Ice Spirit: Sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry! OMG! It's been ages since I last updated and I apologize for that. Anyway, I'm really happy that people like the story so far. Hope you like this one too!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Look, isn't he cute?" Rei can hear a female speak as he approach his cubicle. Today is supposed to be his day-off but he knew that deadlines are deadlines.
As he reach his desk, he could see his female colleagues crowding his small space while giggling and speaking with each other in muffled tones.
"What the?" is all that escaped from Rei's lips. He's too stunned to see the pictures he worked on for hours in the dark room is scattered in every direction on his supposed to be neat desk while his insensitive colleagues continuously giggle in fancy.
His female colleagues gave way to him as they heard his reaction. Some scrambled out of his cubicle in embarrassment while few remained to help him re-arrange the scattered pictures.
"We are sorry Rei. We didn't mean to intrude but we just got excited when we saw his picture here. We might have returned to our high school giggly times." One of his colleagues said as they gather the pictures together.
"Its fine since nothing got smashed or destroyed. Ms. Tsukishiro might have killed me if I missed one of those tycoons. Whom are you referring to, by the way?" Rei inquired as he continuously pick up the pictures of old and young entrepreneurs.
"Oh, it's Kai Hiwatari we are referring to! He's quite handsome and rich, not to mention that he's only twenty-two years old." Rei's officemate replied.
"I see." Rei replied, a small smile grazing upon his lips. As they finished gathering all the pictures, his female co-staffs apologized again and went back to their own duties.
Peace, at last. This is supposed to be my day off but I'm also off tomorrow so probably, I can just submit this later before I time out. Rei thought as he label the envelopes containing the pictures. He carefully grouped the pictures by tens examining carefully each face that he shot. He's quite proud that all pictures he took were up close and personal with the "rich kids".
He continued grouping the stacks of pictures he had successfully developed since last night. When he came across the picture of the great Kai Hiwatari, he is surprised that Kai is actually looking at the camera. He just smiled to himself. But I don't remember approaching him inside the conference hall… anyway, that's not a problem at all.
oOo
"I'm sorry sir, but CEO Hiwatari is not around today." Miranda Baoshu, Kai's secretary, said for the nth time that day. She can't contact her boss for he's not in his mansion and his three mobile phones cannot be reached. She almost died due to the bombardment of the executives because of the postponement of their board meeting.
"What! Then, where is he?" the man on the other line inquired.
"I'm afraid that he is not to be reached." replied.
"Then, do something! CEO Hiwatari is not a person bound to be roaming around without any notice!" the man said heatedly, giving Miranda the creeps.
"Yes sir. Sir, may I know who is this so that I can inform CEO Hiwatari about your acquaintance as soon as I speak with him." Miranda calmly replied.
"This is General Manager Ishii from Taojun Industries. And inform him that our President would like to have a breakfast meeting with him within this week." GM Ishii told Miranda.
"Yes sir. I will call you back when CEO Hiwatari is already aware of this." Miranda said. And with that, Mr. Ishii hung up the phone, leaving poor Miranda puzzled and exhausted. How rude. Where in heavens am I going to find Mr. Hiwatari?
Miranda picked up the telephone again and dialed for her boss' residence. But then again, it is the butler who answered the phone, telling her that Master Kai isn't back yet. God, he's freaking her out. Before, he's the first one to tell her all his meetings and appointments and stuff but today, for the record, CEO KAI HIWATARI actually missed work without any notice!
Miranda slumped on her chair yet still maintaining her posture. If she can only burn Kai Hiwatari alive for torturing her by leaving without any notice but unfortunately, she can't do that for just touching him might kill her in an instant. Suddenly, the telephone rang, disturbing her thoughts.
"Hiwatari International Group of Companies, Japan. Good afternoon." Miranda recited her spiel perfectly, hoping that it would be her superior.
"Good afternoon to you too. May I know if Mr. Kai Hiwatari is around?" a good-natured tone asked Miranda from the other line.
"I'm sorry sir, but CEO Hiwatari is not around today. Would you just like to leave a message for him?" Miranda replied nicely.
"No, never mind. Thank you for you time."
oOo
"What's with you Mr. CEO? Ruining your long time clean attendance record with no reason at all? I don't believe you, Kai. You're skipping work for a reason." Tala reasoned out after sipping from his second beer can. He and Kai had been roaming around the city and nearby counties without any specific place to go. Currently, they are watching the blazing orange sun as it slowly disappear behind the deep waters of the sea.
"Don't be hard headed. What's wrong with skipping a day's job if we had been so over worked?" Kai shot back at Tala without even turning to him.
Tala almost choked when Kai said those words. This time, he is able to capture the other man's attention while earning a quizzical look from him.
"That's trash, Kai. I've been bugging you for years to have some fun and to let loose after months, weeks, days of stupid paper works and endless meetings then now, you're going to ask me if what's wrong with skipping work? I know something happened. I've known you forever so stop playing those mystery games with me." Tala said seriously, facing his long time friend.
Kai turned his view back again to the picturesque horizon, seemingly avoiding Tala's inquiring. Being honest to his self, he too is confused on the real reason why he wanted to break away for a while.
"Is this something related to your teammates?" Tala asked out of nowhere, making Kai's eyes grow wide in surprise but he quickly covered this. Tala studied his friend and made a certain conclusion he does not want to think of as possible.
"I knew it." Tala said mockingly. He shifted his weight inside Kai's new convertible ride, wanting to earn an interesting reaction from the other guy's frozen demeanor.
"Whatever. I don't realize what you're talking about." Kai replied, finishing his drink.
Tala sighed. Kai still needs his screws to be unwound a bit more. I'm happy that I'm gay and careless now! With that thought, Tala came up with a "very bright" idea.
"How about you become gay too?" Tala offered nonchalantly to Kai who gave him a stoic expression.
"We are two different people," is Kai's flat reply, giving out no emotion unlike earlier.
"Schisse, Kai! You say too much garbage today. Of course, I know that! God, probably we should go back to your place now. Ian just sent me a message that Miranda is being tortured by too many callers and arrangements and impatient executives. You didn't even warn her where you are going. You're just too sadistic!" Tala remarked.
Look who's talking. Kai just rolled his eyes at the comment. If he told Miranda that he's not coming today, it won't be called skipping work.
With one last look at the departing sun, they composed themselves and set off back to their places. To many thoughts, yet no answer at all.
Tbc…
Ice Spirit: How about a nice little review? Please review so that I'll know what are my strong and weak points… 'till the next chapter!