Chapter 2
Kyoko hurried home after work. She is a bit tired because she had a class in the morning and had many clients at Mazda in the afternoon. But even after her hectic day, she is still very excited for her dinner tonight. While on the train, she kept on thinking of what dress to wear. She knew she have to look good and elegant not trashy and sexy. She waited for this moment for years and she can't fail because of one evening dress gone wrong.
As soon as she reached home, she checked her closet and was happy to see her white off shoulder dress. She looked for a pair of beige stilettos that matches the dress. "Perfect!" She thought. She took a quick shower and afterwards put the lotion and moisturizer that their team advertises.
"I don't have much time." She thought and was also worried how will she get there. She realized that she couldn't walk on the train station with those stilettos. She couldn't bring her Rx7 as well because she can't drive properly wearing her dress and high-heeled stilletos. So she thought of just riding a taxi. "But it's so expensive to ride a taxi." She said to herself thinking out loud. She checked how she looked in the mirror. Her hair is perfect, a little bit curly. She examined her make-up and was happy about it. She talked to herself in the mirror. "Riding a taxi is worth it. You don't want to be late or have aching legs or broken shoes right? You waited for this. It's all worth it." She told herself.
She arrived at a fancy restaurant in a five star hotel fifteen minutes early. As she entered the restaurant, she noticed that all of the people there were wearing formal clothes. Men are wearing coat and tie while the women are in their cocktail dress. A waiter approached her and asked for her name. "Kyoko Iwase." She said.
"This way please Ma'am Iwase." The waiter said as he leads her to her seat. On a table for two, she saw a tall slim man. The man arose from his seat and gave her a sweet smile. The man extended his hand.
"Aki Mitsui. I am so happy to finally meet you Ms. Iwase." The guy said.
"I am happy to see you too Mr. Mitsui." She shook his hand firmly and bowed really low to respect the guy.
Kyoko feels a little bit awkward because she didn't expect Aki to be just a little bit older than her. She thought he would be on his forties. She can't look at him straight too because she finds him handsome.
"Okay. The guy is handsome. But I am here for a business. Get your acts together Kyoko. Stop admiring guys because of their looks. Remember Keisuke is a handsome guy too and he left you broken." She said to herself.
Aki noticed Kyoko's silence and started the conversation.
"What would you like to eat? Do you eat Italian food?" He asked while looking at her.
"Okay. I have to be confident. I just can't keep on avoiding his eyes." She thought and made-up her mind.
"I don't mind Italian food. But I am not into 12 course meals or more." She said laughing.
Aki is impressed with her confidence. It is his first time to talk to a subordinate who treats him like a normal person and is not shy to speak out what she wants.
"Ok, then I'll order pasta. But before that we can have red wine." Aki said.
They both agreed with that idea and went back talking. Kyoko was so focused and excited on what Aki will tell her about sponsorship of Mazda in her races. But Aki did not talk to her about that immediately. He talked about himself first. Just because he opened up his personal life, she did not hesitate to ask him questions.
"How come you are in the top management at a young age? I mean it seems like we're just of the same age." She asked curiously.
"Well, it's because my family owns a large shares of stocks and the board of directors elected me. I didn't have much choice. My father somehow forced me to do this." He seriously said.
"Parents do that to their children. But if you don't like it, you can tell them." Kyoko said as if giving advice to his boss.
Kyoko told her the story how her parents wanted her to be in US with them but she refuses to.
As they were about to have their second glass of wine, they both notice a large group of people arriving at the restaurant. They were about to occupy a long table.
"Looks like a family dinner." Aki mumbled.
"Yeah, looks like it. I miss family dinners. I mean we are not big family like that. But it's still great."
"How do you like to see your family again in US?" He asked.
"I would love to. But it's pretty expensive."
"Mazda will take you there. When your team competes for Mazda in a circuit racing, you can go around the world. US, Italy, France, name it. You just really have to promise you won't be on street racing once you sign the contract with us."
Kyoko was silent and was thinking deeply. Thus, she didn't notice that Ryosuke and Keisuke Takahasi arrived in the same restaurant and seated in the long table near them.
"The two of you are always late. Where have you been?" Ryosuke and Keisuke's grandma asked.
"It was traffic grandma. Traffic is terrible these days." Keisuke said
"That is a lame excuse. I thought you kids are into racing. Why can't you race against traffic?" His grandma said unsatisfied with his answer.
Keisuke laughed and approached his grandma bowed and kissed her forehead. As he raised his head, he froze with the sight of Kyoko. Ryosuke noticed that everyone including their parents wondered why Keisuke turned silent while looking at the table across them.
"Keisuke, aren't you going back to your seat?" Ryosuke asked.
He suddenly came back to his senses and sat beside Ryosuke. His brother was waiting for him to say anything. He knew Keisuke tried to reach Kyoko through calling her phone but he didn't know what to say. So he just ended the call after hearing her voice.
Keisuke can't help looking at the other table. She looks at Kyoko and sees that she is even prettier in person. He examined how the guy she's with looks at her.
"That guy must be her boyfriend." He thought as he sees them laughing silently together.
Ryosuke have seen that Keisuke kept on looking at Kyoko's table. So he whispered to him.
"That guy she's with is Aki Mitsui. He was my classmate in Junior High. He was a popular playboy back then." Ryosuke whispered seriously but with the goal of teasing Keisuke.
He gave Ryosuke an irritated look and focused on their family's conversation.
Kyoko is happy with how her conversation with Aki is going. She appreciates that Aki gave her two years to decide. That means, she can still do street racing but Mazda will not sponsor her there.
"Your discounts are still on. Don't worry." Aki said jokingly.
"Thanks! Honestly, I was able to save much money because of the discounts for me. I'm really lucky." She said teasingly.
As they were having their tea and dessert, she felt the need to go to the toilet as they are having a long dinner. She excused herself and as she walks towards the comfort room, she felt like all eyes were on her. Men and women, young and old are looking at her. Feeling conscious of herself, she walked fast. It is a relief to reach the comfort room where she can be alone. She dabbed a powder on her face and retouch her lipstick.
As she went out the comfort room, she bumped into Keisuke. She is shocked and didn't know what to say. He looked handsome in the suit he is wearing. It is her first time to see him in a formal wear. Keisuke is the first one to greet her. He too seemed surprised but managed to say somethin.
"Kyoko! What a pleasant surprise. It's been a long time since we last see each other. How are you? You look beautiful. Not that you weren't beautiful before. But I mean, you have grown lovelier." He stopped as soon as he realized he is already sounding excited and talking too much.
"Keisuke, it's so nice to see you. I didn't expect to see you in a restaurant like this." She said smiling.
"I am with my family. It's our grandmother's birthday today. So Ryosuke and I had to go even if we were late." He said looking at her.
She got a little bit conscious with the way he looks at her. Keisuke seemed to notice this but he can't think of anything else to say so he ended up inviting her to their table to greet his grandmother.
"Oh no Keisuke. Are you sure?" She can't help but blush.
"Don't you worry. My grandmother is a funny and kind person." Keisuke assured her.
Everyone seemed astonished when Keisuke went back on their table with Kyoko. Even Aki who's in the other table is puzzled.
"Everyone, this is Kyoko. She is a friend of mine who happens to be here too. She wants to greet Grandma."
"A friend? Seriously now. He thinks we are friends? He forgot how I was begging him to allow me watch his races but he didn't want me to. Unbelievable!" She thought but still managed to show respect to Keisuke's grandmother.
Kyoko approached her, bowed after greeting her a happy birthday.
"So you are the lady that my favorite grandson has been eyeing all night." The Grandma asked.
Keisuke blushed and is about to stop his grandmother from talking but she's kept on talking and reached for Kyoko's hand.
"You are a fine beautiful woman. I hope the man you are with is not your boyfriend." Grandma said still holding her hand.
Kyoko blushed and did not know how to answer that remark of Grandma. Everyone in the table including Keisuke's parents, aunts and uncles were silent. It seem like no one can find the right words in that kind of situation. Ryosuke meddled so their Grandmother will not totally embarrass Keisuke in front of Kyoko.
"Grandma, that man she's with is my classmate in Junior High. Keisuke and I better go and say hi." Ryosuke said signaling to Keisuke and Kyoko to go to Aki just to escape the whole scene. So she said her goodbyes to Takahashi's grandmother and bowed.
Aki stood up and bowed as soon as he saw Ryosuke. He was introduced to Keisuke and they explained how they met Kyoko. Aki somehow felt that there is a competition between him and Keisuke. He knew that Keisuke is attracted to Kyoko the way he is, even if she just met her that night.
"So I assume, you two met at Mazda?" Ryosuke asked.
"We just met tonight. But he is our top executive. He is my big boss. We met here tonight to discuss Mazda's sponsorship to our team." Kyoko answered quickly so that they won't think they're on a date.
"Really? So how did it go? Did she sign the contract yet?" Keisuke said expecting Aki to answer.
"Not yet. Our contract is only valid when she leaves street racing and do circuit racing. But I'm giving her enough time."
"Looks like, street racing is hard to leave right?" Keisuke said looking at Kyoko teasingly.
She didn't answer immediately and it was Ryosuke who answered for her.
"Keisuke, if you've been reading what's on the website of the A Team, they mentioned that they will retire from street racing and focus on circuit racing."
Kyoko just nod and smiled even if she feels really awkward. She realized she had to speak up and get away from the uneasy situation. Seeing Keisuke make her feel happy yet kind of melancholic as well. She does not understand why he seems so kind to her or even excited to see her. Then she remembers that it is his nature to be really kind because he helped her fix her Rx7 before her race with him three years ago.
"It was really nice seeing you two tonight, Keisuke and Ryosuke. Sir Aki, I have to go. I have an early class tomorrow." She bowed to the three men.
"I can drive you home." Keisuke volunteered.
"It's okay Keisuke. I am riding a taxi." She said while getting her purse.
"I can't allow you to take a taxi. This is an official business meeting. So I will drive you home. And you forgot your contract." Aki handed her the folder and gave her his arm to hold.
Kyoko is hesitant at first but reminded herself that Aki's gesture is of gentleman's though Japanese are not accustomed to it. Keisuke is surprised but he can't do anything as Aki said goodbye to them and walked out the restaurant with Kyoko.
Kyoko and Aki waited in the hotel lobby for his car in valet parking. While waiting, Kyoko observed that many young women are looking at them. First they would look at Aki, then would stare at her from head to toe. She thought maybe those women are thinking if she is this rich guy's girlfriend or if she is, does deserves to be his girlfriend? By just looking at him, it's noticeable that he is from a rich family. He speaks smartly and authoritatively to anyone. His manners also show that he is a well-travelled because it seemed like he picked up some manners and gestures from other countries. His move is that of a gentleman and he is well-mannered as he speaks in a modulated voice.
She thought, he is very different from Keisuke. Aki seemed to have not done anything wrong or outrageous in his life while Keisuke had near death experience because of being a gangster in the past. "Probably Aki knows how to play the piano or violin." She assumed while laughing silently to herself as she watched him walk back and forth while talking on the phone. She realized that she shouldn't compare Aki to Keisuke but she should compare him to herself. "I wonder if we had the same childhood experiences." Then she came back to her senses, remembering that even though she finds him attractive, it's impossible for a guy as wealthy and as powerful as him to be interested in her. She also remembers her goal and realized that she has no time for love.
Aki called her attention for his car is already in the drop off area at the lobby. All eyes of the people in the lobby, even the valet attendants, are on the Aston Martin DB5. Even Kyoko can't help but be amazed though she did not let it show. He opened the car for her and she boarded it with poise. Both of them are quiet while they hit the road. But Kyoko can't help tell him her admiration for the car.
"What a nice vintage car you have. I thought you'd be driving a Mazda too." She said wanting to hear an answer why he is driving this car.
"Thanks. James Bond is my favorite movie. Since I was a kid, I love watching that. So I promised myself that when I grow old, I'll get myself a James Bond car." He answered with all honesty.
Now her curiosity arose even more. Why would a kid like James Bond movie? I only remember watching one James Bond movie which was The World is not Enough and I'm no longer a kid when I watched it. She thought and remained silent for she's still thinking what to say next. Aki noticed this and asked her if she's seen a James Bond movie.
"Yes. The World Is not Enough." She answered.
"Really? I'm impressed. You're the only woman I know who have seen at least one James Bond." He said excitedly.
Now Aki got more interested in her. "I knew she is something. She's cute, smart and interesting." He rarely finds people especially women who are easy to talk with and who he could talk to about anything. Most of the women he dated only talks about themselves and rarely asks about him. It is actually his first time to open up his personal life and his personal interests to a woman.
"I grew up in the US. So I watched a lot of American movies. I only came home in high school when my father and mother separated." He said not understanding why he trusts her immediately with this information about his life. He even told her that he knows how to play the piano and that as a kid; he performs whenever there are parties at home.
She wanted to laugh realizing her speculation about him playing the piano is right. However, she observed that he is serious whenever he talks about his personal life.
She can't come up of anything nice to say. So she just listened to him tell his story. Afterwards, she tapped his back. "I'm sorry for what happened to you when you were a child." She said feeling genuinely sad for him.
"That's okay. It happened a long time ago. It doesn't matter now." He said as he would glance at her from time to time.
They reached her house past 11 in the evening. Both of them are really tired and sleepy. Aki has to drive one more hour to get home. Realizing this, Kyoko felt guilty and thought that she should have just rode a taxi.
"No, it's okay. Talking with you was worth the long drive." He smiled and handed her the envelope where the contract is because she almost left it again.
"Thanks. It was nice talking to you too. Take care." She said.
Before she alight the car. He held her arm but then let go. It seems like he is not thinking and doesn't know what he's doing. Kyoko too was astonished with what he did but asked boldly so it wouldn't be awkward.
"What is it?" She asked turning to face him.
"Nothing. Uhm. You should read the contract carefully. Also Mako's contract is in the envelope. If she decides to be with Mazda, she too will drive an Rx7. No more Nissan for her." He said jokingly.
"Hmmm. We will probably see who will give us the best offer. Who knows Nissan, Toyota or Honda might give us a higher offer." She said with the intent to tease him.
"Let's see. I think they can't top our offer."
She smiled at him. "Okay then, good. Anyway, it's getting late. Thanks for the ride. It's my first time to ride an Aston Martin." She said and alight the car.
He watched him drove away and hurried inside the house to see how much is the offer. It was a forty million yen offer. She was shocked at first. Then she jumped for joy. Then she checked the contract again just to be sure she is not mistaken. Then she suddenly felt the pain in her leg for wearing the stilettos for a long period of time. "Worth it!" She shouted as she jumped again all over the house not minding the pain in her legs. She planned to call Mako and Sayuki the next morning to discuss Mazda's offer. She can't sleep that night. Probably because she didn't expect that their contract offer with Mazda is that huge. Or is it because she is somehow attracted to Aki? Or is it because she saw Keisuke again. She began to think about Keisuke and remember how he looked at her that night. He would stare at his face for no reason. He would look at her eyes whenever he talks to her. He is still handsome. The suit he is wearing fits him perfectly. It highlighted his broad shoulders and chest. She remembered his lips. It is thin and rosy. She shook her head, as if shaking it would make her stop thinking of him. "I hate him. I hate him. I hate him for being too handsome. I hate him for being funny and full of charisma. I hate him for being a loving grandson to his Grandma which made him more attractive. Why did you ever show up again Keisuke Takahashi?" She kept thinking of him even at the wee hours of the morning. She then decided that she would avoid him whatever happens.