Chapter 181


    “I hope you don’t mind, Goddess; we just threw this togetherst minute.”


    Baxter’s voice rang out, “Hey, H, you around?”


    buxom girl zoomed past Baxter, tossing an ashtray in his direction, “What’s with the yelling? I’m in the


    middle of a plot outline here!”


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    “Spare me, H!” Baxter ducked and dodged. “I’m just introducing the newbie, Matilda. Or as most


    know her as, Dawn.”


    “Oh, I’ve heard about her.” H nced up at Matilda and smirked with a weing grin, “Hey there,


    we’re pretty chill here. Make yourself at home.”


    The geeky guy with a green dinosaur hoodie scooted over with his chair, rolling up to Matilda, “Are you


    joining our merry band of misfits?”


    Matilda returned the smile, confirming her new role. The vibe was casual and cozy, just like a down–to–


    earth family gathering. No sooner had she sat down than the gang started sliding her packets of instant


    coffee.


    “It’s a rite of passage here. We survive thete nights on instant coffee,” Baxter said with a chuckle. “If


    you need more, just spin your chair around and help yourself from the box.”


    Twisting around, Matilda’s eyesnded on a mountainous box stuffed with… instant


    coffee.


    “Is it really that bad?” she gulped.


    “You bet,” H chimed in without looking up from her keyboard. “I used to boast at proud E–cup, but


    ever since I joined the studio, I’m down a whole size.”


    Matilda couldn’t help but think that was still pretty impressive.


    Surrounded by a quirky cast of design nerds – from Yoshi in his pajamas to the curvaceous H, the


    tomboyish Luna, and Baxter, who’d first brought her in Matilda felt right at home. Soon enough, she


    was handed a steaming mug of coffee.


    “This ce isn’t like those shy, shallow joints out there. We’re all easy to get along with,” said Luna,


    ncing over at Matilda, “Except when ites to lending money.”


    Baxter burst intoughter. “Yeah, we’re all buddies until money’s involved. Then it’s like, ‘Who are you?


    I don’t know you.”


    10:05


    Chapter 181


    Matilda’s first day at the studio stretched well into the night. Her desk was buried under a pile of drafts


    as tall as a small hill, which effectively cut her off from the world. Around eight in the evening, Baxter


    came around with a pot of coffee, pouring a cup for everyone. As he reached Matilda, the paper


    mountain trembled.


    Startled, Matilda watched as a man with sses emerged from the heap, dark circles under his eyes


    like badges of honor.


    “Look who’s up, our very own vampire,” H clicked her tongue, “Waking up earlier than usual. He’s


    usually not up until ten at night.”


    “Must be Dawn’s presence. He can sense the living amongst us,” Yoshi joked, likening Orson to a


    canine. He nodded towards Orson, “Take a look to your left, man.”


    The man known as Orson, groggy and disheveled, squinted at Matilda with sleepy eyes, “Huh? We got


    a neer?”


    His voice was unexpectedly alluring, deep, and resonant.


    “Cold as ever, Orson,” Luna feigned a heartache, “Come on, do the customary greeting.”


    Orson rummaged through his drawer and flung a packet of instant coffee Matilda’s way, “Nice to meet


    you…”


    But he noticed something off. Matilda hadn’t reached out to take the coffee. Was she not a fan of the


    vor? Orson swapped it for a different variety, yet the reaction was


    the same.


    Confused, he looked up only to find Matilda staring at him, her eyes brimming with


    tears.