Update" Please, please, please read my chapter update in chapter one if you haven't! Some interesting details and I really don't want you to miss out!

Chapter 2 - "Drink Your Coffee… Not Wear It."

"Well Ichigo, its nice meeting you… I'll see you tomorrow— 12:00 sharp…"

He raised a brow, his light brown eyes locked with mine before leaving, "Yea. Likewise…"

"…Um." Or maybe I shouldn't say anything. On second thought, "Ichigo wait!" Eww, could I have sounded any more desperate. I stood up from my desk waving my hand at him. The gentlemen pulled back and peeked inside the office, with one eyebrow raised.

"Yes ma'am?"

"Err…" now that I had his full attention. "I almost forgot. You'll need to fill out one more form before leaving." this was something he could have easily done tomorrow. "Actually it's a survey. Just ask my receptionist, Hanataro and he'll tell you where to turn it in at…" I watched his earthly amber eyes widen as he began searching.

"Okay." Then it was the small grin he possessed. "Receptionist. That way, right?" a tan slender hand pointed to the right.

"…Yes." it was a very confined yes, a very… safe yes. Like if I would have said anything other than yes, then it would have sounded stupid. Trust me, I know myself. On second thought, I could have used correct. Never mind, too nerdy. I sighed, at least I wasn't imagining him saying anything perverted now. If that was truly my imagination. I had to admit, that was probably the most distracting interview I had ever had.

Now that I had a few brief seconds, I began to wonder and rethink my selfish, greedy decision. However, rethinking meant second guessing and I hated when I did that. I shook my head, lightly massaging my temples in aggravation. I was still in a bind. Now that I hired Mr. Vice president, I had no idea what his position was going to be.

There was always the possibility of him being a vice president here but, I never considered having a vice president at my side. I was, what you call, the independent single business woman. I signed my own checks and filed my own personal papers. When we were short of employees, I was the one to hire more. When it came to my magazine, I was the one who gathered most ideas for it, the one who illustrated it, and even the one to get it published.

…So why switch up the jobs now?

Or maybe…

…Maybe I could give Ichigo these tasks and give my little heart a break. Maybe… he's just what this company needed.

My office phone beeped. Call on line 3.

I snapped out of my thoughts and back to reality. I sighed, gazing at the dumb phone and then to the button that lit up line 3. Dreading, who the hell it could be, I pressed the button and exhaled deeply. "…Rukia Kuchiki speaking…"

A thick bored, uninterested tone, similar to mine, answered. "…Hello, Rukia?"

Excitement beamed throughout my body, hearing his voice. "Brother!" That's right… I forgot all about dinner tonight. "How are you, brother?" it had been about two or three weeks since I had heard from him. I had always missed his calls.

"I'm doing well. It's been a while since we last talked." that was his own little way of saying he missed me. I was sure.

"I know I have been a little busy. If only the company could take care of itself for a while, wouldn't mind getting away for a day or two." there was a pause but I could have sworn I heard a light chuckle on the other end. "So did you get your birth…?" I hesitated, feeling a sudden lump in my throat. Byakuya's birthday was at the end of January and here it was, in the middle of March.

It was probably not a good idea to call it birthday card anymore. So I started again, "…did you get the card I sent you…" the card I sent three weeks late and just my luck, it got lost in the mail as well.

"Yes, I did." He answered. "It was very thoughtful, thank you..." he chuckled lightly again.

"You're very welcome." I expected as much. I knew he wouldn't complain about it, even if the damn thing was late. At least he got it. Now, the only way to make myself feel better was to proceed with the dinner plans. "So do you have any idea where you would like to eat tonight, my treat?"

Suddenly, I heard a grumble. A sign that my offer offended him. Then he said, "Nonsense… It will be my treat."

"But brother…"

"I will not have you paying a dime. You act as if I can't pay for a decent dinner. How insulting." he cooed, "I will have a limo waiting for you at 20:00, is that clear?"

"Yes brother." that's all I could say. Any more would piss him off. "I'll see you then."

"Very well." Click.

"Did you get hired?"

"Of course." Ichigo chuckled, holding the cell to his ear, "Like you said, piece of cake."

"What did you think of her?"

Ichigo shrugged, "Eh, she's alright…" what else was he supposed to say? She was cute? Hot? Awesome? Sexy? Ichigo would definitely not reveal these types of things to his new partner. Fuck that.

"She'll be easy to scope through, right?" his partner's voice muffled, "Someone like you should fulfill these tasks with no problem."

"Well if that's what you mean, then I agree. She's an open book, I can tell by the way she presents herself." Ichigo was referring to how she acted at the interview— weird, awkward and a bit dazed by his composition. Ichigo was hoping for that. If she wouldn't hire him for his brains then perhaps showing his chest would persuade her.

"We've been friends for a while, once she gets to know you, she'll start trusting you more. That's the way she has always been." His partner admitted.

"It's nothing I can't handle. I'll call you in about a week…"

"I'll be here… laters…"

Ichigo smiled, closing his phone, "Hell, it might be a few days…" he had other ways of this woman trusting him. He stared at the survey and headed towards the headquarters.

After a while, I noticed how quiet it was after the interview. I actually came out of my office to see why it was so dead, but everything was running smoothly. Everyone was minding their own business. Orihime was right at the door and almost startled me.

"Are you okay?" she asked, her face looked alert and her brown eyes stared at me intently. I could see that she was truly worried about me or something.

"I'm fine, why?" I stepped back into my office and she followed.

"I don't know. You just seem, a little… distracted?" She sat down, "So how about that cute guy with the funny orange hair, huh?" she asked, "Ichigo Kurosaki right? Did you hire him?"

The positive side to hiring an attractive intern was, if he wasn't good for anything constructive, at least he could serve as worthy eye candy for as long as he lasted. Which I could tell, wouldn't be long. Ichigo just seemed interested in his looks— that's all. I don't even think he knows that he's doing it. "I did." I nodded, but I paused thinking something else, "The interview was little strange… but I think he's going to be a good employee." I… think…

"Strange?" she blinked. "Like how?"

"Well…" I paused again, slightly turning my head away from her. I didn't even want to share what I thought Ichigo said. They were private and sorta perverted? "Do you know that awkward moment when you think someone has said something and when you happen repeat it, it's not what they said at all?" to my surprise, she giggled.

"Yeah, all the time!" she must have seen something there in my face because she laughed again, "Like… in the morning, sometimes I hear you telling me to go get you a goose…"

I sighed. "Uh… Orihime… that's not what I…"

"…AND I'm like freaking out, wondering where I'm gonna get an orange goose…" I raised my brow as she began to laugh hysterically. "I mean come on! There's no geese in the city of Tokyo and orange at that! Well… unless you happen to be on that weird part of the city…" she rambled on and on, "Then you yell angrily…" she made a mean face, pointing her finger at me. "NO ORIHIME! I SAID ORANGE JUICE NOT ORANGE GOOSE! BAKA!"

"…Heh. Forget it." I frowned, desperately in need to massage my temples over and over again. "And that's kinda not what I meant."

"Oh, sorry…" gripping what files she had, she slowly lowered her head then shot back up with a smile so wide on her face. "So what did you mean…?"

"Never mind it." I sighed, taking a sip of my cold coffee. I glowered at the taste. "Postpone today's meeting at 16:00 to 16:30 and get me connected with Mizuiro from Tokyo Today."

"Mr. Kojima called during your interview with Mr. Kurosaki." the woman smiled again, "I told him you were busy and to call you back…"

"Then get him on the phone again?" I frowned, "I have a fashion show to attend next Tuesday. So, it's very important." I ordered, taking another cold, bitter sip.

My assistant, jolted up. "I'm on it." she nodded.

"Oh and Orihime…"

She turned around, brown eyes and wide as ever, "Yes?"

"How you teased me earlier," I cleared my throat, pointing my finger almost identical to how she did it when she mocked me, "I do not sound like that…"

She simply laughed and walked out. Way to be supportive.

I looked at the clock. It was 15:30.

I had one hour to get myself together before the meeting. This month, the new issue was coming out and I had made a deal with the owner of Glamorous Gals that if they made me their number one sponsor, I would advertise their clothing line in my magazine. It was the perfect deal and would only help the magazine's publicity. Besides that, my number one priority was the cover design. That's how big this meeting was. Everyone that invested in this month's issue was going to be there. Which was roughly ten to twelve people.

Aside that, I had thirteen different meetings scattered over the rest of this month and next month, plus a seminar. I began looking through my planner:

I had three meetings before this week was up and I had a fashion show this Tuesday to go to. Which I still waited for Mizuiro Kojima to call me back. I also had a fashion convention in April. The rest of my free days consisted of hiring models for the summer issue in May. I closed my planner, exhaling.

"Rukia…" Orihime peeked her head in my office, "I just got Tokyo Today on the phone as you asked."

"Finally," I stood up, reaching for the phone. "Mizuiro?"

"Hi, there." the man cleared his throat. "How have you been?"

As much as I just wanted to blurt my troubles, I just smiled and lied. "Pretty great. Things are running beautifully." Good thing he wasn't seeing my face, for, it always told the truth.

"I see." he paused, "You were never a good liar, Rukia." he proceeded to laugh. I patiently gripped the phone in my hand, frowning at his teasing manor.

"I wasn't lying…" I didn't know why I even bothered to lie again, he always caught me in one every single time.

"Sure, sure…"

I and Mizuiro had been old friends since college. We actually grew wealthy together. While I worked on creating my own business, his wealth came first when he began his own illegal wine business. He started harvesting wines from his dead uncle's collection and selling them at banquets and weddings. That was at the beginning of our college years. By the time we were seniors, he had saved up almost 50 million yen. The remainder of the bottles he hadn't sold were worth 110 million yen. Soon he was able to open up his own winery and created his newspaper, now called, Tokyo Today.

…The newspaper was created for the hell of it. Boredom and money should never mix…

Anyways, Tokyo Today broadcasted my magazine all over Tokyo for a couple of months before it became popular. Since he went through all the trouble to promote it, I returned the favor by investing in fashion shows for his girlfriend who, was starting her own clothing line. So, I thought, what better time to encourage and advertise.

"So about the show…" I grabbed for a pen and notebook paper. "This coming Tuesday, right? And at what time?" I quickly reached for my bitter, cold coffee again.

"13:00. At the Diamond Ball." the man simply answered, "She's got everything set up. You just need to be there. I was kinda thinking that we could use the new cover of your new issue there. After all, she is modeling for your little booklet… " I hated when he referred my magazine as a booklet…

My eyes widened, "Heh…" I laughed nervously out loud, spilling the last bit of my coffee on my off white blouse. Crap! I choked. "Yeah… about that…"

"Huh? Don't tell me…" I could hear him grunt, "It's not done… is it?" and when I said nothing he grunted louder, "Seriously, how do you expect to run a presentable company when everything is half - assed and last minute?"

"It will be done. Promise." and I swore on that, quickly taking a napkin and dabbing my noticeable coffee stain. "You just wait, it's gonna be the best fucking cover you've ever laid your eyes on, damn it."

"Ok… sure…" he sounded uninterested.

But we hung up at the same time. I checked the clock. 16:15. For once, I would like to be on time to my own meeting. I started grabbing all my things and headed towards my next destination. The conference room was five floors below. So if I started going now, I would make it on time. And if I had some type of stain remover… it would probably only take me about a few minutes to clean my blouse, but since I didn't, it would take me long to clean my blouse by hand, drying included… damn it.

"Wait for me…" a tiny but highly annoying voice caught my attention. "I'm coming!" Orihime was pacing down the hall from the emergency stairs. As she got closer, I could see she was holding diagrams and portfolios tightly in her hands, loosing papers along the way.

"Hurry!" I grimaced.

When she caught up with me, the poor girl lost balance and everything in her hands fell. Papers flew left and right. I wanted to yell right then… but I saw THE face, that face she always did when she knew she had screwed up. I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Plus, I thought about how bad she made me sound in the office earlier. I just sighed, pausing to take another hopeless breath.

When I spoke, my voice was so quiet. "…Why Orihime…"

The answer was quite simple as pie— because— calamity had it in for me when I was first conceived. I slapped my forehead. And because we were the only ones on the ninth level at that time, we had no help picking up the crap she dropped. Now it was 16:25. I scooped up the last of it and stuffed it in a folder.

Finally!

"…Here." I forcefully stuffed papers in her arms.

"I'm sorry, Rukia. It won't happen again!" she pleaded, tagging behind me. "Don't fire me please! I swear… I'm…"

"It's fine …Let's go." I felt my top lip curl in aggravation. We were almost to the conference room, just about to touch that knob when Orihime blurts again, "WAAAIT!" she dropped her papers at the door again…

WHAT THE FUCK! "WHAT! I'm almost late! BAKA!"

"W-well it's j-just that you c-can't…" she shivered, "Y-you can't go in there like t-that…"

"…And why the hell not?"

Her reddish orange bangs covered her eyes as her long strands of hair made curls on her shoulders. Her voice was so small, so tiny and fragile. "Because… there's a coffee stain on your b-blouse…"

Now. I. was. Red.

Wanna know how I knew that? Simply because the back of my ears were so hot, I could fry rice and egg rolls on them. "You don't think I know that by now? What's the big fucking idea huh? You think I'm stupid… eh?"

"NO! Of course not! I'm sorry, here…" she pulled off her neck scarf, "This might help…" to my surprise, she wrapped the scarf fashionably around my neck, effortlessly hiding that nasty brown stain. "Go get em, boss."

16:35 now. Still, I stood there. I felt like the bitch from hell as she smiled and open the door for me. I cleared my throat, blinking distantly, "Thanks…" then I proceeded to walk in.

The room was quiet and awkward. Orihime stood outside the conference room, picking up the papers by herself this time. As soon as I stepped in, all faces pulled to my direction. I was almost positive that they all heard my bitching outside. Kudos to me huh?

"…Good evening everyone."

"Evening, Miss Kuchiki."

I relaxed as the last person made their presentation. The conference ran efficiently. We got all the outfits and models figured out. The journalists turned in their interviews. I hadn't made my mind on what I should do for this cover. However, one thing that stained my mind other than the coffee on my blouse was, my promise to Mizuiro and his girlfriend. They were counting on me. This magazine cover had to be out of this world especially, if I wanted to double my profits this year.

"You know something?" a man with bright red hair lifted his hand.

"What's up, Abarai?" I blinked.

"Instead of the same old female models we have each issue, how about we get a man to model… Fashion Fever isn't just limited to females." he suggested.

"Hm." Right, and who would I call to model on my cover? Then again, any hunk packing muscles would do on the front of FashionFeverTokyo.

Neliel nodded. "The fashion show isn't just female models either. I think a guy would be an excellent idea. Fashion isn't a woman hobby. It's a lifestyle of both sexes." the green haired woman agreed, "We could do auditions to look for that certain male model. I mean how many men would pass down such an offer to be in the most popular magazine in Tokyo?"

There came a silence and I wondered myself, "There's no way all this could be done by next Tuesday…"

"It could." Nel protested, "In fact, today is Wednesday. In no time, I could find the perfect model and a photo shoot by Friday…" for once, I needed to trust other judgments than my own.

"Fine." I sighed, "All in favor of male model on the cover say I?"

"I…" all twelve people accounted for…

"Fine then, Friday by 14:30. Okay." as if anything else could go wrong. I massaged my temples, "Please don't let me down."

"No problem, boss. I'll fill you in." the green haired woman smiled, grabbing her things and quickly walked out without saying another word.

"And as for all of you… please, everything needs to be turned in to me by Friday as well. No exceptions. I want everything to be perfect." I demanded. I knew perfect was only a faraway fairytale. I still had hope though. "See you all tomorrow." With that said, everyone sauntered to the door and left speechless.

"That went well." Orihime quit writing and handed me a full page on notes she took regarding the meeting we had. "Shall I make photocopies?"

"No." I stood up, "Just leave it in my office. I'll get it later."

"Yes ma'am." We gathered up the last of the crap she brought. It was only two of us in there and the silence was killing me.

"Orihime?"

"Yes?"

As I locked the door, I began thinking of how rude I was to her. No matter how rude I am to her, she would always be nice to me. For once, I couldn't blame it on the fact that I paid her salary but maybe it was because she truly cared about me. "Thanks for the scarf… And I apologize for yelling at you…"

She giggled. "Don't apologize. Anything for you…"

"T-thanks, you want it back?" I wondered but Orihime shook her head.

"Nah, I brought a spare…"

"Oh. Well thanks again."

We departed and I ended up back in the elevator. One last stop would be my office and then home to get ready for dinner with my brother. I took a long breather. I finally made it through one of the worse days in a long time. Still, part of me wasn't impressed. I would still like to think that I had gone through worse and survived "like a boss."

I bit my lip as the elevator stopped, but not on my floor. The doors suddenly opened, and the new cute employee I hired earlier walked in not even noticing who I was. "…What the?"

"Huh?" he looked down to see my small form and laughed lightly, "Oh… it's you…" I knew I wasn't imagining that one …how could he say that! Oh it's you? What's that crap supposed to mean! That was the worst thing he could have said to his, now, new boss!

"What are you still doing here?" I frowned.

He stared me down like it was the dumbest question to ask. He raised a brow then pointed to himself, "What am I still doing here?"

I crossed my arms. "Yes you…"

"Did you forget about the survey you had me submit…?" he indignantly spat back.

"Doesn't take that long…" Yup he wouldn't last long here at all.

"Right… but I think you need to tell your boy to study the layout of your company cus his way of direction sucks." Ichigo glared back, "Really bad…" he held up the finished survey. It was the first time I heard that stern attitude of his. Earlier he was a lot more reserved.

"So you got lost then?" I wondered.

"Only for a hour." he spoke sarcastically, "Wasn't that bad…" the elevator opened again, this time on my floor.

"Sure. Not that bad." I repeated on my tip toes, snatching the survey from his tight grip. "I'll turn it in myself." I turned around and scattered out, pacing to my office.

I pulled out my keys to unlock the door but, paused for a brief second.

"Fine with me." he breathed behind me. He seemed aggravated, too. It was a different face aside from his normal frown from earlier. It was sorta… kinda cute, not that I liked it but I had never seen a guy keep a face so tense like that before. True talent, I must say. When he noticed me staring at him, he frowned even more.

"What?" he blinked.

"Why do you look like that?" His face never changed. "Is you're face just stuck that way on purpose?" I crossed my arms again, this time laughing inside at his reaction which was a confused one. I slightly shook my head, walking into the office as the tall tanned male waited at the door.

"If I answer that, then I get to ask why you're wearing coffee…" Wise answer. He was a smart ass. I'll give him that.

I shook my head again. "No deal. I rather not." I grabbed my things, rushing out of the office and he followed me to the elevator, "And I'm not wearing my coffee, it spilled while I was on the phone." I just totally gave into his deal but I don't think he noticed.

"I see… hm, that sucks." he actually sounded sympathetic. "Well here then." he pulled something red and small out of his pocket. "You need this more than I do…" he dropped it into my hands.

"Stain remover…?" I blinked.

"Yeah, Tide to go…" the elevator opened and before I knew it, we were on the first floor.

"Thanks." I was still confused. Did Ichigo just give me some stain remover?

"Just keep it." he walked out of the building and down the street, waving his hand in the air for a taxi. "I'll see you tomorrow, later Rukia." just like that, the man was gone and I was left alone.

…He gave me stain remover? Really?

Thursday, I entered the office quite sluggishly. Nevertheless, Orihime was right there, helping with my bags.

"How was dinner last night?" she questioned, placing my bags and books on the side of my desk.

How was it? Well, I went to bed on a full content stomach. Which was a surprise. My brother was always taking me places that I never took liking to. So I had every right to be fearful… But this time, Byakuya took me to an Ethiopian restaurant for the first time last night. I actually liked it, and it was different.

"It was good." I nodded, keeping conversation short and simple. But really, I needed that dinner. Brother and I talked about a lot of things. First about what made him cut his hair to shoulder length and how his thick rich life was going. Byakuya had always been rich without lifting a finger. Unlike me, he was born into wealth so he was well - off as a kid.

"Well that's good." she smiled. "You have no calls for now. It's been an easy morning." by her body language, I could tell. Usually, she was hyper around this time. "But the new trainee starts today. He should be here at 12:00. Also, you have a meeting at 13:45..."

I took a sip of my hot coffee, trying not spill it. "Has Nel called?"

"Nope." she admitted.

"Very well." I sighed. Hopefully she called soon.

Ichigo was on time today. I was slightly pleased when the tall, slender man walked into my office and sat down. "Good Afternoon." I spoke, much too busy to look up and see his tan, frowning face. Somehow, I knew it was him. Everyone either knocked or alerted me before coming in but, he seemed to just make himself known by walking in quietly and sitting down casually.

"Yeah you too…" the man replied after a brief moment of no talking. "So what's on the agenda?"

That reminded me, I still hadn't decided what position he was going to be. I hadn't given the problem the time of day since the interview. The idea of vice president stained my mind still. At least, that was a position he needed no training in. If I did make him one, then I guess that made me president. Which I was fine with but wasn't wanting.

I stopped sorting out papers and glanced at the young man. Yes, he was indeed attractive and even more than yesterday. Today he wore a different suit. This one was grey, casual jacket and pants with white collar and no tie. His unique orange hair was roughly spiked. It gave him a type of arrogant look and I'm admitting it, I kinda liked it. He generally crossed his legs in a proper manner for now and he was staring at me.

I stared into him, emotionlessly. "We can go over rules today and the type of work you'll be doing." I sighed, resting my arms on my desk. "I wanna show the ropes in what I do, so when I'm gone or away, you can do it, understand?"

"So vice president duties then?" he mused lightly, then quickly after was the deep, low… "Hm…" he parted his lips in a devious smile, thinking, "…I thought, Miss Kuchiki, you were going to be rough on me?" he sat back in the chair, crossing his arms as he did so. "Those were your words, right?"

He just addressed me… as Miss Kuchiki. That felt really weird. I swallowed, suddenly I could feel that lump in my throat. "Yes… yes I did." I cleared my throat. He sounded very seducing and I was sure I wasn't imagining this tone. I admit, he caught me off guard with his words but I wasn't giving in. I pressed my lips into a thin line, "However, I didn't say I was giving you vice president duties, Kurosaki…" I mocked his name in a way that made him pull in a straight face.

I decided to proceed with my plans for today. "Come with me." I commanded, quickly standing up. I walked to the bulletin board that held all the personal keys and grabbed one. "Hey… Orihime?" I called to the woman who was at her desk.

She sprang up with much energy. In a matter of seconds, she was at my door and almost startled my trainee, "Yes ma'am?"

"Cancel all meetings for today. And hold all calls for tomorrow." I stopped myself. "Unless it's Nel or Mizuiro…" I added, "Then forward it to my cellphone."

"Of course." She raised a brow, "Any special occasion?"

"No. I'm just showing Ichigo around today."

The woman looked at him blankly and nodded. "…Okay…"

"You ready?" I turned around, looking back at the shocked male as he wondered what made him so special. "This might take all day…"

"All day huh?" the man smiled, much like the devious smile he possessed earlier, "Alright… I'm in no hurry, Miss Kuchiki."