Hello everyone! I'm starting soon, so it'll take me while to update. Anyways, thanks for your favorites, alert, and reviews—especially the reviews. I am glad to say that I have a more definite feeling as to where this story is going, so that may help with getting these chapters out sooner . . . hopefully.
Here's Chapter 3: Formal and Informal Meetings
It had been a month since Ulrich and Yumi had started working together, and they were slowly getting used to the hectic workload that was demanded of both of them. They had also grown even closer, considering each other as friends.
Yumi had entered her office as usual, but stopped dead in her tracks from the sight before her. Ulrich was on the floor surrounded by at least fifty board games. He was observing one and looked up at Yumi with a helpless expression.
"Christmas?" Yumi joked half-heartedly.
"Ho ho ho." Ulrich replied. Yumi walked over to the pile of board games and picked one up. "I don't know how I'm going to approve all of these by the end of this month."
"Tell me about it." Yumi said.
"Worst part is, I need other people to play with me."
"Well that can be easily solved." Yumi said. Ulrich looked at curiously. "Why don't we play these games with my roommates and their boyfriends?" Yumi suggested.
"Hey, that could work!" Ulrich said, wondering why he didn't think of that earlier.
"Yeah, in fact we can start tonight. You can come, right?"
"Well, yeah, but what about the others? They don't have any plans?"
Yumi made her way to her desk and shook her head at Ulrich's question. "Nah, Odd and Jeremie were coming over anyways. They're always hanging out at the apartment. It's as if they can't bear to be without their significant other for more than a freaking day." Yumi said with a hint of jealously. Why couldn't she find love?
"Aww, is Yumi sad?" Ulrich said in a babyish voice. Yumi glared at him causing him to laugh. "Hey, I'm only kidding. Why are you single?" Ulrich asked. He couldn't believe that she was single for so long.
"As if that's any of your business." Yumi mumbled.
"I know, but it's not like you're the ugliest, most annoying girl on the face of the Earth." Ulrich retorted. "That's Sissi." Yumi laughed.
"I don't know. Dating's not my thing. And in case you hadn't noticed, most guys don't like girls that are as pushy as me."
Ulrich placed his hand on Yumi's shoulder consolingly, "Oh, you're not pushy. You're just agonizingly insulting." Ulrich joked.
"Move your hand before I become agonizingly painful." The lonely girl said through gritted teeth.
Ulrich reverted back into seriousness. "You could easily get a guy. It's like you haven't been hit on."
"What're you talking about?"
Ulrich gave Yumi a sly look. "I heard about William. He's really taken by you."
"Oh, you heard about that?" Yumi said, she never told Ulrich about him.
"You don't think I know what goes on in my company? He's been flirting with you nonstop." Ulrich teased.
Yumi scoffed. "I could care less about Will the Pervert." Ulrich chuckled.
"Come on, give him a chance. You might like him." Ulrich replied. Yumi looked at Ulrich as if he were crazy.
"No. Besides, I don't have to date anyone. I'm okay being single."
"I thought the same thing before I met Emily."
"You really love her, don't you?" Yumi asked.
Ulrich beamed. He always glowed whenever he thought about her. "Yeah. She's amazing, Yumi. And you might think of William as amazing if you gave him a chance." (lol It's not every day you see Ulrich trying to hook up Yumi and William, is it? Lol)
"Why do you care so much?" Yumi asked getting a little irritated.
"I just want to tease you about being in love. I'd love to see how you would treat a boyfriend." Ulrich asked.
"Well, you may never get that chance."
"Oh, come one. Invite him over the apartment to play games with us. If you don't like him after that, I'll stop pressuring you."
"But I don't wanna." Yumi whined.
"Do it, or you're fired."
Yumi gave Ulrich a look of surprise. "You wouldn't dare!"
"Well I won't fire you, but I think you're missing out."
"Fine, fine! But only if you bring Emily."
"Okay." Ulrich said confused. "Why?"
"Because I also want to see how you treat your girlfriend."
"Deal. I bring Emily, and you bring Will the Pervert." Ulrich stated.
When Yumi told the girls about the little game night they were having, Sam became ecstatic. "I can't believe we're going to have the hottest billionaire in our little apartment!"
"For the last time, Sam, he doesn't want you; he has a girlfriend." Aelita muttered.
"And she's coming too." Yumi added.
"I know." Sam said. "It's just that I've never had a celebrity come to hang out with me!"
"You need to get a life." Yumi said as she shook her head.
"Whatever." At that moment, the doorbell rang. Aelita answered it, and Jeremie and Odd entered.
"The great Odd has arrived!" The stupider of the two blondes exclaimed.
"Odd, please don't act stupid in front of the others." Yumi pleaded.
"Hey, I already know Ulrich, he'll know I'm putting on an act."
"But Emily and that Willie got won't." Sam replied.
"It's William." Yumi corrected.
"I thought his name was Will the Pervert?" Jeremie asked jokingly.
"I was just joking when I said that, Jer." Yumi justified.
"Don't make fun of Yumi, Jeremie." Aelita said. "She's in love."
"No, I am not!" Yumi said.
"Isn't he the President over the Gaming part of the company?" Aelita asked.
"No, Vice President." Yumi corrected.
"That's still good." Sam said.
"Not as good as secretary of the CEO." Yumi retorted.
"You probably make like ten times over what he does." Odd commented.
"Hope he doesn't mind you making more money when you two get married." Jeremie joked.
"I am NOT marrying anybody!" Yumi declared. The doorbell rang again, this time it was Ulrich and Emily.
"Hello, Ulrich!" Sam chirped as she jumped up and ran over to the couple. "You two are so cute together!" she squealed. Ulrich chuckled as Emily gave the girl a puzzled looked.
"Sam, you're scaring the poor girl." Yumi said as she made her way over to them.
"Hey, Yumi, ready to lose?" Ulrich said.
"I'll beat your butt."
"That's no way to talk to your boss." Emily chimed in. Ulrich nodded. "Even though you're probably right." Everyone laughed as Ulrich frowned.
"Hey! You're supposed to be on my side!" Ulrich whined.
William arrived soon after, and everyone was ready for the fun to begin.
They got through about three board games, and decided to take a break.
"I still say you cheated on the first game, Jeremie!" Odd whined.
"Look, Odd, we won fair and square." Aelita said.
"Of course you'd defend him." Sam said. "You're on his team!"
"You don't hear William or Yumi defending him and they were on our team." Aelita retorted.
"That's because we're enjoying the four of you bicker so much." William said.
"See, he's perfect match for you, Yumes! He enjoys people misery too!" Sam joked.
"Not that again, Sam." Yumi mumbled.
"So what's next?" Emily as she took a handle of pretzels and began munching on them.
"Let's play Match Made in Heaven!" Ulrich exclaimed as he held up the game, looking dead at Yumi. Word cannot express the fury she had for her boss.
"Do you wanna die?" Yumi asked.
"Calm down, Yumi girl. We need him for his money." Aelita reminded her.
"Hey, it's okay." Ulrich shrugged.
"Come one, Yumi, let's play it." William urged. Of course he'd want to play.
"I can't play it, I'm single."
"Oh, this is a different kind of couples game." Ulrich said.
"How so?" Odd asked, blowing chip crumbs across the table.
Giving his friend a disgusted look, Ulrich explained. "We all take turns reading a question dealing with our love lives or our interests, and then everyone writes down their answer. If two or more people have similar answers, they both get a point as a couple whether they're dating or not. That way, anyone could get a point from another person. The first pair to get ten points together is then declared a match made in Heaven!"
"Sounds complicated." Odd said.
"Well I guess everything's complicated when you have the brain the size of a pea." Jeremie stated in a matter of fact tone.
"Come one, Yumi, let's play!" Sam whined as she grabbed her friend's arm and tugged on it.
"Okay, okay!" Yumi said, annoyed.
"First question!" Ulrich declared. "What is the most attractive quality that you look for in a mate?"
"That's easy!" Odd exclaimed.
"Odd, keep it PG!" Sam stated as everyone laughed.
After an hour of oohs, ahhs, and a lot of teasing and laughter, the winners were . . . . Ulrich and Sam! (You though I was going to say Ulrich and Yumi didn't you? Lol)
"Well, Ulrich looks like we were made for each other!" Sam said.
"Guess so." Ulrich agreed then he looked at Emily with a sad look on his face. "I guess this is it, huh?"
"If you think we're over because of some lousy game, then I guess so." Emily said as she playfully punched Ulrich on his shoulder.
"Hey, we had a long run." Ulrich joked.
"Let's looks at the rest of the scores." Aelita suggested.
"Wow, Emily and William had nine points!" Odd exclaimed as he looked over the pinkette's shoulder.
"I'm watching you two." Ulrich declared. "Remember, Will, you work for me."
"Ulrich!" William said in a disappointing tone. "I'd never steal your beautiful girlfriend away from you!" William exclaimed.
"Well, Ulrich you could always date Yumi. eight points, not bad." Aelita said, smirking. "I find it odd how none of the couple got more than four points."
"That's hilarious." Yumi said as she laughed.
"Aelita, you also the most with William." Odd pointed out.
"More like Will the Playboy. He did pretty well with all of the girls." Aelita commented as she winked at Yumi, making an obvious reference to William's other nickname.
"Hey, I'm a lady's man." William said as he sat back in his chair and smirked in triumph.
"I'm Sam's man." Ulrich said mimicking William's actions.
"Back off, Ulrich." Odd said. After more heartfelt banter, everyone decided to call it a night and said their goodbyes.
"See, I told you guys, William and I weren't meant to be." Yumi said triumphantly. "We only had two points together.
"Whatever, Yumes." Sam said. "If that's the case, you should be trying to steal Ulrich away from Emily."
"Like she needs to. They only got one point."
"One point! How the heck are they even together!" Sam exclaimed.
"Better than your no points with Odd." Aelita stated. Yumi burst out laughing.
Sam threw a pillow at Yumi. "Hey! She said it!"
"But you laughed." Sam said.
"We shouldn't take that game seriously, though." Yumi commented. "I hope to God my boyfriend won't be determined by which body part we think makes the "nicest" sound."
"It was one of those just for fun games." Sam concluded. Sam and Yumi both looked at Aelita who seemed to be in deep thought. "What's up with you, girl?" Sam asked.
"Maybe I'm imagining things, but William and Emily seemed to be pretty close."
"What are you talking about?" Yumi asked.
"I mean, they were very close together for people who just met tonight."
"You're imagining stuff." Yumi concluded.
"I'm just saying there seemed to be a kind of chemistry between the two of them. The look Emily gave William when they got their ninth look was like a warning glance."
"I saw that look too." Sam spoke up.
"You two are being ridiculous. I've seen Ulrich and Emily together, and there's not a doubt in my mind that they both love each other way too much to just cheat on each other. You should hear how Ulrich goes on and on about her."
"I dunno. I'm confused myself." Aelita said. "I sure hope I'm wrong."
"You are." Yumi said. "She can't bear the thought of losing Ulrich. She even asked me if there was something between me and Ulrich, she was so scared."
"She wasn't jealous was she?" Sam asked.
"She was more worried than angry." Yumi said. "She was so relieved when I reassured her that she had absolutely nothing to worry about."
"You're probably right." Aelita said as she stood up from the couch. "I'm just making mountains out of molehills."
It had been a month since the first game night, and at least once a week, they would all meet together and play board games and sometimes even video games. They had all become friends and enjoyed teasing, joking, and just fooling around. And a particular couple had become quite close since then.
"So I how's your new boyfriend?" Ulrich teased Yumi giving her a devious smile.
Yumi returned his smirk. "Why don't you ask him, he works hear."
"Yeah, but I love how you just get all frazzled when I mention Will the Pervert." Ulrich whined.
"Frazzled? I'm not all that interested to tell the truth. He's a great guy, and I do enjoy his company, but I don't feel any real attraction or connection."
"Ah, that's too bad." Ulrich said nonchalantly. He then beamed at his secretary. "Hey! Let me show you something." Yumi raised an eyebrow at Ulrich's giddiness. Ulrich pulled out the drawer to his desk and took out a small box. He then opened it, revealing a beautiful (and quite large) diamond ring.
Yumi gasped. "Ulrich! You have a girlfriend! We can't get engaged!" Yumi teased. Ulrich chuckled.
"As if you'd ever be that lucky to marry me."
"Don't you mean unlucky?"
"Hey, you still work for me!" Ulrich warned. Yumi giggled.
"It's really beautiful! Oh! It's inscribed!" Yumi cooed. The inscription read: To the only woman who has my heart and soul. "Ahhhh!"
Ulrich laughed. "Wow, I didn't know you could be such a girl!" he exclaimed.
Yumi frowned. "Well I am one. So when are you going to give it to her?"
"Honestly, I'm not sure. I kind of what wanted your opinion on how I should propose to her. Any ideas?"
Yumi pondered. "Hm. What if you proposed to her in a boat in the middle of a lake with a sky full of stars? That would be really romantic! That's how I'd want a guy to propose to me."
"Great, I'll tell William." Yumi glared at her boss. If only he wasn't her boss. How she would hurt him so. "That's a pretty good idea, but Emily's not one for the water. She almost drowned when she was younger, and she's been afraid since."
"Oh. Well what does she like?"
"She's a pretty class A girl. She loves all of that proper etiquette crap."
"Well that's a lovely way of putting it." Yumi frowned.
"Sorry, but I'm not a fan of precise luxury or whatever."
"Is there anything that she just adores?"
"She LOVES teddy bears." Ulrich exclaimed.
"Yeah, I know," Yumi snickered, "Ulrich Bear!" Ulrich frowned as Yumi's laughter grew in volume.
"She told you that?"
"Yeah." Yumi's expression suddenly became an enlightened one. "I got it! Give her a cute little teddy bear, with the ring attached to it, she'll love it!"
"Gosh, you're such a romantic." Ulrich stated. "But I love it! She'll love it! Thanks."
"Anytime."
"Oh, by the way we have dinner party next week."
"Dinner party?" Yumi repeated.
"Yep." Ulrich nodded. "You have to come, and just so you know it's one of those really formal meetings. It's really just a way to impress a bunch of stiff necks."
Yumi groaned. "Do I have to go?"
"Yes. These people are prominent businessmen from Europe. Remember when I told you I wanted to expand this business? Well it starts next week. If they like what they see, they're willing to strike up deal."
"Which countries are coming?"
"The usual—Britain, France, Italy, and a few others."
"Wow, you're getting the hang of this, aren't you?" Yumi smirked.
"Hey, it's been two months. You should be in the swing of things too."
"I am. Your dad must be real proud, huh?"
Ulrich beamed. "He's ecstatic. He's still bragging about it."
"I'm sure you told your parents about Emily too."
Ulrich nodded. "They're really proud of me. But my mom kept asking me if I was sure about getting married.
Yumi cooed. "She's just a little depressed that her "little boy's" growing up to be such a "nice young man." Ulrich chuckled.
"Parents. They can be so dramatic sometimes."
"Well at least she cares. So where is the dinner party going to be held?"
"It's at my house, or rather my parent's house."
"You still live with good old mom and dad?"
"I don't think it would be easy to leave a five-story mansion with over 200 rooms, but maybe you can."
"Shoot, I'd never leave." A stunned Yumi replied.
"Exactly."
The dinner party came quickly, and Ulrich was in a nervous heap when it was time to meet the suits. He kept tying and untying his tie, and then he would look in the mirror and make sure his hair was nice and in the right place. Mr. Stern laughed at his son.
"Keep it up, and you'll have an anxiety attack." He stated.
"I'm having one right now." Ulrich replied and untied his tie again. His dad put an arm around him led (or dragged) him away from the mirror.
"Don't worry you'll do fine. We get through this business proposal and then it's on to the wedding proposal."
"Great, Dad, now I'm even more nervous." Ulrich frowned as his dad laughed.
When the guests finally arrived, Ulrich made sure to greet them and show them around. After a bit of chit-chat, Ulrich finally sat down at one of the tables and took a deep breath. Entertaining a bunch of middle-aged men who act as if their ability to have a good time had been surgically removed from their brains was very tiring.
"So how goes the party?" Yumi asked as she took a seat next to him.
"I'll be glad if I never turn out to like them. They're BORING." Ulrich exclaimed. Yumi giggled.
"You think they're willing to accept your deal?"
"They seem hopeful, but I don't want to get my hopes up."
"Remember that when you propose to Emily." Yumi teased. Ulrich glared at her.
"What is going on? First my dad jokes about that, and now you."
"I dunno. Maybe we're secretly planning to tease and scare you to death with the idea of getting married.
"Well it's not working." Ulrich said defiantly.
"Darn." Yumi said as she snapped her fingers in feigned frustration. "Your parent's house is very beautiful by the way."
"Thanks, I loved my childhood. My dad has a huge ball pit room."
"All of the kids must've been jealous."
"Of course! But if they weren't nice to me, they wouldn't get to see the soda fountain." Ulrich said triumphantly.
"So you were spoiled." Yumi concluded. Ulrich shrugged.
"So how goes your relationship with William?" Ulrich said.
"Who are you, my mother?" Yumi asked.
"No, I am your father!" Ulrich said in a mock Darth Vader voice. Yumi laughed.
"Well it's going smoothly. I'm still not feeling him though."
"My goodness, girl, can you love anyone?" Ulrich exclaimed.
"I love Aelita and Sam."
Ulrich then acted as if he would cry. "You mean you love them, but not me?"
"Yes."
"See! You can't love! You're impossible. I don't see how William's staid attracted to you for this long."
"You are so cruel!" Yumi said smiling.
"No, I'm mean."
"What's the difference?"
"If I were cruel, I'd fire you." Ulrich mumbled nonchalantly.
"That is cruel."
During the middle of the dinner party, a presentation was given to the foreign guests in order to inform them about what the company was planning to do. It was just your typical video and power point presentation that made everything look as if nothing could go wrong and pointing out all of the pros and cons. Of course the con was not going along with the deal. After the presentation, everyone continued conversing and the European businessmen along with Ulrich went into an office to discuss contract signings.
Yumi was completely bored out of her mind. She did share in some of the talking with a few co-workers that were there, but other than that, she yearned to kick off her heels and do a backflip out of this place. While thinking of other creative ways of escaping, someone placed their hand over her eyes.
"Guess who!"
"Hi William." Yumi mumbled. William took a seat next to her and gave her a peck on the cheek (does that make you want to puke, just a little?).
"Enjoying the party?" he asked.
"Not really, everyone's like twenty years older than us."
William laughed. "Yeah, you have to find ways to entertain yourself and keep busy."
"That must be easy for you though, you're VP of the Gaming Industry, so you can talk business with them."
"You could too."
"I'm a secretary." Yumi said plainly.
"Yeah, but you know the ins and outs of this entire company. Don't act like all you do in that office is make appointments for Ulrich and proofread his papers."
Yumi snorted. "Funny you should say that, that's all I did yesterday."
"Fine then, you're completely useless to this company." William said as he threw up his hands in surrender.
"Wow, you're cruel!" Yumi said. Didn't she say that earlier tonight?
"Hey, you wanna go out this weekend?" William asked suddenly.
"Uh, sure." Yumi accepted.
"Great! I know a nice restaurant we could go to! Ever heard of Monsieur Pierre's?"
"No, but it's obviously French. I've never had French food (Remember this is AU so she's never been to France)." Yumi answered.
"Oh, you'll love it!" William reassured her.
"It's a new experience." Yumi added.
"So I'll make the reservations." Williams declared.
Well people that's it for now. The next chapter is William and Yumi's date, and some more "out on the town" fun. Plus a surprise that sends Yumi in a daze. See you next time!
