The door creaked open. I didn't dare to look toward doors, instead I cast my eyes away, fixing it on the wall.
A moment later door closed and I heard footsteps advancing towards … the table? I looked up, and saw a long haired man, dressed in a trench coat. I watched him in confusion, not understanding what was happening.
He turned the chair, so now it faced me, and got seated in it.
"How do you do, L?
"How do you do." I replied, carpeting the curiosity that was crawling inside me.
"I am Mikami Teru! I, Light and Higuchi are partners in business. And I'm here to discuss the terms of your engagement as … as a temporary employee. So did Light tell you anything?"
'Temporary employee? What was going on?'
I shook my head in response.
"I see!' He paused and adjusted his spectacles on his nose. "Well, we own a shipping line or Japan's largest shipping line to be specific."
He paused to ensure that I have understood the information. I nodded so he continued.
"So recently we have a large consignment imported from Australia but we were running short of workers therefore we decided to hire some temporary employees for unloading purpose."
'Oh. They wanted me as a worker, not as a…' There were conflicting thoughts and emotion inside my mind. Relief, confusion, curiosity and … disappointment?
"What your job entails is that you have to unload the goods from containers to warehouse. I will further explain your job specifications, once we get there. So from tomorrow, you will be required to join the work and I will expect you to rise at seven o'clock. Any question?"
I shook my head again.
"Good then. Meet you tomorrow, L!" he rose and went out of the room, closing the door behind, leaving me to my thoughts.
There was something strange about these people, they were treating me like… at least not like a slave.
I repeated the conversation with Mikami in my mind again and again, embarrassed with myself that I assumed that Light would have anything to do with me.
'What did you think, that someone as handsome as him will choose you even for one night?' My mind jabbed at me in a contempt, increasing my agitation. I just wanted to erase it all from my memory in some way, to get rid of these unsettling emotions.
'Why were emotions so difficult to handle?'
I buried my head in the pillow trying to sleep, but it seemed even sleep was not merciful enough to provide me escape from my predicament.
The sun was still blazing angrily but at least not as much as it was at noon. The weather was humid, not at all a suitable condition for working. Under the direct rays of sun, we worked continuously, lifting heavy cartons on our back to the dock, which was even more humid without any ventilation system.
Sun rays were now scorching my skin, sweat dripped from my forehead falling into my eyes, blurring it even more. Then everything started to darken until there was total darkness in front of my eyes. I tried to open them wide but all I could see was pitch blackness. Panic started to seep inside me. 'Am I losing my vision?'
"Hey you okay?" I heard someone saying.
Then gradually my vision returned and I could see a boy bending in front of me. Looking at my surroundings, I realized that I was in a dock, seated on a carton. 'How did I come here?'
I looked at the boy who was extending a water bottle in my direction. Bringing the bottle to my lips, I quickly gulped down the water. I could feel weakness, like someone has drained out energy from my body, leaving it fragile. Though it was humid, I felt like wind was hitting my body, making the sweat on it to evaporate and leave coolness behind.
"Hey relax here a bit! And don't worry about Mikami, he is a good guy." He smiled and went off.
I sat there feeling a little groggy. After five minutes when I started feeling better, I stood up, still unwilling to start the work. My glance fell on the glass window, showing my reflection. I moved towards it and noticed that my hair were more wild than ever, spiking at odd angles.
Then out of the blue, the car scene replayed in my mind, when I was shaking my hair and Light lost the control over steering. 'Did he get distracted because of it?' That was indeed a plausible reason because I couldn't see any other reason for him to be embarrassed about it afterwards.
I quickly reprimanded myself for making such a stupid assumption. 'Why every time, I have to end up thinking about him?'
My musing and self-introspect ceased when someone called from behind.
"I hope this work is not too much for you, L!" I stiffened when I recognized the tenor voice.
I don't know why my body becomes alert and conscious about everything, whenever he is around. My heart was ready to fly away from the chest in any second. Collecting myself, I turned around and met his gaze full and square.
"No it's fine." I replied in my passive tone.
He came towards me until he was few steps away.
"Hmm … so why not working?"
'Oh! So all he was concerned about was that why I wasn't working.'
"I was just about to."
"Tch, I am not asking that why you aren't working, instead what is the reason that you aren't."
Though I understood the meaning but I don't know why I pretended that I didn't. "It means same!"
He took a step forward, smiling. "Oh, it doesn't!"
He was close now. And I could see every detail of his face. His perfect jawline, his eyes covered with long eyelashes, his perfect nose but I didn't dare to look at his lips. Still, my heart beat involuntarily paced up.
There was an awkward silence. I didn't know what to say, so I didn't. Then I felt a warm hand cupping my cheek. I eyed him in confusion.
His face had a concerned expression on it and he rubbed my cheek. "You are having a sunburn, L."
Well I didn't notice that before. Like it matters to me, anyways. 'Good, at least now my skin would have a color.' I thought.
"Next time do apply a sun screen before starting work." He commanded and I realized that for some unknown reason, I couldn't say no to this man. But still I didn't want to immediately comply with his demand.
"I don't have any." He scowled in annoyance and I felt a strange satisfaction at seeing a new expression on his face.
"Of course you don't." He rubbed his fingers in circles. "I will send it to you. Okay?" The movements on my cheek ceased and he gave a gentle pat instead, demanding an answer.
I wanted to refuse to him, just to see his reaction and would have even done it, if I were not a slave. If!
I nodded.
"Good!" He continued looking at me with an unidentifiable expression on his face and then … he leaned forward. And I realized the intention in his eyes. In an instant my stomach dropped, chest tightened-
He didn't give me much time and closed the gap. And then, his lips touched mine, sending a shiver to my whole body.
He brought our body close, circling his hand behind me. My body was completely trapped in his embrace, as he pressed his lips roughly against mine, clutching me more tightly.
I couldn't breathe, can't pull air into my constricted lungs. I tried, I gasped- but it didn't work. My heart pounded uncontrollably against my chest, so fiercely that it ached. I could practically hear the thudding in my ears.
And then, all of sudden he stopped, quickly pulling himself off.
I opened my eyes to realize that my body was violently shivering. I looked at Light. His face was a myriad of expressions; confusion, shock, disbelief-
'I- I" He was still gaping at me with horror-struck eyes. "I didn't mean to." He said in low regretful voice. And then angered flickered in his eyes and he almost looked dangerous. But I could tell that anger was not directed at me.
He quickly turned away and hurried out of the warehouse. I watched his retreating form in confusion, my mind still muzzy from the sensation of his kiss.
I was back to reality when he was out of my sight. I brought my finger to my lips, which were still tingling with the sensation. Everything was just so muddled and then eventually, the fact sank in my mind.
'Light was attracted to me!'
AN: This story will take about 6-8 chapters more. I really intend to complete this but I want to know if someone is even reading this shit or am I wasting my life. Please do give a feedback.
