Chapter 4

At 2:30 PM, our manager held a brief meeting.

It was supposedly to discuss wrapping up the second quarter projects, but it was really just a formality since most of the work was done. Only some finishing touches remained.

Halfway through the meeting, Manager Mr. Smith casually asked: "What are everyone's plans for the weekend? Is the on-call schedule set?"

Savannah raised her hand: " Mr. Smith, I've arranged the on-call schedule. I'm on duty this weekend. Maya and Marcus will rotate the other days."

The manager nodded.

Then Savannah's tone shifted, becoming very natural:

"By the way, Mr. Smith, a few of us in the team wanted to go to the West Coast for vacation and catch the carnival, but plane tickets are too expensive, and so is renting a car. Adrian was originally going to drive there, but suddenly he's not going anymore, so we're stuck."

As she said this, her eyes swept over me---quick, but I caught it.

Everyone else's gazes drifted toward me at the same time.

Mr. Smith glanced at me: "Didn't Adrian request annual leave? Why aren't you going now?"

"I changed my mind. I want to rest at home."

"Young people shouldn't just rest at home. Take advantage of your time off and go out." Mr. Smith smiled and didn't say more.

But Savannah didn't stop.

"Exactly, Adrian. If you don't go, none of us can go. Your car is so spacious---it can easily fit eight people. Splitting the cost over two thousand miles would be way cheaper than plane tickets."

The way she said it, she wasn't asking me---she was deciding for me.

Kiera immediately chimed in: "Right, right! Adrian, your car is so big. Take us with you. Plus, it's not safe for you to drive that far alone. With more people, we can look out for each other."

Look out for each other.

In my previous life, when the car caught fire, all eight of them ran faster than rabbits.

Look out for what? Watch me burn?

"I said I'm not going." My voice came out louder than I'd intended. The conference room went quiet for a moment.

Savannah's smile stiffened briefly, then quickly recovered.

"Alright, alright. If he doesn't want to go, don't force him." She waved at everyone, her tone light as if discussing something trivial.

But I saw Kiera's mouth twitch downward.

Marcus leaned back in his chair, tapping his pen on the table. He didn't say anything, but his expression clearly read: Fine, so you won't help us, huh.

Less than an hour after the meeting ended, Savannah posted a message in the employee group chat.

"Everyone! Regarding the weekend trip, I've organized the details. Colleagues who want to go to the carnival, please reply below. I'll figure out transportation, don't worry."

A string of names immediately followed.

Maya, Marcus, Kiera, Helen, Leo, Peter, Nathan.

Seven people. Plus Savannah herself made eight.

Exactly the same as my previous life.

The only one who didn't reply was me.

Savannah posted another message in the group: "Adrian, do you want to reconsider? It's more fun with more people. You'd be so bored at home alone."

I didn't respond.

About half an hour later, Savannah stood up from her seat and walked to the conference room doorway, tapping on the door frame.

"Everyone, come in for a minute. Quick meeting, won't take long."

She called it a "quick meeting," but she stood in front of the projection screen with a marker in hand. The whiteboard already had a title written on it: "Weekend Carnival Trip Plan."

The handwriting was neat. Clearly prepared in advance.