Chapter 8

From the corner of her eyes, she knew that someone was at the entrance of her cubicle. Slowly, she turned her head. Trunks. He was almost occupying the whole door, with his hands on his pockets.

Her heart did a somersault. For the past four days since he took her home, he didn't miss to take his lunch at the cafeteria. Though there was no agreement done on both sides, Trunks made sure that there was always a reserved seat for her inside the executives' dining room.

She felt embarrassed with her colleagues but she couldn't just say no to him. Besides, she didn't think that Trunks would take rejection easily, especially from her. And then they would talk of things that weren't really important. But she was happy. She started looking forward on having lunch with him.

Unfortunately due to the urgent formula that Mr. Matsumoto has requested her to finish, she wasn't able to take her lunch earlier. She just requested Emma to bring her a sandwich. Later, she learned that Trunks also didn't have his lunch at the cafeteria because of his luncheon meeting with his executives.

She smiled with uncertainty. "G-good afternoon, Sir."

"Sir?" He raised his eyebrow. She didn't answer. "It's already five-thirty, Aiko. Why are you still here?"

She looked at the wall clock nonchalantly. He was right. It was already five-thirty. She leaned on her chair, trying to look calm, while deep inside her heart was pounding.

"I'm almost done," she said.

"You haven't had lunch either," It was a statement. "I want to think it's because I wasn't there. But I'm not that arrogant."

"I… I had sandwich." She started to think of the possible culprit who told him about her skipping lunch. Trunks glanced at the sandwich on the other side of her table, with only two bites. She winced.

"I believe you when you said that you'll do your best for the company, Aiko," he said. "But I didn't expect that to include missing important meals and working overtime."

She sighed. She looked back to the pattern of formulation on her computer screen. She had been doing it for the last two days. It was another upcoming product that they would release soon. A soap made of pollen bee, well-known for its anti-aging properties. It was a natural anti-aging soap, and she needed to put the right scent. An assignment given to her by Mr. Matsumoto. She didn't expect it to be so easy nor she didn't expect that she would spend two days to design the scent formula.

"I'm almost done so that tomorrow I can start to design a new formula for the other scent."

"How much longer?"

"Four… Five minutes."

"Okay." He walked inside and sat on her visitor's chair. He leaned back on the chair, in a very relaxed position.

"W-what are you doing?" She asked, confused.

"I'll wait until you're finished. Then, I'll take you to dinner and take you home after."

Aiko opened her mouth to say something but failed to utter a word. And then she came up with, "W-why?"

Amusement lit his blue eyes. He loosened his necktie and eventually removed it. "Why would I wait for you and take you to dinner or why would I take you home?"

She sighed deeply. "Mr. Briefs… Trunks… You don't need to wait for me. Besides, it's too early for dinner. And I have my own car—"

"I don't take no for an answer, Aiko." He cut her words, in between amusement and seriousness. "You should know that by now."

She pursed her lips to stifle her retort. After all, Trunks Briefs was the big boss.

"You know what, I wanted to call you at night." He said after few minutes of silence. "And few times, I wanted to call you earlier, to tell you that I wouldn't be able to eat at the cafeteria."

She was forced to turn off her computer. Her mind didn't seem to function well since he entered her cubicle. "W-why would you do that?"

"I'm also asking myself the same question." He stood up. "Leave it, Aiko. Let's go."


They went to a newly opened seafood restaurant, using their own car. Trunks provided her the direction. It was a two-storey building, beside the lake. It had a cozy and welcoming ambiance. However, it wasn't loud. The tables weren't close with one another. Privacy must have been the first and foremost consideration when the interior of the restaurant was designed.

The maitre d' immediately approached them.

"Good evening, Mr. Briefs, Ma'am." He greeted. "This way please."

"He knows you?" She asked in a whispering manner.

Trunks grinned at her. It was the first time she'd witnessed that particular expression. It was an outright, thoroughly wicked grin. Her heart took an overdrive.

"My sister owns this place. Coming to six months since it started."

"Oh."

They climbed to the second floor. The second story was surrounded by glass windows, overlooking the bay and the metropolis. Again, the ambiance was warm, comforting and private. Only few tables were set and apparently reserved. The maitre d' led them to a room. It was a very private room. Inside were a four seater table and a long circular sofa. There were no other chairs. The two side walls were decorated with picturesque charcoal paintings and at one corner, near the door was an intercom. Large open glass windows occupied the wall opposite to the door. There was a crystal vase with three yellow roses at the center of the table.

There was no need for air-conditioning. The cold breeze was swiftly entering the room from the windows.

"This is a nice place, Trunks."

"I'm glad you like it," he said, pleased.

"But what would the others think that you brought me here?" There was a little concern in her voice.

"That you are very special." Again, he smiled at her.

She smiled back. In her heart of hearts, she was glad that they were together. He carefully led her to her seat and took the menu from the headwaiter.

"What do you want to eat?" asked Trunks.

"Anything." She answered. "I like seafoods, everything. I eat them all. But if you have raw oysters in vinegar, that's what I want."

Aiko didn't notice the shock on Trunks' face because the headwaiter got her attention.

"That is one of our specialties, Ma'am." The maitre d' smiled and jotted down.

"With plenty of onions, please."

"As you wish, Ma'am. How about you, Sir?"

He gazed at her intently, blue eyes flashing. And their gazes locked. Trunks felt as if he was being caught in the twin whirlpools of brilliant cinnamon eyes, sucking him in with their enchantment.

Shyly, the headwaiter hemmed and hawed gently. Trunks' face lifted to him. "All seafoods. The lady said she could eat them all. And give me a beer."

It was Aiko's turn for the drinks. "Just water. But if you have green mangoes, with tomatoes, I'll take that also."

After the maitre d' took their orders, Trunks asked. "Do you really like oysters?" And before she could answer, he added, "And green mangoes with tomatoes?"

She frowned. The question triggered flashes of memories.

"What are those?"

"Oysters and green mangoes."

"And you eat those? Seriously?"

"Of course, they're my favorites. Why don't you try?"

"Earth to Aiko." Trunks touched her arm.

Startled, she looked at him. "W-what?"

Trunks smiled. "It was as if you weren't here. You were thinking so deep. I just asked if you really like oysters and mangoes. Only few women like those foods."

She reached for the cold water brought by the waiter and gulped until the glass was half. She put it down and looked at him.

"I love oysters since I was small. My grandmother had an old house surrounded by fishponds and just few miles to the sea. Oysters and crabs were usual. I was ten when we had our first vacation here. They were all shocked when I finished all the oysters they prepared. Actually, right from the shell. And mind you, they didn't even cook, they just poured boiling water so it could be easily opened."

"And what about the green mangoes?"

"I just love mangoes, ripe or not. I love making green mango juice."

Trunks' smile was vanished.

"Isn't it weird?" She giggled. "Oh, here they are."

Trunks didn't talk even when they started eating. He was watching her with fascination as she ate her food with gusto.

"Why aren't you eating?" Noticing that he wasn't taking his food.

"I'm taking my time. And I'm happy watching you eat with gusto. Add to the fact that I remember someone in you, who eats like you."

"Should I feel embarrassed now?" She reached for the towelette and wiped her mouth.

"Definitely not." He sighed. Then out of the blues, he blurted. "I once had a wife…"

Her hands stilled. It was as if there seemed to have a lump in her throat. She knew about him having a wife because Emma told her. But she wanted to know the reason why he didn't have anymore.

She looked at him and asked. "W-what happened?"

"She… died."

Aiko saw the pain in his eyes. Somehow, she also felt the agony he was feeling. His pain was also her pain. Her hand automatically reached for his face and touched his cheek.

"Oh, I am so sorry Trunks…"

Trunks gently held her hand and kissed it. She was shocked when it brought waves of heat through her veins. She wanted to pull her hand but Trunks was holding it tightly.

"T-Trunks…"

"Do you believe in reincarnation, Aiko?" He asked huskily. His eyes bored into hers.

"No. W-why are you asking?"

He closed his eyes for one moment then opened them again, entwined his fingers with hers. She should have pulled her hand back but she could not. It was as if they were naturally clasped together.

"You have so many things in common with my wife," he said gruffly. "You even look a lot like her."

She gaped at him. Unable to find words to say. Flashes of memories were starting to form in her mind. She shook her head. She didn't want the headache now. Not at this moment.

Then she pulled her hand, this time with determination. Trunks released. "Is it the reason why you accepted me among the applicants?"

"Yes," he said honestly. "Your capabilities and good scholastic records were added bonus." And before she could utter a retort, he spoke again. "Aiko, I want you to know that I like you… so much. And I only think about you since I saw you in the interview. And if you will allow—"

"No, Trunks," she answered firmly. "I can see how much you have loved your wife. I can see the pain in your eyes when you said she died. But don't relive your wife in me. I don't want every time you look at me, you see your wife. I don't want every time I speak, you hear your wife…" Her voice broke. She immediately stood up and picked her bag. "I want to go home, Trunks. Thanks for the dinner. You don't need to accompany me to my car, I can manage."

"Aiko, wait!"

Before she could make a step, Trunks was already there, holding her hand and pulled her back. She lost her balance and instead, fell on his lap. Her body crashed against his chest.

Then his arm went around her. He raised her chin at looked at her intently. "It isn't my fault that I loved my wife. It isn't my fault that you look like her. It isn't my fault that I was taken with you because of those things. But I also believe you are your own person, Aiko. And I'll be damned if I'll let you go without finding that person!"

He closed his eyes, angled his head and covered her mouth with his.


A/N: Thank you guys for the reviews. Sorry if i misled some of you, as I mentioned in my summary, this is Trunks+Pan's story. :) Oh, the next chapter is rated M. Just a forewarning. ;)