"How cruel; I'm truly hurt," Eugene said, feigning injury. The woman made no comment. It was only then that he registered that the small woman's eyes were blue. Piqued, he asked, "you're of Asian heritage, am I correct?" The woman nodded, "but you have blue eyes," he pointed out.
She sighed, as if used to this comment.
"Contacts, have you ever heard of them?" She asked monotonously.
"Ahh," he murmured, "I don't see why you need to wear contact lenses; I'm sure your natural eye colour will make you look even more beautiful."
"You're wrong," she stated, "anyway, if you don't mind, I need to get back to work so I can return home soon."
"Forgive me," he said. The woman shrugged then turned her back towards him and got back to polishing the dark, wooden floor.
Eugene locked his door, then walked further into his apartment. The sound of his Italian leather shoes echoed throughout the flat. A large sitting room facing a window that took over the whole wall was situated in front of a sleek, metallic kitchen; the only partitioning between the two being a small step up to the latter. To the right and left of the two rooms stood two smooth, black wooden door, the right leading to his bedroom and the left leading to a toilet. He opened the door to the right and disappeared into his room; the only sound heard for a while being the swish-swish of the brush the woman was using to polish the floor.
Within thirty minutes, the woman had finished her work and was putting the lid on the polish, when Eugene exited his room wearing something different to what he wore previously. He now wore a cream coloured suit with a duck egg blue shirt and a dark blue cravat.
"How do I look?" He asked teasingly.
The woman stared up at him and shrugged.
"The same as before, but with a different suit," she replied.
If he'd have not known better, he would have thought the woman was joking, but he knew not to expect that from her.
Eugene sighed in mock defeat.
"My, my, you really are something, aren't you?" He murmured.
"Sir, if you have somewhere to be, then I suggest you please go; I do not wish you to be late," the woman replied, ignoring his comment.
"You really care about me, don't you," Eugene smirked, crossing the distance to stand in front of her. The woman remained kneeling on the floor, unsure as to what this man was doing, "thank you for your concern," he said, kneeling down to be eye-level with her. He rested a hand on the side of her head and kissed her forehead, "well, I guess I'll be going, then; I hope we meet again soon," he said, getting up. The woman did not react.
Eugene went and stood by the front door. Turning around to look at the woman still situated on the floor.
"Ahh, I'm afraid I missed your name," he said, "please do tell me it."
A silence followed; Eugene couldn't decide whether it was awkward or not.
"Rei Tachibana," she finally said.
"Rei..."He murmured. "It suits you. I truly wish to meet you again, Miss Tachibana. Goodbye for now."
Rei said nothing, merely watched him leave.
Eugene stood in the elevator with one thing on his mind: the woman with the deadened eyes and the muted mouth. She wasn't something to be pitied; it was as if she'd already passed that stage; even though he knew this, he couldn't help but wish to know more about her. He wanted to help her.
The elevator dinged; indicating he had arrived at his desired floor. Getting out, he was again situated in the lobby; the receptionist sat behind the desk, reading an awfully boring-looking book. Upon hearing the sound of the elevator, she looked up; her eyes immediately brightening and her face breaking into a smile once she realised it was him.
"Where are you off to at this time?" She questioned, while Eugene walked up to her. He gave her a small smile.
"More importantly," he said not unkindly, "Rei Tachibana; how old is she?"
The receptionist stared at him curiously.
"She's only eighteen. Has she offended you in some way?" The receptionist asked with a frown. Eugene cocked his head to the side.
"What makes you think she has?" He questioned inquisitively.
"She's one of the worst employees we've hired;" the receptionist replied, "in terms of manners and grace."
"My dear Claudia, you are too harsh on her; she does her job well, I presume?" He asked, expecting the response the receptionist had given him.
Claudia nodded.
"She follows instructions well, but she's far too…what's the word…" She thought for a second.
"Emotionless, robotic, inhuman," Eugene murmured, more to himself than her. Claudia nodded once again; before she could speak, he said, "well, I must go; forgive me for keeping you for too long; I don't intend to stay much longer. However, would you so kindly do me a favour?"
"Of course! As long as it's in my power," she replied, hoping to be as helpful to him as possible. He gave her a dazzling smile.
./././.
Eugene's chauffer opened the car door, allowing him to step out of the backseat of the car. Closing it behind him, his chauffer then went and sat down in his seat, closing the driver's seat door and driving away with Eugene's sleek black car. Looking up, Eugene was met with two immense mahogany doors that were polished to perfection; two large, brass handles in the shape of a lion's head were found on both doors. Leading up to them were wide grey concrete stairs embellished with a burgundy red carpet draped down the middle of them. Two men in black suits were stationed at the base of the stairs; one on either side of the carpet and two other men were stationed by the doors; again, on either side. Large windows on both sides of the doors allowed passers-by to enviously look into the brightly-lit room on the other side, where men in expensive suits and women in pearls or diamonds socialised blithely, with a glass of wine or champagne in one hand. Judging by the fact that the double doors were now closed, Eugene guessed he had run late. As always. No doubt he would be told off by his father for this.
"Breathing out heavily, Eugene turned around to face the road in front of him, observing the many cars that passed by; then looking up at the sky. It had turned quite dark since the last time he noticed it; the sky had now turned a very dark shade of Prussian blue. Since he was in a more central part of London, he wasn't surprised he could only see a handful of stars; the air having been contaminated by pollution. Though, he supposed he could put up with it.
"Oh, Eugene! There you are!"
A male voice shouted from behind him. Turning around, he was met with one of his dad's friends walking down the stairs towards him. He was a middle-aged man, with balding brown hair and tired, but kind blue eyes. He had a round stomach and an average height.
"Mr Edwards, it has been a while, hasn't it?" He asked, giving him a small smile. Alastair Edwards returned his smile with a more enthusiastic one and nodded.
"Just as a warning, your father is speaking of your marriage. We should head in now, he wishes to speak to you urgently, as you can tell," he said, putting a hand on Eugene's shoulder, Eugene said nothing, merely let Alastair usher him up the stairs. The men standing at the base of the stairs bowed stiffly when Eugene and Alastair reached them; once they reached the two men standing beside the doors, they opened the doors for them and closed it behind them.
Hello my dears; I'm so very sorry I haven't updated till now; I became busy with personal things. Anyway, thank you to VisforVixen andBloodDDB for commenting; I really appreciate. It makes me well up with glee and motivates me whenever I get a new comment ^.^ A~nd of course, thank you to everyone who hs taken the time in reading my work. 'Til next time!