Clumsy at Love
Chapter 23: It's been a Long Time Coming
Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma ½
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Ranma woke up before his alarm rang and then peeked at Akane's side of the bed, where he would usually find her sleeping so soundly. But this morning, he didn't find her lying on her bed for the first time since they started living together.
Where is she? Where would she go this early in the morning?
Even though he was confused… or should we say perturbed for finding his wife missing, he got up and started preparing himself for work.
He couldn't risk ruining this day. He reminded himself.
Today is the day everyone on his team has been waiting and working hard for months… the launching of their "Command Center" project.
So, no matter what, he should focus on the tasks at hand.
On the way to the parking lot, he couldn't help pulling out his cellphone and tried calling his missing wife.
Calling your precious wife on the launching of your project couldn't hurt, right? He thought to himself.
He tried calling several times, but her phone just kept on ringing, and it started to frustrate him. He stopped in front of his car and said huffily. "Akane, where are you? Call me when you can." And then send it to her voicemail.
"Why do you keep calling me like I'm a lost kid?" He looked around and saw her all dressed up.
"Uhm, can I have a free ride today?" she asked, and his heart did a back-flip.
"I guess I could continue working until tomorrow," she explained when he said nothing and just stared at her pretty bare face like a fool.
"Get in," he muttered, finally finding his voice, overwhelmed to have her beside him around the office for another day or two.
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"Oh, God, what can I do to help her? It was all my fault." The breaking sound of his voice didn't let her sleep last night. She couldn't understand why but it broke her heart as well.
Only fools would not comprehend what's with that voice, with those words… Who could it be? Is that the reason why he's been down these days? She thought while walking down the hallway from the washroom.
Then somebody bumped hard into her waking her from her trance. She looked up and froze, realizing who it was.
"I knew you were capable but not to this extent. How could you ~ how did you manage to get right back to Ranma's side the moment he came back?!" Kaori screamed to her face.
She decided to ignore the furious girl and walked on. She's got nothing to say to her.
But Kaori grabbed her arm. "Don't you try to ignore me, you pesky little brat… I'm your senior here at the office."
She glared at her hand and extracted it away from her arm. "I'm busy," she told her and walked on.
"Busy?" The girl scoffed. "What are you busy about? Seducing my boss? Stealing my job from me? Stealing my Ranma away from ME?!"
This time her hot stare fell on the screaming girl but she did not dare to move any muscle, scared that even with a single flick of her tongue, she might hurt the girl again and shatter her world again.
"What? You going to push me again?" she asked, mocking. "Okay… go ahead and do it again, wench. That is… if you still had the guts."
Akane's hand trembled as the bitter memory replayed in her brain.
"Should I do it this time?" Ranma interjected, who appeared out of nowhere.
Ranma glanced at upset Akane before staring coldly at Kaori. "I heard you just came back from a week-long vacation in Vancouver instead of being sick at home for the last two weeks."
The girl paled, hearing what Ranma had to say. "I ~ I didn ~ t" she stuttered, glancing at still stilled Akane.
"You should submit your resignation within the day before I fire you. And you…" he said, his lips quivering as he finally stared at Akane's wounded expression. "You're sightseeing in the middle of our hectic day?" he tried making it sound like he's nagging… but bet he failed miserably.
Akane looked at him helplessly. "I ~"
"Go on ahead. They were all looking for you." Akane nodded once and then walked away.
Ranma's death glare then returned to Kaori. "I hope you don't appear in front of Akane or me ever again…" he hissed, doing all he could to contain his temper. "Because I don't know what I would do the next time I caught you doing this kind of thing to Akane." His voice is dark and menacing, giving Kaori chills down her spine.
Then he's gone, quickly following Akane.
"Are you okay?" he asked as soon as he catches up with her.
No response. She just walked on in dazed as if she had never heard him talk. Without thinking twice, he then grabbed her hand and pulled her away.
They both end up at the rooftop, where he left Akane alone in total silence while he was staring depressingly at her hunched back.
After a long moment, Akane looked around and found him standing feet away from her. "I think I'm alright now." She said.
"Are you sure?" he asked worriedly.
She nods her head in response.
As they walked down the stairs for the elevator, he heard Akane muttered "thank you" indistinctively from behind his back, frustrating him as ever.
Seriously, you, of all people, know that I don't deserve that thank you.
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As soon as they entered the hall where they would be launching their new project, one of the team leaders immediately approached Ranma.
"Boss, where have you been? The chairman has been looking for you." He said in a rush. He seemed all nervous and stressed out.
"Finally, our boss is here." Whispered someone from her behind.
"Where has he been?"
"I'm not sure, but as soon as he heard that Kaori is here and has been looking for Akane, he took off."
"Oh, look… there's Akane."
The moment the ladies realized that she was nearby and probably listening, they immediately spread out and returned to their designated post.
Akane then searched for Ranma and found him being reprimanded by the chairman beside the stage.
Suddenly her phone rang, she answered it immediately.
"Akane, are you busy?" It's Kasumi.
"Not really." She said, walking away from the crowd. "Why? What is it?"
"I heard you were working as Ranma's secretary."
"Yes, but it's only temporary."
"Oh, I'm sure he will hire you as a full-time. I know what you're capable of doing. I was so happy when I heard about the news."
"Who told you?"
"Ranma. Yesterday, when he dropped by at the hospital. Did he already tell you about the plan for father's birthday?"
She almost forgot her father's birthday…
Akane shook her head and looked back at Ranma who was getting up on stage. She supposed it was for the opening speech. "What about it?" she asked.
"We were planning to throw a party for his 60th birthday and a congratulatory party as well for him being discharged."
"He's being discharged?" she asked in surprise. "Is he okay now?"
Kasumi laughs. "Yes, he's fine now."
"Are you sure? He's gonna be okay, right?"
"Absolutely!"
"That's… good to hear," she lied, downgrading what she truly feels because deep down inside, she is delighted. It's the best news she has ever heard for years.
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Akane stirred in her sleep, felt somebody sitting at the edge of her bed. She opened her eyes and found Ranma, trying to wake her up.
"What is it?" she asked, stifling a yawn.
"You've got to wake up now, or we'll gonna be late." He said.
"Didn't I tell you that yesterday is my last day… your secretary will be back today."
"Kaori resigned."
"Huh?"
"She turned in her resignation yesterday, and I've accepted it. That's why as of today, I'm hiring you as my full-time employee."
Silence.
"What? Are you not interested?
"I'm not sure." She replied honestly. She wanted the job, but…
"Then be my temporary secretary until I find a replacement. I'll wait for you downstairs, thank you," he told her, then fled.
Akane sat up as soon as Ranma left the room. She was mixed emotions about going back to the office. She's half happy and half frightened, going back to that place again.
But why did Kaori resign all of a sudden?
"You should submit your resignation within the day before I fire you."
Right. She faked her sickness.
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Akane walked into the office and knew immediately there was something wrong with the atmosphere.
This atmosphere is unmistakable.
She's been here before...
This is the very reason why she shut her world in her own bedroom for so long.
She couldn't believe that she was back at here again… back to the being center of hurtful rumors and malicious gossips. She could tell it from their faces, could hear it distinctively that they were all talking about her.
Who is she?
Why is their boss sided with a newbie instead of Kaori?
Kaori has been fired because of her.
People had seen her getting in and out of their boss' car numerous times. Some say they saw them go out of the washroom together.
People have also seen her together with other high officials of the company.
They bet she's a bitch, a gold-digging bitch.
All day, she fights back her tears from falling.
All day, she tried wearing a poker face and refraining herself from showing any weakness.
But deep inside of her, she's dying from the same kind of hurt she had felt before.
"Alright!" Ranma yelled as he banged the wall loudly with his knuckles, calling out everyone's immediate attention. "I'm treating you all out on a company dinner." He announced, and everyone in the room then clapped and cheered.
"... At my place." He added and made the girls gasp and scream.
This time, calling out Akane's wandering attention. What?! Is he freaking serious?! She freaked out.
"Okay, that's it. I'm expecting you all tonight." He said, then go back to his office, followed by Akane.
"Are you crazy?" She muttered behind his back.
"What? How am I crazy?" He asked, glancing at her as they walked inside his office.
"Why are you inviting them to our place?" she asked as he sat down on his swivel chair and started tapping down his password on his laptop.
"Why? Did I lose my right to invite guests at home or something?" he asked sarcastically.
"It's not that…" she retorted, frustrated.
"Then what?" he asked, annoyed.
"What if they found out that I also live there? With you? Gosh, this is so frustrating! Did I have to spit it all out?" she cried.
"That's not gonna happen. We don't have wedding pictures hanging around our wall anyway." He replied darkly.
"But still ~ "
He suddenly stopped tapping on his computer and exhaled deeply before finally looking into her eyes. "Anything important?" He asked in a complete business tone.
It made her stop at once. "Forget it." She groaned then walked out of his office, slamming the door behind her.
"What a jerk!" She fumed. "And here I thought he changed! He's still the same annoying jerk that I knew all along!"
"I hate that idiot! I really hate him!" she groaned, walking away from Ranma's office.
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Ranma's guests have already long gone, but his wife still wasn't home.
He tried calling her several times, but she was not answering her phone.
Then their conversation earlier at the office flashes back on him, making him cringe. Of course, she's angry. He grumbled.
But he felt worse.
To be in the front seat of the replay of what had happened to her years ago is extremely maddening. How could she take the stones they've been throwing at her all day so calmly? He grumbled.
As the clock strikes past midnight, he had finally decided to call Kasumi to check on his wife… or he'll never get any sleep at all.
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Dear wife,
I know you're mad, I'm sorry…
I hope to see you at the office later.
You know, I need you, my capable secretary.
Akane reread the text message that Ranma had sent her last night and felt the same effect it gave her the very first time she had read it. It put a smile on her lips and made her heart flutter.
But like him, she hoped to be back in the office today… doing what she loves and what she's supposed to be doing in her life... living her dream.
She then took one long, deep breath before finally walking inside the tall building in front of her.
It's gonna be fine… I'm gonna be alright… she chanted to herself as she walked past the crowded lobby. If I don't go back in now… I'll lose again… and maybe this time I'm totally gonna lose myself.
But to her surprise, the environment is not as harsh as she expected it to be. People inside the office were the complete opposite of what they were to her yesterday. Today, they are smiling at her. Some even said "good morning" to her when they were ignoring her yesterday.
And as the day go by, it's getting weirder. There were some dropping by at her workstation to chat. Some asked her to eat lunch with them, and someone even bought her a coffee during break time when that person blatantly sneered at her yesterday.
What in the world had happened?
Ranma, though, is still the same as yesterday, as if he's not the one who sent her the text message she's been rereading all night and almost all day today.
What's wrong with him?
Anyway, she's way too happy with the turn of events and too busy doing her work without the drama to be affected by him.
And before she knew it, office hours were done, and it was time to go home now. While picking up her things, she couldn't help glancing inside Ranma's office.
Where has he been? He's been out all day…
"Akane, let's go home together…" said Yuka.
"Me, too!" said Sayuri, skipping at Yuka's side.
Akane smiled and came with the girls. As they walked out of the building, Akane's heart skipped a beat seeing Ranma's car with Mr. Yama waiving at her.
"Uh, um ~ sorry but my sister's here to pick me up… I'll go with you some other time. Bye!" she said, waving and walking away from them.
To her surprise and dismay at the same time, Ranma was not in the car.
"I already drove him home after his meeting with the clients. He seemed tired."
Akane smiled and nodded in response.
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As she entered their place, her mouth hung open as she found a life-size wedding picture of her and Ranma hanging on the entryway wall.
She didn't come home for just one night, just ONE night... and here's what welcomed her?!
B ~ but people at the office were here last night...
D ~ did they already know?!
Her bulging eyes then fell on Ranma, who appeared out of nowhere in his pajamas.
"Oh, you're here. Do you like it?" He asked while staring at his crime. "It's a shame you weren't here last night. You should have seen the reaction on their faces. It's priceless. They were all shocked and, I guess, scared as hell at the same time... those people... he snarled, shaking his head with an evil smile lingering on his pale lips.
But Akane wasn't listening, her head was elsewhere… Is this the reason why he invited them here yesterday?
And then it dawned on her... Is this the reason why the atmosphere at the office today has shifted drastically? The very reason why everyone has been treating her extra nicely.
"You let them know..." she spewed. "You really are crazy."
Right, he is crazy… for revealing their secret at the most critical time and in the most unconventional manner.
Right now, she should be furious at him for telling them without her consent, but she's not feeling it, because in her heart, she was only thankful… no matter what his reasons are for doing this craziness, he still saved her, big time.
"... Thank you," she whimpered.
"Please don't say that…" he grunted. "Please don't be thankful to me even just a little because I just do what I had to."
"It's either I'll stand up against them and protect you with all I have. Or… they will never leave you alone till you get yourself destroyed and given up everything, and then you will lock yourself away again."
Akane paled. It's the last thing she wanted to hear directly from him. "Who are you to talk? What do you know?!" she screamed, putting up her defenses.
"Everything I should have known." He murmured, looking down at his feet.
"Anyway, stop sulking about what happened years ago when I was young and idiot. Stop sulking about those, no, us ~ lowly people and what we have done to hurt you… Just focus on yourself, please... and open up to healing if possible." He told her, his voice utterly tormented.
"And I'm sorry, really..." he added as he turned his back on her and about to walk away. "... But I'm not asking you to forgive me."
Akane scowled in the direction where Ranma had just vanished.
Yeah, he's right... She shouldn't be thankful. She shouldn't be touched. She deserves what he did even if it bothers him, even if it broke him or whatever.
"What made him think that I'm scarred and wounded?!" She grumbled. "I'm fine, absolutely fine.
And what made him think that she could easily forgive him? She's definitely won't forgive him even if he begged.
"That idiot…"
Now, how do you unheard what you've just heard... If he's not asking for forgiveness, he shouldn't have said what he said. In fact, he shouldn't have done anything at all. Haist! So annoying.