First Meeting
The hands on my watch show that it's nearly 4 pm. Whew…What a day! It certainly has been a productive day, cleaning all the suits on the 41st and 42nd floor. William used to clean MassGeneral Outpatient care, when we were together. I would often help him at night so, I've become a natural at ensuring everything was nice, neat, exquisitely clean. It still took a lot out of me. Somehow, I found joy in cleaning the rooms. The solidarity offered time for me to think about how I was going to proceed. This isn't a game anymore. This is my new reality.
"There you are!" I heard, as I exited the storage closet where the maid trays were kept.
"I'm sorry Sakiko!" I completely got consumed with my work, and doing it perfectly, that I completely forgot about lunch all together.
"Did you even eat today?" She asked with one hand on her hip.
"No, but I plan to go home and have a nice dinner. Don't worry about me!" I smile gently. "I just need to get out of these clothes!" I laughed tugging at my apron that smelt like cleaning chemicals.
"Need some company?" She offered.
"No, thank you! That's really not necessary." I said, noticing she is already out of her maid clothes and ready to leave. "I'll see you tomorrow though!"
She shrugs, "I'll see you tomorrow then! Have a good night!"
"Good Night!"
When I enter the employee changing area, there's not a soul in sight. It's nice how everyone leaves on time here. Trés Spades must have a strict policy on time management. I wouldn't really expect any less from the infamous Mr. Eisuke Ichinomiya. Tonight, I need to get into the auctions. I search my locker for something decent to wear. Apparently, my character had previously left a decent looking white and floral, off-the-shoulder dress. I shrug, taking it out and heading to the shower.
After drying my hair, and getting dressed, I regarded my appearance in the mirror. I suppose I don't really need makeup. This was conditioned into me with William. He never liked it when I wore makeup. But William isn't here, it doesn't matter anymore…I thought to myself. I pulled a few makeup items out of my purse. I gently lined my eyes with the brown eye liner. Next, mascara. I blinked into the spoolie, coating my eye lashes with the black liquid. I pulled out one more canister from my purse. Lipstick. It was a modest pinkish-nude shade. I coated my lips with the creamy substance, before tossing the lipstick back into my purse. I gave myself a glance over in the mirror.
This will have to do. The dress hugged tighter to my figure than I had anticipated. I suppose that was because the main character in the game had a traditional Japanese figure. A much slenderer body in comparison to my own. I don't think that it was that much of an issue, aside from the fact that the once humble white and floral dress turned into a much more scandalous dress. I certainly didn't want anyone getting the wrong impression at the I.V.C. I did, however, admire how feminine the dress made my shoulders and collar bone appear. The off-the-shoulder sleeves, frilled around my elbows. The strands of hair I pulled from the braided crown, fell delicately to my neck. There was a slight innocence that I started to believe myself.
I glanced at my watch. It was nearing 6. Time to make my appearance! I grabbed my purse and continued out of the employee changing area. I certainly didn't look like a maid, but I definitely had no footing in comparison to the women who were present in the hotel. There were more people here than earlier today, making it nearly impossible to move from one side of the hotel to the other. Instead, I decided to duck into a service hall. From what I remember, one of the characters is supposed to be getting dumped by the elevators. Baba, I believe. I thought to myself.
I proceeded down the hall until I heard voices. Right on time. I stopped, my back to the wall, around the corner listening to the two mysterious people.
"Who was she?" The woman spat in the man's face. "I thought that I was the only woman for you!"
"Gloria, darling, you know you're the only one for me." He sighed.
Definitely Baba. I thought to myself, grinning slightly. He's exactly how I imagined he would sound. His voice is soft and soothing, as if it were like milk and honey. It's no wonder why he's a thief! He could steal any woman's heart at merely a 'Hello'. I let out a sigh. Why was I always attracted most to the bad guy!
It wasn't long before the arguing had ceased and the sound of heals stomping off was just background noise. I straightened, tugging slightly at the hem of my dress, preparing myself to round the corner. Knock him dead.
"Oh hello, pretty lady."
As I turned, before me was Baba. He was wearing a black shirt, slightly unbuttoned at the top, under a black blazer. His slightly longer, light-brown hair, framed his face in an incredibly flattering manner. His eyes, a light amber color, seemed to see directly into my soul. I blushed, looking away. Knowing what affect he was having on me, he chuckled softly. Don't do that! I thought inwardly, knowing damn right well that this could be the end of my pursuit of Eisuke.
"What is your name, pretty lady?" He asked.
"H-Harumi Yutari." With my head still down, I obliged barely above a whisper.
"What a beautiful name, Harumi." He said, his hand coming from his side, lifting my face by the chin. Holding my face between his thumb and index finger, he directed my gaze to his. His face was awfully close. His fingers were so soft, which was not what I expected from a thief.
"Thank you." I replied quietly.
His eyes studied mine, appearing to search for something. Caught in the moment, my arms dangled from my sides. I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks the longer that I stood there in his grasp. It felt like we stood there for an eternity, but when I started to blush, Baba lowered his hand and released my chin from his grasp.
"Come with me, Harumi." He smiled, taking a step back, extending his arm to me.
My eyes widened, looking at his arm. Why are you so charismatic Baba! I gather my wits. This is how I will get to the I.V.C.! This is how I will get to Eisuke! He lets out a throaty laugh as I loop my arm under his.
"Don't worry, my springtime beauty. I won't bite." His voice was huskier than before. At the same time, a part of me wanted him to bite.
Walking down the long hall, I got the courage to ask him a question I already knew the answer to. "Excuse me, but I have not had the pleasure yet of knowing your name." I looked at him, still arm in arm.
He didn't seem phased by my question, as we neared the door to what I presumed was the I.V.C. event. Instead, he smiled, opening the door, exposing me to the wondrous sight of the I.V.C. Before I knew what was happening, Baba gently grabbed the hand that was linked in his arm. He brought it tenderly up to his lips, placing a warm kiss that left my skin tingling.
"Until we meet again, Harumi." He bowed, before disappearing into the crowd.
I was stunned. This was far more elaborate than I had anticipated. Again, why I was shocked, I had no idea. This is Mr. Eisuke Ichinomiya. The youngest, richest bachelor in Japan. He wouldn't have it any other way, would he? The room had hundreds of extravagantly dressed women and well-dressed business men. The sight made me feel slightly underdressed for the occasion. I surveyed my surroundings. Above the center of the room was an elegant chandelier that illuminated the entire room. It cast beautiful shadows on the wall that danced in time with the classical music. The centerpiece of the room, obviously had to be the most elaborate. A massive fish tank, encased by two colossal pillars. Inside the tank were hundreds of fish. All different species. It came as no surprise, there were dolphins and sharks swimming around the tank as well. To my left, atop the stairs, was a pianist. The music sounded familiar, as soon as I caught a sight of the pianist I couldn't believe my eyes. Its Yiruma!
Countless nights I would listen to Yiruma as I laid in bed wrapped up in my own thoughts. Whenever I felt full of anxiety and doubt I would immediately listen to his soundtracks and feel at peace. As the fan girl in me began to grow, I was greeted by the warm smell of the delicious food that lined the buffet. I descended the stairs as gracefully as I could, much to my surprise, not tripping over my own two feet, despite how truly nervous I was.
A waitress was walking around, with tall slender glasses of champagne. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't be drinking, as I was not fond of alcohol, but this was a special situation.
"Champagne, Miss?" she asked politely, holding out a glass to me.
"Thank you!" I gratefully took the glass from her slender fingers, bringing the glass to my lips before…
"Aren't you a sight for sore eyes!" A voice said from behind me.
"Excuse me?" I said turning around to find a short, stocky man. "Do I know you?"
"Of course! Don't you remember me, I'm the man you've been dreaming about." He snickered.
"On that note…" I mumbled, as I started to turn around and walk away.
"Where are you going my cherub," the stocky man followed, "don't make me chase you!" He said grabbing my arm.
Yanking my arm out of his grasp, I was about to exclaim that I came with someone else, but instead, I'm caught off guard by a daunting man walking by.
"This party is getting rather sleazy." His voice was so cold and emotionless. I was so focused on rejecting the stocky man before me, that I only caught a glimpse of the passing man. His cologne reminded me much of the one I had at home. Burberry. Burberry is famous for their elegant and luminous scents, with base notes of warm and woody aromas. I wouldn't expect anything less from the wealthiest man in Japan. His cologne alone could turn anyone on, and it certainly was working on me.
I watched, speechless, as he passed, an entourage of women at his heels. Even from behind, his aura emanated. His black suit was tailored to fit him perfectly. His silhouette embodied the power that he possessed. His posture, his walk, everything about him screamed royalty and wealth. Although I stood in shock, I tried to follow him through the crowds, with my eyes. There's no way I will lose sight of my main romantic interest!
Ignoring the flirtatious attempts of the stocky man, I finished off my champagne, and handed him the glass. Shocked, he took my glass, as I gathered my senses and walked away in the direction of Mr. Ichinomiya. I couldn't lose him, not like I did with Baba. Eisuke was easier to find with his entourage of women fighting over his attention. For the meantime, I kept my distance. Naturally, I didn't want to be in the spotlight, quite yet. I already knew what was coming, which made my heart race unsteadily. Eisuke seemed to appear to be making his rounds, greeting the guests he deemed important, with a gentle smile.
I snuck glances at him, so not to get caught staring. He was shaking hands of men and women alike, keeping his left hand in his pocket in a casual manner. He never introduced any of the women surrounding him, he didn't even seem to acknowledge their presence, despite how they attempted to hang off him. Instead, he continued small talk, I'm assuming with his business partners or business interests. As he moved further into the crowd, I moved further along the shadows. Baba might even get a run for his money. I thought, giggling at the thought of running off with Baba, sneaking around and stealing miscellaneous items.
In a second, Eisuke glanced at his watch, excusing himself from the man and woman he was just addressing. I glanced at my own watch. It was 7:30 in the evening. How time flies when you're consumed by the wonder that is Mr. Ichinomiya. When I looked back up, my breath caught, as I saw Eisuke approaching me. Now I could get a good view of the man I had previously fallen so hard in love. I couldn't deny it even now.
Even with his one hand in his pocket, his other fell loosely at his side. He wore his signature purple shirt, unbuttoned at the top, under a grey, pin stripped vest. His legs were long but proportionate to the rest of his lithe body. His hair was shorter than Baba's and darker, but had multiple layers, which gave it a more disheveled look. The way he walked screamed the power he possessed. His aura was more like a commander-in-chief, than a business CEO. The closer he got, the easier it was to study his face. He didn't smile, but he wasn't really frowning either. It's almost as if he didn't bare any emotion on his face at all.
The closer he got, the more uncomfortable I got. With each step, I searched for something to bestow my gaze upon. Unable to find anything, I grabbed a champagne glass from a nearby waitress, and tried my best to casually lean up against the wall. I pretended to admire the aquarium, humming to myself, taking a sip of the champagne. Soon he was close enough to smell his cologne, yet again. Filling my chest with the warmest of scents. It was only then that I turned my face to see the glorious man, as he passed through the door. Wordlessly, I finished my champagne, gathering my thoughts. He didn't even seem phased by my presence. He probably doesn't even care. I started to feel a pain in my chest as tears swelled in my eyes.
Why are you getting emotional? He doesn't even know who you are yet! I exclaimed in my head. Dabbing my eyes gently, I turned to follow Eisuke through the door. Unfortunately for me, I had no idea where I was going.