Asunder

Chapter 3: I can't be near you, the light just radiates

Tuesday 27 January 2015

03:39am

I stir from sleep's dark embrace, careful not to disturb the man who rests so wonderfully against my breast. His face is nestled tightly against me. His midnight coloured hair falls across the left side of my upper body, pooling underneath my shoulder blade, whilst his left hand is splayed over my stomach and across my right hip bone. He is at peace. I wish I could say the same. I am positively dreading the moment when he leaves me again.

I will be brave. I will follow Tatsuki-chan's advice. I will tell him how I feel.

Decision made, I reach for his hand across my hip, and intertwining our fingers before falling back into the land of dreams.

07:02am

I woke up about a half hour ago. He was already gone. A note was left on my bedside table in his elegant script:

I could not wake you when you look so delectable across our sheets, my sweet.

I have to go back to Yokohama – the jet departs at 06:10am.

Know that you will be on my mind,

KB.

I close my eyes so tightly and crumple his note in my fist. Another chance thwarted by his work, I should have known. I don't have time to linger upon what could have, should have been. A girl needs to get to work! How can I just have been sitting on the bed thinking about him for the past half hour? Ridiculous, Orihime! Not even the little blue men could distract me with their antics for so long. Tsk tsk.

As I make my way to our ensuite, my mind focuses on the many tasks that will be on my desk in light of yesterday's absence.

Ishida Memorial Hospital

Records Department

08:23am

The fragrant aroma of my standard caramel latte lightly spiced with cinnamon and turmeric carries me towards my desk. Orihime, warrior princess of the records, is ready to take on the masses! I slip off my black patent leather pumps as I make myself comfortable in my state of the art ergonomic desk chair. A mountain of work is indeed awaiting my attentions in all four of my in-trays. I grumble silently to myself, not actually believing that it would be this bad.

'Did anyone actually do any work yesterday?' I accidently say out loud. I've never seen this much paperwork from one day's absence. Simultaneously rolling my chair backwards and grabbing my coffee, I stand up and make my way out of my office to the administration station. Nelliel and Tia must know what this enormous workload is all about.

Checking the Roman numeral grandfather clock on my way, (quite out of place in a modern state of the art hospital, if you ask me) the time reads 08:35am. As I look around I notice that no one else is in the records department yet. The three desks at the administration station are body-less. How peculiar. I don't remember any meetings being scheduled for this morning. I quickly whip out my iPhone, just to make sure I haven't overlooked anything important in my calendar.

Just as I thought, nope, no meetings or important events scheduled for today. What exactly is going on? Why isn't anyone in the office this morning? Were they all abducted by aliens with purple skin and iron coloured tentacles? I bet that's what happened! I must find a way to sa –

'Inoue, how are you this morning?' I'm jolted from my musings by a somewhat amused masculine voice.

'Ano, Kurosaki-sensei, I am well. And you?' I try my best to contain my flustered-ness. He caught me day dreaming. I smooth a hand through my long, silky mane, engaging put-together, professional Orihime-mode. At 31, Kurosaki-sensei is one of the most respected and highly sought after young Oncologists in the whole of Japan. An extremely rare feat, for one so young. I'd be lying if I said he didn't make me nervous.

'Not too bad at all now,' he replies with an entertained glint in his eye. He wears straight legged navy slacks, a pale blue long sleeved business shirt with its sleeves rolled up towards his elbows, and a tan leather belt with matching leather dress shoes. His short orangey-brown hair is spiked messily, I can't help but wonder if he wakes up like that or if he uses any product to get the just out of bed effect?

No Orihime, now is not the time to get lost in the gorgeousness of this man. You are with your Dark Lord, Kuchiki Byakuya. Silly crushes on cheeky, fire haired pieces of man candy are in the past. The past!

'S-s-sumimasen Kurosaki-sensei. What were you saying?' I asked with a shake of my head as I snapped out of the world that is my own brain.

With a chuckle, he repeated his previous question, 'Can I take you out for a drink after work on Friday night, Inoue?' He tried to floor me with another one of his most famous of smirks, which I bet was planned.

Absolutely stunned, I just gaped at him with my mouth hanging open, professional Orihime-mode flew straight out the window. Kurosaki-sensei asking me out for after work drinks? Am I in some parallel dimension this morning? It would fit, seeing as none of my administrative staff are at their stations this morning…

I just can't hide my shock at this situation – I had been dreaming of this very moment for the two years prior to my relationship with my Dark Lord. Have the little blue men abducted me and taken me to Planet X?! I just know they have. I'll just pinch myself, just to be sure…

'Ouch,' I couldn't help but cry out as I pinched my elbow. Most certainly, I have not been whisked away to Planet X in order for those pesky purple aliens to perform experiments on my pinky toes! This is not the way the world works – mischievous, scowling, spiky haired pieces of man candy do not ask taken female colleagues out for Friday night dates!

Then it dawned on me, Kurosaki-sensei does not know that I am dating – uh well, living with – the Dark Lord! He must think that I am a single woman. I better make sure he knows we could only have a platonic relationship.

'Kurosaki-sensei, I would love to have a friendly drink with you after work on Friday,' good job with your wording Orihime, crisis averted!

'Sure Inoue, a friendly drink,' he said with a wink. Oh boy, that wink is not allowed! 'I'll see you later, I have to get on over to the Oncology ward. Have a good day.' With that, our conversation came to an end.

Shaking my head for the umpteenth time this morning, I headed back to my desk, thoughts of locating Nelliel and Tia forgotten. I'm not so sure my message was conveyed to Kurosaki-sensei. I'll have to right that wrong and make my unavailability crystal clear to him before Friday.

For the next seven odd hours, I busied myself in my four trays of paperwork, effectively distracting myself from thinking about my hidden relationship with my Dark Lord, and pushing all thoughts of that cheeky sensei from my mind.

Harajuku Gyoza, Karakura Dining Precinct

Friday 30 January 2015

19:12pm

My mission to avert Kurosaki-sensei's romantic attentions towards me has not been successful. Not successful at all. Despite my numerous attempts to assert my current relationship status before tonight, I failed miserably. So now here I am, sitting at an extremely loud and busy sake and dumpling bar with Kurosaki-sensei.

I think I'll just keep this from my Dark Lord, after all, in my opinion, this is a friendly drink with a colleague, and nothing more. I will enjoy myself. A chance to unwind after what has been an incredibly demanding work week will not be thwarted, ho no!

'Tell me Inoue, how are you finding Ishida Memorial's Records Department, after your promotion?' Kurosaki-sensei asks me from across our booth.

'Well, it is a position of much more responsibility that is expectedly quite demanding. I'm up for the task though,' I answer. 'I'm really enjoying it though, it took five years for me to get to this particular career destination, and I couldn't be happier.'

'Is that right? That's good to hear. I apologise, I didn't know you'd been with us for all that time. I thought you'd been with us for eighteen months or so. I feel a little embarrassed about that,' he admitted, scowling a little.

'Never mind, Kurosaki-sensei. You're a busy Oncologist, you have much more important things to do, considering your role, your distinguished accomplishments at such a young age, than to take notice of every other employee at the hospital,' I said, trying to lessen his embarrassment.

Our conversation was pleasantly interrupted by the arrival of our dinks. He had ordered an Asahi beer, and I, a glass of Sauvignon Blanc – quite out of place given our current location, but his influence is rubbing off on me. 'Would either of you care to order any appetisers?' an early twenty-something woman asked.

'We'd like a bit more time to consider your menu,' Kurosaki-sensei responded with a kind smile, 'Give us another fifteen, would you?' The waitress bowed and silently left our booth.

'Call me Ichigo, we're not at work now,' he said, looking right at me in encouragement.

'Er sure, Ichigo. Please call me Orihime,' I returned with a nod.

'Well Orihime, I must say, you look wonderful tonight. I'm glad we got a chance to do this.'

Not quite sure how to respond to his compliment, I regrettably blushed and whispered a simple, 'Thank you, Ichigo.' Darn it, you're only encouraging him, Orihime! He seemed so happy to be here with me, I can't just deflate his happiness. I'll work my Dark Lord into the conversation somehow, then there won't be any confusion at all. I'll just have to be polite, not encourage any romantic notions, and have a friendly drink with a colleague.

Nobody will get hurt.

Saturday 31 January 2015

11:58am

'Arghhhh, my head,' I groaned loudly as I woke up in my bed, bedclothes scattered about my legs, thwarting any attempts of escape. Not that I am in any position to move, I have the hangover from the very depths of hell!

'How much wine did I have last night?' I ask myself out loud. I'm not usually one to binge drink. Just noticing that I'm dressed only in my underwear, I grasp around me for my iPhone. Saturday mornings are cleared for Byahime phone calls when my Dark Lord is away.

Locating the phone from underneath my back, I punch in my passcode quickly, noting two missed calls and nine text messages. They're all from Byakuya. Without even looking at the text messages I call him. He picks up after the third ring.

'Hime, have you been sleeping all this time?' his usually calm voice demands.

'Yes, I uh just woke up. What time is it?' I tentatively inquire, not wanting to actually know the answer.

'It is precisely midday,' he says with what I know is a sigh.

'Ehhhh? Nani – oh no, I missed out super special Byahime time,' my regret and unhappiness with myself travelling audibly through the phone line. 'I'm so sorry, baby. I went out with a colleague after work last night and must've had one too many wines,' my apology heartfelt and truthful.

I can hear his sharp intake of breath, as well as what can only be the sounds of busy streets passing by. He must be on his way somewhere important, probably in his town car. Before I lose my nerve, I have to touch on what Tatsuki and I talked about.

'When are you coming back? Will you really be gone for another three weeks? There's some things that we need to talk about, face to face. I-I miss you – it's, it's so hard to be here, without you…' I try my hardest not to let my desperation through. I think he heard it though.

'I know it's hard, my sweet. It is just as difficult for me to be without you for so long,' he admits. Something akin to a growl escapes his lips, 'I must attend a lunch meeting with four foreign investors in six minutes – I have to go.'

I deflate. It's my fault Byahime time has been cut short. 'Oh, ok, I understand. You're a busy man, always on the run.' A mix between a nervous giggle and a sob crawls out.

'You know that this is how things must be for now, my sweet,' I could hear the tiredness in his voice. He's said those exact words to me before.

'I know,' I said as tears threatened to escape, my voice hitching unfairly on those two spoken words. I don't know how much more of this I can take.

'If I could change things, I would. I'll try to come back for a weekend, but you know I can't promise anything right now,' the care and gentleness in his voice only made me more upset. I just want you here, Byakuya.

'I know,' those seemed to be the only words that could pass my lips.

'I'll call you tonight, my sweet. You have my love,' my Dark Lord is so perfect. I just wish he was here, with me.

'I know, and you have mine,' and with that, our brief conversation ends. The call disconnects. Turning over, I carefully placed my phone on my bedside, and once again immersed myself in the comfort of our 800 thread count sheets.

16:09pm

Ping. Ping.

'Raghhherrrr,' it's as though my whole body detests the sound of my message alert. Why, oh why, must God be so cruel as to interrupt my wondrous dream involving the most anticipated UFC match of the century between Grumpy Cat and Pikachu?

Removing myself from my tangled sheets, taking particular care not to fall off my bed this time. As I search through my bedding, it's as though I'm struck by a lightning bolt thrown by might Zeus – it's on the bedside table for safekeeping!

Once I've retrieved my phone, I pull myself up and sit Indian style. Opening my phone, I see a number I don't recognise. Who is this? What do they want? It better not be giant robots from the murky depths of the Sea of Okhotsk!

[1 new message]

Received 16:10pm

Afternoon Inoue,

You had better not be too hungover amid lying about in bed all day ;)

I had a great time with you last night and would like to take you out again.

How about dinner Tuesday night – 7 o'clock at The Ellery Room?

I look forward to seeing you at work,

Ichigo.

[Delete: Yes / No]

'Ehhhhhh?' How did Kurosaki-sensei get my personal and very private mobile phone number?! Just what trickery is this? And d-d-d-dinner on Tuesday?

My whole body goes into shock. I accidently smack my head against the heavy, dark wood headboard behind me. 'Itaiiiii!' I just know there will be a lump there tomorrow. I rub the spot at the base of my skull, and sure enough, there is tenderness and a little swelling already.

He probably wants to go to dinner as colleagues, I think to myself, nodding my head whilst still clutching my phone in one hand. 'Yes. That's it, colleagues!' Fist raised in an air pump; I can see the light.

I'll talk to Kurosaki-sensei about this at work on Monday. There's just no way that he wouldn't know by now that I am in a relationship, and there's no way he would think of me as anything other than a colleague.

No romantic feelings from Kurosaki-sensei are heading Orihime's way. None at all. Pushing my legs straight out from underneath me, I figure I need something to do. Maybe Tatsuki-chan will want to have a movie marathon! My mind is full of aliens bursting forth from a beautiful woman's stomach, UFO's following lone drivers across interstate extremely dark and isolated highways at night, and leatherface hanging up good looking blonde men by butcher's hooks.

21:26pm

Tatsuki-chan's surprisingly high-pitched scream just about bursts my ear drums – I think I've gone momentarily deaf. That scene where Halle Berry finds out that her husband is one of the men responsible for the cold, calculated torture, rape and murder of those poor, unfortunate women must have really struck a chord with her.

'Enough of this. I'm turning it off,' Tatsuki-chan all but screeches. She grabs the remote from the coffee table and stops Gothika. 'Let's watch a comedy. Something light and fluffy. Do you still have Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion or The Wedding Singer?' she asks me as she moves up from her position on the couch, stalking over to the entertainment unit, opening a few of its drawers and begins her frantic search for the funny.

'Um let me go check our room. Sometimes I like to watch those types of funny on my laptop,' I reply as I quickly get up and pad on over to the master suite. I usually just chuck random DVD's in the third drawer of the dresser. Byakuya occasionally uses that particular drawer for storing various electronic cables and outdated technical gadgets.

As I'm rooting around in the drawer trying to find my choice – The Wedding Singer – my eyes and fingers stumble across a small, black velvet box. My whole body freezes in utter surprise and a whole lot of what the frick?!

'Maybe I'll just leave that there and put everything back the way I found it…' I can't stop my body from shaking, the tremors keep wracking right through me.

'Leave what where you found it?' Tatsuki-chan calls out from behind me, her head poking over my left shoulder.

'Orihime, what exactly have you go there?' she whisper-yells into my ear.

I just can't say anything.

I just can't do anything.

If this is what I think it is – how can he think we're on the same page when there's so much physical distance between us?

Finally unfreezing and finding my bearings, 'I don't know Tatsuki-chan. I think I'll just put it back where I found it.' Carefully placing the black velvet box back in its place amongst the seemingly disarranged clutter of iPhone, iPad, and Mac chargers, I shake my head back and forth.

'I just can't look at that right now. I don't want to talk about this Tatsuki-chan. Can we watch one of the movies on your Hard Drive?' I am so not opening that black velvet box.

As I push myself up from sitting on my knees, I feel her hand take mine. Without even saying anything, that one gesture, that one touch from my very best friend gives me comfort.

'Yeah. That sounds good, Orihime. You go back to the lounge room, I'll get some more buttered popcorn and Dr Pepper. Make yourself comfortable,' she instructs, marching me over to my former position on the couch.

'Thank you Tatsuki-chan.' I'm so lucky to have a magnificent friend like you in my life.

The aroma of salty, buttery deliciousness wafts in from the kitchen. I've always loved that particular smell.

'When does he get back Orihime?' Tatsuki-chan calls from the kitchen.

'In about three weeks,' I reply, hugging a cushion to my chest for a little extra comfort.

'You know you really need to talk to him. I'm not trying to make you feel bad or anything, but that reaction to what may or may not have been in that hidden box was not normal. Is there something you're not telling me?' she asks in a gentle tone.

I'm so relieved she can't see my face right now. I just don't want to think or talk about the distance between us or all of the things I am worried about.

Choosing to ignore her question, I press play on the remote and Gothika once again takes over the flat screen. I turn the volume up load, purposely intending to drown out any further unwelcome questions.

Author's Note:

Thank you to those that Followed, Favourited, and Reviewed Chapter 2.

I really appreciate the Reviews that nypsy and Sunshine Fia (guest) left.

I hope those of you who read this Chapter like it.