J~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The blonde had turned his attention to me the moment I stepped into the studio; but the black head of hair had yet to look up from his laptop. I stepped a little further into the room, and the blonde's mouth spread into a heart-stoppingly beautiful grin. I've seen some beautiful men, but dang! I had a hard time keeping a professional demeanor, but managed it. He stood and extended his hand for me to take. "Hello, my name is Tamaki Suoh. What might your name be, my lady?" What? He obviously doesn't know who I am. Also, dang! He has a beautiful tenor, speaking voice.
K~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Hello, my name is Tamaki Suoh. What might your name be, my lady?" You've got to be kidding me. It's obvious who she is. After our eleven years of friendship, you'd think some of my powers of observation would rub off on him.
"My name is Miss Mooreson." I noticed the stiffness of her handshake. "Is there a reason the two of you are in my office before building hours?" I do believe she thinks we are undergraduates.
"Oh, the new American teacher. How lovely!" Tamaki was being relentless with his charm and unintimidated by her cold professionalism. "I was wondering where you're office was."
J~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Was he kidding me? It's obvious this "the American's" office. It's the only one with an Anglo-Saxon name on the door plaque.
"I was just preparing for my lesson. I haven't taken piano lessons in some time," he continued with charm oozing from every pore.
"I see. And, the reason you travelled to the second floor and the end of the hall?" I knew that music students choose rooms at random based on the feel of that room for the day most of the time. Heck, I had been a student once, too. When I had the chance, I'd wander the halls trying out each room until I found one with the right acoustics for my voice.
K~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I see. And, the reason you travelled to the second floor and the end of the hall?"
She glanced at me as if she knew just who was in charge, so I spoke. "We were looking for his master's studio. Unfortunately, my friend does not remember who his instructor is, so we chose a room for him to practice in until the receptionist arrives to give him his schedule."
"I see. Regardless, the building is not open to students." If it were possible for a voice to freeze a man, hers would have frozen and shattered me simultaneously, but very little frightens me.
"It may not be open to undergraduates at this time, but graduate students are allowed in any building at any time." Let's see how she handles that. Silence. But, she's not bothered by her mistake…Interesting.
J~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This man's baritone was cool, unconcerned, and unbelievably soothing. I had to give myself a mental slap after hearing him speak. He smirked politely, his voice still completely calm. I knew this megane was as calculating as any character I'd ever read. Very well. Two can play at that game. I will not be ruffled, even if I am surprised.
"I'm very sorry if this is an intrusion. I honestly didn't expect a teacher to arrive so early." Tamaki Suoh looked quite repentant. I was almost inclined to believe he was sorry. He probably was, but his friend was anything but. From the three sentences that the laptop user spoke, I could tell he had been the one to choose this room. Why? I still didn't know.
K~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"It is quite all right, Mr. Suoh. Normally, I wouldn't arrive on campus and hour and a half before classes, but it is the first day of the term. I'll probably arrive this early for a few days. If you like the action of the keyboard, I have no problem with you using the grand. I do understand the need for finding a sensitive instrument for practice. But, if you would be so kind, I need to prepare for classes now." The upturn of her mouth was a fascinating study in self-control and beauty, and the glance my way was practiced in surreptitious investigation.
In his usual form, Tamaki made to take a lordly leave. "By all means, Miss Mooreson. Please, rule your office with as much grace in the future as you have claimed it today." He bowed over her hand and then proceeded to gather his things.
It was time to give Miss Mooreson a hint as to who we were. I stood and strode up to her. "If I may, Miss Mooreson?" I leaned over her and whispered, "You may want to research your students and your bosses." That should hit its mark.
J~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"If I may, Miss Mooreson?" His glasses glinted as he approached me. He came quite close and then leaned down to whisper into my ear, "You may want to research your students and your bosses." He straightened before I could reply. I'm not used to men intruding into my personal bubble, let alone extremely attractive men doing so. It's no wonder my tongue tied for that split second. He backed up and waited for Mr. Suoh to finish straightening his sheet music.
"If you're ready Kyoya?"
"Yes."
"It was lovely meeting you, Miss Mooreson. I hope to see you again soon." Tamaki flashed me another winning smile as he and his friend, Kyoya, walked out the door.
As I was shutting the door, I couldn't help hearing some of their conversation. "Kyoya Ohtori, I can't believe you were so rude," Tamaki chided.
"I was anything but rude. I may have been blunt, but it was needed. Americans never know what the real situation is before they barge in. Maybe she'll be more circumspect from here on out," Kyoya replied cooly with smug superiority.
Why that jerk. I don't care if you are a graduate student! You don't talk to a teacher as if you are her equal. A little respect is expected. Good grief.