AN: I KNOW.. DON'T HATE ME... PLEASE... R&R
LEGEND:
" - CONVERSATIONS
' - ITALIC - THOUGHTS
CHAPTER THREE.
FUJINO CORP.
Fujino Shizuru, twenty-six, brunette, with the perfect, long and natural curls, just above the waist, deep crimson eyes, pointed nose and full lips. President of the Fujino Corp., a company that is known for their wide array of business. Condos, resorts, a construction company and machinery, medical lines of businesses.
Someone who is almost perfect and successful. Someone who was born from luxury and did not have to work double shift just to survive. Someone who has all. Beauty, money, intelligence, influence, loyal employees and people, though may be few, but she trusts.
A person, who once she speaks, all attention will be on her. An audience that looks at her and listens to whatever she may demand, with a smile to light the crowd.
Someone who also has gotten tired with all the unwanted attention being directed at her. Attention that she knows very well has something to do with not only who she is but, also with her status and WHO she is when it comes to the business world.
A perfect woman on top of a man's world. That is what they say. But that did not stop her from taking the top place, everyone has the right to be on top. Especially if you know you are good at what you do and is the best out there. A Fujino knows that. Sexuality be damned. They just have to accept it. Women can rule the business world.
And she IS the best example of that... Well, one of the examples now.
And she refuses to go down. Not now. Not to another company, and especially not to someone who just happened to show up.
No.
Not now.
She closes her eyes. Both her elbows on her table, her hands clasping one another and her head on them.
" What happened? " she thought. " I want to know what happened. I can still remember those days. "
.
- flashback -
" I'm not easy to get along with. I'm not an easy person. " she said with a frown on her face.
" But, I want to know you. I'm sure there is nothing with that. " the brunette insisted.
She snorted. " Are you kidding me? What? Got tired of your fans or followers or whatever and now you want to change the image and want to get to know the difficult person? " she asked as she stood straighter and her right hand on her hip.
Shizuru blinked... once... twice then she smiled, a small smile. " No. You are different. And you definitely don't like me. " she answered. " But you are interesting and I don't know what it is, but I am drawn to you. "
" I don't even want to know if that is a good thing or not. Just... stay away, Fujino. "
" I'm not making any promises, but you have to be less interesting and you have to stop going in and out of the council office. " she mused.
She gave a small wave as she walked away from her and gave a " whatever " answer.
She found herself looking at her. Following her with her eyes until she was no longer in sight. That long, straight and beautiful hair, together with those emerald eyes that she cannot help but catch whenever she was around.
She wanted to stare at them. She wanted to stare at her. And most importantly, she wanted her to want her.
" Ara... "
- end of flashback -
..
...
A small sigh escaped her mouth and she opened her eyes. Those deep red irises.
" So, how is Japan to your liking? " A man in his early fifties spoke through the monitor of her laptop. The connection making his voice even lower.
" Did I ever get to tell you that I'm from Japan? Surely you must know, you did marry my mother, who happens to be Japanese? " she asked with amusement and raised eyebrow.
A loud gruff laugh echoed and she couldn't help but smile.
" But of course, Nat-chan. " he teased. " I sometimes forget, whenever I look at your mother, it's like the first time I met her again. She is amazing and I am very blessed to have met her and her to fall in love with me. And for her to have accepted my offer in marrying me " He said proudly.
" Well, I am sure, it's has something to do with how handsome I am and how I'm such a good cook. I am a catch, you know. " He boasted while wiggling his eyebrows.
" Really. " she mentally said. " You know, " she started. She has this talent to pop whatever bubble he is on, may that be pink or blue or whatever. She just likes to get him all riled up. " she only married you because of your money. She is also a good cook and working in a different county, it is hard. But thanks to you, we are living in luxury " she fired back with that smug look on her face.
" Says the woman who after I married her mother, went straight to school and graduated with honors and went to look for her friends to help them as well. Not to mention, that same woman who doesn't want any of my money. Not even an allowance would she accept and won't even quit that job of being a mechanic. " He shook his head.
" Seriously Natsuki, I may throw all my money at you and your mother, and I am sure, both of you would not hesitate in burning them all. " He cringed at that thought. " You and your mother, proud women that I am proud to have in my life. " He smiled thoughtfully.
" Geezzzz. Why did you really call me? I'm busy making your company known here in Japan and making you even more rich. " she said sarcastically. " And don't even start with how much you want to tell me how much you are enjoying my mother. " he grinned, she then stopped.. " Hold on! I don't even want to hear any of it! "
" Awww.. Why are you so cruel to your own father? " he pouted. Really wanting to tell his step-daughter how much happiness he is on now. Cloud nine.
" I will close this conversation. I am serious " she said while narrowing her eyes on the monitor.
" Very well. " he gave up. " I wanted to know how the business is going there. I am sure I don't need to worry. You are exceptionally talented in managing the business. Especially now that you are back in Japan. New opportunities and plans are coming out and I cannot wait until you are known in Japan, the CEO that rules a German company. " He smirked. " I can't wait to visit and see their faces on how someone like you gets to operate an international company. Let alone, bring those companies down. " his face became serious. The face that she had met that time when their small neighborhood was being demolished to give way to his extending business hotels, luxury hotels, casinos, bars. The man was cold-hearted, a man who threw his money at them for them to leave and not to cause any scene. The monster who brings companies down on their knees and makes them miserable by taking everything they have.
The man known as the Business Tycoon, Sebastian Kruger. The man who just turned fifty and became successful during his early thirties. The man who employed her and her mother to work for him, working in his hotel as staff. He does not know what it was, but when he visited that particular hotel, the ambience was different. The feel of the hotel was... more of a home than a luxury place where people are being milked out of their money.
He then saw her. That woman in her early thirties. Beautiful, straight hair. The glasses making her even more pleasant to look at. The woman who greeted everyone with a smile, may they be guests or another staff member. She greeted him. He stared. She smiled and he still stared. She tilted her head to the left and he blushed. She smiled, amused. She left and greeted other guests.
He was offended. He was practically the owner. Her boss. The one who owns every piece of everything in that hotel. The one who gives them their salary. She just walked away. He saw him, talking to her and holding her hand. His face scrunched. He should not be interested. She was part of the staff and so was him. They must be together. He nodded to himself and left.
He wanted to meet her. And meet her, he will. Soon.
" She won't like that. " he heard on the other line. His face softened. He knows that she hated the man that he was before they met. She understood, but she did not like him. " Mother will not be pleased if she hears you saying that. " she said.
" I'm sorry, Natsuki. I may be a different man, but it doesn't mean that I cannot be hateful." he explained. " You are in position now. I will support you. Your mother may hate me, but I know she will understand. I will always support you. Always. I won't let you down. I will be here. I can be your rock, you and your mother can count on me. I am willing to be that man again, if it means that I get the chance in bringing down those people who stepped on your and your mother. " he calmly said as he leaned back to his chair, looking directly at her.
She was thankful, grateful. He was someone who she needed but will not admit. Someone who trusts her, will not doubt her, will not bring her down. Someone who is willing to turn all the rocks upside down for her and her mother. A family she never had.
" Thank you. " she said softly, her eyes reflecting how grateful she is. " Don't worry. I am already working on everything. They will be surprised. The invitations had been sent. Rylai is just working on the venue and is now waiting for the responses on who will come.
" Hmm.. She is very helpful, Natsuki. The two of you, just click. "
She raised and eyebrow on that comment.
" What? " he asked, looking offended. " I'm just saying. " he defended.
" Right. " she rolled her eyes, then looked down at the bottom right of her screen.
" Work? " he inquired.
" Yes. I'm sorry, Nao is asking me go to her office. " her brow furrowed.
" Well, don't let me be the cause of delay. " he smiled.
" Okay. You guys take care. Just tell mom to limit her phone calls to once a day. I'm not a lost baby, you know. " she said and laughed, remembering how her mother would just call her in the middle of the day or while in a meeting.
" Dear, we can definitely afford international charges, so I won't stop her. " his grin was big, too big for her liking.
" I forgot that I'm talking to the wrong person. You are crazy, so crazy that even the currency will be involved. " she rolled her eyes.
" Tell her to call me. She keeps me sane from all the people that I am with. " she requested.
" Noted. She seems to be the only person you want to keep on the phone. " he answered back.
" She is not crazy. Unlike you, old man. " she smirked at that.
" I am not old dear. I am still in my prime. " he grinned devilishly and she knew whatever will come out of his mouth, she will vomit. " Do you want a baby brother or sister? " he asked sweetly, toooo sweetly.
" Eeeeeeeww! I will disconnect, NOW! " she exclaimed.
He laughed and bid her farewell and to be nice. She was nice. She knows that. She let a sigh escape her mouth and went out of her office.
She walked the hallway, not bothering to take the private elevator, went down the fire exit and went straight to Nao's office. She looked up and bid her to sit.
" They received the invitations, and they are coming. " she said directly.
Natsuki sat down on the couch and looked at the vast window. She know Nao was staring.
" Then, we have to prepare and welcome them. They are on top of the business. She will definitely take advantage of this. I know they will. "
Her tone was flat. Her eyes were empty.
" As you wish. " Nao stood up and went to stand next to the vast window.
They looked far.
They have a ball to prepare and people to prepare for.
AN: I know it's long. It has some flashback and some bit of history. Please R&R. Thank you!