m not the type to be on my phone twenty-four hours a day. I’m the kind of person who likes spending time on my hobbies, like playing futsal.
At the futsal court, I’d already invited Angga to play.
“Dude, don’t you have anything else to do besides play soccer?” Angga asked as he dribbled the ball beside me.
I shook my head while trying to steal the ball he was dribbling.
“What else would I do? I don’t even have a girlfriend.”
I chuckled and stole the ball from Angga’s feet. The moment he lost focus, I took my chance.
One kick—and goal!!!
Angga didn’t get mad. He just gave me a small smile, because this was only a two-person game, something we did for fun after getting worn out from our mountains of work.
“So, are you dating someone or what?” Angga asked me.
I slowly shook my head. “I’m not thinking about dating. It’s too much trouble. I’d rather just have fun like this—playing and working. If I have money, I use it to help my parents.”
Angga stared at me in confusion. “Sorry for asking, but you’re still normal, right?”
I almost laughed. Angga was probably the hundredth person to think there was something wrong with me. I’d had crushes before too, but I was the kind of person who got bored easily.
“I’m normal. Relax.”
Angga raised one eyebrow. “In that case, what do you think?”
I looked at him anxiously. He clearly had a question he wanted to ask, and it might be a trap.
“Who’s prettier, Safira or Salma?”
Salma really was beautiful—the exact type I liked. Safira was beautiful too, but I wasn’t interested in her.
“Salma,” I replied.
Angga laughed triumphantly, enjoying my embarrassment.
“So you admit Salma’s pretty after all. Then go for it!”
I took a deep breath. “Salma already has a boyfriend. I don’t want to be the other guy.”
“Salma’s boyfriend is virtual. You can totally pursue her and become her real boyfriend.”
I couldn’t wrap my head around the way Angga thought.