Kaoru scoffed at his twin sister, annoyed that she was doodling on her copy of the business proposals instead of listening in the meeting.
He nudged her with his elbow and Chizuru yelped in surprise. Kodo, their uncle and current Yukimura Corporation president, had stopped mid-sentence to turn and stare at the interrupting noise.
Chizuru mouthed "I'm sorry," while Kaoru hung his head in embarrassment.
"I think this meeting calls for a break," Kodo said, turning off the projector. The rest of the men in the room—a mixture of Kazamas and Yukimuras in suits—shuffled out in murmurs.
"Let's all meet back here in an hour," Kodo shouted. He turned his gaze back to Chizuru, his eyes narrow and lips thin.
"Chizuru, you better come back more focused. You and your brother will be taking over someday. These meeting will prepare the both of you."
Kaoru nodded. "Chizuru, you're an embarrassment to this family."
Chizuru stood up out of her seat, her chair squealed along the way. She let out a long sigh and patted her brother on the shoulders. "I'll be back."
The busy downtown was a relief compared to the stuffy meeting room. Chizuru eyed a bakery and her mouth salivated for something sweet.
Her eyes lit up like she was a kid in a candy shop. She sniffed the sugary goods, grabbed a tray, and snapped the tongs like she was an eager crab.
"You know, the chocolate buns are the best," a deep voice behind her said. She craned her neck to follow the voice and her brown eyes locked gazes with red ones.
"Oh, hey! You're…"
"Kazama," he interrupted, standing straight and tall with an empty tray.
Chizuru's eyes fell down to compare her tray to his. Her cheeks warmed in embarrassment—self-conscious that he may think she was pigging out on lunch break.
"I'm not going to eat all of this, just in case you were wondering," she blurted out. She had no idea why she was even defending her appetite, but for some reason, she felt compelled to keep up a cute girl facade.
"Of course you're not," the blonde young man replied, a smirk plastered on his face. "We're going to sit down at that table—" he continued to say, putting his tray down and pointing to an empty corner table, "and you're going to share all of that with me."
The balls on this guy, Chizuru thought. They weren't even properly introduced and here he was so familiar with her like a looming boyfriend.
"Hold your horses, big boy. Who said I was sharing?"
He chuckled and grabbed the tray from her hands. She let go of it with ease, like he was her boyfriend.
"You literally just said you weren't eating all of this," he said, turning toward the register.
"And besides, we should get used to sharing if our companies are planning on merging."
Chizuru subconsciously followed him, and the corners of her lips tugged into a smile.
"You should be doing this with my brother. He's the one taking over."
Kazama turned his neck to look at Chizuru. He grinned and Chizuru felt the heat of his eyes warm her belly. Good God, he was handsome.
"I probably should be more familiar with your brother, but I'd rather be alone with you."
They sat down at the corner table, exactly the way Kazama had predicted.
Chizuru flustered, her face burning red. She stared at Kazama, speechless.
Kazama pushed a chocolate bun toward her, still grinning from ear to ear. "Seriously, try the chocolate bun."