#Cloud Computing Types of Services

[zipcrestconsulting]

Navigating Cloud Horizons: Understanding the Diverse Cloud Computing Services with Zipcrest Consulting Services Pvt Ltd

In the ever-expanding realm of digital transformation, cloud computing stands as a cornerstone, revolutionizing the way businesses operate and manage their IT infrastructure. As an authorized channel partner of Tata Tele Business Services, Zipcrest Consulting Services Pvt Ltd offers profound insights into the diverse spectrum of cloud computing services. This blog post explores the types of cloud services and the strategic guidance that Zipcrest provides to businesses venturing into the cloud.

Also Read - Managed Security Services Provider

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS):

Zipcrest Consulting Services Pvt Ltd guides businesses through the foundational layer of cloud services ��� Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). With IaaS, businesses can access virtualized computing resources over the internet, including servers, storage, and networking. Zipcrest ensures that businesses leverage IaaS to scale their infrastructure seamlessly, reducing the need for physical hardware investments.

Platform as a Service (PaaS):

As businesses seek to streamline application development and deployment, Zipcrest introduces them to Platform as a Service (PaaS). This cloud service provides a platform that includes tools and services for building, testing, and deploying applications. With PaaS, businesses can accelerate their development cycles, enhance collaboration, and achieve greater agility in responding to market demands.

Software as a Service (SaaS):

Zipcrest's expertise extends to Software as a Service (SaaS), a cloud computing model that delivers software applications over the internet. Whether it's email services, customer relationship management (CRM), or collaborative tools, Zipcrest ensures that businesses harness the benefits of SaaS to access powerful applications without the burden of managing the underlying infrastructure.

Managed Cloud Services:

Understanding the complexities of cloud management, Zipcrest introduces businesses to Managed Cloud Services. This approach involves outsourcing certain cloud management tasks to a service provider, allowing businesses to focus on their core competencies while Zipcrest handles critical aspects such as security, monitoring, and optimization of cloud resources.

Strategic Cloud Migration:

Zipcrest Consulting Services Pvt Ltd recognizes that cloud adoption is not a one-size-fits-all approach. As businesses contemplate migrating to the cloud, Zipcrest offers strategic guidance on the most suitable cloud service models based on their unique needs, ensuring a seamless and strategic transition to the cloud.

Quoting Ajit, Marketing head at Zipcrest Consulting Services Pvt Ltd:

"At Zipcrest, we view cloud computing not just as a technology shift but a strategic transformation. Our role is to guide businesses through the diverse cloud computing services, ensuring they make informed decisions that align with their goals, optimize resources, and enhance overall operational efficiency."

Conclusion:In the dynamic landscape of cloud computing, businesses require more than just services – they need strategic guidance to navigate the vast possibilities effectively. Zipcrest Consulting Services Pvt Ltd, as an authorized channel partner of Tata Tele Business Services, emerges as a trusted ally in this journey. Whether it's IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, or Managed Cloud Services, Zipcrest ensures that businesses not only understand these cloud computing types but also leverage them strategically to propel their digital transformation forward. In choosing Zipcrest, businesses gain a partner committed to unlocking the full potential of cloud computing and guiding them toward a future of enhanced efficiency and innovation.

[v2softunofficial]

What Does a Cloud Migration Supplier Do?

Introduction

Cloud computing has revolutionized how businesses operate, offering scalable, secure, and cost-efficient solutions for data management and application deployment. As organizations increasingly transition from on-premises infrastructure to cloud environments, the role of a cloud migration supplier has become crucial. These specialized providers assist businesses in moving their workloads to cloud platforms efficiently while ensuring security, compliance, and performance optimization.

In this article, we will explore the responsibilities of a cloud migration supplier, the future of cloud computing, cloud computing and its types, the impact of cloud-based services in AI, and the significance of cloud application testing in the migration process.

What Is a Cloud Migration Supplier?

A cloud migration supplier is a company or service provider that facilitates the transition of applications, data, and workloads from traditional on-premises environments to cloud-based platforms. These suppliers assess an organization's infrastructure, develop a migration strategy, execute the transition, and ensure post-migration optimization. They provide end-to-end support, including security assessments, performance enhancements, and compliance monitoring.

Key Responsibilities of a Cloud Migration Supplier

Cloud Readiness Assessment:

Evaluating existing IT infrastructure, applications, and workloads.

Identifying compatibility issues and potential challenges in migration.

Developing a Cloud Migration Strategy:

Choosing the appropriate cloud model (public, private, or hybrid).

Defining migration objectives, risk management strategies, and timelines.

Executing the Migration Process:

Data transfer and replication.

Application rehosting, refactoring, or rearchitecting.

Ensuring minimal downtime and data loss.

Post-Migration Optimization and Support:

Performance tuning for optimal resource utilization.

Security and compliance monitoring.

Continuous cloud management and cost optimization.

Cloud Computing and Its Types

Understanding cloud computing and its types is fundamental to the migration process. Cloud computing delivers computing services—such as storage, networking, and AI processing—over the internet. It provides flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency for businesses.

Types of Cloud Computing

Public Cloud:

Managed by third-party providers like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.

Shared infrastructure with multiple tenants.

Cost-effective and scalable for businesses of all sizes.

Private Cloud:

Dedicated infrastructure for a single organization.

Enhanced security and compliance.

Suitable for enterprises with strict data control requirements.

Hybrid Cloud:

A combination of public and private clouds.

Allows workload distribution based on security and performance needs.

Offers flexibility and enhanced disaster recovery options.

Multi-Cloud:

Utilization of multiple cloud providers.

Avoids vendor lock-in and optimizes performance across different platforms.

A cloud migration supplier helps businesses determine the most suitable cloud model based on their operational needs and regulatory requirements.

The Future of Cloud Computing

The future of cloud computing is rapidly evolving with technological advancements, making cloud environments more intelligent, secure, and interconnected. Businesses adopting cloud solutions gain competitive advantages in automation, data analytics, and AI-driven applications.

Emerging Trends in Cloud Computing

Edge Computing Integration:

Enhances real-time data processing by reducing latency.

Supports IoT applications and decentralized computing.

AI-Powered Cloud Services:

Automates cloud management and security protocols.

Enhances predictive analytics for business intelligence.

Serverless Computing:

Eliminates infrastructure management needs.

Allows developers to focus on code deployment without worrying about server maintenance.

Enhanced Cloud Security Measures:

AI-driven threat detection and automated response mechanisms.

Zero-trust architecture for secure cloud environments.

Sustainable Cloud Computing:

Focuses on green data centers and energy-efficient cloud infrastructures.

Reduces the carbon footprint of cloud service providers.

Cloud migration suppliers stay ahead of these trends to provide businesses with innovative solutions tailored to their growth and security needs.

Cloud-Based Services in AI

The integration of cloud based services in AI has transformed industries by providing scalable computing power and vast storage capabilities. Cloud platforms enable businesses to deploy AI models efficiently without investing in expensive on-premises infrastructure.

How Cloud-Based AI Services Benefit Businesses

Scalability and Flexibility:

AI workloads can scale dynamically based on demand.

Businesses can deploy AI applications without infrastructure constraints.

Cost Efficiency:

Reduces hardware costs associated with AI training and deployment.

Pay-as-you-go pricing models optimize IT budgets.

Faster AI Model Training and Deployment:

Cloud platforms provide high-performance computing resources.

Accelerates AI-driven decision-making processes.

Improved Data Management:

Cloud storage enables easy access to large datasets for AI training.

Ensures compliance with data governance and security standards.

A cloud migration supplier ensures seamless integration of AI-driven solutions into cloud environments, maximizing efficiency and innovation for businesses.

Importance of Cloud Application Testing

As businesses migrate applications to the cloud, cloud application testing becomes essential to ensure performance, security, and reliability. A cloud migration supplier incorporates comprehensive testing strategies to mitigate risks and optimize application functionality.

Key Aspects of Cloud Application Testing

Performance Testing:

Evaluates application scalability under varying workloads.

Identifies latency issues and optimizes resource allocation.

Security Testing:

Detects vulnerabilities and ensures compliance with security standards.

Implements encryption, authentication, and access control measures.

Compatibility Testing:

Ensures seamless integration with different cloud environments.

Verifies compatibility across various devices and operating systems.

Disaster Recovery Testing:

Validates data backup and recovery processes.

Ensures business continuity in case of cloud failures.

Usability Testing:

Enhances user experience by identifying functional gaps.

Optimizes cloud applications for performance and accessibility.

By implementing rigorous cloud application testing, businesses can ensure a seamless transition to cloud environments while maintaining service quality and reliability.

Conclusion

A cloud migration supplier plays a critical role in helping businesses navigate their digital transformation journey. From evaluating infrastructure and executing migrations to optimizing cloud environments, these providers ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruption. As the future of cloud computing evolves, businesses must embrace cloud-based services in AI, implement robust cloud application testing, and leverage various types of cloud computing to stay ahead of the competition.

By partnering with a cloud migration supplier, organizations can unlock the full potential of cloud technology, achieving greater efficiency, scalability, and innovation in their operations. Cloud migration is no longer just an IT initiative—it is a strategic move that drives business growth in the digital era.

[nextworktechnologies]

Best Cloud Solutions Company in Zirakpur - Nextwork Technologies

In today’s rapidly evolving digital world, businesses increasingly rely on cloud services for seamless data management and enhanced operational efficiency. If you’re searching for the best cloud solutions company in Zirakpur, look no further than Nextwork Technologies. Our innovative cloud computing solutions cater to businesses of all sizes, offering secure, scalable, and reliable services designed to meet the growing demands of the digital landscape.

What is Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing refers to the delivery of various computing services—like servers, storage, databases, networking, and software—over the internet (“the cloud”). It allows businesses to access and store data, run applications, and process information without relying on physical infrastructure.

Types of Cloud Computing Services

When choosing a cloud solutions provider, understanding the types of cloud computing services is crucial. There are three primary models:

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): Offers virtualized computing resources such as servers, networks, and storage.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): Provides a platform allowing developers to build and deploy applications without managing the underlying infrastructure.

Software as a Service (SaaS): Delivers software applications over the internet, eliminating the need for local installation.

Why Choose Nextwork Technologies?

As the best cloud services provider in Zirakpur, Nextwork Technologies offers a comprehensive suite of cloud solutions that can transform your business operations. Our services are tailored to meet your specific needs, from cloud storage to computing power.

Advantages of Cloud Computing

Partnering with a top cloud solutions company like Nextwork Technologies provides multiple advantages, including:

Cost Efficiency: Reduce IT operational costs by using cloud infrastructure and only paying for what you use.

Scalability: Easily scale up or down your resources based on your business demands.

Security: Our cloud solutions ensure the highest level of security, safeguarding your data from unauthorized access.

Accessibility: Access your data and applications from anywhere, at any time, improving collaboration and productivity.

Backup and Recovery: Ensure data protection with automatic backups and quick disaster recovery options.

Cloud Service Platforms

Cloud computing relies on several leading platforms to offer services. The top platforms we work with include:

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Microsoft Azure

Google Cloud

IBM Cloud

These platforms are known for their reliability, extensive features, and global reach, making them the backbone of modern cloud computing.

Top Data Center Providers in India

To ensure efficient cloud services, having access to a reliable data center is essential. India is home to some of the world’s top data center companies. These centers play a pivotal role in hosting cloud platforms and ensuring uptime for cloud applications. Here are some of the largest data center operators in India:

CtrlS: Known for operating the country’s largest Tier 4 data center.

Netmagic: A key player providing data hosting and cloud solutions.

Yotta Infrastructure: Hosts one of India’s biggest data centers in Mumbai.

Sify Technologies: Offers robust cloud and data center services.

STT GDC India: Provides data centers across major Indian cities, including Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru.

How Nextwork Technologies Fits Into the Ecosystem

Nextwork Technologies partners with some of these top data centers in India to provide unparalleled cloud solutions. Our cloud infrastructure is hosted on state-of-the-art data centers, ensuring high availability, security, and performance for our clients.

Data Centers in India – The Backbone of Cloud Services

India has seen significant growth in data center infrastructure, with new players entering the market and existing providers expanding their facilities. The country is fast becoming a hub for global cloud service providers due to its growing internet penetration, strong IT industry, and competitive power costs.

If you're seeking India’s biggest data center or looking to collaborate with the best data center companies in India, you’ll want to consider operators like CtrlS, STT GDC, and Netmagic, all of which offer top-tier facilities.

Nextwork Technologies – Your Cloud Partner in Zirakpur

As a leading cloud solutions provider in Zirakpur, Nextwork Technologies delivers unmatched cloud computing services powered by cutting-edge data center technology. We are dedicated to helping businesses move their operations to the cloud with ease, ensuring a smooth transition and long-term success.

Our Services Include:

Cloud Storage: Offering scalable and secure storage solutions for businesses.

Data Backup and Recovery: Ensuring that your business-critical data is protected with real-time backups and recovery options.

Application Hosting: Providing a reliable platform for hosting web applications and databases.

Cloud Consultation: Guiding businesses through their cloud adoption journey by offering expert advice on the best solutions for their needs.

How to Choose the Best Cloud Solutions Company

When choosing the best cloud computing solution in Zirakpur, consider factors like experience, security measures, scalability, and customer support. Nextwork Technologies excels in all these areas, offering a range of services customized to suit your business’s requirements.

Here’s what sets us apart:

Extensive Experience: With over a decade of expertise in cloud computing, we’ve helped numerous businesses transition smoothly to the cloud.

Top-Tier Security: We employ advanced security measures like encryption and multi-factor authentication to protect your data.

Customer Support: Our support team is available 24/7 to assist with any technical issues or questions you may have.

Customizable Plans: Our cloud solutions are flexible, allowing businesses to scale their resources based on real-time needs.

Conclusion: Future-Proof Your Business with Nextwork Technologies

With cloud computing becoming a critical component of modern business, partnering with the best cloud solutions company in Zirakpur is a smart move. Nextwork Technologies is committed to providing world-class cloud services that help businesses grow, innovate, and succeed in a competitive environment. Our solutions are designed to be flexible, secure, and efficient—empowering you to achieve operational excellence.

Whether you’re a small startup or a large enterprise, our cloud services can be tailored to meet your unique business needs. So why wait? Contact us today and take the first step toward a more efficient and scalable future.

[maodun]

it's actually really annoying to find out your card is expired after you no longer have proof of residence (like a utility bill or rental agreement; some kind of official document that has both a date and an address on it because library membership is free for the city/municipality it serves, otherwise you have to pay per year for membership/active card), so your library won't renew your card unless you re-apply as out-of-city and you have to pay per month or year of membership. but you know, who cares if you're technically homeless/living out of your car/friend's couches

[s1rawb3rry]

Cupid’s arrow has struck… the wrong target!

Oh cupid… do you love me, or do you love me not?

synopsis: As a cupid, Y/N's job has always been to make people fall in love– that has been her task for centuries. However, everything goes horribly wrong when Jake accidentally locks eyes with her instead of his intended match. Now, she's stuck with a hopelessly in-love Jake, following her around like a lovesick puppy. The worst part? Cupids aren’t allowed to fall in love…

word count: 10.3k

warnings: fluff fluff fluff, no smut, maybe a little suggestive, absolutely smitten and hopelessly in love jake, he fell first and fell harder, acts of service jake, jake is somewhat yn's boss, magic (???)

genres: office au, cupid au, rom-com, slow burn

pairing: enhypen Jake x reader

featuring: Chungha

a/n: oh my god this took FOREVER but im so glad its done im so happy with it hehe

Taglist: @heestoleurgirl @stariekis @jaehoodies @morganaawriterr @luvashli@kireistrawberryjayla @annovaz @bambieheeseunglee @firstclassjaylee @flowerwinds @veilstqr(comment if you want me to add / remove you from the list <3)

⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯⌯

Cupids don’t wear halos and wings, or float around on fluffy clouds. At least, not anymore. We live among humans, blending in seamlessly, living for the purpose of matchmaking. Year round, we work behind the scenes of every soulmate pairing. This has been my classified, top secret occupation in the world for centuries, that I wouldn't trade for anything. When I'm off the clock, I work at a dull office job– that I love!– but it's boring enough to allow me to keep up with my much more important tasks. 

Seeing my Boss slowly making his way near my desk, I planted my hands on my keyboard and started to type away, pretending to be fully immersed in the spreadsheets that are on my computers. In actuality, my mind was completely preoccupied, I kept eyeing the thin paper folder with the name “J.S.” on it. I was assigned my last assignment before my much-needed “cupid break”. The thought of rest made me giddy enough to move my hips in my office chair and hum an off tune harmony. 

“What's the matter with you?” Chungha asked once she noticed my movement, her desk in front of mine. I smiled like a kid on christmas, well really rest did feel like christmas to me, “i got my final assignment before my break. I just have to find this Jake Sim.” I whispered to her. She smiled, sharing my excitement. Chungha has been one of my, if not the, closest friends for years. She is the person who knows everything about me, she knows me like the back of her hand. She is the one and only person that I could ever trust with this secret job. 

“I swear I heard that name not too long ago… “ she said, her eyebrows furrowed in concentration, trying to remember. I jump in my seat, lean forward to reach her desk and hold her hand in mine, “I beg you, tell me who he is so I can go into this break early.” I whisper-yelled, misery clear in my voice.

As she was laughing at my desperation, the clear glass office door swung open with an exaggerated creak. Our Boss strides in like a man who will make the biggest announcement of the decade, again. He always makes this grade entry, makes you feel like he will say something important, only for you to find out it's absolutely nothing. His dramatic flair is only rivaled by his complete lack of self-awareness. I suppress an eye roll and stare back at my spreadsheets, these seem way more interesting in fact. 

“Team!” he calls out, his voice booming as he stands at the front of the office room, making a couple chairs turn around and make multiple people stop talking and clicking their keyboards. “I’d like you all to meet your new supervisor for the upcoming project I already told you about–” he told us about a new project? – “This is Jake Sim, our new project manager. So he will only be here for a couple of months until the deal with the other company is sealed.”

My eyes widened and my ears perked up when I heard that name. I glanced at Chugha who was already looking at me with that same bulging eyes. There he is– Jake, my new assignment. He stood tall in the sharp lines of his suit, his dark hair neatly swept back, and his dark eyes carrying a quiet intensity. As the Boss continued talking, jake gave the group a friendly but reserved smile. As his eyes were scanning the room, as if he's trying to memorise our faces. I tried to follow his gaze to get his perspective on my colleagues. Maybe I can find his pair in the office?

As my eyes look back at him, our eyes lock. He held it for a second before he gave me another polite smile. I returned the smile fast enough before he continued his scan of the room. I perch up on my seat when I notice Jake staring for longer than usual at the other side. My eyes land on a coworker, Mira. Both of them also exchange a polite smile. 

As the boss continued to babble about the new project, that familiar feeling comes to me: when an idea of a couple clicks in my mind. Jake and Mira, they seem perfect together, well on paper they do. I open my Jake’s paper file and quickly read the notes written on him, trying to confirm to myself that he is a perfect match for Mira. Warm personality. Charismatic. Loyal. Energetic… Oh, it’s spot on.

“Alright team, that's all for today. You can get back to your work.” he wrapped up his speech, which dragged on longer than needed, motioned to Jake to follow him. Jake smiled and nodded his head at us one last time before turning his back on us. I clicked my pen and started scribbling some notes about Mira in Jake’s file. I can not waste time on a case like this. I can get in and out quickly out of it, sending them on their merry way. I beamed with excitement, unwrapping a chocolate covered almond from my drawer and popping it in my mouth.

“I remember now where I heard his name,” Chungha whispered to me. I looked up from my notes, paying my attention back to her. “He has been going to the café I always go to after work. I heard the barista always calling his name, that's why it's familiar.” 

“Wait, that's perfect,” I said as the idea sparked in my mind, “if we can get Mira to come with us to the café, I can absolutely do the job there.” I continued with Chungha nodding at me. “Leave it to me, I will ask her.” she said, getting up from her office chair. I watched as she walked over to Mira, starting up a conversation with her. A moment later, her head turns to me, smiling, I smile back and do a little wave to her. 

I pull my eyes from her, when I notice the light of the office in front of us turn on. That office is almost always empty, so my surprise grew when I saw Jake again, standing at the doorstep with a small moving box. He walked over to the desk and placed the box on it. Oh that's his office now. Well, him being right across from us just made my job a whole lot easier. I can monitor the progress of my work firsthand, almost front-row seat to a movie I directed.  

-♥︎-

As the workday wrapped up, the three of us settled on a table in the café, the scent of bitter roasted coffee beans filled the air, making me wrinkle my nose each time the barista made a new espresso. Mira and Chungha were chattering up a storm, drinking their coffee orders while I stirred my strawberry milkshake’s straw absentmindedly, barely registering anything that is being said. My focus was set on the door, waiting for him, in any minute, to come in. Every second that passes is a second closer to my break. I take a sip of my drink, trying to suppress my excitement.

Yet, nature called at the worst moment, “I'll be right back, I need to use the restroom,” I said, sliding out of my seat and leaving my milkshake barely touched. They nod at me before returning to their conversation. 

As I step out a few minutes later, wiping my hands on a paper towel, I pause just outside the restroom door. As if it’s a twist from fate, I find myself standing in a perfect spot to have the perfect shot. Jake was standing, waiting for his coffee, not noticing me. His position is exactly where I need him, flawlessly aligned with Mira. Excitement ran through me, It’s almost too perfect. 

Almost there… One clean shot– quick and easy.

Letting my muscle memory instinctively reach for a cupid arrow, I take a steady breath and discreetly wind up my arrow. My heart bubbles in my chest in anticipation. Just as I’m about to let the arrow fly…

“Hey, did you notice that–” Chungha said, coming from behind me, disturbing the silence.

I gasped, her sudden loud voice making me jump forward and making my heart leap to my throat. My hand jerks, my aim going completely rogue, accidentally hitting Jake. I gasped again, “oh my god, no!” panic sets in my bones as I walk forward to try to recover the arrow.  Before I can even process the rest, my foot catches on a stray chair leg making my world tilt. 

I closed my eyes, bracing my fall before I felt two tight arms around me, steadying me effortlessly. When air got back to my lungs, I opened my eyes to find Jake's face inches away from mine. Oh dear god, please no… “I’m so sorry,” I said, the words left out of my mouth with my mind running much faster. Am I sorry that I fell or that I accidentally struck him? This was not supposed to happen. He was supposed to see Mira, not me. 

His usual polite warmth in his expression softens into something more tender, something deeper. His brows furrow just a little, as if he's suddenly aware of a feeling—a feeling that stirs something in him undeniable. The more I look at his eyes, the more my plan crumbles.

“Are you okay?” Jake asks, his voice low and surprisingly gentle, his gaze lingering a little too long. His grip on me is still tight, my heart and stomach felt twisted in knots, as if they were bound together. This doesn’t feel like love—it feels more like alarms blaring in my mind.

Chungha, my traitor of a best friend, noticed the mistake she just made. Her eyes darted between us, her face painted with realization. I could see her from the side of my eyes trying to come up with a last-minute fallback plan.

“No way!” she exclaimed almost cartoonishly with an exaggerated gasp, practically lunged forward tugging me out of his grip with force, “I—uh—I forgot something at the office! Come on, let’s go!” she lied, turning her heel to the opposite side of the cafe, with my heels right behind her.

With my heart still pounding, I slapped a 20 dollar bill on our table, grabbed my coat and pushed both Mira and Chungha out of the café. I could feel his piercing gaze on me as we were shuffling out of the café. He was still looking at me as I was walking away—like I was the center of his universe. 

-♥︎-

Later that night, I stood in my dimly lit kitchen, surrounded by flour, sugar and butter. My stand mixer whirring loudly with the warm smell of cookies coming from my oven. My hands trembled as I measured out the flour, my mind still reeling from everything that had just happened. I turned off the mixer, slowly adding the flour.

Chungha leaned against the kitchen counter, looking in the oven to see the cookies. Then her eyes landed on the already freshly baked cookies on the counter, still warm. She watched my unsteady movement with a confused expression, her eyes held concern. “This is the batch number…?” she asks, leaving the question for me to finish.  

I exhaled a shaky breath, trying to steady myself and my hands. “Baking calms me down,” I muttered, my voice tense, matching how my muscles felt, “besides, it’s the only thing that doesn’t make my head feel like it’s about to explode.”

“I’m sorry…” she said quietly after a moment passed, her voice full of guilt, referring back to what happened in the café. I sighed in defeat, putting down the mixing bowl. I gave her a weak but genuine smile, “it's not your fault. I'm the one who was impatient,” I said before going back to my bowl, “I never rushed the process of pairing a couple, look where that got me…"I trailed off, scraping the side of the bowl a little too roughly. 

She stayed silent, looking at me, waiting for me to actually explode. My frustration bubbled up again when I dropped my spoon on the floor, even dropping spoons is putting me on edge. I pinched the bridge of my nose and took a deep breath to ground myself, “this whole situation is too risky,” I started once Chungha picked up my spoon and started washing it. 

“Men liked me before, but none were under the influence of a Cupid’s arrow. It's just too strong. If this goes wrong, if I fall in love, I will systematically lose my job. I love my job, you know that.” I rambled, pouring out what's in my heart.

Chungha was silent, listening to me, “So… what now?” she asked, uncertainty laced her voice.

I exhaled a shaky breath, turning back to my mixing bowl, “I have one week. A week before the arrow’s effect turns into true feelings.” I said, grabbing a new, clean mixing spoon, not sure if I was trying to focus on the dough or just distract myself from my spiraling thoughts. My hands moved automatically, though my mind raced, “I have a week before this turns into a full-on disaster. If I don’t reverse the arrow in time.”

“That’s not a lot of time.” Chungha commented, taking a cookie. “You're not helping, Chungie,” I grumbled. She laughed, biting into a cookie, “don’t worry, we’re in this mess together.” she said, her hands found my tense shoulders, reassuring me. I just nodded, leaning into her. 

I began to bake again, the nervous energy inside me didn’t dissipate. There was no time to waste. I couldn’t let him genuinely fall in love with me. Not when everything I’d worked for hung in the balance. My hands shook slightly as I carefully scooped the cookie dough onto the tray. I close my eyes for a second. 

Focus. One week. I can reverse the arrow’s effect. I have to reverse it. 

♥︎ DAY 1 ♥︎

I strolled into the office with my heels clicking behind me. I readjusted my purse on my shoulder when I noticed a pink drink sitting beside my keyboard. Condensation beads down the plastic cup, the whipped cream still holding its shape—fresh. 

“You got me a milkshake?” I gasped in awe, turning to Chungha. She appeared from behind her screen, brows knitted together, “I got you a milkshake?” she echoed my question, leaning to the side to see what I’m talking about. 

I blink at her as if she just sprouted another head. "Yes, this!" I said, looking back at the milkshake, squinting at a small sticky note attached to the side of it. I carefully unstick it from the drink, holding it like it’s evidence in a crime scene. 

forgive me for making you leave early yesterday… - Jake

I closed my eyes hoping, wishing, the earth would open up and swallow me. Of course it was him. Chunghun leaned forward to catch the note, squinting. A smile grew on her face, “okay, you gotta admit that this is cute.” I shoot her a glare, “I need to thank him.” I said, placing my purse on my desk and grabbing the milkshake. Chungha’s grin widened at my announcement, “you caused this.” I reminded her playfully before leaving.

Each step I took toward his glass-walled office feels oddly heavy. It’s just a thank-you. Nothing more, not a big deal. Knocking the door twice made Jake turn around. His eyes brightened when he saw me, just like a puppy who was told they will go on a walk.

“Hello, sir,” I greeted, the milkshake suddenly felt a little too heavy in my hands. 

"Good morning," he says, a smile full of warmth and admiration spread across his face. Oh, he got it bad…

I held up the milkshake, "Thanks for this. You really didn’t have to." I said, returning the smile sheepishly. 

His eyes glowed with adoration, "Consider it an apology. Hope I got the right flavor?" he said, motioning to the milkshake. I should be the one apologising.

Then it dawned on me, he did remember the flavor… "Yeah," I say, my voice softer than I mean it to be. "You did."

He opened his mouth to say something, but a sudden interruption from outside the office stopped him, “Team!” our Boss shouted before his voice became muffled to me. Slightly jolting, I gave Jake an apologetic look, “I must go. Thank you again for the milkshake, sir.” I said, watching him walking towards me. 

“Jake,” he said, as if he’s correcting me. His gaze flickering between my eyes.

I stared blankly at him, “I’m sorry?” 

“Please, call me Jake.” 

-♥︎-

Avoiding him was proven to be impossible. It started off small: he held the elevator door open for me even when I was still ten steps away, he would offer to buy me anything and everything the cafeteria offered, even suggesting ordering something. But now it was the worst situation. We had a meeting before we could leave for the day, something about that project the Boss keeps fussing about. Focusing, however, was beyond me.

Between Jake sitting besides me and the lack of sleep last night, my brain was running on fumes. The anxiety of this whole situation tangled itself around me, and that damn milkshake moment kept playing in my head like a broken record. I blinked hard, trying to fight off the weight of exhaustion dragging my eyelids down. My notes in front of me blurred together. The voices in the room became distant, background noise to the quiet battle I was losing against sleep. 

A small piece of folded paper appeared on the table in front of  me. From the corner of my eye, I saw Jake's hand retreating back to his side. I tried to decipher his face from the position i was in, but his expression was unreadable. Carefully, without trying to pull attention towards us, I unfolded the note. 

Are you feeling okay?

I stared at his handwriting in black ink, oddly neat, like he had taken his time. I reached for my own red pen, scribbling down how I just didn't sleep well last night. I refolded the paper, sliding it back to him. A few seconds later, his response appeared in front of me.

Close your eyes. I can cover for you.

I almost snorted, exhaustion making everything funny now. What is he even talking about? Hesitating only for a moment, I grabbed my pen and scribbled back something. I straighten my back, trying to wake myself up. Again, his response popped up in front of me. 

Trust me on this one. No one will notice.

I frowned in confusion, but before I could decide on how to respond, he subtly tilted his body, his broad shoulders blocking me from view. All I could see was his back and how everyone else was listening to the meeting.

Slowly, undeniable fatigue took over me, making me shut my eyes. 

-♥︎-

“Hey… Wake up.” 

A hand shook my shoulder gently,  pulling me from the depths of my nap. I stirred, my mind still heavy with exhaustion, before I finally blinked my way back into consciousness. Once my vision focused, I found Chungha standing beside me, casually packing my notepad and pens into my purse. 

“Meeting’s over,” she announced, tilting her head. “I was this close to tucking you in and leaving you here." she laughed, putting my purse on my lap. I groaned, stretching out my arms as I forced myself upright. My body still felt sluggish, my brain foggy from sleep. The conference room was empty now—everyone was gone.

 “Now, come on, let’s go eat something. I’m starving…” she grumbled, heading towards the door. As I stood up and slung my purse over my shoulder, I slipped my hands into my coat pockets out of habit. The sleepiness fog vanished the moment I felt a piece of paper already in my pocket. I pulled it out only to find very similar handwriting in black ink.

Didn’t have the heart to wake you up.

It wasn’t signed, but it didn’t need to be. 

♥︎ DAY 3 ♥︎

I had spent the last two days trying every trick, every strategy, everything and anything in my power to undo this ridiculous mistake. Yet, every desperate attempt led me to a dead end. It was completely hopeless. 

I tried acting uninterested, distant, cold, downright dismissive towards him. Jake would greet me every morning, warm smiles and bright eyes. It took every ounce of willpower not to match his puppy-like energy, to keep my response flat and indifferent. "Morning," I’d say, voice devoid of emotion. But no matter how lifeless I sounded, his grin never wavered. 

I also attempted to make him lose hope by acting like I have a ‘secret office admirer’, Chungha’s idea. We thought, maybe, this would make him give up on me.

“Are you sure this will work?” I whispered, watching her place a vase of flowers– that she picked– onto my desk. She shrugged at me as we eye the soft yellow and white rose bouquet with a small note. It looks legitimate, at least in my eyes. I sighed as I popped a chocolate covered almond in my mouth.

When I felt Jake’s presence coming closer, I started acting as if I just noticed the bouquet, putting on a full play in front of Chungha. His steps slowed as he passed my desk a few steps away, watching me pull out the note that was with the roses. I made sure to read out the note in a loud voice, I cleared my voice, "To the most beautiful woman in the office. I hope these flowers bring you as much joy as your smile brings me, your secret admirer." I read, acting surprised while turning to Chungha, “that is adorable.” she played along, smiling.

His chuckling made me turn my head towards him, “didn’t know there were secret admirers in this office…” he muttered, hands in his pants pockets, his tone dripping with amusement. I glanced at Chungha who’s now completely turned away from us, speaking to another colleague. 

He bent down his head a little to read the note in my hand, his cologne was woody and intoxicating. I could see his slicked back, soft, black strands. His closeness made a fluttering warmth spread through my chest. “What’s funny is that they call themselves an admirer…” he started, his voice snapping me back to reality, “... yet they got your favorite color wrong.” he said, eyeing my outfit, my accessories, my desk decorations– all pink. He looked at me one last time in the eyes before turning his heels, leaving my heart into a wild, nervous rhythm and warmth rising to my face. 

That was not the intended effect, and not on the right person.

Desperate times called for unflattering, repulsive measures. I was standing next to the vending machine after buying myself a Coke. Jake and a couple other colleagues were standing on the other side, chatting away. Perfect position. 

I took a long, fast and exaggerated sip of Coke, stood for a moment when I felt the carbonation bubble up in my chest. I eyed Chungha who was on her phone, slowly sipping her coffee. 

Then, it erupted like a thunderstorm. A loud, unexpected burp that could’ve registered on the Richter scale. Chungha choked on her coffee, the room fell silent, eyes were on me. I stood there, waiting. Surely, this would do it. No one finds that attractive.

Jake burst into laughter, his eyes glistening with adoration, “Impressive," he said, smiling and nodding before turning back to his conversation.

I turned back to Chungha, my jaw to the floor, “oh he didn’t find that disgusting. Quite the opposite.” she whispered to me, smiling in amusement, “I want to throw my Coke at him.”

I told myself that the next time he compliments me, i would be ready to shut it down. I was standing next to the printer, waiting for it to finish printing a paper that the Boss asked me to finalise. Jake passed by me, his eyes shimmered with light when he noticed me. "You look nice today." he said, stopping right dead in his tracks. 

Bingo. I smiled sweetly, itching to put on another play. "Oh, thanks! I haven’t washed my hair in three days." I beamed, brushing my hair with my hands. A normal person would recoil. A sane person would be appalled. But him?

"Still looks stunning," he said easily, tilting his head. "What’s your secret?"

I wanted to scream. Who gave him permission to be this… tantalizing? 

If I couldn’t drive him away with disgust, maybe I could with annoyance, if I just bother him enough to make him lose interest. I thought about barging into his office every hour or so, each time asking for something different but completely useless. I thought that if I just got under his skin, he would get tired of seeing me. I already went in, asking for a stapler, even though both him and I know I have one on my desk. Yet he gave me his without hesitation.

Half an hour later, I stood in front of his office door again, knocking as hard as I could, making sure that even my knocking was irritable to listen to. I opened the door after I heard a faint ‘come in’ from the other side.

I walked into his office as if I owned it. "What are you working on?" I asked him, as if he's not my higher up and could fire me. He looked up from his laptop, amused. "Something very important," he replied, still smiling.

Each time I left, I felt a little more defeated.

Twenty minutes later, I was back at his office. "Still working on something important?" I asked. Oh my god please, any reaction.

This time, he just laughed and shook his head. "You tell me. You seem very interested." he grinned, his arm propped up with his head resting in his hand. I stared at him, searching for a flicker of frustration, anything to indicate he was growing tired of this. But no, he looked at me like I was the one who painted the sky.

Then, I decided to really test how far I could push him. “Hey… uhh…” I squinted at him, tapping my forehead as if I’m really trying to remember something, “What was your name again?” I asked, trying to act casual, pulling out some chocolate covered almonds from my pockets and popping them in my mouth. This reverse the arrow mission will actually get me fired.

He raised an eyebrow, but there was no sign of irritation, only humor. Jake let out a soft laugh, shaking his head in return. Slowly, he pointed to his nameplate that’s on his desk. “Jake Sim,” he said, dragging out his name with a knowing smile.

I stared at him for a second. Was he really going to play along with this? Did he seriously not mind being the target of my ridiculous antics?

♥︎ DAY 5 ♥︎

I was in front of my computer’s screen, the room was filled with the sounds of keyboards clicking and telephones ringing. Focusing on any type of work was impossible, all I could think about was him. I thought to myself that I should still try to set him up with someone else, Just get him interested in someone. I leaned back into my chair, my gaze following Jake who was at the water cooler. He was standing casually, the sleeves of his shirt rolled up just enough to show off his forearms. The way he moved—effortless, composed, yet somehow magnetic—was enough to make my thoughts spin out of control.

Before I could talk myself out of it, I flew up from my chair and headed towards his direction. “Hello, sir,” I said, politely. Oh suddenly I remembered what manners are…

He turned around his signature warm smile appearing the moment our eyes met. “Hey,” he replied, voice as smooth as ever. “Need a refill too?”

“Yeah, just a little,” I replied, but before I could move, he already took another cup. After he filled the other cup, he handed it to me. “Thank you, sir.” 

He huffed a laugh, “you know, the ‘sir’ ages me by a lot.”

“Right, I’m sorry. I forgot.” I said with a soft laugh.

We both stood there, side by side, the silence almost comfortable but the tension between us thickening. Then I broke the silence, “You know, don’t you think Mira is cute?” I asked, trying to sound natural as I fiddled with my paper cup filled with water. “I mean, she’s very elegant. Charming. Professional as well, don’t you think?”

Jake nodded, listening intently, but I noticed him drifting his gaze lower. I froze, my breath catching as I saw his fingers carefully adjust the small cupid bow-and-arrow pendant on my necklace that had somehow gotten tangled. His touch was so gentle, almost like he was afraid to hurt it—or maybe afraid to hurt me. My heart skipped a beat as he carefully set it back in place, and for a moment, everything seemed to slow.

His focus was still on me, his eyes lingered on mine for a heartbeat longer than I expected. And when he spoke, his voice was so sincere, it made my chest tighten. “She’s okay,” he shrugged, “but she’s not what I’m looking for.” His gaze never wavered, locking with mine as if trying to make sure I understood every word, every feeling behind them.

-♥︎-

Later that day, I went to the restroom before heading home for the day. As I was walking towards my desk, I noticed a couple familiar candy wrappers on my desk with a sticky note next to them. They were my chocolate covered almonds, the same brand even. I pulled the sticky note and stared at the neat handwriting, the words so simple, but they made my heart flutter more than it should have. 

It simply read, enjoy. Again, not signed. 

My fingers lingered over the edges of the paper, tracing the strokes of his pen. I stuffed the sticky note into the drawer of my desk, trying to ignore the strange feeling in my chest. But even with it hidden away, the flutter in my chest didn’t go away. If anything, it only grew stronger. I wasn’t supposed to feel this way. I couldn’t let myself feel this way.

♥︎ DAY 7 ♥︎

It was almost the end of Monday, and I felt completely defeated. None of the tricks had worked. Not the cold, distant act, not the jealousy plan, not even trying to be completely gross—nothing. Every strategy I tried to reverse the effects of that damn arrow had failed. It was like Jake just couldn’t be swayed. I was beyond tired, drained in every way. I hadn’t even seen Jake all day, and that should’ve been a relief. but honestly, it instead felt like something was missing. Every time I passed his office, there was a strange ache in my chest.

By the time the clock finally struck five, I gathered my things, shoved them into my bag, and walked out of my office. Today was the last day to reverse the effect, I’m seriously fucked. 

As soon as I stepped outside, the sky opened up, and rain poured down in sheets. The cold wind cut through my jacket, and my already exhausted mind screamed at me to just hurry up and get home. Groaning, I fumbled with my purse, mentally preparing myself for the walk home. 

“don’t tell me you're walking home in this.” a voice called out from behind me, cutting through the sound of the rain.

I turned around, I saw Jake with his bag in one hand and an umbrella in another. His hair was slightly messy, but still looking incredibly soft. His blazer was draped over his arm, leaving him in his button down white shirt. I forced a laughed, “"It’s fine. I don’t live that far," I said, trying to downplay how miserable I felt. "Really, it’ll just take a minute."

His eyes told me didn’t seem convinced, though. “Let me give you a ride home,” he offered in a heartbeat, but I quickly shook my head. “I’m fine, sir. Really, I—”

Before I could finish my sentence, he interrupted, pulling off his jacket and holding it out to me. "Take my jacket at least," he insisted. As I hesitated to say no, he held up his blazer in front of me, the insides of the blazer facing me. I sighed in defeat– more like too exhausted to argue– and slid my arms into it while he held it for me. As I was fixing the collar, he gently pulled my hair out from underneath the blazer. His fingers traced my neck, leaving hot trails behind. I turned around to see strands of hair falling on his forehead. 

"Here, take this too. You will catch a cold." he muttered, handing me his black umbrella. “Thank you, really…” I said, flustered by the gesture. He flashed a warm smile, “anytime.”

without another word, he turned and ran toward his car, the rain pelting his back. As he reached his car, he paused and turned to wave at me. I watched him, feeling an unexpected warmth spread through me. He looked like a soaked puppy—wet, tousled, and far too endearing for his own good. It made my heart give a little thump.

"See you tomorrow!" he shouted, his voice muffled by the rain.

I waved back, an involuntary smile tugging at my lips. As I watched him get into his car and drive off, I had accepted the fact that he was in love with me. But that does not mean I will fall for him. Ever. 

Pulling the jacket tighter around me, the weight of his gesture still warms me. As I was walking in the opposite direction towards my apartment, I instinctively reached out for my phone and put my hands in his blazer’s pockets thinking it was mine. I frowned as I felt small wrapped spheres in the pocket. Pulling it out, I found a familiar sight: my chocolate almonds.

I let out a quiet laugh, shaking my head, despite the growing flutter in my chest. That idiot really was hopeless.

-♥︎-

A few weeks have passed after the arrow’s effect has indefinitely settled in. My cupid duties have been on pause for a while, but not the office job. Our Boss kept on giving me– and it seemed like it was only me– many different tasks to finish for this upcoming project that forced me to stay late, after my usual office hours. 

The office was nearly empty. The usual hum of ringing phones and clicking keyboards had long since faded, leaving only the soft buzz of overhead lights. I leaned in my office chair with a sigh, rubbing my burning eyes from my screen. My documents were scattered around, words blurring together and losing their meaning. 

Despite all my attempts, my mind circles back to Jake. Guilt was eating me alive as I felt like I ruined his life, his love life. He was meant to fall in love with someone who can be with him, someone whose world aligned with his own. The guilt was so unbearable that I started avoiding him. I would turn to the opposite way whenever I sense he's nearby, I would be late for meetings on purpose so I could sit away from him, I would take the stairs so I don’t cross pathways with him in the elevator, I would make it seem like i get an important phone call each time I see him coming my way. I could see that it hurts him, but my remorse was overwhelming. Slowly but surely, his own attempts to speak to me reduced.

Even though his office wasn’t in my line of vision, I could sense his gaze on me from time to time. He was also still in his office, only his desk lamp was on, with him clicking away, very concentrated on his own computer. Whenever I stayed late at the office, Jake seemed to always be there too, leaving only us on our floor. He would never say anything to me, he wouldn't even step inside the shared workspace. He would stay in his office, but I could feel his presence from across the office. 

My eyes scanned over to the clock, 1:12 am. I took a deep breath and returned back to my screen. The sound of a foot creaking open made me stop reading a sentence midway. I didn’t need to look up to know who it was. His footsteps were slow, but purposeful as he made his way to my desk.

“You’re working way too hard.” Jake’s voice was softer than I expected, like he was choosing his words carefully, with his hands in his pockets. I couldn’t help but let out a breathy laugh. Before I could shut him down, he continued, “Do Cupids get paid overtime as well?”

My grip on my mouse tightened, my heart stilled. For a split second, I thought I misheard him. Surely the lack of sleep made me a little delirious. My eyes looked up at him before I could stop them, Jake had this knowing expression.

My stomach twisted in knots, my head is spinning, “I think you should head home, sir.” I dismissed, my eyes locking back to my screen with a thumping heart. God please tell me I’m imagining this…

He glanced down at the scattered notes on my desk before his gaze flickered back to me, “It’s funny, isn’t it?” Jake said, his smile not reaching his eyes, “You can make people fall in love… but you don’t know what to do when it happens to you.”

I swallowed hard, trying to stay still, unreadable even though every nerve in my body was on high alert. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Jake raised a brow. “Really? You have no clue what I’m talking about?”

“No clue.”

He let out a quiet exhale, his expression unreadable. A moment has passed of complete silence, I was praying that the earth’s crust would crack open and swallow me. 

“At first, I just had a feeling that something was up...” His voice wasn’t accusing or even angry, just observant. “Miss. Chungha slipped up and said something about how you ‘messed up’ the matchmaking…” the more he spoke, the more my chest tightened itself on my pounding heart. 

“And then,” he continued, watching me carefully, “I saw your open files on your desk a couple of times, with the names of couples you helped.” I winced, I should’ve been more careful.  

The fragile rawness of my soul felt like it was on open display. It felt like he had carefully taken apart every building block of my defense that i had built and was looking at what was is actually underneath.

The feeling of guilt emerges once again when I look at his sincere eyes. I felt like a deceiver and a liar, he had to know at this point, there was nothing left to hide. I sat up straighter than I already was, forcing my voice to stay even and failing miserably, “the love you feel for me isn’t real. I was supposed to matchmake you with someone—”

“I know.” he said it softly, with certainty.

I blinked, “what?”

Jake tilted his head slightly, watching my reaction as if he were giving me a moment to process it, a soft smile on his lips. “I know about the arrow, Y/N.” He said my name so gently it made my chest ache, my heartbeat pounded in my ears. “I’ve known for a while.” 

“However…” he said, leaning on a desk that was near mine, “i think the effect wore off faster than it should have. I think two days later I was feeling normal again.”

I closed my eyes to ease my beating heart, exhaustion and this deranged conversation was a dangerous mix at this hour,  “that’s impossible.” 

“If I had a choice,” he said, making me open my eyes and look up at him again, “I’d still want you.” He held my gaze before looking at my lips and then back into my eyes. 

I could no longer compute rational thoughts, or any thoughts at that. The world was spinning and steady all at once. Jake straightened himself and turned his heels towards the exit, “Don’t stay too late, okay?” his voice called out before he left, without facing him. 

He left me with my heart racing, feeling completely ruined. The weight of it all pressed down on me as tears fell down. I couldn’t pinpoint what exactly was making me cry– Jake finding out my sworn secret? Jake knowing I messed up on said secret job? or the fact that I have been feeling my powers slipping away? The thought of losing everything I had fought for because of my growing feelings was unbearable. My tears unraveled faster than my realisation that I actually fell for him.

-♥︎-

As if my life couldn’t be any harder, our Boss announced an emergency work trip across the country for a couple of client meetings, big ones at that. The kind that could define the next few months of the company’s future. Our trip was a haze for me, I stayed near either Chungha or Mira the entire time. My jake avoidance persisted despite the tension in the air, if i just act like none of this exists, it won’t affect me. 

Before I knew it, we were off the plane and checked into our individual hotel rooms. The hotel lobby had this muted hum of chatter and telephones ringing filling the space. As to not waste time, we were all immediately called down for the first client meeting. As I sat down, my B oss handed me a notepad with a pen, “please, take notes during the meeting.” I just nodded, no energy left in me to argue.

As usual, Jake was running the presentation. Though, this serious and composed attitude was a side of him that I hadn’t seen before. It caught me off guard, the way he stood at the front of the room, the projector illuminating his face as he explained the new project to the clients. His voice was steady, authoritative, and it was clear he was in his element. 

My notepad and pen sat in front of me, waiting to be used. But as the meeting progressed, I found my focus drifting from the content of the presentation to Jake. my eyes kept following his movements, how his hands gesture as he explained the key points, how his fingers occasionally adjusted his tie or brushed his hair back in that absent-minded way. The way his dark hair slightly tousled as he leaned forward, the little crease between his brows that appeared when he was deep in thought. In this room, in front of clients, he was assertive, and maybe even a little intimidating.

This was a stark contrast to the Jake who has been putting almond chocolates on my desk, or the one who always complimented my perfume choice of the day, or the one who leaves endless sticky notes at my desk. He was different, and it was… captivating.

I tried another attempt to focus on the presentation by scribbling down the client’s questions, what Jake was saying. The meeting continued, and Jake seemed to glide through it effortlessly. Every once in a while my mind would wander back to him, how easy it seemed for him to command the room with just his presence, how natural he was at all of this.

Soon enough, the meeting wrapped up. The clients were satisfied, Jake finished his presentation with a final handshake and brief thank-you to the clients. Our team packed up soon after, I raced to leave the suffocatingly hot room. The moment that our Boss gave us the green light that we can leave for the day, I beelined to the elevator, itching to just take off these stifling layers of clothes. 

Once I reached my hotel room, I started a cold shower immediately, letting the icy stream douse over my skin to cool the heat that had been building ever since the meeting. I needed to clear her head, to push away the fluttering thoughts that refused to leave my mind. As I stood under the water, I kept remembering how Jake moved, the sharpness in his gaze and how my body responded to his subtle but undeniable presence. How can someone look like a cute puppy one second then the hottest man alive the next?

After washing my hair and body, I stepped out of the shower and wrapped myself in the hotel’s bathrobe. My skin was still tingling from the cold water, my face still flushed from my racing thoughts. I left the bathroom and tried to find my phone in the pile of mess I left before rushing in the shower. 

Soft knocking was heard from my door, making me stop my search. It must be one of the girls. Another series of knocks made me pick up my pace and rush over to the door. When I opened it, it was, in fact, neither of the girls. I locked eyes with Jake instead. He was only in a light blue button down shirt, the sleeves were rolled up. His hair was a little messy compared to how it looked in the meeting.

It took a moment for the both of us to register the situation, the ‘I’m only in a robe’ situation. Jake stood there, looking just as flustered as I felt, making me tug the robe tighter around my figure. His gaze quickly flicked downward to the floor, clearing his throat, “god, I’m sorry. I will come back lat-” 

“It’s alright, really.”

“I just need your notes of the meeting earlier,” he said, his eyes now looking at me. “Oh shit, I completely forgot,” I pinched the bridge of my nose. 

I went back into my room, trying to find my notepad and my phone now, “I swear I can’t find anything. The plane landing, then the meeting… it was all too fast.” I said as I rummaged from my stuff. Jake held the door open, watching me frankly running around the room. “I’m sorry, this is really unprofessional of me…” I uttered. As if professionalism has been common in my behavior these past months…

Jake stepped in my room, letting out a short laugh because of my state, “take it easy, I’m not in a rush.” he said, letting the door click shut behind him. After moving my sweater to the side, I found the notepad tucked under it. I got up on my feet and handed it to him, “here they are, I'm so sorry again…” 

“No need to apologise, hun,” he chuckled, taking the notes from hands. The nickname made my heart flip. Considering my current state, this was a really bad time for flirting.

Instead of just walking away or leaving the room, Jake comfortably opened them right there, standing at the door. He quickly scanned through them, his brow furrowing as he reread a few lines. He looked the same way he did in the meeting—so serious, so focused. His lips barely moved as he reread the notes, his entire body leaned forward in concentration. Every little thing he did—how his fingers brushed against the paper, the way he chewed the inside of his cheek when he concentrated—it all made my mind scream at me to stop looking, to stop thinking about him this way, but my body betrayed me.

“Your face is burning up,” he asked, his voice soft but laced with genuine worry. “Did you catch something from the plane ride?” 

Before I could react, Jake gently placed his hand on my forehead, then my cheeks, my jaw, his touch surprisingly tender. His hand lingered for a moment, trying to assess if my red face is because of a fever. The warmth of his skin was clashing with my ice cold shower earlier. He came a little closer as his hand cupped my face, still trying to see if I’m sick. 

I looked up at him, I probably looked dazed, “sir…” I finally said something, my voice was barely a whisper. My eyes involuntarily flickered to his pink lips.

“When will you get it that it's ‘Jake’ to you?” he said, his thumb moving from the side of my face to my lips, his touch sent shivers down my spine, his own eyes looking at my lips. The air between us thickened as he leaned in, letting our lips touch. 

His hands found my waist, pulling me closer to him. Each kiss was more urgent than the last. My fingers tangled in his now extremely messy hair, pulling him deeper. His cologne was stronger than ever. If I could memorise this feeling, if I could memorise how he tasted and felt, before it slipped away I would. There was no thought—only the desperation to feel more, as if this is our one and only chance to hold each other. 

I pulled back slightly, catching my breath. His forehead rested against mine, "for a Cupid," he murmured with a chuckle, "you're quite confusing." I couldn’t help but let out a breathy laugh, my fingers found the nape of his neck. 

Just as the distance between us closed again, a loud knocking echoed from the hotel door. “Y/N! Why aren’t you picking up your phone?” Chungha’s voice rang through the door, filled with concern and a touch of annoyance.

I froze, panic seizing me in an instant. "Oh no," my eyes wide with realization. "Jake—" I barely whispered, my mind racing as I quickly backed away from him. Jake immediately took a step back, his hand held mine, his face turning to confusion as he caught the urgency in my eyes. “I can’t be seen like this with my Boss,” I whispered to him urgently. 

We scanned the room, finding a hiding spot for him. I ended up grabbing his wrist, leading him to the closet near the door in a hurry. Without protest, I pushed him into the small space as he ducked into the closest with a chuckle, leaving me to try to regain control of the situation.

I rushed to the door and opened it just enough to reveal Chungha’s expectant face. "Hey, what’s going on?" she asked, her eyes darting over me as she stepped inside. I waved my hand frantically, trying to act casual. “Just came out of the shower,” I said, motioning to my robe that I was still wearing, that I was wearing while kissing our Boss.

 “Why didn’t you call me?” I asked, trying to distract her. Chungha raised an eyebrow, “I tried, but you weren’t answering. I wanted to order something, I wanted to see if you wanted anything.” She glanced around, stepping further into the room. Her attention was diverted, I could feel my heart pounding, the sound of Jake shifting in the closet just beyond the thin closet door.

I took a deep breath once Chungha was out of my line of vision, and then hurriedly, without thinking too much about it, shooed Jake out the closet. “Go, go, go!” I whispered urgently.

He smirked, “you’re cute when you panic." he commented, as if this was the right moment to do so. “Oh my god, i will kill you with my bare hands, go!” I whispered, pushing him out the door.  

“I'm hesitating between pizza and sushi. What do you say?” I heard Chungha’s voice call out as I clicked the door shut. I swear my hotel’s door looks like a revolving door.

“I'm fine with both!” I responded, trying to catch my breath. I leaned against the door for a second, pressing my palms to my flushed face, trying to ground myself. My heart was still racing, my skin still burning from his touch, and worst of all—my lips still tingled from the kiss.

What the hell was I doing?

-♥︎-

After many meetings and conferences that we were all forced to sit through, the familiar hum of the office was back—the ringing phones, the clatter of keyboards, the distant murmur of coworkers chatting by the coffee machine. Everything was the same. Except me.

I sat at my desk, blankly staring at my screen. I blinked, trying to focus on the words that are blurring together, but it was no use. I felt like a zombie, just so drained– not just physically, but in a way I couldn’t even describe.

The little magic I once felt at my fingertips was gone. I used to hear it, the universe’s quiet whisper, the way love threaded itself through the world like a melody only I could recognize. But now? Silence.

Jake noticed my changed humor. Of course, he did. He noticed the pile of untouched almonds on my desk that he left on desk, how I poked at my lunch instead of eating it, and how I barely even reacted when Chungha cracked a joke during their break. 

Chungha noticed, but she knew I wanted space, so she didn’t push. Everytime i would space out in my thoughts, she would put her hand in mine, kiss my hand ever so lightly before leaving me to it.

I would catch him staring– his brows drawn together in concern. I would frown back at him, feeling my chest bubbling with unreason frustration. I hate this. I hate the way he looks at me like I am slipping through his fingers, like he wanted to reach out but didn’t know how. And most of all, I hated how much I felt, how much all of this hurts. 

This wasn’t supposed to happen. I wasn’t supposed to care this much. I wasn’t supposed to lose this part of myself. And yet, here I am. A complete mess without it.

I decided to go home early, my Boss just waved me off while on the phone, muttering a ‘whatever’ under his breath. If I had strength in me, I would have reacted to his rudeness, but I just quietly walked to my desk. Chungha watched me pack my purse, “heading out?” she asks, her eyes sympathetic. 

I weakly smiled back at her, “i will see you on monday, i promise,” 

“Lemme walk you home, you look pale,” she said, standing up from her seat and ready to put on her jacket. “No, stay. I will be fine. Plus, I don't know what’s up the Boss’ ass right now, but he won't appreciate both of us leaving,” 

Her shoulders slumped down, “alright, as you wish.” she said in defeat, pulling me in a tight hug before letting me leave. 

-♥︎-

The knocking at my door stirred me out of my nap. I groaned as I lifted myself off my couch, still in my office clothes. I was so tired that I just collapsed on the couch the moment I walked in. I pulled the thin blanket I used tighter around my shoulders as I made my way to my apartment’s door. 

The knock came again—gentle but insistent. I glanced at the clock on my wall, 11:45pm. No way it's Chungha… she would've come by earlier than this hour. My eyes and heart still feel heavy, the nap was not enough. I caught a glimpse of myself in my small hallway mirror, hair poking from every direction, puffy eyes, red face. With a sigh, I unlocked the door and used all the force I had left to open it.  

The moment it opened, I froze and my throat dried up.

Jake stood there, holding a basket in one hand and some leftover containers in the other. He was no longer in his office suit, instead he was wearing jeans, a simple shirt and a basketball hat, however his heavy signature Rolex is still on his wrist. His brows knitted together in concern the second he saw my face. 

“Hey,” he said, clearing his throat, “I thought you were under the weather, so I made you some beef stew and cookies,” he continued, lifting the leftover containers slightly. I stare at him, and then at the food. 

Then, it just hit me all at once as tears filled my eyes. The fact that he’s here trying to fix something he never caused, or the fact he cared so much he cooked me food and dessert, or the fact that I have been unreasonably angry at him, all just made those tears spill over. 

“I… I can’t—” my voice broke, “I don’t know how to fix this. Any of this.”

Jake’s face shifted from confusion to alarm the moment he saw my tears. “Y/N,” he murmured, his voice softer but laced with concern. “What’s wrong?” he asked, set the food down as I let out a choked sob. The amount of crying I have been doing has been leaving my head pounding against my skull. 

“Everything. I just…” I trailed off, fresh tears spilling down my cheeks. I felt pathetic, to be quite honest. He opened up his arms without hesitation, through my tears, I got closer to him and wrapped my arms around him, steading myself.  

“Oh, love…” he sighed after hearing another sob from me, his voice filled with nothing but warmth. Without a word, he guided me inside, shutting the door behind us. After setting the basket on the kitchen’s counter, his eyes landed on me again. I probably looked like hell, from the work clothes to the unkempt hair to the probably smudged makeup.

“Y/N…” his voice comforting but hesitant. “Talk to me.”

My throat tightened, not allowing me to speak. When he saw new tears threatening to come out, Jake inhaled, with a quiet murmur of, “come here,” he led me toward the couch. I didn’t argue. Didn’t think. All of those actions took too much energy. I just simply followed, letting myself collapse next to him on the couch.

The grief of losing a part of my identity, the exhaustion, the feeling of failure, the weight of everything—it all felt heavier than ever. I shifted slightly, curling up and resting my head on his lap. He didn’t flinch or hesitate, his fingers found my back, running slow, soothing circles on it. 

After a while, the apartment became calmer, the soft hum of the city could be heard outside my apartment window. Jake’s been quiet ever since, every so often you would only hear my sniffling. I let out a breath I have not realized I was holding.

“I’m no longer a Cupid,” I murmured, eyes staring blankly at the side of the small living room, face pressed up against Jake's chest. “And I don’t know what that means for me.”

Jake hummed thoughtfully, his fingers never stopping their soft movements. “Well,” he said, amusement lacing his voice, “you could always be my retired Cupid.”

I huffed out something close to a laugh. “That sounds exhausting.”

“Nah,” he grinned. “Just means you get to sit back and let me do all the chasing. Nothing new.”

I giggled against his chest, hearing his heartbeat again once my laughter faded. “Can I be honest with you?” I asked hesitantly, looking up at him from my position.

“Always.”

I swallowed hard before I spoke up again, “I was… mad at you for a moment,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “For making me fall for you.”

He blinked, surprised, before suddenly laughing. “Wait—that’s why you were avoiding me? Shit, I thought you regretted the kiss.”

“That’s not the case.” I blurted out before I could stop myself. Jake stared down at me, one brow raised and a smile slowly forming on his lips. I opened my mouth to backtrack, to save myself, but all that came out was a flustered, “I—I mean, it was—you were—”

he let out a full, warm laugh. “Oh my god,” I groaned, immediately burying my face back into his chest “I hate you.”

“You enjoyed it,” he repeated, smug now.

“Stop talking.” I whined, my voice muffled against his own laughter. 

-♥︎-

I walked into the office the next morning, my shoulders feeling much lighter. A warm smile spreads across my face as I greet my coworkers, noticing a slight rosiness in my cheeks. The bounce in my steps slowed down when I noticed a large bouquet on my office desk. 

“Always a special delivery for the Miss…” Chungha said, the bouquet completely blocked me from seeing her. I snorted a laugh at her comment before I stepped closer to the bouquet. I ran my fingers ever so slight over the soft petals of the pink roses, my heart doing an embarrassing little flip as I spotted a note tucked between them. Carefully, I unfolded the small card.

For my retired Cupid.

Unsigned. I huffed sharply with a smile, a mix of amusement and something warmer blooming in my chest. Instinctively, my gaze flickered upward—to the glass walls of his office. And, of course, he was already looking at me, probably saw my whole reaction. 

Jake didn’t even pretend to be subtle. His chin rested on his hand, smiling and eyes glistening with that same familiar puppy love. I rolled my eyes, a smile still on my lips, I pulled out my phone.

“For someone no longer under Cupid’s influence, you’re really not acting like it.” - “Me”, Delivered 30 sec ago

[worldstechinformation]

[rydengg]

A Chilling Encounter at the Gas Station

REDDIT

Woosh. Woosh. Woosh. The wind whipped against each lamp post as I passed them on the two lane strip of road that connected my house to the nearest - well, anything west of it.

I would normally have no reason to drive this far in the opposite direction of civilization but, unfortunately, my time is often lost to the screen of my computer or tv. By the time I realized how hungry I was, the clock on my lock screen read 1:24 A.M. and maybe in a more densely populated area, that wouldn’t be a problem, but this town is a church town. Like, a church every day of the week type of town. Nothing is open past 10.

Meanwhile, if you drive a ways out in the opposite direction, you’ll find a mediocre little gas station in, more or less the middle of nowhere. The place hadn’t been updated since 1974 but they carried some of the best snacks. The fact that the weirdo boss had a knack for exclusively hiring pretty cashiers was just an added bonus for a small-town closeted bisexual like myself. Even if he hadn’t; my fridge was empty and thus, the journey was necessary.

That night, the entire feeling as I pulled my shitty little Civic into the parking lot of the Glorious Day Gas ‘n Go was off. Even before getting out of my car, I could see the girl behind the cash register through the large storefront windows. She was absent-mindedly braiding a strand of pin straight brown hair before letting it go, allowing it to unravel and repeating the process again. I recognized her, actually. Kathleen. She wasn’t necessarily THE popular girl back in school but she was certainly well liked, even though pretty much everyone agreed that Kathleen was a bit of a ditz. An airhead. The less nice girls would call her stupid but she really wasn’t. More than a little absent-minded; definitely, just a sweet girl with her head in the clouds.

Shit, I’d remembered just then that the GDGNG has a window service only policy after certain parts of the night. The main counter stood in the center of the building but there was a smaller version near the door, one which contained a small metal hatch and drawer, where you’d have to do your transaction when it was really late. This was annoying as the attendant would have to shop for you. I couldn’t remember whether or not it kicked in at 1 AM or 2, but I figured I’d have to approach the building and find out either way, so I got moving.

Shutting off my car, I got out, slamming the door closed. Kathleen made no effort to move towards the night drawer, so I went for the door and found it unlocked. So, I shopped like normal. She continued to play with her hair, seeming at least somewhat aware of my presence but not quite responding with the normal “hello” or “welcome in” greeting most of the girls were likely required to say.

I found myself shopping a little slower than usual, stealing glances back at her to see if she’d moved, somehow kind of knowing in my skin that she’d still be standing there, playing with that same strand of hair. She wore the required “uniform,” mainly street-clothes but with a small apron that would normally be white but she’d clearly tried to DIY dye hers pink. I’d already known from school that this was a regular thing she was known to do with much of her clothing. If she couldn’t buy it pink, she was gonna make it pink.

Her eyes were locked into an empty stare out the large front window, her mind seemingly somewhere different. Not to either end of the road. Just out into the nothingness that surrounded that gas station. She had been doing so from the moment I’d pulled in and by then she still really hadn’t stopped. There was a strange feeling growing in the air, although my awareness of it was at the time chalked up to the lateness of the evening. I tried my best to mind my business as I grabbed a few small bags of chips, some microwavable noodles, a bag of peanut butter m&ms, two packs of gum, and a mountain dew.

The sound of me setting the products quietly on the counter startled Kathleen - her name tag reading KATY with two glittery little bubble stickers shaped like pink butterflies on either side - out of her odd trance. I felt my heart skip a beat when her gaze broke from the window and turned to me. It was like I had snapped her out of a dream and she wasn’t quite awake yet. “Oh, shit, you aren’t supposed to be in here.” It seemed like she was saying it more to herself than me, which she also became aware of and put on some semblance of the “customer service” act everyone who’s ever had to work with the public knows too well. “Sorry, I mean our front doors are supposed to be locked. I can check you out here though, just don’t tell my boss.” I could tell she’d said this to lighten the weird static in the entire building but there was a hollowness to it that started to make my stomach turn.

Katy didn’t immediately move to start scanning my items - although she did cease fiddling with her hair - and instead, continued talking. “I’m not used to night shifts. My co-worker’s kid is sick and I had to change my whole routine - my boyfriend was NOT amused.”

My tummy started feeling even more sick and yet there was a strange… pull I had to her, like I was unable to disengage and address how truly strange the situation felt or just why such a normal exchange had my skin feeling like static. “Oh man, Kathleen, I’m sorry to hear that. Men can be such assholes.” I said, letting out a fake chuckle afterwards that was surprisingly convincing for how utterly disconnected I felt from everything around us. Katy’s hands returned to her hair though she did seem a bit more present in the moment. She chuckled too. There was a slight glimmer of recognition that came after that. “You went to Harrington, too.” she said with a hollow smile. “Yeah, I think I was two grades below you.” I shuffled my body weight from one foot to the other. The handful of words between the two of us felt like they stretched across hours already. I was barely thinking of the snacks anymore or my growling stomach.

“Everyone in high school used to use my full name, but Dan is the only one who calls me Kathleen anymore.” Her fingers that had once been easily looping her hair in an effortless little braid now began to look a little stiff and clumsy, although Katy didn’t seem to notice it. “I prefer to be called Katy.” She trailed off and her gaze had returned to the exact same spot out the window. The little glimmer that I could feel was waning.

I tried to keep the conversation going in hopes she’d snap out of it. “It’s been so long, I'm glad to see a familiar face at least - the face of a friend.” We really didn’t interact much at all back in the day, but this intentional choice of wording brought back a little bit more warmth into the exchange between us. Still, it didn’t fully penetrate to break the blank behind her eyes. “Definitely! I feel like I’m either always working or hanging out with Dan. I can’t remember the last time I did something fun...” She trailed off again a little bit before snapping back to normal, picking up and scanning my items. “That’ll be $7.54.” Katy said the words but didn’t reach out her hand at all to grab the cash. After several seconds of silence, I set the ten down on the counter. She looked at it but didn’t pick it up, instead pushing a button on the cash register that popped the drawer open.

Empty. Like, empty empty. “Huh.” The inflection - or lack thereof - in her voice sent a chill down my spine. “I think I forgot to stock my drawer when I came in tonight.” Katy pushed the drawer back closed and allowed her gaze to float back to the window. I began to think that maybe she’d taken something - like pills or molly or whatever - that wasn’t agreeing with her. She’d be far from the only person who’s gotten inebriated and then was suddenly called into work, maybe she was just having a bad reaction.

“How do you feel right now, Katy?”

Katy didn’t respond, not to that or several other verbal tries to get her to respond; even the lightest conversation or the most direct questions. Without thinking much of it, I reached across the counter and gently shook her left shoulder.

Several things happened in quick succession. The touch of her skin gave my hand a shock. Small, but it hurt. It disoriented me, too. Katy began to gasp in a panic but the air and the sound was more reminiscent of someone trying desperately to swallow puke. There was a gooey burbling sound, too, but I couldn’t figure out the location it was coming from. She stumbled backwards and that same elbow knocked several packs of loose tobacco to the floor, a few of which burst open and spilled behind the counter.

We both stood there frozen for a minute, not saying anything to one another. Katy now had both her arms wrapped tightly around her chest, almost hugging herself while still gazing out that window. Despite this, she was aware of the mess. “Fuck.” she said under her breath - or rather OUT of breath.

I realized at that moment that had few options; I could get the fuck out of there, call for help, and leave her alone + possibly strung out in an empty gas station - or I could accept that I’m already in this weird fucking situation and try to get this girl some help, or at the least see her through whatever trip or high she was experiencing. So far, behaving as normally as possible had worked to keep Katy from spinning back into a daze, so trying to be helpful seemed a good way to normalize the situation.

“Katy, do you have a broom? Where do you keep your cleaning supplies? We should clean this up or something.” I was taking measured breaths, doing everything in my natural ability to achieve calm even just for myself at that point, not only for her sake. Still, the task was harder than it should’ve been; it wasn’t hard to think. It was more like my brain felt like a steel trap while my body waved from autopilot and fight/flight/freeze.

“Over there.” She pointed to the little narrow hallway that led to the bathrooms. I didn’t look where she pointed then. I could only stare at her face.

Katy’s mouth was bleeding. Not badly, but her teeth were thinly coated in blood. I thought “This girl isn’t just high. This girl is not well.” She needed help and although my brain told my body to grab her and leave, I felt myself instead moving towards the hall and bathrooms.

Something in my body said “you need to get the broom” although it made little sense to do so. I just had to get that broom, head back to the counter, get Katy and get out. I cleared my thoughts and moved with nothing on my mind but the task at hand until I felt my palm on the handle of the broom. There was no sense of relief from this and the desire to get the hell out only compounded as I turned myself around, not getting all the way before freezing in front of the women’s bathroom. The door was wedged open a bit by something pink.

My stomach didn’t just hurt anymore. A thick wave of nausea started to fester at the lowest part of my belly and my heart began to race as I gently pushed the door with my free hand. It was a pink slip on shoe. More importantly, these were Katy’s pink slip on skate shoes. Puke fought its way up my throat as opening the door revealed more of the scene.

Katy was laid on her back with her limbs spread out. Her jeans, t-shirt, and hodge-podgely pink dyed apron were stained in copious amounts of slowly darkening and drying blood. It pooled out widely beneath her. A rather large hunting knife stuck out of the left side of her chest, right dead in the heart. Her head was turned to the side and her eyes stood open, staring blankly. It wouldn’t occur to me until days later that she’d been facing the same direction I’d seen her staring the entire time. One skinny little braid sat over her shoulder, half undone and saturated in blood. Her name tag, “KATY”, had miraculously remained unsullied by any carnage.

Surprisingly, the puke that had begun to build went back down. The nausea washed back away and it felt that I was instead caught in the river-like current of electricity that had been carrying my every movement from the moment I tapped on Katy’s shoulder. I gently let the door rest back in place before dragging the broom and dust pan to the counter. Katy still stood there in some strange defiance of the horrible reality of her own demise. She didn’t move to grab the broom but I didn’t move to help her clean it up, either. I just leaned it next to her and moved back to the front of the counter.

“So…” my voice shook, but surprisingly not nearly as much as I thought it would. “Who else has been in tonight?” Katy’s eyes fluttered with some level of lucidity. “I…. I guess I don’t know.”

I couldn’t tell you what guided me through that conversation. It wasn’t wit. It wasn’t knowledge. It wasn’t overwhelming compassion. I felt like an audience member if nothing else. I listened to myself ask all the right questions as if nothing was wrong though it was hard to pay attention to the answers. Katy continued to deteriorate right in front of me. Her breathing became wet sounding - a familiar thing I realized I’d heard when she had gasped earlier. Blood began to seep from under her apron, left side obviously, and eventually much more from her mouth.

“Dan killed me, didn’t he?”

He had.

Katy being a “ditz” wasn’t the only chat around the town. Dan had gone to school with us too. He had always been the violent type of jock with a garbage personality to match their bad reputation, and everyone knew that. The two of them, Katy and Dan, didn’t get along in high school. I still don’t know how they ended up together down the line.

It had only gotten worse with age as alcohol inevitably became involved. That’s how this shit always goes. Dude becomes a monster. Somehow the girl gets blamed. Before her death, everyone said she was too stupid to leave or liked the attention or whatever.

Anyway, that’s just word around a small town.

I couldn’t tell her for sure what had happened, but I knew she had to know inside somehow.

“I don’t know, but you do.” the words once again sort of came without thought. It’s odd to hear your own voice and yet… not quite recognize it.

She lifted a now off color arm up to awkwardly wipe her mascara tears. It was a lethargic and clumsy attempt by fingers that seemed stiff as stone. Every moment appeared to be bringing havoc upon her form. “I always forget to lock that stupid fucking door. I saw him coming but I really thought he couldn’t get me….” Even in that moment, I somehow still thought “she's so beautiful.” She rested against the back counter and slid down into a crouching position while burbling in a nauseating sounding way and choking out one self-deprecation after another. This only lasted for a minute or two before the tears ceased and Katy absent-mindedly stood back up.

With clumsy hands, she grabbed my items from the bag they’d been in and put them into a new bag before repeating (or rather sputtering through little trickles of black thick blood) “that’ll be $7.54.” I picked up the ten and handed it to her once again. She grabbed it this time and I felt that shock of energy again. She didn’t do anything with it; just kept grasping it in her hand.

I still look back now and wish something more profound had come out of my mouth at that moment but instead, only a simple gesture came to mind. “Thanks, Katy. Hit me up sometime, I’d really like to catch up. I think we’d make good friends.” Kathleen said nothing but smiled. Blood still poured from within.

The next few minutes were a blur but, as I’d later see on security footage, I more or less went through the motions. I left the store and got into my car before picking up my cellphone to call 911. I came back to a somewhat coherent level about halfway through the call when I was sobbing profusely as some poor emergency operator tried their damndest to decipher my words.

Dan knew Katy had a tendency to forget to do lock-ups, especially when she was alone. He knew he could confront her without costing her that job and set off to do so that night. Katy thought she’d locked the door. She ran to hide in the bathroom and the gesture of her running away pissed Dan off enough that he pulled the hunting knife he brought with him just about everywhere. She got most-way into the bathroom, he lunged in after her. Being a hunter gives a person knowledge about anatomy and killing cleanly, so I guess he had no problem plunging that thing directly in a way that would puncture her heart. He didn’t expect to nick her lungs but it didn’t matter. Her heart bled into her lungs. She died too quickly to understand what happened to her.

Being a hunter made him a more capable killer with a weapon but it didn’t make him smart about getting away with murder. The security camera caught him doing everything except the act as well. It didn’t take law enforcement but a minute to figure him out. He was caught in the middle of a half-assed suicide attempt after the security footage was watched and the knife was traced back to him. The first half of the security cams were enough to fry him. We know what he did.

After his crime, Dan left the GDGNG in an emotional frenzy, only coming back for a moment to ransack the cash register in hopes of making it look like a robbery before getting into his truck and leaving. About thirty minutes pass, then this odd mass of dark black purple and blue opalescent light and camera fuzz slowly moves from the hallway back into the middle of the counter space, behind the cash register. Ten more minutes pass, my car pulls into the parking lot.

Every time I touched her - it, the light, I DONT KNOW - I was seen in the video actually touching it. Just watching, I could feel some semblance of that same feeling, just in the very tips of my fingers. It all went the same way. It handed me my things, it held my ten dollar bill - that really stuck with me at that moment because up until then, I wasn’t sure if any of it had happened at all or if I was truly losing it. That was proof to me; seeing those detectives and doctors faces of puzzled disbelief seeing the very same thing I was.

The second half of the tape was left out of criminal proceedings, naturally.

Yet after a while of fruitless treatment, the doctors sat me down and were frank with me; there is no explanation for what’s happening - not one they’re realistically finding - unless they pick one and just assign it to me. Eventually, they ruled it was a “temporary bout of psychosis brought on by trauma” essentially saying that finding “a dead girl” was too much for my brain to comprehend. They gave me a clean bill of mental health, they gave me back my shit, and let me leave.

I hadn’t cried in a while at that point but sitting there in the same clothes (yeah they didn’t even give me something clean to leave with) with the gas station store bag packed in with my wallet, car keys, and random shit that was in my pockets… Well, yeah. It reasonably brought on the waterworks. I pulled out the keys and my wallet but stared at the rest for a while before finally pulling out the generic THANKYOU THANKYOU THANKYOU plastic bag.

A mountain dew, some noodles, chips, chocolate, and gum. I picked up each and held them in my hands for a moment before moving onto the next one. I could’ve waited until I got home but knowing this would probably be my only quiet moment before family absolutely smothered me like I knew they wanted to, I felt I needed to do it then. I got to the last item, a pack of pink bubble gum. The weight and density felt off and the shape of the brightly printed packaging was bulging at the corners. With shaking hands, I removed the somehow untampered plastic wrap to find what I already knew in my heart would be there.

A name tag, pristine. Printed KATY with tiny little pink butterfly bubble stickers.

The Glorious Day Gas ‘n Go was closed within the month of that horrible incident. All four pumps had already been removed by the time I left the hospital. Even though that little corner store was barely even part of our shitty church town, the embarrassment of a passion killing at a gas station was not a lovely look and the owner was quickly elbowed out of business and eventually out of town.

What I didn’t expect to later find out was the overflowing compassion for Katy. Nobody blamed her for not locking that door. Actually, come to find out, the owner could’ve set it to automatically lock and chose not to. He felt Katy would only learn to be less absent minded that way. People didn’t see it that way.

People held memorials. There were quite a few photos, bears, flowers, and other things now placed lovingly outside the building. People loved her more than she gave herself credit for.

It’s been a while since then and I consider Katy a dear friend and someone close to my heart. The story of her death has become more of a local scandal and I suppose one day it will become urban legend, though as far as I know, nobody knows the truth of what happened to me that night.

I saw her one more time; just once. I drive out there every few months, just to remind myself of her. I think I lingered the longest the year anniversary of that night. Right before I went to start my car to head back home, I felt that familiar static energy in my fingertips and it caused me to look up at the deeply dilapidated building one more time.

The silhouette of a person stood where the cashiers counter once was.

l swear, she way toying with her hair.

[zillanovikov]

My opinion of Ellipsus vs Google Docs as a (very unprofessional) author after about six weeks of using it:

The default font is much prettier than Google Docs which shouldn't matter to me enough to be point number one but it does

It's not stealing my data to train an AI, hands down better than fucking Google

It worked perfectly when I was under 15,000 words but I'm writing a novel and it's a bit slower to load now I'm well over the 20k mark, this is net neutral because Google Docs does the same thing, no one understands how verbose I am

When I contacted customer about this and another glitch a REAL LIVE HUMAN BEING NAMED KATE ACTUALLY ANSWERED ME TO HELP remember this is a FREE SERVICE but I would put absolute money down that Kate is not a bot what the fuck in the year of our lord 2k24 human customer service does not exist Kate is a fucking GIFT

Kate told me that Ellipsus would run faster if In tried a browser other than Firefox and I was like "but the whole point is to avoid Google products stealing my data" and Kate told me about the Brave browser which has watered my crops and cured my acne, thank you Kate

Network effects suck, aka none of my beta readers use Ellipsus so I have to copy and paste into Google Docs for feedback, but that's the price of being a cool early adopter

the login stuff is really cool and makes it really easy to swap devices which I do a lot (that's 50% of why I don't use scrivener, I do most of my writing on my phone but then I mostly edit on my computer so I want my wip to live on the cloud)

it sometimes works offline--if it's already open and I lose connection I can keep writing but if I try to open my web browser and start writing offline it doesn't work? But I bet if I asked Kate or the community forums there is a way

Yes you can get a link to halfway through the document so my novel after this one which is a chooseable path adventure will work to write in Ellipsus, I found this out from the community forums which include a lot of helpful and sexy early adopters (early adopters are inherently sexy)

I don't like how commenting works, you can only leave comments on drafts (I think with the assumption that my beta readers are the ones commenting but this is incorrect, I am usually leaving comments for myself so I don't forget plot points), this would be okay if I had a draft version that automatically updated as the main version updated but I think the drafts are static when you make them. I don't want to manually copy new chapters over into a draft so I can leave comments on it. As I type this I realize I could just do all my writing on a "draft" version instead of the "main" version and this would solve my problem huh thanks for being my rubber duck Tumblr

If you have questions about my experience I can answer them?

Tl;dr Ellipsus is about equal to Google Docs with some benefits and some downsides. Big ups to Ellipsus on customer service and on not stealing my data to train their AI, but downside that since none of my friends use Ellipsus I'm basically forced to use Google Docs anyway to share my WIP.

[whisperingthorns]

(Yandere Ticci Toby x Reader)

Chapter 4: Unseen Care

Find chapter 3 Here:

Toby was at the library, a bit pissed off at the slow system and outdated computers. Also, the dirty looks he was getting due to his tics. He knew it was only so long before someone kicked him out. He was also annoyed his target seemed so elusive. He couldn’t find them anywhere. He gave a quiet whine before looking up at the ceiling and brainstorming ideas on how else to get information on this guy.

That’s when an idea came to mind, but not one for his target. He’s never thought of it before but why didn’t he just….

He pulled up the search engine, fingers typing quickly. “(Y/n) (L/n)” Surely she had some sort of social media or-

Holy shit. Why hadn’t he? It felt like such an obvious way to know more about her, to see parts of her life that she hadn’t told him about.

His heart skipped a beat when a YouTube channel appeared with her name. The thumbnail showed her smiling, holding a guitar in her lap. He clicked on it, and her voice flooded his headphones. It was soft, melodic, and mesmerizing. As she sang, Toby’s pulse quickened. She was perfect. She had to know she was perfect, right? But then he glanced down at the comments, and his stomach twisted.

"Your voice is amazing!"

"You’re so talented! Please post more!"

“I could listen to you all day."

Toby’s jaw clenched. Who the hell were these people? All these strangers showered her with compliments like they had the right to be close to her. They didn’t *know* her. Not like he did. How dare they think they had a claim on her attention, on her voice? *That* was his. She was his.

Anger surged through him, clouding his judgment. Before he could stop himself, he typed a comment.

"You’re not that good. Maybe stop singing and spare us all."

His finger hovered over the enter key. Nah it would take more than that. He wondered whose account he was even on because he couldn’t comment without an account. Whoever used the computer last would just have to deal with it….no. There was nothing he could do or say that would get her to stop making videos. Unless he broke all her instruments. Awe. But then she was crying…and come to him…and cry about it…and let him hug her.

Maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea…nah. Too much hassle. Hm. He got out of his phone searching the video for himself. He couldn’t comment or anything on it, but it was nice. Maybe if the power was back on at his house the service would be up. Maybe he could set the video to loop…get it to play him like a nice lullaby.

More irritated looks. His time was up. Toby clicked off and left.

⦻

Toby frowned at your door. It felt weird to not have to sneak up on it. To be so close while the sun was still out. He looked down at the flowers he bought nervously. He twitched more nervously. He can’t stand at the door forever. He rang the doorbell. Seconds passed. Maybe this was a mistake, maybe he just turned back around and-

“Toby!” Too late, you had opened the door. “I was starting to think you wouldn’t show!” Her eyes shifted to the flowers. “Ooh! Those are lovely.” She gave a smile and opened the door. “Come on, don’t be shy!” Toby blushed and stepped in.

The scene before him made his heart sink. The room wasn’t empty. Kai is who his eyes landed on first. Next to him was a girl who looked pretty similar. With golden brown skin and full lips. She was very pretty. Of course not as pretty as his angel. Nobody was as pretty as his angel. Her face seemed to sit in a sort of natural smirk. Mischievous if you will. Her hair was dark and straight unlike Kai’s though and her eyes were a subtle green.

The other girl kinda scared Toby. She had hard short black hair that stopped at the bottom of her ears. The ends curled slightly, giving it a bit untamed look. Her skin was pale like she never went outside much. Not the sickly gray his was though. She had dark circles under her eyes which were steel gray. They held a sense of mischief as well, but the wrong kind. As they could see right through Toby and instantly knew all his secrets. A giddy of knowing something he didn’t almost.

The final girl, Toby noticed sat a bit away from everyone else. She looked almost…guilty. Like she was somewhere she really shouldn’t be. She had long wavy hair that was dyed a bubblegum pink. Big blue eyes with long lashes and a red gloss shined her full lips. She looked very made up. Like she took extra good care of herself. The kind Toby knew boys looked twice at down the street.

Other than Toby and Kai, there was one other male. This one, Toby recognized. He was at the claw machine. His name was ‘Moon’. If that was his real name anyway. Moon had a very boyish face if that made sense. He had sandy blonde curly hair. The texture was a bit like Toby’s. Now that Toby was closer he noticed the light dusting of freckles on his face, heavy eyebrows over grey eyes that had slight circles underneath.

Somehow, other than Kai he honestly gave a slight air of maturity. “Toby, this is Brook, Kai, Jaga, Moon, and April!”

What a weird set of names. Toby wanted to say something but for some reason, he couldn’t speak. He felt like he was back at school, watching all the kids hide their snickers as the teacher introduced him and reminded them to be nice. He shuffled closer to you. You took the flowers and went to set them on the counter in the kitchen.

“Woo! Toby!” Moon said throwing his arms up. “Just in time. We still haven’t decided what to watch.”

Noooooooooo! NO NO NO NO!

You were supposed to be alone! This was supposed to be his chance! It was supposed to be a date! Not an intro to all your useless friends nobody cared about! Toby forced a slight smile. His bandage crinkled and he felt self-conscious.

Where did you go? Why did you leave him here?! Kai was smiling pleasantly at him and even moved aside. “Here Toby, take a seat. I’m sure (Y/n) won’t mind.”

The last person Tobias Rogers wanted to sit by was Kai of all people. He didn’t know why he hated Kai so much. Couldn’t place it. Why did he feel that way about Kai but with Moon…Toby wasn’t sure. There wasn’t the same need to carve into Moon’s skull with his hatchet as Kai’s.

Toby felt like his skin was on fire as he glanced around the room. Each of these people seemed to have a role in your life that he wasn’t a part of. Yet. His teeth clenched, forcing a smile. “Th-thanks f-for inviting me.”

Kai nodded. Toby hated the way his cologne smelt. It was too strong. Surely you thought so too. “So Toby.” The girl next to Kai, with the subtle green eyes, spoke up, to Brook as she was introduced. “How do you know (Y/n)?”

Toby was trying hard not to twitch, and ignoring the way Kai moved slightly away to avoid getting hit. ‘Good. Get away from me. Freak.’ Toby thought. “Uh. I s-saved her from a falling t-tree.” Toby’s eyes narrowed slightly. He hated that smirk on her face. It was like she was mocking him, daring him to say something embarrassing. “Sh-she was in the woods o-out back…d-down the p-path.”

Brooks's gaze didn’t waver. “Really? You didn’t strike me as an outdoorsy sort of guy.” Referring to Toby’s pale appearance.

If only she knew.

Toby forced out a chuckle, though his grip on the couch tightened. “Y-you’d be s-surprised.”

Moon jumped in, saving him from further questioning. “We’re just glad you could make it, man. (Y/n) talks about you a lot.”

Toby’s heart raced. Did she talk about him? *A lot?* He wanted to press Moon for more details, but the girl with the short black curly hair (Jaga as she was introduced) voice cut in.

“I hope you’re not shy, Toby,” she teased, her eyes glinting mischievously. “We’re a loud bunch.”

“Shy?” April scoffed. “No, he’s just quiet. There’s a difference.” She gave Toby a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. He didn’t like her much either. She reminded him of those girls in school who were all makeup and lies. The ones who would laugh as their boyfriends beat the shit outta him.

He wanted to get out of here. He wanted to take you by the hand and run far away, somewhere where these people couldn’t get between you. His thoughts spiraled, but then you returned, settling beside him on the couch with a smile. Toby visibly relaxed.

“So, what are we watching?” you asked, looking at everyone expectantly.

“Something scary, I hope,” Kai said, leaning back and stretching. “Toby doesn’t look like he scares easy.”

Toby’s jaw clenched. That was a bait, right? He was pretty much just trying to piss Toby off by even speaking to him. Make him snap so he would scare his Angel away and then Kai could have her all to himself. Well, Toby wasn’t gonna fall for it!

He watched Kai pull out his phone real quick to check a text, and an idea formed in Toby’s head, he felt you shift closer to him, and Toby’s breath hitched. He forgot you were practically cuddling up to him. I mean, you were sitting normally, but you were an inch closer to him the Kai! That was a win in Toby’s book if anything.

“I-I’m d-down for any-anything,” Toby said, trying to calm his heart.

“Perfect,” you said, your hand brushing his arm as you reached for the remote. Toby almost shivered at the contact. “Then let’s start with this one.”

As the movie began, Toby’s mind was only half on the screen. The other half was fixated on Kai’s phone. If I can get it, what could I do? Go through his messages? Make sure he stays away from her. Toby’s heart raced at the thought.

He glanced over at Kai, who was leaning back, his eyes on the screen. Careless. Stupid. It’ll be easy to take it. All he had to do was wait for the right moment.

For now, he’d play along, smile when he needed to, laugh when it was expected. But his mind was somewhere else entirely. Focused. Calculating.

Tonight, he’d make sure that Kai knew who belonged in (Y/n)’s life.

⦻

They were halfway through the movie Toby kept his eyes on the screen but his mind was right with you. Feeling you brush against him with every laugh or gasp. You didn’t seem all that scared though. It seems horror movies just weren’t enough to jostle you.

His.

But every time he tried to at least pretend you were alone with him, pretend that it was what he so desperately wanted it to be, his eyes flicked back to Kai on your other side. He seemed all too comfortable, too relaxed, too familiar with you. It made Toby’s blood boil.

Toby forced a smile. “Y-yeah, just n-not used to b-being around so m-many people.” Moon nodded sympathetically. “Yeah, I get it. But don’t worry, we’re cool. No one’s gonna bite.” He offered Toby a grin, his expression friendly. Toby found himself softening slightly. Moon was different. He didn’t have that smug arrogance that Kai did.

Though he didn’t like how Kai and (Y/n) could hear. Great. Now she knew he was uncomfortable. He looked at you briefly, and thankfully you were engrossed in the movie, unaware of the hurricane in Toby’s head that he was desperately trying to contain.

As the movie progresses, the tension builds in the story. Now and then, Brook or Jaga would make a snarky comment, breaking the atmosphere with laughter. Toby felt out of place, like a shadow in the corner of a picture that didn’t belong.

“So Toby,” Jaga spoke in a more boring part of the film. “(Y/n) says you into like, nature right?”

‘Nature? What the hell is (Y/n) making him sound like a tree hugger or-’

“S-something like th-that.” He responded.

“That’s cool,” Brook added, leaning forward, her eyes studying him. “Are you into anything else, or…”

“U-uh mostly like, video g-games.”

At least that used to be a hobby of his. It still kinda is in passing when he wants the noise in his head to stop, or if Ben was around. Toby felt his face heat up. He wasn’t good at talking about himself. “Mostly e-easy stuff I’m n-not competitive…”

“Video games?” April piped up. “Like what kind?”

Toby glanced at you, your eyes were bright and happy with your big smile like you were so pleased he was getting along with your friends. He didn’t wanna embarrass himself in front of you.

“Uh…sandbox. Wh-whatever I feel l-like.”

“Ooh, sandbox! What like Minecraft?” Brook teased, leaning forward more. “Are you a Minecraft kid, Toby?”

Toby’s grip tightened on his knee. “M-maybe.” He tried to play into the joke.

“Come on, don’t be shy!” Jaga pushed, her eyes gleaming with that unsettling amusement. “You could probably help (Y/n) with her Minecraft house. She loves that sandbox game stuff.”

The others laughed, but Toby felt a wave of annoyance wash over him. They were mocking him. He could tell. You were too kind to see it, but he could feel their disdain, their condescension. They think I’m a joke.

You seemed to sense his discomfort, because you leaned closer, your voice soft. “Hey, don’t let them get to you. They’re just messing around.” Your voice tickled his ear. “They do it to me too.”

Toby’s heart fluttered. You’re defending me. He gave you a small, grateful smile. “Th-thanks.”

Kai suddenly stood up, stretching. “Gonna grab a drink. Anyone want something?”

As he moved, his phone slipped from his pocket, landing softly on the couch. Toby’s eyes locked onto it, his mind racing. This is it.

“I-I’ll g-go with you,” Toby blurted out, standing up as well. He was surprised at himself. He didn’t wanna be alone with Kai, but even that seemed better than having all this attention on him.

Kai shrugged. “Sure, man. Let’s go.”

As they left the room, Toby glanced back, seeing you watching him with a curious expression. He forced a smile before turning away, following Kai to the kitchen.

Once they were out of sight, Kai opened the fridge, grabbing a couple of drinks. “You doing okay, Toby?” he asked, his tone annoyingly friendly. “You seemed a bit tense back there.”

“I-I’m fine,” Toby muttered, his eyes darting around. Kai had set the drinks on the counter, his back to Toby as he rummaged through a drawer for something.

“Here you go,” Kai said, turning back around and handing Toby a soda. “Let’s get back before we miss too much.”

As they headed back Toby was quick to sit down while Kai passed out drinks. He used the opportunity to quickly swipe Kai’s phone while everyone was distracted. He stuffed it in his sweater planning to hide it better in a minute.

Kai sat back down, completely oblivious. Toby felt a dark satisfaction and felt free to enjoy the warmth of you next to him again. You leaned into him slightly. As if you knew he needed it.

As the night went on, Toby found himself gradually relaxing. Moon and Jaga kept up a steady stream of jokes and banter, and even though he didn’t feel completely comfortable, he found himself laughing along with them at times. Brook asked more questions about his hobbies, (Toby had to start making some up on the spot, realizing he didn’t have much pleasure in anything anymore) seeming genuinely interested, and April shared a few stories about her hobbies, which were mostly makeup and fashion and oddly enough roller skating?

By the end of the movie, Toby was feeling strangely calm. You were smiling at him, your eyes bright, and for a moment, he felt almost normal. Almost like he could be a part of this world you lived in. He could earn your heart the right way. Maybe buy you flowers. Ask you out on dates…treat you right. Ask you to be with him.

If he wasn’t a proxy. If he wasn’t a murderer employed and marked by a demonic entity and forced to do his bidding. What was he even doing? Trying to win you over? Even if he did it’s not like-

But then he caught sight of Kai, who was looking around with a frown, patting his pockets. Toby’s heart rate spiked again. He knows.

“Hey, has anyone seen my phone?” Kai asked, standing up and looking around the couch.

“I’m sure you just dropped it somewhere,” Brook said, rolling her eyes. “You always lose it.”

Kai’s frown deepened, but he nodded, starting to search the cushions. Toby felt a surge of satisfaction. He’ll never find it. He glanced at you, who was watching Kai with a concerned expression. For a moment, Toby felt a pang of guilt. But then he remembered the way Kai had looked at you, the way he’d smiled like he had any right to be close to you. And the guilt disappeared.

“Maybe you left it in the kitchen?” Moon suggested, standing up to help look.

“I-I didn’t see it,” Toby offered, his voice steady. He felt a strange thrill at the lie, the way it rolled off his tongue so easily. It was almost too easy, how he could manipulate the situation to his advantage.

Kai looked around one last time before sighing. “Yeah, maybe.” He shot Toby a look, one that made Toby’s skin prickle with unease. “Guess I’ll have to check when I get home.”

“I’ll look while you are gone too!” You piped up.

Toby had no idea what he would do with the phone now that he had it, but for now, he had gotten away with it.

“Maybe we can call it?” Brook suggested, pulling out her phone.

“Nah I got it on silent.”

“The vibrate will still make noise”

“No, because I turned that off too.”

“What why?!”

“Because we were watching a movie and your friend is blowing up my phone! She’s like convinced we have something together because I gave her my number for business reasons!”

Brook giggled at this. “Sounds like her.” Kai nodded in annoyance still looking. “Yeah well, tell her, your cousin has a life.” Brook rolled her eyes.

As the night wound down and everyone started saying their goodbyes, Toby felt a strange sense of satisfaction. This was just the beginning. Soon, he’d make sure everyone knew who you belonged to. And no one—not Kai, not anyone—would stand in his way.

⦻

He didn’t know what he would do with the phone, though he had spent the rest of the night making sure all location sharing was off. Then scroll under your name. Which he couldn’t find. He found you under “🩷” which was irritating, to say the least. He only found out it was you because in some group chats, you were called out by name, and snooping through his private messages with you he used his context clues. Then after doing some more snooping and looking through other chats, he quickly realized his suspicions were true:

Kai Isaac. (As he learned his last name now) Had quite the crush on you. Gushing to his friends about you, saying that you were just the perfect girl. That any guy would be so lucky to have you.

His friends pushed him on, but Kai insisted he wasn’t ready to confess his feelings to you just yet.

Well, he got that right. But you weren’t meant for Kai Isaac! You were meant for him! Toby! Ugh! It made Toby hate Kai even more! He shoved the phone in a drawer and slammed it shut.

Kai didn’t deserve you! He didn’t have dreams about you for months before meeting you! You guys were not tied by the red string of fate! You and Toby were! You guys were meant to be together. You were meant to make it all better.

Maybe he was the hero in your story. Saving you from Kai who was quite obviously the villain. He would ignore you, not take the time to learn everything about you, and just be on overall bad boyfriend. Yeah. He wouldn’t be able to please you either! Toby bet his dick was small!

Toby crossed his arms and pouted. Stupid Kai. With his stupid phone.

Toby grabbed his hatchets.

He needed to go let off some steam.

⦻

(Y/n) (L/n) was tired. She shuffled into her house and flicked on the light, toeing her shoes off and kicking them away from her she’s struggled with her apron for a moment, panicking slightly when she felt it do the knot of death. ((Y/n)’s way of saying when the apron didn’t come undone and instead made a tighter knot and you couldn’t get it off) It fell though, and she yanked it off. She almost took her pants off too before realizing she should probably wait till she was in her room. Not that she lived with anyone. It’s just this watching feeling has gotten a bit worse since then.

She made her way to the kitchen, going to get her well-deserved snack, and went to open the pantry door, being careful. A while back, (Y/n) doesn’t know how it happened, but her friends had gotten drunk along with her. Locking Moon, the only sober one in the pantry as a joke. Moon wasn't playing when he broke the door off the hinges to get out. Fair enough. She really should just put the door in her garage and settle for the now walk-in pantry, however (Y/n) still wanted to convince herself that she would eventually be able to fix it herself. When she opened the pantry the door didn’t fall forward like it usually did. It swung open, almost as if…

Looking at the hinges she saw shiny new pins had been put in place. What? When had she gotten the time to do that? Did she remember doing that? Surely she would recall finally fixing her pantry door? Maybe her friends were messing with her. They were over earlier this week. Surely she would have heard them messing around in the kitchen fixing her door though?

She picked up her phone.

Haha! Very funny guys! Thanks for fixing the door! Means a lot! 🩷

Moon: ?

Moon: We did not fix a door. At least I didn’t.

(Y/n): Stop lying. You guys fixed the pantry door. Looks great!

Brook: Girl fixed her door and doesn’t even remember 💀

(Y/n): Stop messing with me!

Nobody responded after that. Probably giving up on trying to convince her it wasn’t them right? Cause it's them. Surely (Y/n) would remember going to the store and buying new pins for the door right? Surely (Y/n) would remember grabbing her tools and fixing the door right???

However, she was tired lately. Maybe she did. Who cares it was fixed! Tossing the thoughts away in a dark corner of her head she grabbed what she wanted and started to head upstairs, pausing at the landing when she realized the stairway light was on.

The stair light light blew out during the storm last week. Didn’t it? Or did it? She searched her memory, remembering the panic she felt when a clap of thunder woke her along with a series of popping sounds. That happened. (Y/n) had been meaning to get that fixed but she needed to go buy a stool. Maybe it fixed itself? She doesn’t know how electricity works! Maybe it could happen! Okay, whatever she’s being so ridiculous it’s not even funny. Go upstairs! It’s bedtime!

You felt uneasy.

Tobias had been in your house. Of course, he had. He had cleaned up and went around with some tools he found in your garage to fix things. He even did your dishes. He could just imagine how grateful you would be! You’d appreciate it for sure right? Like a guardian secretly taking care of you. Cause that’s what he was right? Your guardian. Maybe you hadn’t mentioned these things. Maybe you just dealt with it. Broken latches and flickering lights. Mm. Maybe these things didn’t bother you. They bothered him. Poor baby. Living in a run-down house with nobody in the world to help her keep it up.

Tobias scrubbed the stains out of your counters while the washer ran with your clothes. Feeling like he was directly taking care of you as he poured dish detergent and started the dishwasher as well before continuing to scrub. A clean environment was important for not getting sick right? He would hate for you to get sick. Or maybe he would. That way you could call him. Then he could take care of you. The smell of disinfectant filled his nose. Oddly familiar. From where?

⦻

“Tobias.” Toby rolled over to look at Lyra, snot running from his nose. The smell of disinfectant in the air. He spied the spoonful of medicine in her hand. “Oh ew n-no.” He rolled back over. “Y-you already m-made me get up so y-you can wash my sheets and fucking sh-shit. Just let me l-lay down!”

Lyra Rogers, however, was more concerned for another reason. None of the medicine was working. Just like she thought it wouldn’t. She was giving it one last go but after feeling around Toby’s face, her eyes widened. She dropped the spoon, not caring for the mess it made as she practically yanked Tobias out of bed and forced him down the hall and into the tub. She turned it on the coldest setting and disappeared. Toby reluctantly undressed and went in, curling up. This was stupid. He felt fine. As fine as he could anyway. Lyra came in and dumped an entire bowl of ice in the tub and on Toby’s head.

Toby couldn’t feel the temperatures, nor could he sweat. Lyra’s reaction meant his fever must be very high. Sometimes, Lyra was the only reason Toby didn’t go into a seizure due to heat stroke. Toby was always sickly though. With CIPA not only was his body not able to feel pain, but it also struggled to regulate his immune system since it honestly couldn’t tell when it was sick. At least that's how Toby thought of it. Lyra left the bathroom, handing him a rag and telling him to keep putting cold water all over him. If it wasn’t for Lyra Toby’s body would have killed him awhile ago. His mom didn’t care enough to check his temperature 59 times a day as his worrying sister did. Lyra was the only one who could take care of him.

⦻

Just like Toby is the only one to take care of you, right? Nobody ever checked in on you, to make sure you were okay. He was gonna make sure that he at least cared. Finishing the chores he left the house and locked it up.

He was taking care of you, protecting you. And one day, you’d understand.

You’d realize how much you needed him.

[boneskullravenriver]

The free write travelers are ridiculously expensive with added bells and whistles I don't need. Plus it looks freaking gigantic for no reason.

The reviews of that and the other one were... Meh.

This is why I feel like old tech kinda wins out in some respects.

Look at this chonk late 2000s beauty. I may not have used this in school (we were using actual desktop computers to learn how to type) but it gives me such a feeling of nostalgia because so many devices in the late 2000s and early 2010s had this sort of look. And the screen as well.

"I may not be pretty, but I get the job done 👍"

I got it in the mail yesterday after months of debating on whether or not to get it.

It's completely offline. I don't need some stupid cloud service bullshit or extra app or wifi. It runs on batteries and all I need is a cable that plugs into the device at the top, then the other end on the computer to transfer text. That's it. It's great.

Only thing I dislike is that there's no way to use italics or bold but I use asterisks to indicate when a word should be like that so after I transfer to my computer, I can fix everything up because this is more of a "on the go get everything down" sort of device as if you were writing in a notebook, I'll say. It's messy. The computer is for formatting and fixing lol.

Also, each file can hold 10k words. It's an old device, so the storage isn't as extensive as modern things but we'll see. I assume that once you hit 10k on one file it doesn't let you write anymore on that file. There's 8 files that you can switch to via the buttons on top.

I've been using it all day yesterday to type up chapters I'd written by hand and so far so good

[v2softunofficial]

Choosing the Right Cloud Migration Supplier for Your Business

As organizations continue to shift towards digital transformation, selecting the right Cloud migration supplier is becoming increasingly critical for business success. With Cloud-based services offering scalability, flexibility, and innovation, migrating to the Cloud has become a strategic priority for companies across industries. However, navigating the complexities of Cloud migration requires more than just choosing a provider — it involves understanding how Cloud-based Testing, Cloud-based AI services, and various types of Cloud computing can transform business processes. In this blog, we’ll explore key factors to consider when choosing a Cloud migration supplier, along with current Cloud computing trends shaping the future of business.

Understanding Cloud Migration and Its Benefits

Cloud migration involves moving your organization's data, applications, and workloads to a Cloud infrastructure. This transition offers numerous benefits, including improved scalability, cost savings, and enhanced accessibility. However, the process can be complex, which is why partnering with an experienced Cloud migration supplier is essential. The right supplier can help you select the appropriate types of Cloud computing—whether public, private, or hybrid—based on your organization's unique needs.

For instance, public Cloud environments offer on-demand resources and cost-effective scalability, making them ideal for businesses with variable workloads. Private Cloud solutions, on the other hand, provide enhanced security and control, which is crucial for industries like finance and healthcare. Hybrid Cloud environments combine the best of both worlds, allowing businesses to scale as needed while maintaining control over sensitive data.

Key Services Offered by Cloud Migration Suppliers

One of the most important aspects of choosing a Cloud migration supplier is evaluating the services they offer. As technology evolves, Cloud-based Testing has become a vital component of the migration process. Through Cloud-based Testing, businesses can simulate real-world environments, ensuring their applications run smoothly before fully transitioning to the Cloud. This minimizes the risk of downtime, improves performance, and ensures a seamless migration.

In addition to Cloud-based Testing, Cloud-based AI services are playing a transformative role in modern businesses. By leveraging AI and machine learning (ML) models within Cloud environments, organizations can automate processes, enhance customer experiences, and gain insights through data-driven analytics. The right Cloud migration supplier should offer expertise in integrating AI services within your Cloud strategy, helping you stay competitive in an increasingly AI-driven market.

Navigating the Latest Cloud Computing Trends

As you evaluate potential Cloud migration suppliers, it's essential to stay informed about the latest Cloud computing trends. For instance, multi-cloud strategies are becoming more prevalent, where businesses use multiple Cloud providers to avoid vendor lock-in and optimize performance across different workloads. Server less computing is another emerging trend that allows organizations to focus on developing applications without worrying about the underlying infrastructure.

Security remains a top priority, especially as data privacy regulations become stricter. Cloud providers are now investing heavily in enhanced security measures, including zero-trust architectures and advanced encryption. Understanding how your chosen supplier aligns with these trends is crucial to ensure your Cloud migration is future-proof.

Conclusion

Migrating to the Cloud is no longer just an option—it’s a necessity for businesses aiming to thrive in today’s competitive landscape. However, successfully navigating this transition requires more than simply selecting a Cloud provider. You need a Cloud migration supplier who understands your unique needs and can offer the latest services, such as Cloud-based Testing and Cloud-based AI services. By keeping an eye on the latest Cloud computing trends and choosing the right types of Cloud computing, your business can unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation.

Selecting the right Cloud migration supplier can make all the difference in how well your organization adapts to the Cloud, ensuring a smooth, secure, and scalable journey into the future.

[ghcstao3]

(scrapped) halloween curse

Leave it to none other than John “Soap” MacTavish to get himself cursed on Halloween night.

It must be just absolutely formidable luck, in his opinion, that the one time he decides to be nice and step in between a poor cashier trying to do their job and some complete degenerate of a customer—in spite of it being nine at night, and in spite of the deep exhaustion in his bones—it just so happens that he places himself in the crossfire of a hex cast by a middle-aged woman (see: an utter bitch) who is entirely undeserving of magic, and now he’s stuck beneath his own personal raincloud, and now he’s waiting in line of a DMV-esque office of curse-breakers and hex-undoers, and now he’s internally begging for someone to put him out of his misery.

Apparently just wanting to buy discounted Halloween chocolate the night of the holiday is not allowed to be an uneventful affair. Soap stares at the ticket he’s been clutching for the last hour, knee bouncing incessantly as his patience wears thin every number that’s called that isn’t him. His ass has long gone numb sitting in a hard plastic chair against the wall, his clothing soaked through and sticking uncomfortably to his body.

At the very least, the curse only seems to affect him, so he hasn’t gotten any rude stares for leaving puddles. Thank goodness for small miracles.

His number is finally called twenty minutes later, and he stands begrudgingly—his socks and shoes squelch unpleasantly as he marches up to the available kiosk, a shiver beneath his skin as wet rapidly becomes cold.

The employee at the kiosk, face hidden by a mask made up of a balaclava and a human skull that looks just a little too realistic, has their head down when Soap approaches the desk. They pore over some paperwork, leaving Soap to wallow in his misfortune just a moment longer.

It’s torture, really, those few extra seconds of waiting.

Finally, though, the employee shifts, something indicative of moving on from one task to another.

“What can I help you w—“

The employee immediately cuts himself off once he glances up at Soap, staring impassively at the grey cloud above his head. He blinks slowly, sits back in his chair, and clasps his hands over his workspace as his query is reworked.

“Name and species, then,” the employee says. His deep, coffee-brown eyes bore into Soap’s as he leaves a space for the answer.

“Um.” Soap clears his throat, shuffles on his feet. “John MacTavish. Kelpie.”

Though he can’t see the eyebrow raise, Soap can almost sense it in the subtle mirth that washes over the employee’s gaze before he changes his attention to the monitor in front of him and begins typing. “Thought kelpies’ whole thing involved water.”

“Yeah, bodies of water,” Soap corrects. He folds his arms over his chest with a petulant huff. “Not fake rain that wasn’t even meant for me. And even then. Why’s that your business, anyway?”

The employee’s eyes flicker back to Soap momentarily before they’re averted again. The man hardly seems perturbed by Soap’s (rightful) irritation as he clicks away at whatever is on his computer, like, if anything, he takes delight in frustrating a stranger on a bad day.

There must be some underlying shit luck hidden in the curse currently raining down, literally, on Soap’s head.

Or maybe he’s just dealing with public services.

“It’s just conversation,” Soap is told, and what a difficult time he has believing that.Really, really, just leave it to John MacTavish and fucking Halloween.

[v2softusa]

Unleashing the Power of Cloud Testing: A Deep Dive into V2Soft's Cloud Services

Introduction: In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, businesses are continually seeking innovative ways to enhance efficiency, flexibility, and scalability. Cloud computing has emerged as a game-changer, providing a platform that allows organizations to leverage computing resources on-demand. One of the critical aspects of ensuring the seamless performance of applications in the cloud is cloud testing. In this blog, we will explore the significance of cloud testing and delve into the offerings of V2Soft, a leading player in the field of cloud services.

Understanding Cloud Testing: Cloud testing refers to the process of assessing the performance, reliability, and scalability of applications in a cloud environment. Traditional testing methods often fall short when it comes to handling the dynamic nature of cloud-based applications. Cloud testing, on the other hand, provides a comprehensive solution by simulating real-world scenarios, ensuring that applications can withstand varying workloads and unpredictable conditions.

Types of Cloud Computing: Before we delve into V2Soft's cloud services, let's briefly discuss the types of cloud computing, which play a crucial role in shaping cloud testing strategies:

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): IaaS provides virtualized computing resources over the internet. Users can rent virtual machines, storage, and networking components, allowing for a more flexible and scalable infrastructure.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): PaaS offers a platform that allows developers to build, deploy, and manage applications without dealing with the underlying infrastructure. This accelerates the development process and reduces the complexity of managing infrastructure components.

Software as a Service (SaaS): SaaS delivers software applications over the internet, eliminating the need for users to install, maintain, and update the software. This model enhances accessibility and reduces the burden on end-users.

V2Soft's Cloud Services: V2Soft, a renowned player in the IT solutions space, excels in providing cutting-edge cloud services that cater to diverse business needs. Here's an overview of their offerings:

Cloud-Based AI Services:

V2Soft leverages the power of artificial intelligence in the cloud to provide intelligent solutions for businesses. From natural language processing to machine learning algorithms, their AI services are designed to enhance decision-making processes and drive innovation.

Comprehensive Cloud Testing Solutions:

V2Soft's cloud testing services encompass a wide range of testing methodologies, including performance testing, security testing, and scalability testing. Their expertise ensures that applications not only meet but exceed performance expectations in a cloud environment.

Expertise in Multiple Cloud Service Providers:

V2Soft is platform-agnostic and works seamlessly across various cloud service providers, including industry giants such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). This flexibility allows clients to choose the provider that best aligns with their business objectives.

Conclusion: As organizations continue to embrace cloud computing for its unparalleled benefits, the importance of robust cloud testing cannot be overstated. V2Soft's offerings in cloud-based AI services and comprehensive cloud testing solutions position them as a reliable partner for businesses looking to thrive in the digital era. By harnessing the capabilities of cloud computing and staying ahead of the curve, V2Soft empowers organizations to innovate, scale, and achieve unprecedented success in the competitive landscape.

[whetstonefires]

hey, random question! what platform/method do you use to keep your robust digital media when ripping CDs? i havent done it since i was a kid with itunes (when itunes let you upload your own stuff....) and wanted to start again

Platform...they are files?

Like, mp3s; I keep them in my hard drive and thumb drives and so forth. My 'music' folder has subfolders, mostly by artist, which have subfolders per album. I just. Have the files. In my computer. Very basic method.

I organize and play them through VLC mostly. Or, on devices that still have it, I have kept using Windows Media Player, because I'm comfortable with the UI and why not, but they're actively phasing it out so I can't recommend adopting it lmao. And ofc if you're in the apple ecosystem it's not remotely an option.

I don't know that much about macintosh tbh but afaik they do let you have a file directory where you put your files that you own, which is definitely what I consider to be the most sensible baseline, if you have a device with enough memory. And memory has gotten pretty cheap.

I don't know of any cloud client service that's actively catered to letting you upload stuff you own and then stream those files on any device you please without having to jump through extra hoops, and suspect it might not be a thing at this point because there is no profit in that and it's not free to provide. They really want you to have to pay money to access content that you don't own. Sorry.

I bet you could figure out a way to keep a reasonably large music library in the amount of free storage google gives you with an account, and then play from there, but I don't think it would be very seamless. Maybe even less so on iphone.

But if your phone of whatever type has or can be modified to have sufficient storage space, you really can just. Keep your music in it. And then play it. VLC is open source and very good, and they have it for apple; I definitely recommend it.

But you don't like, keep files in it, it's just a player and sorter. So it doesn't feel like it answers the question you asked exactly, sorry.