They continued playing—round after round, laughter rising and falling as the team grew more comfortable with each other. Jonathan, though clearly a pro, deliberately held back.
He let others win now and then, nudging their confidence along without ever making a big deal out of it.
Time passed quickly, and before anyone realized, it was already afternoon.
After the games, they moved on to a few light team bonding tasks. Nothing serious—just small things to keep the mood going. But after a while, the energy shifted slightly.
A few people leaned back in their chairs. Some were glancing around.
It was clear now—everyone was starting to feel hungry.
Augustus noticed and lightly clapped his hands. "Alright," he said, gaze softened in warmth, "how many of you guys are hungry?" he asked, already feeling at ease with them.
After all, it wasn't just his employees that benefited from the team bonding task.
There was a short pause. A few people looked around, trying to gauge if it was okay to admit it. But the moment David, Max, Jasmine, and even Jonathan casually raised their hands, the rest followed with ease.
"Me!"
"Me too, please."
Augustus smiled faintly and pulled out his phone, opening the TummyGo app. His gaze swept across the group, doing a quick headcount in his mind. "Anyone want anything specific?" he asked while scrolling.
But no one responded this time. They were still being careful. Boundaries weren't broken just yet.
He nodded slightly and didn't press them. Tapping into a trusted and famous restaurant, he began selecting food—main courses, sides, desserts—anything and everything he could think of was added to the cart, and the total came up to $2,040.
Without thinking too much, he placed the order.
**
A little while later, the food arrived. Augustus paid without a word and even handed over a $100 tip to the delivery guy, who left smiling.
Inside the cafeteria, the staff had already arranged the food on the main dining table. It was big enough to seat fifteen, with similar round tables filling out the rest of the room.
Everyone stood in front of the spread, the smell of warm food wrapping around them like a soft pull.
"Growl..."
Someone's stomach growled. Then another.
They exchanged embarrassed glances—but instead of awkward silence, a few chuckles slipped out. few laughed quietly, but no one mocked.
Augustus chuckled too. "Alright, grab your seats and eat to your heart's content," he said, casually gesturing with one hand—his other arm still cradling the puppy, who looked equally interested in the food.
Smiles appeared all around. One by one, everyone settled into their seats. Jasmine lingered for a moment, waiting quietly until Augustus sat first.
He gently set the puppy down near the table and served it a small portion of dog food on a plate.
"Wharf," the puppy barked, tail wagging like it had been waiting all day for this.
Augustus sat down. A second later, noticing this, Jasmine swiftly moved around and plopped beside him, feeling much more secure and somewhat cozy in his presence.
"Hey, Jasmine," Augustus said with a light smile, distracted while peeling open his food container. "Starting to feel at home?" But soon, his light smile turned into an awkward one.
She smiled faintly. "Nope. Doesn't feel like home at all," she replied, giggling lightly.
"Haha," he laughed with a wry smile, feeling happy that she was comfortable here.
The conversation drifted to the rest of the team.
"Wow, Boss Augustus, you're really pampering us," someone said, looking wide-eyed at the food. "If you keep this up, we'll feel guilty if we don't give 110%."
Another voice followed. "True, true… A-Augustus..." he paused, then quickly corrected himself in a hushed tone, "Boss."
Augustus smiled and shook his head gently. "You guys don't have to feel so pressured. Just relax and eat," he reassured and took a bite. That was enough for the rest of them to dig in without hesitation.
Soon, the room filled with light chatter, the clinking of plates, and soft laughter. Even the puppy was quietly munching beside him, not causing any trouble.
"What's his name, Augustus?" David asked curiously, glancing at the dog.
Everyone followed his gaze, all eyes on the pup.
"Wharf!" the dog barked on cue as if answering the question himself.
Augustus blinked. He honestly hadn't thought of a name yet.
The dog barked again.
"Wharf."
Augustus tilted his head slightly, and then a soft smile touched his lips. "How about Barkley?"
"Wharf! Wharf!" the dog barked again, almost proudly.
"That's a nice name," David said, nodding.
A few others joined in, nodding in agreement.
Augustus's gaze lingered on Barkley for a moment, then shifted across the table to the faces around him—some laughing, some still chewing, some already pulling out their phones to take pictures.
"Since everyone here has a title," he said thoughtfully, "Barkley should get one too."
He turned to the dog. "From today onward, he'll be our Moral Officer."
Then, lightly but with mock authority, "So you'd all better behave in front of him."
"Wharf!" the dog barked again, chest puffed high.
"Understood, Sir Barkley. We'll behave properly," John from marketing replied dramatically.
Everyone laughed. Phones clicked. Moments were captured. And for once, even Augustus let himself relax completely.
And as Augustus watched them—with soft food in their mouths and soft light in their eyes—he felt a sense of calm settle inside him. And for once, even Augustus let himself relax completely.
It's been so long since I ate with others while feeling so relaxed.
However, sitting opposite Augustus, Jonathan mumbled, "...Augustus, why don't we put Barkley to work?" he attested and gestured for him to look behind.
Augustus narrowed his eyes and looked back. There, sitting alone at a small table, was Elise—the depressed designer—completely out of place.
How did she get there? he thought with furrowed brows, then stood up and gently grabbed Barkley. "Come, it's time to earn your share," he said, scooping him up in one hand.
Surprisingly, the dog remained calm. With a light smile, he walked over to where she sat, isolated.
"Why are you sitting alone, Elise? You can't sit here all gloomy while everyone else is laughing. Come join us," Augustus eased in with a welcoming smile.
She hesitated. "I-I don't want to spread my depression to everyone… they're having fun."
"Wharf… Wharf!"
Barkley barked firmly, a hint of attitude in his voice—as if scolding her.
"Yeah, you tell her, Barkley. Eating alone is a no-no...Barkley has zero tolerance for solo dining. It's in his code of conduct," Augustus said with gentle firmness, his eyes narrowing in mock authority.
Elise narrowed her eyes at the little pup and pausing for a brief moment, contemplating something, then letting out a light chuckle. "Alright, Sir Barkley… please forgive me. I'll join the group, as per your orders," she said with a soft smile.
"Wharf." Barkley barked approvingly.
"Haha. Come now, and please don't feel alone here," Augustus added kindly.
She nodded nervously and stood up, following behind him. As she walked, her eyes shifted toward the team still laughing and talking, and for a moment, she really did feel like she was missing out.
Augustus noticed someone recording from the front, but with a calm smile, he ignored it, thinking it was Barkley who was being recorded.
Then, while walking toward the table, his phone soon vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out and read the message, a light smile playing on his lips.
| Ambrosia: When are you coming to the gym?