Sukiesathunchedoverherdesk，hereyesstrainedfromstaringattheputersforhoursoheofficewasdimlylit，withonlytheflickeringfluorestlightsaboveaglowofputermonitorsprovidingillumination.Itwaswellpastofficehours，andmostofhercolleagueshadalreadygonehome.Thecityoutsidewasalivewiththehumoftraffidthedistantsoundsofnightlife，butSukiewastrappedinthemonotonousgrindofherjob.

Shesigheddeeply，rubbiemplesinaoalleviatethethrobbingheadachethathadbeenbuildingallday.Herphonebuzzedonthedesk，ahestoseeamessagefromherbestfriend，Jack.

＊Jack＊:＂Stillattheoffieedadrink?＂

Sukiecouldn，thelpbutsmile.Jackalwaysknewwhensheneededabreak.Shequicklytypedbackaresponse.

＊Sukie＊:＂Youkoowell.Meetyouatourusualspotin30?＂

＊Jack＊:＂Seeyouthere.＂

Sukiepowereddowerandgatheredherthings.Asshesteppedoutoftheofficebuilding，shewasgreetedbytheightair，aweletrasttothestuffyoffiviro.Thestreetswerebustlingwithpeople，aylightscastawarm，invitingglowonthesurroundings.ShemadeherwaytothebarwheresheandJackofteounwind.

Jackwasalreadytherewhenshearrived，sittingatasmalltableheback.Hewavedherover，awidegrinonhisface.Jackwasthekindoffriendwhocouldalwaysmakeherugh，nomatterhowtoughherdayhadbeen.Hiseasygoingnatureandsharpwiterfectfoiltohermorereservedandintrospectivepersonality.

＂Hey，youmadeit，＂hesaidassheslidintotheseatoppositehim.＂Roughday?＂

＂Roughweek，＂Sukierepliedwithawearysmile.＂Butatleastit，sover.Thanksfgestingthis.I.＂

Jackraisedhisgssinatoast.＂Tosurvivinganotherweek.＂

＂Tosurviving，＂Sukieechoed，kinghergssagainsthis.

Astheychattedandughed，Sukiefeltthestressofthedaybegiaway.Jack，spresencewaslikeabalmtoherfrazzledheytalkedabouteverythingandnothing，fromworkdramastotheirfavoriteTVshows.Forafewhours，Sukiecouldfetaboutthepressuresofherjobandjustenjoythemoment.

Itwastebythetimetheyleftthebar.Thestreetshadquieteddown，ayseemedtobesettlingintoapeacefulslumber.Jackwalkedhertoherapar