Present Time...
Tora flipped the envelope over, finally ready to read what was inside. He, however, caught a glimpse of three intials inscribed into the bottom left corner: A.S.J.
"A-Ari..." He trailed off unable to speak her name. He ran his fingers through his hair as unwanted memories flooded back into his mind.
Five years earlier...
"Ouch! Hey, watch where you're going.." Tora gazed down at the girl he had ran in to. He was instantly mesmerized. "Oh...um...uh...sorry." He said still amazed by her beauty.
"No, it's my fault. I should really be more careful. Especially if I want to make a good impression on my first day." The girl said apologetically "But the odds are against me, I come from a whole line of klutzes." She laughed.
"So it's your first day here. Well in that case, allow me to introduce myself. I am Tora Igarashi, heir to the Igarashi group." He introduced himself with a sort of vanity.
"Hello there, Mr. Igarashi, I am Ariella Sukimara James. Daughter of English musician Lucas James and his wife the talented singer Akira Takizono." She told him a smile spreading across her face and a certain twinkle in her eye.
"Nice to meet you, Ms. James." Tora replied.
Present Day...
Ariella sneaked in through the back, hoping to avoid the screaming fans.
"I think we are in the clear, Miss James," Felix, one of her bodyguards, told her.
"That's a relief," she sighed. She took off the floppy hat the had given her to hide her face. "Great," she said, "hat hair." She picked up her brush and tamed her long curls. The ringlets framed her face and gave her skin a heavenly glow. "Much better," she said pleased with herself.
"You're on in five," her manager, Eliza informed her.
"Thanks, Liz," She thanked Eliza then put the finishing touches on her make up and outfit.
"Oh please come," she whispered. She sighed and took one last look at herself in the mirror before leaving the dressing room.
Back in Tora's Office...
"Why was I so damn stupid when I was twelve?" He asked himself. He slammed his hands on his desk in frustration, "Anyone could see it, but I didn't know until two years ago, until it was too late!" He slammed his hands once again.
"I have to open it. I have to. I need to." All anger was lost, and his voice suddenly became unusually whiny.
Tora's fingers hesitated. He took a deep breath and slowly began to tear the envelope.