Chapter 2: Flashbacks
In France
Eriol Hiiragizawa was seated in his office, signing papers.
"Monsieur Hiiragizawa! Please take a look at this!" his secretary rushed in, almost wrecking the door down,
"Mademoiselle Colline, please! The door is there for you to knock!" he reprimanded her.
"I'm sorry Monsieur. I was just shocked when I saw it on page 16," she bowed and went out.
Eriol sighed and sank down in his chair. As he turned the pages, he knew what made his secretary so shocked.
Tomoyo Daidouji, tall and graceful, was going to present her latest creations at the Hong Kong Fashion Festival. In one of his fashion territories, she was going to compete with him.
"Looks like I'm going to see you again, Daidouji," he said with a grin.
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(Flashback)
"Mr. Hiiragizawa?" she peeked in the door.
"Ah Ms. Daidouji," he greeted her. "Come in."
She sat on the chair. She looked so determined. "Is there a problem Daidouji?" he inquired formally. Although in this private room, he showed affection towards her. Even if he did not show it.
"Well, Mr. Hiiragizawa, I would like to present this," she handed over a letter.
He read the contents. It turned out to be a resignation letter.
"Why?" his personal side showed.
"I don't want to be with this company again," she started. "Ever since I worked here, I've experienced going through hell and back."
"And what are the reasons for this decision?" he wanted to know what made her do this.
"Because of you!" She said, rather shouted. "You never seemed to appreciate my work. No matter how hard I came up with new ideas, you never, ever gave me a peace of mind. I've been tirelessly improving my designs, as you said, but still, not even a single praise have I heard from you."
"So you want a raise?"
"No!" she screamed. How could he be so insensitive? "I don't want a raise. I just want to know that you appreciate my work. I've been bearing your harsh criticisms for three years now. So far, it only cost me more pain! So I've decided to end my suffering and leave this company!"
"Tomoyo, I mean, Ms. Daidouji, you do not understand."
"Oh yes Mr. Hiiragizawa, I do! I understand completely that I cannot achieve what you demand. Your company has high standards. It's funny why a beginner like me chose to work here."
"Because you knew you could do it!" Eriol said.
"But you never seemed to notice," she said sarcastically.
Eriol knew. She was serious. No matter how hard he forced himself not to believe, he had to accept the reality. She's right. He became quite hard on her. All he wanted was for her to become more creative. That's why he criticized her work. Then again, he realized that he wasn't to gentle enough. He forgot that this was the same old Tomoyo he knew and befriended in Japan. He had been stupid.
It is for the sake of his company's reputation. He wasn't going to allow his business die down because of one mistake. He faced her.
"If this is what you want, then I have no choice but to let you go," he said with finality.
"Thank you," she rose and stood up. She went out without looking back.
"Something tells me that we'll be meeting again soon," he whispered with assurance.
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And he was right. They will be meeting again. Although in a different perspective.
Tomoyo's company had risen to the top faster than any other designer had. Soon, the whole world saw the tension between the two companies. Le Soleil and the House of Morgen were at the height of competing for the top spot. Neither had stayed with the crown for long because the other would try to steal the limelight. It was exciting, papers would say, to watch the apprentice overcome her former boss. Ever since the news leaked out that Tomoyo was no longer working for Hiiragizawa, the press delightedly turned the situation into a soap opera. In every magazine's issue, articles about the two adversaries appeared. Soon the public was glued for any news about them. But they can't be blamed. The human's gossiping nature always pushes them to anticipate. After all, his and her opposition even more made the fashion world more noticeable than ever.
