Author's note: I am so very sorry for being late with this update. Exams, then internship, and so many other things was keeping me away from this. However, from now on I have decided to update at least monthly, if not even more faster. THANK YOU SO MUCH for your support and your time!

CHAPTER 9

As Konomi was going out of the office, all Yuki could think of, was "WOW. HOW THE HELL DID THIS HAPPEN?"

The day before…

Two knocks on the door and "Chairman" in Takanori's voice made Yuki look up from his computer screen and say a slightly loud "yes".

Takanori came in and gave him two files containing resumes of the current employees that worked at the company that they recently acquired. One file contained those who were to be offered to continue their jobs, and the other contained those which were to be let go.

"Oh, you're done already? That was fast. You only started yesterday and there are more than a hundred employee resumes and performance charts to consider" Yuki said, surprised.

"Ah well yes, my team is very hard working. But there is something else too." Takanori said.

"Yes? What is it?" Yuki said.

"The background checks you wanted done. One is complete while the other will take longer than necessary as the subject spent a lot of time overseas and we're looking for personal details as well"

"Okay. What did you find out about Sagawa Konomi?" Yuki said, assuming instantly that she was obviously NOT the one who had spent time overseas. Plus, he knew Satoh Tohru had gone overseas for education, and that he worked for an international company now.

"That she is poor, lives with her father, who is jobless, and is currently in no romantic relationship with anyone, but she is spending considerable amounts of time with the other subject, that is, Satoh Tohru. They text, call and meet often. But then again, that is the most recent data on both of them. For details you can go through this file" Takanori put another file on Irie Yuki's desk.

"Thank you Takanori-san." Yuki replied and then nodded.

Takanori nodded back, and then left Yuki's office.

So they've been spending a lot of time together. Let's see what she's got to hide. Yuki thought, and with that, opened Konomi's file, forgetting he had the new company's employee list to look at too.

Back to today, at the new company, Irie Yuki with his trusted H.O.D. Takanori-san.

"Since when have you felt the need for a secretary? You've never wanted one" Yuki could read this on Takanori's face, but Takanori didn't actually say anything. Takanori knew better.

The knock on the door meant more employees coming. But this time, he didn't participate more than saying "welcome to the company" or "I'm sorry", as he was doing before Konomi's interview.

Yesterday after reading Konomi's background check file, he had resumed his work, and had gone through the file with the CVs of the employees at the newly acquired company, who were going to be let go. Those who had been selected to continue their roles, are not to be worried about. He had faith in Takanori and his team, and even if there was any problem with the employees, they can be fired later as well. But those who are being let go, there needs to be a second round of evaluations to see if there is someone who needs to stay.

That is when he had come across the CV of Sagawa Konomi. It was no surprise to him that she was an employee at this company, he already knew that from having read her file earlier. And this wasn't a surprise either that she was being fired. Having read her file earlier, he also knew that her CV was lacking to be able to continue working at the company.

His feelings aside, the decision made by his team was no doubt correct, that she should be let go, and so she shall. He'll help her find a new job. Call someone, and pull in a favour may be. He knew she needed the money, she had responsibilities and she had debts. He was thinking while driving to the new company for the process of delivering the news to the employees. Takanori had gone ahead, and Yuki wasn't exactly required to be there, but he wanted to be there for Konomi's interview. He wanted to provide her with some sort of comfort if he could. She would need a friend at this point. And like hell it would be Satoh!

Wait what? He and Konomi weren't friends. He and Konomi hadn't talked in years! Except that time at the reunion. That went well.

And why can't Satoh be a source of comfort for her. From the report, it was clear that they've been spending a lot of time together. So great! Satoh it is!

Yes, he'll be there, deliver the news to all the employees, including Konomi, and he will do his part as the Chairman of the company. That shall be it! Yes. No unnecessary interaction, he'll let Takanori handle the talking. Yes. That should be fine.

This was the chain of thought of Irie Yuki as he entered the new company's office. As soon as he entered, everybody's eyes was on him. But he was expecting as much. He wasn't the usual old Chairman. He was considerably young, and yes he was there because his father owned the company, but he was able to continue and thrive because he had what it takes. But he always made it a point to dress his role, and walk in the same manner. He didn't want anyone to feel like they can underestimate him, because of his age.

Just as everyone was looking at him, Yuki's eyes zeroed in on a very blushingly happy Konomi. And for some reason, that softened Yuki's face, but it hardened almost immediately as he saw the source of her smile. Her phone. She was smiling stupidly looking at her phone, making her look like a teenager in love. He was familiar with that look. It was the same when she used to look at him, with or without him knowing that she was. She wore her heart on her sleeve back then, and it seemed, that was still the same.

Everyone was looking at Yuki as he walked inside the office towards the cabin, everyone, except Konomi, who smiling stupidly at her phone.

Was she texting Satoh just before she knew of her fate in the company and smiling stupidly at her phone, because of Satoh? Really? She was smiling because of Satoh? Suddenly Yuki was very uncomfortable, and Yuki never handled things well when he was uncomfortable.

Yuki entered the cabin, and his eyes met Takanori's. Takanori wasn't surprised at all. And if he was, he was hiding it well.

"Say Takanori-san, the contract you have with your own secretary, would happen to have a copy on your computer right now?" Asked Yuki, embarrassed for some reason.

Without a word, Takanori simply took out a file from his bag and handed it to Yuki. It was a contract for Sagawa Konomi as his secretary, a contract offering her more than what she was currently getting. An offer she can't refuse.

"Sagawa Konomi-san is good at her job as a secretary, we didn't select her as you've always refused a secretary before. This however is only an option" Takanori said.

After a couple of "I'm sorry" and "Welcome to the company", Sagawa Konomi was called in. It was time for another "I'm sorry", Yuki was embarrassed that Takanori had seen through him so clearly. He was going to fire Konomi after all.

But as soon as she walked in and the colour from her face disappeared. So she hadn't noticed him entering the office at all. Konomi, who was the first to turn her head always and smile at him, hadn't even noticed him entering the office. Yuki felt himself burning. Anger, jealousy, and so many other things, and he was not going to stick to the plan.

Before Takanori could start, Yuki began, and suddenly felt that Konomi's secretarial skills might just be exactly what he needs at this point. He wouldn't need to ask anyone to help Konomi, if she wasn't going to be fired at all. He would need to make some arrangements, but that all didn't matter. He needed Sagawa Konomi… as his secretary of course!