Chapter 14: Perspective
Even though you've hurt me from time to time,
Even though you've torn me apart from side to side,
I won't even deny that I'd still give myself to you—selflessly, pathetically, passionately, happily,
I guess that I have loved you so much that the self-love which I had for myself, has vanished with the tears that I've shed for you.
(MissKirei)
"Thank you for dropping me. Would you like to come inside?" Takumi heard Misaki say. She was being so formal to him. It annoyed him to no end. It was like they were complete strangers. He frowned. It was like she had created some invisible line in between them. She acted too cautiously around him. He was angry. While yes he hadn't expected her to welcome him with open arms, he hadn't expected her to act so…distant either. He knew the distance was killing her too, but she kept enduring it.
"Some other day. Good night" Takumi turned around. He didn't feel welcomed at all and felt that if he stayed even a minute longer, his presence would strangle her. She wasn't comfortable around him at all. He turned around to leave. He found her still standing frozen. It was like she was so lost in her own thoughts. He raised an eyebrow, what was she thinking? She didn't react at all. He started walking towards the elevator and she closed the door.
Takumi stopped as soon as the door close. He felt her muffled cry. It was almost inaudible. Takumi froze where he was standing. He would have preferred getting shot instead. He wanted to open the damn door and comfort her. He wanted to kiss her tears away. But it was all too soon. She had created an invisible wall in between them and Takumi had to break down the wall first. He had vowed to make up for the mistakes he made. He put his hands inside his pockets and took the stairs instead.
He unlocked his car and kept staring at her apartment window from down. He leaned against his car and stood there, with his hands in his pockets. He had to figure her out first. He had to mend what he broke. He knew that it was a possibility that Misaki wouldn't even want him now, he still wanted to make her happy. After that, if Misaki didn't want him, he'd happily leave. But all that was too far away right now.
Wasn't life just plainly unfair?
Misaki hugged her knees as she thought about what all they could have had if things hadn't turned out to be the way they did. Why did he leave me? Was I not good enough? Why is he back? What does he want with me? She buried her face in her hands as flashbacks of the past came haunting her. She remembered being actually happy once in her life. Why did that happiness seem so…so far away now?
She had foolishly believed that Takumi would come back one day. He'd come back and say how sorry he was and she'd punch him a little and yell, but she would accept him. You were supposed to be my saving grace, Takumi… for the first time ever, she had finally accepted the fact that she was still living in her past. She was still the same hopeful girl he had made her when she fell for him. And god knew she hated herself for being so emotionally weak.
The next week, Misaki was more than ready to take on the world. She had woken up early, gone for a refreshing walk, eaten her medicines like a meal, and gotten ready for work on time. She checked herself in the mirror—she didn't look half shabby with a red jacket over a black pencil skirt. The cold was finally starting to settle in and she was glad. These jackets and sweaters made her look at least half human. She had definitely lost a lot of weight even with the chemo and balanced diets but winter clothes made her look less pale.
There was a lot going on at work front, Misaki had missed out on a lot but when she came to office, she realized how everyone else was swamped with work. She did feel guilty about the fact that someone else had to cover up for her while she rested on hospital beds and loathed her life. She picked up a pen and tied her hair—this wasn't the time to mull over things, she was all set to start!
Around noon, Misaki was interjected by a Skype call. It was Tora.
"Hey. Thanks for yesterday" Misaki said as she thought about their dinner the night before as soon as she picked up the call. Frankly, things were more than normal between them now, the kiss was forgotten, and they were back to being friends.
"It's okay. Can you drop by my office?" He said seriously.
Misaki sensed his stress and nodded, "Be there in a minute"
Misaki cut off the call and headed out to his office. She walked inside without asking his secretary and closed the door behind her. His office was messed up. She found him sitting on the side sofa which faced the large window. She noted that his 'business partner' was nowhere in sight and Misaki couldn't help but feel glad.
"So" She said as she took a seat next to him.
"Yeah, A moment" He checked his phone repeatedly. He looked really stressed out.
Their attention was diverted to the door which flung open as soon as Takumi Walker stepped in. He had his sleeves rolled, his hair were messed up too. He spoke as soon as he shut the door, "So, I got here as soon as I could. What's wrong?" Takumi ran a hand through his hair. He almost didn't notice Misaki sitting next to Tora. His stress levels dropped as soon as he saw her and a smile crept up his face.
Tora put his phone away and looked at him, "I've to go to Spain. There has been a problem and Dad has asked one of us to go" He looked at Misaki, "But since Takumi is new here, I thought it was better I went. In the meantime, Takumi can get acquainted here. Misaki, I want you to help him acclimatize. You have a good knowledge of the Japanese market so you'll be a great help" Tora's phone buzzed again and he went outside, "Gotta take this."
Misaki looked at him. What was with the market these days? They already had a lot of work and on top of that the CEO was personally called to settle affairs. Misaki glanced at Takumi, She was stuck with him for some days now. She mentally face palmed. The more she tried to stay away, the more she felt like she was drawing closer to him.
Tora came inside, "So I was saying, Misaki, it would be best if you shifted things here or in Takumi's office. It would waste less time. I'm leaving in an hour. I think I'll be back by Saturday" He glanced at Misaki, as if reminding her of her doctor's appointment, "But it might take more time too. I don't know" Tora exhaled.
"Okay, Take care" Misaki looked at him worriedly. He was right, if two people were working on the same thing, it was better to work in the same place instead of working separately. Teamwork always gave the best of results.
Tora picked up his things from his table and gave both of them a small smile, "I'm off. Take care and Good luck working together." Tora grinned, Misaki wanted to punch him into oblivion. She hadn't gotten much time to talk to him as work was driving him crazy. She had a few questions for him, like what the fuck is Takumi Walker doing in Japan? Misaki pouted, she could pummel him later on. She waved him off with a smile and Tora exited the office in a hurry.
Misaki was left with a much stressed Takumi. She looked at him, he needed rest too. Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Misaki mumbled, "So I guess I'll get back to work. Do you want me to move my stuff today?"
"It would be for the best" Takumi managed to say, he looked at her, "Do you know where my office is?"
Misaki thought for a moment, "I don't"
Takumi nodded, "Let's go to your cabin then. We'll go to my office after picking up your things"
"N-No!" Misaki freaked out, she said after Takumi gave her a weird look, "I mean, I'll come here with my stuff in five minutes. I can't have my boss carry my things around the office" Misaki said the last part mostly to herself. Regardless, she earned a small chuckle from Takumi, "Fine. I won't carry your things. At least let me tag along, save yourself the trip back here. My office is not in this building."
"Okay" Misaki managed to say.
Misaki walked awkwardly while Takumi trailed closely behind. She couldn't help but feel that everyone was staring at her. She even heard some mumblings.
"Is that the hot guy from Britain?"
"Oh my gosh why is he walking behind her like that?"
"Are they going out?"
"They should get a room"
"I thought she was dating Mr. Igarashi? What a gold digger"
"She left Mr. Igarashi as soon as Mr. Walker came to Japan. Poor him"
"The sexual tension is killing me"
"What does she have that I don't?"
"That guy is so fucking sexy, I'd love to hit that"
"She's a lucky one, having two rich CEOs around her finger"
Misaki couldn't help but become flustered with every step she took. She was so angry that she wanted to shout at them and tell the truth. But she didn't; she just walked with her head up. They didn't know the truth but she did, and that was what mattered, right?
She felt Takumi's footsteps come to a halt and she turned around. She found him raise an eyebrow at her. She turned back and walked towards her office. She noticed that the whispers had strangely stopped. The atmosphere got eerie and everyone looked scared. She exhaled a deep breath and opened her cabin. He got inside wordlessly.
"Just give me a moment" She muttered as she started to grab her things. She took her laptop in one hand and hung her sling bag on her shoulder. She took a few files and headed out. Takumi kept silent as he saw her hold everything and maintain her balance. With that, they both got out of the office.
Misaki mouthed a "Hello" to Akira who was standing outside, in the parking lot. Akira winked at her when she saw Takumi standing near her. Misaki pouted, as if saying "Not you too!" Akira only giggled as she waved her bye.
Takumi opened the door of his car for Misaki, it was a black BMW. She awkwardly got inside, barely managing to keep her balance with the things she had in her hands. She regained her posture and Takumi started the car.
The Walker Corporation wasn't very far from Misaki's office. She wondered why she had never seen it before. Perhaps the office had just been made since they joined forces with Igarashi Corp. Misaki looked around, it had a similar campus like her company; large infrastructure and business like environment. Takumi got out of the car and opened the door for Misaki. The duo were soon approached by at least five men in black suits. Misaki only recognized one—Cedric.
She walked behind Takumi, who was currently talking to his secretary. She was a middle aged woman with long brown hair and hazel eyes. She had a very good figure, Misaki looked at her; compared to her, Misaki was a stick. She found out from their conversation that her name was Hinata. Takumi talked to her in a very professional tone. Misaki couldn't help but notice the longing look in Hinata's eyes. Misaki deduced, she was infatuated by him too. But then, who wasn't? Misaki shoved her thoughts into a corner.
"Very well Mr. Walker" Hinata walked away after finishing her conversation with Takumi, who paid no heed to her existence. Perhaps he was already in a relationship, that's why he didn't care about how women looked at him? He turned around and looked at Misaki, who only got startled by the gesture. He gave her a small smile and motioned for her to come along. Misaki walked behind him.
They took the private elevator and Misaki felt the same tension which she did when they both shared the elevator for the first time. She stared down at her heels to avoid the awkwardness.
When they reached his office, Cedric was already standing by the door. Ninja skills, Misaki thought. He opened the door for them and Takumi got inside, Misaki followed suit.
His office was huge. Misaki looked around in curiosity. It had a large table in the center with a huge glass window in its back, which showed a great view of the city. There was an adjoining restroom and a large balcony. A normal sized couch had been placed in next to the door. A glass table was also kept there, a flower vase was kept over it.
Takumi looked at Misaki. She was observing his office. He looked at her holding so many things in her small hands. He had wanted to carry her stuff, but she didn't want him to. He now realized why, people talked. He had noticed how everyone had been gossiping about her. He felt really angry. No one had the right to say such mean lies about her. If he hadn't stopped and glared at everyone, God knows what all they would have said. He cleared one of his study tables for her. It was fixed in the wall on the right side of his own table. He took all the books that were kept on the table and put it in a drawer.
Misaki placed her laptop on the study table which Takumi cleared for her. She looked at the huge pile of books he shoved into one of his drawers. God, this man can read, she thought to herself. Misaki placed her files next to her laptop. The table wasn't as big as the one she had in her cabin, but it was enough for her. She placed her sling bag there and sighed. Now she had to manage her own work and work together on Takumi's work too. She pinched the bridge of her nose—this is going to be annoying.
"It's nice" Misaki said out of the blue, "Your office, it's nice" She finished. Takumi looked in her direction and smiled, "Thanks"
Takumi felt good. He had managed to spend some time with Misaki wordlessly without pissing her off. He looked forward to the time he had with her. Today was Wednesday and Tora was to come till Saturday. It wasn't much but it was enough for him, for now.
Misaki got back to work as soon as she put her stuff on the table. She had asked one of the peons there to drop by her paperwork. There was no way in hell she would have been able to carry huge piles of papers to his office. It would have been awkward. Misaki heard the door open when she saw a familiar face from Igarashi drop her papers.
"Thank you so much" She mouthed with a smile as the man placed her papers on top of her desk. Takumi raised an eyebrow, how much work did she do in a day? She was always like this, hardworking and dedicated. He smiled as he looked at her tie her hair up and pick up her pen. He smirked, he was going to enjoy having such a good distraction in his office. And the best part? She was sitting next to him within inches of distance. He stared at his laptop, she was indeed a sight hard to look away from.
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Author's babbling corner:
Okay, meh. This chapter felt more or less like a filler that would set base for the future. I thought it was kind of boring but oh well. I've been having a writer's block on this particular story for a long time now, that's why I didn't update (In case you all were wondering). Anyway, I'll update this soon.
Send me ideas: so that it would help me with this particular story. I'm just all over the place with APOF, idk, maybe I've been away from it too much that's why. But I won't give up, I know you guys love this story.
WHAT WILL BE THE FINAL PAIRING FOR A PROMISE OF FOREVER, IS IT A TORAXMISA OR TAKUMIXMISA?
Okay, I read and re-read the previous reviews. Just want to clarify that I'm neither pissed off nor offended. Criticism is welcomed as always. But, that does not mean that I will change the ending of this particular story just because a similar story ended up being TAKUMIxMISAKI. Also, I'd already written the base of this story in March, but I decided to delete all future chapters and start from scratch. I have many endings planned in my mind. I think the pairing in the end will be decided on the spot. I'm just going with the flow.
Regarding the fact that A promise of forever matches with Natsu-no-sora's "Back To Me"
I have read the story a few years ago, I think it was when it was ongoing. It's a great piece of work but I do think APOF differs from it, in some ways. Anyway, I will not consider putting TAKUxMISA off the desk just because it happened in Back To Me.
I think that the main thing that I want to be a constant in the story is that real life is rarely made up of rainbows and happy endings. So, don't hate me guys but I want this story to shape itself instead of putting restrictions on it because of another story.
About the title of this chapter: Perspective varies from person to person. Exactly like in this chapter, two sides of the same story were revealed, like what Takumi thinks and what Misaki thought. What people thought and what actually was the truth. So I thought "Perspective" was a fitting name.
What did you guys think about the quote I put in the beginning? I felt like it applied both on Misaki, Tora and Takumi. It's all about PERSPECTIVE. (Did you see that? see that? See what I did there? Huh? Huh? HA! I'm so sssmmarrttt! *puts sunglasses on* WHAT UP Chapter title reference? XD).
See ya! Much Love! (: