Note: I'm going by U.S. Dollars.
Disclaimer: Me no own you no sue.
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Chapter Three: Shopping and Deals
¤¤¤¤¤"Are you sure about this, sir?" asked Kaoru, trying desperately to get out of this shopping spree. She honestly didn't find that it was right that she bothered her boss like this on the first day of work.
"Of course," reassured Kenshin as they stepped out of the elevator and into the parking garage.
Lunch wasn't as long as Kaoru had wanted it to be and she was really dreading the upcoming shopping spree for some odd reason.
"Where's the limo?" asked Kaoru looking around the garage. She was certain that the richest person in all of Japan would have a limo to take him places.
"We're taking my car. Limos go too slow for my taste," said Kenshin as he took out his keys from his pocket and walked deeper into the garage.
Kaoru gasped as she saw the cars. They were all located in one section and just above them were the words: Property of Kenshin Himura.
There were a total of three cars: a Porsche, a Ferrari, and a Mustang all painted in red.
"These are the only ones that I keep here for myself. The rest of my rides are at my estate. These are the ones that I like driving the most. So which one do you want to go in?" asked Kenshin with a grin as he saw her eyes go wide.
"I..." Kaoru was speechless. She hadn't really expected him to have a car selection at his corporation, though she should have expected it from a multi-billionaire.
"You want one these? We can get you one in midnight blue...or maybe black?" suggested Kenshin.
"I... don't know," said Kaoru. All three looked so nice.
"Or do you want to go and look at more choices?" asked Kenshin.
Dumbfounded, Kaoru could only nod.
Not really caring what care he took, Kenshin got into the car closest to him, the red Porsche.
Kaoru quickly got into the passenger seat, immediately falling in love with how comfortable the seats felt and deciding that she had to make sure her car was just as comfortable as this one.
A few minutes into their ride and Kaoru was literally attached to her seatbelt and trembling: Kenshin was an insane driver that should have never gotten his license. The redhead obviously enjoyed accelerating to the car's top speed and turning only at the last second.
All Kaoru could do was glare at him when she saw that he was grinning and obviously enjoying her misery.
"Can you please go slower?" pleaded Kaoru as they nearly hit a road sign if not for Kenshin's quick maneuver.
"What's the point of getting a fast car if you're not going to go fast?" asked Kenshin, openly smirking at her.
Unable to hit him while he was driving, lest she get herself killed, Kaoru resolved to further trying to kill him with her eyes.
Clutching the door handle desperately when he made another sharp turn, Kaoru fought the urge to reveal her lunch all over her boss's car.
I swear he's trying to kill me. Thought Kaoru as she shut her eyes.
The sudden sound of a door slamming closed made Kaoru open her eyes.
"Are you going to stay in the car all day or go check out the new cell phones in stock with me?" asked Kenshin, rounding the car to look at her through her window.
Kaoru blushed and quickly got out.
Locking the car with his remote, Kenshin led the way into the shop.
The shop was three times the size of Kenshin's office, filled with all of the latest technology.
The owner seemed to know Kenshin fairly well. The man slightly taller than Kenshin by an inch and wore a black business suit, which went well with his short black hair. After their introductions, the man led them to the cell phones.
"We've got flip phones, spin phones, and the regular. Which one in particular are you looking for, Miss Kamiya? Do you want certain items in it? You can customize your own if you wish," said the man.
"I prefer flip phones," answered Kaoru.
"Those are nice," said the owner, leading them to another section of the store.
"She's my lawyer and personal assistant. So her cell has to be somewhere on the line with my own," said Kenshin, placing his hands in his pockets as he looked at the cell phones placed on display.
"Of course. The original package of extra memory, text messaging, GPS, picture taking, e-mail, and worldwide connection?" asked the owner, leading them to the back of the store.
Kaoru just blinked, they actually had all that in a cell phone?
The room was quite small, but filled with more glass cased cell phones than Kaoru could count.
"What color would you like it to be, Miss Kamiya?" asked the owner.
"Do you have one in blue?" asked Kaoru, looking around curiously.
"How about platinum blue?" suggested the owner, handing her a flip phone.
Kaoru loved the cell phone at first sight. It was beautiful.
"We'll take it. Put it on my bill," said Kenshin as he saw Kaoru's face light up.
Kaoru stared at her new boss for a few seconds in disbelief before smiling.
"Very well. If you'll come this way, we'll get the papers done," said the owner, leading them out.
The next time they were on the road, Kaoru wasn't as freaked out as the first time she had gotten in the car with Kenshin. Plus, this time she had her cell phone to keep her mind off of the insane way in which her boss drove.
She was still reformatting and organizing her cell phone by the time they reached a tailoring shop.
Placing the new cell into her purse once the car stopped, Kaoru followed Kenshin into the shop.
"Hello, Himura darling, how are you?" greeted a woman with a masculine voice once they were inside. Kaoru wasn't exactly sure whether the person was a Miss or Mister.
"Kamatari, this Kaoru Kamiya. She's working for me. Do you think you can make her look better in a business suit? Something different. Not too different though," said Kenshin.
"Ooooooh. She's so pretty. This won't be too hard. She already has that different, yet erotically beautiful look. Come this way, dear," said Kamatari, dragging the flushing Kaoru with him to a private room in the back.
Once they had entered the back room, Kamatari had literally pushed her onto a white platform with mirrors all around it on one side, allowing Kamatari to look at her from every angle.
Kaoru was sure that her face was beet red by now.
"Don't be so modest, dear. Time for your measurements," said Kamatari as he got out the measuring tape to measure Kaoru.
Once she was properly measured, Kaoru found herself nearly choking from the way Kamatari was shoving one color fabric after another under her chin.
"That's not good either. Himura, what do you think? Green doesn't suit her at all," frowned Kamatari as he held up the hunter green fabric to the worn out lawyer.
"Black's too plain. Purple?" suggested Kenshin.
Kaoru's slump in her shoulders told him the answer.
"What about red? Gold wouldn't do. Midnight blue mixed with dark blue. Yes, that would bring out your eyes. It'll be kind of like a navy color, just a little darker," imagined Kamatari with a spreading grin on his face.
"Sounds good," agreed Kenshin.
"Then what's wrong with the navy one I'm wearing right now?" asked Kaoru, pointing to the navy blue suit that she wore, which looked much like a skirt. It was what she had worn when had been under Takeda's employment.
"Let's get you into pants, shall we? Just to see how it looks," said Kamatari, smiling broadly.
Kaoru rolled her eyes in annoyance. She was suppose to working, not shopping!
"Her shoes...high heel covers, navy blue?" suggested Kenshin as gave her a once over with his golden eyes.
"Oooooooooh! Definitely, yes. I'm having so much fun. You know you're the first girl that I've worked with that actually has a nice and fit body. Those others are either too big or too small. You're just perfect. I can't wait for when I get to design you over with classical and all those other fun clothing designs. You are going to come back aren't you?" asked Kamatari, who was practically beaming off in waves.
If it were possible, Kaoru was certain that she flushed yet another darker shade of red.
"All right! I'll send them over to your apartment once they're done. It'll take a day or two. Usually it's a week, but since you're with Himura, I'll make sure to get it to you as quickly as possible," said Kamatari, smiling when they finished their shopping there.
Kaoru only smiled in return, frowning once they got in the car.
"So I guess you don't really like him?" asked Kenshin as he drove to their next destination, a car dealership.
"He's okay. It's just that I'm not use to people... He's... I don't have anything against him, it's just that...he makes me think that I'm a doll," admitted Kaoru.
"Well of course. He is a designer, he's suppose to dress you up," smirked Kenshin.
"Yes, but I've been independent most of my life. I took care of myself most of my life, and I'm not use to others treating me like I'm something more," said Kaoru.
"But you are something more," smiled Kenshin.
Kaoru smiled in return.
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Kaoru's eyes went wide as she saw the collection of the most beautiful cars she had ever seen. They were currently in a private section of the dealership, away from the other cars that were out for display to the public.
It amazed her how Kenshin had so many connections, and connections in high places at that.
There were just so many cars to choose from. Kaoru couldn't decide.
"We need car that will just... That has Kaoru written all over it," said Kenshin as they walked through the aisles looking at different cars.
The owner looked at Kaoru and rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"It would have to be a car in midnight blue. Though with her features...I believe that any sports or luxury car in that color would scream Kaoru at you," said the owner.
That had to be the thousandth time she blushed that afternoon.
"What specific car would you like, Miss Kamiya?" asked the car owner.
"I'm not that sure," said Kaoru, looking around at the cars once again.
"We've got four cars in midnight blue that have just been shipped in. There's a Porsche, Honda S 2000, BMW, and a Ferrari. You can choose from those four or you can get a customized car," said the man.
"Uh... I don't know yet," said Kaoru, still uncertain.
"It's all right, we'll take them all," said Kenshin to the smiling salesman.
"What?" asked Kaoru incredulously, amazed that her boss was willing to spend that much money on her so easily.
"It's on me. You can place two in the garage at the office, then the other two at the hotel," said Kenshin as they went to go make it final.
"It's not too much trouble, is it? I mean, this is my first official day at work and you're buying me such... expensive items," said Kaoru, feeling kind of guilty.
"You got Hiko pleased and that's not easy to do, so it's on the house," said Kenshin, smiling.
Kaoru could only smile weakly at him.
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"I thought you said that I didn't have to change my appearance," said Kaoru as she found herself inside a very large beauty treatment center.
"It's only your hair, toenails, and nails that are going to be done. Nothing else. Though Tae might end up doing a little more. She's a professional after all. She works for models," informed Kenshin as he followed a worker deeper into the back.
As they walked, Kaoru realized that most of the better quality items in major places were in the back.
The moment a woman with short brown hair in a traditional kimono came out to greet them, Kaoru and Kenshin both came to a halt.
"Hello, Mr. Himura. How are you? Is this my client? What's your name, dear? Don't be shy, come here," said Tae as she pulled Kaoru from behind Kenshin to her.
Kaoru blushed as she found her face being thoroughly examined.
"Your hair, it doesn't look all that nice in a bun. We can put in down and have half of it in a ponytail. What do you think, Mr. Himura?" asked Tae.
"Yes, that would look nice," said Kenshin, trying to visualize it himself.
"How much rogue do you wear, dear?" asked Tae, looking at her face again.
"I don't wear make-up," stated Kaoru.
Tae's eyes went wide. She looked at Kenshin, who nodded. Tae gasped.
"You're not wearing make-up? So you're telling me that your skin is actually that... You're not wearing make-up," said Tae in disbelief, touching Kaoru's face to try and find traces of make-up, but she found none; the girl had natural beauty.
"Surprised me too," admitted Kenshin.
"You're cheeks are actually a tinge of pink, lips a rose color, and your eyelashes, and eyebrows are perfect. Oh my god. You're not wearing make-up," said Tae once again. She had never met a single model that looked this good without make-up.
Kaoru was blushing for what seemed like the millionth time that day.
"She's not wearing make-up, Tae. Get over it and fix her up," said Kenshin.
"Besides her hair and nails, there is nothing to fix up," said Tae, still shocked.
Kenshin sighed and left as Tae did her work on Kaoru.
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Kaoru was looking at her pedicure in the car, and couldn't help but keep staring at her hair. Most of her hair was in a high ponytail, however, some still dangled down to her shoulders while her bangs were parted away from her face. She had to admit, she looked better.
"Now, what else is it that you need?" asked Kenshin.
"I think I got everything," said Kaoru.
"Then let's get back to the office. We did two day's work this morning. Now all we have to do is wait for tomorrow's meeting," said Kenshin.
"It's 5:30 right now, I'm sure we can squeeze in enough time to work on a few more papers. So we can get ahead," said Kaoru. She liked be one step ahead of things just incase she had to go back.
"Is that all you like to do, work and more work?" asked Kenshin as he parked in the garage.
"Well...I like to be ahead," said Kaoru as she stepped out of the car.
"You need to loosen up a bit; bend a few rules," said Kenshin as they headed for the elevator.
Kaoru sighed and then took out her cell.
"Thanks for everything, Kenshin," said Kaoru, smiling at him
He couldn't help but smile back at her as they entered the elevator.
Remembering something, Kenshin ordered, "I need your cell. He pulled his own cell out at the same time.
Kaoru obediently obeyed and gave him the cell phone.
He typed in a few things into her memory chip and handed it back. Then he placed something in his own cell. Which was like hers, just in platinum red.
"That's my cell number, and e-mail if you need to reach me," said Kenshin.
Kaoru placed back her cell just as the elevator door opened and the two stepped out.
"Mr. Himura, Mr. Seijiro just sent for me to get you. He wants you in his office. Nice hairdo, Kamiya," said Soujiro, his usual smile in place.
Kaoru nodded in thanks and the two went to Hiko's office, which was across from Kenshin's.
Hiko was in his office with Takasugi, which was identical to Kenshin's, just that it had ancient Japanese decorations to it. Which went quite well with the modern day items.
"You sent for me, Uncle?" asked Kenshin as he sat down. Kaoru remained standing to his left.
"Nice hairdo, Kamiya," commented Takasugi, comfortably seated to Kenshin's right.
She could only smile in return.
"I called you in here, because I just found out that, for once in your life, you actually got your work done on time and even managed to get ahead. So I want you to go to the Sakura Blossom restaurant for dinner with Takasugi for a deal with Choasu Corporations. They will be sending their owner there as well. Since you are the rightful owner of M.R.S. you are to go. This man is very powerful in some places, his name is Katsura Kogoro," said Hiko seriously.
"What type of deal?" asked Kenshin.
"A partnership," said Hiko calmly.
"What? Are you sure we can trust that corporation? If they fall, we will too. Isn't that a bit risky? Why aren't you going?" demanded Kenshin.
"For I am no longer the owner of this corporation. Since when did you not take risks and actually care about if they fall or we do? Katsura and I go way back, he'll surely sign it with you. He holds the contracts, so you must read them carefully," said Hiko seriously.
"Of course I care about our corporation! I'm suppose to. Kaoru's going too right?" asked Kenshin, looking at his uncle and master almost pleadingly. Kaoru would no doubt be of a major assistance in this deal.
"I'd be an idiot not to. You've proven worthy of your spot, Miss Kamiya. Please don't let them sign until you look it all over and discuss it with these two," said Hiko, eyeing her as though he was entrusting her to babysit children.
Kaoru nodded.
"I want you to call me if you think that anything is uncertain," said Hiko.
"Yes sir," said Kenshin and Takasugi in union.
"You should get going then," said Hiko, waving a dismissive hand.
"He might as well be the owner of this corporation again, he's still giving orders," mumbled Kenshin once the three of them left Hiko's office.
Takasugi only chuckled.
"He's only trying to do what's best for the corporation. If you do get a partnership with Mr. Kogoro, you'll be making a lot of profit, you know. His corporation has many connections. It'll actually bring in a lot of skilled workers too," said Kaoru.
"And how would you know that?" asked Kenshin looking at her.
"Well, Mr. Kogoro had a partnership with Takeda and it brought both businesses up. The only reason I worked for Takeda was because he was a partner with Mr. Kogoro. Mr. Kogoro is a strict man, so for someone to work with him in any way, they have to be very good. I wanted to be the best, so I took the job for Takeda. However, Mr. Kogoro cancelled the partnership a month later after my employment, causing Takeda to depend mostly on me to keep his corporation running," said Kaoru as they went down the elevator.
"So basically...smarter people will work for us," said Takasugi.
"I don't see him being the richest around here," said Kenshin coldly.
"That's because he has to pay other corporations and he uses only the best items," said Kaoru.
"We do too, just that other corporations pay us," said Kenshin calmly.
"No, I mean all of his buildings are filled with the latest of everything! Mr. Kogoro's corporation is the second richest and he has all that too," said Kaoru.
"Whose side are you on?" asked Kenshin, annoyed at how she was talking about another corporation so well.
She's a lawyer, she's suppose to try and get people to change their minds. Said a voice in his head. Kenshin growled at how well she was doing it too.
"Well, Mr. Kogoro is fairly old. If he were to die, then the two corporations will be one and under your management," said Kaoru, causing Takasugi to grin at the idea.
"It wouldn't be a good thing. That's too much work," said Kenshin as they got to the garage.
A long black limo came into view just as they stepped out. Kaoru inwardly thanked the heavens above that Kenshin wasn't going to drive them. She really didn't want to go through another maniacal driving trip just before dinner.
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The Sakura Blossom was one of the most expensive restaurants in their area of Tokyo. It was made to have the fancy and traditional look of Japan. The restaurant didn't obtain the completely high class over fancy appearance, but rather held a simple classical look to it.
There were separate rooms for the more important guests.
The three were led into the back to the largest room there.
Their room was the size of the meeting room and the table was round to fit at least a party of 24 people. It was clothed in red with golden flower designs with tea placed in the center. The rooms held more of the traditional look, while the open tables in front held the more civil look.
Katsura smiled at them as they walked in and stood up. He may have looked like a polite man, but his aura and appearance said otherwise. The man demanded great respect. Beside him was another man. The corporations bowed in respect and sat down.
"Kenshin, Hiko's nephew, am I right?" asked Katsura.
"Yes, Mr. Kogoro," said Kenshin, playing a smile on his lips.
"The man beside me is my lawyer, Okita," introduced Katsura as the other man nodded.
"This young lady is my lawyer, Kaoru, and he is a member of my court, Takasugi," said Kenshin.
The two nodded when their names were called.
"Shall we begin now or after dinner?" asked Katsura.
"Now would be best. So that our meal will hopefully taste better with our outcome," said Kenshin.
"Very good. Okita, the papers please," said Katsura.
The man beside him went to his suitcase and pulled out papers and slid them to Kenshin.
"As you can see, there are only benefits for our corporations if we combine into one," said Katsura, sipping his tea.
Kenshin allowed the other two to read it over.
"I think it's good. I don't see any flaws," commented Takasugi.
Okita and Katsura smiled at that.
Kenshin looked at Kaoru, who was flipping through the papers.
"I guess..." began Kenshin.
"Excuse me, Mr. Kogoro?" interrupted Kaoru as she looked up from the papers.
"Yes, Miss?" asked Okita instead.
"Well, wouldn't it be best if this contract lasted more than five years? That way, if one corporation were to drop, the other can bring it back up with the still standing corporation. Your contract must have had a typo, since it says that our corporation would earn all of your profits if you die within seven years of the signed contract. If you don't, then all of the money made by both corporations would go to your heir. I believe that the contract was suppose to last 10 years, not five," said Kaoru as she showed them the 'mistake'.
Kenshin glared at the lawyer, he was trying to sneak in a way to get all the profit in the end.
"Oh my. I guess I accidentally gave you the wrong deal. This was meant for another meeting that we were going to have," said Okita, quickly putting back the contract.
"Very perspective of you, Kaoru. I guess that having a partnership with such a corporation as yours will do us good. Now give them the real one," said Katsura.
"Wait. You mean that one was like a test?" asked Takasugi angrily.
"Yes, to see if you were worthy enough to be partners with our corporation. You see, our past partnerships were all with novices, and to last in this world, we need professionals. If you wish, you can check this one over as well if you don't trust it," said Katsura, smiling.
"I told you he was brilliant," whispered Kaoru to Kenshin as he looked at the new one.
"Not too brilliant if you found out his mistake," said Kenshin, reviewing the whole contract.
After having Kaoru check it over three times, they finally signed the deal and shook on it.
"Now why don't we eat? It's on me," said Katsura, smiling as waiters came in with dishes.
Takasugi's face lit up as the food was placed in front of him.
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"Ah. That was delicious," said Takasugi, rubbing his full and satisfied belly as they walked back to the limo after saying their farewells to Katsura and Okita.
"You sure read fast," said Kenshin to Kaoru when they got in the limo.
"It's why I always get ahead in things. My grandpa knocked it into me in training. He wanted me to be the best. Grandpa Okina was always strict about that. But he also made sure that I had enough money to get into Harvard since we weren't that rich. I finally repaid him after I came back here for a year. Now he runs a dojo. He was pretty happy that I got job here. Says that Takeda was trouble from the moment he laid eyes on him," said Kaoru.
"Do you know the kitsune and weasel girl?" asked Takasugi in surprise at the mention of Harvard.
"Who told you that? We're college friends. Who told you their nicknames?" asked Kaoru.
"Sano told me all about them. I guess you don't have financial problems anymore. A few more years, and I'm afraid your salary will pass mine," said Takasugi, grinning.
"Financial problems?" asked Kenshin, raising an eyebrow at her; he never had to deal with that.
"I had a tough time in college, but when I came back over here, it got better. Though Megumi and Misao still do. They won't let me help them. All of their money goes to their family. They won't let me help them even though we go way back, I feel bad," said Kaoru grimly.
"That'll subside. They do work for the one of the richest corporations in Japan after all. You shouldn't worry so much. If they say that they can handle it, I'm sure they can," said Takasugi, from what Sano told him, it seemed like they could do anything.
"You're living the better life now," smirked Kenshin..
Kaoru smiled weakly. At least now her grandpa didn't have to worry about money anymore and he could retire soon. Though she doubted that. Even if he was old, her grandpa still had a lot in him. She had to make sure to thank him again, she wouldn't be here today if it weren't for him and his support. She smiled purely at that.
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"Kaoru has her own place now, it's going to be lonely here by ourselves," said Misao as Megumi and her got home to their apartment.
"Well at least now we can pay for the place alone. That Saitou sure is strict. You know what, I think I'm going to quit and work with Grandpa Genzai," said Megumi as she fell into a chair in her work attire.
"You can't! You'll make loads more at this job. Just take it for a while, then you'll get use to it, Megumi. We need the money," said Misao.
"Yes, but from the beginning, you know that I wanted to be a doctor. It was just that my father wanted me to be a lawyer to get more money," sighed Megumi.
"I have problems too, you know, it's because of my... no our family that I'm doing this. It's the reason why I went to one of the hardest colleges to get where I'm at now. My mom's gone, Father is in debt back in Kyoto, and my sister Ayame and your sister Suzumi are in school. We have to get money for them you know, they only have us left; Grandpa is going to retire soon too. Your father is ill too, Megumi, he needs money for medicine. They're depending on us, Megumi. You can't fail them now. Being a doctor will only cost more money for schooling," said Misao.
"Let's just ask Kaoru for help," said Megumi in defeat.
"We can't. We've depended on her long enough. She's not even related to us! Just take it, Megumi, it won't kill you. Once we get back on our feet, you can be a doctor. This job is going to help us. Please Megumi, don't bail on me," said Misao, holding her cousin's hand.
"You have more problems than I do, so you can't quit. I guess I can handle it. It's much easier work than before, and I get a higher pay. 140,000 a year is a lot," said Megumi.
Misao smiled at that.
"We get our first paycheck in two weeks. I think we can make it," said Misao.
"I think we should get an apartment that isn't so... perfect. It's only the two of us now, we don't need that much room. Our money is going to Kyoto, you know," said Megumi.
"I know. That's why I found one close to work. It's 500 a month for rent. If we pitch in for the bills and rent, I think we can make it," said Misao grinning.
"Like I'd make you pay it all," snorted Megumi.
"Let's go check the apartment complex out then," said Misao, pulling Megumi to her feet.
Megumi nodded and they left.
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"How did the deal go?" asked Hiko almost anxiously as the three walked back into his office.
"Why does Kenshin get the smart attorney? I'll gladly take her off your hands if you don't need her anymore," said Takasugi, grinning at Kenshin.
"Nope, she's a keeper. The deal went well thanks to my new lawyer," said Kenshin, winking at Kaoru, who blushed a nice tinge of pink.
"He said that our corporation was filled with professionals, since Kamiya here was able to find a major mistake in his contract," said Takasugi proudly.
Hiko blinked at them.
"It was a test to see if our corporation was 'worthy' of becoming partners with the Choasu corporation. I guess we passed, since he signed a ten-year plan," said Kenshin.
"Good. Good. Well I think we should celebrate," said Hiko beaming.
"I don't think my stomach can handle it. We ate a lot at the restaurant," said Takasugi, rubbing his still bloated stomach.
"You should have at least saved some room," admonished Hiko.
Takasugi grinned. "Well I guess I could eat a bit more...consider how much work I put into this whole ordeal. All that work does make one hungry!"
"Kaoru and I did most of the work, you took one look at that fake contract and wanted to agree with it. You could have brought the whole corporation down, you idiot. Haven't you heard of think before you act?" snapped Kenshin, clearly annoyed.
"I wasn't reading paragraph by paragraph," protested Takasugi.
"That's what will bring us down. I refuse to let you go make deals with corporations alone, you'd probably sell our whole corporation away," said Kenshin disgusted.
"What?" Takasugi glared at Kenshin.
"You heard me," said Kenshin calmly.
Takasugi huffed and looked away.
Kaoru sweat dropped as Hiko sighed.
Then, seemingly out of the blue, Sano strolled on in.
"What do you want rooster head?" asked Hiko.
"I need a secretary," said Sano calmly as he pulled up a chair.
"Why do you need a secretary? You hardly work anyways," teased Takasugi.
"Precisely why I need a secretary. To remind me to do my work, when things are due, when we have meetings, and all that. It'll help me do better," said Sano.
"Fine. I'll find you a secretary. Though if you don't improve in a few weeks with that secretary, you can be certain that your position is going down a spot," warned Hiko.
"Yes sir. Though can you make it a well looking female?" asked Sano.
"You'll accept what you get, Sagara. Secretaries are for helping you, nothing else," spat Hiko.
"Ah, but at least one you can look at," whined Sano.
"Out!" roared Hiko, standing up to his full height.
"Shorter than me though," said Sano over his shoulder as he raced out before Hiko could yell at him some more.
The other three workers in the room sweat dropped.
"It's 8:00. We should be closing in two hours. You can leave now if you wish," said Hiko, sitting back down on his seat.
The three nodded and left.
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Kenshin sat in his chair looking at few more papers while Kaoru was filing old ones.
"You're going to need a desk," said Kenshin suddenly.
"It's okay. I'm suppose to follow you," said Kaoru, walking over with a binder of documents.
"I know, we can put your desk in here too. That way you're always right where I need you. If you're going to be redoing documents, you're going to need a computer. What the heck, we'll just get you a whole new worktable like mine in here," said Kenshin.
"This is your office though," said Kaoru, not really liking the thought of bothering her new boss any further than she already did this afternoon.
"I guess. I know, we'll get you a laptop. When you need to print, you can use mine. I've got tables in here, so you can always work there or on the sofas," offered Kenshin.
"Yes, that's much better," said Kaoru.
They fell into silence for a while until Kenshin finally broke it.
"After we finish with this document, we're leaving. So you can go home. The two cars arrived earlier. You have your own parking spots next to mine. They brought over the Ferrari and BMW. Your Honda S 2000 and Porsche are at the hotel. Here are your keys," said Kenshin, tossing her four keys and an automatic locker for each of them.
Kaoru nodded as she caught them before they got back to work.
¤¤¤¤¤
"This place is small, yet homey," commented Megumi as she entered the white apartment.
"It has two rooms, one bathroom, and a kitchen. But no air conditioning though," said Misao with a frown.
Standing in their new apartment, which was located on the bottom floor of an apartment complex just a few blocks down the road from work, the two cousins began to go over their living accommodation.
The apartment was actually quite roomy. Walking in, you were able to see the living, taking a left turn you would find yourself in a small kitchen. To the right of the kitchen was a long hallway, which led to the single restroom in the apartment. There was one bedroom to the right of the bathroom and another to the left.
"It's kind of like the one in Kyoto. This reminds me how we use to run up and down the apartment halls together when we were small," said Megumi, walking deeper into the empty apartment.
"We lived right across from each other... Ah, those were the good old days," sighed Misao.
"Yeah, until our family began to break up," said Megumi with a frown.
Feeling the tension rise from the particular delicate topic, Misao suggested, "Let's begin to bring things down."
"How? We don't have a car, remember?" reminded Megumi.
"We can always use Kaoru's silver, Honda Civic," said Misao.
"That's too small. We have a lot of stuff," said Megumi.
"We'll just make more than a few trips. Call her up on her cell," said Misao, throwing Megumi her own cell phone.
Megumi hesitated before dialing in Kaoru's number.
¤¤¤¤¤
Kaoru and Kenshin were in the parking garage when Kaoru's old cell phone began to ring.
"You still have that old thing? I thought you would have thrown it out once I got you that new one," said Kenshin, still unable to believe that she had such an old cell phone.
Kaoru glared at him as she picked it up.
"Hello? Kaoru?" asked a familiar voice.
"Megumi? Hello, what's up?" asked Kaoru.
"Misao and I need to borrow your Honda Civic," said Megumi.
Kaoru gasped. "I almost forgot about my old car!"
"You had a Honda? Where is it?" asked Kenshin, looking around the garage curiously.
"Over there," said Kaoru, pointing to an old silver, Honda Civic way in the back.
"Seriously, don't you have anything up-to-date besides the things I got you?" asked Kenshin.
Kaoru glared at him.
"Kaoru?" asked Megumi.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Megumi. Sure you can. Though do you two think you can come down to the garage at work and get it?" asked Kaoru.
"Then what will you drive home with?" asked Megumi.
"Don't worry, I got a new car. I'll wait here for you two," reassured Kaoru.
"You should just give her the old car," said Kenshin as if giving her car away was the equivalent to giving a child a cookie.
Kaoru shook her head, he was just too rich.
"Who's the jerk that's talking?" snapped Megumi angrily at Kenshin's tone of voice.
Kenshin blinked at that, no one ever dared call Kenshin Himura anything unless it was with the utmost respect.
"Megumi," warned Kaoru, certain that Kenshin was going to fire her friend if Megumi didn't stop.
"I guess Takasugi was right, she sounds like a kitsune all right," grinned Kenshin
"What? Who is it, Kaoru? He's going to get taught a lesson! Tell me who is with you?" demanded Megumi.
"Stop it, Megumi. I'm with Mr. Himura," said Kaoru in hissed whisper.
Megumi fell silent. Kaoru was positive that her long time college friend was as pale as a ghost right now.
"Just come down here and get your car. I'm giving it to you and Misao," said Kaoru.
"How much?" asked Misao, who had obliviously taken the phone from Megumi.
"I'm giving it to you for free," smiled Kaoru. She had always wanted to help her friends.
"Like you can actually get a decent amount for that old bucket of bolts," said Kenshin, looking at the 1992 Honda Civic with clear distaste.
Kaoru glared death at him now, rolling her eyes when he simply smiled at her.
"Are you sure? We'll pay it off," said Misao.
"It's a gift, so you have to take it. I've got four other cars, don't sweat it," reassured Kaoru.
Kenshin stared at her with a raised brow.
"What?" asked Kaoru.
"And you were just telling me this afternoon that you didn't need four cars," said Kenshin, grinning at her.
Kaoru blushed crimson.
"We're on our way. No take backs," warned Misao.
"Why would she take back that old thing when she's got the four latest cars?" asked Kenshin in confusion. He really didn't understand poor people. They had to be if they had financial problems, if it weren't for a few of his workers being poor, he would have never known what financial problems were. He had always been rich for as long as he could remember.
Kaoru sigh, he was really too rich for his own good.
"Four new cars? We'll be there in a few minutes," said Misao excitedly before hanging up.
"How poor are they?" asked Kenshin, clearly not use to saying the 'P' word.
"They're not poor. They just have money problems," said Kaoru, putting back her old cell in her purse.
"What's the difference?" asked Kenshin.
"Poor is when you have no money. They do have money, just not as much as you," said Kaoru out of annoyance. She really didn't like the way he was talking about her friends, but then again, how could he possibly understand? Being born with a silver spoon and golden pacifier in his mouth, Kenshin Himura obviously never had to deal with real life situations. So it was understand when the redhead just stared at her.
"You should really go on home, Mr. Himura. Your estate is a long drive," said Kaoru, not liking the silence that had filled the garage.
"It's only a twenty-minute drive," stated Kenshin with a shrug.
"No, it's out in the middle of no where on a hill. That's at least an hour..." began Kaoru, but the images of her afternoon in the car with Kenshin came back and she finally understood. He could probably go well over 80 and the police wouldn't do anything about it. She had noticed that when they went over the speed limit, right in front of a police, the officer hadn't bothered to siren them, just simply continued to drink his coffee.
Kenshin Himura's definition of driving civilly was obviously quite different from hers. He could easily go over speed limits and break every road rule in existence and never get pulled over.
He should just join NASCAR. Kaoru thought as she remember her boss's driving skills.
¤¤¤¤¤
Misao quickly dragged Megumi into the garage. The place was going to close in half an hour.
"What if Mr. Himura is still with her?" asked Megumi, not really wanting to face the man.
"She has new cars, Megumi! Plus, Kaoru said she was going to wait for us. That doesn't mean that he'll still be there, you know. I want to see her new cars," said Misao chirpily as they raced into the garage.
Kaoru was the first to see Misao and immediately waved her over.
"They don't have a car?" asked Kenshin, realizing that the two had walked into the garage.
"That's why I'm giving them mine," said Kaoru.
"Then how are they not poor?" asked Kenshin, still confused about the ways of the lower class.
Kaoru sighed, he was so difficult sometimes. He really needed to sit down and learn that not everyone was as rich as him.
"Kaoru! Where are your cars?" asked Misao, grinning as she made her way over to her friend.
Megumi hid behind Misao as she saw Kenshin beside Kaoru.
"Is that the boss?" asked Misao in a whisper to her cousin, surprised etched on her face when she realized that the auburn-haired man had heard her.
"Yes, I'm Kenshin Himura, your boss," confirmed Kenshin, smiling at their pale faces.
Not wanting the situation to get any more awkward than it already was, Kaoru dug into her purse and fished out her old set of keys.
"Here you are," said Kaoru, tossing it to the smaller one of the two before them.
Misao caught it easily and smiled at her.
"Well, I better get going now. I really don't want to go home in the same vehicle as Hiko. See you tomorrow, Kaoru. Good night," said Kenshin as he walked over to his Ferrari and got in.
Misao and Megumi let out a breath that they didn't know they were holding when Kenshin drove off into the night.
"Well, what do you guys need my car for?" asked Kaoru.
"We're moving tonight," chirped Misao.
"It's 9:30, do you guys think you can do it? You don't want to be late for work," said Kaoru, clearly concerned for her friends' well beings..
"We'll make it," said Misao with a reassuring wink.
"Okay. See you tomorrow then," said Kaoru as she pulled out her Ferrari keys and walked over to her new midnight blue car.
Megumi and Misao stared at her with eyes wide and mouths hanging as she got into the car.
"No wonder he said that your old car was a bucket of bolts. This car is way better," said Misao.
Kaoru smiled weakly at them.
"See you," said Kaoru as she started the car and drove off.
"She's loaded now. Kaoru even has her own parking spots! Look at that BMW, it's so beautiful. I knew I should of studied harder in Harvard. Do you think she'll let me drive one of them? It's so cool," said Misao happily.
"We should have just asked her for a loan," said Megumi.
"No. We're going to make it without her help. I'm determined to make it. She did it before, so we can do it too," said Misao with determination flaming in her eyes. Maybe if she did well enough, she could get what Kaoru got too. Misao smiled at the idea.
¤¤¤¤¤
Note:
Misao and Megumi are cousins. Their fathers were brothers. I made them in a lower class like what Kaoru was, so that getting this job means a lot to the two. Or as some of you said, why would they work if they were already rich? So I did what most of you wanted me to do. I have my reasons for making them kind of poor, so don't flame about that. Their problems will get better.
Kenshin has always been living in the high and powerful life, so explains his attitude. I made him kind of like the Rurouni in this one, I just couldn't go all the way. Making Kenshin act super unintelligent is something I can't do. Though I like reading them. I just can't do it. Clueless I can do, but not like some people do.
Kaoru was in a low class and Okina is her grandfather. She really respects him since he is her last living relative. He helped her through Harvard and that school is very expensive. Thanks to this job, she's going to repay him to the fullest.