didn't get to proofread this entire chapter...so imma upload half now and the other half later...thanks for the reviews...and thanks also for everyone else who didn't review but took the time to give my story a test drive...quick note to some that have asked...and maybe some that are AFRAID to ask...lol...yush...it's fine if you wanna send personal notes...i promise i don't bite...i might kick and scratch..but BITE...NEVER...well...unless you ask nicely that is...omfg...that's SOOOO cliche..forgive me...my brain is fried atm :P ...peace...
Chapter Ten
Shizuru adjusted her designer sunglasses as she rode in the spacious compartment of the limousine her father had sent to pick her up at the airport. The downtown Kyoto scenery was reduced to a muted blur as it flashed by outside the tinted windows of the luxury stretch limo. Her nerves were alive with apprehension and the closer the driver took them towards the intended destination of Fujino Corporation Headquarters, the more she wished she were anywhere but here.
She tried to pull her mind away from the upcoming meeting with her father and focus instead on mundane details. She studied the array of alcoholic beverages stocked in the limo's mini bar, noting the various brands and bottle shapes and colors. She idly let her mind wonder about the people who'd sat in this seat before her. Had they been nervous before meeting her father as they were shuttled to his corporate nest high above the Kyoto skyline? Her fingers anxiously rubbing the back of one hand, she tried to see through the smoky glass of the window separating her from the chauffeur. He was oblivious to the distress his young passenger was presently in, his only concern was the safe delivery of his cargo to the intended destination. What would the man do if his VIP suddenly threw herself from the moving vehicle and vanished amidst the milling crowd of people scurrying down the busy sidewalk? Would he even notice? She almost smiled at the mental image of herself tuck and rolling out of the limo into oncoming traffic before running like crazy through the Kyoto streets.
The site of the looming gunmetal gray skyscraper that was the home of her father's corporation drove all thoughts of escape from her mind. She sat a minute, awed by the site of the magnificent building; an architectural work of art, both aesthetically pleasing to the eye as well as functional. From a distance, the building looked like a gigantic field goal, with the top floors separated by an outdoor rooftop patio. It was more like a park than a patio however, lush with growing grass, vegetation and flowers of every kind, and huge potted trees that provided ample shade for any employee wanting to take advantage of nice weather and sit outside to eat lunch. The area was designed to entice the employees of the building out of their cubicles and into the sunshine. Statistics had proven that workers who remained indoors more than 35 hours per week were prone to a higher rate of depression and urban illnesses than those who were regularly exposed to fresh air and sunshine. And The Fujino Corporation was renowned for keeping it's employees happy as well as healthy. The rooftop patio was just one way they accomplished this.
Shizuru could remember rooftop picnics with her mother...when she was a child. She didn't recall her father ever joining them, but she'd had a wonderful time anyway, just the two of them. There was a small playground up there, plenty of benches and tables, even an area that hosted an around the clock physical exercise class where employees could go work up a sweat by keeping in shape. Electrical outlets and low shelves with padded cushions upholstered in weather resistant fabric were scattered around the area for anyone wishing to enjoy a little fresh air while working.
Her father, Hirohito Fujino, and the other members of the board of directors, were strict adherents to the belief that happy employees reaped high quality profits. Thus no expense was spared in the effort to provide the workers at the Fujino Corporation with all types of employee perks and benefits. In return for the provisions of the job, the Fujino Corp. employees were some of the most loyal employees working in the industry today. In an era of cut-throat business machinations and corporate espionage, The Fujino Corporation stood alone as the only business worldwide with low employee turnover and an increased yearly profit margin. All due to Hirohito Fujino's innate business savvy. He was, after all, one of Japan's most prominent business executives.
Lost in thought, Shizuru only belatedly realized that the driver had pulled the limo into the underground parking garage of her father's building. Removing her sunglasses, she slipped them into her shoulder bag and set about composing herself. Deep breaths. In then out. Empty your mind and embrace the nothingness. Rest in the void of a calm spirit. The words of her Master echoed in her ears as she strove to calm her raw nerves. Failing miserably in that respect, she eyed the fully stocked bar again and had to resist the urge to grab a bottle and toss back a shot in desperation. But showing up for this meeting reeking of alcohol probably wouldn't make a good impression on her father. If anything at all would, considering the reason she was here in the first place.
Shizuru reached not for a bottle of liquid courage, but for the mask she had worn so often of late. The mask that effectively transformed the nervous teenaged girl she'd been only moments before, into the the serene young woman her father would be expecting to see. As the driver pulled the heavy door open and she spotted her father's personal assistant waiting for her by the elevator, Shizuru wrapped the false courage of a paper doll existence around herself and unfolded gracefully from the seat in the limo, offering the smiling assistant a return greeting.
"Welcome Miss Shizuru," the attractive woman articulated in a pleasant voice. She was clutching a black iPad in both hands as she smiled congenially. "It's good to see you again. Your father is expecting you. If you'd be so kind as to follow me, we'll get you straight up to Mr. Fujino's office." She quickly typed something onto the keyboard of her iPad before holding her hand out, indicating that the girl should head towards the waiting elevator.
Shizuru returned the woman's greeting, smiling amicably. "Yes. Nice to see you again as well Mrs. Tomomatsu. What's it been? Three years since the last time we saw one another?" Following the fashionably dressed woman into the elevator, she added conversationally, "I trust your family is well. And your children, Yuu and Ritsu. They should both be in school by now."
Nodding enthusiastically as she swiped her ID card through the card reader and the elevator began it's rapid ascent up to the top floor, Arya Tomomatsu happily launched into the conversation that Shizuru had expertly led her towards. "I'm honored you remembered my children, Miss Shizuru, thank you for asking after them. Both are doing quite well. Yuu just started third grade and has..."
Shizuru let the words of her father's assistant drone against her consciousness in a lulling hum, aware that the woman was speaking but not really engaging in conversational chit-chat. The woman had taken the bait and was off on a tangent about her daughter's homeroom teacher, freeing Shizuru from active participation. All she need do was make appropriate noises of interest and nod.
The feel of the elevator rocketing upward did nothing to alleviate the queasiness of her stomach and as she watched the numbers on the LED screen flashing past each floor, she found herself selfishly wishing that the elevator would break down, postponing at least a little while, the meeting with her father. However, being confined in the claustrophobic cube with only the one sided conversation and her dread as company would be a far more unnerving scenario than simply facing her fear and putting today behind her.
She felt the abrupt halt of the elevator upon reaching it's destination followed immediately by a modulated female voice announcing the arrival at Floor 88 and the offices of Mr. Hirohito Fujino. Shizuru was certain that if the woman blabbing away beside her would ever shut up, they'd both be able to hear the thudding of her heart as it began a rapid staccato of fear fed beats. She wiped suddenly sweaty palms against the fabric of her navy blue skirt before managing to smile at the woman's last statement. "I'm sure everything will work out for the best," she responded blithely, hoping the comment was appropriately in context.
She tugged apprehensively on the bottom of her light gray sweater before running a hand through her chestnut colored locks, and as the door to the elevator swished open, she managed to school the expression on her face into a mask of calm serenity. Following Mrs. Tomomatsu out into the well lit reception area of her father's office, Shizuru Fujino represented the embodiment of propriety as befitted the daughter of Hirohito Fujino.
The reception area of Hirohito Fujino's main office was lavishly decorated, as was expected of a man of Mr. Fujino's standing. No expense was spared in assuring that style and comfort was afforded everyone relegated to the waiting area of the Fujino Corporation's main office. A comfortable seating area boasting a huge wall-mounted flat screen T.V. was situated in one corner of the office's reception room. The television was tuned in to a local news station but all seats were empty at the moment. Located just adjacent to the receptionists desk was a metal and glass table loaded with fresh fruit and individually wrapped pastries all heaped into beautiful hand woven baskets. Standing sentinel over the table laden with goodies were several tall, metal carafes holding coffee and various teas. All manner of sweeteners and creams were sitting in chilled bowls made of blue glass, available if desired.
Mrs. Tomomatsu ushered Shizuru past the amenities aimed at making visitors comfortable and past the busy reception desk occupied by four under-secretaries. She escorted Shizuru up to a set of heavy wooden doors adorned with an elaborate, hand crafted scene of the Kyoto skyline, her father's building taking center stage, a commission by one of Japan's foremost craftsman in woodworking.
"Mr. Fujino is waiting for you Miss Shizuru," Mrs. Tomomatsu said officiously, her hand on the door handle, "please, go in."
No announcement. No waiting. No fuss. Her father had apparently cleared his entire schedule just for her. The thought made her momentarily falter in her resolve and she felt her skin break out in goose flesh at the urge to turn around and just walk away. But Shizuru's sense of duty and obligation won the battle with her irrational fear and with a proud lift to her chin, she nodded once to the woman who held the door open for her. "It was so good seeing you again Mrs. Tomomatsu," Shizuru offered, striding past her father's assistant, who bowed her way respectfully out of the picture as she closed the office door behind the girl once she'd fully entered. The door made a soft clicking sound upon shutting...