6 The Link

We are all connected though the strings that bind us may not be apparent.

Natsuki's presentation was well-applauded during the executive meeting and Shizuru cheered for her on her seat. After the meeting Natsuki was invited by her father Kuga Hayato, one of the Vice Presidents, to join him for dinner.

Since Natsuki came back to Japan, he hasn't had a decent conversation with her father. They weren't the hugging type family but they both knew that they love each other. Natsuki's main influence in life is her father. Natsuki's mother died on the day she gave birth to her one and only child.

"Nat-chan, why don't you eat dinner with me?" Hayato offered when everyone has finally departed the conference room. Shizuru was helping Natsuki arranged some files that they need to bring with them to Natsuki's office.

"Sure Dad," Natsuki replied. "Viola-san, would you like to join us?" Hayato's eyes widened when she heard the secretary's name.

"Viola? Could it be?" Hayato thought and then he looked into Shizuru's eyes. "No, I guess not."

"Oh you don't need to be so nice, Kuga-san. It must be a father-daughter affair," Shizuru replied when she noticed that Kuga Hayato was staring at her.

"But you did most of the work! We should celebrate Viola-san. She could come, right Dad?"

"Of course. By the way, I'm Kuga Hayato, Natsuki's father. Nice to meet you."

"Viola Shizuru, secretary to Kuga-san. A pleasure to meet you sir," Shizuru replied with a smile as she slightly bowed her head.

"Viola Shizuru," Hayato repeated inside his head, "I can't believe it. Why is she wearing contact lenses? Is it possible that she knows about me and Natsuki?"

Shizuru felt uneasy during moments when the man seems to be assessing her but in other instances, the man seems to be very agreeable. He's very much like Natsuki, serious and cold outside but nice and warm inside.

Hayato decided to leave that two to think about how he could learn more about Shizuru. He also had thoughts of telling her daughter but he decided against it. "I think I should find out the answers for myself before telling anything to Natsuki." As he walks out of the conference room, he noticed how Natsuki smiled at Shizuru. His daughter doesn't normally do that to other people. "Maybe it's time to see Sayako."

In the evening, the three met at Alfredo's, an Italian restaurant near at the first floor of The Sky Tower. Shizuru came with Natsuki. The two came from Natsuki's office and they almost forgot about the time since they got busy with analyzing production data for the past five years. Natsuki noticed that whenever there is a transfer of the directorship from executive to the next, production appreciably drops. Since Natsuki is a newly-appointed director, she would have to solve the problem at hand. Despite that, Natsuki was in a good mood the whole day because the tension between her and Shizuru has faded. Shizuru doesn't move away even during situations when she had to stay close to her to view the same files.

Natsuki thought about what happened the night before and she decided that she wouldn't pry too much about Shizuru's life but she would do her best to make the latter comfortable around her. For the longest time, she felt that she wanted to get close to someone. Shizuru on the other hand, decided not to think about her commitment to The Rising Sun. She seemed to be under a spell under her utterly charming boss.

"Nat-chan, I took the liberty to order for myself since you're late," Hayato said to his daughter. "Hello Shi-chan!"

"S-Shi-chan? Dad?" Natsuki asked with a blush. She was suddenly embarrassed at the way his Dad addressed her secretary. Shizuru giggled on the side.

"O my, she even laughs like him," Hayato thought as he watches Shizuru. "I feel comfortable around her Nat-chan. You can treat me as your father Shi-chan."

Shizuru was stunned for a moment at Hayato's treatment. If it were another person, she would have thought that the man was attracted to her but Hayato is different. Shizuru felt that he was welcoming her as a daughter and his actions showed his sincerity.

"Ara, ookini Kuga-sama. I lost my father years ago. It feels nice that someone like you would offer to treat me as a daughter," Shizuru politely with watery eyes. Instinctively, Natsuki held Shizuru's hand and rubbed it with her thumb. The gesture didn't go unnoticed by her father.

The three ate and exchanged stories about work. Shizuru enjoyed watching Natsuki and Hayato even if inside, they made her remember about her father. But it's been 15 years since he passed away and now, whenever she remembers him, it always comes with a smile.

"Shi-chan, I asked my secretary to get a copy of your resume and you know, you can actually apply for a higher position. We can actually hire you as Nat-chan's executive assistant," Hayato expressed. Natsuki beamed at the suggestion. She looked like a five-year old being given a lollipop.

"Kuga-san has no executive assistant?" Shizuru replied.

"She said she doesn't need one," Hayato replied.

"I didn't mean it that way Dad. What I said is it's better if I don't have one if the person couldn't bear with my mood swings."

"Ara, you're aware of you're mood swings?" Shizuru said in an amused tone. Hayato chuckled and Natsuki blushed. "Anyway, thank you for that offer Kuga-sama but I don't want Kuga-san to lose her dependable secretary." Hayato laughed at Shizuru's remark.

"You're so full of yourself," Natsuki mocked but Shizuru just smiled. "She's confident," Natsuki thought.

"Shi-chan, would you share something about your parents?" Hayato said out of the blue. Shizuru watched his expression and she felt that it seemed okay to share. Natsuki's face also showed that she's interested to know.

"My mother lives in Kyoto. She's managing a small business just too pass the time. My father, on the other hand, died in an accident when I was 10 years old. He's German that's why I'm not pure Japanese.

"Whoa, so you can speak German?" Natsuki interjected.

"Yes. When my father was still alive, we talk in German."

Soon Hayato noticed that it was time for him to go. He had so much to think about. Now that he has done his investigation, he felt that it's time to face the things that he had once feared. He bid goodbye to the two girls and he went on his way.

"Viola-san, I'm sorry about my Dad's overfriendliness. I hope you didn't feel uncomfortable." Natsuki said when her father was finally out of sight.

"You don't have to be sorry Kuga-san. I feel comfortable around your father. He reminds me of my father. I'm happy I had this chance to meet your Dad," Shizuru replied with a smile.

"Uhm, outside office hours, you can actually call me Natsuki," Natsuki shyly said. She looked down for a while afraid that she might have been too forward.

"Only if you would call me Shizuru," Shizuru replied with an unusual twinkle in her eyes. Natsuki's head shot up when she heard the reply and her heart fluttered.

"Okay, Shizuru."

That night had been the start of their unanticipated friendship and the first of their regular dinner dates.