Chapter 24: Office Romance

Tora rolled off Ruri and onto his back. He interlaced his fingers with her's. "Was my performance good enough?" he asked, still breathing hard.

Ruri laughed and rolled onto her side so she was facing him. "Depends," she teased, pushing his hair out of his eyes.

"Your standards just reached a whole new level," Tora teased back. "This," he said, gesturing to them lying on the bed. "Use to be just for a good time."

"Do you want a family?" Ruri asked.

Tora gently stroked the side of her face. "I'm good either way," he said. "Big family, small family, just us two..."

"Are you trying to say I'm not able have kids...?" Ruri demanded.

"No... I'm just saying I'm okay either way... Besides I'm hoping your interest in our night time activities lasts a bit longer-"

"You're a jerk, Tora," Ruri said. "That makes me sound like I only sleep with you for a baby."

"Prove me wrong," Tora challenged.

Ruri smirked and pinned Tora on his back though she knew Tora was mostly humoring her.

"Challenge accepted," she said, kissing him.

"Nice to see who finally showed up to work," Mira teased when Misaki signed in.

"Sorry," Misaki said, straightening her papers.

"Well?"

"Well what?"

"You don't look sick," Mira stated. "Did you go on a vacation? Europe?!"

"Uh…no," Misaki replied. "I wasn't feeling well. I'm... I'm…" Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Pregnant…"

"REALLY?!"

"Shh!" Misaki hissed.

People turned to stare but quickly gazed away when Misaki looked their way.

"Thats great news!" Mira quietly said. "Congrats!"

"Thanks," Misaki said, smiling.

"What did your husband think? Was he totally chill and serious about it?" Mira asked.

Misaki laughed. "Takumi really isn't like how he's portrayed on the news. I was in shock but he was running around calling a doctor and everything."

"Aww…" Mira sighed. "Your husband is so sweet. I wish the guy I liked would even give me a second glance…" she sighed.

"No boyfriend?" Misaki asked.

Mira shook her head. "There is a guy I like though…" she sighed. "I don't think he even knows my name."

Misaki frowned. "Why don't you go talk to him?"

"I'm too scared to," Mira admitted.

"I bet you could do it," Misaki said.

The two women walked into Misaki's office where Misaki laid out a bunch of paperwork. Their work was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Come in!" Misaki called.

"Hey," Julian said, opening the door. "I heard you were back in today. How are you doing?" he added.

Misaki nodded. "I'm feeling much better," she agreed.

Julian walked over. "I heard the good news," he said, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Congrats…You'll make a great mom."

"Oh…" Misaki said. "Thanks…" she said, feeling rather embarrassed.

"How did you know?" Mira asked before Misaki could even ask.

Julian looked over at Mira. "News travels fast," he said with a shrug. He turned back to Misaki. "So no more gym sessions?" he asked.

Misaki laughed. "I'm afraid not," she said. "But you've been great, Julian. Thanks."

Julian nodded. "Anything. Sorry I didn't get you flowers this time."

"Flowers?" Misaki asked. "Did you send the roses last time?"

"Yeah…" Julian said, running his hand through his hair. "I don't really understand flowers and stuff. Girls always like the red flowers so I picked those."

Misaki laughed. "They're called roses…" she told him.

"Yeah...those," Julian said. "But it seems like someone else did a better job," he said looking around Misaki's office. There was at least a dozen vases of flowers. Misaki couldn't even throw them out fast enough. Takumi sent her a vase of flowers everyday. Misaki was still trying to figure out how to cancel the delivery…

"Takumi's just being his annoying self," Misaki said, waving it off. " But if you ever need help, I'll always be your friend," Misaki added.

"Thanks," Julian said, smiling. "See you at lunch?"

"Yeah,"

The door closed and Mira let out a breath of relief.

"What's wrong?" Misaki asked.

Mira blushed. "Nothing…"

Misaki gave Mira a weird look and returned back to her work. Mira sighed and sat on the edge of the table.

"Have you dated a lot of guys?" Mira asked.

Misaki looked up. "No, Takumi was my first and only boyfriend."

"How did you get him to pay attention to you?" Mira asked.

Misaki snorted. "I actually always tried to get rid of him in high school. I hated his attention," she confessed. "He's actually really annoying like he has a million flaws but it grows on you over time."

"Really…?" Mira asked. "You tried to get rid of him? Takumi Walker?"

"He wasn't Takumi Walker back then," Misaki reminded Mira. "He was just a popular boy in school who always tried to make me mad," Misaki frowned. "Just thinking about him teasing me makes me want to beat him up…" she added.

"Wow…" Mira said. "You're so lucky then…"

"Sorry," Misaki said. "I'm horrible at giving advice- my friend Ruri dated the most out of my friends. Maybe, you could ask her!"

"Ruri as in…" Mira gulped.

"Ruri Igarashi? Yeah," Misaki said, stapling a packet of paper together.

"I couldn't talk to her…" Mira said, shaking her head. "She'd never associate with me."

Misaki set down the stapler. "We're actually normal people. Ruri's my best friend. We could go eat out and have a girls night," Misaki suggested.

"Would it really be okay?" Mira asked.

"Of course!" Misaki said. "You talk to me just fine."

"Well, thats because I thought you were just a normal college graduate like myself at first," Mira explained.

"So dinner tomorrow night?" Misaki suggested.

"Do I need a dress?"

"No, we'll go somewhere casual. I'll give you a ride too," Misaki told her.

Mira smiled. "Sounds good…"

"Takumi!" Misaki called, walking inside.

"Kitchen,"

Misaki stormed into the kitchen. She put her hands on her hips and stared her husband down.

"What?"

"You know what," Misaki accused. "How did Julian find out about the baby? News does NOT travel that fast."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Liar!" Misaki exclaimed when Takumi smirked. "You told him on purpose!"

"I just went to cancel your gym sessions," Takumi said, innocently. "He didn't believe that you would ever cancel until I told that you were now carrying our baby."

Misaki let out an exasperated breath. "I could have canceled myself," she muttered. "You just feel the need to remind him that..that…"

"You're married?" Takumi asked. "Young people these days have bad memory."

Misaki smacked his arm. "Julian isn't like that!"

"Men are always like that…"

"You look at other people's wives?!" Misaki demanded.

"If you weren't so perfect and better than any other woman out there, maybe I would too,"

"Ugh!" Misaki said, laying down on a couch. "You are so stubborn!"

"What's wrong with sharing the good news?" Takumi asked.

"You were sharing our good news without good intentions. Julian didn't even explain how he knew today but the more I thought about it, it had to be you," Misaki muttered.

"That brat is still talking to you?" Takumi asked, shaking his head. "He just doesn't get the message…" he muttered under his breath.

"You're too overprotective," Misaki said, sitting up.

Takumi sat next to her. "Don't be so cute then."

"I'm not- hey!"

Takumi gently shifted Misaki so she was lying on her back and his head was resting on her stomach.

"Shh…" he whispered.

Misaki watched as he gently stroked her stomach. She let out a defeated breath and smoothed Takumi's soft hair.

"What am I going to do with you?" Misaki asked.

"Let me be with you forever," Takumi replied without missing a beat.

"You're hopeless," Misaki said, sitting up.

She sat up straighter, reached out and touched Takumi's face. Takumi watched Misaki as she slowly leaned in and gave him a gentle kiss on the lips.

"Do it again," Takumi coaxed, pulling Misaki onto his lap.

Misaki closed her eyes and pressed her lips to his. Takumi leaned back so he was lying down on the couch with Misaki on top of him.

"I could stay like this forever," Takumi said, kissing her on the nose.

"Mhmm…" Misaki sighed, resting her head on his chest.

Takumi's rhythmic breathing eventually lulled Misaki to sleep.

"I'll see you in a few hours," Misaki said, buckling her knee high boots.

"Are you sure you'll be okay?" Takumi asked.

"It's just dinner with the girls," Misaki said, standing up and fixing her black peacoat in front of the mirror which was hanging on the door.

"You could have just invited them over to our place," Takumi said.

"We need some private time," Misaki teased, giving Takumi a quick peck on the cheek. "Besides Sakura's pregnant too. Kuuga is fine with her going out."

"Alright," Takumi said. "If anything doesn't feel right-"

"Call the doctor," Misaki finished for him. "Bye honey!"

Misaki got into her Lamborghini and punched Mira's address into the GPS. Mira's home was a simple apartment in a nice neighborhood. Misaki pulled up to the front of the apartment and texted Mira. A few minutes later, Mira jogged out to the car.

"Wow..." she said, fastening her seat belt. "Nice car..."

"Thanks," Misaki said.

"Am I underdressed?" Mira asked.

Misaki looked over the blouse, skirt and leggings Mira had chosen.

"You look fine to me," Misaki said.

She was just wearing boots, jeans and a white lace shirt with a pink scarf.

"Where are we going?" Mira asked.

"A cafe," Misaki explained. "It's called Rose Latte. I'm a regular there."

"Ah..." Mira said.

Misaki parked the car and they got out.

"Mrs. Walker!" the hostess greeted. "How are you?"

"I'm good," Misaki said. "I need a table for four today. I was thinking a booth seat maybe?"

"Of course," the hostess said. "Come right this way."

Misaki dropped her bag onto the seat and slid in. Mira took the spot next to Misaki.

"Can I start you off with a drink?" the hostess asked.

Mira scanned the drink menu. "Where are the prices?" she asked.

"Oh, we don't list them on the drink menu," the hostess explained.

"Just get anything you want," Misaki encouraged. "I'm paying tonight."

"I can't have you do that..."

"Don't worry about it," Misaki said. "I have so many Rose points anyways," she laughed, holding up her pink card.

Mira nodded and choose a rose tea. Misaki went with a chocolate milk. Before even getting a single sip of her drink, Ruri and Sakura arrived.

"Hello!" Ruri said, hugging Misaki.

"Hey," Misaki cleared her throat. "Guys, this is Mira. She's a co worker and a friend of mine."

"Ruri," Ruri introduced herself and shook Mira's hand.

"Sakura,"

"Wow..." Mira breathed. "I'm Mira."

Everyone sat down and the hostess came back to get Ruri and Sakura drinks.

"I'm so glad we came out for dinner," Sakura sighed. "I just need some air."

Misaki nodded. "I easily get stuffed up too," she agreed.

The hostess came back with a notepad in hand. "What will it be tonight, ladies?" she asked.

"Start me off with a garden salad, then lasagna, and dessert of a fruit sorbet," Ruri said.

"I'll have a vegetable soup, then the smoked salmon platter and dessert..." Sakura giggled. "I'll take a slice of mango cheesecake. I'm pregnant anyways..."

"Really?!" the hostess exclaimed.

Sakura nodded. "Misaki is too."

The hostess gasped. "Congrats!" she gushed.

"Thank you," Misaki said, rubbing her stomach.

"And what will you have, Mrs. Walker?"

"I guess I'll have..." Misaki wasn't quite sure what she liked anymore. The hormones and everything screwed up her taste buds. "Start me with a tomato soup, then a medium rare steak and apple pie."

"And what will you have, ma'am?" the hostess asked Mira who was still flipping through the menu.

"I'll take a clam chowder, fish and chips platter and a slice of pumpkin pie," Mira said.

The hostess took Mira's menu because the rest of the girls didn't need a menu.

"How often did you come here?" Mira asked. "That menu is huge..."

Ruri laughed. "We use to have a lot of spare time," she told Mira.

"So," Sakura said. "What's new with everyone?"

"Working," Misaki sighed. "Lots of standing."

"Don't wear yourself out," Ruri said. "Takumi will be strangling people with his bare hands if something happened to you or the baby."

"Oh stop it," Misaki said. "Mira's going to think Takumi is a monster.

Everyone laughed.

"Don't worry," Mira said. "I think Mr. Walker has a gentle side."

"He's only like that to Misaki," Ruri informed her. "He's actually rather anti social..."

"Ruri!" Misaki said, laughing. "Why don't we talk about your husband then!"

"Is Tora Igarashi like how he's portrayed on the news because apparently Mr. Walker isn't," Mira asked.

"Arrogant, know it all, bossy, yeah that's my husband," Ruri said, smiling. "But then again, he's different..."

Mira sighed. "All of you have such wonderful spouses..."

"Oh, that's right," Misaki said. "Mira needs some advice and I'm not much help in the whole dating thing..."

Ruri snorted. "You went to Misaki for dating advice...?"

"Hey!"

Food arrived just then stopping the conversation momentarily.

"Mmm..." Misaki said, sipping her soup.

"So," Ruri said, dabbing her mouth after a bite of salad. "What kind of advice to you need?"

Mira swallowed. "Well... You see," she said. "I'm interested in this guy except I don't know how to get him to notice me. He's really good looking and hardworking. I just don't know how I'd approach him."

"Oh, simple," Ruri said. "First you have to figure out what kind of guy he is. Tell me about this guy," Ruri encouraged.

Mira aimlessly stirred her chowder soup. "He's very athletic, a little headstrong, very sweet and caring but not to me."

Ruri swallowed her bite of salad. "Try and catch his eye," Ruri decided. "Do small things like maybe dressing different, change up your routine."

"How did you catch Tora Igarashi's eye?" Mira asked. "If you don't mind me asking…"

Ruri smiled. "Well, I am the only one who didn't marry my high school sweetheart among the three of us. But… I met Tora at a business event when I just graduated college. I wouldn't have believed you if you told me I would one day marry him. My parents actually wanted me to marry this American man who owned a big company in the US but what would I do in America? My english sucks," Ruri added. "Anyways, I meet Tora and things do not go off to a good start. We get into an arguement and I toss my glass of champagne on him. My parents were pissed. They assured Tora I was going to be sent to America soon anyways. So Tora being the flirt he was, asked me out for a "business" dinner anyways despite all that happened. I was always more of a play hard to get kind of person so I show Tora how uninterest I am in him."

"So how did you two end up together?"

Ruri smiled. "Well, so my parents force me to go on a lunch date with the American CEO, his name was Steve." Ruri frowned. "Let's just say my parents already told him beforehand that I had accepted except I didn't. He gets angry when I tell him I'm not going to marry him or go to America. He grabbed my arm and I told him if he didn't let go in two seconds, I would scream."

Mira gasped. Misaki and Sakura both already knew how the story went.

"Somehow Tora was around just at the right time. He just appeared, pulled Steve away from me and punched him square in the jaw," Ruri continued. "He told Steve to stay away from his girlfriend- I wasn't his girlfriend at the time either but I just went with it. This fight eventually got back to my parents and Tora fake proposed to me in front of them. Of course, the Igarashi heir was better than any American company owner in my parents' eyes so they agreed to cancel my engagement with Steve."

"So you just married Tora?" Mira asked.

Ruri snorted. "Like I would. We faked it for a couple months and I actually discovered Tora wasn't as horrible as I thought but I didn't want to go on. We ended the 'engagement' and my parents were disappointed but in the end they just wanted what's best for me. I decided that there wasn't much for me in Japan so I got ready to go to France. I speak excellent French and wanted to maybe start my own business. Tora found out and practically chased me to the airport. He begged me to stay and proposed to me for real."

"And you accepted?"

"No…" Ruri said. "We had a long talk. I told him I didn't know how I felt about everything. I just wanted to leave to sort my thoughts and clear my mind. Tora said he'd wait for me so I flew off to France. I came back in a month knowing very clearly what I wanted. So yeah, I married Tora…"

"Ruri!" Sakura complained. "You left out all the romantic parts!" Sakura turned to Mira. "Ruri was in love with him since their fake engagement. She just wouldn't admit it. Tora was quite the fiance."

"Yeah yeah…" Ruri said. "So all in all, just be yourself. If he's the right one, he'll keep coming back even if you don't want him around anymore."

Mira laughed. "Okay," she said, smiling.