And I Hate You So - Chapter 5
He paused and looked over to his guest, sitting opposite him. The large headphones made her look smothered and adorable in a way. Nothing like her aggressive self that tossed beer all over him. From her fidgeting, he could tell that she was nervous. "So...why is your recent article called 'Robots'?"
Mimi looked up confidently, her eyes blazing into his. "How disappointing. I knew you'd ask that, and so I decided that I won't answer." She spoked into her own microphone.
"No?"
"Even criminals have a right to stay silent."
Matt raised an eyebrow. "Would you stay silent to all of my questions?"
"Depends on my mood," she paused and an idea suddenly formed in her mind. "Do you mind if I ask the questions?"
"Stealing my spotlight?"
"Yes...or taking calls for you. I can be crude too."
"Crudeness requires skill. Sure, try it."
The first caller was a man with an annoying voice. He asked the first question. "Miss Tachikawa, I have a question for you. Are you married?"
"No."
"Well, not every woman is wanted. So arrogant and crude. You tell a joke and they think it's sexual harassment..."
Mimi immediately became irritated. "Excuse me, mister. I would like to - "
"Aah...all you women are the same. Love to interrupt. You think you're so wonderful. Just like my ex-wife..."
Mimi cupped her hand over the microphone and glared at Matt. "If you don't hang up, I'm leaving."
Matt spoke into his microphone, and only then did the man on the phone stop talking to listen. "No, this man is temperamental. But what he says makes sense. Feminist activists only harm fellow women. What does a woman care most about? What do you often write about? It's love isn't it? You can't just talk about love. You have to back it up with action. Cooking, housework ... are big parts of love, right?"
"Did you pay that guy to do that?" she demanded.
"Women can often imagine those things."
This was too much for her. This sexual discrimination was injustice. She pulled off the headphones, grabbed her bag and walked furiously out of the studio. Kathleen, who was standing outside called out to her, but she was too angry to even hear her apology.
He had embarrassed her totally, and now the whole city knew.
"I feel - I feel angry. No, not exactly angry. I'm more upset. No, not that either. I'm...I feel...Ah, I don't know what I feel!" Mimi paced around her apartment. That radio show was the most humiliating moment of her life. After storming out of the studio, she had tried to hail a taxi, but luck obviously wasn't on her side. No taxis went passed, and even if there were, they weren't available. Finally, she decided to call Greg, who arrived several minutes later and shipped her home.
"You were right on leaving like that." Greg tried to cheer her up. "Too bad you didn't get to talk about your book." Mimi had finished writing her first book just a few weeks ago, and was being published in just two days. She had prepared a few lines about her new book, but it was a total waste of time now.
Mimi turned and glared at the person who made the highly unsuccessful comment. "I'm gonna put a cockroach in your mouth." She threatened, knowing perfectly well that he hated the 'disgusting six-legged brown bugs'.
Greg ignored her and continued to comfort her. "It's okay. I taped your radio session, and I'll bring the tape to Claudia. Do you know who she is?" He asked. He continued without waiting for her answer. "Chair of the EOC. He's dead meat." He smirked. The EOC was a department especially for unfair disputes between anyone, including sexual discrimination and deliberate humiliation. They had the power to take down a whole business if required.
Still with her back to Greg, Mimi gave a triumphant smile.
Matt slumped in his chair. He had a huge headache. "You asked for more arguments," he complained in a mumble to his boss.
"Well, it depends on the situation!" the angry boss rambled, "I thought you had a brain. Now the EOC is on our back, saying that we allow DJs discriminate women." He flung his arms to the sky. "Now what do we do? Did you find that guy who called? If you do, silence his whole family." With that, he got up from the leather chair and walked out of the office, with a loud bang from the door.
Mimi was coming back from another day of work. She had been held back at work and left later than usual. As she hurried into the elevator that led to her apartment, she flung her sleeve to look at the watch. 5:59 it read. The doors opened at what seemed like at a snails pace and the young girl hurried to her front door, battling with her silver keys and managed to open the door. Rushing inside without even bothering to take off her shoes, she made an immediate move for the button on the radio, just as the digital clock in her room flashed 6:02.
The radio came on with a blast. Fully expecting to hear Matt's teasing low voice, Mimi wasn't
prepared for the feminine voice, which emitted from the silver box. She stood for a moment, before reaching for the phone.
"Hello, yes. Um...I was just wondering, what happened to Starlight Music? Programme change? So it was cancelled? Alright. Thanks." She set down the phone slowly. There was a sinking, guilty feeling within her heart. She didn't even know why she was feeling this way, or why she was in such a rush to get home today, just to catch a program with a DJ whom she hated.
Sighing, she collapsed onto the sofa, the female voice still droning on endlessly on the radio.
Matt had been feeling very low in the past few days. His job had been taken over by a boring program about people and society. But that wasn't the only thing that was bothering him. There was something that he just couldn't put his finger on, that made him feel evil in a way.
Kathleen had noticed his black mood and invited him for lunch. Smiling at him encouragingly, she
stated, "Every letter is demanding for your return, you know."
"Too bad your boss didn't say anything." The blond mumbled through his hands in which he rested his chin on.
"Actually, he sent me to tempt you to return."
"Really? So this lunch is the company's expense?" He straightened up and called for a waiter. "Wine list please."
"Wine? At lunch?"
Instead of answering, he questioned her instead. "So this lunch is a big part of the temptation?"
"The boss is being very humble. He even defended you in front of the press."
Matt raised an eyebrow. "Tell him that another station has already made an offer."
"Really?" Kathleen was surprised to hear this. Actually, it really wasn't all that surprising. Matt was popular and good-looking. Radio was where he was in his element, and the appropriate sarcastic comments could roll off from his tongue in a heartbeat. She watched him intensely as the waiter delivered their lunch and gave him the wine list.
Matt rolled his eyes mockingly. "Would I still be eating with you then?" Kathleen sighed inwardly with relief.
She ignored the food in front of her and instead said, "If they did offer you, you wouldn't eat with me?"
Matt smiled and indicated her vegetarian food with his head. "Eat, that grass is more digestible than meat. Cows have four stomachs. Have you?"
Kathleen stared at him incredulously, just as her cell phone rang. She picked it up quickly. "Hang on," she told the caller, "The reception is bad." She left him at the table as she hurried outside.
Matt sat back. Somehow he didn't feel all that hungry anymore. Looking around, he saw a man beside him leave, leaving behind a newspaper - the Morning Daily. He grabbed it and flipped instantly to Mimi's column. Instead, he encountered a blank rectangle where her column should be, with the words 'Mimi's columns will return tomorrow.'
The queue of people seemed to stretch on for miles. Mimi gently flicked her sore hand before signing her name for the quadrillionth time. Her new book had just been released, and she's been signing the copies that the local people bought at the nearby mall. She should be glad - there were so many loyal readers - but she was tired. Tired from smiling endlessly. From writing her name over and over again. By sitting here in the first place.
She managed to clamber out of her thoughts to pose a fake smile for a small digital camera before signing the next book, and waving the girl off. The next girl held two copies. Mimi lifted her sinking head to look at her quizzically. Why would she be buying two?
The girl understood her gaze. "One's for me, the other's for my boyfriend."
Mimi smiled at her before signing the book. "Lucky you. You have a boyfriend who reads with you."
She stated with a hint of jealousy.
"He doesn't, but I try. So that's why I'm getting him one."
"Well be careful of getting boyfriends presents." Mimi warned.
"I understand." The girl paused as Mimi handed her the two thick books. I know about your argument with Matt."
Hearing his name made her shiver slightly. "Well, his show is cancelled."
The girl shook her head. "No, he's returning tonight. There was an ad in today's newspaper."
"Really?" Mimi felt silly. She worked for a newspaper and she didn't even know. How stupid of her. She made a mental note to read the newspaper from now on.
The young adolescent nodded, smiling a goodbye. "Beware of his attacks," she thoughtfully warned before leaving with her two books.
Matt sat down comfortably on HIS leather chair. He was back. Where he belonged. He put on his headphones and got ready to start. He didn't know that at the same time, Mimi was rushing home from her day at the mall, hurrying up the stairs, as the elevator was broken, and struggling to open the door. She turned on the radio at exactly six o'clock.
"It's me again." Matt addressed in a somewhat evil voice, adding in a snicker to put in more effect. "Do you watch X-Files? One character is very evil. He dies, but returns after a few episodes to continue to wreak havoc. I am that character..."
It was ten o'clock, and Matt was walking out of the studio. He should be happy. His fans supported him and he got his job back...but something was wrong inside.
Loud high-heel footsteps emitted behind him on the silent hallway. "Hey, Matt. Wait!" called Kathleen. Matt stopped, allowing her to catch up. "Congrats on returning," she told him.
"Thanks." His voice held appreciation, but it did not contain liveliness.
"Wanna go grab something to eat?"
"Whatever."
Something was wrong, Kathleen concluded. Almost forgetting, she handed him a small parcel in a yellow-brown envelope. "What's this?" Matt asked.
"The reception says it's for you."
Matt took hold of the envelope and opened it. Sticking his hand in, he pulled out a dart velvet blue book. An array of multi-colored flowers decorated the cover, and the silver words 'Serpent In A Field of Flowers' printed neatly at the top. 'By Mimi Tachikawa'.
He flipped open the cover to reveal a note. "Congrats on a new start. Leave me alone" with her signature on the bottom. Matt read it over and over again. He couldn't stop staring at it; the note or the brilliant cover. He didn't even know that Kathleen had walked off. She knew exactly what was happening. Matt was in love, and even though she herself had liked him, she wasn't going to interfere.
Mimi woke up with a start when the phone rang. Reaching out for the nearby cordless, she managed a yawn before muttering a sleepy "Hello?"
"You eat, don't you?" Matt's voice was loud and clear, and Mimi recognized it immediately. After all, she had been listening to his voice quite often these days.
"How did you get my number?"
"You eat, don't you?" he repeated.
"Well, it depends on my mood. The weather, with whom."
Matt thought quickly. "It's a dark cloudy day, perfect for a duel with your enemy." He paused. "Two pm, Times Square taxi stand. Bring your white umbrella." With that, the phone started beeping, indicating that he hung up.
"A date?" she asked herself out loud.
To be continued...