Clumsy at Love
Chapter 12: It's a 2-year contract
Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma 1/2
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Akane feels her phone vibrates. She took it from her pocket and read the screen.
Incoming call... Idiotic Jerk. She flipped her phone at once then set it aside.
Why is that idiot calling so early? She thought, pouting at her phone. When she lifted her gaze, she caught Nabiki's eyes glaring at her.
"What?" she asked. They were sitting across from each other at the dining table.
Kasumi walked into the room, showing her a bouquet of assorted flowers. "Akane, look... it's from Ranma."
Akane glanced at the thing. "You can have it, Kasumi."
"What about the card? At least read the card, Akane."
"Alright." taking the card attached to the flower and putting it inside her pocket. She could still feel Nabiki's hot stare on her. "What?!" she barked.
"You better watch how you treat Ranma," she said. "You're not married to him yet. And he just started finding out how he could help us. So, you better be careful about how you treat him."
Her mouth fell open. What did she just say? Did she hear her right? She opened her mouth, but Nabiki already bolted out of the kitchen before she could say a word, leaving her utterly annoyed.
She then met Kasumi's kind eyes. "I think what she's trying to say is... at least be kind to Ranma."
That's easier said than done. She thought to herself.
"Yesterday, he dropped by at the office and asked how he could help."
He did?
"He also visited our father at the hospital despite his busy schedule. Kasumi continued. "He even apologized that he had to take advantage of you and our situation. He said it just happened that he badly needed help as well. And Nabiki's happened to be there."
"I don't know what happened between you two in the past... but for me, he looks as though he's repenting. There is a message in the way a person treats you. You just have to listen. But I won't ask you to stop hating him... I just hope that you'll at least try to treat him fairly, like a lady treating a gentleman. Well, I'm off, or I'll be late. See you later." she said, patting her cheek gently as she walked past her.
Treat him fairly? If that's the way I'm supposed to treat him, I'm treating him less than I should. She grumbled.
She pulled out Ranma's card from her pocket and read it.
Dear Ms. Tendo - Soon to be - Mrs. Saotome,
I sent this in advance, in case you don't answer your phone.
I'll pick you up at six o'clock. We'll be having dinner with my family.
Yours truly,
Ranma
The handwriting made her smile. It looks so masculine.
She answered his call last night, of course, out of obligation. So, more or less, she already knew what was written on the card.
Like a lady treating a gentleman, huh? Kasumi's words echoed to her brain.
Maybe, she should try treating him like that... because he's helping them. However she looked at it, she's in no position to act conceited.
And he's not treating you bad, as he used to.
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Akane was so engrossed with the book she was reading when her phone beeps. She picked it up and frowned as Ranma's name popped up from the screen.
I know you're still awake, mind stepping out a bit? It's a text message from Ranma.
She stood up lazily, dragged her feet towards the window, peered out, and saw Ranma's car in front of their gate. She glances at her desk clock and realizes that it's almost midnight.
What made him drop by this late? She thought.
Oh, right. Their last meeting didn't go so well. They ended up arguing, and this time, he slipped.
He was really upset, complaining about how she acted so stiff and aloof in front of his parents. She gets his point and starts to regret her action, but then he hits her nerves. So, she hits him back... literally.
She regretted her action immediately. But the deed was done, and there's nothing she could do. She could still remember so clearly the disappointed look on his face. Then he left, muttering something like... violent tomboy. She grumbled, remembering that part.
And that was two days ago.
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"Apologies for dropping by this late," he said, giving her a crooked smile.
Her eyes widened. "What happened to you?" She couldn't help asking. Seriously, he looked like hell. "You're not drunk, are you?"
He chuckles. "I came here straight from work. What are you thinking? You should ask your husband first if he's hungry or not before acting like a suspicious wife. I've just arrived from a conference in Malaysia, and right now, I'm starving and exhausted."
"Uhm. Want to come in and eat?" she asked.
His face brightened up. "Is that alright?"
Akane didn't answer but opened up the door widely.
"For you," he said as he walked past her, handing her a paper bag.
"What's this?" she asked, peering inside the bag she just accepted.
"Souvenirs."
"Err, thanks."
She led him into the kitchen, took several dishes out of the refrigerator, and put them in the microwave as he plumped himself down to the dining chair and watched her serve the food.
"There. Eat," She said, putting down the glass of water together with the cup of rice, two main dishes, two side dishes, and chunked fruits.
He grinned at the sight. "Thanks. You're not bad for a wife," he said as she sat down in front of him.
"Whatever. Just eat," She muttered while stabbing a fruit.
"Akane..."
"Hmm?"
Instead of answering, he handed her a brown envelope. "I should have got this done before we have gone through wedding preparations and everything, but..."
"What's this?" she asked, taking the brown envelope and putting out the papers inside.
"It's our business contract, but it's more like a job offer slash employment contract," he explained as she busied herself scanning the document's content. "We're supposed to do it together, but I couldn't insert it into my busy schedule. So, there... Review it. If you want some modification with the terms and conditions, feel free to ask."
"It's a 2-year contract." she read aloud.
"Yes."
"And I'm going to get paid monthly?"
"Yes."
"And this much?!"
"Hmmm." he hummed.
"Can I trust you?" she asked, lifting her eyes to meet his. He blinked, confused with her question.
"Of course. Look, this contract is just for formality sake and guide... Trust issues are not the reason why this contract was drawn."
"I know," she told him. "It also says here that you'll gonna save my father's company and be its life support till it can stand alone again. Did I get that right?"
"You did."
"Where do I need to sign this?"
"Hey, now..." he said, fully alarmed. "You need to read the terms and conditions carefully. I've indicated there everything I want in this deal so there wouldn't be any complications."
"I know..." she completely understands. Rules should be drawn between them. Taking him as her boss might be the only way, she wouldn't just lash out her anger at him anytime she wants.
"I've indicated there that this agreement should be kept between the two of us."
"I've got no problem with that."
"And that you need to respond in whatever means of communication I come up with."
"I'll put up with it if it is part of my job description," she said promptly. "I was kind of tired of reading and editing the work of others. I'm glad you come up with this. Lend me your pen." she said, extending her hand, waiting for his pen.
Speechless, he reached inside his breast pocket, pulled out his sign pen, and handed it to her.
"Finished," she announced while returning the signed papers to the brown envelope. "Here."
"You really are stubborn, do you know that?" he complained while receiving the papers. "Don't you know that I've indicated here that physical contact is allowed between us?"
"You're kidding me."
He smiled at her, the kind of smile that always gets into her nerves.
"You know I'm a martial artist," she told him.
"So, am I," he informed her.
Akane snatched the brown envelope back and re-scanned the papers frantically.
Ranma laughs. "There will be physical contact but only if necessary." He told her. "Basically, that would only happen when there's an audience around... So, I don't think we could go any further than holding hands and, hmm, kissing."
Akane blushed. "Seriously?" she whined, slamming down the papers on the table.
"It already had your sign. So, there's nothing you can do about it. I warned you." He teased.
"Uhm, Akane... about last time... I want to say sorry. I was just... I really don't want my parents to have an idea about this fake relationship of ours. It would hurt them. So I'm asking you to be extra careful when we're around them."
"Hmm," she hummed, nodding. "I, erm, sorry for hitting you," she mumbled.
Ranma grinned. "I don't mind you hitting me. I'm actually thankful to you for somehow putting up with me and... for taking care of me tonight."
Akane rolled her eyes. "Don't make it sound naughty, pervert." she spat. "I am not taking care of you. I was just being a lady here trying to treat you as a gentleman."