Chapter 4: Barriers

Disclaimer: I do not own Maria-sama ga Miteru or any of its characters.

A/N: Italic sentences are for thoughts, past recollection or events.

Yumi

Yumi decided it was less trouble for her to just leave the book to Sachiko's secretary. She slowly walked down the hall, not failing to notice the large doors leading up to various offices. And at the far end of the hall was a desk where a young woman in in her early twenties was seated. She was wearing glasses and was busy typing away at her desktop.

"Excuse me" Yumi said.

The woman looked up from her work. "May I help you?"

"Yes, I found this at a café and thought it would be best to give it back" Yumi gently laid the book on the woman's table, and Yumi instantly saw the recognition flash in her eyes. She picked it up and saw the name printed on the first page.

"Do you recognize it?" she can't help but ask.

"Not the book, no. But the book cover? Ms. Sachiko always has that with her. Whenever she has free time to read, this knitted book cover is always on whatever books she brings with her. It just surprised me to see that she lost it and didn't even notice." The young woman stopped, sensing that she has talked too much. "Anyway, thank you for returning it."

Yumi bowed to leave and has gone a few paces before she was called again, "your name?"

Yumi turned to face her once again, shook her head and said "it doesn't matter. I just wanted to give it back to Sachiko."

The woman's eyes widen at the ease and familiarity of the way this lady said her boss' name. Then it made her wonder, why was she allowed to go up the executive floor just to give back a book she picked up? Keiko mused.

"Sorry ma'am, but company policy requires that I get your name and your number, so Ms. Ogasawara can call you back" Keiko lied, sensing the need to do so.

Yumi was surprised, leave my number?

"I'm sorry, I can't" with that she hurriedly left.

Upon reaching the end of the hall, she jammed her fingers at the 'down' button wishing for the lift to come sooner. Sachiko's secretary doesn't seem to be running after her, so she calmed down.

'Why would she? It was just the name and number of a stranger – a stranger who uses her boss' given name casually', Yumi thought. She mentally smacked herself at her folly. It was really stupid of her.

Sachiko

Keiko pressed the intercom button and waited for a response.

"Yes Keiko? Is this urgent?"

Keiko cursed under her breath. Due to the surprise visitor, she has forgotten her boss' command that she is not to be disturbed unless it was really important. She even lied to Ogasawara Suguru-san that Ms. Sachiko is out and that she will not be back until noon.

"Nothing Ms. Sachiko. Sorry for disturbing you" she muttered in a low voice.

Beep.

After a while, the intercom buzzed again.

"You would not make the mistake of calling unless it is necessary Keiko. What is it?"

"Your book cover, Ms. Sachiko" came Keiko's meek reply.

From the other side of the room, Keiko heard the loud scraping of a chair soon followed by the opening of the door.

"What was that?" Sachiko was irritated. She can't believe that her secretary will disturb her for a small matter such as this.

Keiko saw the daggers flashing in Sachiko's eyes making her flinch. She raised the book up to cover her face before speaking. "A woman with brown hair came to return your book"

Sachiko snatched the book and was about to start scolding Keiko when from the corner of her eyes, she saw the elevator door shut and behind it, was her.

Sachiko's head snapped back to Keiko. "What did she say was her name?"

"She didn't. I asked her to leave her name and number, but she immediately ran off."

"Does she have brown eyes – " Sachiko shook her head. What are the odds of Yumi actually coming to see her?

"Yes she does. She is also very pretty and gentle mannered." Keiko added upon seeing the thoughtful look on Sachiko's face.

"I need the executive elevator now." Sachiko suddenly announced, much to Keiko's surprise, and strode off to the direction of the elevator without another word. She cannot take her chances, she has to confirm if it was indeed her.

Hearing the hurried steps of Sachiko has brought Keiko out of her stupor. With shaking fingers, she pressed a local number, "Executive elevator, now!" she almost exclaimed, afraid that Ms. Sachiko will lash out at her if she missed going after that woman. She has never seen Ms. Sachiko this - elated? Anxious? She couldn't find the right word.

As additional measure, Keiko called the front desk "Hello, this is from Ogasawara Sachiko-sama's office. One of Ms. Sachiko's visitors will be exiting building premises in a while. She is currently in elevator number 2. She is wearing a white cotton blouse, black slacks and a red trench coat. Do not allow her to leave. Please alert security at once. Ms. Sachiko is on her way to meet with the guest."

"Is it safe for Ogasawara-sama?" the woman on the other end of the line inquired.

Keiko smiled, "Yes it is safe. The woman is her friend."

Keiko was afraid to cause trouble for Ms. Sachiko's friend by alerting the guards and forbidding her to leave. But she felt it was the right thing to do. And then she remembered that her boss forgot to bring a coat or a blazer. She is never seen outside of her office with just a sleeveless blouse because she considers it best to always look professional, especially since she is a member of top management. She even scolded Keiko one time for not being in business attire, saying that she is an extension of herself because she is her secretary. With this thought, Keiko hastily stood up to get Ms. Sachiko coat, thinking that she can still make it before the elevator comes.

Meanwhile, Sachiko arrived at the executive elevator, only to find the door closed shut. She impatiently tapped her heeled shoes on the tiled floor. "Where the hell is that damned elevator?" she muttered under her breath.

"Sachiko?" a voice called from behind her.

"Mother?!" Sachiko replied, unable to hide her surprise.

Sayako was baffled by how Sachiko looked, leaving her office without her coat and with a visible line of edginess on her beautiful face. What happened for her to be this impatient? Sayako thought.

Before another word was said, the door chimed open and Sachiko rushed inside. "I am sorry mother but I am in a hurry." She pressed to close the door, knowing that she has some explaining to do as soon as she gets home.

Keiko was not able to reach her boss in time, but found the chairman's wife and Ms. Sachiko's mother looking perplexed.

"Good morning Ogasawara-sama" she greeted.

"Keiko-san good morning" Sayako smiled, "would you happen to know why Sachiko was in a hurry?"

Keiko fidgeted, assessing if this matter should be shared.

"It's fine, Sachiko wouldn't know" The older Ogasawara winked. She has such a kind-natured aura that makes you want to just abide by her request. Quite the opposite from Ogasawara Sachiko who make people follow her because of fear.

"Her friend ma'am. She was going after her friend." Keiko responded, deciding that this piece of detail would not be detrimental or problematic for her boss. And anyway, the woman requesting for the information is her mother.

"Does this friend have a name?"

Keiko once again kicked herself. She should have gotten at least the woman's name.

"I'm sorry but she didn't leave a name."

"Is she a young woman in her twenties with brown hair and gentle brown eyes?" the older Ogasawara asked knowingly. Only Yumi-san have this effect on Sachiko, she concluded.

Upon seeing Keiko nod, the older woman smiled knowingly "Thank you Keiko" and with that she left.

Keiko stared at the Ogasawara Sayako-sama's retreating back, maybe this woman is more important that I thought. Keiko thought.

Yumi

Yumi sighed in relief. She had returned the book without the need to see her. She also narrowly escaped from having that secretary take her name and number. She pressed the 'G' button, noticing that there were other passengers getting off on other floors.

She was the only remaining passenger when the elevator screen suddenly stopped showing what floor she was on. Thinking that it was broken, she just continued to patiently wait for her stop. She was expecting the door to open to a lobby full of people like earlier, but it didn't. Instead of the atrium, the elevator stopped a level down to the first floor basement, seeing the 'B1' signed on the one of the car park columns. She headed out and was thinking of taking the stairs, deciding it might not be safe to use a broken elevator. But as soon as she stepped out, she was greeted by a very pissed Sachiko.

She was currently seated on the hood of a white Porsche, wearing a skirt an inch above her knees, a sleeveless blouse and a very irritated look. She was striding elegantly towards her with that scowl and icy glare of hers.

Sachiko

Sachiko was beyond irritated. She has been agonizing over not running after Yumi that day. In her head, she has run multiple scenarios of their first meeting since the break up and none of it came close to what actually happened. In her head, she was confident and happy see her again, asking if she would be free to catch-up. Yumi will agree, of course, and they will become friends. She imagined being able call Yumi if she is stressed out or just in need of company or that Yumi would call her because she needed someone to talk to. But the story stops there – at least in her head. Can she really be okay with Yumi just being her friend? Will she be able to handle Yumi talking about her boyfriend?

It was these thoughts that made Sachiko take one step back. She was not yet ready. And with it, comes the price of avoiding any form of contact with Yumi, until she can keep her emotions in check.

She has gone back to the café on weekends since that incident. Thinking that if fate would allow her to see Yumi once again, it would be on the day Yumi is least likely to go in a café by the CBD. She stayed there to read a book and wait until her coffee is all gone, and then she would leave. She remembered feeling both relief and sorrow, on those days when Yumi did not come. Until one day, tired of waiting for a woman she knew would never come, she decided to stop. With her coffee still half full, she walked out and went home. If it weren't for the thought of seeing Yumi, she wouldn't risk staying out in a place full of people. She is still not very comfortable being around so many people, especially males. Unlike Yumi, she is not oblivious of her surroundings. She knew that people, especially men are eyeing her with desire, deciding whether or not they should approach her. There was even one gentleman who was brave enough to talk to her, despite her giving off an aura of indifference. She gave him a cold shoulder, knowing that he doesn't deserve even an ounce of her attention.

All of her pent up frustration of waiting for Yumi rushed back to her, making her angry. Yumi was almost at arm's reach, just beyond her door a few moments ago, only for her to leave without a word to her? Yumi had been so close…

She closed her eyes to calm herself. She sat herself on one of her family's cars nearest the elevator where she knew Yumi would come out. Security called to inform her of Keiko's instructions about her friend.

"That's good" she responded, "but instead of the ground floor, make sure her elevator goes to B1" without waiting for an affirmation, she ended the call.

The elevator bell shook her out of her musing. She saw Yumi and once again mixed emotions swirled in her head. She strode towards her, never breaking eye contact. She stopped just a few feet away from a still confused Yumi "What is the meaning of this, Fukuzawa Yumi?"

Yumi shook her head, not knowing what to say.

"You go to my office and then just disappear without a word?" Sachiko was angry. "Do you have any idea how frustrating that is for me? To know that you are here, in my office, but I am unable to see you?"

"I – " Yumi remain speechless. She had not prepared for this and was now finding her tongue tied.

"What?!" Sachiko almost shouted hysterically.

Yumi sensed the urgency to abate the growing anger of Sachiko, but was still unable to think of anything to say.

Sachiko's eyes softened, "ever since I saw you in that cafe I – "

"I am not yet ready Sachiko" Yumi interjected.

"Neither am I…" she admitted. "So why are you here?"

Yumi looked troubled, like her, unable to explain the need to see the other. After that eventful morning, her head has been full of thoughts of Sachiko. Battling the desire to be together, despite knowing how much they love they still hold in their hearts. It was torture. Being this close to the one you love, but unable to hold her because it was scary, because it was wrong and because it was against the will of fate.

"Your book…" Yumi lied, and Sachiko can sense it.

"Really Yumi?"

"I'm sorry Sachiko, I shouldn't have come" with a shaky voice she said. It was contrary to the brave Yumi she met a month ago, but still the Yumi she loves.

It was the final straw before Sachiko cursed loudly, momentarily stunning Yumi, before the older girl pulled her into an embrace. Yumi let herself be dragged into that embrace, but it took a moment before the younger girl let go of her apprehensions and encircled her in her arms as well. It was the most comforting and terrifying feeling.

"I missed you" Sachiko whispered.

A/N: Another chapter filled with drama, but I hope you enjoyed it just the same. Hoping to hear your thoughts.