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Chapter 2
Two weeks has come and gone since the day I met Pan Son. After asking her to join me, we spoke about how she became a Pastry Chef, and that her parents didn't really approve. She didn't mention anything else about her family, and I never asked. I didn't want to appear nosy…
I also found out that she is twenty-five-years old, and living alone. I managed to avoid any topics about my life, and she seemed happy enough to answer questions about hers, but that's all I know about her. I was about to ask her how she ended up renting a space at Capsule, but the girl who worked for her came back. I decided it was best to leave then, because stories spread like wild fire when you're well-known…besides the girl looked like a big gossip. You know you can tell the type sometimes without knowing anything about someone! So don't think I'm being judgmental.
I haven't seen or heard from her since our first encounter. I've been swamped with meetings, preparing for the unveilings of some new capsule designs, and as always - heaps of paperwork! I did hold true to my promise however, and spread the word about the most delicious tea time snacks to be found at 'La Patisserie'. My assistant has gone a few times to get me chocolate Danishes. I should really try something else next time.
My assistant, now there's another problem I seem to be having lately. Ever since my divorce she's become more flirtatious and forward. She thinks I don't notice the little things, like when she hands me something, and makes sure her fingers brush mine. The seductive tone she uses when we're alone... The last thing I need is to get involved with her, and I don't think of her like that anyway.
###
"Trunks, I hope you're done going over the proposals for the new Capsule Helicopter. I've given you more than enough time."
"Hello to you too, mother." I hate how she treats me like I'm still a child, rushing into my office as if I need her to hold my hand while working.
"I don't have time for formalities Trunks; I'm inundated with work down in the labs…Thanks to those incompetent staff. I swear we need to get rid of most of them!"
"Here you go." I stand up and walk around my desk to hand her the folder.
My office door is still slightly open, and I can hear talking on the other side of it. I hear a familiar voice, but my brain is too slow to place its owner. I've been working too many long hours.
###
"Mr Briefs is a very busy man, and if you don't have an appointment you can't see him." I hear my assistant explain.
"I really don't need to see him; I just brought this to thank him for spreading the word about my shop. You see…"
"I'm sorry, but I can't accept gifts. Especially food, because I don't know whether you put something in it or not, for all I know you might be trying to poison him!"
"Are you serious?! Do I come across as some psycho? If I was, I would've been running into his office by now, and not trying to explain myself to you…Is this how you treat everyone who tries to leave him something, or are you selective?"
"Don't get smart with me lady; now leave before I call security."
"Fine, I'll go…back past security, who had no problem letting me in. But, then again, you didn't bother to ask for my name, nor where I'm from. Can you please tell Mr Briefs, Pan Son came by…Thank you for your time…?"
I hear her say her name and it clicks, finally! I rush to the door, flinging it open.
###
She's almost at the lifts, and I call her name without a second thought. "Pan…!"
She turns around, and I can see she's angry. I watch as she takes a deep breath, and walks towards me.
"Hello Mr Briefs…" Her voice is shaky. She's not looking at me directly, but I can still see tears in her eyes which she tries to wipe away discreetly.
"Hi Pan, why don't we go to my office, and you can show me what you brought?" Whatever is in that box smells delicious, and it's for me? I can't wait to see what it is?
I turn to go back inside, and almost walk straight into my mother. Shit, I forgot she was still here and watching.
"Mother," I croak "ahem...I'd like you to meet Pan Son; she has a bakery down in the lobby at the mini mall, and makes the most amazing…"
"So, you're the owner of La Patisserie? You're quite the topic of the month. I'll have to come and try some of your cakes." My mother, always so forward… I should've known that she already knew all about Pan. Nothing - and I mean nothing goes on in this building without her knowing about it. I roll my eyes at her, and she glares at me. "I didn't know my son knew how to get to the lobby without a map or something, he always has someone willing to be his gofer. Especially that one there…" She looks directly at Megan, who looks to be flustered. "You need to teach her how to talk to people, Trunks!"
"Mother…!" I can't believe she's embarrassing me like this! I must agree with her about Megan though. "I'm not here to teach people etiquette, it should be common sense!" I counter while hinting discreetly with my eyes for her to leave.
She smirks at me, a trait she learned from my Father. "It was nice meeting you Pan; I'll come by sometime this week to try your cakes."
"It was an honour meeting you too, Mrs Briefs. I look forward to seeing you at the shop."
###
After my mother leaves I ask Pan to wait in my office, so I can speak to my assistant. I close the door after she enters, and turn back to Megan.
"I don't know what's been going on with you lately Megan, but I suggest an attitude adjustment or I will dismiss you." I look at her sternly. "I don't want you speaking to anyone who comes here like that again, and next time if someone wants to leave a gift just take it, even if its underwear. I will decide what to do with it." The more I look at her the angrier I get, "do you know how bad this looks, and with my mother here as well?!"
"I'm sorry, Mr Briefs."
"I expect you to apologise to the young lady in my office before she leaves!"
"Yes sir," she answers, and as I'm walking toward the door I hear her mutter…
"I bet she's just another gold digger trying to get in his pants. She could've at least made some effort to try and impress him; she's not even wearing make-up!"
I decide to ignore her comment, and just shake my head. I have to get rid of that one before she becomes a problem. I open the door to my office, but before entering I ask her to get some coffee for me and my guest, and watch as she rolls her eyes when she thinks I'm not looking.
"Will do Mr Briefs," she replies sweetly, and I am not impressed at all.
###
"It's so nice to see you again Pan, how's the business going?" I walk toward my chair, and smile at her, sitting on the opposite side of the desk.
She smiles, and I swear I can feel my heart skip a beat. I don't understand how this girl can have such an effect on me without even trying.
"I've been very busy for the past two weeks, a lot more customers from Capsule."
"That's good… I sent my assistant down a few times for my chocolate Danish. I'm surprised she didn't recognize you by the way she spoke… Which I apologize profusely for by the way…"
"That's ok Mr Briefs, I suppose you must get a lot of women trying to get close to you; I've seen it first-hand remember," she chuckles, and continues. "I've never seen her before. I don't really work in the front, and I have been so busy baking lately. I hardly see who comes and goes."
"No it's not ok. She shouldn't talk to you like that, or anyone else who comes to see me for that matter!" She looks uncomfortable now, her eyes scanning the room.
"Mr Briefs, I don't want to cause any trouble…" She fingers the box on her lap, and then looks at me, smiling brightly - showing a full set of perfectly straight, white teeth. "This is for you, to say thank you." She hands me the box which I gladly accept.
I open it, and it's filled with chocolate cookies. "Thank you Pan, they look and smell delicious!" I'm already licking my lips, eager to taste one.
"I had a feeling you liked chocolate."
"I do indeed." I pick one up, and take a bite. "Oh. My. Stars!"
She's laughing now, and I know it's because of this silly expression I like to use. To be honest I don't know when it started, or why I like saying it. Maybe it's because my Mother always reprimanded me for using Kami's name.
"I'm glad you like it. I know it's not much…" Her eyes are shining with delight.
"It's perfect!" I take another bite.
"I hope so; you give me too much credit, Mr Briefs."
I wish she would stop addressing me so formally. As I'm about to tell her, Megan walks in with the coffee.
###
"Thank you, Megan." She puts it down on my desk, and glances at Pan… who is staring at her hands in her lap.
Megan looks at me again. "You're welcome, Mr Briefs." She sighs, and turns back to Pan, rolling her eyes. She does that a lot…snobby brat! "I'm sorry for the way I spoke to you earlier, Miss. I had no idea that Mr Briefs knew someone like you." I can hear the venom in her voice as well as the meaning behind the end of her statement.
I look over at Pan, and see her stiffen a bit. "It's ok. I don't really know Mr Briefs, and I only met him once before when he came to eat at my bakery. I just came by to say thank you to him for sending me more patrons…I'm sure Mr Briefs is too busy to socialise with someone like me anyway."
I didn't like that she was explaining herself to my assistant; it was none of her business. I hate that she feels she's not good enough to be around me. I see Megan smirking, happy that Pan understood her hidden message.
"That will be all Megan, you can go now." I know I sound a bit harsh, but she deserves it. I'm pissed at her for making Pan feel inferior, and I can see Pan looking insecure as she fidgets in the chair.
###
"I should probably go Mr Briefs." She says after Megan leaves.
"No, please stay and have some coffee with me first. I might even share my cookies." I'm trying to lighten the mood a bit.
"O-Ok…" She looks like she's about to cry any second.
"Don't worry. I will deal with Megan later. I'm sorry for what she implied." I feel like a fool having to apologize for my stupid assistant. She bites her lip, and I feel I have to reassure her again. "I like talking to you Pan, like I said before you treat me like I'm a normal person - which I am by the way!"
She laughs lightly, and steals one of my cookies…
