A few days later
Aya stirred in bed feeling irate because of the annoying throbbing in her head. "Aaargh…" she groaned and sat up holding her head. Damn it, why is my head hurting so much, she thought as she got off the bed and made her way slowly to the bathroom.
While she was washing her face she heard the faint sound of a knock on her door. She pulled the towel from the hanger beside her and rushed to open the door. Who is it at this time of hour; she complained mentally opening the door to find Saeki smiling at her.
"Oh… just you," she muttered turning around leaving the door wide open behind her.
Saeki walked in with a half smile from the greeting Aya gave him. "Hey… people say 'good morning' when they see someone not 'just you'!" he said, sarcasm dripping from every word.
Aya narrowed her eyes looking at him as she sat on the edge of her bed. "Why are you bugging me so early in the morning?" she asked throwing the towel behind her.
"I came to see if you were ready for the interview!"
"What freaking interview?" hissed Aya annoyed. "Do I look like I am in a state for an interview?" she closed her eyes and dropped her body on the bed. "Its only 6:30 am!" she whined like a little brat, "people sleep at 6:30 am!"
Saeki chuckled and sat on the bed next to her laying form. "We talked about this yesterday Aya, I had to stay at Yuuta's home just to be closer to come pick you up!." He pulled her to sit up. "Go shower. I'll find you something to wear."
Aya walked to the shower with a grumble.
Oshitari residence – 06:50 AM
"You need to stop doing that," Arisa said with a giggle.
Oshitari was rubbing her 5 months old belly tenderly and kissed her cheek. "I don't get to spend so much time with you girls often," he told her.
Arisa blushed and looked up lovingly at him, "we love you too, although sometimes I think you love your job more…"
He placed a finger on her lips and smirked, "let's not ruin the mood."
"I'm not ruining any mood… I'm just very emotional at the moment, it comes with the package you know," she retorted as the door to their bedroom opened and little Kaede walked in rubbing her eyes.
"What have we here?" Oshitari teased his daughter. He got off the bed and walked up to Kaede; he picked her in his arms grinning from ear to ear.
"Papaaaa…" whined Keade annoyed.
Arisa sighed. Here we go again, she thought looking at the scene in front of her. "Darling, stop doing that… can't you see that it's annoying her?" she said getting out of bed. "She is still half asleep put her in bed… Yuushi!"
"What?" Oshitari stopped tickling his daughter and looked at Arisa who was glaring at him.
"Put her on the bed!" Arisa pointed her finger to solidify what she asked him to do.
Oshitari did as he was told. He laid little Kaede on the bed and kissed her cheek. Kaede hugged her duck doll and rolled around. I love her; he thought chuckling at his daughter's antics. "Are you happy now?" he asked as he straightened himself.
Arisa nodded satisfied. "Now shoo… You go work and I will go laze out with Kaede." She turned around and walked to the bed.
"Are those mood swings from the pregnancy?"
"Yes… now go!"
Oshitari shook his head defeated. I think one pregnancy will be enough for her, he thought as he left the room. He stood for a few seconds at the door looking at the two figures on the bed; I'm blessed, he thought with a smile closing the door behind him.
7:29 AM
"Oh! Good morning Sanada-san, I didn't know you would be here so early."
Sanada looked up from the reception desk where he was sitting and greeted the young woman that walked in the office. "Good morning Morita-san." He got up from the chair he was occupying and walked to his own office.
The young woman looked at her boss perplexed. I know he is not the most talkative person in the world… but today it's like he's mind is somewhere else, she thought while she took off her jacket and prepared her desk. "Oh, well," she said out loud smiling brightly, "maybe Niou-san pissed him off again," she chuckled and went to the small kitchen to make some coffee.
Sanada sat in the chair in front his desk and leaned backwards sighing deeply. He was too restless to sleep last night so he had left very early from home. He was in the office since 7 am and although he was there from that time he hadn't done anything regarding work.
His mind was in a state of blankness and couldn't think about a single thing. He couldn't figure out what worried him most, not having any news on Fay's well-being or Niou's latest girlfriend.
What a headache, he thought rubbing his temples trying to ease the throbbing in his head. "Damn," he swore under his breath and got up from his chair as he made his way towards the kitchen.
"La la la…" Morita was singing happily preparing her coffee and she didn't notice Sanada walk in the kitchen when she turned around with the steaming mug in her hand as they collided into each other.
"Be care…" Sanada said placing his hands on the younger woman's shoulders.
"Aaaah…" screamed Morita and dropped the mug from her hands spilling the hot coffee on the floor and Sanada's pants. "Oh, Sanada-san, I'm sorry… so sorry!" she bowed desperately.
"Are you alright?" he asked as he held the young woman in his arms.
Morita nodded and pulled away blushing furiously feeling embarrassed. She took a few steps back and looked down at the mess she caused before her eyes fixed on the stain on Sanada's pants. "Your pants…" she cried out and took the cloth from the counter behind her.
Sanada looked down the moment Morita had yelled about his pants and saw the stain. A good day starts early in the morning, he thought frowning but froze when he saw the young woman who was his secretary as she had kneeled down and was cleaning his pants. "Mo… Morita-san…"
Morita didn't look when she heard Sanada's voice but instead spoke as she was still positioned on her knees. "I'm so sorry… Sanada-san! I'm… such… a klutz," she hiccupped softly.
Sanada took a step back and helped the young woman stand up. "Nothing happened Morita-san," he said softly. "I have a spare suit in my office. You don't have to cry." He whipped her eyes with his thumb and walked out of the kitchen with a sigh. This is going to be a long day…
Sanada never noticed the confused look on Morita's face as she stood in the middle of the kitchen staring at his retreating form with a deep blush spreading over her cheeks.
7:45 AM
I guess I am a bit early at work today, Yuuta thought as he placed his bag on the chair of his desk. He pulled up the magazine he was holding in his other hand and took a look at the cover.
He moved his brief case on the side of his desk and sat on his chair. He turned on his laptop and then pulled his phone from his jacket that rested on the back of his chair. I just want to spend the day with Saeki, he thought trying to call him but it was switched off.
It's closed… he thought disappointed as he closed his phone. He opened his emails to get to work before Kirihara and Fay would come and cause the world to turn upside down. While he was going through his emails his eyes averted at the magazine that was placed on his left. He took a look at the clock on the bottom of his screen; I think I can slack off a bit… no one is here anyway…
FLIP
FLIP
FLIP
Fay walked in the office lazily thinking that no one was there yet, but stopped when she heard the distinct sound of paper flipping. She looked at inside her assistant's office and saw Yuuta flipping through the pages of a magazine. He has a frown on his face even this early in the morning, she thought amused at how cute he looked.
She walked in the office carelessly and greeted her junior with a smile. Yuuta greeted her in return and then resumed reading his magazine.
"She is so hot," he muttered as low as possible but not enough to prevent Fay from listening to him.
Huh? Fay thought when she heard Yuuta mumble something about someone being hot, probably he is looking at some model's photos, she shook her head with a small smile forming on her lips before she looked at the magazine from the corner of her eye.
STOP
Fay froze on the spot; her eyes were glued on the magazine that Yuuta was reading and commenting. No… she thought her eyes widening with the sudden realization. No freaking way…
SMACK
"Ouch…" Yuuta rubbed his head at the sudden pain he felt, she immediately glared at the person who smacked him on the head. "What the Hell was that for?" he complained irritated.
Fay glared at him and picked up the magazine. "How dare you look at my Arisa like that and comment on her." She threw the magazine in her bag. "Shame on you!" she said and walked to her office fuming.
Friend? Yuuta thought staring at the closed door of Fay's office. Who is Arisa? Oh, right Oshitari girlfriend! Oops… if they are friends that means… He laughed and covered his mouth trying not to be heard. Holly shit… I should tell Sae about this!
9:17 AM
"What? You're kidding? They're launching a product in a week?" Fay demanded, glaring at Yuuta who had just delivered the news to her.
Yuuta sighed, "Don't glare at me. I just received the e-mail ten minutes ago," he said, turning his laptop around for her to see the e-mail.
Fay read the e-mail fuming and narrowed her eyes, "They're idiots. They didn't even copy me on it. So unprofessional of them … is this the account that you're handling?"
"Yes."
Fay picked up a notepad and sat on his desk, "I'm not happy about this Yuuta, you need to manage the departments that you're handling properly and keep tabs on them. Regular e-mails on product launches are important, if they don't manage their time then we need to do it for them."
"Yes, ma'am," he muttered.
"Now…"
"Good morning," Kirihara said cheerfully, walking in.
"You're late," Far barked unhappily. "Drop everything and come here," she ordered.
Kirihara sighed, "Umm… Can I order coffee first?" he asked, I have a feeling that I'll be needing it.
"Order us as well, triple shot," Fay said, picking up her cell phone. "Yuuta, get our agency in here while I call the product head so he can brief us on the collaterals that they need ready for their launch." She began dialing, "Akaya, when you're done ordering our coffee, e-mail our PR agency and tell them to be prepared to draft a press release, ask them what they will need from us and what dates are available next week. Also, let them know that we'll send them the details by end of day today. I want the first draft first thing tomorrow."
"Will do," Kirihara said, turning his laptop on to work as he ordered coffee for all of them.
10:08 AM
"Come in," Sanada said mechanically when he heard the knock on his door. He was going through a case file trying to figure out what papers where missing.
"Umm… Sanada-san, I brought you the Igano file you asked for." Morita left the file on his desk and turned to leave.
"Is Niou in yet?" he asked as he flipped through the file that had occupied him for days.
Morita stopped at the door. "No. He didn't come yet," she said slowly.
Sanada looked up at the young secretary who wasn't facing him, a frown appearing on his face. "Call him and see where he is." He ordered and turned his attention on the papers in front of him.
"Yes, Sanada-san." The young woman stepped out of his office and breathed in deeply. I can't believe I'm feeling like a high school girl when she meets her first crush! She thought walking back to her desk.
"Why the face?"
Morita sat on her chair and exhaled heavily. "He is a bad mood," she said as she placed her cheek on the cold surface of her desk. "I don't know if he upset with me or Niou-san."
The older woman giggled. "It's probably Niou-san," she said and picked the ringing phone. "Sanada and Niou law firm, how may I help?"
Morita sighed straitening herself as she picked up her phone and dialed Niou´s number.
"The number you have dialed is out of reach or switched off. Please…"
He won't be happy; she thought hanging up the phone with a sigh.
10:02 AM
Fay walked into the meeting room and looked around her, she noticed both of her teammates there and two people from the agency. "You're late," she said bluntly, sitting down across them.
"Mishima-san, you do realize that it was short notice and there is traf…"
"Save it," Fay said, raising her hand. "Yuuta, please brief them on what we need and let's keep this as priority, Akaya, kindly jot down the minutes of the meetings." She looked up at the agency and watched them firmly, "You're to push back all of this week's deadlines of the other projects that we have so we can meet this project's deadline, I will not accept any delays, you're to stick to this on the dot, understood?"
"Understood."
Fay turned to Fuji Yuuta, "Yuuta, please start."
Ten minutes later
"I understand what you're telling me, Mishima-san, but this is impossible, we don't even have a brief or concept yet prepared for this project. How can we start producing collaterals if we don't even have a direction?"
"Jin," Fay said shortly, looking at the account director. "Yuuta has already presented the brief to you, we're here to help you as much as we can, and I know you can do it." she stood up, "Failure is not an option."
Yuuta began taking notes of some things in his mind and directed his next saying at Jin. "I will call the product head in for you in case you have any questions, please feel free to ask anything so you're able to understand the direction we're willing to take."
"I want to see the first layout concept today at 4 pm," Fay said, walking towards the door, "Boys, I'll leave the rest of the meeting to you."
Hoo boy, Kirihara thought when he saw Jin's shocked look.
11:33 AM
Aya walked out the luxurious office sighing. This… is not what I am looking for… She looked around the room to spot Saeki but he was nowhere to be found. Now, where he disappeared to, she thought and made her way out of the room that was obviously something like a small lounge.
"Sae, what are you doing sitting here?" she asked when she spotted him in the hallway next to a window.
Saeki turned around when he heard his friend talking to him and smiled. "So… you didn't like the job offer," he said amused.
"How did you know?" Aya pouted.
"You expression said everything." He moved a hand around her shoulder, "I know you better than anyone else Aya-chan!" he whispered with a wink. "So… what was the job offer again?"
Aya rolled her eyes. "Be a PA (personal assistant) for the boss's son!" she said as they both walked to the elevator. "If you needed a PA Sae, you could have just asked!" She pressed the button for the elevator to ascend while her friend was laughing his head off. "I can't believe you would put me through that awful ordeal. Your father is a terrifying man!" she shuddered.
Saeki kept laughing thinking of Aya and her father sitting in the same room trying to have a decent conversation. "Well, you would have rejected the offer if I told you straight away, no?"
Aya pulled her tongue out.
"See…" he laughed again. "Anyway, won't you think of the offer? I do need a good assistant Aya-chan!" he winked.
"Cut the –chan suffix you're creeping me out!" Aya said as the doors to the elevator opened. "I can't work with you Sae. You're too demanding!"
"Fine, fine… I had to try though! Care to join me for dinner?"
1:22 PM
"You're joking," Sanada muttered looking through his office window, for it was now that Niou had walked in. Sanada looked at his watch again and tried to control his temper, but he couldn't.
He slammed his hand on the desk and walked out, "Masaharu," he said, walking into his office. "You're late and have been for the past two weeks. You have a case at 4 o'clock today, are you even prepared?"
Niou pulled out a cigarette and lit it, "I'm fine.'
"I didn't ask you how you were." Sanada snapped, "I asked if you're prepared." He snatched the cigarette from his mouth, "This is a no-smoking building."
"So what?" Niou retorted and sat on his chair in front of his desk. "It's my damn office."
Sanada looked at him sharply. "You better watch your language when you address me Masaharu and get your act together." He placed his hands on the desk and leaned towards Niou. "You are a lawyer; so act accordingly."
Niou sunk in his chair knowing the look on Sanada's face; he dared not say anything or else it would be hell for him to pay. He is seriously pissed off, he thought looking straight into his partner's eyes.
"If you have trouble waking up in the morning than you should try sleeping at night instead of partying with that whore who is pulling you from your nose."
That's it, Niou sat up immediately at the comment his friend made. "Stay out of my business, Genichirou. I'm not a child anymore and I certainly don't need you to babysit me." He got up glaring at his long time friend.
"Your actions show how irresponsible you are," Sanada muttered feeling completely irate. "Get ready for your case. I will come with you." He turned around and walked to the door.
"I said I don't need you to babysit me, damn it!" Niou snapped angrily slamming his fist on his desk. "I haven't lost a single case and you f****** know it," he shouted annoyed at his partner's offensive suggestion.
"I will repeat myself only once Masaharu," Sanada said calmly opening the door. "Get your act together before it's too late and don't use fowl language in the office." He left Niou's office, closing the door gently behind him.
Shit… Damn it… Shit… Shit… Shit… Niou swore inwardly staring at the closed door. I can't believe he trashed me like that… he ruffled his hair frustrated and swore again. What the hell is wrong with me? What am I doing?
2:32 PM
"This is ridiculous, there are policies and procedures, and I can't just accept this quotation." Oshitari fixed his glasses, standing up. "You need three quotations from different vendors to produce brochures, we can't just accept this."
"Well, we have to do this for now; it goes under their cost center not ours." Fay argued, crossing her arms. "Look at me, Yuushi, do I look like I have time to have this argument with you? I need to approve these quotations so I can go ahead with printing once we receive the layouts."
"The auditors will screw us over if we make an exception, Atobe will not like it."
Fay snatched the quotation from his hands, "if I get Atobe's approval, can we go ahead?"
"Yes.'
Fay rushed out and went straight to Atobe's office. She almost knocked people down on her way. I hate incompetent people who don't plan their products well, she thought referring her thoughts to the product head.
Fay walked past Atobe's PA and knocked on the door. She immediately walked in and found him reading a document with his reading glasses on. Fay closed the door behind her and walked forward, "Atobe."
"One minute," he said, scanning his eyes over something. After he finished with his reading he took of his glasses and rubbed his eyes. "What do you want now Fay?"
Nice painting, Fay thought as she was looking at a frame on the wall while waiting for Atobe to finish. She turned around and looked at him when she heard his voice. "Is this painting new?" she asked as she placed the paper she was holding. "I need a signature."
Atobe looked at the paper and then at Fay. "This is something Yuushi should handle."
"He needs your signature," Fay said playing with a pencil. "Just sign it so I can go finish." She ordered.
"Go out with me tonight," Atobe said as he put on his glasses to read the quotation in his hand.
"What? Just sign the damn thing Atobe I don't have time to play games."
Atobe smirked and looked at Fay with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "You know what I will say now right?"
Fay sighed helplessly and leaned over the desk. "That you won't sign it until I say I'll go out with you. Do you know how childish this is?" she sighed again seeing the unfazed look on his face. "Fine. You win! I'll go out with you! Now sign!"
He was about to sign, but stopped, "where's the second and third quotation?" he asked.
Fay hesitated, "I don't have it.'
He raised an eyebrow, and looked at her sternly, "You're breaking policies."
"I'm just bending them because this is an emergency, you're stupid product department wants to launch something in a week, I can't do that with normal procedures." Fay argued. She walked towards him and sat on the edge of his desk. "I am serious."
He turned his chair around and looked at her. "Policies are policies."
"Atobe," she muttered, leaning closer to him. "Do you want me NOT to be obedient tonight?"
"We're in the office, Fay, people might see…"
She raised an eyebrow, "see what? Me kissing you?" She moved her hand slowly and grabbed his tie lightly.
"You won't do it here," he said firmly. 'Even if my door is closed, I forbid you to…"
Fay pulled him by his tie and kissed him. Atobe wanted to push her away, but ended up pulling her closer and deepening the kiss. "I always lead," he murmured, kissing her thoroughly.
He pulled away, looking into her eyes. "I want you to go and finish your work," he whispered.
Fay chuckled, pulling away too. "I am too tired?" she admitted, 'stupid work." She brushed one hand through her hair and pointed at the document with her other hand. "Sign."
"Is my Marketing Manager complaining," he said picking the paper, giving it back to Fay "I'm sorry but I can't sign this without the right procedures."
"Did he sign the damn paper already?" Oshitari asked barging into Atobe's office. "I have other things to… do…" he stopped and looked at both his friends. "Your tie is screwed and your hair is a mess," he pointed out and turned to close the door behind him. "Seriously, what the Hell is wrong with you two? This is an office!"
Atobe and Fay looked at Oshitari surprised and then at each other. "I'll sign this for you now," Atobe said and scribbled his signature on the paper before he gave it to Fay.
Fay smiled victoriously and took the paper. "Thank you Atobe." She walked away from his desk and passed Oshitari on her way out. "Excellent timing," she whispered and handed him the paper.
Oshitari sighed tiredly. "You might want to fix your hair before exiting the office!" he looked at the paper in his hand and then turned to leave as well. "I guess my job is done!"
3:54 PM
"I'm sorry, boys, but it's going to be a long day," Fay said wearily, sitting on Yuuta's desk.
Yuuta looked at her, "We're prepared for the long night, but…"
"I'm starving,' Kirihara complained, resting his head on his desk, "We haven't even had lunch."
Fay blinked and realized that she was hungry too when her stomach growled, oh my… I was so busy that I forgot to eat, she thought. Fay picked up Yuuta's phone, "I'll order Chinese, what do you all want?"
Half an Hour Later
The three of them were working, looking at the concept designs and munching off their Chinese takeaway boxes. They were trying to decide if they were good or…
"I hate it,' Fay admitted.
Yuuta sighed, "I know, it hurts to look at."
Kirihara munched on a spring roll and rolled his eyes, "who the hell hired this agency?'"
"Let's just not… get into that," Fay whispered, rubbing her forehead.
"So what now?" Yuuta asked.
It's going to be a long and painful day, Fay thought, "Get the creative director in here, including Jin."
"He's going to hate us," Yuuta muttered, picking up the phone.
"That's if he doesn't already," Kirihara added
5:12 PM
RING
RING
Oshitari fetched his phone from the top of his desk and answered it. "How is my Princess doing?" he said with a smile.
"Are you still at work?"
Here we go again, he sighed getting up from his chair and stretched his feet before answering. "There are some complications. I will be late," he said tiredly brushing his free hand through his hair. "How are you feeling?"
There was a long pause on the other line.
"Arisa?"
"I'm fine!" Arisa said coldly. "Why is it that you have to stay so late at work AGAIN!" she demanded annoyed. "You have people working for you in your department. I'm bored and tired!"
Oshitari loosened his tie. "Baby, I understand how you feel but I can't just leave work, not when there is a mess going on." He sat on his chair again and pulled a file out of a pile. "I will try and finish as quickly as possible."
Arisa sniffed but said nothing.
"Are you crying?" he asked writing something in the file. I can't handle these pregnancy mood swings, he thought feeling mentally exhausted.
"No," Arisa replied with a sniff. "I'm not. I'll see you when whenever you remember to come home." She hung up without giving him a chance to say anything.
"I love you too…" he said sarcastically looking at the phone before he placed it on his desk and continued with his work. "Seriously… I don't understand women. First, they try to get you out of the house as soon as possible and then they want you back ASAP…" he mumbled to no one around.
"Talking to yourself, Yuushi?"
Oshitari looked up when he heard Atobe, 'and why are you still here?"
Atobe sat across him and crossed his arms, "I seriously have no energy to go back today," he admitted, pulling out a cigarette from his pocket.
"That bad, huh?" Oshitari asked, knowing fully well that Atobe only smoked when he was ready to kill someone. "May I as well?"
Atobe threw him a piece and lit it for him. "And what's up your ass?"
"Impatient and pregnant woman," Oshitari complained loosening his tie, "I'm afraid it comes with the package."
Atobe chuckled, "Thank god I'm single," he muttered exhaling the smoke and watched it making different shapes before it dissolve in the air.
Oshitari exhaled and raised an eyebrow, "I know what I saw."
Atobe looked at him curiously, 'excuse me?"
"You're fooling around with Mishima Fay." Oshitari said seriously leaning in his chair. "Not only outside of work but also in your office; are you completely mad?"
Atobe shrugged, "she's just a friend Yuushi."
"Friends don't sleep with each other," Oshitari remarked, pulling out another cigarette. "And worst of all when it's Fay we're talking about."
Atobe raised an eyebrow, "some friends do," he said quietly and then leaned back against the chair. "So what if it is Fay, Yuushi? She is an intelligent and very sexy woman."
Oshitari frowned, "if you're her good friend then you do realize that she is in love with someone else. Instead of sleeping with her you should have advised her to do something to win him back." He took off his glasses and placed them on his desk. "God Atobe, you are acting like a cheap slut screwing around with her. That doesn't become of you; get your act together man!"
"Cheap slut?"
"Yes, what you're doing is as low as it gets. She's lonely and you caught her at a vulnerable time…"
"Stop it right there Yuushi." Atobe cut him off fuming. "You're tripping over sensitive grounds, and for your information she initiated it." He took of his tie and threw it somewhere in the room. "I know what happened was wrong but the days are more enjoyable than they used to be."
"Keigo…" Oshitari looked at his friend with compassion. "I understand what you're going through. I know very well where your heart is set and I am sorry if you're suffering on my behalf, but maybe it's time for you to move on and Mishima Fay isn't that person for you."
Atobe froze in his chair looking at Oshitari shocked at his sincere words. "If it was someone else, I would have denied it but I guess you're right. Maybe it's time to move on!" he regained his composure quickly and brushed a hand through his hair. "I feel like such a loser," he laughed.
Oshitari smiled, "you could qualify for one!" he said in his usual teasing tone. "Don't defy your mother every time she brings a woman home, instead, why don't you for once try and see how one of those arranged marriages goes," he speculated.
Atpbe wanted to say something, but Oshitari interrupted.
"I care about you and Fay, but if you look at it clearly, it's a stupid move. You'll ruin your reputation while Fay's career will be gone. Is it really worth it when you know she's not even thinking of wearing a white dress for you?"
Atobe frowned.
6:21 PM
"You didn't have to come, see? I won," Niou said, walking out with Sanada.
Sanada glared at him, "You messed up, Masaharu."
Niou stopped walking, "what do you mean I messed up?!" he demanded. "It was in our favor and we won. The guy got a restraining order against his kids because he wasn't there for them and he would beat…"
"True, but they needed protection from the mother, not the father," he interrupted. "She was cheating on her husband and always left them negligent. You didn't even read the file on your desk." He got into his car, "I have nothing more to say."
"You have a serious issue with the cheating cases," Sanada said fastening his seatbelt.
Niou looked at his friend and partner stunned. "Do you really want to go down that conversation?" he asked with a mock expression on his face.
Sanada turned and looked at his friend silently. "Drive." He ordered after a few moments. "I have work."
"Sure thing; seems like the truth actually bites you in the ass," Niou muttered as he drove out of the parking. "I'm surprised you're such a hypocrite, Genichirou."
"Hypocrite?"
"You know what? Forget it… I don't even know why this whole conversation started." He stopped the car at the red light. "I won't be coming home tonight."
Sanada looked at him from the corner of his eye remaining silent.
"Just letting you know."
7:00 AM
"Sae, pass me the mushrooms please," Aya said as she was stirring the soup. "Should I make it spicy?" she asked while she dropped the cleaned mushrooms in the steaming pot.
Saeki sat on the counter behind Aya. "You really didn't need to go to trouble of feeding me you know!" he said as he watched his friend busy herself over the stove. "We could've just ordered."
Aya turned around and looked at him with the spoon in her mouth. "Nu waa!" she muttered.
Saeki laughed and jumped of the counter. He picked a cloth and walked over to Aya. "Come here you goof! You spilled soup on you." He placed the cloth over the stain laughing, seeing his friend's expression.
RING
RING
RING
"Oh… oh… Sae, answer my phone please." Aya took the cloth from his hand and turned around to pick the pot off the stove. "Who is it?" she asked while she placed the pot on the counter.
Saeki picked the phone from the table and checked the caller ID. "Its Miss Snotty!" he handed the phone to Aya after it stopped ringing. "You call her!"
RING
RING
Aya narrowed her eyes at Saeki and answered the phone. "Sweetie… You're still at work?" she asked holding the phone between her head and shoulder in order to use both hands to set the table.
"Yeah… I'm having the worst day of my life!" Fay answered from the other line. "Why didn't you answer?"
Aya with the help of Saeki had managed to set the table and now was at the counter filling the bowls with soup. "I was cooking for me and Sae, so I didn't reach it in time," she said and before her friend could respond she continued, "What time are you coming home tonight?"
"I don't think I will come home tonight, babe, I really need to finish this project!"
"I see…" Aya said taking the phone in her hand again. "Then you won't mind if Sae crashes over, right?" she asked trying to keep a cool tone.
Fay hesitated for a moment. "No, of course not Aya… As long as he keeps his creepy presence out of my room I have no issues!"
Aya rolled her eyes and made a gesture to Saeki to start eating. "Fine. He can sleep in my room!" she sat at the table and poured some orange juice for her and her guest. "Anyway, sweetie, I need to close because we're having dinner! Let me know if you need anything, okay?"
Fay sighed tiredly. "Sure thing, I just needed to have a change in pace, that's all! Take care and be careful!" she hung up.
"Crazy woman!" Aya shook her head as she closed her phone and left it aside. "I hope you like it Sae!" she smiled and began to eat.
After they finished with their Aya cleaned the table and with Saeki's help they washed and cleaned the kitchen. She then gave Saeki a couple of towels and pushed him to the shower while she changed sheets on her bed for him to rest later at night.
8:21 PM
Fay opened the box of painkillers and pulled two out. Without thinking, she swallowed them whole and drank a glass of water after it. She placed the glass down and massaged her temples while her eyes were closed.
"Go home."
She opened her eyes and saw Atobe by her door, "I can't…" she muttered, "I can't leave until I see the final layout, we finally approved something. It needs to go to print tonight."
"Where are the boys?" he said, looking around the office.
"They went downstairs to get coffee."
Atobe sighed, "Still here then?"
'Yup." She smiled, "I'm giving them the day off tomorrow, and they worked their asses off."
"What about you?'
"We'll see," she said, picking up a paper from her desk. 'I'm sorry, but I can't…"
'I know," he interrupted. "I won't expect you too."
Fay smiled sincerely and then stopped, "Oh, why are you still here?'
He leaned forward and grinned, "I'm waiting for you; did you forget that I dropped you this morning?" What that idiot had said bothered me more than I intended it too.
"It's okay Atobe, I will get a ride home with a cab or I can always have Aya come pick me up." Say said with a tired smile. "There is no need for you to hang around here until I finish."
"I'll wait. Besides, I think it's about time we have a talk about what we are doing here, and I'd rather do it tonight." Atobe said just as tired. Knowing my restless mind, I better do it ASAP or I won't be getting any sleep.
"Argh!" Kirihara swore at the hot feeling. "Hot! Hot! Hot!"
Yuuta took the cup from him and glared, "Slow down, you idiot! The coffee's hot."
Kirihara glared back. "I know that! Man I'm so tired!" he scowled and sat on a chair in the coffee shop.
"I'm tired too. I hope we leave so…" Yuuta turned around when he noticed that he was talking to himself. "What the Hell are you doing?" he asked annoyed.
"I'm resting, what does it look like?" he answered gruffly. "She is worse than my senpais - Sanada and Yukimura!" he muttered tiredly leaning his head on the table.
Yuuta sat across him and placed the coffees on the table. "Wouldn't know," he mused as he typed a message on his phone. "By the way, I think I saw Atobe strolling over to her office as we were coming down!"
"You think they're…" Kirihara trailed off turning his head to rest his chin on the cold surface of the table.
"Nope. She might be a demon at work but I don't think she is that deranged as to date Atobe," he said sipping from his hot coffee.
Kirihara straightened himself and rubbed his face. "Heh… who said she doesn't suit him!" he joked taking his coffee. "It's like they were made for each other."
Yuuta laughed. "Nah… But just so you know, Fay is in love with Sanada!" he got up and walked to the elevator while Kirihara ran behind him with his coffee in hand.
"Oy! She knows Sanada senpai?" he asked trying not to spill his coffee, "how do you know that?"
"Well, it's a secret! And you can't say anything!" Yuuta said and glared at Kirihara as a warning.
Kirihara looked the other away annoyed. Dayum! It's such a freaking small world, he thought irritated.
8:53 PM
Sanada walked into the house tiredly carrying his briefcase and a takeout in his other hand. He left his briefcase on the floor and placed the takeout on the living room coffee table. I'm so tired, he thought loosening his tie; he had already tossed his jacket onto the couch. ~I'm surprised you're such a hypocrite, Genichirou~
Sanada sat on the couch picking up his chopsticks and ate a couple of sushi, before he left them on the table and pushed everything away. I can't eat… he sighed, hypocrite huh? Somehow I feel like one… he dropped his head backwards to rest on the back of the couch as he closed his eyes.
What the hell am I doing? He thought as he sat against the couch. I'm messed up, Masaharu's even more messed up than I am and I can't… he laughed bitterly, I am not even able to accept any other woman, he rubbed his eyes wearily.
Sanada got up after a while and made his way to his room. He removed his clothes and went to have a shower. He was feeling emotionally and physically exhausted.
I can't believe that life is so twisted… he placed his hands on the cold surface of the tiled wall and let the warm water run down his face, soothing his frustration. It feels like a sick joke… he clenched his fists cursing softly at his own failures in his life.
9:03 PM
"Welcome back Captain." Niou grinned at Yukimura who was straggling with his luggage.
Yukimura smiled. "I'm not your captain anymore, but since you mentioned it… take these two luggages," he said with a devilish grin gracing his lips.
Niou muttered something incoherent under his breath and followed Yukimura out of the airport carrying the two suitcases. "Are you hungry?" he asked as they approached his car. "We can get something on the way if you want."
"I'm very hungry actually, but I'd rather cook something when I get home," Yukimura said and placed the last small luggage in the back of the car. "I wasn't expecting you to pick me up Niou. Is Sanada held up at work?"
"No. He had to run an errand for his mother." Niou started the engine and fastened his seatbelt. "He asked me to come. Besides I had nothing better to do!" he mused as he drove out of the parking.
Yukimura opened his phone and checked it for any messages. "What about your new lady?" he asked typing a text message. "Aren't you seeing her tonight?"
Niou looked at his former captain before averting his eyes on the road again. "No. I won't see her tonight," he said indifferently. "I need my space from time to time."
"I see," Yukimura said closing his phone. "May I ask why you are involved with Nishiwaki Junko? She has a very bad reputation in the fashion circles." He opened his phone again when it beeped and smiled reading the context of the message.
"And when did you become an expert on the fashion world? You surely don't look like the type of person who listens to gossip and rumors." Niou opened his window and pulled a cigarette. "Besides she's a model, every man's dream!"
Yukimura closed his phone again and placed it in his pocket. "You should stop acting like an idiot Niou. Did you love Fay so much that you need another woman to vent out your frustration?" he coughed, "I would appreciate if you threw the damn thing away."
Niou frowned but obliged to his friend's request, he wasn't one to disobey Yukimura openly. "Fay has nothing to do with this. I like Junko and it's my business so I don't get why you care so much as to be so nosey."
"You're right Niou I shouldn't care, it's your life, but I'm your friend and I don't want you to get in trouble because you are too blind to see the stop sign that is staring you in the face." Yukimura sighed brushing a hand threw his hair. "I want you to stay away from Nishiwaki."
"We're not in school anymore." Niou snapped. "You have no right to interfere in my life and I don't want to talk about this anymore."
"I meant what I said."
Niou glared at Yukimura but the other man was gazing outside the window with a pensive look on his face. Am I really in the wrong here?
9:32 PM
"What?!" Fay exclaimed, looking at the new quotation. "Is this how much they're charging us for artwork?" she looked furious, "I finally approve layout and printing cost and now… THIS?!"
Yuuta nodded while Kirihara backed off slowly.
"Get Jin on the phone!" she ordered, I hate it when he thinks he can get smart with me, she thought aggravated.
Kirihara dialed and handed it straight to her
Fay snatched the phone just as he picked it up, "Jin, how dare you send me artwork cost after I got the printing quotation signed, I told you a million times that when I get a quotation then I want it whole."
"Fay, we…"
"Don't test my patience, Jin; I'm trying to make this work. You are putting me on the spot here, the damn artwork costs more than the printing," she said, walking around the room.
"We have policies as well…."
"No, this is not the first time," Fay argued, "I'm going to call Kasuragi Katsuo," she said, hanging up. "That guy… argh…"
Yuuta and Kirihara remained quiet; they both had seen Fay in rage but never like made them realize how scary she could be when she was fuming silently.
'Yuuta, Atobe's still here, please get Katsuo's number from him."
"Umm…" Yuuta began.
"Take Akaya with you," she said, marching into her office.
"Who's Kasuragi Katsuo again?" Kirihara asked Yuuta.
"Jin's boss, head of agency actually," Yuuta answered, heading towards Atobe's door. He found the older man, leaning by the desk with his sleeves folded and reading glasses on as he read a file. His tie and suit jacket had been discarded and were lying on his sofa. "Atobe-san?"
Atobe looked up, "Still here?"
Yuuta nodded.
Atobe took off his glasses and eyed them both, "what does she need?"
"Kasuragi Katsuo's number."
Atobe sighed, rubbing his jaw. He turned around and picked up his cell phone from the desk. Quickly, he flipped through his phone book and found the number. He looked at Yuuta and Kirihara seriously, "what happened?"
They quickly explained and Atobe nodded, "I'll make the call," the sooner I do, the faster we'll all be out of here.
9:55 PM
Aya kept cursing as she flipped through the classifieds while Saeki was watching a movie on TV. "You know…" she muttered glancing at her friend, if those two insisted I don't go into showbiz, the least they could've done is help me find a job! They scooted the minute I said I won't do it.
She flipped, flipped and flipped for something decent when an ad caught her attention. Hmm… She read, creepy but interesting, she thought.
Interior architect. Good pay. No experience required. Warning: chief architect is messy.
"Are people even allowed to post these types of messages?" she muttered, it's not like I have a choice anyway; this is the first ad I've seen that doesn't require me to have any experience. She tore the piece of paper and took the details. She flipped again for quite some time and realized that that piece of paper is her only hope.
"Did you say something Aya?" Saeki said his eyes still glued on the television.
Aya rolled her eyes, "No! You focus on the movie," she said a bit louder in order to be heard and then turned her attention to the ad she found. "It says to call for an appointment or just walk in to the following address." weird… I just walk in, to some stranger's appointment? This is way too weird for me. Maybe I should ask someone to come with me.
RING
RING
RING
"Sae, pick up your phone will you?" Aya shouted as she stood up stretching her body. "Be right back, want anything?" she walked into the kitchen after the negative answer she acquired from her friend.
I'm thirsty, she thought opening the fridge but the moment her eyes fell on the chocolate box she forgot all about her thirst. Yay! There's chocolate, she thought pulling the box out and a small bottle of water.
She walked back into the living room where Saeki was still on the phone with who she could guess was Yuuta.
"You're kidding me! I want you to resign now."
Aya lifted an eyebrow as she plopped on the armchair with the box in her hand. Sounds… Interesting… she smiled mischievously.
Yuuta scowled, "Oy, don't tell me what to do," he said annoyed. "I'm not resigning because you're not fond of my boss, besides she's hot."
"Must I remind you that you're gay?!" Saeki muttered.
"You're the gay one, I'm bisexual, remember?" he said proudly, but then laughed. "Don't worry about it; I didn't even know she was Aya's Fay until today." He leaned on his chair, thankful that no one was around. "Anyway, what's up with you? You guys met today, right?"
"Yeah, we managed to convince her not to go, finally." He smiled looking at Aya. That was a huge burden on my chest, Saeki admitted inwardly. "I already represent some ladies and they're absolute bitches the minute they turned famous. Besides if they knew what a pig Aya is I think they would have changed their minds by now!" He winked at Aya who was looking at him munching chocolate.
10:12 PM
"Finally I'm home!" Kirihara sighed happily. He unlocked the door and entered the apartment. "I'm home," he called as he took of his shoes. He walked to the living room when he got no answer. "Sempai? Didn't you hea… Eh?" he blinked.
"Akaya."
"Yo!"
Kirihara walked in the room and looked at the man who was smiling brightly at him. "Niou-sempai? Uwah… I'm so glad to see you!" he said excitedly forgetting his tiredness. "How have you been? What are you doing here? Where do…"
"Okay… Okay… Take it easy with the questions." Niou interrupted Kirihara. "I came to see Yukimura for something. Did you just get back from work?" he asked amused at his little Kouhai.
"Fay making you work overtime?" Yukimura asked with a glint in his eyes.
Niou turned around and looked at Yukimura, "Fay?"
Kirihara nodded and slouched on the couch. "Yeah… but it wasn't her fault. The agencies we work with are idiots," he sighed and looked at Niou. "I work at Atobe's company now. Good job too and my boss is super gorgeous!" he grinned.
"If it's the same Fay I know, then I believe you," Niou muttered. "I can't believe the world could be such a small place." He got up from where he was sitting and stretched his legs. "It's late. And since you're not throwing me out, I'll do it myself."
Kirihara and Yukimura got up too. Yukimura bided his friend goodnight also thanking him for the pickup and walked to the kitchen leaving the two men alone. "Well, sempai I will show you out," Kirihara said as he started to walk out of the room.
"Damn, Akaya, you grew taller than me," Niou said with a smirk. "You must have lots of ladies running after you." He winked.
"Not really," Kirihara scratched his head. "But I'd like to meet Fay-san's friend, the singer. She is hot! Yuuta showed me a photo of her."
Niou looked at him thinking that he was obviously talking about Aya. "Next time she sings at VOX I will introduce her to you," he said with a mischievous tone. "Night!"
Kirihara blinked, "He knows Aya too?"
Yukimura leaned by the doorframe and crossed his arms. "Aya is Masaharu's ex-girlfriend's best friend,' he explained.
"But, Aya's best friend is Fay… OH! Shit! You're kidding me?!" Kirihara's eyes widened, "Niou-senpai use to date my boss, Fay?"
"Use to."
But didn't Yuuta say Fay is in love with Sanada senpai… Man this is way too weird for me. I promised Yuuta that I wouldn't say anything… Argh! "Weird," he muttered.
Yukimura just smiled, "it's just life, Akaya."
10:34 PM
"Yuuta, when you took this job, you told me that it would be less stressful than your last one. Look at yourself, you're exhausted," Fuji Yoshiko scolded when she saw her youngest son walk in.
Yuuta just smiled for his mother, "It's alright, it's never this bad, and we just had an emergency."
Yoshiko wasn't amused, "Well, you know best, anyway, wash up and get dressed. Your brother's here and we're going to have a proper family dinner together. Your sister is setting up the table."
Yumiko's here? He thought, if she's here then that means…
"Yuu-chan?!"
Oh dear… he thought when two young girls threw themselves at him. I am definitely not getting any rest tonight… Thank god she gave us off tomorrow. "Kids, take it easy," he said, patting the five year olds heads.
They both gave him an innocent puppy look, "Mom said that we're sleeping over.'
"Can we stay with you?"
And share my bed?! Yuuta thought horrified. Argh… Not the bed… he slumped his head down.
"Don't worry, Yuuta, I'll take one of them," Fuji Syuusuke said with a chuckle walking in.
Yuuta didn't believe him.
10:40 PM
The food is on the table heated. I will sleep with Kaede in our room. I have made up the couch for you. Goodnight.
Oshitari read and re-read the note he found stuck on the front of the door. Pregnancies are troublesome, he thought with a sigh as he left the piece of paper on the small coffee table.
He lay on the couch that was his makeshift bed for tonight. He rubbed his eyes tiredly and directed his gaze to the closed door of his bedroom. Damn it, I feel like a stranger in my own home. He averted his eyes to the ceiling. I love her but this is too much…
He drifted to sleep after a little while thinking of a plan to make Arisa a little more cheerful.
"Argh… I can't sleep," Arisa swore softly. Serves you right not being able to sleep… This is guilt?! She sat up, holding her stomach. Why do I already feel like I'm 8 months pregnant… she thought with a sigh, for she was only end of 5 months now.
Arisa put on her slippers and pulled a robe to cover herself. She opened the door and peeked out. Oh dear… she thought, watching her soon to be husband sleeping half dead on the sofa with his chest exposed.
She walked to the closet to get a blanket with a frown on his face. "He's a grown man that keeps telling me to take care of myself, yet he sleeps in the middle of a cold night like this!?" she mumbled to herself, walking back to where Oshitari was lying down.
11:09 PM
"Oh," Yagyuu said, noticing a very soaked Niou in front of his door.
"Can I crash here?" Niou asked.
Yagyuu took off his glasses gesturing for his friend to enter. "Did Sanada finally kick you out?" he asked handing Niou a pair of slippers.
Niou glared at Yagyuu as he took the offered slippers. "No. We had an argument and I don't want to talk about it."
"I see." Yaggyuu started walking towards a big staircase. "I'll show to your room then."
"I hate being treated like a child," Niou muttered under his breath following his friend up the staircase.
"Then stop acting like one."
Niou looked up when he heard the comment. "I don't need to be scolded by you too. Yukimura already chewed my ears for the past hour," he complained.
Yagyuu stopped and turned around to look at Niou. "If you really want people to consider you as an adult then start acting like one." He pushed his glasses up his nose. "What do you think you're doing with that woman you're seeing?"
"Why does everyone have a problem with my woman?" Niou snapped.
"You seriously can't see what the problem is?" Yagyuu snapped back. "She is the worst kind of woman you could get involved with. What on earth is wrong with you Masaharu?"
Niou took a step back with Yagyuu´s uncharacteristically outburst. "Wow… hold your horses Hiroshi! Why are you so angry all of a sudden?" he asked confused.
Yagyuu sighed and composed himself. "Forget it Masaharu… You won't learn until you break your face on the wall that's down the path you chose to follow. Third door to your left is your room. Goodnight." He turned around and walked towards his own room. Masaharu, until this day you remain an idiot!
"Goodnight!" Niou called and made his way to his room for the night. That was weird… I've never seen Hiroshi snap like that. He was scary…
11:39 PM
"I'm exhausted," Fay murmured, leaning between Atobe's legs as they sat on the sofa. She had her head on his chest as he had a bowl of pop corn on her lap. He decided that they would just stay in and watch something, for he knew that Fay was about to collapse any minute.
"Fay?" Atobe whispered softly leaning his head down to look at Fay, who nodded tiredly.
She looked up at him and smiled, "you've been rather quiet."
He rubbed a hand through her hair, "how tired are you?"
She sat up and looked at him curiously, "depends…"
Atobe sat straight and looked at her straight in the eyes. "Serious talk?"
Fay nodded. "Right, you did mention that you wanted to talk to me about something."
"Okay then," he said placing the bowl on the coffee table. "Let's do this properly," he said, rubbing his hair lightly. I don't even know how to start but what yuushi said really bothered me.
"Let me guess? It's about our relationship no?"
He looked up at her and smiled, "Well, you're either psychic or I can't hide my thoughts from you anymore." He changed into a more comfortable position. "You're a great woman Fay…"
"Keigo..." she cut him off but he did the same by placing a finger on her lips.
"Let me do this." He looked at her feeling extremely light as if a terrible weight was being lifted from his shoulders. "The truth is that I'm in love with someone else. Someone that can't be mine," he sighed, "you're a wonderful person but I think that I used your kindness to fill my empty heart and my spacious bed."
Her eyes flickered and she nodded. I know that already.
"I hit rock bottom with this relationship and I pulled you down with me and I really apologize for this but it's time to end whatever stupidity possessed us and start living the life we're supposed too." Atobe filled his glass with some whisky.
Fay lifted her legs on the sofa and hugged them, "lately I had started thinking of that myself. I do love and respect you Atobe and I really don't want to lose you as a friend because you're the only one that completely understands me."
Atobe laughed and leaned back into the sofa, "Our friendship was never in question Fay just our fooling around. So, what's the new goal for the rest of this year?" he joked.
"I never knew that the Great Atobe could joke like a normal person," she laughed. "My goal is… hmm… that's tough!" she pulled her tongue out.
Atobe shook his head in disbelief. "Sanada! That is your goal Fay."
"And your goal, Mr. Know-it-all?"
Atobe closed his eyes and relax. "My goal is to give the omiai a chance." He opened one eye and looked at Fay who was pondering on something.
Fay studied his form as he was resting on the sofa. "Who is the mysterious woman that you can't have?"
"It's none of your business Mishima!" he said tiredly. "Go to bed, I'm tired!"
Fay got of the sofa rolling her eyes. "Pretty much the answer I was expecting from a brat! Goodnight Atobe." She threw him the blanket that was on the armchair next to the sofa and walked to his room.
"Goodnight!"