Author's Note: Finally I can have some more time to update before school begins. Well actually, I only got few more days but I'll update since schoolwork is not that hard yet. This is just my way of spending my free time actually.
Anyway, I got another chapter done here. Hope you guys liked it! Please read and review! Thank you so much for doing so! :D
Chapter 4: Meet Ups
It was Friday in the morning and Alice felt nervous. She realized that she needed to have a job immediately so she could purchase a house due to the fact that her mother would be arriving soon in Japan.
Right now, she was busy applying the simple makeup she used to do when she was still working in Shinjuku Publishing. Her hair had been tied into a neat bun while she let out a few strands of her golden hair to the side. She wore her maroon long-sleeved shirt while she had khaki pants along with plain white flat shoes.
"Looks like you're going to a date," a voice commented.
Alice turned around and saw Jun who was smiling due to her appearance.
"Date?! Impossible. I'm gonna talk to the model who was asking for that personal assistant," Alice replied with a snort. "But I have a bad feeling about this one!"
"Let me know what happens, alright?" Jun said nicely.
"Gee, I envied you already Jun. You got a job because someone recommended you…" Alice replied.
"It's my first day on Monday, Alice… They even haven't briefed me on what I'm going to do," Jun explained. "But I wish you luck."
"Thanks…" Alice said and looked at her watch. It was already 9:40 A.M. "Anyway, Jun, I need to leave now. The manager only told me the place where I'm going to meet the model… and it's in his house!"
"Don't fangirl on him, alright?" Jun warned playfully.
"As if I would!" Alice laughed humorously.
Somewhere in the city of Shinjuku, Ryo was waiting inside his house when Genji approached him.
"So, did the girl coming today give some basic information about her?" Ryo asked.
"Yes but she was stubborn to give her name. She told me that she just lost her house and job," Genji answered.
"Poor her… But that could be a lie," Ryo said as he contemplated with what he heard.
"Losing a job and house at the same time is serious, Ryo…" Genji answered. "Well, she said that she's on her way so let's just wait."
"Oh well… I take it back…" Ryo said as he realized how grave the situation his applicant was in.
Meanwhile, Alice had a hard time going out of the bus due to the number of passengers standing in the aisle.
Stupid people! Why can't they just wait for another bus? Alice thought angrily. Yeah it's convenient for them but it isn't for others!
When she finally got down, she saw the large wooden house and read the address that she wrote when Genji called her yesterday.
"Nakara Road, West Shinjuku, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan…"
"Alright… You can do this, Alice!" Alice took a deep breath and gained her composure.
With this, she called Genji to inform that she was here already.
Inside the house, Genji received the call.
"Hello?" Genji said.
"Good morning! It's me. The Mystery Girl applying… I'm already here…"
"Alright…" Genji said and lifted his phone away from him for a couple of seconds. "Boss! The girl's here…"
Ryo smiled at the manager's words. "Let her in."
"Alright… I'll fetch you outside so you can meet my boss," Genji said.
"Thank you!"
With this information, the girl smiled and prayed that everything would turn out just the way she planned. Though her stomach was tied up, she knew that something good would turn out.
"Oh well…"
Genji went out of the house and spotted the blonde clad in maroon. His forehead creased at the sight of the girl.
Could that girl be her? Genji thought.
To further confirm his suspicions, he called out the girl.
"Excuse me! How can I help you?" Genji asked her in order to be sure.
Alice turned around and saw an older man who looked to be in his thirties. She decided to be friendly in her approach.
"Uhm… I'm looking for Genji Otara…" Alice answered politely.
Genji wore a look of surprise after finally getting a glimpse of the girl they were curious of. "It's you?!"
Alice nodded. "I'm the applicant who refused to give her name and who just lost a house and job."
Looks like Boss would be likely to hit on her! Genji smiled. "Alright… Follow me…"
The blonde cautiously followed the man as he led her to the house. She felt her heart racing in anticipation because of the identity of her employer.
Who could that be? Alice thought. I wish he's nice. But that's impossible.
The two walked inside. Genji instructed the girl to sit on the living room while he called Ryo.
"Have a seat," Genji said to the young woman. "My boss would be pleased to see you now."
Alice smiled as she only stood. "Pleasure's mine too, Sir."
"Boss! The applicant's here right now!" Genji called out as he went upstairs to get his boss.
As she waited for her prospective employer, Alice began to meander around the living room and admired the paintings.
That model must have finished a Humanities related degree… Alice thought. He has a penchant for paintings and sculptures.
However, Ryo and Genji arrived at the living room. They saw the blonde who was meandering around.
"That's the girl?" Ryo asked in a whisper.
"Yeah! She's a blonde! She's really pretty, Sir!" Genji whispered as well.
Ryo nodded and cleared his throat in order to catch her attention. "Uh… Excuse me… Miss?"
At the sound of the man's voice, Alice turned her head around. But she did not expect what she just saw. Her brain registered the physical features of the young man: spiky-haired, somehow tan skin and shining sapphire eyes. Unfortunately, she definitely knew who the man in front of her was while she took time to compose herself. As she broke out of her trance, she could not help but to look agape.
"NO WAY!" Alice screamed as she recognized that the model was actually the only man she definitely scorned a lot. "RYO AKIYAMA?"
When the woman turned around, Ryo was surprised and happy. With the way the blonde spoke, he definitely recognized her as Alice McCoy, his high school best friend and the one who was making his heart beating for years. His heart leapt at the sight of her so he only smiled at her.
What the freaking hell?! Alice thought as she saw the young man smirking at her. When Bad Luck really strikes alright! And why's he smiling? Wasn't he satisfied for what he did to me years ago?
"ALICE MCCOY! It's really you!" Ryo replied with a wide smile and lunged towards the blonde to give her a hug.
Unfortunately, the blonde was only immobile as the brunet hugged her tightly causing her to almost turn blue. But oddly enough, she felt her heart beating so fast again.
Oh God! Alice thought as the grip from the man only caused her heart to beat thrice in a minute. This is so not happening!
Then the two broke away from each other. Alice only scratched her head in defeat and shock that the employer looking for a personal assistant was no other than Ryo Akiyama, the one she used to liked but now her secret enemy. Well for Ryo, he was happy for he had found Alice at last.
With this, Genji became even more perplexed. "Wait! You two know each other?"
"OF COURSE! WE USED TO ATTEND IN A SAME HIGH SCHOOL!" the two answered in unison and they looked at each other in the eyes.
"This is really new!" Genji commented as he saw the two from their heads to toes. "An applicant who knew Ryo not as a model but as a friend!"
"I don't understand a thing at all…" Alice mumbled. I really don't.
"What did you say?" Ryo asked.
"Oh nothing… nothing… Just found it surprising that you're the one who's desperate for an assistant," Alice pointed out.
"I know…" Ryo replied and moved towards the dining room table. "Why don't you have a seat, Alice? So we could talk about you."
Alice snorted, now looking extremely uncomfortable with Ryo around her. "Fine."
Genji eventually led Alice to her seat as Ryo took the seat opposite them. When the two were finally seated, Genji left in order to get some refreshments.
"So, what caught your interest in applying as a P.A.?" Ryo asked.
Alice only grunted while Ryo asked her a question. She could not believe that she was face-to-face with Ryo Akiyama already.
"The advertisement that you posted sometime ago?" Alice replied, trying to be impolite so that Ryo would not get her as well.
"Hmm… That made sense…" Ryo replied with amusement that was brought by the advertisement that he and Genji scattered recently. "And I heard that you're jobless, am I right?"
"Yeah…" Alice replied monotonously.
"And homeless?" Ryo added.
Alice grunted once again. "Do you really have to point out those two?" she snapped.
Ryo chuckled after seeing Alice getting at the brink of her breaking point. "Sorry… But I'm sorry for your loss."
Alice let out a weak smile for Ryo's sympathy towards her. Why was he doing this for her?
"It's okay. Don't have to pity me, you know? It just happens…" she explained.
Ryo simply nodded. "What was your first job anyway?"
Alice sighed. "I used to work at Shinjuku Publishing for a year until we got laid off last Monday."
"So this is your first attempt at finding one again?" Ryo asked, intrigued at her story now that he knew that it was totally true.
Alice only nodded. And I'm not hoping to get accepted in here either.
"So, you're expecting to end up here?" Ryo inquired seriously. I hope that she's the one I'm looking for… She met my standards… Not a fangirl towards me… Nice… and pretty as well… But somehow feisty… and I like it.
No, Alice thought. I'm not expecting to work under you. I didn't even expect that you're the one who's behind all these!
But she shrugged it off and maintained her calm attitude. "I don't know… You decide… I'm only an applicant and… I can try anything else…"
Genji arrived with a pitcher of orange juice in a tray and two glasses. He placed the tray on the table and handed a glass of juice to the young woman.
"You haven't told me your name, Miss…" Genji replied with a smile.
Alice smiled sheepishly for the employer did not tell instantly his manager her name.
"Uh… I'm Alice McCoy…" Alice said with a smile.
Genji extended his right hand and shook the latter's hand. "As you know, I'm Genji Otara and I'm Ryo's manager. We're so glad that you're interested for the position since we're having trouble regarding this since your predecessor just left abruptly."
"Oh… I don't know about interest but it's just brought by a need…" Alice replied. "I'm not stranger to slave-type jobs since I used to be a secretary before."
"That's good… Poor Naomi… She's Ryo's PA when he started modeling and she really was a dedicated person herself," Genji replied.
"Maybe I could do what Ryo wants me to do as a P.A.," Alice replied. "I can take orders one by one."
Ryo pondered on the blonde's words. But he could not think properly because he noticed the change that happened to the blonde after so many years. Her face was still the same and her blue eyes were still tantalizing as ever.
Maybe this could be a chance to get back at her…
"Are you willing to work 24/7?" Ryo asked the girl intently.
"Definitely. Sometimes, I'm a night shifter at my old job," Alice answered.
"Where did you used to work, Alice?" Genji asked as he poured juice in Ryo's glass.
"Shinjuku Publishing…" Alice answered calmly. "Like I said, I got laid off just very recently."
"Oh… I've heard that… Davis Motomiya bought that company. I just saw it in TV," Genji added.
Alice only snorted for the manager reminded the name of her ex-suitor and his large ego. But she also laughed mentally since she was sitting in front of a guy who had the same ego as well. Worse, he was a famous model.
"Yeah… He did…" Alice said while her voice became a pitch lower and grabbed the glass of juice so she could drink.
Ryo only nodded since he got the answers that he needed from a determined applicant and drank as well. For him, Alice seemed to be the perfect candidate for the job. Maybe by making her his personal assistant would make things easier for him to apologize and start what he really wanted because he really loved her.
Alice looked at her watch secretly. It was already eleven in the morning and she had been interviewed for almost an hour. She secretly wished that Ryo would not take her in because he would also not let her live down. Plus, it might cause her feelings for him to resurface and she knew that it was already impossible for Ryo to like a girl like her. She also concluded that she was unfit for the job since she was also a "fashion illiterate". For her, personal assistants of models like Ryo knew how to dress up and act up in the high society.
Poor me… Alice thought. I wish it's over…
Ryo suddenly felt his heart beating so fast. He felt that he got struck by Cupid with his arrow. The moment he hugged Alice until they were already talking sent electric currents to his skin. He did not want the interview to end but it looked like Alice had something more important to do as of now.
"So," Ryo said, trying to end the interview. "Thanks for applying, Miss McCoy. We'll call you immediately after we finalized all the applicants."
"It's alright…" Alice replied coolly and finished the last drop of her drink. She began to stand up eventually. "Thanks for entertaining me, Mr. Akiyama and Genji, and have a nice day."
Ryo shook Alice's hand and she turned her heels and walked away. With this, he decided to follow her as Genji led her to the doorway so she could leave already.
Seeing that the blonde was on her way out of his house, Ryo ran to catch up with Alice.
"So, Alice…" Ryo started.
Alice turned her head around and saw Ryo who was obviously following her.
"What the hell do you want?" Alice asked, somehow confused because of him following her.
"How's things?" Ryo asked.
Alice snorted once again. "Didn't I tell you all the things that happened to me recently? I lost my house… my job and still applying…"
"No… I just want to know what happened during the years after I left…" Ryo replied.
"Nothing eventful happened much that time…" Alice answered.
Ryo was thinking if he the girl would honor his request.
"So, do you like… one of these days… go to a… you know… uhm… out?" he asked.
Alice was surprised with what he just acted. Stuttering? In front of her? Pigs must be flying!
"Uhm… Sorry…" Alice replied and decided to be frank. The idea could be daunting but she did not want her heart to get broken again. "I'm not interested yet…"
Ryo's face immediately wore a frown. "Why?"
"Because, I'm not interested in dating either… and so is my love life…" Alice replied bluntly. "Sorry, Ryo… It's just I'm… not in the mood as of this period. But, soon I can go. I just need time."
Ryo nodded. "It's okay. I understand…"
Alice nodded as well. "Thank you so much for respecting my opinion. Anyway, I really have to go. I'll see you… some day?"
Ryo smiled. "I'll see you… Take care, Alice…"
Alice nodded as she walked away from the spiky-haired young man. But then again, she felt a rapid beating of her heart once again.
Why are you doing this to me, Circulatory System? Alice thought as she felt her heart through her chest. Why are you beating like crazy? Have you forgotten what Ryo did to me before?
When Ryo returned to the living room inside his house, Genji was just finished answering a call.
"Hey, Ryo!" Genji greeted.
"Genji…" Ryo replied with a smile.
"So, about Alice… You two used to be schoolmates?" Genji said, curious of the two.
Ryo nodded. "Yeah… Along with Rika…"
Genji nodded. "So, what do you think of her? I think that she'd be qualified for the position."
"I think…" Ryo replied. "She's somehow dedicated… and as I've seen during high school, she can do almost anything."
"I really pity her, Ryo…" Genji commented as he drank as well. "With what happened to her, surely she'd always step up to challenges…"
"Yeah," Ryo replied wistfully.
In a while, Genji noticed that his boss was not listening anymore.
"Ryo?" Genji asked as the young man became indulged with his thoughts.
"Yes?" Ryo asked, snapping back to reality.
"Are you thinking about the girl?" Genji asked.
Ryo felt as if he got shot in the chest in surprise. He was thinking of Alice and how did she become so feisty after so many years. However, he needed to answer Genji's question. What would his manager think of him if he answered yes?
"Uh… N-No!" Ryo stuttered. Obviously, he was thinking of her.
"Denial is the first stage of affection…" Genji chuckled. "So, was that the reason why you're happy when you saw and hugged her?"
Ryo sighed a bit. He was not just happy but ecstatic to see her. After Kara rejected him, he realized that he had taken his best friend for granted and it took him to get rejected for him to realize that the one beside him was truly for him all along.
"Yeah… She's actually my best friend…" Ryo answered.
Genji would not take that for an answer and secretly laughed.
"But they say that lovers originally start as friends," Genji pointed out with a sly grin.
I hope that's true… Ryo thought as he pondered on the words of Genji.
Meanwhile, Alice had returned home from Ryo's house. She just could not take everything in just one hour. Ryo was the model searching for a personal assistant and she just met him today after so many years. Yet, she found it odd that her heart was beating so fast.
I'm so confused right now, Alice thought to herself. Probably the next thing would happen was me getting hired. I now have a severe love-hate relationship with myself as a personal assistant.
As she was thinking, she heard something.
"Hey, Alice!" the voice said.
Alice turned around and saw Jun. she felt relieved after seeing the young man.
"Hey, Jun! What's up?" Alice asked, hiding her nervousness after seeing Ryo once again.
"So how did it go?" Jun asked.
Alice let out a weak sigh. "Fine…"
Jun snorted. "You don't sound like you're fine. Tell me… What happened? Did he reject you?"
Actually, he's seems to consider me as his personal assistant, Alice thought. "Well, not yet… But I'm gonna try again for another one…"
"Why?" Jun inquired.
Because I don't like my future boss, Alice thought and she decided to remove the thought from her head in order to prevent it from happening.
"Because I'm not his type?" Alice asked uncertainly.
"You sure are weird!" Jun replied teasingly.
Alice only sighed as she remembered what transpired earlier. She was still torn with her feelings. Now that she met Ryo, it would only mean something for her and her memories which were still existing inside her head.
What did he mean by asking me out earlier? Alice thought. Was it just another trick of his?
Meanwhile, back at the Akiyama home, Ryo was still weighing his decisions after what he learned during the interview with the blonde. For him, she seemed smart and would do anything for her employer. With this piece of information, he consulted Genji regarding his final choice for a personal assistant.
"I finally found the one…" Ryo replied, with his mind still struck on the blonde.
Genji smirked. "So, you're settled for Alice McCoy?"
Ryo smiled and nodded.
"Boy! That girl's gotten a hold on you, doesn't she?" Genji teased as he noticed the model's implication. "Is that why you're happy to have her as our newest P.A.?"
Ryo only laughed humorously. "I don't know…"
"But Ryo, you got to take extra careful. I know you for being a Casanova but I wish you well when you enter into relationships. You know that your dad doesn't approve of things that might cause extreme harm especially to ladies," Genji replied.
"I know, Genji. That's why I'm going to make sure that this girl would be the last," Ryo replied. "And besides, we've been friends in high school… Knowing that she's jobless and homeless, she won't resist this kind of offer."
"I knew it!" Genji said with a grin. "So, shall I phone Alice?"
"Yeah. You should!" Ryo answered.
Genji eventually started dialing the number of the blonde in order to confirm her agreement.
Back at the Kazama home, Alice was busy sending her resume online in order for her to schedule herself some interviews. Jun was busy answering to calls here and there and even held several directories in order to phone some establishments which he knew that were open.
"I guess I'll hear from them soon…" Alice said as she sent the last resume online. "Thanks for this, Jun!"
"No problem!" the young man said with a smile. "Uhm… Alice?"
"Yeah?" Alice asked.
"What would you do if the employer that just interviewed you decided to hire you?" Jun inquired.
I don't even know the answer myself, Alice thought as the young man's words struck in her mind. But for the opportunity, I can be grateful…
When the blonde did not speak for a few minutes, Jun snapped his fingers at her face.
"Alice?" Jun said. "You okay?"
Alice eventually shook her head and returned to reality. "Uh… Yeah, I'm fine… What am I gonna do if the employer agrees to me?"
Jun nodded and urged her to continue.
"Well… I guess I'm going to accept the offer…" Alice replied. "Who knows, I must have been a frustrated actress!"
The two eventually laughed at Alice's joke for it was too good to spoil.
"Oh well…" Jun replied humorously. "Just don't forget me if that happens!"
"Of course I won't!" Alice said with a wink. "But Jun, don't you think you're making words too positive?"
"What? Is it wrong to be optimistic?" Jun asked, shrugging.
"I don't know," Alice replied. "I just don't want to assume too far."
"We'll cross the bridge when we get there, okay?" Jun calmed her. "Just believe in yourself."
As fate lets it, Alice's phone began ringing near her. She held it and placed it in her ear.
"Hello?"
"Miss Alice! This is Genji, Ryo's manager!"
"Oh… Hello! What's up? I mean, what made you call me again?" Alice asked, definitely surprised.
"Ryo wanted to see you tomorrow… I hope it's fine with you since the boss is only available tomorrow… and he wants to talk to you."
Alice looked at her planner. She knew that she was totally free tomorrow but she was prepared for the decision Ryo made: he rejected her.
"Oh… Okay! What time?"
"Can you make it before lunch again? we just want to make things quick."
"And inside his house I presume?"
"Yes. Please do so. This might help you in your living."
"Alright. I'll see you tomorrow."
Alice held the end key and hung up the phone. She bit her lip for the moment.
You're just going to hear that he rejected you and move on to the next step… Alice thought. That's what you wanted, right?
And with that, the blonde continued surfing the internet, hoping for some odd things regarding her job hunting to come true.
Meanwhile, at the Akiyama residence, Genji notified his boss upon Alice's agreement. He was sure that the blonde would go there at ten tomorrow.
"She agreed to see you again tomorrow, Ryo," Genji said confidently.
"That's good. I hope she won't turn it down. I know her dire need as of now," Ryo replied with a triumphant grin.
"If I say so myself, Ryo…" Genji added while he was getting drinks from the bar Ryo had made before. "Now I know she's familiar to you, she definitely knows her limits."
"Oh come on, Genji! Did you see the way she talked to us? She never minded me as if I'm a model!" Ryo replied in amusement. "She talked to me as if I'm just an acquaintance."
"That could be an advantage for you, Ryo!" Genji said as he poured a bit of martini inside a cocktail glass and gave it to Ryo. "Cheers?"
"Cheers!" Ryo said as he accepted the glass and raise it in the air.
