Chapter 3: proposition
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She dropped the sheet of paper on top of the copier before following him slowly towards the office. She had so many thoughts running through her head; she couldn't form one plausible one. She sped up when she began to pass the glass side of the office door. He let his eyes follow her as she entered the door. She stood near it just staring at him and he stared back realizing he should at some point talk.
"Come in." He said and she looked around the office before crossing her arms. She didn't move at all, she just stood near the door and waited. He narrowed his eyes in confusion, "come sit…" he instructed and she nodded while making her way further into the office. "Go ahead and close the door." He said minimizing his work on the computer and shutting off the monitor. When he looked up he noticed her slowly making her way to the seat adjacent to his desk.
She let her eyes roam the office than setting her view on him. "Are you firing me?" She asked taking him by surprise. "Is this about the extra time for lunch…?" She asked and he thought that over realizing quickly that he had no idea what she was talking about. He also found her a bit peculiar.
"No," he said as she lowered her petit form onto the seat. "I'm not firing you; I don't even know your name." He said and he watched as her endearing features scrunched into a confused pout. She mumbled something to herself and he waited to hear what she was confused about. "What…" He asked and she looked up in shock as if she was surprised that someone else could hear her.
"It's nothing, I was just wondering how the two were related, you know, you not knowing my name and firing me." She said and he raised both eyebrows deciding to let that pass.
"In the real world a normal person would just tell me their name." He said and she let that sentence run through her mind for a moment before finding the sarcasm in it. It made her tense up and she embarrassedly began shifting in her seat.
"Oh, its Kagome…I told you earlier" She said and he nodded letting his thoughts settle.
"I'm sorry Kagome…I have a horrible memory" He mumbled very unapologetically before shifting his eyes towards the few employees trying to nosily look into the glass. They were pretending to print, copy, and fax sheets, or line up near the water cooler. "I think I'm just going to keep calling you elevator, if that's all right." He said and she did another adorable scrunched up look, he ignored this one again and tried to understand why he was slightly so fascinated by her. "So how long have you been working here?"
"A few years, since I was eighteen." He looked up in astonishment and she met his eyes while turning slowly as if she didn't understand why he was so stunned.
"Since you were eighteen?" He asked and she turned back around a bit confused.
"Yes, I interned for awhile, and then I began working when I got my degree in accounting and law." She said he looked as if he had a lot more questions but he didn't know how to ask them without sounding too impressed. "I'm going back again though, to extend my law degree…" She said and he just nodded slightly.
"So what are you, some sort of genius?" He asked and she picked up the humor in his voice quickly. She smiled broadly and he was taken aback at her appearance. He didn't mean it too be that funny. He smiled back slightly and she flushed at how overly handsome he looked. He didn't say anything for awhile, and it got faintly awkward.
He was about to say something when all of a sudden she shrugged, "I guess it depends on your opinion of a genius, what IQ do you consider a genius to be?" She asked and he opened his mouth slightly, he had to admit he was a little speechless... She waited patiently for his answer but he didn't respond. Instead he grabbed hold of some files in his desk. She waited as he set a manila folder on top of the desk.
"You know when you say things like that you catch me off guard." He said as he opened up the folder. He sorted through some stuff before glancing back up at her. "How would you like a promotion?" He asked and she stared waiting for a better explanation. She could feel her heart beat increasing even faster; it hadn't pumped in a normal speed since she came back from lunch. He had her on edge, and it took all her energy to contain her nerves. He waited for her to continue but she didn't say anything. She just sat there staring at him with unusual midnight eyes. "So…yes, or no…." He asked.
"Uh, well it depends, what sort of promotion?" She asked, she knew what she wanted, but it would be off putting to consider another role in the Takashi Corporation that didn't fit the plan she had been working on since High School.
"Any promotion you'd like." He said and she was taken aback by that. He smiled at the shock on her face. "You like that?" He asked and she nodded. "I just need you to do me a favor." He couldn't believe he was even considering this. "I'm taking an annual business trip. Its a couple months long, and I usually go alone, but I'm flirting with the idea that I might not be able to do all the work myself. If you could accompany me during the trip…"
"The annual Takashi corporation tour, it brings in more than a fourth of our sales and clients." She said and he nodded for a fragment of a second.
"Yeah…" He said slightly annoyed, but he tried to hide his irritated tone. "Like I was saying, its a few weeks long, and hotels and transportation are of course all paid for." He said and she nodded, "We'll be going in about two weeks, is that something you think you can do. You don't have any prior engagements, no husband, no kids."
"No," she said with a slight smile. He let that thought slowly relieve him, though he didn't know why.
"When we return, I'll be sure to promote you to any level you'd like. I'm sure you're very well qualified, do you have any preference?"
"Yes," she said and he waited for her to continue as he grabbed hold of a coffee mug to his right. He brought it to his lips as she sorted her thoughts. "I would like to be the head of finances and the corporation's lead lawyer or law advisor." She said, he shifted his glance towards her as he began to choke on his coffee loudly. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine; you just sort of caught me off guard." He said while grabbing a spare napkin. "That's a pretty prestigious position. I don't think it even exists." He said and she just stared at him. "I don't think I can offer you that."
"Uh…. Well of course you can't. I'd have to start small, you know, first maybe become this branches financial lead than move up." She said and he nodded while looking down at the key board.
"Yeah, yeah, that's a great idea, but why don't we start a bit smaller. How about a lead secretary position, you can get your own office and everything." She didn't say anything and he looked up to see a very dissatisfied look on her intriguing face.
"I don't have any interest in being a glorified secretary, I didn't go to school for that." She said and he nodded as he took in the slight animosity in her voice. "I think a combination of a finance and law position could help this company." She said and he stared at her but in reality he wasn't really listening. He didn't see himself putting in the work in order to create the position. "Imagine someone who takes care of the company's financial area and also its legal stand point. To me I feel as if they both go hand and hand."
He didn't seem too bought as he picked up his mug again, she sighed while thinking of a way to sale the idea. "Imagine if you never had to come in the building." He paused mug mid air; that defiantly got his attention, she smiled slightly. "I'd take care of the company's financial lows, and keep them going up, than I'd also make sure it stays out of trouble, and I'll call you only if it's detrimental for you to come in." He thought that over for a moment. "Think about it? How often do you come in, to hire, fire, and check our growth? I can take care of all that. If we our more profitable with less employees, I'll fire some, and vice versa." He looked up at her and let the idea soak in.
"Yeah," he said as he looked her over, he still couldn't get over how youthful she was. It was odd compared to the middle age crowd that he was used to seeing. "But you're only like 16…" He said and she looked down at her lap before shrugging.
"I'm 23, and what does that matter? Aren't you still in your twenties?"
"That's completely different, trust me. I was bred for this job." He said and at that she suddenly rose from her seat. He watched her turn her back and go for only a moment before feeling the overwhelming urge to stop her. "Wait…" he said and she glimpsed back slightly. "It's a tempting idea…" he said, "I'd need a bit of time to think it over though."
She nodded slightly. "Well you'll have a few weeks; we're going on that business trip right?" She reminded him and he nodded slightly as he watched her go. He was a bit awed, surprised, and a little confused; he didn't expect the conversation to go that way at all.
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Kag POV
Later that day
"That's why I can't go." She said to her sister over the phone. Kikyo thought that over before taking a seat on the couch. She was only slightly disappointed. "I was so ecstatic about going though." Kagome lied as she stared at the TV across from her. "But I could be the youngest head of Takashi Corporation's, and that's huge; you know how long I've wanted that."
"Yeah…" Kikyo mumbled as she took in her sister's happy voice. "That sucks though; I haven't seen you since you left Kag." She said making Kagome nod in agreement. "I was excited about you coming back down here, but if working is this important…?"
"I'd defiantly come if your wedding was at any other time." She said and Kikyo smile widely at that. She didn't let it be known on the phone, but she had just trapped her sister.
"Really…"
"Yeah of course, I hope you didn't think I was purposely avoiding you." She said as she rose from her spot to head for the kitchen.
"No, of course not," Kikyo said. "But just yesterday, we all decided on moving the wedding up. I know its short notice, but what do you say?" She asked and whatever she was holding over the fridge fell hard on the floor. "Kagome…" Kikyo asked.
She had two options at the moment. Hang the phone up or give in. There was no saying no. "I'd love to, but you know I'll have to check my schedule, I'll probably have that huge promotion by then."
"Yeah, that means more free time." Kikyo said and Kagome sighed deeply. "Listen Kagome, it's in March now, there's no reason that you can't go. I'll see you there." She said before hanging up the phone…
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Inu POV
"How does she look like?" Rin asked while staring up at him. She had a very irritated look on her face as she thought over what he just said. "How old is she? I don't want to be riding with just any one." Inuyasha looked over at her briefly before settling on Miroku. He threw him an irritated look making him say a silent sorry.
"She's 23 and she looks like every other woman. If you don't want her around, than just don't come." He said, but that just gave the petit girl an even more exasperated look.
"Okay I'm so ready to go, I need a vacation." Ayame said in a matter-a-fact tone. It made Inuyasha sigh even louder. He wanted so badly to tell everyone in his apartment, that not only they couldn't come; he wanted them all to leave. "This is going to be amazing…I can't wait."
Inuyasha threw an aggravated look towards Kouga this time. He had just left the bathroom and was heading back to his seat on the couch. He seemed a bit confused to why he was getting glared at. "Okay, now that we've established that everyone's going, can everyone leave?" He said in a frustrated tone as he walked into his kitchen. As soon as he got up from his spot Rin followed.
He didn't say anything to her as she followed him into the spacious room and took a seat at the bar to the right. "So…" She said in that voice she usually mustered when she wanted something. He paused for a moment before turning to face her.
"I hope this isn't about you know who." He said quickly while turning back around. That was his warning to her, if Rin, had anything to say that pertained to his brother he'd see to it that everyone in his living room really did leave. She stared at his back as he opened the fridge and pulled out something in a white bowl. He placed it on the counter and glanced up at her, she had her dark brown eyes staring at him, almost as if she was waiting to be given permission to talk. Rin was a long time friend of his, ever since they were very young, and ever since he could remember she had always had an unnatural obsession with his older brother. She was in a nut shell in love with him, and though she was gorgeous fun, and extremely bubbly whenever she got near him she reduced into a puddle.
He wasn't going to play ring bearer today. He opened up the lid to the bowl and looked down. There was no way he was going to give in to her puppy dog antics. He tapped his fingers on the counter wondering if he really wanted to bother reheating the leftovers to eat. He had decided against it when he felt her staring down at every move he made. "Okay fine Rin, what…" He gushed suddenly.
Her adorable pout turned into a humongous grin and she clasped two hands together. "Is it true that he's coming?" She asked in a quick hyper tone. He rolled his eyes while placing the lid back on the bowl.
"He goes every year Rin…" He said referring to the annual business trip. Rin knew Sesshomaru was coming and that was really the only reason she wanted to go. It was also the only reason she was so concerned with how his newest assistant looked. She didn't want any girl stealing away from her thunder. Though it wouldn't matter, she'd get all dressed up, make sure she looked amazing and as soon as she got near him, she'd freeze up and begin stuttering. It always made Sesshomaru vastly annoyed and though Rin had lived next door to them while they were growing up, Sesshomaru could never remember her name. When he referred to her he usually said, 'the little odd girl who's always here…'
"Okay…so how about this new assistant girl, she's not prettier than me? Is she?" Rin asked and he rolled his eyes. Inuyasha could never find Rin attractive in the way other guys did. She was literally like a sister to him, but he did notice that she was in fact beautiful, but to tell her would be too boost up her already heighten ego. He decided if he ever complimented her it would be right before she spoke to his brother so she wouldn't get tongue tied and faint like she did when she was 16.
He rolled his eyes while turning to get a beer from the fridge. "Inuyasha is she…." She asked and he could hear her voice panicking ever so slightly. "You know last time I had to wait 3 weeks for your brother to stop dating that one model girl…I'm not waiting any longer, so if she's some 6 feet tall long legged super model freak than I'm not going."
"Perfect…" He said while coming back out with a bottle in his hand. "Why don't you stay here and house sit." He said and she huffed before stomping like the brat she was. He sighed as he walked around her towards the living room. She followed and he knew she would continue if he didn't unload a bit. "No Rin, you are the fairest of them all." He said sarcastically as he opened the cap with his canines. He spit the bottle top out into his hand and took a swing at the bottle.
"I'm serious…how does she look like?" Rin asked as he entered the living room. Miroku took wind of the conversation and his curiosity peaked as well.
"Yeah, how does she look like?" He asked as he turned to accommodate them. "I didn't know there were 23 year olds working in that building." He said and Inuyasha ignored him as he made his way to the single leather couch to the right. He sat down for only a moment before resting his eyes on Ayames bare foot sitting on his ottoman, she was trying to paint her biggest toe a fuchsia color.
"Seriously… you can't do that in your own apartment, on your own 40 thousand dollar leather sofa set." He snapped and she put the nail polish away while slowly putting her foot down.
"I don't have a leather sofa set…" she mumbled after awhile and he rolled his eyes while glancing back at the TV, but not before muttering…
"No duh…"
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Kag POV
(The next morning)
"Can I have my change?" She asked the taxi driver as he pulled up his window and shifted gears. He turned away from her and drove off in a hurry with her fifty dollar bill. "I guess not…" She mumbled on the side walk nearest Takashi Corporation. She always forgot to give cab drivers their money before getting out. She stared at the busy road for a moment than turned away. "This is already shaping out to be a horrible day…" She mumbled while walking forward. She shuffled in her pocket for her employee key, in front of her were two giant gates that led into the parking garage of the multimillion dollar corporation, but because she didn't own a car she settled for the lesser, smaller metal fence off to the side.
Nothing amazing happened on her way up towards the building. She did toy with the idea that the cab driver had just quickly gone to go break her fifty because he had no change. Of course that wasn't accurate, but the idea did sort of heighten her hopes. She opened the double doors of the building like usual into the massive lobby. It was almost like second nature, she usually entered the building through the front instead of the garage, to grab a coffee from the lounge and a free copy of the morning paper she refused to order at home.
She walked forward past the receptionist desk. She didn't look up until she felt the eerie feeling that someone was staring at her. It felt more like a few people. She glanced up seeing two very young women standing near the front desk. They both looked out of place; they were so young, so fashionably dressed, too gorgeous to have anything to do with the day to day of a high level office. She quickly flirted with the idea that they were probably some of Mr. Takashi's liaisons. It wouldn't be the first time one of them came by looking for him. If only they knew that he made an effort to come into the office as little as possible.
She would have quickly dismissed them both if it weren't for the fact that they were both glaring at her. Actually one glared the other stared. The brunette who seemed a bit hostile mumbled something to the red head before walking away from the receptionist desk. She did it so rudely that the receptionist had actually been talking and had to close her mouth abruptly mid sentence. They were both quickly in heels heading her way. She looked away trying to spot someone near her they might have been associated with, but though Kagome had no makeup on, her hair in a very tight bun, and black jeans and a ruffled top and blazer she still was the closest thing around her that the girls could actually be associated with. Everyone else was either ridiculously stunned at them both or middle aged.
She froze at her spot when she realized they were heading for her. They looked like they could be models, which was Inuyasha's type. One had on a summer dress though it was fall and a little chilly. She was extremely small with long mahogany hair. She was the one who hated her; her dark brown eyes were narrowed as she strutted towards Kagome. She was undeniably gorgeous though, and it caused Kagome to have a mini flashback of High school when her older sister used to roam the halls with her shallow frat pack. The other was tall with curly long thick red hair. She had on a gray designer sweater dress that stopped mid thigh and ankle boots. The only thing that ran through Kagome's mind at that point was how ironic it was to wear a sweater meant for the cold with nothing else. It sort of defeated the purpose. They stopped abruptly in front of her and she paused not knowing what to do or say. "How old are you?"
The petite one who hated her asked. It took a while for her brain to start functioning. "22…uh I mean 23…I just turned 23 I always forget." She said as her mouth suddenly went dry. The brunette nodded before turning towards the gorgeous red head and mumbling…
"Yup, that has to defiantly be her." The red head seemed to agree, but not full heartedly.
"Yeah it looks like it, but she could also be an intern…" She whispered back and the brunette took that into consideration before sighing and turning back around.
"Are you an interne?" She asked in an annoyed voice. Kagome just shook her head to signify 'no.' "Yup this is her…" The brunette said while turning to face her friend again. The red head stared at Kagome in complete scrutiny, almost as if she was trying to process something.
"Okay…so what now?" She asked after awhile. "Are you satisfied, what do you think?" The brunette turned away and looked Kagome over as well.
"No…how am I to know she's not some sort of bombshell when she leaves work." The red head sighed slightly, but she had to admit she sort of agreed. No one said anything for awhile and all of a sudden the one wearing the summer dress turned back around to face her. "What's your name?"
"Kagome…" Kagome said suddenly, but the two girls didn't seem to care the slightest. None of them said anything again and all of a sudden the red head rolled her eyes and spoke up.
"Hi Kagome…Did you just recently accept an assistant job to help Inu…Mr. Takashi on his business trip in a couple of weeks?" She asked. Kagome nodded and the girl smiled in an overly gorgeous way. "Hello, I'm a friend of Mr. Takashi's, my names Ayame…" She put a hand out and Kagome reflexively took it, shaking it gently before releasing. The brunette didn't say anything, she just glanced away a bit disappointed. "This is my extremely rude friend Rin; sorry she's acting like such a prude."
"It's no problem…it's nice to meet you guys, but I really have to get going." Kagome said while backing up, the red head named Ayame looked toward her. The fact that Kagome might leave seemed to interest the brunette.
"No…wait…" She said and Kagome paused waiting. "Inuyasha told me to tell you that he has something special he wants you to do." She lied and Kagome narrowed her eyes in confusion. "You have to come with us…" She said while turning around. Kagome hesitated for a moment before following.
The two girls argued in hush whispers as they walked and Kagome could only get the jest of a few things. "Uh….I was wondering…" She said while walking towards the brunette name Rin as she opened the door. "I was wondering if you could maybe call him for me, just to verify." She asked, and Rin openly ignored her as she left the building. It made Kagome pause slightly but luckily Ayame caught the whole thing and waited behind.
"Don't worry about her… she's usually really nice, she's just worried that you're trying to still her imaginary boyfriend." Ayame whispered. Kagome walked out of the building thinking over what she just said.
"Mr. Takashi…I just basically met him yesterday, I'm not under any circumstances trying to steal him from anyone." She said as she followed the girls towards the above parking lot. Rin heard what she said but didn't comment on it.
"Not Mr. Takashi…as in Inuyasha, Mr. Takashi as in Sesshomaru, his older brother." Ayame said and Kagome widened her eyes.
"I haven't even met him." She murmured back and Ayame nodded as if she already knew that. They walked a few paces before settling on a very expensive looking sky blue car. Rin pressed a button on her key and it blinked suddenly. It made Kagome pause, she wasn't going to ride in a car with strangers she just met, and she wasn't even positive what Mr. Takashi wanted her to do. She couldn't just skip work today. "Uh…I'd feel a lot better if I knew where I was going, and if Mr. Takashi wants me there."
Rin turned the corner to the drivers section while exchanging glances with the red head who decided to sit in the back and allow Kagome the passenger seat. "Go ahead and call." Ayame said as if that seemed to be the only plausible plan.
"Oh and say what." Rin asked in an apparent attitude. She was a bit upset. She was hoping that Kagome would be a bit plain looking, maybe a little on the unattractive side, maybe she'd be one of those 23 year olds that looked like they were in their 40's because of stress. She was the exact opposite of any of those. She was 23 which was believe it or not younger than Rin was at the moment. She looked like she was in her late teens, she had this subtle beauty about her that Rin envied, she didn't have to try too hard, she didn't have to wear any makeup, she just woke up in the morning and she was set.
"I don't know, he said something yesterday about making her do some files for him, she can do that at his apartment. Call him tell him…" Ayame said while shrugging and slipping into the back seat. Rin rolled her eyes as she picked up her phone from her light jean jacket pocket. She dialed a number by heart and allowed it to ring for a moment. When someone answered it, it was apparent by the gruff attitude that it was Mr. Takashi.
"I went down to your office." She said in complete boredom and annoyance. She leaned forward into her car letting her weight sit on the front door.
No one said anything; he sat up in his spot in bed for a moment checking the time on the alarm clock to his right. He had over slept, it was six in the morning, and he never spent the night over a woman's house….ever. He was usually out by midnight. He looked at the woman sleeping to his right and he cursed silently. His phone's vibration was what woke him up. "Am I on speaker…I hate being on speaker." He said while grabbing his over shirt from the bed and quickly pulling it on. He sounded as if he just woke up to Kagome but she wasn't sure, she didn't know him well enough.
Rin ignored that and silently drummed her fingers on the cars window. "I have Kag-o-me…" she looked up at her hoping she said it right. Kagome was about to correct her when Rin instantly remembered. "I have Kagome with me…I was going to take her to your apartment."
"Who…" Inuyasha asked while pulling up his pants and buttoning them, he quickly checked his wallet and looked around for any discarded clothes. Everything seemed to be there, so without a word he walked out of the open door of her bedroom.
"Kagome…you know the genius assistant chick." She said passively and Kagome shifted from foot to foot.
"I have no fucking idea what you're talking about, but please go home and stop putting your nose in my business."
"Yes you do…the chick you hired to come on the trip with us." Rin said as her voice rose a few decimeters in pure anger. Inuyasha looked around the apartment spotting the front door. He let his mind soak up what she said before allowing himself to grow annoyed.
"Elevator…" he mumbled suddenly as he unlocked the door and let himself out. "Why is she with you?" He asked in aggravation. Rin looked up at Kagome who was beginning to realize that Inuyasha had nothing to do with her abduction.
"Well you said you wanted her to do some filing today, maybe she can do it or something. I think me and Ayame have a right to know who we're traveling with." Rin said.
"No, I said if you have a problem than don't go. Listen I have to take care of some stuff I don't have time to deal with this…"
"We're at your apartment already…I have her working on some of those documents you have in that lap top in your dining room." Rin lied; Inuyasha knew she was lying too. She tended to do that when she wanted to get her way. He sighed deciding he didn't care. He had no idea why she called him anyway if she was going to do whatever she wanted to.
"I'm taking that spare key from you." He threatened emptily as he jogged down the buildings' stairs. "Why are you calling me anyway?"
"Cause…she's afraid that she'll get in trouble if she's not at work."
"Well she's right…" Inuyasha said and Kagome sighed while deciding to make her escape when this was all over.
"Yeah but she's making so much progress…can't she just stay…you know, and I could get to know her…and junk?" Rin asked and Inuyasha rolled his eyes.
"I don't care Rin, but when I get there all my shit better be done." He hung up and Rin smiled before looking up at her. As soon as she did her grin disappeared and she opened her car door and ducked herself in. Kagome stood for a moment not knowing what to do. What if she got to the apartment and she had no idea what she was doing? How was she supposed to know which documents she was supposed to do? Would she get fired? She felt safer just going back to the building, but now things were a bit complicated. Mr. Takashi expected them done one way or another. She sighed as she opened the passenger door and ducked into the baby blue car.
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A/N: Updating again!