A.N: Welcome back guys, I'm glad to see the positive response for this fic. Here's the next chapter! Enjoy.
Solitude is bliss, Loneliness is sad, but nothingness? Nothingness is the worst... (Miss_Kirei)
The rest of the week went slickly. It was Monday today. She was supposed to give her answer today. She knew clearly what she was going to say. She walked confidently and opened the door.
"Good Morning", she muttered to the man sitting in front of her. He had a smile plastered on his face.
"So, Make up your mind yet?" he asked her sincerely.
"Sir, I'd be honored to work in England"
The man merely smiled.
"But, I wish to refuse. For some reasons, I cannot", Misaki spoke with confidence. Her English was perfect now, without a hint of Japanese accent.
The man was caught off guard, He hadn't been expecting this. He regained his composure and gave her a professional smile.
"Alright, so what do you plan to do now? I'm sorry for sharing your contact information without your consent. The CEO of Igarashi Corp had personally made a phone call."
"It's fine. I understand."
"So what are you planning to do?"
"Uh. Can I get back to you on that in a few days?" Misaki totally forgot what she was going to do after refusing for England. She hadn't thought that far! Gosh this isn't like me. She frowned.
"Sure thing. You're excused now."
Misaki got out of his cabin. What was she going to do? Change division or Change Company? Everything had been going against her plans. She needed time to think.
She went to the cabin and took her purse. She needed some air. She told the receptionist she had somewhere to go, and would be back after lunch. She politely smiled and off Misaki went.
She picked up her phone to dial the mechanic's number.
"Hello? Mechanic-san, this is Misaki Ayuzawa speaking. I want to ask if my car was done."
"Ah, yes yes Miss Ayuzawa. We're ready for you. Do you want me to drop it off at your house?" the man said in his cherry voice which was way creepier than it should have been.
"No, it's fine. I'll come back to take it." Saying that, Misaki cut the call.
Misaki reached the mechanic's shop in half an hour. She paid for the taxi and went ahead.
Her car was finally back and as good as a new one. She had mentally shrieked when she saw the bill! Her poor car. Sighing, she got out. It had been an entire week without her car. She drove leisurely, enjoying the ride. She drove to the outskirts of the town at full speed. She was loving the feeling. The wind was cool and soothing. She felt at peace.
Satisfied with the view, Misaki stopped the car. The road was empty and nobody was around. It was very calm and soothing to her nerves. She let her hair down and got out. Misaki took off her heels and kept them in the car. She took out a can of beer and a sandwich that she had bought on her way. She parked her car near the hilltop. The view was nice. She sat on the trunk and opened the can of her juice.
There was no doubt that she loved her job. She had always been a workaholic. Apparently her USP had always been "Working to death", which could be applied in the most literal sense too.
She didn't want to change divisions. She was almost sure she would suck doing work other than this. What if she didn't like the division? Management was good, it suited her. She had the gut feeling she wouldn't be able to fit in somewhere else anyway.
She didn't know what to do. She was supposed to make her mind today. Sighing, she took out her iPhone and called someone she never thought she would.
"Hello?"
"What is it, woman?"
Misaki tch'ed, Leave it to Aoi Hyudou to annoy someone with a single line.
"Can't an old friend call?" Misaki could hear his glare through the phone.
"Sure, Sure, So what is it?" he said, more calmed now.
"Nothing, just felt like catching up. So how are things?"
"Just usual. The business has been through the roof lately, it was good thinking on my part to quit and start my own fashion line"
"Aa. Aoi-Chan, the big-shot designer in Paris", Misaki teased.
"Can't you drop the suffix, old hag?!" Aoi shrieked.
"Ne, ne, Aoi-Chan is cute", Misaki laughed. It was always fun to torture Aoi.
"Whatever, all I'm saying is that it's better to do what you like no matter the place. When you are doing what you like, the surroundings don't matter", the ex-idol finished his little soliloqui with a devious grin.
Misaki nodded, he was right. The place or the environment doesn't matter as long as you are doing what you like.
"That's true. So, Aoi-Chan, How is Honoka?" Misaki teased him, she could literally hear him blush and die. She tried to control her giggles and failed miserably.
Aoi was petrified to hear the sound of her voice. She was laughing like a maniac! He turned red, "That's it! I'm done with you!" Aoi cut the call after freaking out.
Misaki laughed till her stomach hurt. It felt good to catch up with Aoi. His unintentional advice had been genuine. Misaki finally set her mind. After spending a few more minutes in Nature's embrace, Misaki texted Tora.
Misaki~ You free?
The reply came after a few moments.
Tora~ sure, can come to my office?
Misaki~ Be there in 20
Tora~ Ok.
She put her heels back and headed to the Igarashi Corps, after setting the location on her gps. She didn't know the exact location, so she searched Google maps.
She reached fifteen minutes later.
Igarashi Corporation was a huge company, its estate was massive. As expected of one of the top companies in all Japan, Misaki thought.
The internal decor was very aristocratic. The walls were white and the furniture had been mahogany. The decorations were plain but not dull. Very business-like environment. The reception had a big chandelier in between the huge hall. There was a huge vase of fresh flowers kept in the middle of the glass table which was placed in between. Misaki approached the reception.
"Good Morning, How may I help you, Ma'am?" The receptionist was polite and smiled sweetly at her.
"A very good morning to you too, I'm here to see ", Misaki replied.
"Very well, your name ma'am?"
"Ayuzawa Misaki"
The receptionist made a few calls and told Misaki to wait a couple of minutes so she sat on the sofa and waited patiently.
A few minutes later, someone in a gray suit approached her.
"Miss Ayuzawa?"
"Yes. That's me", Misaki smiled.
"Mr. Igarashi is ready for you. Please take the elevator from the corridor to your left. Top floor."
"Sure, thanks."
Misaki got up and reached the elevator. It was surprisingly elevator. She got in and pressed the top button.
Misaki got out and reached another reception.
"I believe you are Miss Ayuzawa? Right this way, Ma'am."
Misaki politely nodded and followed her.
Tora's office was surprisingly not dark. She didn't know why she had expected it to be a large hotel room with hookers all around. When she didn't find any, she entered in.
"Konnichiwa, Kaichou", Tora teased.
Misaki face palmed. Some things never change.
"I'm sad to know that the CEO of Igarashi corps is a mentally retarded man", Misaki grinned.
"Very funny, have a seat", Tora motioned for her to sit and she did.
"So?"
"Well",
"After much thinking. I accept", Misaki said, hesitating.
"Wonderful", Tora clapped his hands. He didn't look like the most important person in the building right now. Misaki could only laugh at his tomfoolery.
"But I haven't resigned yet."
"Take your time"
Tea was presented afterwards. They sipped in silence. When Misaki got up to leave, Tora asked her for lunch.
"Have lunch with me?"
Misaki grinned, "I must be lucky. My future boss is going to grace me with his presence at lunch"
"Yeah yeah, don't you worry; I'm gonna dump loads of paperwork on your desk", He gave her a toothy grin.
"Like that's going to scare me. Bring it on, Boss-sama!" Misaki looked at him with an evil grin.
"Deal", Tora breathed, as they left his office.
Tora suggested taking his private elevator since people would find it weird to see him with her. His bodyguard trailed behind.
"Is he really required?" Misaki asked.
"Contrary to your beliefs, there are many people who would love to capture the CEO of Igarashi Corp and use me for their benefit", He said.
"So you are the Damsel in distress who needs to be rescued", Misaki teased. She couldn't help but be playful today. First Aoi and now Tora. Poor victims, she mused.
"You just don't know the value of my life", Tora argued.
Lunch was as normal as their last one. After lunch, both of them parted ways to their own offices.
The rest of the week went smoothly. She wanted to finish her work before she quit. She didn't want her replacement to feel like she had dumped her pending work on him/her. So she pulled all-nighters everyday so that when she left, her work was all complete. Her routine had consisted of waking up, going to office, coming home, working all night. She had eaten Chinese take outs as they were easy to eat and didn't have any hassle.
She left her resignation letter in her boss' office somewhere in the middle of the week. She had three more days in the office and she had decided to make the best of it. The all-nighters were starting to take a toll on her but she was determined to finish everything before she left. She had completed all her documents the next day. She was tired beyond explanation, she hadn't eaten properly, or slept, but it was all worth it. Misaki felt relieved of her duties.
The next day, Misaki was sitting in her office reviewing a document. To say that she was tired would be the understatement of the year. She decided to eat lunch in the cafeteria. As she stepped down into the basement where the cafeteria was situated, she was surprised by her co-workers. The cafeteria had been decorated and said, "FAREWELL MISAKI-SAN". Misaki was shocked. She hadn't expected that. The silence of the cafeteria had been replaced by claps and cheers as she entered the door.
She was surrounded with people. She never thought someone would put in so much effort in sending away an employee, except if we were talking about Maid latte. Satsuki had gone over the edge throwing a farewell party for Misa.
She was given parting gifts by the few friends that she had managed to make. She also got a big gift card in which people had written things for her.
"Misaki-san, why don't you read it aloud? "Haruhi cheered.
"Yeah", everyone said in unison. Misaki blushed. This is so weird!
"Ano...I guess I could. Since everyone put in so much effort for me", Misaki was embarrassed.
"Misaki-san, we wish you success."
"Misaki-san is very hard working. I wish to be like Misaki-san one day"
"You are my idol Misaki-san! Please never change" Misaki scratched her head. She was red as a tomato. She was briefly reminded of the Ayuzawa School back in high school.
The party ended shortly after lunch and everyone was back to work. Misaki was speechless. It was bittersweet. She had been a part of Azalea for a long time now. She had promised them all to be in touch as she wished them success and happiness.
A.N: So what do you guys think? How will Misaki and Tora's business relationship turn out to be? REVIEW and tell me all about it. Thank you.