Chapter 3 – Patience Running Thin

Before the games began, I was sure to brew me some coffee and gather my handouts that I printed last night before going home. Generously, I offered some coffee to Ichigo but the man just beamed a disgusted look. More for me… Eventually, I had him follow me just across the hall to the other office. I pulled out the brass key with one hand while the other held my brewed chestnut coffee. "This is where you'll be working." I opened the door, letting him in.

The room was fairly large and white with marble floors like mine. A big white office desk dominated most of its capacity. It still had its new smell and looked sterile. A whole wall, made of thick glass, overlooked Tokyo as far as the human eye could see. Pretty scary to look out and feel like you are on the edge of a sixteen floor building. I meant to put up curtains but, since no one had been in here for a long time, I wasn't in any rush.

Plus, the other part of me was lazy…

"Wow…" he looked at me, brows raised. "Are you sure you wanna give me …this?" I was amazed how he shot himself down that easily. Though, I wasn't sure what I wasn't doing.

"Heh…" My face molded into a deadpan expression. I had never considered giving my employees this room. Not even Orihime, the woman who practically sold her own soul to work under me. I couldn't explain why I would give him such a room but I started like this, "…It belonged to Tatsuki when she worked for me. She moved out after getting her own division in cosmetology, just a couple of suites below me."

"I see." he turned, making his first steps to the window and looked down before turning back to me. "Quite a view." He muttered.

I stood there crossing my arms, my mouth forced a smile as I merely shook my head. "Actually, it's sorta funny. Tatsuki said she hated the view. She complained that it always made her very queasy." Somehow, I knew that Ichigo would appreciate this office room a lot more than Tatsuki did. This was something that I was sure that he didn't have at his other job. Whatever it was…

"Here." I handed the single key to him. "Move in at any time. If you need help, I can get you some assistance. That's no problem." I gazed at the side of his face, he was totally in awe for a second or two. Finally returning to reality, he turned to me and nodded.

"Okay."


After showing Ichigo the office, I aided him around most of the building that afternoon. I'm pretty sure he was getting annoyed with my voice because, his frown would increase in irritation from time to time. I tried pointing out faster routes which would help Ichigo in navigating around the company better. As a worthy employee, he took all the information in pretty quickly as we meandered down the many floors. We finally came to the first floor— where the deli was.

"Lunch time already?" Ichigo beamed jokingly.

"Actually…" Lunch would be the perfect time to go over the handouts I was carrying with me. "Sounds good… I have some things to show you."

I hoped no one thought it was weird that we walked in together. He courteously held the door for me before going in himself. And just before I realized it, we were seated at a table. I started pulling out my papers so we could go over rules and regulations when all the sudden a waitress from the kitchen popped up beside us. I will further mention that never happens. Usually I will get up to order what I would like. I preferred it that way. But now my personal waitress is staring me down.

"Anything to eat for you two?"

Before I can speak, Ichigo is already snatching a menu. "That's just what I was about to ask Rukia."

He went from Miss Kuchiki to Rukia. I blinked as I grabbed at menu as well. "I really wasn't all the hungry…"

"I'm thinking eggs and bacon…" Ichigo handed the woman back her menu.

I giggled, putting my handouts to my face so Ichigo couldn't see, but I know he heard me. "What's so funny?"

"You're eating, breakfast food for lunch?" I simply laughed again. "How absurd, you can eat anything you want but you want eggs and bacon… you are so odd." Ichigo grunted, and his amber brown eyes twitched as the waitress join in as well. Women laugh at the dumbest things. "Yeah, and?" He glared at both of us.

"Well, it was funny to me." I stopped are so stupid.

"It's called brunch…" Ichigo rolled his eyes.

"So…Eggs and bacon?" The waitress confirmed, writing it down. "And for you Miss Rukia Kuchiki?"

I stared hard at the menu but nothing satisfied my thoughts. I knew I took forever and yet I just could come up with something simple. "A water with a hint lemon."

"Alright I'll be back." The waitress went off. I was sure she was going to rambling to the cook in the kitchen and her little deli buddies.

Ichigo placed his hand under his chin, rolling his eyes, good-naturedly. "Women…"

"What does that mean?" I cooed, my dark violet eyes darted at him before I shot the most deathly expression towards him.

"You read that whole menu frontwards and back and all you could come up with was a water with lemon…" he spat.

"WA…" How dare he question my decisions? "Why… I never…" I was totally speechless.

"Oh excuse me…" he corrected, "A hint of lemon… might as well have called sugar free lemonade…"

I counted to five in my head then took a breather and just stared at him I could tell that he was doing it to tick me off. He had some nerve just now hired and he was already pissing me off. He must have felt confident on me not firing his ass. "I couldn't find anything to satisfy my appetite so I got water…"

"With a hint… of lemon." Getting me riled up was something that he now enjoyed doing. I could tell by the way he looked at me. I wouldn't give in to his stupid way of a good time. After all I laughed at him for getting breakfast when it was lunch.

"…Whatever Ichigo. Go on and eat your brunch…" I cooed again.

"I certainly will. Miss lemon water…"

"What a cute little couple." I heard someone giggle behind me. I would go as far as to have Nel or Orihime make a sign that says— screw that— I'll make it myself and it would read over my head, "New belligerent employee— not my boyfriend!"

The waitress brought my water and saucer with a few lemons. "Your eggs and bacon are almost done, sir…"

Ichigo smiled, "Thank you ver—"

"Yes thank you, Momo." I interrupted him, "Where are my manners, I forgot to introduce you to my newemployee…" I emphasized that last word so others behind me could hear me. "His name is Ichigo Kurosaki."

Momo blinked twice at my behavior but turned to Ichigo, "Nice to meet you. I work in the deli— if you need me just ask. I will be happy to serve you."

"That will be all Momo, thanks." Keeping it short and sweet. Ichigo raised a brow— more at my passive aggressive attitude toward the young teen. Momo smiled nervously and scattered off. Shockingly, he didn't ask why I was acting rude. Instead he sat back and sipped his water. He wouldn't stop staring at me. And before I could ask what he was looking at me for, I realized I still needed to go over my handouts. I carried on like that wasn't the most awkward situation ever.

"And now…" I brought a smile to my lips, "The boring stuff." And I wasn't kidding. I handed him four packets— Violence In The Workplace, FashionFever's Drug-Free Workplace Information, Acceptable Use of FashionFever's Back Wall Policy, and The Companies Holidays and Special Meetings. "I think I'll save you the trouble and just talk about each one briefly."

I took a sip of my water, before starting my lecture. "I'm very strict about three things, violence, all types of abuse, and gossip. Definitely no violence or any kind of abuse. I shouldn't have to say that but I'm JUST putting it out there. Of course I can't do much about gossiping, naturally everyone does it but if I know the exact source, I let it go with a warning. After that, if it happens again, I terminate them." I watched Ichigo's eyes widen. "Harsh? I know but we come to work right, not to gossip."

"Fair enough." The man nodded.

"Okay. Of course no type of drugs here, cigarettes are to be smoked outside, away from any of the entrance ways where people enter." He didn't look like a smoker but I was JUST putting that out there too. Usually when I didn't, there was always some type of problem. "By the way, these policies and notices listed here apply to all FashionFever's employees. No matter what rank you are." Ichigo seemed displeased. I figured that was a bad sign since I wasn't even finished talking yet. "And before you walk away, I have you know that our main headquarters has generously customized our policies to fit our operational needs, instead of those provided the Japan's business regulations. Which are a lot stricter than ours in terms of eligibility and/or benefits or privileges provided." Many liked hearing the words benefits and privileges that always screamed salary and freedom. However Ichigo just listened.

"Most employees here— deli, office workers, journalists, janitors— they get paid by the hour. For you, it will be salary. You can take off for as long as you need but you make sure you have worked the requirement of days for a yearly salary."

"And that would be?" Ichigo finally asked.

"At least ninety percent of the year— and that includes holidays and meetings. Even so you couldn't complain with a thirty – five hundred check every two weeks." A ghost of a smile appeared on his lips. "You're welcome." I smiled.

"That's a lot for not having position yet." He admitted.

"Well I need the help." I squeezed more lemon in my water. "Guess you should be saying you're welcome to me…"

"Nah." He shook his head, "Although, you haven't explained the packet on," he read the bold print, "Acceptable Use of FashionFever's Back Wall Policy…"

"Oh yes…" it was so important, I couldn't believe that I had forgotten to mention it. "Due to previous hackers, the company has passed a new rule to explain FashionFever's back wall. Any employee such as me or any other executives are allowed to open up the back wall for business purposes— past files, seminars, meetings, the company's money, shrinkage in sales and/ or inflation. But you have to log on with a company desktop computer. That way, we can track who is retaining information and what for…"

"I'm assuming hackers have always been a problem." Ichigo raised a brow, eyes trying to read what I would say next. I just shrugged.

"Meh, only because we never had a defense barrier and a way to track the traffic that flew through our back walls. Anyone could access files if they had a computer and the correct passcode."

"I see." Was all the man said before his bacon and eggs were brought out to him.

I carried on. "Since the new rule was passed, we haven't had any problems."

"Any more water, Rukia?" Momo was back again.

I held up my glass, "Sure."

"How's the food Mr. Ichigo?" Momo filled my glass, looking back at Ichigo who was stuffing his face.

His voice muffled a bit, taking the table napkin and dabbing his face neatly. "Very good thank you."

"Can I get you two anything else? Miss Rukia, are you hungry now?"

"Yeah." Ichigo answered quickly for me. She'll have a hamburger— extra cheese with everything on it." He smiled taking another bite of eggs.

"Right away!" I'm sure he was being sarcastic but stupid Momo wrote it down anyways and trails off.

"Ichigo!" I whispered loudly. I really couldn't find the words. I just kept thinking, he's got some nerve! "You embarrass me Ichigo."

"What the? How?" he raised a brow, "Your new employee just ordered for you." If anything you should be thankful…

"So you think you are doing me a favor by getting me fat?" I retaliated with flames in my eyes.

"Calm down, eh? If you don't eat it, I will…" he offered.

I paused, cocking my head to the side, "Is it really all that simple?" I mean he just told Momo to get me a hamburger. Months back, I told her I hated burgers. Now I sound like a fat liar… and who needs that type of name.

"It's that simple when you are a man…" he replied, voice muffled from chewing again.

"Well… in case you haven't noticed, I'm a woman…" I frowned.

"Yeah, yeah…" Ichigo rolled his eyes. Couldn't tell with your flat chest...

The food came, finally. And we both looked mildly pleased. It was hot and steamy as the aroma crowded around us. Truthfully, now I was hungry and I could bite into this concoction with no regrets other than it showing on my thighs. Somehow, I managed to stop myself and push the plate away as Momo left.

"No…"

"Why not? It's just a burger. Or do you need a hint of lemon with it…" he rolled his eyes.

"I don't like burgers." I frowned again.

"You have never tried one." He spat, "So how do you know?"

I already have a headache now. I could feel the blood drain from my head when I realized something. "Wait, how do you know that?" and to which he replied…

"You said it in an interview that you have never had a burger so now is your chance." He stared back at me, catching my violet eyes for the first time.

"WHA? WAA…" What the hell was he doing reading my past interviews?

Ichigo smiled at the expression on my face. "Rukia, I have to admit— this was the best brunch I had ever had." I scowled evilly at the spiky head. …and I'm greatly satisfied that I'm spending it with a beautiful (flat chested…) lady such as yourself.

How nice that the jerk was being entertained by my reactions. "Loosen up will ya?" Ichigo snickered, "If it bothers you so much, we'll share the damn thing." He takes a knife and splits it down the middle, the smell was now intensifying my appetite. "Who knew that the owner of FashionFeverTokyo was so uptight?" Worse yet, over trying a fucking sandwich.

"I'm not. I just care a lot about my weight." That wasn't it at all. My brother's uncle died from eating too many burgers at a burger eating contest.

"Is this going on your tab Rukia?" Momo came back smiling.

"Um actually." Ichigo pulled his wallet out but I frowned, stopping him from opening it with a hand.

Despite of me holding back most thoughts today, this one couldn't be tied down under any circumstances. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" I growled.

"I'm paying." He cooed, pulling his hand away from me, attempting to opening it again and slipping out a fifty. I grimaced again, shaking my head in disagreement.

"Yes my dear Momo, put it on my tab…"

"No." He placed the fifty in Momo's apron. "Keep the change alright? Oh and she'll need a box for that burger." I didn't appreciate my freedom of speech being violated.

"Thank you very much Mr. Ichigo. And have a good day you two." The waitress greeted, walking away. I felt my flesh boil as I pressed my lips into a thin line. "You really, really didn't have to do that."

"Well I did, get over it."

"This isn't some date." I huffed. "I am your boss…"

The man sighed. "I know. If anything I should have impressed you…" I felt myself getting angrier.

"Mr. Kurosaki, I order around three hundred and fifty people daily and I sign all their checks. I'm clearly proficient of paying for my lunch I didn't want." I scowled, "I can handle myself…"

"Fine." He mumbled, "…then I want my four dollars and eighty cents back."

I officially hated Ichigo and if wasn't because of my company needing his talents, then I would fire him right now. "Done. I'll get it once we get back to the office."


While we were on our way to headquarters I decided to show him what was below ground level — the garage.

I forced myself to smile again, "You're welcome to park down here, Ichigo." I offered, "I find it easier access. Especially when I'm late to work." I hoped that he wasn't one of those types of people— like I was.

"Rukia Kuchiki is late to work?" was the first thing he said in a while. He raised a brow, almost amazed at that fact of me being late.

"Yes… why? Can't I be late to my own job?" I mean hell, I owned it. Twelve floors to be exact.

"Don't know." Well, I don't know what he was thinking but, when we got back into the elevator, he lightly shrugged. "…Just in the interviews, you say that your never late for work…" he smiled, "…and you never take that kinda crap from your employees."

I nearly choked. What with this guy? He knows so much about me and it's all of the interviews I've done. I either had a crazy dedicated fan, or…

The next word I could think of was reporter… Oh my gawd! What if he was? Shit like that happens to people. Remain calm… Rukia. My subconscious mind whispered. If he wasn't a reporter, then how dare he use past interviews to, to! "Excuse me?" I frowned at him. "Where did you hear that…?"


Okay! I just wanna say! (and I know I'm probably late on this!) I'm in love with fan fiction's update! Posting stories and chapters are a breeze! Seeya laters guys!