In my earliest years, I have already discovered one truth, the only truth, as well as the reason that I have all that I have today. It's a fact of life, and the only practice and belief of my religion. It's the utmost simple reason of the existence of mankind, yet it can be so intricate and complex that it is deadly. It's a wonderful thing; it's a hideous thing. It is the game in which only the intelligent, only the wise, only the capable may participate. It's several million more times as addicting as nicotine, and it's much, much, much more exciting than anything else in the world. I live for this, and I live to do this: I live to calculate, to manipulate, and to succeed. This is the only thing I ever so clearly believe to be absolute.
Ch. 1
A Crash in Life
Sakura Kinomoto's P.O.V.
It was the usual workday in my office: papers to sign, meetings to attend, orders to direct, and money to make. I didn't come here for nothing. I had matters to attend to, and I had money to make, not that I wasn't considerably wealthy already.
Despite my CEO status in the company, I wasn't "born into" this position. I was not raised with a silver spoon in my mouth. No, I grew up poor and alone. I studied hard. I worked hard. I calculated. I climbed, with great effort, up the ladder to this very role I portray today. As a result, I achieved my social status, my wealth, and everything I have today. These accomplishments are the undeniable proof of my capabilities and success. These are the accomplishments I, myself, achieved without the aid of others.
There was a knock on the door. It was probably the secretary.
"Come in," I said, recognizing my own impatience.
She came in. "Excuse me, Ms. Kinomoto, but you have a business appointment regarding the finalization of the deal with the director of—"
"Yes, I know. Hand me the documents," I interrupted. Again, it was because of my impatience. Time is very valuable, you know.
She handed me my documents, and we walked briskly to my car. The moment she put on her seat belt, I drove out of the basement and sped down the road. I was impatient to complete the deal that would ensure our company's right to sell their product. Indeed, it was a most promising product that would guarantee excellent sales.
Maybe it was because I was too preoccupied with the deal that I didn't realize that I was about to crash into another car. In panic, I steered the wheel to turn the car to the right (good thing that our cars were the only ones on the road) and he to the left. Ever so fortunately, due to our quick moves, there was no devastating crash.
"Hey! Are you alright!?" The man inside the car got out, seeming genuinely worried about me, rather than clearly flamboyant scratch on his car. Well, it looked like a piece of junk anyway, like it was going to break apart at any moment.
It took me a moment to realize how good looking he was. He wasn't that well-built, but it wasn't bad either. He had messy, chestnut-colored hair, and his eyes were brown and warm. He had the sweet and innocent expression of a child, someone familiar.
Wait! Why was I noticing those things anyway? I had to snap out of it. I need to get to that appointment on time. Right now, however, I just hope he wouldn't be difficult about the incident.