CHAPTER 7 - GIFTS
Rui and Shizuka arrived from Europe the following week. Everyone had arranged to meet for dinner Saturday evening. That afternoon, Tsukasa and I worked out together at the gym. I showered and changed at his place and we left together for the Italian restaurant to meet the others.
We were having an animated conversation, anticipating how our friends would react upon seeing us enter the place. True enough, their eyes almost popped out of their sockets when they saw the two of us arrive together.
"Whoa. hey, did I miss something? Has hell frozen over?" Soujiro was the first one to find his voice. Akira still hadn't recovered from the shock, his eyes as big as saucers and his mouth wide open. "When did you two become buddies all of a sudden?!"
Rui and Shizuka were just as surprised. Tsukasa and I couldn't help but smile at each other.
"It's a long story. Anyway, aren't you all glad Tsukushi and I get along now?" Tsukasa addressed them all as he pulled out a chair for me.
I managed to tell them the whole Junpei story over dinner. These were my closest friends and I kept nothing from them. As expected, the guys were upset over what Junpei had done and wanted to look for him and rough him up a little, but I discouraged them and told them not to waste their time and energy. They relented only after I promised I would call all four of them immediately if I as much as saw Junpei's shadow within fifty feet of me.
"Don't worry about me. I'm swearing off guys for the meantime," I assured them. Tsukasa looked at me with eyebrows raised, as if he didn't believe me. "Hey, who needs a boyfriend when I'm surrounded by hunks like you, right?" I winked at them.
With that matter out of the way, the rest of the dinner was spent in conversation about more pleasant things. Akira and Soujiro were excited about a post-fashion show party they were going to after dinner. Their eyes were glittering in anticipation as they talked about the models and supermodels they expected to meet. They invited us all to come with them. Rui and Shizuka understandably declined, as they were still jetlagged from their trip. I opted not to go either, knowing I would be left on my own at the party once these guys went on the prowl. I didn't want to be a wallflower in a party full of tall, leggy, glamorous women. Tsukasa declined to go too, saying he wasn't in the mood to party. He offered to drive me home instead.
"Okay man, suit yourself. It's your loss." Soujiro and Akira patted Tsukasa on the back before they left. Rui and Shizuka, and Tsukasa and I went our separate ways shortly after.
During the drive home, I remembered this was the first time in months that I hadn't seen Tsukasa bring a date to our group get-together. He shrugged but gave no explanation when I asked him about it.
=============
The next time we worked out together, Tsukasa invited me afterwards for another al fresco dinner at his balcony. When dinner was over, I ran into the living room where my gym bag was and came back holding a gift-wrapped box. I handed it to him and his eyes widened in surprise. "What's this?"
"Just open it." He tore the wrapping and held up the white long sleeved, button-down shirt I had bought for him.
"What's this for?"
"Well, I remembered I still owe you a shirt because I ruined the one you were wearing when we first met."
"You didn't have to get me this, you know. "
"I know I didn't have to but I really wanted to. Consider it an "I'm-glad- we're-friends-now" gift okay?"
He didn't say anything. Instead, he walked into his room and came back with a gift-wrapped box. "I was waiting for the right time to give you this. I guess now's as good a time as any."
It was my turn to be surprised when he gave me the box. I unwrapped it but I was stumped when I saw what was inside. It was a white plastic triangular block. "What is it?" I asked.
"It's a clock."
"Oh. Where are the numbers?" I turned it over in my hands.
"It's a talking clock. Press that blue button on top."
I did as he instructed. A mechanical voice said "It is now nine-fifteen p.m."
"Hey, cool! But why are you giving this to me?"
"It automatically tells the time every hour on the hour. You can set it to go off at a specific time, like an alarm. I saw it at the mall a few days ago and I knew I had to get it for you. I noticed you have this habit of always being late. If you hadn't been late that first time we met, you wouldn't have been running and you wouldn't have crashed and spilled coffee all over me."
I cringed inwardly because I was slightly embarrassed that he pointed out my nasty habit of always being late. He got the manual from the box and showed me how to set the clock to go off like an alarm. I don't know what pushed me to do what I did but all of a sudden I gave him a quick hug and exclaimed "I love it! Thanks! I can't promise I won't be late again, but I'm sure this'll be a big help!"
His face was red but he was grinning. "I'm glad you like it. And thanks for the shirt."
===========
The following Monday, I arrived at my office to find a petite girl waiting for me.
"Hi, I'm Umi! I'm from Innov-Asia, the market research firm. I was told you'd be expecting me?" she greeted me as she offered her hand.
"Oh, yeah," I extended my hand as I remembered the feasibility study my boss assigned to me. "I'm Tsukushi. Pleased to meet you."
"Hi Tsukushi! The pleasure's all mine," she gave me a big smile as she pumped my hand enthusiastically.
I remembered thinking to myself, 'Boy, she's certainly perky.' She was very cute, with short layered hair, big brown eyes and a smile so bright I wanted to wear shades.
"So I guess we'll be working together for the next two weeks huh?" I said as I sat down to work on my desk.
"That's right. I'll be reporting here to you everyday until we complete the study."
"Great. Let's get started then."
The project took up all of my time that week. Everyday, Umi and I had to go out and do fieldwork in the morning, while we spent the whole of the afternoon until late evening hunched over our computers inputting and analyzing data. I had foregone my regular workouts at the gym because of these overtime sessions. By Friday my brain was so fried that I was dying for a break. Soujiro called to tell me they'd be at our regular hang-out that night. As Umi and I wrapped up our work for the day, I asked her if she wanted to tag along. Since she didn't have anything planned for the night, she accepted my invitation.
The whole gang was already there when we arrived. I introduced Umi to everyone and we took our seats.
"Hey, I didn't see you all week at the gym. What's up with you?" Tsukasa asked as he squeezed my shoulder.
I rolled my eyes and began a litany of complaints about how hectic work had been lately. As I was speaking, Soujiro and Akira were both vying for Umi's attention. Both turned on their charm full-blast, with compliments and flirtatious jokes galore. Although she allowed them to draw her into their conversation, I noticed her gaze straying often to Tsukasa. When I left for the ladies' room and came back, I saw she had taken the seat I had previously occupied beside him and they were talking like old friends. Probably sensing they had no chance, the two playboys had moved to the bar where they bestowed their attention on more receptive subjects. I sat down beside Rui and Shizuka, and they were telling me about the places they had visited in Europe, when Umi suddenly stood up.
"Oooh, I love this song! Would you dance with me?" she asked as she pulled Tsukasa to his feet.
Tsukasa looked reluctant to leave our table but Umi was already dragging him to the dance floor. I couldn't explain why I felt a stab in my heart when I saw her wrap her arms around his neck while he placed his hands on her waist. I must admit though, they certainly made a handsome couple.
Even after they came back, they sat beside each other and seemed to be getting along very well. I sat quietly observing them. Rui and Shizuka had to prompt me several times when I didn't hear them asking me something. Rui finally asked me why I seemed so spaced out. I smiled weakly and told him that maybe I was just tired because of work. Umi and Tsukasa were at the dance floor again when I told Rui that I was leaving ahead, making up some excuse about getting sleepy and wanting to go home. I asked him to just inform the others that I had left, then got up to leave.
*****************
A/N: I'm back kiddies! Did you miss me? ^_^ So, Umi finally makes an entrance! Looks like trouble in paradise! What's gonna happen next? Stay tuned!
Sailor Angie and Jen: Yay, new readers! Thanks for checking out my story and posting your comments. Glad you're liking it so far.
syaoranbabe17, xX-wasabi-Xx, o0itzjeanna0o, and coral_bluz: Here it is, an update for you! Hope you like it!
Toinks: Re: Tsukasa being OOC in this fic, I posted a reply to you in my reviews page. Check it out. LOL!
XxSwtDreamerxX1: Thanks for the compliment on the way I decorated Tsukasa's condo. LOL! It's the way I'd like to furnish my own condo when I make my first million, hahaha.
'Til the next update, ciao!
Rui and Shizuka arrived from Europe the following week. Everyone had arranged to meet for dinner Saturday evening. That afternoon, Tsukasa and I worked out together at the gym. I showered and changed at his place and we left together for the Italian restaurant to meet the others.
We were having an animated conversation, anticipating how our friends would react upon seeing us enter the place. True enough, their eyes almost popped out of their sockets when they saw the two of us arrive together.
"Whoa. hey, did I miss something? Has hell frozen over?" Soujiro was the first one to find his voice. Akira still hadn't recovered from the shock, his eyes as big as saucers and his mouth wide open. "When did you two become buddies all of a sudden?!"
Rui and Shizuka were just as surprised. Tsukasa and I couldn't help but smile at each other.
"It's a long story. Anyway, aren't you all glad Tsukushi and I get along now?" Tsukasa addressed them all as he pulled out a chair for me.
I managed to tell them the whole Junpei story over dinner. These were my closest friends and I kept nothing from them. As expected, the guys were upset over what Junpei had done and wanted to look for him and rough him up a little, but I discouraged them and told them not to waste their time and energy. They relented only after I promised I would call all four of them immediately if I as much as saw Junpei's shadow within fifty feet of me.
"Don't worry about me. I'm swearing off guys for the meantime," I assured them. Tsukasa looked at me with eyebrows raised, as if he didn't believe me. "Hey, who needs a boyfriend when I'm surrounded by hunks like you, right?" I winked at them.
With that matter out of the way, the rest of the dinner was spent in conversation about more pleasant things. Akira and Soujiro were excited about a post-fashion show party they were going to after dinner. Their eyes were glittering in anticipation as they talked about the models and supermodels they expected to meet. They invited us all to come with them. Rui and Shizuka understandably declined, as they were still jetlagged from their trip. I opted not to go either, knowing I would be left on my own at the party once these guys went on the prowl. I didn't want to be a wallflower in a party full of tall, leggy, glamorous women. Tsukasa declined to go too, saying he wasn't in the mood to party. He offered to drive me home instead.
"Okay man, suit yourself. It's your loss." Soujiro and Akira patted Tsukasa on the back before they left. Rui and Shizuka, and Tsukasa and I went our separate ways shortly after.
During the drive home, I remembered this was the first time in months that I hadn't seen Tsukasa bring a date to our group get-together. He shrugged but gave no explanation when I asked him about it.
=============
The next time we worked out together, Tsukasa invited me afterwards for another al fresco dinner at his balcony. When dinner was over, I ran into the living room where my gym bag was and came back holding a gift-wrapped box. I handed it to him and his eyes widened in surprise. "What's this?"
"Just open it." He tore the wrapping and held up the white long sleeved, button-down shirt I had bought for him.
"What's this for?"
"Well, I remembered I still owe you a shirt because I ruined the one you were wearing when we first met."
"You didn't have to get me this, you know. "
"I know I didn't have to but I really wanted to. Consider it an "I'm-glad- we're-friends-now" gift okay?"
He didn't say anything. Instead, he walked into his room and came back with a gift-wrapped box. "I was waiting for the right time to give you this. I guess now's as good a time as any."
It was my turn to be surprised when he gave me the box. I unwrapped it but I was stumped when I saw what was inside. It was a white plastic triangular block. "What is it?" I asked.
"It's a clock."
"Oh. Where are the numbers?" I turned it over in my hands.
"It's a talking clock. Press that blue button on top."
I did as he instructed. A mechanical voice said "It is now nine-fifteen p.m."
"Hey, cool! But why are you giving this to me?"
"It automatically tells the time every hour on the hour. You can set it to go off at a specific time, like an alarm. I saw it at the mall a few days ago and I knew I had to get it for you. I noticed you have this habit of always being late. If you hadn't been late that first time we met, you wouldn't have been running and you wouldn't have crashed and spilled coffee all over me."
I cringed inwardly because I was slightly embarrassed that he pointed out my nasty habit of always being late. He got the manual from the box and showed me how to set the clock to go off like an alarm. I don't know what pushed me to do what I did but all of a sudden I gave him a quick hug and exclaimed "I love it! Thanks! I can't promise I won't be late again, but I'm sure this'll be a big help!"
His face was red but he was grinning. "I'm glad you like it. And thanks for the shirt."
===========
The following Monday, I arrived at my office to find a petite girl waiting for me.
"Hi, I'm Umi! I'm from Innov-Asia, the market research firm. I was told you'd be expecting me?" she greeted me as she offered her hand.
"Oh, yeah," I extended my hand as I remembered the feasibility study my boss assigned to me. "I'm Tsukushi. Pleased to meet you."
"Hi Tsukushi! The pleasure's all mine," she gave me a big smile as she pumped my hand enthusiastically.
I remembered thinking to myself, 'Boy, she's certainly perky.' She was very cute, with short layered hair, big brown eyes and a smile so bright I wanted to wear shades.
"So I guess we'll be working together for the next two weeks huh?" I said as I sat down to work on my desk.
"That's right. I'll be reporting here to you everyday until we complete the study."
"Great. Let's get started then."
The project took up all of my time that week. Everyday, Umi and I had to go out and do fieldwork in the morning, while we spent the whole of the afternoon until late evening hunched over our computers inputting and analyzing data. I had foregone my regular workouts at the gym because of these overtime sessions. By Friday my brain was so fried that I was dying for a break. Soujiro called to tell me they'd be at our regular hang-out that night. As Umi and I wrapped up our work for the day, I asked her if she wanted to tag along. Since she didn't have anything planned for the night, she accepted my invitation.
The whole gang was already there when we arrived. I introduced Umi to everyone and we took our seats.
"Hey, I didn't see you all week at the gym. What's up with you?" Tsukasa asked as he squeezed my shoulder.
I rolled my eyes and began a litany of complaints about how hectic work had been lately. As I was speaking, Soujiro and Akira were both vying for Umi's attention. Both turned on their charm full-blast, with compliments and flirtatious jokes galore. Although she allowed them to draw her into their conversation, I noticed her gaze straying often to Tsukasa. When I left for the ladies' room and came back, I saw she had taken the seat I had previously occupied beside him and they were talking like old friends. Probably sensing they had no chance, the two playboys had moved to the bar where they bestowed their attention on more receptive subjects. I sat down beside Rui and Shizuka, and they were telling me about the places they had visited in Europe, when Umi suddenly stood up.
"Oooh, I love this song! Would you dance with me?" she asked as she pulled Tsukasa to his feet.
Tsukasa looked reluctant to leave our table but Umi was already dragging him to the dance floor. I couldn't explain why I felt a stab in my heart when I saw her wrap her arms around his neck while he placed his hands on her waist. I must admit though, they certainly made a handsome couple.
Even after they came back, they sat beside each other and seemed to be getting along very well. I sat quietly observing them. Rui and Shizuka had to prompt me several times when I didn't hear them asking me something. Rui finally asked me why I seemed so spaced out. I smiled weakly and told him that maybe I was just tired because of work. Umi and Tsukasa were at the dance floor again when I told Rui that I was leaving ahead, making up some excuse about getting sleepy and wanting to go home. I asked him to just inform the others that I had left, then got up to leave.
*****************
A/N: I'm back kiddies! Did you miss me? ^_^ So, Umi finally makes an entrance! Looks like trouble in paradise! What's gonna happen next? Stay tuned!
Sailor Angie and Jen: Yay, new readers! Thanks for checking out my story and posting your comments. Glad you're liking it so far.
syaoranbabe17, xX-wasabi-Xx, o0itzjeanna0o, and coral_bluz: Here it is, an update for you! Hope you like it!
Toinks: Re: Tsukasa being OOC in this fic, I posted a reply to you in my reviews page. Check it out. LOL!
XxSwtDreamerxX1: Thanks for the compliment on the way I decorated Tsukasa's condo. LOL! It's the way I'd like to furnish my own condo when I make my first million, hahaha.
'Til the next update, ciao!