Chapter 2:
I think I was on auto-pilot until I got into work today, I arrived and only really woke up as I heard a knocking on the door "Dex, I managed to get the order as you asked can I speak to you?" a polite guy around my age (21) Aaron was his name, I'd taken him on when I didn't have a HR department and he'd really 'wow-ed' me I had a lot of sales people for our company and he was a good one, "sure just give me a min I'm not awake – go grab yourself a coffee and I'll go for an apple juice ok?" He simply nodded leaving me to rest for a few minuets more as he went to the café next door. Within 5 minuets he was back he had a coffee in hand and my drink as well, I pointed to a seat and he sat in front of me; not being a shy guy he dived in as I expected him to "so I've bought the deal on like you said you wanted me to do… I want a raise" I gave him a raised eyebrow from my poker face as I listened to him before I could even start he started again "I also would like to stop having to be managed by Steve…" I chuckled at that completely losing my poker face I'd hired Steve because I listened to Jack, I smiled "you get me a deal with oriental-all-you-can-eat and I'll give you a raise and I'll inform Steve that technically you're his boss from now on… deal?" Aaron kept a surprisingly good poker face agreed and walked out of my office I started my laptop and drank some of the sweet apple juice waking me up thoughts stirring of giving Aaron some share value too he was a great asset for me I was happy to give him a raise and tell Steve where to shove it but I wanted to see how far I could get him to go I wanted to make this company an asset, something I could walk away from and it still create money for me – so Aaron was a possible candidate for running the place we had similar morals and goals.
The rest of the day went smoothly even getting my first property viewing for my new investment, Jack thankfully had left me alone all day and Aaron amazingly had gotten orient-all-you-can-eat… I wrote a note to check on the sales department's views on Steve he might be a hinder if Aaron worked this hard just to get him out of his hair. I also spoke to Julie in HR about Aaron's raise and told Aaron he was now in charge of his own management – of course I could still check on him, but Steve couldn't anymore.
Again the night loomed over my office, I checked the clock it was only 5PM but winter made it all so dark, I scratched my chin as I gradually became bored making a memo to myself to take a holiday and see how Aaron faired looking after the place by himself. I slowly rose from my chair and rubbed my eyes; I suddenly got a little fright as my phone rang "Hello Dex here of Fantastic Foods Ltd… how may I help?" I heard giggling down the line it was Samantha and Nick, " We'd like to order a hot blonde at the sushi bar at 7:30PM be there or I'll send Nick after you!" with that they hung up – I smiled at the prospect it would be good to go out for a meal especially with them.
I finished up quickly and had made good time to the restaurant we usually went to, as I walked in the woman who owned the place immediately recognized me – it was something special she always worked the evenings and always knew how to treat us, the place wasn't fancy, but it was simple and the food was delicious. I waved and she came over fawning over me "Dex I have not seen you in ages!" she exclaimed her accent adding to some of her grammar mistakes but she was kind, "I'm glad to see you do well, you a nice boy you always bring big customers here I'll get you a Coke free ok?" I simply nodded she smiled and bowed – I bowed in response it reminded me of when I did Karate as a kid, Mrs. Takage was polite and firm but she never willingly took my money once she had offered me something, so I always just tipped big there was no way around that stubbornness. Walking over to the table near the kitchen I bowed to Mr Takage, he was an amazing chef I have watched him 100 times and I still couldn't recreate his art. Mrs Takage returned with the coke "Domo arigato Mrs Takage" she giggled "your accent is still making it hard to understand your Japanese Mr Fury" I laughed Mr Takage chuckled "well while I'm waiting may I have some of your magic Takoyaki?" He chuckled again "sur" his accent was much thicker and had not had the language background of his wife – however with cuisine techniques like his, he really didn't need it.
They went back to their duties as the restaurant filled up, my order came delicious balls of sweet peppers, spices and octopus washed over my taste buds, never to disappoint Mr Takage's recipe was amazing the octopus was never like rubber always perfectly cooked and the right temperature to eat straight away.
As I finished off the tasty treat I almost swallowed a chopstick along with it as Samantha and Nick Hugged me from either side "Cough COUGH G'damn it, I was eating!" in amused anger as I tried to get my food down the right tube and hugging them, Nick looked slightly sorry for it but Samantha had a twinkle in her eyes – she obviously planned that one. Mrs Takage bought over the usual, Green tea for all, warm sake for the lovebirds and another Coke, no ice for me. "So How's things going for you two?" as they released me from the double sided hug sitting next to me on the bar overlooking where our food was prepared, they gave each other a look held hands as Nick started "well we're going to get engaged soon but only when I can afford the ring and have a job etc."
I let the words sink into my thoughts they were getting engaged and they had been so casual about it I came back to reality to find them kissing, I left without them realizing and found Mrs Takage, I gave her £100 to go get some champagne, then when she had time she snuck out the back as I returned to them. "Well I am over the moon! I really am when are you going to tell everyone else? And let me try a few contacts again for you Nick I'll really try to help you out – how can you two be so calm about this!" I hadn't realized I was almost shouting I ..well yes that's exactly it I loved them both anything that made them happy was making me happy I enjoyed every second I got to spend with them.
At that Moment we seemed to have a crescendo of noise as the Takage's brought out the champagne pouring a glass for them and each other – we knew them fairly well and I don't drink – we toasted to their future albeit 4 glasses of bubbly and one of Coke but no one complained anymore. We laughed and eventually the restaurant itself had risen with our spirits to celebrate the news the Takage's got back to work shortly though and we progressed with our meal, the liveliness of the place had reached its pinnacle and fallen back to its normal level of cheer. We spent the night eating sushi – except Nick who was not the biggest fan but he loved the dishes Mr Takage whipped up for him, we joked giggled made jokes about the wedding and how Samantha should be in the Tux, as the night went on we were left in the place along with the now lovey dopey owners who were recanting their own marriage and asking many questions the restaurant shut for the evening as a parting gift for now I took the bill before my friends could see it; I placed a card down on the table asking Mrs Takage to bill my card before they realized she winked in approval. I paid leaving as always when she forced something for free onto me, a large tip as we left I bowed to the couple of owners, they bowed back. As I turned to leave "wait! Dex can I ask you something?" I waited until the lovebirds were outside "Y'all can always ask me anything Mrs…" she put a hand up to stop me "please we have known each other for too long for formalities my first name is Kya and my sweet old partner is Tomoko, we've known you long enough to also ask you this – why do you not find someone of your own? I know most think 22 is too young, but I never see you even date (she dropped the serious to a mocking tone) or are you taking them to different restaurant?" she smiled sweetly even Tomoko gave a large grin "well I'll give that some thought Mrs… er I mean Kya thank you" she smiled bowing again I returned the polite gesture leaving to the cold night outside.