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Far From The Tree
Chapter 7
HIKARU
I hated the mornings when Miss Fujioka wasn't at the office, it made me wonder how the fuck I ever survived without her. I needed her to bounce ideas off of, I needed her to help come up with solutions and to talk me down off the ledge over morning coffee. Of course I knew it wasn't her job to hear me vent, but I didn't give a damn. Somehow over the last 5 months she had become my confidant. I trusted her opinion and she gave it to me straight - meaning she didn't dance around the tough stuff to spare my feelings. If she wasn't so damn overqualified I'd make her my PA on the spot. Gods know she'd get shit done.
When the call came in from Nekozawa my first thought was what would Miss Fujioka say? Usually I would have bounded across the hall to her office and rehashed every word. But this morning she wasn't there. Which only left me to stew alone in my office, as I wondered why Nekozawa wanted to meet so quickly after our last encounter. Miss Fujioka would probably be just as confused as I was, but at least there would be someone else to justify my concerns.
To make matters worse, I'd driven into the office myself today. Which meant I couldn't even have a drink to settle my nerves at lunch.
Miss Fujioka was already waiting outside Ouran Legal when I pulled up And to rub salt in the wound she was dressed in a distractingly fitted green dress and simple heels, making her creamy legs look never-ending, and the column of her exposed neck so damn tempting. Sometimes I wished she wasn't so attractive. It made working so much harder when my mind was constantly battling between doing my job and imagining what sounds she would make with my face buried between her thighs.
Damn, I need to get laid.
But that was easier said than done since over the last 5 months, my taste in women had quickly evolved from "anything with a pulse" to 5ft 3 brunette mothers who could talk my ear off about licensing agreements.
Goddamn I could listen to her talking about licensing agreements all night long...
I wonder if she could still recite our company policies with her mouth wrapped around my-
"Mr Hitachiin?" Miss Fujioka probed my shoulder, bringing me out of my sordid fantasy.
I shifted, hoping she wouldn't notice how red the back of my neck was turning, "We're meeting at Tanoshī"
"Not the hotel?"
"No" I shook my head, focusing on the road ahead and resisting the urge to floor it, "Home turf this time"
She whooshed out a breath, "Why am I coming?"
"What do you mean? I need you there"
"If it's just a follow up then you don't need your attorney. Not until contract negotiations"
My knuckles clenched around the wheel.
Did I technically need my lawyer for lunch and a chat with my client? No.
Did I need Miss Fujioka there to keep me sane? Yes. 1000%.
I grumbled under my breath, "I need you to keep me out of trouble"
"You need me to do what?" I heard the smirk in her voice.
"I said, I need you to keep my out of trouble" I repeated louder, and a melodic laugh slipped past her lips, tempting me to turn the radio off just so I could hear it a little clearer.
When we got to the restaurant, the booth I'd reserved was empty. I'd told Mr Nekozawa we were meeting at 11, which gave me some time to fill Miss Fujioka in on the phone call before he arrived.
I ordered a pot of coffee, remembering to ask for some milk for Miss Fujioka, something I'd learned pretty quick when she started working for me. I took my coffee black, which meant if you were in my office and wanted a coffee, you had it black too. But not her. If I didn't provide milk, she didn't join me for coffee. And something I took great enjoyment in was our morning briefings with a pot of coffee. Now, my office always had milk. Chilled and ready for her.
The things I do for this damn woman...
"Did he sound hopeful?" she asked leaning across the table towards me.
I thought back on the call from Nekozawa's PA.
"All he said was that Nekozawa wanted to meet with us as soon as possible. He's out of the city on a business trip next week. No mention of signing though" I explained.
"Do you think he's called us out to reject the offer?"
"The thought crossed my mind" I mumbled, "But how often do prospective clients reject us in person?"
"Rarely" she replied.
I sighed. This wasn't what I needed. I thought we did so damn well yesterday. He seemed interested, there was no awkwardness, no tension. Was this lunch to set up the presentation meeting? Seems a little much just to choose a date and time.
Maybe he had more questions. That had to be it.
I leaned back in my seat, watching Miss Fujioka as she stirred her coffee absent-mindedly. Today she wore her hair pinned back in waves, some loose strands framing her heart shaped face. Usually she wore it down, her chocolate locks barely touching her shoulders, cascading in rich highlights I could spend hours just running my fingers through.
How was it possible for someone to look so fucking perfect?
"Thank you again by the way" she said, meeting my gaze.
I blinked, "For what?"
"Yesterday" she replied, "The candy bars"
"Oh" I swallowed, remembering the casual way she and I spoke as we walked the aisles of that store, that store I had no business being in but was surprisingly happy I had been, "Don't worry about it. And you can thank her for choosing my favourite"
"You like 'Honey Bars' too?" she smirked.
I caught myself grinning, "Ever since I was a kid"
Miss Fujioka smiled, removing the spoon from her cup, "Funny. They're Emi's favourite too"
"She's got good taste"
"Not sure where she gets it from. I prefer regular old plain chocolate"
I chuckled, "Maybe she gets it from her Father's side"
Regret hit me the moment I said those words, my lips slamming shut, as I remembered what she'd said to me the day before. It was only her and Emi. Emi's Dad wasn't on the scene. Miss Fujioka's face fell a little, and I swear if this hadn't been a work related meeting she probably would have been thinking of a million different ways to flee the building.
Stupid Hikaru, so fucking stupid.
"Sorry" I blurted, "I forgot about-"
"It's fine" she cut me off, "I'm used to it"
I scratched my neck anxiously as an awkward silence fell over the table.
I glanced at my watch, praying for the distraction of Nekozawa's entrance.
Fucking 10.35.
"Emi never had a Dad" Miss Fujioka spoke up, catching me by surprise, "And honestly I couldn't tell you a single thing Emi inherited from him"
What did that mean? Did he run off before Emi was born?
I was so shit in situations like this. What the hell was I meant to say? "I'm...sorry..."
Miss Fujioka gave a small smile, "Don't be. It's just a...tender subject right now. The older she gets the more questions she has, and I never know what the right thing to say is"
"She wants to know more about her Dad?"
She shrugged, "Not exactly. It's more that she wants to know why she doesn't have one"
"Damn"
"Damn is right" she replied, then breathed a laugh, "My Dad says I should start dating to give her a father figure"
My brow seemed to furrow on it's own fruition. For some reason the word 'dating' in the context of Miss Fujioka made my stomach constrict, as if someone was crushing me under a pile of cinder blocks. The image of her wrapped around some undeserving bastard made me want to carry her out of here caveman style in true possessive Hitachiin fashion. Not that I had any right to do so. Hikaru Hitachiin didn't date. Let alone provide the role of a "father figure" to some 4 year old. I'd hardly had the most attentive father myself until he needed someone to take over his business.
"I wouldn't know much about that" I grumbled, and took a sip from my cup whilst I thought of a way to completely change the subject, "Now, tell me about your morning"
HARUHI
The meeting with Nekozawa turned out to be not what I'd expected at all. It was brief and had practically nothing to do with our proposition. In fact, he'd come to us with a proposition of his own. One I think even Mr Hitachiin didn't see coming.
The Nekozawa hotel's 50th anniversary fundraiser.
He was inviting us to the Nekozawa anniversary fundraiser.
I practically choked on my drink. Even I knew how big that event was. Only the most famed aristocrats, billionaires, and CEOs attended. It was so exclusive you were more likely to win the lottery than receive an invite.
Mr Hitachiin drove us back to the office as soon at Nekozawa left, barely uttering a word to me the entire way.
"I just need to check my computer" I said, pointing across the hall. But before I could even turn to my door he wordlessly grabbed my wrist and lead me into his office, turning the latch behind him.
"What's wrong?" I asked, crossing my arms.
He grumbled and shrugged his blazer off, throwing it down behind his desk, then walked to the window, his hands diving into his dark auburn hair. I watched his back flex beneath his crisp white shirt, his frustration evident in the way the muscles in his arms roped and tensed. I sighed, walking to his side and looking out at the city. A comfortable silence enveloped us both.
"I thought you would have been happy about this? He didn't turn you down" I said softly.
He sighed, "I hate those goddamn parties. I'd hoped this lunch meant he wanted to sign"
"He wants you to see what the hotel is about. It's his business, he's not going to make such a big decision without knowing it's in good hands. This is security we're talking about"
"I guess..." he murmured, "Don't worry, I'll pay you overtime for the party"
I frowned, "I don't have to come do I?"
"Of course you do. He invited you"
"That doesn't mean I'll go..."
"I need you there" his eyes bore into mine and I swear I saw a flicker of panic in them.
I tried to imagine the 2 of us there together. He'd fit right in, but me? I'd stick out like a pigeon in a flock of peacocks. I could practically see the looks of confusion I'd get, guests wondering what the hell a perfect man like Hikaru Hitachiin was doing with a plain Jane like me. I'd look ridiculous.
"Wouldn't you rather take a date?" I asked.
"No" he answered with no hesitation.
I blinked, "I don't know the first thing about fundraisers. And I can't even guarantee I'll be able to find someone to watch Emi that night"
"Name your price. Double pay? Triple?"
I rolled my eyes, "Mr Hitachiin"
"Miss Fujioka" he pleaded, turning to face me, his hands grasping my shoulders. Those mesmerising hazel eyes met mine and for a moment I forgot myself as my body reacted to him as it always did. He was so close, his cologne engulfing and intoxicating me. My body seemed to urge for him, and it took all my self control to resist falling into his arms and giving in to all my sordid desires.
I breathed in deeply, "I...guess I could ask Renge to watch Emi if my Dad isn't available"
A slow smile spread across his face, those inviting lips curling upwards as he took in my answer. My legs felt like they were going numb just watching him, and for a moment I completely forgot what I'd just agreed to.
"You're the best. Have I ever told you that?" he said with a grin.
"I know, and yes"
"Good. Because you are"
His eyes remained trained on my own, his hands still cupping my shoulders. We stood there for what felt like minutes, just staring at each other. Some part of me wondered if he would lean in, and another darker part of me wanted him to. I admitted to myself a long time ago that I found Mr Hitachiin attractive, you'd have to be blind and stupid to think he wasn't. Perhaps once or twice I'd allowed myself to imagine how his lips would feel, how his voice would sound close to my ear...fantasies that I knew were just that. Just fantasies. Attraction was natural. But what wasn't natural for me was feeling attraction towards a client or someone I worked with. It was wrong, and a distraction I couldn't afford. There was no use in coaxing that fire. Even though it had been years since those flames had last been fanned.
It wasn't until the silence slowly began feeling awkward did we react. And as if suddenly just realising how close we had become, he cleared his throat and removed his hands before tucking them behind his back, locking them away as if he were worried they'd spring right back. At the same time I took an instinctual step backwards - not trusting myself not to tempt him.
"It's almost 3" I exhaled, fiddling with the hem of my jacket.
"Right..." Mr Hitachiin's smile was a tight line, "Right you have to pick up Emi"
I nodded.
"I'll need you here at 9 on Monday"
"We don't have any meetings scheduled on Monday" I replied.
"I know" he said, "But I still need you here. We need to start making arrangements for the presentation with Nekozawa"
I thought about reiterating the fact that I was merely his attorney. Presentations and developments that took place within his company had nothing to do with me. But I knew that comment would only fall on deaf ears. What Mr Hitachiin wanted, he got. And as his chief business attorney, I couldn't bring myself to refuse. And I suppose it felt nice to be wanted for my professional opinion.
"Yes Mr Hitachiin" I bowed, "Have a nice weekend sir"
He chewed his lip, then smiled, "You too Miss Fujioka" he replied.
Hi everyone! I know! I'm shocked I'm still updating so regularly too! At this rate we'll be finished before we know it!
I'm really loving this story. I know it's a bit OOC but that's what I like!
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- Yuli xxxx
