Heard the best maid sama saying ever: Usui was deemed perfect but he fell in love with a girl who only saw his flaws.

That is a so moe.

Chapter 16: Finance Manager

"I quit!" an angry voice exclaimed.

Misaki poked her head out of her office to see what the commotion was about. A middle aged woman with frizzy hair and a box in her arms was yelling.

"I quit!" she yelled again.

Some managers came and tried to reason with her but the lady wasn't having any of it.

"Everyone please return to your work," a manager ordered. His glare sent everyone back to their cubicles.

Misaki returned back to her desk. She wondered why the woman was so upset… During lunch, Mira sat with her again. Their table was filled today.

"What was that all about?" Mira asked, referring to the blowout in the morning.

"That's Yuri, the finance assistant manager," Vika explained, pushing up her glasses. "I heard the firm was cutting her salary because of poor performance."

Misaki nodded and silently chewed on her sandwich.

Hmm... Finance manager...

After lunch, she decided to pay her manager a visit. "You seem stressed," Misaki said.

He nodded. "Time to start recruiting a new finance manager," he sighed.

Misaki thought of Julian. He was a finance major and currently looking for a job.

"Can I recommend someone?" she asked.

The man raised his eyebrows. "You...?" he asked. "What connections could you possibly have?"

Misaki bit her bottom lip. Right...she shouldn't have any connections. She couldn't say Julian was a friend because that wasn't professional.

"Never mind," she said.

He sighed. "I'm giving hiring job to Kate. Do me a favor and run this file to her," he said.

Misaki nodded and delivered the file. She kept thinking how Julian could have a chance to get a full time job.

Misaki got home and twenty minutes later Takumi came back.

"Good evening," he said, kissing her on the cheek.

"Hi," she said, smiling.

Misaki went upstairs to change into a tank top and sweatpants. Her hair was loose and her face free of makeup.

Takumi made dinner and Misaki set the table.

"Still like working?" Takumi asked.

Misaki rolled her eyes. "I'm not a quitter," she reminded him.

"Mhm..." Takumi said, taking a bite of his potato salad. "Don't forget our agreement," Takumi reminded her. "The first time you overwork yourself, you have to quit-"

Misaki shoved a spoonful of meatloaf in his mouth. "Thanks darling," she said, smiling. "I'll keep it in mind."

Takumi shook his head and took her hand in his. "What am I going to do with you?" he asked.

Misaki twirled a lock of hair. "Let me do as I please?" she suggested.

Takumi snorted. "Excuse me for looking out for you," he teased.

"I'm a big girl," Misaki said, finishing off her iced tea. "I'll be fine."

Later that night, Misaki was organizing her things when she remembered about work. She couldn't help Julian but maybe Takumi could...

"Hey Takumi," Misaki said, rolling onto the bed where Takumi was reading.

"Hi Sweetheart," he said, bookmarking the page. He adjusted his glasses.

"Can I ask you something?" Misaki asked.

"Always,"

"What connection does Walker Corps have with Tokyo law firm?" she asked.

Takumi raised an eyebrow, amused. "Why are you interested?" he asked.

"Just tell me," Misaki said, scooting up next to him.

"Well," Takumi said, setting the book on the nightstand. "Walker Corps is big business for TLF. We're pretty high on their priority list."

Misaki nodded, letting his words sink in.

"So..." she said. "If you wanted to say...make a recommendation for a position... What would they say?"

Takumi guessed where this conversation was going. "They would take my recommendation very seriously."

Misaki tapped her chin. "Do you ever make recommendations?"

"Sometimes," Takumi said. "What are you plotting? Do you want to be a manager? I'll write you one."

"No, not me," Misaki said. "Could you help a friend of mine get a couple interviews?"

"I could..." Takumi said. "Who would I be writing for?"

"Well..." Misaki said. "Our company just lost a finance assistant manager. Julian has a finance major-"

"And you want me to write him a recommendation?" Takumi translated.

"Pretty much..." Misaki said.

"Why should I?" Takumi pouted.

Misaki sighed and scooted closer to him. "He really needs a job. Help the poor guy out. Come on, it takes you a few minutes to write an email."

"What do I get out of this?" Takumi asked. "I'm sending a good looking man into the same company as my wife."

Misaki sighed. "He's five years younger than me," Misaki reminded Takumi. "And you would get a lot of benefit from this. You'd have that warm fuzzy feeling inside of doing something good!"

"Uh huh..." Takumi wasn't buying it.

"Come on, Mr. Walker," Misaki said. "How about a shoulder massage as you think?"

Takumi snorted but turned around anyways. Misaki got on her knees and worked the tense muscles on his shoulders. Julian better give her 50% off on her session fees. She was putting in a great word for him.

"Little to the left," Takumi said, relaxing his shoulders. "Mmm...that feels good."

Misaki pressed and squeezed until her hands were getting cramps. "So how about that email?" Misaki asked.

Takumi placed a hand on hers and turned around to face her. "I guess I could put in a good word for him," he decided.

Misaki laughed. "You're a good man," she said.

Takumi smirked. "Sleep time?" he suggested.

Misaki nodded and snuggled down into the bed. Takumi turned off the light and Misaki rested her head on the crook of his arm. Takumi gently stroked her hair. He really hoped that he wasn't going to regret helping Julian...

The next day Takumi got Julian's resume and sent it to the firm. He sent an email too just to please his wife. Takumi honestly believed sometimes Misaki was too willing to help people... He had to keep an eye on this young man.

"Have a good day at work," Misaki said, pecking Takumi on the cheek.

"You too, honey," he said.

Takumi finished his coffee and got up to leave. "See you in the evening!" he called at the door.

"Bye!"

Misaki didn't need to go in until later today. She lounged on the couch and picked up her phone. She scrolled through her contacts and clicked Julian's name.

"Misaki?"

"Hey Julian," Misaki said.

"What's up?"

"Did you get any good news...?" she asked, casually.

Julian laughed. "That was you?" he asked.

"I put in a good word for you," Misaki said.

"Gee thanks," Julian said. "I didn't think you'd actually do it."

"That's what friends are for," Misaki said. "Hint, I should get 50% off my gym sessions," she joked.

"Because you're cutting close on money this month," Julian teased. "But I was so shocked when Tokyo law firm called me for an interview. I don't know how to thank you."

"You don't have to," Misaki said. "Your credentials are all there. It's your own skill that's going to get your hired. I just pointed a spotlight at you," Misaki explained. "Its a chance to prove yourself."

"Well, thanks anyways," Julian said.

"You're welcome,"

"See you soon,"

"Bye," Misaki said, hanging up.

Misaki cleaned up the house before going off to work. She rearranged everything and hung up some stray clothes. After her very few chores were finished, Misaki drove off in her simple honda to work.

The real chores were at she was new, she obviously got the worst jobs. She was sent reviewing long documents until her eyes hurt.

Misaki kicked her heels off under her desk and she returned a dozen emails. What Misaki wouldn't do to be able to wear some sensible shoes at work. Walking up and down the halls in heels really killed your feet.

"Misaki," her manager said. "We're cutting really close to deadline," he said.

Misaki scanned the paper. "We just might make it," she said.

The man gave a nervous smile. "We're not allowed to cut that close. Do you think you could finish this part?" he asked.

Misaki checked the clock on her wall. This would take until overtime.

"I guess..." she said.

The manager beamed. "Thank you!" he said, leaving.

Misaki downed the rest of her tea and began working. Hours passed before she finished everything. Everyone had left already when she finally finished. Misaki turned off her light and got into her car.

She dug out her phone. 5 text messages and 7 missed calls...

"Crap..." Misaki muttered. She called Takumi back. He picked up on the first ring.

"Where are you?!"

"Sorry, I lost track of time," Misaki apologized. "I'm coming home right now."

"You're working over time?"

"No," Misaki lied. "I messed up on a file and had to start over."

"You sure?"

"Yes," Misaki said as firmly as she could.

"Alright," Takumi said. "Drive safely. It's dark out."

"Thanks..." Misaki said and hung up.

She drove home and the first thing she saw was all the lights were on. She walked inside and knew she was in trouble.

"I'm so sorry," she said.

"I was worried. You didn't call or say anything," Takumi said, crossing his arms.

Misaki kicked off her shoes and winced. Her feet had blisters.

"Maybe working isn't such a great idea-"

"No!" Misaki exclaimed. "It won't happen again," she promised.

Takumi silently set a plate of food on the table for her and one for himself.

"Takumi..." Misaki said, touching his arm.

Takumi always got really quiet when he was upset.

"I'm sorry," she said. "Please don't be mad at me."

Takumi sighed. "I just get so worried," he said.

"That's because you're too caring," Misaki teased.

Takumi patted her hand. "Can't help it…" he sighed.

Misaki was standing by a cabinet filing paper when someone covered her eyes. Misaki turned and pulled their hands away.

"Julian!" she exclaimed. She was really surprised to see him. Julian wasn't in athletic clothes but was in a suit and tie instead. He looked like a whole different person.

"That's finance assistant manager to you," he said, grinning.

Misaki laughed. "You didn't even call to tell me they hired you!" she accused.

"Well, I wanted it to be a surprise," Julian said. "Surprise," he added.

"Congrats," Misaki said, giving him a quick hug.

"And its all thanks to Misaki W-"

"Ayuzawa," Misaki cut in. "My name's Misaki Ayuzawa," she explained.

Julian nodded, understanding. "Well, Miss Ayuzawa," he said. "It has been a pleasure talking with you but I must return to my oh so very important position."

Misaki gently punched him in the arm. "Whatever…" she said.

She saw Julian again during lunch. He seemed to have adjusted just fine to the firm especially socially. Julian was a good looking man. A lot of people- especially the young secretaries all sat at Misaki's table. They were all flirting with Julian and Julian knew it. When they weren't looking, Julian made faces at Misaki. Misaki hid her smile behind her cup of tea.

"So," Julian said, when they walked out into the parking lot after work. "Why Misaki Ayuzawa?" he asked.

"You know why…" Misaki said. "The name Walker attracts way too much attention. Besides, I've been Misaki Ayuzawa for most of my life anyways."

Julian nodded. "Is he okay with all this?" he asked.

"Who? Takumi?"

"Yeah...him."

"He's not totally thrilled but he isn't against it either. I think that's as good as its going to get," Misaki told Julian. "He's just worried."

"Worried?" Julian asked, looking a little confused. "You're so smart… What's there to be concerned about?"

Misaki laughed. "You haven't known me that long," Misaki explained. "I have a bad habit of working till I crash and burn. Takumi is very protective about my health."

They approached Misaki's car and Julian's jaw almost dropped.

"What happened to the Lamborghini?!" he demanded.

"Shh!" Misaki hissed, looking around the parking lot.

"You got rid of it?" Julian whispered.

"Of course not!" Misaki said. "Its just too flashy. I chose this car by myself."

"I'm guessing you didn't want any help from him?" Julian asked.

"Correct," Misaki said. "And will you stop calling Takumi him. He has a name…"

"Sorry," Julian said. "I don't feel comfortable going by a first name basis and I don't want to say that flashy last name too much," he said lightly. "Also...this car sucks…" he added.

Misaki put a hand on her car. Why was everyone bashing on her poor car…?

"I like it," she said, defensively.

"That car will not last. My friend had one in high school. It sucked," Julian informed her.

Misaki crossed her arms. "I don't see your car any more high tech," she argued.

"Yeah, well I've been living off a gym gig. You're a millionaire," he whispered.

Misaki rolled her eyes. "Blending in," she said, opened the door of her car and sliding in.

"See you tomorrow?"

"Yup," Misaki said, starting the engine. "Bye,"

"Bye," Julian said, waving.