Hey, guys! This is chapter twelve. Enjoy!
Chapter 12 {Being Your Boss's Personal Tailor}
Aster went inside the cafe and sat down. His thoughts were on Jesse as he find it suspicious to see him here. Akemi came out from the kitchen as she didn't expect Aster to come in right after Jesse left. She walked towards him feeling nervous if he saw both of them together.
"Aster?" Akemi surprisingly said.
"Hey, Bella. Surprised to see me?" Aster asked.
"Yeah, I thought you wouldn't come today because of your duel." Akemi said.
"I need to make time for my maid. Especially I don't want you to feel lonely without me." Aster said with a smirk making her blushed.
"Shut it. I was doing fine." Akemi said crossing her arms.
"*chuckles* Sure." Aster said as he grinned.
"So, how was the duel?" Akemi asked.
"Meh, it's ok. My opponent wasn't even a challenge. I would have beat him with a terrible deck." Aster replied with his cocky attitude.
"Your ego never ceases to amaze me." Akemi said.
"I know thank you for noticing." Aster said with a grin.
"Funny, so did anything else happen today? Maybe at work?" Akemi asked.
"No." Aster lied didn't want to talk about it.
"Lair." Akemi said looking at his behavior.
"What? I'm honest." Aster kept lying to her.
"Aster I can tell that you're lying. You're staring off to space. I'm not going to stop until you tell me." Akemi said.
"You're joking." Aster said as he didn't believe her.
"Nope, I'm going to annoyed you." Akemi said having her hand on her hip.
"Ok, you win." Aster said which made Akemi smiled.
"Tell me, what's on your mind?" Akemi asked.
"Today I tried to be nice towards my secretary as Sartorius wasn't happy that I mistreating her. While she was carrying a piled of paperwork, I opened the door for her. Things went south when she tripped over my foot and fell. I ended getting blame for it but she defended me. I feel awful as I want to be nice to her but I messed up." Aster explained looking unhappy.
'He's bumped out for helping me but only getting the short end of the stick when I tripped and he was blame for it. I do feel bad but it's cute that he cares.' Akemi ponder herself smiling to see that he trying to be nice to her at work.
"Oh, don't feel bad. You apologize and she accepted it that's all. Your secretary defended you which nice for her to do." Akemi said trying to cheer him up.
"I guess but I feel like she's mad at me." Aster said.
"Aster, I promise you that she's not mad at you. If she was, she wouldn't accepted your apology and defend you." Akemi said.
"Your right but I doubt she'll want to talk to me." Aster said.
"Trust me, she will. Try another way to be more nice to her." Akemi said with a soft smile.
"Ok, then. Thanks Bella." Aster said feeling better.
"Your welcome, anything else you need let it out?" Akemi asked.
"Actually, there is but it's about you." Aster said which made her nervous.
"Ok, what is it?" Akemi asked.
"I was hoping if you can be my tailor?" Aster asked which surprised Akemi.
"You want me to make outfits for you?" Akemi asked in confusion.
"Yes." Aster replied.
"Why? Don't you have your personal tailor or go to a high class tailor shop?" Akemi asked.
"Well, since you made your own clothing might as well come to you." Aster replied as it made her nervous.
"I don't know, I don't think I'm that good." Akemi said not feeling confident about herself.
"I trust you will do a wonderful job. Besides I'll pay you." Aster said.
"Alright, how much will you pay me?" Akemi asked.
"How about each outfit will be ten thousand dollars sound?" Aster asked which made her pale by his response.
"Ehh!? That's way too much to give me?!" Akemi asked baffled by the deal.
"*chuckles* No, not at all. I usually pay the tailor three times as much." Aster said.
"Aster, I can't take the offer. That's too much. Can't you lower the price?" Akemi asked refused to accept the offer.
"Alright, how about five thousand?" Aster asked as Akemi shook her head.
"That's still too much. I would feel uncomfortable to take that much of money." Akemi answered still complaining the offer which made Aster laugh.
"*laughs* You're so modest. I really don't mind paying you a lot, Bella. I trust you." Aster said finding cute by her modesty.
"Can you lower the price more? Please?" Akemi asked begging him to lower it.
"Ok, I'll lower the payment. How about one thousand dollars? That's the lowest I can go." Aster said wanted to help her financial issuses.
"Fine, but I will only do it because I got bills to pay." Akemi agreed.
"Ok, just to let you know. I need it before April the twenty-third." Aster said.
"That's less than a month from now but why?" Akemi asked surprisingly.
"I have an interview with the Talkview." Aster answered which Akemi remenber it by his schedule.
'Oh yeah, I forgot about the interview.' Akemi ponder herself.
"It's that the biggest talkshow in the country?" Akemi asked as Aster nodded.
"Yup. So, you're still up for it?" Aster asked.
"Sure, but it will take time. I usually draw sketches to find a type of style that sits you best. Probably, I show you the sketches in a week." Akemi said.
"I can wait. I don't want to rush you since you're fashionista and knows about clothing." Aster said.
"Thanks, I'll do my best. One last thing, how many outfits you want me to make and do I have to make shoes?" Akemi asked in curiosity.
"I need three outfits. One for my duel, another for the interview, and lastly for my livestream. I would want you to make three pairs of shoes if you don't mind." Aster explained.
"No, I don't mind. You are paying a lot for this." Akemi said.
"Thanks Bella." Aster said as Akemi smiled and excited to do this project.
For the next couple of days, Akemi was looking at different types of clothes online as she's looking for inspiration. Nothing what she see spark her interest as she was being picky. She sketch so many times that it's starts to frustrate her as she's doesn't have no good sketch outside. She's struggling to make the perfect outfits for Aster.
Time-Skip to Next Morning in the Office
As everyone was busy with work, Aster was with Sartorius as they were discussing with something important.
"Tomorrow is the meeting and Jaden will be here with his manager." Aster said holding a cup.
"I see. Do you know who will come besides Jaden and his manager?" Sartorius asked.
"No, but there is a list and Akemi has it." Aster said drinking a sip of his hot coffee.
Akemi came out from her office with a two folders in her hand. She walked towards Mindy who's sitting by her desk needing Akemi's help. They both looked at the laptop as Akemi was checking and fixing her friend's mistakes.
'Yesterday was a bad start but I try a different approach.' Aster ponder himself staring at Akemi.
"Akemi." Aster called her name as she turned and walked towards him.
"Yes, Mr. Phoenix?" Akemi said stood in front of Aster and facing him.
"Do you have the copy of the list of people who will come to tomorrow's meeting?" Aster asked.
"Yes. I have it right here." Akemi said giving a paperwork to her boss as she holding the folders.
"What an interesting choice that Jaden picked." Sartorius said as he and Aster looked at it.
"I took the liberty to call everyone to remind them about tomorrow's meeting." Akemi said as Aster gave the paperwork back to her.
"Good work Akemi, they should all come tomorrow." Aster said which surprised her.
'Did I misheard it? He complimented my work.' Akemi ponder herself as it made her happy to hear.
"Thank you, sir." Akemi said smiling which surprised Aster as he never seen her smiled at him.
Meanwhile, John and Eddie were walking at the office and messing around as John give a hard nudged at Eddie.
"You sly dog, you got her number." John said.
"Yup it was a piece of cake." Eddie said as John rolled my eyes.
"Yeah right, you probably were begging her to give it to you." John teased Eddie.
"Shut up." Eddie said pushing John.
Unfortunately, Eddie pushed John too hard which caused him bump into his boss who didn't notice his coworker. That push made Aster to spilled his coffee at Akemi and the paperwork she carried. It was hot as Akemi's white collar shirt was stained and it's burns through her right side of her chest and face.
"Ahh!" Akemi screamed dropping the coffee stained papers and turned away feeling her skin burning.
"Akemi!" Mindy said as quickly walked towards her.
"S*t! I'm so sorry Akemi." Aster said putting the cup on the table.
Aster walked towards Akemi worried that he hurt her unintentionally. He tried to check up on her until Mindy pulled Akemi away from Aster. Mindy check up on Akemi to see if she's injured.
"You ok Akemi?" Mindy asked touching her cheek.
"I'm fine, my skin stings that's all." Akemi replied as Mindy hugs her and angrily turned to Aster.
"You jerk! Why did you do that?! You could of damaged her skin!" Mindy yelled at Aster.
"I didn't hurt her! It was an accident!" Aster yelled as he didn't like Mindy was blaming him.
"Oh totally, making excuses like always!" Mindy yelled irritated by his response.
"Mindy, it wasn't his fault. If anything it's these two idiots that made Mr. Phoenix spilled his coffee at me." Akemi said as Mindy raised her eyebrow doubting her friend's words.
"Take Akemi's word Mindy. Trust me I witnessed everything." Sartorius said as Mindy turned to him then everyone turned to the two men.
"*gulp* We're so screwed." John nervously said as he and Eddie back away.
"Men, did you have any idea what happened what you did?! You should be lucky that I didn't damaged her skin!" Aster yelled at them.
"We ddd... idn't nooo... tice you www... were there sir." Eddie said in a panic.
"Not only I could have hurt Akemi but the paperwork is ruined all because you two were messing around!" Aster furiously said as they ruin his chance to be nice to his secretary.
"We're so sorry sir!" Both John and Eddie said in unison.
"Just for that, there's piles of paperwork that need to be done by today. I suggest you two get to it." Aster said giving a cold stare at two of his coworkers.
"Yes, sir." They both said quickly went back to their desks and started working.
"I'm sorry that I spill coffee at you, Akemi." Aster said walking towards her.
"It's fine, it was an accident Mr. Phoenix." Akemi said.
"Do you have a jacket?" Sartorius asked.
"No, I need to change to get rid of the coffee stain on my shirt." Akemi said as Aster felt bad.
"Akemi, take the rest of the day off." Aster said which surprised Akemi.
'What! Did he said that?!' Akemi ponder herself as she didn't know what to say.
"Umm... you sure sir? I still have paperwork to do." Akemi asked wanting to make sure.
"Yes, I'll have theses morons take care of it." Aster said.
"Ok. Thank you Mr. Phoenix." Akemi said walking to her office to grab her things and the rest went back to work.
'I tried to be nice to her and I somehow mess it up.' Aster ponder himself as it made him upset.
Time-Skip to Afternoon in Akemi's Apartment
It was noon as Akemi was in her room sketching the outfit for Aster. Frustrated, she tear the piece of paper and throw it in the trash bin. She lean back on her chair thinking how will be able to make three outfits her boss asks for.
"*sigh* I tried to look everything to inspire but no luck. I want it to be perfect but how? I haven't even sketch one outfit." Akemi said frustrated by this project.
Her phone rings on her desk, drawing her attention. Akemi pick it up to see it was from unknown number. Curious, she answered the call to know who was it.
"Hello." Akemi answered.
"Hey, Bella. It's Jesse." He said as Akemi smiled.
"Hey Jesse, how are you?" Akemi asked.
"I'm good even though I was bored." Jesse said.
"*giggles* Is that the reason you called me?" Akemi asked.
"Yeah, I'm in my room laying on the bed. I just wanted to talk if you're not busy." Jesse said relaxing on his bed.
"You're in luck, I do because I left work early." Akemi said.
"Lucky you, what was the reason?" Jesse said surprising to hear.
"My boss accidentally spilled coffee at me and to make up for it he told me to take the rest the day off." Akemi replied.
"Really? I thought he didn't like you." Jesse said.
"I know and couple of days ago, I was carrying a piled of folders. I was going to open the door but he opened it for me. I ruin it for him as I tripped on his foot and fell. He tired to help me but my friend pinned the blame on him. I told her that it was accident but she still didn't believe him." Akemi explained.
"Well I don't blame your friend wanting to stand up for you. Your boss tries to be nice to you now. What made him change?" Jesse asked.
"Probably, what my friend and his friend said to him. He did made him upset so that probably changed my boss." Akemi answered.
"Well, at least he's not treating you horribly." Jesse said.
"Yeah, it's makes my life easier now. So what about you? Still finding agencies?" Akemi asked.
"Yeah I'm really having a hard time so right now I'm relaxing. I have interacted my fans on Chitter and received positive feedback as they'll keep supporting me." Jesse replied.
"That's good to hear, I'm happy that you're still getting support even though you're not in the pro circuit." Akemi said happy to hear the news.
"Yeah it was nice for my fans and I want to give them back but I don't know what?" Jesse asked unsure what to do.
"Mmm, ever tried to make content on YouTube? It will benefit from both sides. You giving your fans content while they keep supporting you and giving you income." Akemi explained.
"Wouldn't they think I'm a sellout if I did that?" Jesse asked.
"Trust me you're not a sellout. You told them your situation and they accepted it. It's not like you're scamming them." Akemi said.
"Your right. I'll think about it." Jesse said.
"Ok then." Akemi said as she went back to sketching.
"So what are you doing?" Jesse asked still laying down on his bed.
"*sigh* I'm sketching but it's going nowhere. I don't know what to do?" Akemi said brainstorming the outfits.
"What are you trying to draw?" Jesse asked.
"Clothes specifically men's clothes." Akemi replied.
"Oh." Jesse said.
"Question, what would you wear for a dueling tournament?" Akemi asked wanting a pro duelists perspective.
"Mmm something that grabs people's attention but not too crazy." Jesse replied.
"What about an interview for a talkshow?" Akemi asked writing down his answer on a notebook with her pencils.
"Something formal, casual, and different that will make you stand out. They are asking you and the audience's attention is facing towards you." Jesse answered.
"A livestream?" Akemi asked listening to his answers.
"Usually livestreams are inside so something comfy and to sleep with like pj's." Jesse replied which gave Akemi ideas.
"Jesse you're a genius! Thanks!" Akemi said happily as she started sketching again.
"Thanks, what did I do?" Jesse asked in confusion.
"I'm getting some ideas you gave me for a project I'm working on." Akemi answer.
"A project? For what?" Jesse asked.
"I sew clothes and someone paid me to make some for them. I had a hard time to sketch ideas for inspiration but thanks to you now I have ideas." Akemi said.
"Your welcome. So when can I see it?" Jesse asked.
"Sorry, it's classified information." Akemi said.
"Oh really. Can't you bend the rules for me?" Jesse asked which made her giggle.
"Nice try Jesse, this project is between me and my client. He doesn't know what the outfits look like." Akemi said.
"Come on Bella, he doesn't need to know. It will be our little secret. I want to see what talented, creative, and smart woman like you come up with your art skills." Jesse said trying to flatter Akemi.
"*giggles* Try to flirt with me to get a quick peek. Sorry, but you're going have to wait like everyone else." Akemi said smiling.
"Can't you tell me who's you're client?" Jesse asked.
"Nope, my lips are seal. Try all you want but you won't get nothing out of me." Akemi said.
"What a shame, I had a spare ticket for a soldout duel. I thought I could give it to you." Jesse said to see if that will convince her to tell him.
"A ticket of a duel?" Akemi asked curiously what to know.
"Oh now you're interested. So, you're going to tell me your secret project now?" Jesse asked believing that Akemi will tell him everything.
"Nah, I just wanted to lie just to tease you." Akemi said teasing Jesse.
"What?! *sigh* I give up." Jesse said.
"*giggles* You're easy to mess with." Akemi said.
"*chuckles* Jokes aside, I thought if you can come with me to watch a duel in the Kaiba Dome." Jesse said.
"When is it?" Akemi asked.
"It's the twenty-seventh of April at eight p.m. Trust me, you'll love it." Jesse said which made Akemi think.
'I wonder if what I'm thinking might be right.' Akemi ponder herself thinking about Aster.
"Sure, I'll asked my Aunt to take the day off." Akemi said.
"Great, I'll take you there." Jesse said happily to hear that Akemi accepted his invitation.
"You said the tickets are sold out but why?" Akemi asked curiously.
"That's because one of my friends is dueling." Jesse said which made her worried.
"Oh really, I'm guessing it's not Jaden." Akemi said hope that it is Jaden.
"No, you heard the name Aster Phoenix. You seen him before when me and Jaden was with him in the cafe." Jesse said.
'F*k! I'm going to kill myself! Why did I say yes!' Akemi ponder herself thinking she made a mistake.
"Yeah, I know him." Akemi said.
"You'll enjoy it and we have a private room to watch his duel." Jesse said happily.
"Oh, how lovely." Akemi said.
'Ahh!!! No! It's worse than I thought!' Akemi ponder herself panicking about it.
"Doesn't that make us stand out from the rest?" Akemi asked made her worried.
"No, unless people look up from we're at which I doubt it." Jesse said with a smile.
"What about the duelist?" Akemi asked as she didn't want Aster to see her alone with Jesse.
"They'll be too focused on the duel. Maybe they will but that's rarely." Jesse said.
"Ok." Akemi said having second thoughts on coming with him.
"So, you're going to work tonight?" Jesse asked.
"Yeah, you know me. Making ends meat." Akemi said.
"That's good, I could come to visit." Jesse said which scared Akemi.
'Ahh! I can't let Aster see him in the cafe! Make an excuse!' Akemi ponder herself thinking ways to convince Jesse not to come without hurting him.
"You sure, it's going to rain later and your resting today." Akemi asked.
"I am resting right now and come in at eight. A little rain won't stop me seeing you." Jesse said.
"Don't you have some plans tonight?" Akemi asked hoping that he's busy.
"Damn it, I almost forgot that I can't. I promise that I'll hang out with Jaden tonight at my place." Jesse said remembering invite his best friend at his apartment.
'*sigh* Thank you, Jaden.' Akemi ponder herself with a sigh of relief.
"I have to go. I need to clean up my place and get groceries. Bye, Bella." Jesse said.
"Bye, Jesse." Akemi said as Jesse hung up the call.
"I regretted to accept the invite. If he saw me with Jesse it's going to be hard to explain to him." Akemi said to herself, putting her head on the table as she want to cause problems between them.
Time-Skip to Tonight at the Cafe
Akemi was in the kitchen as she waited for an order. She kept this about the invitation that Jesse gave her. It was nice for him to give her a free ticket and wanted to hang out with her. It's just that Aster will be there and would take the wrong idea.
"What's wrong Sweetie? You look stressed out." Cinder asked worried about her niece.
"It nothing, just making terrible choices in my life." Akemi replied.
"Why do you say that?" Cinder asked as the others came towards Akemi.
"Jesse bought tickets and invited me to hang out with him on April twenty-seventh for a duel. When I accept it, he told me that it was one of Aster's duels. What's worst is I'm going be in a private room with Jesse. I'm worried about what Aster sees me with Jesse." Akemi explained.
"Ouch, bad move Akemi. " Atticus said cooking her order.
"I know and I don't want back out the invite." Akemi said.
"Maybe, Aster wouldn't mind." Blair said.
"Blair, he would mind and he'll be jealous of Jesse just because I'm with him." Akemi said.
"Yeah and Jesse likes you a lot which is going to be more difficult to deal with." Jasmine said as the others nodded.
"I just afraid that Aster will think that I'm messing with him." Akemi said worried about it.
"Oh honey, you shouldn't be worried about what others think. If you want to go then go. Sure, Aster would be jealous but you and Jesse are friends. He'll understand and he would want to see you there, supporting him while he duels." Cinder said.
"You think so?" Akemi asked.
"I know Akemi. Aster will be happy to see you." Cinder said which made Akemi smiled.
"Ok, but I won't tell him." Akemi said.
"The order is ready Akemi." Atticus said giving it to her.
Akemi grab the order and put it on the tray. She carried it and headed out from the kitchen. Akemi walked towards Aster who was sitting and is on his phone.
"Here's your order Aster." Akemi said giving his food.
"So how's the project doing?" Aster asked looking up to her and putting his phone away.
"It's going great and got some sketches. I'll show it to you when I'm done." Akemi said happily which made Aster smiled.
"I'm looking forward to it." Aster said.
"So how was your day?" Akemi asked which made him unhappy.
"Not good, I mess up again when I tried to be nice with my secretary. I compliment her work but my coworkers push me and I accidentally spilled coffee at her and the paperwork she's carrying. I feel awful and let her go early today to make it up for it. She's probably hates me." Aster explained looking down.
'I can't blame him for feeling this way.' Akemi ponder herself.
"Oh, don't blame yourself. She did forgive you right?" Akemi asked walking closer to him.
"Yeah but I think she's trying to be nice." Aster said which concerned Akemi.
"Aster, it wasn't your fault. I know you're trying it's just bad luck. That's all. She did forgive you instead yelling at you like some people would do." Akemi said feeling bad for him.
"*sigh* I don't know she'll able to be more opened towards me." Aster said.
"Just keep trying, and she'll opened up to you. I can't let you come in being a downer." Akemi said reaching his hand and gently rubbing it which made Aster smiled softly and holding her hand.
"I will keep trying, I promise." Aster said creasing her hand.
"Good." Akemi said with a smile.
"I haven't asked but did you see someone familiar in the past two weeks?" Aster asked which made Akemi let go his hand.
"No." Akemi lied not wanting to tell him that Jesse came in to talk to her.
"Ok." Aster said knowing that she's lying by her expression and when she quickly left go his hand.
"Excuse me, I need to go to the bathroom." Akemi said as Aster nodded.
"Sure, go ahead." Aster said as Akemi left.
Alone, Aster knows something is wrong with Akemi after asking her that question. This bothers him as it may relate to Jesse in someway.
"I know she's hiding something and I'm going to find out." Aster said to himself not giving up to find out the truth.
A/N: That's the end of chapter twelve. So what do you think about this chapter and comment down below. Thank you for reading and I hope you have a great day. Bye!
