Author's Note: Finally! I have updated once again! School just started so I didn't have any time to update.
Thanks for those who followed, gave reviews and read. It meant so much to me!
Chapter 6: New Home Again
That same day, Alice returned home from Ryo's bachelor pad. She was still in denial with the fact that she was now going to be Ryo's personal assistant and at the same time, housemate. Right now, she was not sure on how she would bring the news to Jun. especially that she had grown fond of the young man when she stayed inside his house in a span of four days.
When she saw Jun, she felt sorry for leaving the young man in such short notice. She was not even yet repaying Jun for letting her stay in his house anyway.
Oh well… Alice thought as she stepped up towards her room.
When she reached her room, she immediately sought for her suitcase and started packing her clothes already. She opened her cabinet which showed all of her clothes.
"Oh great… I just hope that things are going well…" Alice said to herself as she sorted her clothes and placed them on her bed. "Because for me, it isn't going well."
Meanwhile, Jun was walking towards his room when he noticed that Alice's door was open. He went inside her room and saw the blonde fixing her things.
"Hey, Alice!" he called her.
The blonde looked up and saw Jun. She smiled shyly.
"Oh, hey!" Alice responded as she was placing her clothes in her suitcase.
"Where you going? And what's with the packing?" Jun asked, wondering to why Alice began packing so soon.
Alice stammered for a moment. "Uh… I just got a new house to stay with…"
Jun's eyes lit up with happiness. "Really? Who?"
"Uh…" Alice stammered again. How was she going to explain it?
"Alice?" Jun asked. "Where are you going to stay now?"
"Uh… I'm going to stay at a friend's house from now on," Alice lied.
"Who's that?" Jun asked.
Alice smiled humorously. She never told them about Rika and Jeri that much to Jun because first, she did not tell much of her college life to Jun and the others.
"Uh… Rika… My friend in high school…" Alice lied once again because she was afraid to tell Jun that she would be living with a guy.
"Oh… So what happened to your job seeking earlier?" Jun said, hoping that everything turned out so well for his friend.
Alice snorted. "Well… I got accepted… and I'm now a personal assistant."
"Do I know this model's name?" Jun asked teasingly.
"Uh… You'll meet him… But right now, I can't tell you who he is. He's really careful about his incognito identity," Alice explained.
"Looks like he preferred to hide more than fame!" Jun quipped.
"Yeah…" Alice snorted and returned to packing her things.
At the Akiyama bachelor pad, Ryo was busy talking to someone in his phone.
"Hey!"
"Hey, Ryo! How's things?"
"Fine! how about you?"
"I'm good… But I'm serious with what I e-mailed you before. We need to see each other sometime!"
"I don't know about that," Ryo said, realizing that he had to keep an eye on his new assistant. "Maybe next time will do. I just can't be available this week."
"Why? Have you found a girl already?"
Yeah… Ryo thought in his mind. I found her already.
"Uhm… I don't know?" Ryo asked with uncertainty. He was definitely dead set in making Alice fall for him.
"I hate you so much, Ryo Akiyama! Go to hell!" the woman in the other line yelled.
Ryo only chuckled as he heard the line click. Usually, girls would go after him. And majority of them belonged to the social classes. Right now, he was now dedicated in pursuing the girl that made his heart triple in beating. The girl was already in the persona of his personal assistant. His thoughts were broken when Genji called him.
"Ryo?" Genji asked.
"Yes?" Ryo answered.
"Can you promise me something?" Genji asked.
Ryo listened intently.
"What is it, Genji?" Ryo asked with interest.
"Now that I know you hved something for our latest personal assistant, don't you ever try your best fooling her," Genji warned him. Even if he had a slight infatuation with the young woman, he still kept his distance.
Ryo chuckled after realizing what his manager said to him. Yes, he was a fool but not now. He was trying his best not to become a fool.
"Aww, come on, Genji! You can't be serious!" Ryo replied, pretending hurt.
"I'm serious, Ryo! You know pretty well what you're really up to!" Genji warned him humorously.
"Alright…" Ryo replied in surrender. Man, now Genji knows what I'm goona do for Alice… But I'll do everything for Alice…
Unfortunately for Alice, she tried her best not to let Jun meddle with her for now. She did not want to tell him that her new boss was already the famous model Ryo Akiyama. Now she was already finished placing her clothes inside her suitcases, similar to how she packed her things when she left her own apartment last Monday.
Phew! How time flies! I just got kicked out of my house last Monday and now I'm going to live in another house! Alice thought as she realized that she had moved into two different houses during the past few days. In the house of a model! So prepare to get backstabbed, killed or worse, get into fights with some of his girls…
Eventually, she took one last look in the room, which she considered her foster room after she got kicked out by her landlady. She would definitely miss the nice atmosphere.
Thank you for everything, Jun… Alice thought.
With that, she walked out of her room and saw Jun standing there.
"I called a taxi for you, Alice… If you want, I can go with you to your friend," Jun replied with an obvious tinge of chivalry.
Alice only smiled at her friend's thoughtfulness.
"No, thank you… I'm fine… Just help me with the bags," Alice replied. "I've been so much of a burden to you these past few days, Jun and I just wanted to thank you as well…"
Jun went forward to hug her. Alice became surprised with this act of his.
What? Alice thought and began to blush. Eventually, she returned the hug.
"Uh… Thanks for the hug…" Alice said, apparently did not know as well what to do.
"You're welcome," Jun said with a smile and broke a few inches apart. "I may be clingy but that's how I truly care for a friend. I know you stayed for a few days but it seems to be weeks already for me."
Alice laughed. "You're right. You're clingy!" she added.
When the two had totally broken up from their hug, Alice resumed in picking her bags. Jun offered in assisting her. The two eventually made their way downstairs while bringing Alice's bags.
"Besides, you're staying here isn't a big deal. I'm very happy that I helped you in my very small way," Jun replied pleasantly.
"Thanks again, Jun. When I get my day-offs, I'll see you again soon!" Alice assured and let out a hearty giggle.
"No… When you get your day-offs, I'll be the one treating you on a date," Jun replied flirtatiously.
Alice did not know what to do. She felt her cheeks redden at Jun's statements.
"Uh… Gee… Thanks…" Alice stammered while carrying her bags. She felt embarrassed because it implied that Jun liked her very much.
Then the two reached the ground floor. Alice was grateful that she only had to use suitcases in transporting her belongings. Yes, she did have bags but they had a separate container and that was being held by Jun. fortunately, they were not that heavy so she was also carrying the suitcases that contained her clothes.
Oh goody… If Master Ryo sees I'm a poor and destitute, he'll insist on buying me things that I won't mind…Alice thought and she realized that something was wrong. Oh wait… He already knows I'm homeless and penniless. Curse my stupid mouth!
The two of them walked towards the doorway, leading them towards the outside of the Kazama residence. Alice now realized that she had to deal the things Ryo had been dealing before: photoshoots, glamour, modeling and worst of all, his fangirls.
Fangirls? Alice thought.
"And Alice?" Jun asked.
Alice turned her head to face Jun. "Yes?"
"Don't go fangirling on him, okay?" Jun reminded her playfully.
Alice snorted and eventually laughed. "Of course, I won't! Why would I go fangirling on him if I know that he'd have some more women to go to bed with?"
"I'm just reminding you, you know?" Jun pointed out with a laugh.
When they were already stepping in the pavement, Alice found a yellow cab. Luckily, it pulled in front of the Kazama residence.
"So, I guess this would be my stop now," Alice replied as the driver alighted from the taxi and opened the door leading to the passenger seat. "Thanks for everything, Jun!"
"Don't mention it, Alice! Take care of yourself while I'm gone!" Jun replied but it felt painful for him to see Alice moving away. He could have told her that he was willing to accommodate her for a few more days or months maybe but the blonde insisted on moving out. He did not have the right to stop her since he was not her boyfriend or relative for that matter. He was her friend which unknown to her, a guy who liked her.
After the bags were loaded in the trunk, Alice looked at Jun for the last time and smiled at him. Eventually, she hopped inside the taxi and the taxi left off. Jun waved his hand in goodbye and wished his friend the best of luck for a new chapter in her life.
Meanwhile, Genji was finished with a call. When he had hung up the phone, he knew that the timing of Alice's hiring was right.
"Looks like your newest angel is going to start to work!" Genji winked after hanging up the phone.
Ryo smiled. "I told you. If I didn't hire her immediately, then we'll have problems eventually! Anyway, who was the one who called, Genji?"
"It was Vanity Shinjuku," Genji answered.
Ryo's eyes widened as plates. Vanity Shinjuku? That was where Rika worked! Why did they want him anyway?
"Excuse me?" Ryo asked, disbelieved but at the same time surprised.
"Vanity Shinjuku. What's wrong with it?" Genji asked.
Ryo shook his head and laughed. "I just can't believe that Vanity Shinjuku's going to get us! This must be some sort of a dream!"
"Well, believe it or not, this isn't a dream! And your photoshoot's gonna start on Monday. Rika just called me." Genji smiled.
Ryo only chuckled. He knew that the auburn-haired woman would not have the guts to have an interview and shoot him. Rika was the editorial consultant of the magazine and interviewing him was not something she was supposed to do.
"What time were they supposed to go?" Ryo replied, feigning boredom in his voice.
"Around ten in the morning," Genji replied.
"Ten must be the magic number for the week!" Ryo quipped while massaging his temples. "Anyway, I'm in. I'm really wondering what happened to Alice. Surely, she didn't have to back out, right?"
"Definitely, yes. She must be having trouble with her baggage now that she would have to live with us here in this house!" Genji agreed.
Ryo's imaginations had gone wild after thinking of the blonde. He decided to call her using his personal phone.
Inside the taxi that Alice was riding, the blonde heard her phone ringing. When she looked at the screen, she saw Ryo's number flashing.
Damn it! Why did he have to call me? Alice thought as the phone vibrated for a couple of moments.
Answer it! Alice's subconscious said.
Nuh-uh! The other part replied.
Fuck my two-sided brain, Alice thought and composed herself. "Hello?"
Having heard Alice's voice already, Ryo chuckled on the other line.
"Hey! How are you? Having a great journey?"
Damn you. Alice gritted her teeth while thinking. "Uh… Yeah! I am! Why did you call?"
"I missed you," Ryo replied with a laugh.
'Miss you' your face, Alice thought in disgust.
"Yeah, I'm on my way you idiot." Alice snorted and hung up the phone.
On the other hand, Ryo just looked at the phone in shock. He was surprised with Alice's current mood.
"I guess she must be exhausted," Ryo concluded. "Oh well… I'd better tell that when she gets into my house."
Back at Alice, she tried her best not to remember the fact that Ryo had just called her.
Who does he think he is? Alice thought. He may be my newest employer but he's definitely treating me like I'm some sort of slave! Oh well… How about two can play this game? I'm positive that I'm going to win here!
"Where are we going, Miss?" the taximan asked her while controlling the journey with his steering wheel.
"Nakara Road, West Shinjuku…" Alice answered dully.
"Alright," the driver replied and continued driving.
Eventually, the taxi reached its final destination. Alice realized that the sun was still shining brightly. She took a glance at her watch. It read 2:06 P.M. and she had not yet eaten anything.
"Man, this hurts," Alice complained while holding her stomach.
She eventually hopped off the taxi so she could get her things and went to the trunk where they were located. Fortunately, the driver assisted her in carrying her baggage.
"Thank you so much, Mister," Alice could only say as the rest of her baggage were already out of the trunk.
"No problem," the driver replied with a pleasant smile. "It's a pleasure."
In return, Alice took out something from her purse and handed the driver a hundred yen.
"Thank you," Alice replied as she took her suitcases one by one.
The driver nodded and returned back to the taxi. Once she had stepped on the ground, Alice eventually called Genji so she could inform him and her employer that she was already there.
Inside the Akiyama bachelor pad, a phone was ringing. Genji went to the living room so he could answer it.
"Hello?" he asked as he picked up the phone.
"Hello. This is Alice McCoy. May I speak to Genji Otara?" Alice asked.
"Oh! Hey, Alice! Where are you?" the older man asked in delight.
"I'm in front of your house and I seemed to have a little problem here with my bags. Can you some sort of… help me?" Alice replied.
"Certainly!" Genji replied with a laugh. "Wait there!"
"Alright… Thank you, Genji!" Alice said.
With that, the manager raced towards the front door. Actually, he did not bother asking Ryo for help since the model was busy watching television and seeing the like-dislike relationship between his employer and the latest personal assistant.
Alice eventually walked to the front door of her new home. Fortunately she could still carry her other bags but the trolley made it harder for her left hand. As she was trying her best to pull her trolley, she heard the door open and saw Genji coming out from it.
"Alice!" Genji exclaimed. "I see you have plenty of bags!"
"Yeah… I've been carrying them since Monday," Alice replied in a bored tone.
"Let me help you with these," Genji offered, seeing her plight with her bags.
"Thanks," Alice replied, handing over the suitcase that contained her clothes.
"Sorry if I'm the one who just got out. My boss is busy watching movies," Genji apologized profusely.
"Nah. I don't mind, Genj!" Alice chuckled. "I almost thought that he was busy in a photoshoot or something!"
"Not yet… But you're going to start with your P.A. business on Monday since he had a photoshoot with Vanity Shinjuku!" Genji explained as he opened the door and carried the suitcase.
Alice's eyes widened as plates. "Vanity Shinjuku?"she asked.
"Yeah! And I think you know their editorial consultant!" Genji replied, implying Rika.
"Oh yeah!" Alice smiled. "Rika Nonaka? She's my best friend!"
Genji became amused. "So it's a small world for you and Ryo! Anyway, the photoshoot's going to happen on Monday so be alert at all times! He could be cranky when he's tired but he's all set in making the ladies swoon!"
Alice only rolled her eyes. "It's okay. I'm used to cranky employers anyway!"
They got inside the living room already. Alice sat down on the couch to fix her stuff.
"Anyway, Alice… You're going to stay in the room right next to Ryo!" Genji replied. "But you're lucky! Most of Ryo's personal assistants never got to sleep here!"
I'm lucky! Or so I thought! Alice thought in sarcasm.
"Where did Naomi live anyway?" Alice asked, still amazed with what she learned about her predecessor. "If you don't mind my asking…"
"Well… She used to live across the street so it's easy for her to get here in a matter of minutes!" Genji explained. "But poor Naomi… She left abruptly because of a forced marriage."
"Oh… A cousin of hers used to be my colleague in the office," Alice replied. "She said the very same thing and she's going to get married next week."
A deafening silence enveloped them as the two eventually made their way upstairs. Alice was deep in thought after the events that ensued since she got laid off, kicked out of her own apartment and losing everything important to her. her thoughts were ruined when she heard the door creaking after Genji opened it with a key.
"Here you are, Alice, and you are officially welcomed to the Akiyama residence!" Genji smirked as he led the blonde to her room. "Feel free to use all of our facilities since you are our guest and at the same time employee!"
"Thanks, Genji! But I'm still uncomfortable with Ryo around," Alice replied soberly.
The blonde inspected her room as quick as possible. Her room was painted in white, a small bed was there and a study table stood at the opposite end. There was not much décor but the atmosphere reminded her of her dormitory when she used to study in college.
"It's nice…" Alice said as she placed her bag on the bed and Genji placed the suitcases at the foot of the bed. She eventually sat on the bed and secretly admired her new room.
Genji cleared his throat. "Anyway, if you won't mind my asking… What did Ryo do to you that made you have a like-dislike with each other?" he added.
Alice composed herself because she felt that she would get embarrassed if she blurted this out to Genji. After all, Genji seemed to be like an older brother since he was in his thirties already. The manager sat on the bed with the blonde.
"Well… For starters…" Alice narrated. "I used to have a tiny crush on Ryo way back in high school."
Genji was not surprised. He knew from the start that Ryo had fangirls way back in high school based on what the model told him.
"And what happened?" he asked.
"It was just a harmless crush. Because his mind was on Rika at that time… but Rika was not interested in him…" Alice replied monotonously since she was already numb at the memory of him rejecting her. "So, he began to approach me and began hanging out with me… That's the time we became truly friends. Then that crush grew into like… but after I told him of my liking for him, he instantly rejected me because he found someone new already."
Genji looked at the blonde in sympathy. "I know how hard it is for you… Believe me…" he advised.
"And worse, now that we met again… I still had a feeling that he remembered that incident… He might not let me live that memory down," Alice added. "That's why I didn't want to get hired in the first place because seeing him would be too personal for me and my past. But I accepted the job since money's now going out of my hands already."
Genji nodded in understanding but he thought of words of advice for the blonde.
"Well… Seeing that you two used to be friends, why not try being friends again?" Genji pointed out.
"Well, Genji… Two things… One, his models… Two, his fangirls accusing me of getting too close with him," Alice replied with a shrug. "So no!"
Genji stroked his chin. "You're right at that point. But the best thing I'll tell you is that try being professional with him. I know you have been professional in your job in Shinjuku Publishing so why not apply it now?"
Alice felt silent at that point. She forgot the rule of professionalism because of her anger towards Ryo.
"I know healing takes time. But I'm serious with what I'm going to tell you," Genji replied. "Ryo now has a thing for blondes."
Alice rolled her eyes. In my dreams.
"Really?" Alice asked in wonder.
"Yeah… He does…" Genji replied. "Just exert your efforts in being Ryo's personal assistant."
Alice nodded. "Yes, I will. I won't waste your effort when you chose me to be the newest P.A."
"Alright. Do you still have any questions?" Genji asked the blonde.
"Maybe later… But if I need anything, can you help me with it? This is terribly new to me," Alice replied. "You know with showbiz and all…"
"Your wish is my command, dear Alice!" Genji said with a smile and slowly waltzed off. He closed the door in addition.
Now that the man was totally gone, Alice let out a deep breath and fished out for her radio. When she turned it on, she was surprised with what she heard.
~ Shake your groove thing, shake your groove thing, yeah, yeah
Show 'em how we do it now
Shake your groove thing, shake your groove thing, yeah, yeah
Show 'em how we do it now, show 'em how we do it now ~
"Wow! Going retro?" Alice asked herself as she decided to close her radio for now.
Genji decided to drop by Ryo's room so he could see that he was doing okay. Well, he saw that the young man was engrossed in watching a romantic comedy film.
"Looks like somebody's in love!" Genji quipped as he entered the room.
At that comment of his manager, Ryo eventually sat up.
"G-Genji?" Ryo asked in surprise.
"Alice already arrived," Genji replied with a smile. "She's in her room now."
"Good," Ryo replied with relief, knowing that Alice was safe already. "Genji, is lunch ready?"
"Not yet, Ryo… We'll be having sashimi, sushi and tempura for lunch," Genji stated.
"Alright. Just tell Alice to join us so she could eat. I know that she hasn't eaten yet because she left after our interview with her earlier." Ryo chuckled.
"Okay…" Genji replied.
Ryo resumed to watching his romantic comedy film and began thinking of the blonde. He was still wondering why she had that unusual and cold attitude ever since they first met. He was thinking of ways on how he could win her heart.
But how could I do that? I know she doesn't want to talk to me after I rejected her years ago… Ryo thought. And the evidence is already in front of me… She's somehow cold and distant to me already. What can I do to prove that I love her?
Meanwhile, inside her new room, Alice was already sorting her clothes when her phone rang. She took her phone which was lying on the bed and found the caller. It was her mother.
"Hello, Mom?"
"Alice! How are you?" Mrs. McCoy asked.
"I'm fine…" Alice said.
"So, have you found yourself a job already?"
Alice took a deep breath. "Well… I actually did…"
"Since when? What job? When are you going to start?"
Alice laughed at her mother's consequent questions. "Uhm… I'm gonna start on Monday."
"What job did you get?"
Alice snorted. If she told out the truth already, then she would not hear the rest of it.
"Uhm… I'm a personal assistant of a model."
"Really? Who?"
"Mom… It's just… You know… uh… Okay… I'll say it… He's Ryo Akiyama…"
Eventually, Alice's mother squealed in the other line.
"Really, dear? Your crush is now a model?"
Curse me and my big mouth, Alice thought. "Yeah…"
"That's wonderful, Alice! You're a personal assistant!"
"Yeah… I guess…"
"Oh… My daughter is now a few inches away from her crush! But be careful dear! You know how showbiz is, right?"
"I knew it from the start, Mom, and I'm always careful!" Alice replied. "And according to Ryo's manager, I'm gonna start on Monday."
"That's good! At least you're on your way to getting money!"
"Yeah. I still can't believe it!"
"Don't worry much, Alice. You should make yourself pretty for your boss! Who knows if he's gonna pick you as his next date!"
Even my mom's pairing me with Ryo! What's next? Alice thought. "Well, it's kinda hard but I'm gonna try. Anyway, when are you gonna visit Japan?"
"Maybe a month from now. your grandfather is in need of help in the labs."
"I see. Well, say hi to grandpa for me. I really missed you guys! If only I could renew my visa but I'm getting really busy already."
"Don't fret about it, Alice! Take your time! Enjoy your new job!"
"I wish… Well, I gotta go…"
"Alright. Take care of yourself, Alice! I love you!"
"Love you too, Mom!"
Then Mrs. McCoy hung up. Alice felt stupid for telling her mother that her new boss was Ryo. Only Rika was aware of her new job since she also told her that she was living under the model's roof as part of the exchange between her job and source of income.
How am I gonna survive now? Alice thought.
Inside Ryo's room, he was now talking to his father through online chatting. He promised the latter that he would update everything regarded his life.
"Hey, Dad!" as he saw Mr. Akiyama's face in the screen.
"You found a new P.A.?" Mr. Akiyama asked.
"Yep! But I'm not gonna tell who she is until you get here!" Ryo replied deviously.
Then the older man laughed at Ryo's comment.
