Chapter Three

Notice

Aoshi sat there, finishing his serving without as much of praising the food she cooked. She continuously ate, spitefully looking at him as she irritably forked her linguine spaghetti.

This irritated him.

He looked over to the woman sitting across the table, noticing her murdered dinner. "Didn't your mother tell you not to play with your food?" he saw her eye brows furrowed and then the look of surprise filled her face when she looked down to see her food in shambles.

She inwardly groaned and glared at him. "Got anything to say 'bout the food, doctor?" she immediately shifted the subject towards her boss' almost empty plate.

"Not bad." he said, reaching for the glass of water as he drank without as much of sparing the girl a glance.

Kaoru temper boiled. Not bad? Not bad? I've studied Culinary for almost three years and this is all the compliment I get? "Geez, thanks for the compliment. Really appreciate it." She sarcastically replied, finishing her own meal in the process.

Aoshi smirked beneath the napkin he's using to wipe his mouth. Cute. He thought as he watched her eat. Her attitude shows lesser of her age. She may be seventeen but the way she's behaving seems like she's only ten. And Doctor Shinomori Aoshi's enjoying each and every minute of provoking this unique attitude of hers. The food was surprisingly delicious. It's been a long time since he ate a home-cooked meal. No doubt she's taking Culinary, which by the way reminds him about the two weeks notice she's proposing.

"Kamiya." He started, "About your two weeks notice—"

"What about it?" she asked.

"I refuse." He casually replied, leaning back on the chair as he crossed his legs professionally.

"W-what?" her eyes bulged at this and she unconsciously dropped her fork on the plate, "What? Why?"

Aoshi winced slightly from her voice and then said, "I'm not permitting you to leave. You're still working for me as a secretary as long as I need you to be."

Kaoru can't believe she's hearing this, "Are you saying that I can't quit?"

"Yes." He nodded, still nonchalantly staring back at her fiery blue eyes.

"But I have to go to school! I can't work and study at the same time! That's ridiculous!"

He winced again from the way Kamiya's shouting at him, "I'm not finished talking yet, Kamiya." With this, Kaoru controlled her temper and leaned back, a signal that she's ready to listen. "When school starts, I'll appoint you to a new job."

"Another job?" she quizzically looked at him. What's he up to?

"You'll still be working for me… but not just a secretary."

Kaoru blinked her eyes twice, "Eh?"

Aoshi glanced on his watch, "I'll let you know the week before school starts. It's getting late; I must get back to the hospital." He suddenly stood up from his chair and went to the living room to retrieve his pen.

Noticing his leave, Kaoru immediately stood up and followed him, "Wait!" she yelled, drawing his attention, "Aren't you going to tell me the job you're offering me?"

Aoshi plainly looked at her, "No." then he walked towards the door. As he opened it, a figure was standing before him with a fist lifted as if she's ready to knock on the door.

Kaoru noticed this and saw a gaping Misao in front of her doorstep. "Misao!" she called, realizing that Aoshi's mere presence and closeness caused Misao's inability to speak.

Aoshi frowned as he saw the girl's surprised look directed towards him. I haven't frightened her, have I? He thought, seeing her eyes bulging out from their sockets and her mouth agape. He turned to his secretary when he heard her voice call the girl's name, "Thanks for the wonderful dinner, Kamiya. I'll see you tomorrow." He saw her nod and he nod back. Then he turned towards the stunned girl who supposed to be Kaoru's roommate. He gave her a nod of goodbye and then walked his way towards the stairs.

Misao feeling like her heart stopped beating turned and watched the doctor of her dreams leave. Then she glanced over to her roommate who worriedly stared at her. "Care to explain to me why he's here?" she can't believe she'd actually see the handsome doctor inside of their apartment. And she can't possibly believe she stood that close to him! All these years of working in the hospital, all she could do was to admire his handsome face from afar.

And now she got the chance to stand a few feet away from him… with bulging eyes and hanging mouth.

How much stupider can she ever get?

The next three weeks were typical as usual. Going to work, arranging files, receiving phone calls, bringing her boss' coffee, playing games on the computer whenever he's not around, and secretly chatting with Misao when it's time for lunch. But something weird happened when the fourth day came.

Aoshi took off his white coat and replaced it with his black suit, walking pass Kaoru's table as he said, "Get up, we're eating lunch." And then he grabbed the door and disappeared from the room.

Kaoru was about to question the sudden and very brisk offer though Aoshi was so fast to escape her interrogations. With a sigh, she stood up from her chair and took her purse. Walking outside knowing fully well he's on the same parking lot waiting for her.

Inevitably, Aoshi took her to one of the finest bistros around down town. It was a very chic western restaurant decorated with Victorian wall papers and furniture's. The ambience was elegant.

Aoshi was slightly expecting her to widen her eyes and drool over at the wondrous ambience of the restaurant. He was surprised to see her composedly walking behind him, observing the whole place with beyond doubt grace. His blue eyes narrowed skeptically at her, wondering why her childlike attitude disappeared suddenly.

The waiter assigned to them led them to the table he booked. Being as the gentleman as he is, he pulled the chair out for her to sit on. She cautiously sat and gave him a thankful smile. The waiter handed them the menus. As Kaoru skimmed her own, Aoshi observed her through his own menu sheet.

"What will you be having?" the waiter placidly asked, drawing out a pen and a note pad from his breast pocket.

Kaoru was about to tell the food she chose though it suddenly came into her mind that it was Aoshi's treat and it'll be rude of her not to ask him if it's okay for her to order. She nervously laughed and looked over to the silent doctor, "I'll be having what he's having." She said, lowering her menu so she could see her boss' face.

The blue-eyed doctor eyed her, and then turned to scan the menu. "A Steak asparagus for main course, please."

"So as for the lady, sir?"

"No. Let her have what she wants." He stared at her to meet her blue eyes and then nodded at her.

It was all the sign she needed and then Kaoru turned to observe the menu again, "I'll be having Salad with fruit and broiled shrimp, please."

"How about Deserts?"

"Chocolate-mint cheesecake." Aoshi answered, assuming that it's the exact desert his secretary's eyeing right now.

And true, it was the same desert she's looking at. She looked up to him with a hint of surprise within her eyes.

"As for the wine, sir?"

"Brunello de Montalcino."

After confirming the food they ordered, the waiter walked his way towards the kitchen. Kaoru leaned back against the chair and curiously stared at her boss. "Why did you invite me for lunch, doc?" After two months working under him, never had he invited her for lunch and this puzzles her. Had she done something to deserve this kind of treatment?

Sensing that it was indeed necessary for him to answer her questions, he began to reply, "We'll discuss about your new job. And since I have a busy schedule this afternoon, I'll take this time to discuss these matters with you."

"Sir, what is exactly is this job you're—" But before she could finish her question, something suddenly caught her eyes from afar.

A few tables away from theirs sat Mr. and Mrs. Kamiya, fully engrossed in a conversation along with some colleagues. Kaoru gasped and this caught Aoshi's attention.

"Kamiya?" he called, curiously staring at her peculiar expression.

What are they doing in here? Of all restaurants, why would they dine here? Her jaw hanged open as she turned her head towards Aoshi who seems to be quite disturbed on Kaoru's sudden behavior. "I-I—I don't think we should eat here, Shinomori-san." She can't let her parents see her. She can't let Aoshi see them. She has to convince her boss to eat on another restaurant in stead.

"Too late to change your mind, Kamiya. We already ordered our food." he said, furrowing his brows as he stared at her. What's wrong with her?

"Cancel it! I don't want to eat here…" she used her hand to slightly cover her face just as to avoid her parents from seeing her. She involuntary gasped when she noticed her mother's head turning towards their conversation.

"But I do. What's wrong with you, Kamiya?"

"No-nothing!" she nervously replied, turning on the other side to avoid her mother's gaze. She knew it'll be impossible to convince her boss to leave this place without much explanation. An idea suddenly came popping into her head and then she started making noises from her throat.

This time, Aoshi leaned forward to observe the girl before him. "Kamiya, are you alright?"

"It sickens me…" and then she started feigning puking sounds, crumpling with a hand over her stomach. "The smell… I can't take it! Please, doc… let's get away from here before—" and then she made another throwing up sound that disgusted the doctor to some extent.

"What smell?" he asked, not really knowing what she's talking about.

Kaoru's brain started thinking of something that will possibly make her sick. "Sandalwood." She her self couldn't believe she said that. Great, now he thinks you're some bint getting sick at the smell of sandalwood. But then after seeing confusion cross his stoic expression, she repeated the feigning sounds of vomiting.

And of course with her doing this continuously, Aoshi had no other choice but to cancel their food and lead Kamiya outside the restaurant.

"This is the best place you can come up with?" Aoshi incredulously asked, watching his secretary eat continuously her sea food noodles. After that 'sickening sandalwood' scene at the restaurant, Kaoru asked him to eat with her in the nearest noodle stand.

"It's the only restro I can afford so quit complaining and eat your noodles." She did volunteer on treating him lunch in exchange of the embarrassing scene she did back on the restaurant. The need to escape her parents caused her to come up to such ideas.

Aoshi curiously stared at the noodle soup before him. Never had he eaten such thing before. He's always used on eating expensive, well-arranged food in French or Italian bistros. Ever since he was a child, his mother forbids him to eat such stuff.

Kaoru looked up and noticed him staring blankly down on his food. She felt her self smiling at the sight. It's as if she's seeing herself in him. The reaction on his face was the same reaction she had when she was first introduced to such food by Misao. Continuously eating noodles with her made her realize the unique taste of street noodle food.

A few more seconds, she noticed him still staring at his food. With a sigh, Kaoru grabbed his chopsticks and started mixing the noodle soup he ordered. And then she took a good amount of noodles and pointed it towards his mouth. "Eat." She commanded, finding the reaction on his face very, very amusing.

Aoshi arched an eyebrow at her at the bizarre act she's doing. Is she trying to feed that thing to me? Obviously, that's Kaoru's intention since her eyes held determination within them. He hesitantly opened his mouth and ate the noodles held out to him.

Kaoru smiled as she watched him eat, "That wasn't so bad, ne?"

He had to admit, the noodles was surprisingly delicious. And—he wants more. He nodded and took the chopsticks from her hand and started eating the whole thing himself.

Kaoru leaned against her hand and watched him eat, "Now, about that job you're offering me—"

"He asked you to move in with him?" Misao's jaw dropped, her eyes wide as saucers staring at her friend in stun.

From the moment Kaoru noticed the flash of jealousy on Misao's green eyes, she immediately replied, "I'm staying with him because of work and nothing else! He said it'll be easier for me to work with him without as much of disturbing my studies at school."

Misao was still suspicious, "So, you're not his secretary anymore?" she skeptically asked.

"Not exactly..."

"What are you then?"

Kaoru lowered her head and timidly replied, "His housemaid."

Misao looked taken a back at this. "A… a housemaid?"

"He offered me a job that will not trouble my schedule at school… of course I can't refuse that opportunity!"

"Yeah, but a housemaid? You?" Misao knew Kaoru came from a wealthy family. Obviously a wealthy girl such as herself doesn't know how to do all the chores a usual housemaid do. Yes, she can cook… but to clean, iron and wash clothes? Impossible!

Kaoru felt insulted at her reaction, "Why? Think I don't fit the job?"

"No, no… it's not like that…" Misao said, "It's just that—let me put it this way… Kaoru, do you know how to iron clothes, sweep the floor, clean furniture's and operate the washing machine?"

Kaoru looked thoughtful for a moment and then shook her head. "No… but I'm sure I'll learn once I start working."

Misao worriedly stared at her, "Do you really have to do this housemaid thing, Kaoru?" she asked, her brows furrowing as she pleadingly looked at her. "Can't you just find another job? Y'know, a job that doesn't require you to stay on someone else's house?"

Kaoru arched an eyebrow at her, "Are you worried about me living in his house?"

Misao blushed and guiltily nodded.

Kaoru find this amusing and started laughing, "Don't worry, I won't do anything that'll displease you." her roommate still looked unconvinced, "I don't fancy him, Misao! I swear!" Geez, the thought alone makes me wanna hurl!

Misao finally cracked a smile, "Okay… but I'm gonna miss you, Kaoru. I'm so used seeing you around here."

"We're still gonna see each other, don't worry." Kaoru assured.

Her roommate nodded and this made her sigh.

At least it didn't take her long to reason herself out.

Aoshi sat leisurely in front of his dining table with a mug of coffee in his hand and a newspaper on the other. He flipped to another page when he heard the doorbell ring. He instinctively looked up at the wall clock hanging on his hall, 8:25… Aoshi sighed and stood up from his seat to answer the door.

Behind his door stood no other than Kamiya Kaoru, his former secretary. Her hair was disheveled, her chest heaving violently, her eyes narrowly and icily staring at him with a handful of suitcases both on her hands.

"You're late—again…" Aoshi drawled boringly, not entirely opening the door of his apartment as they both stood there.

Kaoru's nose flared up, her eyes burning angrily as she glared up onto the appallingly cruel doctor she calls boss. "I've been running around in circles just trying to find this apartment of yours… How am I supposed to get here in time?" she knew his idea was ridiculous just from the time he suggested it. He's supposed to pick me up at my place! Why ever had he suggested me to find his apartment on my own? Shinomori Aoshi's the cruelest bastard she's ever met. Imagine all the effort and the money I spent just to get here… Damn it! This will affect my allowance this week!

"I don't want to hear any protests from you, Kamiya. Or do you want to lose your job?" he challengingly spoke.

Ah yes, blackmailing me again, as usual! She sighed and shook her head, "No, sir. I'm sorry."

Aoshi nodded and then moved aside to let her in. Kaoru took this invitation and walked inside, hearing the door close behind her with a click.

Wow… now this is very—modish… she mused, finding the whole black and white theme very bitter. Every piece of furniture's trendy and very edgy. There are a few Picasso paintings around to adorn the plain white walls. The place was too huge to be called as an apartment. Kaoru felt her spine shudder as she observed the whole area, It's too damn cold around here… she looked behind and met her boss' blue eyes.

"Welcome." He said it as if he's supposed to say the word.

I don't know if I should feel welcome at all… she said to herself, cautiously examining the ritzy furniture placed behind her. "Er… does anyone live here asides from you?"

Aoshi shook his head, "No, I live alone." He took her suitcases and started towards the metal stairs, "Follow me. I'll show you to your room."

Kaoru nodded and followed closely behind. She enclosed her fingers around the metal railings as they went up to the second story. The third door across the hall was the room she'd be staying at for the next eight months. Aoshi opened the door only to reveal yet another room filled with voguish furniture's. She inwardly sighed as she stepped inside, not very fond of the black and white theme of her room.

"Unpack your things… after that, start organizing my files again."

She nodded, finding no need to protest about the 'Sabbath day out of work' issue since she's currently staying in his apartment. After a second or two, the door closed behind her, leaving her staring hopelessly on the frosty ambience of her room.

This is all the home that I have… better get used to it…

Kaoru went down the stairs and found her boss around the living room, fixing his tie as he looks steadily upon the mirror. He saw her reflection behind him; he turned to wear his coat and said, "I need you to arrange some files in my office, second door next to the kitchen." He grabbed his suitcase and started towards the door, "After that, do the usual chores. I'll be home around eight or nine. Until then, lock the doors and don't leave without informing me." He reached the door and before leaving, he quickly spun to look at her, "Did I make myself clear?"

She only stared at him and nodded. Do the usual chores? She asked herself, questionably looking up at the doctor. "Umm… about these usual chores? Does that mean I have to cook, clean, wash, anything in the premises?"

The doctor shrugged, "I guess that's what housemaid's usually do. Try not to burn anything, will you?" And then he went outside, his eyes lingering over the irate expression within his secretary's eyes. He closed the door behind him, taking one last look on his apartment before proceeding to his silver Porsche.

"Now… how does this thing works?" Kaoru curiously eyed the washing machine before her. She's so used of having Misao around to do the laundry for her that caused her to be ignorant on how to operate machines like this. Cook, clean—piece of cake! But wash and iron clothes… it'll take some time for me to learn these foreign things…

She dumped all the laundries inside the washing machine and sprinkled a huge amount of powdered soap on top of it. The only problem is... she doesn't know how to operate it. I can't just press buttons around… I don't want to wreck this stupid machine. Surely, doc's gonna knock that off from my salary this month. Her brows furrowed, looking hopelessly on the stupid machine. "Mou!"

After doing the last operation for the day, he went to each of his patient's room to check their conditions. And then he returned to his office, doing a research study on the latest and unknown cardiac disease that mostly afflicted few of his patients. Aoshi put his fingers to his temples and squeezed his eyes shut. He's tired and all he needed right now was a nice, comfy bed to sleep on.

He looked down on his watch and realized it's almost ten past eight. With a tired sigh, he stood up, grabbed his suitcase and coat and started towards the door.

But before reaching the parking lot, his cell phone rang and he quickly placed the receiver on his ear. "What?" he asked, while watching the high lightened numbers above the hospital's elevator.

"Aoshi? What's wrong?" a cool female voice asked from the other line.

"Shouldn't I be asking that question?" he replied, knowing who exactly he's talking to right now.

"You're voice sounds dead beat to me, dear cousin. What's wrong?" the girl on the other line asked again.

"I'm just tired…. I'm on my way home now." He heard the familiar ting sound and the elevator's door opened. He stepped outside and walked on the underground parking lot of the hospital. "Why did you call me for?"

"I'm just reminding you about the dinner I arranged tomorrow evening. I'm expecting you to be here by eight."

Aoshi unlocked his car's doors and stepped inside, dropping his suitcase next to him, "I'll be there, don't worry."

"Good. Well, good night. I'll see you tomorrow."

"See you…" and then they both hung up. He tucked his phone back on his pocket and started the engine.

He arrived at his apartment by nine. He stepped out of his car and proceeded inside. Am I supposed to say "I'm home"? It dawned to him that he's not living alone anymore. He looked around and found the whole living room empty. He dropped his suitcase and coat on the couch and headed towards the kitchen. Still there was no sign of her. Where is she? He looked up on the stairs and found the hall empty as well. His brows furrowed, I told her not to leave without my permission…

And then he heard a soft humming voice coming somewhere around the living room. He looked around and found the door on the far corner opened. The light was switched on and this convinced him that his secretary's probably there doing the laundry.

He walked towards the laundry room and what he had seen inside completely surprised him. Kaoru, his secretary/housemaid sat there, a slightly huge tub filled with his clothes, water and bubbles placed before her. A few bubbles escaped the tub and scattered around the room and her arms which she used to scrub the clothes.

His shadow quickly drew Kaoru's attention. She shrieked at his sudden appearance and then managed to sheepishly smile. "Er… welcome home." She said, her cheeks lightly blushing as she noticed the look of surprise etched on the doctor's face.

"What are you doing?"

"Doing the laundry." She innocently replied.

"There's a washing machine behind you. Why aren't you using it?" he asked, looking down on her with mild amusement. Cute… he thought after noticing the cluster of bubbles lying on top of her nose. Her awkward smile and rosy cheeks makes her look more gullible. It reminds him of the picture he had seen on her apartment a few nights ago.

Kaoru nervously laughed, quite expecting to hear that question from him. "Well… I was thinking of—doing it the hard way! You see, washing clothes manually is much better than using a machine." She remembered Misao's words when she caught Misao doing the same thing when their washing machine's got busted. She had been doing this manual laundry thing for almost two hours and she could feel her hands wrinkling from scrubbing.

Aoshi suspiciously stared at her and then nodded, "Have you eaten yet?" he asked.

She shook her head, "I was trying to finish the laundry first…"

"Did you cook dinner?"

"Oh yes, of course!" she nodded, "It's on the table. I already prepared it for you."

Somehow, warmth suddenly rushed through him as he heard these words. It's been a long time since he had someone around to cook for him. It's very unusual yet very comforting at the same time.

She instinctively looked up once she felt his eyes settle onto hers again.

"Aren't you going to join me?" he unperturbedly asked.

"Eh?" Kaoru shot him a surprised look, "Ye-yes… but I have to finish this first…"

"Clean your self up then." He turned and then proceeded towards the kitchen.

Kaoru skeptically watched him as he walked away. She hesitantly left the laundry soaking on the tub and did as what she was told to do. She washed the suds from her arms and nose, and then wiped them clean with a towel.

After that, she followed the doctor on the dining room and found him sitting on one of the steel, sleek, black chairs. She then placed the utensils needed and prepared the boiled flounder fillets she prepared for dinner.

Maybe staying here wasn't so bad after all.

TBC