School has started... Please be patient. I won't be updating as frequently.

Chapter 15: A Working Woman

"Hello?"

"Hello?"

"Guess what!" Misaki exclaimed into the phone. "I got the job!" she told her friends.

"That's great!" Sakura exclaimed.

"I knew you could do it," Ruri added.

"I am so relieved," Misaki said. "I get to work at Tokyo law firm. It's a chance of a lifetime!"

"We need to celebrate," Sakura announced. "We all have jobs that we start on Monday."

Ruri laughed. "I'm so excited. Let's go out right now," she said.

Misaki checked the clock. "Takumi hasn't come back yet. Are we going to invite them?"

The girls thought about it.

"I guess it's only fair..." Ruri decided. "They have been surprisingly supportive."

Sakura agreed. "Meet up at Cassandra's at 6?" she suggested.

"Oh, I love Cassandra's!" Ruri exclaimed. "We haven't gone in ages."

"Didn't we go to that restaurant for Ruri's birthday?" Misaki asked.

"Yup," Ruri said. "I'm going to go see if Tora can take off early today. No harsh feelings if anyone's late."

"Alright," Misaki said. "Bye," she said, hanging up.

Misaki changed out of her sweat pants into a white sleeveless collared blouse paired with well tailored pants. She decided on a pair of nude colored pumps and large dangly earrings. Her hair was in a high ponytail. It was simple but classy.

Misaki grabbed her purse and called a taxi. She arrived at Walker Corporations. Misaki headed straight to the front desk.

"Mrs. Walker!" the secretary greeted with a handshake. "How may I help you?" she asked.

"I'd like to see my husband if that's all right," Misaki said.

"Of course," she said, getting up. "Allow me to show you to the elevator."

Misaki thanked her and went up to the top floor. The secretary sure moved fast because as soon as she stepped out of the elevator Himeji was waiting for her with a cup of tea.

"Always great to see you, Mrs. Walker," she said.

Misaki took the tea and sipped it. "You too," she said. "How's work been?" she asked.

"It's been pretty good," Himeji told her. "We just scored a huge deal with a company in Europe. Everyone's been ecstatic."

Misaki nodded. "That's great news," she agreed. "Is Takumi free right now?"

Himeji checked the schedule. "He should be in his office," she told Misaki. "Shall I call him first? You can go right there if you prefer."

"Call him please," Misaki said. "I don't want to be a bother. Don't tell him it's me at first though."

"I understand, Mrs. Walker," Himeji said, sitting down. She pressed a button on the phone.

"Mr. Walker, do you have a moment?" she asked.

"What's the matter?" Takumi asked through the line.

"You have a visitor. Are you free to see?"

"Is it important?" Takumi asked.

Himeji looked at Misaki. Misaki smiled.

"I think you may find it important," Himeji replied.

"Who is it?" Takumi asked.

"Mrs. Walker,"

There was a pause. "Send her up," Takumi said.

"Yes sir," Himeji said. She nodded at Misaki and Misaki walked over to his office. She knocked on his door.

"Come in!"

Misaki opened it and walked in.

"You can just come in," Takumi said, getting up.

Misaki smiled and shrugged. "You don't seem very happy to see me," she teased.

Takumi chuckled. "Considering what happened the last time you paid an office visit...I have a right to be scared," he said, winking.

Misaki gently smacked him in the arm. "Whatever..."

"So..." Takumi said, wrapping an arm around her waist. "What can I help you with, my dear?" he asked.

Misaki straightened up his tie. "How's dinner sound?" she asked.

Takumi wrapped his arms around her waist. "Just you and me...?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Misaki laughed. "With our friends," she corrected.

Takumi sighed and rested his forehead against hers. "What's the occasion?"

Misaki tried to hold in her laugh.

"What?" Takumi asked, studying her.

"I got the job!" Misaki squealed. "They said they'd be delighted to have me at their firm!"

"That's great news!" Takumi said, hugging her. "Congrats."

Misaki smiled and planted a kiss on Takumi's mouth. "Oh Takumi," Misaki said. "I did it! I really did it!"

"I know. I know," Takumi said, soothing his wife who kept jumping up and down.

"I love you," Misaki said, throwing her arms around him.

Takumi chuckled and held her closely.

There was a knock on the door. Misaki immediately pulled back. Her cheeks were slightly pink as she stepped back.

"What is it?" Takumi called.

"It's Tora Igarashi from Igarashi Corps," Himeji said. "He says you have an appointment with him though he's not on the schedule."

"Of course," Takumi called. "Send him in."

Tora walked in with a grin on his face. "Congrats Congrats," he said. "I heard we were up for a little drinking today."

"Absolutely!" Misaki said before Takumi could say anything. "I'm in such a good mood."

"After you then, Mrs. Walker," Tora said, holding open the door.

"Ruri," Misaki said, hugging her friend who was waiting in the lobby. "You should have come up."

"No thanks," Ruri said. "Trying to stay under the radar as I begin working as Ruri Kaidou."

"I think this last name thing doesn't matter," Tora said as they all walked out.

"Then it shouldn't matter what we go by," Misaki shot back.

Tora sighed. "Whatever makes you girls happy," he decided.

"Where we headed?" Takumi asked, holding the car door open.

"Cassandra's," Misaki told him, getting in.

"Really?" Takumi asked, raising an eyebrow. "Then again you aren't dressed for a cocktail place," he decided.

Cassandra's was not a classy restaurant. It had five star quality food but the atmosphere was almost bar like. Takumi drove there and they went inside. Instead of peaceful classical music, upbeat pop music filled the restaurant. The tables resembled counter tops with metal stools that could be spun around.

"Table for six," Takumi told the hostess.

"Right this way,"

Ruri, Tora, Sakura and Kuuga arrived shortly after.

"What can I get everyone to drink?" the bubble waitress asked.

"Piña Coladas," Ruri ordered. "For all my girls."

"A glass of wine and water," Tora decided. "I still had to drive later."

Takumi nodded. "Iced tea," he decided.

"I'll take a coke," Kuuga said. "I want it chilled but no ice."

The waitress nodded and went to go get their drinks.

"Oh yum," Misaki said, sipping her fancy drink.

"I love piña coladas!" Sakura said.

They ordered several dishes and settled down.

"So today we are celebrating our jobs and lets not forget Misaki!" Ruri said. "Tokyo law firm is just her first step to power."

"Ruri," Misaki said, elbowing her friend.

"What?" Ruri said, sipping her drink. "Maybe one day you'll work with Mr. Walker over there."

Misaki blushed. "I'm not that good... Takumi's best company lawyers were paid half a million a year. There was no way she'd ever make that much.

"I'd hire you," Takumi reminded her.

"No!" Misaki said, crossing her arms. "I don't want to work with Walker Corps."

"Thats something we don't hear everyday," Sakura laughed. "We must keep each other posted," Sakura reminded everyone.

Misaki nodded. "Cheers?"

"Cheers," Ruri and Sakura said, clinking glasses.

"Have you had enough?" Takumi asked as Misaki slumped back in her seat.

"Nope," Misaki said. "I'm just getting started."

"I see..." Takumi said. "You want to start work with a hangover?"

"It's Friday," Misaki said, waving him off. "I don't start work until Monday..."

Misaki and her friends got up and walked over to the bar to get another drink.

"You know what's really good?" the bartender asked the girls.

"Lay it on us," Ruri said, slapping down a tip.

The man smiled and whipped up three drinks. "Chocolate martini," he said. "Who doesn't love a little dessert?"

Misaki sipped the drink. It tasted like melted chocolate.

"Round two," she said, sliding the empty glass over.

Sakura picked up her drink and headed back to their table. Misaki finished her drink and left it at the bar counter. The room started tipping a little. Her high heels did not make walking any easier.

"Okay, I think we're calling it a night," Takumi said, guiding her back to the table.

"I'm not drunk!" Misaki complained. "Leave me alone!"

"If you can walk in a straight line, you can have another," Takumi said, pointing to a line on the marble.

Misaki grabbed a wine glass and sipped it as she stumbled over to the line. Takumi grabbed her arm before she fell on her face.

"Why do you let them drink?" Kuuga asked. "None of them have any tolerance."

"Because we have issues saying no to them," Tora said. "I remember us saying we'd never let them work and look at them now...they all start work Monday."

Takumi slung Misaki's arm around his shoulder. "Let's just deal with the issue at hand," Takumi said. "This one can't even stand straight anymore."

"I can stand just fine..." Misaki slurred. "You are the one who keeps tipping!"

"Yes darling," Takumi said, picking her up.

"No...let go of me!" Misaki said, pushing him away.

Takumi ignored her.

"I'll scream," Misaki warned.

"You wouldn't dare,"

"I would too!"

"Do you want your picture taken by the press?" Takumi asked. "If you don't want a headline about you...I'd stay quiet."

Misaki moaned and buried her face in Takumi's neck. "No press..." she whimpered.

"Good girl," Takumi said, setting her in her seat and buckling her in.

Misaki mumbled a lot in the ride back but was mostly calm. Takumi helped her inside and took off her shoes.

"Don't sleep here," Takumi chuckled as Misaki laid on the kitchen floor.

"So hot..." she complained.

"Alright babe," Takumi said, feeding her a glass of water and giving her some aspirin. "Let's go upstairs," he said, carrying her upstairs.

Takumi laid her on the bed and unbuttoned his shirt. He changed into a t-shirt and shorts. Takumi sat on the edge of the bed and stroked Misaki's hair. He slowly unbuttoned her shirt.

Misaki's hand grabbed his. "Takumi..." she breathed.

"Yes darling," he said. "Sit up for me can you?"

He gently pulled Misaki up and peeled the shirt off her.

"Can...I brush my teeth?" Misaki asked.

"Can you point to your mouth?" Takumi asked, humorously.

Misaki pointed at her ear which cracked Takumi up. She fell back over on the bed. Takumi got a basin and helped her rinse her mouth out with listerine. Takumi got Misaki a T-shirt and pulled it over her head.

Misaki hugged her pillow. "Stop harassing me…" she mumbled.

"Uh huh…" Takumi said, gently tugging her pants off.

"Stop…" Misaki said, trying to push his hand away.

"You're so wasted," Takumi said, smirking. He slid her legs into a pair of shorts. "Lift your hips, darling," he coaxed.

He laid beside Misaki who cuddled up to him. "You're always more affectionate when you're drunk," Takumi said, stroking her hair.

The next morning, Misaki spent it throwing up. After removing all the alcohol in her system, she took the pills Takumi had ready for her and chewed on her toast.

"Are you going to say 'I told you so'…?" Misaki asked, running her hand through her messy hair.

Takumi sat down at the table with a mug of coffee in hand. "No," he said, reading his paper. He quietly sipped his coffee.

Misaki nibbled on her toast. It was cut in diagonals just how she liked it. "Are you going to ask how I'm feeling?" she asked.

"How are you feeling?"

Misaki frowned. "Thats not what I meant!"

"You're just cranky today, aren't you?" Takumi asked, smirking.

Misaki let her head drop onto the table. "I hate drinking..." she moaned. "I feel horrible."

Takumi stroked her hair. "That's what a hangover feels like," he stated.

"Why'd let you me drink...?" Misaki mumbled.

"I'm letting you be an independent woman," Takumi said, sipping his coffee. "I will not limit you in any way."

"So, you're not going to care about me?"

"You're just taking everything the wrong way today, aren't you sweetheart?"

Misaki buried her face in her hands. "Don't feel good..." she complained.

Takumi got up and walked behind her. "So, Misa Chan, what did we learn from this experience?" he asked, rubbing her shoulders.

"Not to get drunk?"

"Smart girl. What should you do next time we go out?"

"Not drink so much?"

"Mhm..." Takumi said, kissing the top of her head.

"Yesterday was only the second time in my life," Misaki reminded him.

"Ah yes..." Takumi said. "The famous bachelorette party."

Misaki blushed. "Yeah..." she said. "Can we go sit down in the living room?" Misaki asked.

"Sure thing," Takumi said, gently picking her up.

He laid her on the couch. He brushed the hair out of her face.

"You know..." Misaki said. "I kind of like being married."

Takumi laughed. "Glad to hear that," he said. "Because you're going to stay married for the next fifty years."

By Monday, Misaki had recovered from her little downfall with the few drinks. Misaki practically leapt out of bed when the alarm went off. She rushed into the bathroom to wash up and get changed. Takumi slowly got up and slowly got changed. He yawned.

"Five more minutes..." he said, lying back down on the bed as he did his buttons.

"I'll leave you behind if you don't hurry up," Misaki warned.

Takumi finished getting dressed and went downstairs. He made some cinnamon toast and green tea.

"How do I look?" Misaki asked, twirling.

"Beautiful," Takumi said, handing her breakfast.

Misaki inhaled it in and fixed her makeup.

"Well, here I go," Misaki said.

Takumi walked out to the garage with her. There was a new car though. It was a simple black honda that Misaki had picked out. The Lamborghini stood out too much.

"You really going to drive this piece of junk?" Takumi asked.

Misaki elbowed him. "Its a good car," she said, defending her ordinary car.

"Alright then," Takumi said. "Have a good day at work."

Misaki beamed. She was actually going to go work! It felt like a dream. "You too, honey," she said, giving him a peck on the lips.

"Drive safely,"

Misaki smiled and nodded. Takumi waved as she pulled out of the driveway and drove off. The car definitely couldn't hold a light to the Lamborghini but it was good enough. Misaki parked her car and approached the building.

"Hello, how may I help you?" the lady at the desk asked.

Misaki extended her hand. "My name is Misaki Ayuzawa. I start work today."

"Oh," the lady said. "Go upstairs to Mr. Gee's office."

Misaki thanked her and took the elevator upstairs. She knocked on the glass door and went in.

"Good to see you, Misaki," Mitch said, shaking her hand. "I want to get started right away," he told Misaki. "You came in just at climax. We need all hands on deck," he said, showing her the way. He showed Misaki her office and gave her a few tasks to do.

"Email me if you have any troubles," Mitch said.

Misaki nodded. "I will work hard," she promised.

Misaki filled out paperwork and took phone calls. She was a bit unsure at first but by the third phone call she was ready. She swiveled around in her chair as she grabbed her notepad and pen.

"Yes, tell me the number, Mrs. Green," she said, jotting it down. "Alright thank you," she said. "I need a copy of your files and I will have a case pulled together for you ASAP. I will connect you with a secretary so you may schedule an appointment... You're welcome," she said, hanging up.

"Phew…" Misaki said, leaning back in her seat. She checked the time. It was her lunch break.

"Newcomer?" a woman asked, as Misaki sat down.

Misaki nodded. "My name is Misaki Ayuzawa," she told her. "Today's my first day."

"Mira Hana," the woman said, shaking her hand. She had chocolate brown curls pulled into a ponytail and piercing green eyes. Her smile was sweet as she opened up her salad container.

"Where did you transfer from?" Mira asked.

Misaki pushed a tomato around in her own salad. "This is my first time actually working," she explained. "I only interned before."

"Oh…" Mira said. "What about college?"

"Tokyo Law school," Misaki said.

Mira laughed. "Me too!" she said. "Thats cool," she said. "Let's work hard together," she said, smiling.

Misaki nodded and finished the last bite of her lunch. The rest of the day she was on her feet. Misaki was fit but walking up and down the halls in pumps was no easy task for anyone.

"Here is the final copy of the case," Misaki said, handing it to her manager.

The man scanned it over. "Very good," he said, adjusting his glasses. "I think you're done for today," he said.

Misaki thanked him and slid her new ID on the checkout machine. Her feet were killing her. Misaki stumbled over to her car and leaned against it. She was exhausted but just before she went home, she fixed up her appearances. She wasn't going to give Takumi any doubts about her working.

Misaki opened the door and a warm aroma filled the air.

"I'm home!" she yelled.

Takumi walked over and held out his arms. Misaki kicked off her shoes and threw her arms around his neck. Takumi picked her up and swung her around once before setting her back down.

"Tell me everything," he said, pulling out a seat for her at the dining table.

Misaki sat down. The lights were dimmed and candles were on the table. The dinner looked like a gourmet meal.

"Wow…" she said, touching the roses in the crystal vase. "How did you get all this done?"

Takumi shrugged. "When you're the CEO, you can cut work early," he said. "I wanted a nice romantic dinner to celebrate your first day of work."

Misaki smiled. "I love work," she told him. "I love you too," she said, covering her face with her hands.

Takumi chuckled and took one of her hands. "I'm happy," he said, sliding her wedding ring back on her finger. "Whether you're Misaki Walker or Misaki Ayuzawa, you're my Misaki."