Aki didn't like Ai Yashida immediately upon seeing her. Something about her made her look like some evil femme fatale who's out to steal husbands and snatch babies from their cribs. Wearing a very plunging and ALMOST see-through dress, Aki couldn't believe she chose such a dress to wear in what was supposed to be a very formal gathering. The cut was too provocative, and men were craning their necks to have a see. Aki snuck a glance at Koichi. He had a smile on his lips that she's never seen before and her eyes could be deceiving her, but she couldn't resist thinking that was for Ai. She didn't know what to make out of it, but it seemed almost... seedy.
"Mr. Natsukawa, Mrs. Natsukawa, such a lucky time for you two to grace us with your presence. Glad to know you're here," said Mr. Yashida, shaking Koichi's hand.
"Likewise, Mr. Yashida, Mrs. Yashida. It is a pleasure to see you once more, Mrs. Yashida." Koichi said.
How he said 'pleasure' was entirely disturbing and Aki couldn't believe she was part of the conversation.
"Please to meet your acquaintance, Mr. and Mrs. Yashida," greeted Aki, but didn't really mean it as she gave a bow.
Ai looked at Aki as she straightened up and gave her a scanning gaze. "Mrs. Natsukawa... a pleasure to see you finally. Koichi here has kept you from all of us for a long time and seeing you in the flesh makes me understand why. A very pretty wife you have here, Koichi. You better make sure she isn't... snatched up by some other man." She had a rather flirtatious glance at Koichi.
Aki hid her displeasure at Ai eyeing Koichi in such a way; and where was her respect? Addressing her husband by his name before her own? AKi gave a little frown and managed a small smile but couldn't push on.
"Now, honey, seeing Mr. and Mrs. Natsukawa together makes me look back on the days when we were newlyweds. Great times, yes? Anyway, Mrs. Natsukawa, a pleasure to see you. Koichi here has been mum about you, but seeing you now, I take that you're quite the career-woman?", said Mr. Yashida. "Your maiden name is familiar to me. Is your family the owner of the publications company that leans towards the business sector?"
Aki nodded. 'Yes, sir. My father is currently the head and is helped along by mother. I, on the other hand, work for Roponggi Weekly that is also under my father's company, however, I am just a writer there. I wouldn't want my father's name to be defining me after all. Working my way up is what he taught me to go somewhere."
"How pitiful! You're still stuck in your father's shadow even at your age!", Ai proclaimed quite loudly making the other guests turn to them. "Can't you find another job that's apart from your father's? If it was me, I'd completely die from shame! How could you still live up to that, Mrs. Natsukawa? That's a big letdown for your Koichi, don't you think so?"
How uncouth. It was by her own choice to stay and Aki did like writing even if it was difficult at times. She loved writing as a means to make her imagination take over, her words to lay out what she felt and what she has gathered from her subject. Writing made her free, made her happy; and seeing Ai Yashida ridicule her for her choice to not deviate from her path was embarrassing. There was nothing wrong with staying true to your heart, at least Aki was doing something for a living and not squandering her husband's money to buy barely-there dresses and globs of makeup. Aki's amber eyes met with Ai's, and she saw the insult directed at her.
It made her wonder why is it she's such a bitch when it was her first time to meet her.
Aki, however, chose to be classy about it and gave her a genuine smile laced with a little pomp.
"Mrs. Yashida, I will overlook such a statement from you, however, let me correct you that I am not even in my father's shadow to be precise. Considering that I may be working under his name, I do plan on working my way up to be able to prove enough that I am worthy to take over his company when he does get tired from running it. No one in the publications know that I am the daughter of the founder and that is how I want it to be. I am not a housewife, that I admit, but even my husband can say that I do manage both chores and work at home very well." Aki then tilted her head and asked, "Well, my career is out and do tell me, Mrs. Yashida, my husband hasn't told me what you do for a living. Care to tell me to institute a fair trade?"
Aki had a simpering smile the moment she saw Ai's falter and turn sour.
"Very impressive, Koichi! This is why I chose you to be one of the board members! Your choices have done nothing but impress me in the boardroom, but your domestic choices have too! Your wife is a powerhouse! It almost scares me how you are able to keep up with each other considering you're both very competitive!" Mr. Yashida leaned in and chuckled. "I can almost imagine how adventurous it must be for the two of you in the bedroom!"
Aki laughed gaily, shaking her head. It was almost too amusing to hear someone else say their sex life was example of rough love with pulling on hair and biting, leaving lovemarks. It was such a joke to her considering they haven't even had sex or touched each other intimately.
"Oh Mr. Yashida, let me stop you there. Nothing of that sort ever happens," she replied.
"Oh, I believe that to be very true. From what I know, husbands don't like their women to be very accomplished. Makes them want to look for the passion and heat they want somewhere else. Women who can't be tied down lose their men to others willing to submit to them. "
Aki glanced at Ai Yashida, and saw the grin on her face. Something about it hid a very bad truth to which Aki will discover later on. A chill ran down her spine and though she plastered her smile on her face, there was a feeling in her that wanted to throw up. Aki couldn't help but feel that Ai was implying something, but without further proof on what it is, she's simply stuck with the idea that maybe she didn't like her that much.
Clearing her throat, Aki simply said, "With what you said Mrs. Yashida, you seemed to imply my husband doesn't deserve me at all and that you completely know how to spot men who are completely outranked by their wives. Maybe because doing nothing all day makes you an expert in doing so."
Mr. Yashida laughed with hearty mirth at the exchange. Aki and Ai's eyes never left each other, and Koichi seemed gray in the face.
"Mr. Natsukawa, your wife totally has given me a reason to consider you more for the position you are vying for!", he happily said, clapping Koichi on the shoulder. "I am happy that your wife is such a go-getter such as yourself! A woman who cannot bear be beaten is such a wonderful treasure to possess! Careful, if you're not that much of a good husband, another man will happily take her whether she is married or not."
"I am pleased to have your approval but please Mr. Yashida, I am sure Aki and we love each other very much. We plan to stay together for a very long time," Koichi replied looking completely stony-faced. Aki glanced at him and just rolled her eyes as she looked away. "I apologize Mrs. Yashida for my wife. She clearly didn't mean anything."
"Best keep that wife of yours on a leash. Who knows what forms of rabies she can spread," Ai retorted spitefully.
Aki was losing patience with Ai. It was obvious that she didn't like her, but on what grounds?
"Honey, stop it. It's a wonderful opportunity to meet Mrs. Natsukawa. Perhaps you can rethink of going to work soon so you don't spend your days just shopping and gambling in the casinos. I think Mrs. Natsukawa is the new breed of wives Japan will be seeing soon and to see someone young, beautiful and smart to spearhead it makes me happy to see that society is indeed improving."
Aki won this round, and she cannot help but swell inside with proud for wording out such an inbred woman. But really, what was her deal anyway? Why did she hate her so much to even try to create a scene?
"Excuse me, I need to go to the bathroom," said Aki, dismissing herself.
As she passed by Ai, Aki felt her bump her shoulder. Looking bad at Aki, Ai had a knowing grin on her face that didn't seem friendly, apologetic nor nice.
"Watch your husband, Mrs. Natsukawa. A woman such as yourself doesn't really deserve someone like him," she said beneath her breath to keep their men from hearing them. "You act high and mighty, but come one day, you'll realize you were never really anything to him at all."
Aki didn't say anything more and went on her way. Her heart was pounding heavily and tears threatened to fall from her eyes. What did Ai mean? What did she know? Not only Choi, but now her? Where was Choi anyway? Looking at her watch, she saw it was still early and figured he might be a bit late. Deciding to calm her nerves in the bathroom, she made her way and barely got through the people crowding the buffet table. As she got through, Aki took a breath first, before moving on and bumping into a man by the doorway.
"S-Sorry...", she said. Looking up, she gasped a bit. "Mr. Kippei Ebihara."
Kippei Ebihara was standing before her. He raised an eyebrow, looking curiously at her. His voice sounded extremely familiar.
"Strange to see you in a business conference," he simply answered.
"E-Excuse me?", Aki asked dumbfounded. "Have we... have we met?"
Kippei curled one side of his lip. "Nice to see you not crying over onions."
He passed by Aki and it was when she realized he was the man in the hallway that night she took the trash to the chute.
"It was you!", she exclaimed timidly. "You were the man who helped me in the hallway! And you mean to tell me... we're neighbors?"
He looked over his shoulder and simply gave her a smile. "You're quick to pick up."
Aki finally remembered her article and went over to him, grabbing his wrist to stop him from leaving her. It was the perfect opportunity to ask him to give her the honor of an interview and to tag along to gather material for her entry. She was ecstatic despite the little exchange earlier, but who cares? Her subject was there, strangely in a business meeting.
"Uhm.. you're... a designer. What're you doing here?"
"I have a meeting with the Watanabes tonight."
"Are you perhaps meeting with Choi Watanabe?", asked Aki, not being able to get over her luck.
Kippei turned to face her and nodded. He placed a hand in his pocket and wiped the tip of his nose. "Yes. He's the one who contacted me with regards to the new restaurant they were opening that specialized in beers. Do you... know him?"
Aki nodded. "He's an officemate of mine in Roponggi Weekly. He's actually one of the bosses in my department. Judging from the look on your face, I can tell he's not really an easy client?"
Kippei gave a heavy sigh, to which Aki laughed. He glanced at her as she did so. "Well, I would hate to admit seeing you could rat me out."
"He's been always like that, but he's just a really meticulous guy, Mr. Ebihara."
Kippei seemed to have remembered something and said, "How rude. Uhm seems you already know me, I would want to ask for your name. Sorry, I'm not really good with meeting non-clients."
Aki extended her hand for a handshake. "Oh, I'm Aki..."
She thought for a moment and wondered if she should introduce herself as Aki Gojo or Aki there before Kippei, she couldn't help but want to hide the fact she was married. Maybe he won't agree if he to work with her if he finds out she was married. After all, there is a little awkwardness in dealing with married work partners and Aki didn't him to feel like he had to tread on eggshells with her IF EVER he decides to work with her.
"Aki, there you are."
Kippei and Aki turned to see Choi Watanabe approaching them. Aki smiled at Choi who returned it half-heartedly upon seeing Kippei. Choi looked different from his usual get-up. Tonight he was wearing a suit from his usual collared-shirt and jeans. Aki had to admit, Choi was good-looking but shook it off when she saw Koichi between the heads of Kippei and Choi staring at her while Mr. Yashida and his inbred of a wife talked to him. Aki didn't want to be there and deal with Ai so she told herself to stay with Choi and Kippei. After all, there was also work to consider. She was already there along with Kippei, might as well make the best of it.
"Oh, Choi, hey. This is Kippei Ebihara and he just told me you contacted him for your new venture in the brewery?"
Choi eyed Kippei and nodded. "Yup. Dad wants the new pub to be under his care anyway so just to indulge him, I immediately contacted him. So, Mr. Ebihara, how goes the design proposal?", he asked, extending his hand to shake Kippei's.
Kippei shook his hand firmly and said, "It's going well, though I need more specifications when it comes to the cellars. I have to admit you were a bit vague coming off with the design you wanted and couldn't keep in mind you need to consider the lighting fixtures. I also added modifications to the fermentation rooms, I will send it to you now, hold on."
Watching Kippei and Choi conduct business before her, Aki now wondered how to put in her own slice into their conversation. She didn't want to seem left out, but she also didn't want to seem pushy. Knowing Kippei was already evasive of interviews, she didn't want to be like the others who want to put him on the map. She watched him seriously tinker on his smartphone. He was too handsome to be a designer, she thought to herself. She was intimidated by his voice and how good his posture is, even his choice of a pinstriped suit topped off with a red tie. Kippei Ebihara was suave and sexy, and Aki felt almost guilty for admiring another man other than her husband. At least she now knew how the women felt who were within Kippei's proximity. She noticed them looking at him with lustful gazes and pointing at him.
"By the way Aki, since Kippei is here, I think this is a wonderful opportunity to put his brand out there too."
Aki looked surprised at Choi. "How sudden of you, Choi! I was about to excuse myself so you two can-"
"Nonsense." Choi pocketed his phone and said, "Kippei, Aki Gojo here is one of our extremely talented writers. She's nominated for the Writer's Quill Awards and has given the opportunity to make you her subject for her article."
Kippei pocketed his phone and looked at Aki with a calculating gaze. Aki stared back, raising her eyebrows a bit as if to say, "What?".
"Is she married to your company's founder or the son of the founder?", he asked. "I have heard that Roponggi Weekly is founded by the Gojo who also publishes one of our magazines and sponsors our annual events."
"Neither. She's the daughter of the boss, well, the real boss," Choi answered nonchalantly, generating a groan from Aki. "She doesn't really like people knowing that fact, but if it helps, why not. I do know you're having a hard time with this month's publication for Designs and Concepts issue no. 2 for this year. What do you say? I promise to be more cooperative with you this time and go along with your adventures to textile companies in Chiba to oversee fabrics for Dad's little project. It's the least I can do for your patience in our renovation. Maybe Aki here can squeeze in a good word or two to Daddy."
Kippei gave her an interested look and Aki smiled forcefully. Aki couldn't breathe as she hoped to God he would accept. It would at least make the hard part ease off from her so she can start and gather materials. She also needed to read up on designer terms so she won't be harassing him with asking what his own forms of jargon meant. Letting Choi speak was somehow a breath of fresh air to her, however, she wondered why he even brought up her relation to her boss. It was also a surprise knowing Design and Concepts Magazine was under Kippei's company and that it was put on hold for something. Seeing this could be a good opportunity to mutual compensation, Aki privately decided it was a good deal.
"Will her husband even be at peace with the idea of her working with me?", he asked all of a sudden.
"Her husband seems to be at peace knowing she's talking to two men while she's away from him," said Choi, but his words were laced with a hidden meaning.
That fact pierced Aki's heart. She slowly sneaked a glance and saw Koichi now talking to other partners with Ai now with him. Where did Mr. Yashida go?
Kippei sighed and said as he faced Aki, "Well, Ms. Gojo, I don't usually give interviews but I would gladly have you concentrate on my work and not my personal life."
"Oh don't worry. I don't really like delving into the nitty gritty. Exposing you and your wife's privacy is not part of my job."
Kippei took a while before answering. "I'm not married."
Aki couldn't help but not look away from Kippei as he said that. The way he stared at her was... intense.
Choi cleared his throat and was about to speak when his face showed distaste to someone behind Kippei.
"Oh, could it be Mr. Natsukawa has come to claim his beautiful wife after seeing her being surrounded by other men?"
Koichi was there standing behind Kippei. Aki just stared and let her wife duties take over as she walked over to him. There was an odd expression on Koichi's face as he took glances at Choi and Kippei, two very good-looking men who was talking to his wife. His business partners were also looking, anticipating a brawl. Aki, however, didn't feel anything, but the moment her eyes met Ai's, who was looking at her strangely, she couldn't help but get smug inside.
"Mr. Ebihara and Mr. Watanabe, this is my husband Koichi Natsukawa," she introduced. "Koichi, Choi Watanabe and Kippei Ebihara."
"A pleasure to meet you finally Mr. Choi Watanabe and Mr. Ebihara. To what pleasure does my wife owe you for taking her time from me?", said Koichi.
Kippei nonchalantly took a glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and handed it to Choi and Aki, but none for Koichi.
"Mr. Natsukawa, it is a pleasure to meet you. Your wife is currently managing a business arrangement between me and Mr. Watanabe here. From what I have heard, she is quite a good writer. Are you aware of that?", said Kippei. "Also, I live in the same apartment complex as you do. Isn't it a coincidence?"
"Really? I haven't been aware of that. Good to meet you then, Mr. Ebihara. What work do you do?"
"I am a designer and specialize in commercial spaces." Kippei shook Koichi's hand and handed him his calling card.
"He's been the five-year winner for best designer, Mr. Natsukawa. You could consider hiring him to renovate that drab and stiff office of yours. No wonder my father has complained on how unpleasant and suffocating the atmosphere and ambiance is in your building." Choi sipped his champagne and said, "Are you also the Mr. Natsukawa that does business with my father? I have heard so many... things about you. Like how you're completely familiar with the Yashidas."
Aki was now left out with their conversation completely. Here again with Choi's extremely mysterious insinuations. She noticed Koichi turn a bit gray under Choi's gleaming gaze that seemed to know a lot. Seeing that, she now knew she needed to talk to Choi soon. After all, he did open it up and now is best to know what was going on. Well, not that moment but once she gets Choi alone.
"Mr. Yashida has been a good business partner, Mr. Watanabe. I am sure that your father also knows that considering we are wooing him to invest with us." Koichi took Aki's champagne from her hands and downed it as if to lubricate the tension forming among the three men. "Your father has shown interest and I am the one personally handling his accounts with us. I see to it to take care of your father's assets meticulously. I show him reports off the performance of some of the stocks he's invested with us."
Choi grinned sarcastically. "So I've heard. I heard as well from some board members that you're also taking care of the assets of the Yashidas? Especially... Mrs. Yashida's? How often do you report to her with her stock performance? And also her assets?"
Kippei darted his eyes between Choi and Koichi. Aki did so too. There was an unspoken tension forming and it wasn't looking very good now. Aki listened to Choi and it was then she picked up on where Choi left off.
There was an insinuation of an affair.