Wow. I was a little worried this story might come on a little strong but it seems not, that's cool. I wanted to update sooner but I kept changing this chapter around until I was comfortable with it. I noticed (not to mention I was told XD) a lot of spelling errors on the last chapter and again I apologize for them. I tried to keep all errors down this time.
There where a few reviews I couldn't reply to, and I wish I could have. I'm still greatful for them and taking some advice I am now looking for a beta for this story. If anyone is interested pm me and if not, I guess I'll just have to manage.
Disclaimer: Never...
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"This is Shizuru Fujino."
That's a pretty name...
Grade:12, Student number:O83-
What the- ?
A hotel. Brown hair and bare shoulders.
...Uh.
"My daughter."
The boss has a... Oh, god!
At this point Natsuki began searching for any and all exits available before the spilling of any blood occurred. She evaluated the situation as carefully as her hung over mind could do and only came up with one conclusion: Fight or flight.
She didn't notice when her boss's phone rang, and she didn't notice the man apologizing and stepping out. Natsuki couldn't keep still, her body was automatically attempting to run while her mind firmly kept her in place. What was she going to do? She glanced at the young intern and immediately her mind began thinking about what must have taken place. I can't even look her in the eye!
Then she noticed Shizuru sightly fidgeting.
She took a shaky breath. Alright, calm down Kuga. You're the adult here.
So being the adult in the room Natsuki decided to start a friendly conversation, sadly she hadn't counted on her stupid brain to come up with the worst possible thing to say, "Erm. I still... got your shirt."
Shizuru cleared her throat, "Excuse me." And headed for the door.
Dammit! Natsuki rushed forward and caught the girl's wrist, "Hold on!"
The blunette felt... something at the contact but immediately discarded it as her nerves getting the best of her. Shizuru was surprised at the older woman's actions, the thing that had occurred between them was a mistake. So then why was Natsuki so...
Noticing the intern's pause Natsuki took it as her cue to speak, "The thing... that," night, " I- I'm-... " She became frustrated at herself. Why couldn't the words come out?
In all of her inner panic she hadn't noticed her flustered face nor odd looks Shizuru was giving her.
Then the door slammed open revealing an energetic man.
"Kuga! What are you doing-!"
"Nothing, I swear!" She immediately let go of the girl and tripped backwards, luckily her boss caught her.
"Geez Kuga, calm down. I didn't know you where so jumpy." His demeanor changed and he suddenly looked very amused.
"I was only wondering if you had plans for lunch," Her boss said, she let out a breath of relieve and for a second Natsuki thought she heard a stifled giggle from somewhere in the room, "I have a potential customer who wants to come in, and I wanted you to show them around." He paused to scratch the back of his head, "Or maybe you and Shizuru could have lunch-"
"I'll do it!" She said loudly."The customer, I mean. Not your daught- " Gah!
"Why not?" He asked confused.
How could she explain? She just tried to reach out and it was too awkward, there was no way she would survive any more alone time this soon. It was pathetic, and Natsuki felt like she was in high school all over again. The problem is she didn't know why.
"F-father, why don't you and I have lunch?." Shizuru cut in, surprised at her own stutter, "You could show me around the building like you wanted."
"Really? You never offer to spend time with me." Her father's face turned into a dreamy look.
Shizuru nodded at her father, patting his shoulder. The man puffed out his chest and smiled proudly taking his daughters offer to heart.
What and odd man... Natsuki thought.
Natsuki sweat dropped as Shizuru turned to her with the fakest smile to burn out a thousand suns. Mechanically, the girl extended her hand out to her, "Nice to meet you, Kuga."
And that's when Natsuki realized that unlike her father Shizuru's smiles where not bright. In fact, they almost made her frown. So the girl wanted to act like nothing happened? Alright then, she could do that.
Natsuki took a firm grip of the offered hand with conviction, "Since it looks like we'll be seeing a lot out of each other, Fujino,"She took the pleasure of seeing Shizuru's eyes widened ever so slightly and with a new found confidence she took her first step forward, "It's ok to call me Natsuki."
Shizuru stared intently into green eyes, "Then likewise."
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"Alright mutt, since I'm the only friendly face you know around here the boss wants me to give you a crash course before the customer arrives." Nao said, "So pay attention, you've go until lunch time to get it."
"Did you just say friendly?"
"If that's all you got out of my mini speech then we'll really have a problem." Nao lead her to a small cubicle, "Please tell me you know how to use and office? I really don't want to spend more time with you than I have to."
Natsuki rolled her eyes. "Has anyone ever told you that you suck at this?"
"I'm just trying to get to the good stuff." Nao leaned against the desk."Now sit, you have much to learn."
Natsuki pulled out the chair and sat, noting how comfortable it was.
"Alright, step one: Smile." She turned to Natsuki, "C'mon girl, smile for me."
Natsuki snarled due to the condescending tone and Nao shook her head, "Hey, put that away, you are not showing that to a customer."
"The how do you manage?"
"Watch it mutt-" Nao was interrupted by the loud eruption of whispers that exploded within the office.
A spiky haired young man stepped inside confidently with a smirk on his face. All eyes where on him as he took off his coat and flung it over his shoulder making a few women nearby giggle. The tan man brushed a hand through his messy hair and joined a group of co workers, getting even more attention. People walking by greeted him, while women watching from afar flirted with their eyes.
He was a big shot.
"Ugh, welcome to Takeda." Nao said with a tone of irritation.
"You make him sound like his own division."
"Because that's practically how much he sells. This guy," She pointed to the chart, "Is number one. Don't expect any bonuses with him around."
Natsuki stared at the man for a few seconds and couldn't belive what Nao was saying. This man was the top seller? He looks like a twit! Takeda suddenly turned in her direction and winked. It made her feel sick. Ewww...
Natsuki dismissed it easily, she couldn't find anything special about him. Takeda on the other hand was beyond shocked, no woman had ever turned away from him. Before he could do anything about it though, Nao moved in front of the blunette blocking his view.
"Now ignoring that guy, check it out," Nao paused to point,"The boss's daughter."
Natsuki's back grew stiff before turning to where Nao pointed. There was no way in hell she was telling Nao. Natsuki had already decided that she wouldn't involve anyone in this mess, especially since Shizuru hadn't told her father. It was better to just forget about everything and not telling anyone else made it easier.
Shizuru was near the water cooler speaking on her cell phone and holding a binder with her left hand, She had a relaxed face as she stood against the wall. Natsuki stared at the younger girl's face for a while, there was still a small part of her that rejected the thought of that night. That same part that still wanted a way out.
"The boss has been excited about his kid coming in, all week. He's been warning all the guys to steer clear like crazy, quite the over protective father." It wasn't really her style but even Nao could see why the boss was so worried. The kid wasn't that bad.
Natsuki found herself turning in her seat, facing her cubicle's wall and crossing her arms. "Geez Nao, quit getting distracted already, I got a customer to entertain remember?"
Nao gave her a puzzled look before shaking the surprise off, she was already used to the blunette's mood swings and didn't think much of it. Hell, it was a good thing that Kuga was actually serious about this, it meant her anti social friend was finally taking something serious in her life. The lecture went on with much teasing and arguments, but smoothly enough to get the point across.
By the time lunch came Natsuki was doing her best to remeber everything Nao had told her. Smile, confidence, friendly charm; those, amongst the things she actually did forget, where the key points.
The customer came and went really fast, Natsuki didn't pay much attention, her thoughts being occupied elsewhere. Just last night she had been so excited about this job that it seemed nothing could ruin it. Nothing except good ol' gin...
The customer turned out to be an esteemed business woman who was looking for something flashy to take to her meetings. Natsuki took her around to look at Lincoln's, BMW's, and any other classy brands she could think of. In the end the woman smiled and said she would come back once she made her choice, but only if Natsuki received her. It seems Natsuki had had 'charmed' her costumer.
The rest of the day was a blur for her as she did basic paper work and hid whenever Shizuru walked by. Hey, she might have decided to act like normal but it was still awkward as hell. Not to mention Shizuru walked by like every five minutes...
By the end of the day Natsuki was ready to meet Nao back at the car when some guy she'd seen around walked over to her and waved. She waited, as the guy took his sweet time, impatiently.
"Kuga, here." He handed her a small note."The boss needs a favor."
"For what?"
"Read it."
Natsuki frowned at his lack of response but ignored it quickly, not caring. She unfolded the paper and read.
"Kuga, it looks like your first day went by without a hitch, you fit in just fine. I'm sorry I couldn't hand this to you myself but I have a few last minute meetings that just sprung up on me. Which bring me to my point, tomorrow morning I need you to run a few errands for me. I cleared your schedule already so don't worry about that.
My daughter has some school activities she has to attend to and sadly her ride bailed on her last minute... I know I'm not giving you much of an option here but I really need the favor, my daughter is pretty important in school you see, just like her father (ha!). Any ways just stop by the back garage tomorrow and I'll provide you with the car.
I had a few doubts about asking but I know you won't let me down :) thanks in advance!"
The note ended with a disturbing amount of smiley faces and encouraging words making Natsuki twitch. A ride? She was a sales woman dammit, not a chauffeur! And then it sank in.
Shizuru's ride...
She groaned, crushing the paper. Why couldn't anyone ever give her a break?
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One of these day's I'm going to update on a normal time of day... It's almost 3 am.
This chapter might have been a little 'slow' but it's only an introduction to the next one so please bear with it. Shizuru's dad is a rather colorful character and totally fun to writte :D he's just so clueless.
Review? Yes? Yes...