09:15 am Sunny Day Mall Floor 6 Head Office of Wet “N” Antics.

Main Office

Emi, Naomi, and Ethan were nestled between two rows of workstation desks, Ethan and Emi on one side and Naomi behind them. Their chatter peppered with the click-clack rhythm of diligent keystrokes and occasional laughter. Emi's vibrant energy was the centrepiece, a contrast to Naomi’s acerbic demeanour and Ethan's laid-back approach.

Ethan rested his feet on a pile of inventory reports at his feet. He had the build of a man who favoured the gym but didn't shy away from a good burger. As Sales Support Manager, his relationship with the Assistant Business Manager Emi was a pleasant one, though he was keenly aware of her manipulative charm. Certainly, better than his relationship with the Senior Manager Sayaka. Behind her back the Americans called her Alaska because of how frosty she could be.

Naomi Kato, the lovely petite Japanese woman had raven hair that she let fall down about her shoulders. Despite her role as Brand Manager, tasked with maintaining the brand's cheerful public face, she was dressed in a chic ensemble that spoke to high fashion rather than a pool party. Still, her jacket was rarely done up and her tight shirt revealed a pair of well-shaped breasts. The 31-year old’s personal commentary in the office usually swirled with sharpness, a far cry from the fun playful public image of Wet “N” Antics and this morning was no different.

"I'm not saying parenting is easy, per se, but it's practically done before breakfast," Naomi stated matter-of-factly, scrolling through a branding strategy with furrowed brow.

Ethan gave a shrug of confusion at Naomi’s strange turn of phrase, “done before breakfast?” he mouthed to Emi.

“She means it's not rocket science,” Emi clarified using the equivalent English idiom.

"I mean,” continued Naomi ignoring her colleagues side bar “they act like coordinating nap times and playdates is akin to negotiating world peace."

Emi, propped up by a lumbar-supporting cushion in her chair turned it to face Naomi. She gave a playful scoff. "Oh, really? Well, perhaps we should have you babysit the entire office for a day, then? I'm sure managing all these "kids" will be a walk in the park for you."

“Yeah, I’ve had to babysit my four-year-old nephew a few times. It nearly gave me a stroke,” Ethan said agreeing with the manager.

"You're just saying that, because she's your boss," Naomi shot back, pointing a manicured nail at him with an exaggerated eye roll.

“Well, that’s another thing,” Emi said, “Wet “N” Antics isn’t exactly kind to women on the corporate ladders who get pregnant. We all know colleagues whose careers stalled out after they had their first kid. I don’t think I’d be a manager if I had had a kid already.”

Naomi scoffed at this suggestion, “some people will use any excuse for their own failings.”

“And what about the pregnancy itself?” said Emi, “that’s no joke.”

Naomi rolled her eyes again but before she could give her reasons for dismissing the nine months carrying offspring so easily, her retort was cut short by Trevor Dudley cutting his way between them, shaking his head, the normally gregarious man saying nothing, even to the two pretty Japanese women. He skimmed past their desks like a man on a mission.

"Did Sayaka get your tongue?" Ethan called out but Trevor didn’t even glance over, “looks like he saw a ghost” muttered Ethan to no one in particular.

Moments later, as if summoned by the mention of her name and the supernatural, Sayaka hovered into view, her gaze immediately settling on Ethan, "Ethan, I expect you to set an example, not distract your colleagues." Her eyes flicked to his attire, taking in his shirt which had a small sports brand on its breast, "and remember, T-shirts with logos are not office-appropriate," she stabbed a finger at the offending logo that dared violate an obscure company dress code that was rarely enforced. The stern young manager looked and sounded the very image of a fantasy schoolmistress in that moment and Ethan uncomfortably began to feel a little aroused by the dressing down.

"Emi didn’t say anything," Ethan said weakly, calling on the support of the Assistant Business Manager. Sayaka just snorted in derision before pivoting toward Naomi. Her tone softened somewhat. Compared to Ethan whom she thought of as bone idle, she considered Naomi a peer. "Naomi," she asked, "how are we marketing the Twister game?"

Naomi’s fingers paused over her keyboard, her eyes meeting Sayaka's. "I have channels in mind” she said curtly, “but these things take time. Two days to line up the proposition, and then three weeks to delivery. Perhaps more."

"We have eight weeks, Naomi," Sayaka reminded her pointedly, "this will be our brand's last major promotion before the big transfer. Let's ensure it's not lost in procedure."

With a subtle lift of her brow, Naomi indicated understanding, though her tone remained unphased by the urgency. "Rest assured, Sayaka, I'm well aware of the timeline. The last hurrah of Wet 'N' Antics here will be heard loud and clear across our social platforms." This bold declaration had a slight hint of sarcasm to it.

As Sayaka marched away, her aura of authority lingering like a perfume. Naomi exhaled sharply and returned her gaze to the screen. The casual dynamics within their circle had shifted once more into their usual working rhythm.