Abhorrence
Chapter Nine
-Meeting of the Minds-
Akito sat in a conference room at his father's company, the elder Uchiha at the head of the table, and Vincent right across from him. They had gotten back the day before, and so all day today had been filled with meetings to show everyone the new commercials, as well as figure out when they would air, and what magazines Natsumi's pictures would be put in.
Initially the board had been upset that the use of the male model Jeremy had been a waste, but once they saw what Haru had put together, they were happy. His father had even told him that he was impressed. Everything had been going so well, Akito couldn't wait until he had a free moment to tell Natsumi the good news.
Actually, she was the entire reason he was meeting with his father and Vincent right now. "So let me get this straight…" Sasuke sighed. "You overstepped your professional bounds and hooked up with Natsumi, and have now decided to date?"
"More or less." Akito shrugged.
The elder Uchiha looked to the auburn haired man. "And what do you think of this whole situation?" he asked.
"Personally, I don't see this as a bad thing." Vincent nodded, lacing his hands together. "With Akito as Natsumi's boyfriend, she looks more mature than just a teen idol prancing around with the world in her hands. Showing she can have a serious relationship with a CEO's son is very impressive and good for us, now…more of the risk is on you. Your son now has a pop star as his arm candy and she is…quite a handful. I don't know if your board will be too pleased with her being tied to your company's head."
Sasuke arched a brow. "Can she not just learn how to behave properly?"
"That would be asking her to be something she's not father." Akito said. "Besides, it's not like she's going to go out of her way to embarrass us or the company. And with the public aware of our relationship, the commercials seem more credible."
"True…" the elder said, rubbing his chin. "But she will need to be taught how to attend formal functions and not seem so…naïve." He said. "They are the next thing to a business meeting, and as your date she will need to be kept up to speed on some of the topics so that she is able to hold conversations with the people there."
Vincent chuckled. "Oh don't worry about that, you're aware of the Sabaku family, correct? They own practically all the hospitals in Japan, along with half the exporting companies. She's their youngest daughter, she knows how to behave. She simply chooses not to. Not only does she make millions herself, she has a big trust fund."
"Then I see no reason why the two of you can't give it a try." Sasuke sighed. "Just don't screw it up."
Akito huffed. "Have some faith for once in your life."
"Excellent." Vincent smiled. "I think this will benefit both parties."
"Well if that's it then I think we're done here." Akito said, standing. "I will have Taka send you a copy of our business schedule so that the two of you can arrange which events Natsumi can attend, and which things of hers I must go to." He said.
Vincent stood as well, straightening his jacket. "Now, red carpet events are not as easy as you think Akito, so try not to look so star-stuck." He chuckled. "And you know which one I mean." He smirked, before waving to them as he left.
Akito rolled his eyes, before leaving the meeting room with his father and going to his office. Once he was alone, he pulled out his cell phone and dialed Natsumi's number, hoping she wasn't busy or sleeping so that he could talk to her.
'Hello! Hi Akito!' he heard from the other line. 'You'll never guess what I did today! I actually got up at ten and cooked breakfast! Now I'm making cookies! You should come over and eat some with me.' She giggled.
The Uchiha chuckled as he sat down at his desk. "I'll head right over after work baby. I won't even stay past five." He promised.
'Really?' she asked, almost sounding as if she were pouting. 'You don't really seem like the type to actually leave when you're allowed to.'
"I'm not, but for you I will." He told her.
'Aw, you're so sweet. Well I will save you lots of cookies and make you some delicious food for dinner. And maybe…you can spend the night? I still don't know if I'm ready to have sex yet….but I'd love it if you slept over.'
Akito felt slightly disappointed, but he made sure that she wouldn't be able to hear it in his voice. "Don't worry about it Natsumi. I'm happy enough being able to hold you at night." And in reality, he was, because a few months ago sharing a bed with her was just a dream. He'd waited this long to do just that, he could wait even longer for the opportunity to be her first.
'I hope so.' She said sweetly. 'Well, I'll let you get back to work. I know you have a lot to do. Now, hurry on over! I can't wait to see you. Talk to you later! Bye!'
He shook his head and hung up the phone. Just hearing her voice brightened his day. Letting out a sigh, he returned to his work, knowing that in order to get everything done that he wanted by five, he would have to work twice as hard. And so he did.
Shortly after six Akito was standing on Natsumi's porch, overnight bag hanging off of one shoulder and a bouquet of flowers in his hand. He rang the doorbell, knowing from past experience she wouldn't keep him waiting long, since she knew it was him that was at the door. And she didn't disappoint. When she opened the door he smiled. "Hey."
"Akito!" Natsumi exclaimed, rushing forward and hugging him tightly. She leaned up and kissed him, lingering on his lips as long as she could before she pulled away and looked down at the flowers. "Oh! Flowers!" she said, taking them from him and heading back inside. "So how was work?"
"It was long, but nice." He said, shutting the front door and leaving his bag in the living room as he followed her to the kitchen. "I think I like leaving at five with all of the non-workaholics." He smirked.
She laughed, looking back at him. "Good. Then that means I can see you more." She smiled, pulling out a vase once she was in the kitchen. She filled it with water and placed the flowers inside. She paused in her actions and looked over at him, touching the flower petals before focusing on them. "Does this feel weird?"
He blinked, her question alarming him slightly. "What do you mean?" he asked, trying to keep calm.
"I dunno…" she sighed, meeting his gaze once more. "You just…seem so guarded. Like, you're super sweet and always calling me, and I really like it. But I feel like you're hiding something…something really big." She sighed once more. "Are you acting so nice because you think if you don't I won't like you anymore?"
"No…" Akito said, trying not to freak out, since she was on to him. He sighed. "Natsumi…there's some things about me that you don't know, that I don't even know if I want you to know." He told her. "And while I hate keeping things from you, I'm not at a place yet where I feel like I can tell you. But I want to." He assured her. "I'm just not ready."
She frowned and nodded. "Okay…" she said softly, walking over to the oven and checking on the baked potatoes. "Well dinner's almost ready." She said, once more looking her happy self, though he could tell she was only forcing it. "I made baked potatoes and asparagus with grilled shrimp and bacon wrapped sirloins."
"Natsumi…" he frowned, walking over to her and taking her hand in his. He tugged her forward gently, bringing her close and wrapping his arms around her as he laid his head on her shoulder. "I'm afraid." He admitted softly.
"Of what?" she asked, wrapping her arms around him as well in attempts to comfort him.
He nuzzled into her neck. "That you'll leave me." he said. "That my life will return to the way things were, making me think all of this was just a dream. That I'll be alone once more."
"Akito." Natsumi smiled, pulling away from him and trying to look at his face. "This just started. I have no intention of leaving you, but I want you to act like your normal self. That's the one I feel for. I know you can balance out your sweet and caring side with your sexy arrogant one." She smirked, touching her finger under his jaw and forcing his gaze up. "I think this is something special, and I want to make it last."
The corner of his mouth tilted up in a small smile. "Me too." He said, kissing her. "Now let's eat, I'm hungry and the food smells great."
"Me too." She nodded, pulling away from him and beginning to set her kitchen table for them to eat. The buzzer went off and she took the potatoes from the oven and set out all their food on the table. "What do you want to drink?" she asked, opening the fridge and looking over her selection.
"Water is fine." He replied, taking a seat at the table.
She got him his water and sat down beside him, setting his water down before digging in. "You know, I have this premiere next week…and I was wondering if maybe you'd want to go with me."
"Is it like a movie premiere?" Akito asked, taking a bite of his food.
"Mhmm." She nodded. "But I mean, if you don't want to go it's totally cool. I know you don't really like people, and the constant flashing in your face is a bit much."
"But it would make you happy." He said. "Besides, I've never actually been to one before, so it could be interesting. And I have to make sure nobody hits on you." he smirked.
Natsumi blushed, her smile growing. "I can't wait, I'm so excited. I've never had an escort down the red carpet before."
He smiled. "I know." He said without thinking.
She blinked. "You do?"
His eyes widened at his blunder, and he met her gaze. "Um…well I usually watch all of the premieres and stuff on television…and I just remember stuff like that." he shrugged, hoping his lie was sufficient enough for her.
"Oh…" her smile returned then. "Well you have a very good memory." She giggled, continuing to eat.
He let out a relieved breath as he resumed eating as well, glad that he had dodged that bullet. Because while he did watch every single premiere, it was only the ones that he knew Natsumi would be attending. And the only reason he watched them was to see what she was wearing, and watch her red carpet interviews. "I forgot to say this over the phone when I called earlier, but I spoke to my father and Vincent about our relationship." He told her.
"And what did they say?" she asked, appearing curious. "I bet you have way more cons with me than I do with you." Natsumi said, trying not to show that that actually bothered her.
"Technically speaking, yes." Akito said. "But I told them that I wasn't worried about it, and Vincent assured us that you do know how to behave at business parties. My father also thinks our relationship will help boost our credentials for the new commercials and stuff we shot, plus he knows how I feel about you so he approved."
She laughed. "How you feel about me?"
He looked up at her, finished eating his meal. "I like you a lot. More than is proper for how long we have known one another anyways." He said, dodging the truth. "I would do anything for you Natsumi, you only have to ask."
A dark pink blush came to her cheeks. "Really?" she whispered. "That much?"
"Yeah…" the ebony haired man sighed. "Is that…weird?"
"No, it's super sweet." She said simply, getting up from her seat and sitting down in his lap as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "So…so sweet." Natsumi giggled, kissing his cheek.
He smiled and nuzzled her as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "Not that I want to ruin this moment, but you do need to be made aware of something." He said, resting one of his hands on her knee.
"What is it?" she wondered.
"I tend to be very…possessive." He said, his fingertips beginning to lightly run up her thigh. "Especially towards you…so don't be too surprised if I say or do things that make me seem overbearing and jealous. I will try to keep myself under control, but I can make no promises."
Natsumi laughed. "But I want you to be jealous." She said, leaning closer and kissing him. "I want you to protect me from everything."
"Then I will." He murmured against her lips, kissing her passionately.
They continued in their making out, until they finally needed air and separated. "So." She smiled, placing her hands on either side of his head. "You want to watch a movie with me?"
Akito smirked. "Yeah…I'm going to need a distraction so I don't lay you on top of the table and eat you alive."
She nodded and got up, keeping a hold on his hand as she pulled him up and led him to the living room. "I don't think it's going to take you too long to convince me to sleep with you." She teased, before facing forward.
He chuckled, catching up to her and wrapping his arms around her waist. "I hope so." He murmured, kissing her cheek as they continued to walk towards the living room.
"Well you never know." She shrugged, glancing back at him. She was so happy she could hardly even stand it. She knew she and Akito were meant to be, everything with them seemed to click perfectly, aside from that odd thing she knew he was hiding. She brushed that aside though and focused on the now, the wonderful night she would be having with her boyfriend.
