CHAPTER ONE: EIGHTEEN SUMMERS GONE

PRESENT TIME. . .

"Do you have an appointment?" The secretary asked Ken.

"Uhm, no. But I'm sure he will see me," Ken answered skeptically. Is it this hard to talk to Fujimiya-san? First was the security guards at the ground floor, next is the reception. And now this secretary, it felt like he was being interrogated for a crime that he didn't even commit.

"May I have your name?"

"Ken, Hidaka Ken."

The secretary nodded and wrote Ken's name in a piece of paper before meticulously scrutinizing the boy before her. She was used to that kind of dialogues from both men and women wanting to have a talk to her boss privately. A very persistent group of people who wish to spend a 'quality time' with the big boss. They never learn. The only difference with this one is he's not the kind his boss would usually go out with. First and foremost, her boss is not gay, not that she heard of, anyway. Although many equally handsome, equally rich, men had practically thrown themselves at her boss' feet, he never paid any attention to them. Second, the one before her is the country boy type though very handsome in his faded jeans and a worn-out white shirt. A country boy all right, but a well-cultured one, she can tell by how the boy talked and stood.

"I'm really very sorry, Hidaka-san, but Fujimiya-san is in the middle of a very important meeting right now. He cannot be disturbed unless it's an emergency."

Ken does not know what to do but he is determined to talk to Fujimiya-san lest he wanted to spend the night on the streets.

"Then I will wait until after the meeting is over, miss," he said and glanced at the couch. "Can I sit there and wait?"

"Of course. But I assure you, you'll have a hard time convincing Fujimiya- san to talk to you. His schedule is full of appointments today."

"I'm sorry if I'm too pushy, miss, but I assure you, too, that I won't be leaving here until I talk to your boss," Ken determinedly answered before seating on the couch.

The secretary shook her head. She can't believe that her boss would be linked with a boy as young as this one. He must be around seventeen or eighteen in the least. But you can never tell, her boss doesn't have to woo anyone to go out with him. One look to those deep amethyst penetrating eyes and everyone would go swooning. Both male and female; young and old; married or not. In this modern age, and with her boss' handsome looks and resources she shouldn't be surprised anymore.

Ken tried busying himself with the magazines stored in the waiting area but was failing. His system is doing an overload with the nervous thumping of his heartbeat. What if Fujimiya-san really won't talk to me? It's not impossible since he doesn't even know me. And like the Shinji Takamiya's attorney had said, Fujimiya-san doesn't want to talk or be in contact to anyone from his grandfather's nojo. . .

Time ticked too slowly for Ken's liking. He wasn't used to just sitting idly doing nothing for hours. His mind's starting to numb with boredom until the intercom rang and caught his attention.

"Miki, reserve a table at Kowloon for three people. We will be out for lunch."

"Yes, sir. Er. . . sir, there's a guy here waiting for you," the secretary glanced at Ken who in turn was looking at her expectantly. "His name is Hidaka Ken—he's very persistent to talk to you—no sir—more than two hours-- "

"Hn. Tell him I'm busy," and with that Ran ended the conversation.

Miki sighed and turned to Ken. "I have informed Fujimiya-san of your presence, Hidaka-san. But like I said he won't talk to you."

"Oh." Ken mumbled dejectedly but then a renewed determined look stained the boy's handsome face. "I really, really need to talk to him, miss. It's quite embarrassing but I might end up sleeping in the streets if I don't get the chance to talk to him."

Miki was intrigued at the guest's story and determination but was too cautious to pry. And she also took pity to the boy, he seemed so lost with his set of pleading ocean colored eyes. If not for the very obvious young age, she would be swooning over him. "Well, my suggestion is to wait for him when he comes out with his business associates. Which will be any minute now."

True to her word, three persons came out of the president's office moments later. Ken immediately stood up and studied the three. Two men in their 50's came out of the room followed by a man younger by them in less than two decades. This must be Fujimiya-san. . .

Ran talked to Miki and gave further instructions before turning to his associates when he bumped into someone.

"Pardon me," Ran insincerely said and continued his pace not bothering to know whom he bumped into.

"Wait, Fujimiya-san!" Ken called unconsciously holding the man's arm and let go quickly as soon as Ran faced him. "Please, I need to talk to you," Ken pleaded.

The two older associates waited and looked at the scene curiously.

"Miki, didn't I tell you to..." Ran started to reprimand when he was cut-off by a very persistent boy.

"I have insisted to wait, Fujimiya-san. I really need to talk to you."

The two elder men smiled at each other. "Go on, Ran. We'll just wait for you at Kowloon," one of the elder's said while the other winked at the boy. Ken blushed, more so when both males started laughing maliciously while getting on the elevator.

Ran frowned in obvious annoyance. "Whatever it is that you want to talk to me—" Ran sighed. "Alright, I can spare you a minute," he said impatiently before moving back to his office.

Ken sighed in relief, finally he got the chance to talk to the man. But when he got to the office, he didn't know where to begin.

The man was leaning on his executive desk, looking at him expectantly. "You're one minute is ticking away, mister. I am a very busy man. What is it that you want?" Ran did not bother hiding his annoyance in his voice.

Ken remained silent, it seems that he couldn't find the right words to form a decent sentence to say. He just stood there staring at the man his father was talking about all his life. Fujimiya-Takamiya Ran. His father said that Ran is already very handsome in his young age of ten. And he believed him. Despite his own gender he can't help fantasize about the man who promised to marry him after eighteen summers.

And now, here he is, standing before him in his own regality. In his six- foot-oh-so-breathtaking-beauty. Ran is beautiful. Those amethyst eyes, that seems to be able to bare the souls of those he looks at. The fiery locks that crowned that handsome face. And the sensual lips that's always' set in straight line as if in hate of something is just oh-so-cute. Ken has imagined a thousand times before on how it would feel to kiss Ran's lips and he felt a shiver ran down his spine at the mere thought of it.

Ran coughed to get the boy's attention but it seems that he didn't notice. Ken just continued at studying the man before him. Ran isn't just tall and beautiful, he was also lean but intimidating. Tough looking even in the executive suit he wore.

"Forty seconds, mister," Ran's voice raised a pitch higher. "Don't waste your precious time staring at me," he reminded.

Ken broke from his trance and blushed at being caught. Ran's eyebrows rose in disgust, he had never seen a man or rather a boy blush before.

"My-uhm, I'm Ken, Hidaka Ken."

Ran eyed the boy from head to foot as if he wasn't wearing anything while Ken can't decide if he should be angry or embarrassed at the treatment.

"I don't think we have met, Hidaka-san. What do you want from me?" He continued in a very intimidating tone, his boredom showing in his handsome face. "You have thirty seconds left."

"Godammit!" Ken cursed in frustration. "How can I speak properly when you're timing me? Aside from the fact that you're making me nervous."

Ran's brows twitched between boredom and slight amusement. He could see the tension on the boy's face. Come to think of it: short, wild, chocolate locks framed the boy's chiseled face. It reminded him of someone he could not recall. Reminded him of sunshine and tall grass, of wind and summertime. Of once upon a time, in his childhood days, a memory that has been buried from long ago.

Ran straightened on his seat. He was sure he had never met someone named Hidaka Ken before or he would have remembered. Anyway, there's nothing special about the boy's features, not by his standards anyway, except for the unusually deep-sea colored orbs, probably contact lens, so not recalling him do not surprise him at all.

"And don't you even offer your guest a seat, Fujimiya-san? Man, you're so tall and intimidating and I'm tensed as it is from having to go through a thousand interrogation to get to your office and now by the fading seconds you keep reminding me. Do you mind if I at least take a seat?" Ken said, voice full of irritation and sarcasm. Not waiting for the man's permission, he sat at the couch near him.

Ran's face remained impassive. Though he kept a full observation at the boy: Hidaka-san's eyes sparked fire that matched the temper. "How long will this talk take?"

"Uhm. . . I, I came from your grandfather's land. From the Takamiya Nojo."

A/N: There's chapter ONE! How do you like it so far? R&R Pls. And again, be considerate. I would gladly appreciate an honest and educated observation in my writing but NOT a Flame! And oh yeah: 'nojo' is actually spelled 'noojoo or no-jo-' I just shortened it co'z it sounds much better that way, ne? It means ranch according to my dict. So there! ^_* V