Chapter 38

Miss Seychell hastily opened her hotel room door, and quickly tossed her bags inside. It had been a long flight for her to Tokyo, and an even longer ride through traffic to get from the airport to her hotel. Mr. Dax had already headed to their office in the region to meet with employees, in an effort to keep up appearances. This gave Miss Seychell the afternoon off to spend as she wished, as their next plans would come together later in the evening. She mostly planned on relaxing, especially after the rushed trip to Jacksonville, Florida.

She pulled off her jacket even as she kicked off her heels, already envisioning a relaxing bath. But as she tossed her jacket onto the bed, she soon realized it was not unoccupied. Wrapped up in the sheets was none other than Gerald, who looked very surprised to see her.

"What are you doing in here?" she asked acidly, narrowing her eyes.

"Sorry, I just needed the bed and…" Gerald started.

"I booked these rooms, and this one was for me, personally," she snapped. "How did you get in here?"

"Well, I just asked for a spare key from the front desk, since this was technically booked in a block of rooms, so they gave me access," Gerald said.

"And the reason you needed this room was because…" Miss Seychell narrowed her eyes, now noticing the young woman under the covers with Gerald.

"Because it's a lot nicer than the room I got stuck in," Gerald said. "I swear, I thought you weren't going to be in until later tonight."

"Get out of here!" Miss Seychell snapped.

The young Japanese lady darted up, already re-buttoning her blouse. She shouted at Gerald in Japanese as she grabbed the rest of her clothes and shoes before running out the door.

"Ah man, you scared her off!" Gerald said. "We were just about to start making out!"

"So that was the reason you needed my room?" Miss Seychell demanded. "So you could have a quick fling with the local maids."

"Please, she's not a maid," Gerald said. "She's just a really hot secretary that I happened to meet, and we hit it off."

"Your father didn't drag you out here to make out with every oriental who makes eye contact with you," Miss Seychell snapped.

"Oh, this wasn't just about the fling," Gerald said, and he pulled out a keycard. "That was just the bonus."

"What's that?" Miss Seychell asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It's a security access card to the Duter Institute headquarters," Gerald said smugly. "Mazhar instructed me to swipe one, but he didn't specify how. So I sighted one of the secretaries and charmed her. It worked out better than I expected." He twirled the card in his hand. "But you'll want to get its coding stuff copied soon; it won't be long before she realizes she's missing it. I'd want to give it right back to her quickly, to avoid suspicions. I was told that you can see to that."

"I'll deal with that later," she said. "Now get out. Don't you have something better to do?"

"No, I'm good," Gerald said, straightening his own clothes. "Unless you'd like to keep undressing."

Miss Seychell narrowed her eyes. "I can't help but noticing, kid, but you seem quite infatuated with me."

"I mean, I guess so," Gerald said, trying to play it off as cool. "You're hot and all, even if you work for my dad."

"But you're quite attractive yourself," Miss Seychell continues, walking closer to him. "You seem to flirt with all the other women, but never with me."

Gerald hesitated, sensing some sort of trap. "Maybe because you're always so defensive about it," he said slowly.

"Yes, but a lady like me still has needs," Miss Seychell said, placing her hand on his shoulder. "Perhaps there are some fantasies I want to do with you."

"Fantasies?" Gerald asked eagerly. "What kind?"

"Maybe something like this," Miss Seychell said, and with a sudden swiftness she wrapped her hand around his neck.

Gerald sputtered. "Wait, that hurts…"

"Oh, does it?" Miss Seychell mocked. "Does it make you feel uncomfortable? Do you not like these unwelcomed advances?

Gerald was starting to sense the cruel irony of the situation. "No, no I don't," he wheezed.

"Then perhaps we finally have something in common," Miss Seychell hissed into his ear. "Now, I don't want to catch you ogling me again, or I won't be so gentle next time. Do we have an understanding, Master Gerald?"

"I… yes, yes, I get it," Gerald said. "I'm sorry, I watch you anymore, I swear."

"Good," Miss Seychell said, releasing his neck. "Now, you will take that keycard, and you will tell Mazhar to get off his lazy ass and drive you to Mirai Tech, where your father will get it copied. Then you will return it to its owner. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, ma'am," Gerald squeaked.

"Good," Miss Seychell said. "Now, get out of my hotel room!"

Gerald hastily retreated out of the room. Finally alone, Miss Seychell prepared herself a bath. "That was refreshing," she said to herself. "I should've done that to him ages ago."