One Last Try
Chapter 4
Damn, I can't find it.
"Usui-san, the representatives from Tachibana Telecom is here for the meeting." Usui was disturbed from his treasure hunt by his new secretary Hiro. He made sure to get a male one this time.
"I'll be there soon, just let me fix this." Usui was going over the surveillance tapes from the night that started it all. It was a total blank for him; he couldn't remember what had transpired after he finished his work. He only remembers getting a call from one of the investors then taking a nap before going home. He was too exhausted to drive. Then came in Misaki and waking up to find his secretary sprawled all over him.
Why isn't it here, there's something missing here.
Usui watched the tape again. The video played and there he was on the screen two hours before the whole dilemma. He's been working on his laptop sending mails and updates to some of his clients. Then he got a brief call, which now he remembered to be from Souichiro. He put the phone down after a few minutes and closed his laptop shut. He laid back a little on his chair then, there a time skip. This one now shows the minutes before Misaki arrived in his office. His secretary is already on top of him.
What the hell just happened? There's an hour and ten minutes missing from the video.
"Usui-san the meeting will start in a minute. You better get in there." Hiro reminded him. Usui sighed. Before doing anything else he needs to get this meeting done so he could have all the time investigating the tape.
The meeting room was filled with silence the moment he walked into it. This meeting would be brief, he decided for himself. Just get the facts straight, tweak a little with the ideas then off they go. He really needs to figure out what happened that night before the two week deadline runs out. There's also the plan of wooing Misaki back, but he'll get onto that later.
The meeting was a total bore. Well, meetings always bore Takumi, what's the difference? Oh, he has no Misaki to come home to. The thought pricked his heart. He misses her so much. He'd do everything to get her back, but he needs to carefully plan for this and also solve the mystery of the video time skip.
He couldn't think of a way on how the surveillance may have been tampered with. His security system was installed by the best in the business, how could that have happened?
Unless there was a breach from the inside.
Takumi thought it was impossible. He hired trustworthy men, the best of the best. They couldn't possibly have anything to do with it. Unless someone wants to bring him down and take his marriage along with it. In his line of work, he probably made enemies that stretch as far as the Golden Gate Bridge.
"Usui-san, do we have the go signal for this project?" Usui just stared at him. He didn't realize he was spacing out. He didn't catch the whole meeting at all. "Give me a copy of the presentation; I need to go through it again." He says trying to mask his inattentiveness. "But wasn't that the whole point of this presentation?" One of the board members asked. Usui leaned forward and interlaced his fingers in front of him, placing his chin on top. He looked at the man intensely. "I'm the boss aren't I? I need to review the whole plan again before I approve of it. Money is of the essence people. Meeting adjourned."
Everyone started to get up and leave the room leaving Usui alone in it. His head's spinning seems to have no end. Something's up and he couldn't figure it out.
Think, think, think. Where to start?
Crap. I'm late. I'm damn late. I'm never late. Never. So why now you ask? It all goes back to my stupid husband who unceremoniously invaded my dreams. Promising me forever, giving me that heart stopping smile, giving me flowers then riding off to the sunset. I mean what the hell. Who does that, right?
It was actually really sweet.
No it was not.
Yes it was.
No. It. Was. Not.
Yeah, you're right, it's more on the romantic side.
Damn it, even my subconscious is starting to disagree with me. I let out a heavy sigh. I have no time to worry about that stupid dream right now. I got up from my bed and quickly made my way to kitchen to fix myself some tea. I popped the bagel into the microwave and set it to a minute and a half. The phone rang.
"Hello, Ayuzawa Misaki speaking." The voice over the other line of the phone was filled with relief. "Thank God you're awake. Were you out on sleeping pills last night?" It was my smart-ass friend Tora. "Idiot, I don't do pills." He gave a low chuckle. "How are thing going there?" "Yeah, about that, there are some clients looking to have an emergency meeting with you." What the hell? I haven't got a chance to eat my bagel yet. "I'll be there in thirty minutes. Keep them occupied or something." "You might want to hear who they are first." "No, no time for it. I'll see them anyway." "But Misaki you really need to know-" I hanged up on him before he could finish. I have no time for idle chit chat. I took the bagel out of the microwave and set it on a plate.
I took a shower in less than a minute (new personal best) and went through my wardrobe. My wardrobe is filled with designer clothing (courtesy of Takumi.) I chose my black Armani suit along with my Prada handbag. I grabbed a couple of diamond studs for my earrings and a little make up for my face. All of these things feel like routine now. I searched for my Jimmy Choos as I walked past my shoe rack. I was done in less than two minutes and ran towards the door making sure to lock up the apartment.
I spotted Pierre and hailed for the limo immediately. "I have a meeting in twenty minutes Pierre. Better hurry." "Of course, Madame."
I have to say, Pierre is a great driver. Polite and never asks questions. He never asked why I left my husband; he just drove me to a place where I could stay. On another note, damn, damn it! I have seven minutes left before the meeting starts. The traffic is too long! Okay, that is it. I'm making a run for it.
"Hey, Pierre I think I'll just run from here. Thanks for driving me anyway." I gave a small nod and went on my way to the office. Running is fun, especially when you're doing it in a serene place. Not like the frickin' side of a highway. The smoke smells awful.
I made my way through the gaps between the cars. I got beeped at so many times by different drivers that I lost count after eleven. One even gave me the finger because he almost ran over me. Bastard.
I made it just in time, and as soon as I made my way inside I was greeted by my receptionist Miya. "Good Morning, Mrs. Usui." Yeah, did I forget to mention that my divorce is not yet that much open to the public?
I said my 'good mornings' to everyone and went on my way. I got inside the elevator and willed it to go up past normal speed. Thankfully, it almost did just that.
"Good morning Misaki." Tora greeted me as I stepped out. "Good morning. Where are they?" I asked. How I wish for a cup of tea right now, or coffee, coffee would be nice too. "In the meeting room. They're waiting for you." I took a deep breath and walked towards the meeting room.
What I saw inside was definitely not a good way to start my morning.
"What in the world are you doing here?" The bastard just smiled. I think I have steam coming out of my ears.
"Good morning to you too, sweetheart." Why is he here? Why, why, why?
Author's Random Ramble:
Hello there! It's been a while. Sooo, I had to wrack my brains for this one. It's hard to do this and answer math problems at the same time. Anyway, tell me what you think. I almost typed down what Misaki saw inside the room. It's meant for the next chapter. Reviews are welcomed guys! Say, anyone of you plays Aura Kingdom? Add me as friend if you want. XD Until next time! =D