Waiting Outside the Lines
Rima Touya x Senri Shiki

DISCLAIMER: All characters belong to Matsuri Hino-sensei. I'm only an avid fan who longs for her works. :3 Also, The Billionaire Boys' Club was taken from Sonia Francesca's works. Please read it if you find it. They're all worth reading. :3 I'm collecting it by the way... and sadly i'm getting robbed because of it.

Rated: M (for foul words and speech)

A/N: Whew. Thank you for the review Rima's biggest fan. Waaah... :3 I'm encouraged again to write. kekeke... XD actually I was lost on how to write this story. I mean sure, I was inspired by a novel but it's really difficult to get ideas... that's well... unique. so i'll apologize for my future ramblings. :)) and yes... I want Maria Kurenai in this story. XD and I'll be adding a few more characters in the future. *grins* please do enjoy.

Maria: hai, please review too. domo. (bows)

First Step: First Blood.

"The Billionaire Boys' Club." Maria Kurenai exclaimed. "These boys are all good-looking. Are they even single?"

"That's what you'll have to find out." Rima ordered. "Every personal information and detail about them. That's why you'll have to secure an interview with them so that the magazine won't be biased."

It had only been two weeks since their magazine—DAILY TIMES—wrote an article about the biggest and wealthiest enterprise and companies, which featured the top-caliber businessmen of the country. But then, as soon as the magazine hit the stands, every piece was sold instantly like hotcakes. The company was bombarded with emails and calls inquiring about the article, the whereabouts of these men, and other significant details about them. Thus, as editor-in-chief, she got an idea to grab the opportunity to increase the target market of their magazine.

"Do you understand Maria? We must get that story."

"Yes Boss!" The grey haired female nodded.

"Good. This meeting is over then." She answered and stared at the articles piled on her desk. She needed to finish reading all of it by the end of the day. The deadlines were approaching and she needed a good story to highlight their magazine.

Maria quietly stood up from her seat and was about to leave when the writer remembered something.

"Um… can I ask a small favor Rima-chan?" Maria asked. "Can we feature an article in the lifestyle section about this bar I recently went to?"

Rima didn't look up but answered, "How's their Tequilla?"

"Perfect." The writer smiled widely since Rima looked up after her remark.

"What's the name of the bar?"

"Heaven's Cross." Then Maria explained a few details about the bar. She was a bit surprised when she heard the bartender was a girl.

"Sounds good to me." Rima said after the writer's explanation. "I'll drop by today and check it out. Good luck with the Billionaire Boys' Club."

Maria just shook her head and waved goodbye at her. But before the grey haired female could close the door she heard her spoke.

"Sir! Can I have an interview with you?"

"For what?"

She stopped reading the article in front of her when she heard the voice Maria was talking with. Even without glancing at the owner of the voice, she knew who it was.

"We're doing an exclusive story about the Billionaire Boys' Club." Maria explained. "And since you're one of the billionaire boys, can I have an exclusive interview with you?"

"Wait, did your editor-in-chief, Rima assigned you to do that?"

Rima couldn't help smiling at Maria. One of the things Rima liked about Maria is that the writer never let great opportunities pass by. That would mean, annoying their boss Senri Shiki until he agreed.

"There are other men included in the list so why don't you start with them first?" Their boss stated. "I have other things to do right now, and that includes talking with your EIC (Editor in Chief)."

Senri's strong voice vibrated in the room as soon as her office door closed.

"What the hell is wrong with you Miss Touya?"

It was only then that Rima turned her attention away from her work. There he was, Senri Shiki—the owner of BRM (Blue Rose Media), the CEO of Shiki Corporation and Enterprise, one of the well-known businessmen included in the list of the Billionaire Boys' Club, and technically her boss.

"Could you please lower your voice Shiki-san? As you can see, I'm busy doing my job." She spoke coolly.

"The hell with your work!" He rudely slammed a copy of their magazine on her desk.

"What the hell do you think you're doing? Why did you feature an article without my consent?" His reprimanding voice annoyed Rima but she remained calm as she stared at his bluish-grey eyes.

She took out a piece of paper from her desk and showed it to him. "I have the consent right here, Shiki-san."

Senri took the paper out of her hands and frowned. For a while, he was in deep thought. Rima figured that he might be wondering how he signed the contract.

THREE… TWO… ONE.

Then she heard him curse.

"When the hell did I sign this piece of shit?"

"A month ago. I went to your office and let you personally sign the contract."

"Then why wasn't I informed about it?"

It took Rima all her self-control not to roll her eyes at her boss. How can someone so good-looking be so dumb?

"You were talking on the phone when I came to your office to explain the plan. I waited an hour for you to notice me but you were preoccupied with thinking what to give your lover for your date. I waited again but then, you were still busy talking about nonsense with some girl. The next day, I came back but you were in a sour mood because you were depressed after your break-up."

"It's understandable." He glared at her. "You could have waited for my recovery if you knew I was depressed."

"I did wait for you, sir." She emphasized the last word. "If you didn't want to be depressed then you shouldn't have broken off with your lover."

Suddenly, there was a hint of sadness in Senri's face. "I thought I had loved her."

Rima was slightly taken back at his proclamation. How can person like him easily throw words of love like that? Even though he was drop-dead gorgeous, he didn't have to be sadistic towards his lovers.

"Anyway, even though I signed the contract, I didn't agree to have my picture publicized."

"Your mother gave it to me."

Senri cursed again.

"Do you think you could get away with this? How many people in this article do you think will sue the company after this?" He remarked angrily.

"They won't sue the company since this will help them greatly in advertizing their business. Also, please take note that this is free of charge, they can't lose anything." She stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

Senri took a deep breath. "So you think you could get away that easily? Let's say I let this pass but don't think that the next assignment could be approved."

Rima held back her smirk. "I'm sorry sir, but I have already gotten consent from your mother. In fact, she liked the idea of you being featured."

Senri glared at her. "The hell she is. Please do be reminded that I am the current CEO and heir to this company. In a few months, this will be in my care. So please don't bother my mother about the company."

This time Rima smirked. "I'm sorry if I hurt your pride, sir. But as for now, I am working as an employee of the company, which your mother hired. So you don't have any authority to fire me as you wish."

"I don't have to fire you in order to make things difficult. I can always turn down the interview." He said triumphantly.

Despite his exuding confidence, she didn't falter. She had an ace writer under her wing. In addition, she knew Maria wouldn't take 'no' for an answer.

"My staff writer can be persistent when she wants something, Shiki-san. And believe me when I say she doesn't take 'no' for answer." She spoke proudly.

"So you think it'll be just like that Rima?" He asked coldly and smiled. "Sorry to burst your bubble but I'm afraid even if you have consent for the assignment, I doubt the other businessmen would accept an interview from you and your staff. I know those men and they'll agree with me in boycotting this stupidity."

Her smirk faded at his remark. "You can't do that sir."

"Why not?"

"This is your company, surely you won't do anything that will jeopardize it."

Senri's smile widened. "Trust me. I can easily throw a company and rebuild it afterwards."

Rima frowned. He had a point and she hated it.

If he wanted to he could fire her at the moment and she would go home jobless. But she knew him—Senri Shiki wasn't that kind of person. He was just bluffing. He wanted to intimidate her, and it was working.

She took a deep breath. Her boss took it as a sign of her surrender and grinned.

"It's your company, not mine."

She knew with that sentence she had sealed their argument.

And sadly, she lost.

"Damn it." She softly cursed when she realized he was leaving. But before he could leave, she needed to turn the tables.

"But we will have that article, sir. Whether you like it or not." She added.

"We'll see." Senri said coolly and left.

...

続く. (To be continued)

A/N: First chapter up! And yes, technically I got the word 'First Blood' from my DOTA addict friend. Yes. whew. it's a bit short but bear with me. :)) I'll be updating soon. CIAO!

Yuuki: AM I GOING TO APPEAR IN THE NEXT CHAPTER?

Me: We'll see. (evil grins)

Yuuki: no fair! (pouts) PLEASE REVIEW AND CONVINCE THIS AUTHOR TO INCLUDE ME IN THIS STORY!

Me: There there Yuuki. you'll have your time to shine. (smile) thanks for reading minna.