Took me a while to type this, but I've been pretty busy, and honestly, I'm still quite busy. Hopefully, after March, I'll have more time to type this and my other VERY neglected stories.
So here it is Chapter 14: Pushing the Limit
"So you were the one who introduced me to Jeremie, I decided that you'll be my Maid of Honor!" Aelita said.
"Thanks, Ae! I'm touched!" Yumi said, beaming at the pink-haired girl.
"That's alright with you, Sam?"
"Oh, yeah, I'm fine! I'll remember that when I marry Odd though." Sam said, feigning a threat.
"You're not serious are you?" Aelita asked.
"Course not. Like I'll marry Odd."
"I think she meant about holding a grudge." Yumi said. Sam laughed.
"I know, I know. I'm just kidding. See, I'd be offended if I wasn't at least a Bride's Maid. It's like you said, though. Yumi's the reason you two even met."
"So when's the big day?" asked Yumi.
"We'll tie the knot October. So it's in six months."
"I can't wait!" Sam squealed. "To think, the timid princess would be getting married first out of the three of us."
"I know!" Yumi exclaimed. "What happened, Sam? I thought for sure you'd get married first."
"Odd has commitment problems."
"But that was before you."
"Yeah, but he's pretty insecure, believe it or not. I keep dropping hints, but he's still getting over the fact that he's had a girlfriend for this long."
"I can believe it." Yumi said. Yumi and Sam were finally back on friendly terms with each other. It may have taken a month, but at least the tension was finally gone.
"But let's face it, Yumes, you were going to be last anyways." Yumi gasped.
"And what's that supposed to mean?"
"You're too harsh to date let alone marry." Sam said.
"It's true." Aelita said.
"Sure, throw that in my face again."
"You didn't deny it." Sam said.
"I know, I know. I'm a sarcastic, brutally honest, cruel woman who could make a psychopath cry."
"Well you're not that bad." Sam said. "Just a little bit nicer."
"Emphasis on, 'a little bit'." Aelita said.
"Shut up, you two." Yumi said, looking at her watch. "It's five already! I gotta go!"
"Again? You've been going out for the past two weeks. Is this really for work?" Sam asked.
"Yes. I have to get everything squared away for the next couple of merges in Europe."
"Ulrich's, got you doing too much." Sam said as she plopped onto the sofa and turned on the TV."
"It's not him. It's me. Ulrich's been very lax, actually. I just wanna make sure everything's okay. One slip up. That's all it takes to make the merges void."
"If you say so." Sam said.
While it was taking Yumi time to set up the conditions for the merges, it had absolutely nothing to do with Yumi's sudden outings. For the past two weeks, she had been secretly seeing Zander. Call it her guilty pleasure, but she couldn't resist being away from whom she believed to be the only one who understood her. She felt alone and out of place when it came to love and couples, but Zander made everything fun and easygoing. Yumi needed to feel belonged, and Zander made sure that she knew he wanted her.
This date was simply a date at the park. Zander was sitting on a bench, asleep.
"You're asleep, and the date hasn't even started yet." Yumi said, waking her boyfriend up with a start. "You're starting off bad already."
"It's not my fault you're such a bore."
"Please, I could have a more exciting date with a statue."
"I could have a better date with a corpse. And they sleep forever." Zander retorted.
"Well you act like a corpse sometimes. Lifeless, heartless, soulless, and spiritless."
"Shows what kind of standards you'd have. You find zombies attractive then."
"Trust me, a zombie's face would be twice as handsome than that poor excuse for a face."
"A skull be a great improvement for you."
"Shoot! No face!" Yumi fired back
"So you would have me be lifeless, heartless, soulless, spiritless, and now faceless?"
"You forgot brainless." Yumi said as she and Zander broke into laughter.
"I'm dating Cruella." Zander said as he kissed Yumi's forehead. He grabbed her hand as they began their walk through the park, bantering as they strolled along.
When their date finally came to an end, they both lingered in front of their cars. "So see you tomorrow?" Zander asked.
"No, I have a meeting over the merges."
Zander sighed. "Ulrich's working you too hard."
Yumi snorted. "Funny, I got Sam and Aelita thinking that just so I can date you."
"Yeah, but that's me working you in a different, more fun way." Zander said as she snaked his arms around Yumi's waste.
"Why do all of your flirts come off sounding sort of dirty?"
"Because I'm naughty." Zander grinned. Yumi rolled her eyes.
"Well I'm not."
"I know. I'm just in love that's all." Yumi did a double take at those words.
"In love?"
"Yes. I love you, Yumi." Zander said.
"Wow, I-I don't know what to say." Yumi said, blushing.
"You could tell me you love me." Zander said. Yumi hesitated in silence. Zander smirked. "'S okay. I know it's been too long to really have those feelings, but I'm sure it's love for me. I'll be waiting for your love too." Zander said as he left a tender kiss on her lips.
"Hey, Yumi." Ulrich said as he entered the office.
"Hi." Yumi replied.
"Don't forget about the meeting this afternoon."
"Don't worry. I got your messages about it yesterday." Yumi said, sounding rather annoyed.
"Sorry, but you didn't reply, so I didn't know if you got them."
"I also finalized your schedule by the way."
"Thanks." Ulrich said, as he picked up the schedule. "Did you hear anything about Jeremie and Aelita's wedding?"
"No, but when you live with the bride, it's impossible to find anything out."
"Okay, dumb question. I just can't believe it's only six months away." Ulrich said.
"I know. I'm losing my roommate."
"There's still Sammie to keep you company."
"I'd rather room with a tiger."
Ulrich chuckled. "So you're the Maid of Honor, and Odd's the Best Man."
"Yep. I didn't know if Aelita would pick me, but I kinda knew that Jeremie would pick Odd. He's known him longer for one, and he said Odd was the one who practically forced him into proposing to Aelita."
"Yeah, guess, Odd's everyone's best man. He was going to be mine too."
"Aww, someone said they weren't picked?" Yumi said with a frown on her face.
"It's like you said, it was kinda obvious, so not really."
"Besides, you're far from the best." Yumi said. "So you shouldn't really be surprised even if did know Jeremie longer.
"And you're so honorable."
"Yes, I am." Yumi said.
"What, no comeback?"
"No, I'm trying to work here. This is where we work after all." Yumi said bluntly. Ulrich frowned.
"Right." He said, sounding defeated.
It had been that way, ever since they argued over Zander. Yumi knew she shouldn't be so mean, but she felt so annoyed by Ulrich ever since. Zander was right. Ulrich was bit controlling when it came to her personal life. She only knew him for almost five months! What gave him the right to have a say in what she did?
It was downright killing Ulrich, though. He was trying to be his nicest to Yumi, but she continuously blew him off. He really missed the badinage they had in the office. He actually looked forward to coming to work a month ago. But he wasn't going to give in and apologize for what he said. Zander was—and still is—a manipulative monster, and the fact that Yumi wasn't acting friendly towards him served as confirmation that she probably didn't stay away from Zander. All that Ulrich really knew was that if he ever ran into Zander, and they were alone, he'd probably be on the run from the police afterwards.
Another month passed, and things were moving rapidly in the business. The merges with Europe were practically finished, and with that, meant more branches to be created to the business. Ulrich was now focusing on spreading into Australia and South America. Another change (and quite noticeable to all of the employees) was that Emily had finally taken her maternity leave with the arrival of her daughter due in a month.
Ulrich's business wasn't the only doing well. Yumi and Zander were also getting closer and more intimate. Yumi still hadn't told anyone of her dating Zander, and she was happily making out with him at his house for the time being. After taking a break for air, Zander pulled her onto his lap. "So how's work?"
"We make out, and you want to talk about work?"
"Well it's just that you've stopped talking about work and Ulrich—,"
"Yeah, that's what it's really about. Ulrich. Work's okay, I'm not as mad as I was with Ulrich. He's literally minding his own business."
"Well there's another reason I asked, actually."
"What is it?"
"Well you know how Stern Co.'s been expanding as of late?" Yumi nodded. "Well it seems that Ulrich is setting up branches. Each region will have a branch. He's starting with Europe first, so there's a position for the head of European Branch now."
"Are you gonna take it?" Yumi asked, worried that he'd be leaving.
"Well he actually asked me to take the position."
This surprised Yumi. Guess, Ulrich did know a good businessman when he saw one, and he wouldn't let feelings come in between this.
"I thought he didn't like you." Yumi stated.
"He doesn't, but I know the ins and outs of the European gaming companies already. I should say that he wanted me to be the interim head, actually, until he found a permanent head, but in the end, I declined.
"Why?" Yumi asked as she turned to face him."
"Well, for one thing, I didn't want to leave you." Zander said as he kissed her on the cheek. "And I told him I wasn't right for the job."
"But you are."
"I'm not. I know someone who could do a much better job, and they could be the permanent head."
"Who?"
"You."
"Me?"
"You're the only one here." Zander said looking around his TV room.
Yumi smirked. "So you told him to give me the position?"
"No, I just told him that he could do better. But I did ask the Leading Committee in Europe if they didn't mind having you. I wanted to make sure, you'd get the position before I suggested you to him. And now I'm asking you if you'd like to the be the Head of the European Branch of Stern Co."
Yumi pondered over it. "I don't know. I really do like my job."
"Even if you're working if the stiff, Ulrich."
"He's not really a stiff."
"He just doesn't want you to be with me."
"He's just looking out for me." Yumi said, getting annoyed by Zander's constant insulting of Ulrich.
"Sorry, but I just don't want to lose you. Can you blame me?"
"Yes, I can." Yumi said as she bonked him on the hand.
"So are you gonna take it? I'll go to Europe with you."
"You're asking me to leave my friends behind, and start a life in Europe. I can't just say yes without giving this serious thought." Zander sighed.
"Fine. But the offer only stands for so long, but honestly, I don't think Ulrich's in any real hurry to fill the position."
"Okay. I better go. I have another meeting at work." Yumi said.
The meeting was pretty much over merging and what was to be done about Asia. Once the meeting was over, Yumi stuck around to talk to Ulrich.
"Need something?" Ulrich asked.
"Yeah, I wanted to talk to you about Europe."
"What of it? The last merge is with Italy and it takes place next week."
Yumi shook her head. "Not that. I heard that you're looking for someone to watch over the European branch of the company."
"I am."
"Well, it's just that, it turns out I'm qualified to take the position. In fact, the European committees want me to take it."
"Really, they didn't mention that they were looking themselves." Ulrich said.
"Oh, they didn't?"
"No, but it's good that they were. So are you going to take it?"
"Well if I did, I'd have to leave New York, and go to Europe. I don't know if I want to do that though. But just think about it. I could be in charge of the entire branch of the Stern Co! I don't think I could pass it up."
"Yeah." Ulrich said as he leaned on the table. "So tell me, Yumes, who told you about the position?"
Yumi looked at Ulrich, confused.
"I know it wasn't the committee themselves. You still don't have a company cell phone thanks to lying to me about Emily, so no one could get in touch with you through the company lines. They'd have to have your personal cell phone, and I know they don't. You said it yourself that that would be too much of a hastle. In fact, they called me right before the meeting started to ask you about the position."
Yumi swallowed. She didn't really know what to say.
"I haven't even told Sissi about getting a head. The only people who know are the European Committee, me, and . . . oh yeah! Zander knows! I called him last week about it actually. He's the only other one who knew." Yumi tilted her head and fold her arms.
"So what?"
"Well it's just that you told me—forget about me—you told Sam and Aelita that you weren't messing with him anymore. It hurts that you lied to me—again might I add—but how would Sam and Aelita (you know the woman who made you the Maid of Honor) feel if they found out? Or does it not matter to you, that you're already lying to your two best friends only because of that jackass!"
"Don't you dare call him that! He's my boyfriend, and he actually cares about me."
"He only wants you because he can use you."
"He's not using me! He actually asked them if I wanted this job because he knows that I want to get the farthest I can in this business. Unlike you, who wants me to stay his little lackey forever."
"Lackey? I have never thought of you in such a way! Just what did he say to you to get you to even think that way?"
"He didn't have to say anything!"
"But I bet he did."
"You're always trying to tell me what I should and shouldn't do, like you know what's good for me."
"I find it funny that you have a problem with me telling you what to do, when I'm your boss! It's kind of my job!"
"But my life is none of your business."
"You're my friend. My best friend, as far as I'm concerned. I care about you. Your life matters to me."
"We've only known each other for half a year. Yet you think you can tell me who I can and can't date."
"I know the kind of man Zander is. He isn't good for anyone."
"At least he wants me to grow in this business?"
"Grow? What are you talking about? You the secretary of the multi-billion dollar gaming company that's currently crossing into the international markets! You couldn't possibly grow anymore."
"But I always wanted to be the leader. Not the follower. I don't manage anything. I don't make decisions. Only the heads do that. I'm just a filer and errand girl. A school secretary could do my job."
"That's a bold faced lie, and you know it. You do so much more than that. Why do you even need all of that anyways? Do you want power? Do you want control?"
"I want to be a leader. I want to have a say in the company. I only thought that this would be a starting point."
"You had no business being my secretary anyways! You have no experience. You are blessed to even be here."
"And you're blessed to be the son of the this business. Like you know what it means to want to strive for something. This was handed to you because your father was tired of working."
"Then leave! Go! Go to Europe and leave me, and this business, and this dumb, boring job! Leave Jeremie! Leave Odd! Leave Sam and Aelita! Leave your friends and go work in Europe where the only person you'll know is that punk, Zander! You don't even have family there. Just ditch everything you care about."
"I'm not ditching anyone! I'm just following my ambitions. Is that so wrong?"
"Is it wrong to step all over people and use them along the way? Is it wrong to lie to your best friends? Is it wrong to act like a whining brat who thinks that she's all alone and is too blind to realize that she's being played?"
"Shut up!"
"You don't even love him do you? How could you love that jackass?" Ulrich yelled hitting the table. "He's a manipulative,"
"Shut up."
"twisted,"
"Stop it." Yumi's voice cracked.
"malicious,"
"I said stop!" Yumi said, trying to hold back the tears.
"douchebag! And if you're stupid enough to find that attractive. Then you deserve the Hell and all of the crap that comes with it." Ulrich said through gritted teeth. He then walked out of the room, pushing down a chair as he passed by it. Yumi was in tears. Tears of anger and sadness. Angry at Ulrich for what he said. Angry for the fact that she was guilty for some of the things he said. And sad that she possibly lost one of her most cherished friends.
Yumi came home rather late that night. She had to compose herself so Sam and Aelita wouldn't realize that she had been crying. When she entered the room, Aelita and Sam were sitting at the table. They were acting like parents.
"It is ten o'clock! Your meeting ended at seven. Now what's a "single" woman doing out so late?" Sam asked.
"I was robbing a bank." Yumi mumbled.
"Tsk, tsk." Aelita said. "Methinks she's been out cavorting with a male."
"And what if I have?" Yumi asked.
"Oh, do tell, Yumi!" Aelita gushed.
"Is it Ulrich?" Sam asked. Yumi flinched at hearing his name.
"No. It's not him." She said with all seriousness. This quieted the two pestering girls, but not for long.
"Then who is it?" Aelita asked.
"It's someone at work, and that's all you need to know."
"Oh, come on! Tell us!" Sam begged.
"I'm not saying another word!"
"How long?"
"Six weeks."
"Ah! Six weeks when those "meetings" were taking place." Aelita said.
"Yeah, I bet they were about business." Sam joked.
"Whatever. I'm going to bed now. And don't tell the others about it. I want to keep it a secret, until I'm ready to tell everyone."
"Does Ulrich know?" Sam asked.
Yumi stared at the girl. Why was she so concerned about Ulrich? "He has his suspicions." She lied. "But I'll tell him, Jeremie, and Odd, when I'm ready."
"Okay." The two girl said.
Yumi went into their bedroom, and closed the door behind her. She sighed, and tried to calm herself. She was still lying. She was ever pushing the limits with dating Zander. But she'd keep doing it, because she knew it was not going to be pleasant if Sam and Aelita ever found out.
That's it. I'm done. I combined two chapters believe it or not. The chapter was initially supposed to end just before the second scene with Zander, but that would've been a weird place to end, and pretty short. The next chapter is a doozy of a cliffhanger. And it's somewhat short, but VERY dramatic. I can't wait to type it and the following chapter.
Until then, review!
