Define Perfect
Chapter 1
Perfect Guy
- Responsible tap tap tap
- Hard-working tap tap
- Smart tap tap tap
- Great Sense of Humor tap tap
- Honest, Faithful!!! Who knew writing this will bring out all this emotions!
- Properly dressed ???
- Stable Yes! Move that to 1.
- Listens to Bruno Mars So he’ll be romantic? Will know what woman wants? Will pull a piano to serenade me, catch a grenade for me? NO! Bruno Mars is so depressing most of the time. Maroon 5? Coldplay? Mumford and Sons? Florence + the Machine? Sara Bareilles? AH! Who cares! Plus I don’t have time to pinpoint artist from my iPod.
8.) Who shares the same interest with me! Yes! That’s it. Oh god no! That will be boring!
What is wrong with me! Am I going to let myself be affected with what Becky said? What’s wrong with being single? I’m happy and… I’m happy! That’s what’s important right? Mao stares at the piece of paper in front with her script written on it. She told herself she don’t need it but somehow can’t bring herself to crumple it, tear it to pieces, and throw it out. A voice inside of her head tells her not to and who is she to argue with it? Plus she hasn’t had the time. She folds the paper, shoved it in her purse and will herself to focus in the computer screen in front of her.
Mao Inoue is one of this generation’s powerful women. At the age of 25 she is now Marie Claire’s Jr. Editor-in-Chief in its New York office. A Yale alumna, she decided to show the world her love for arts and fashion and what’s she’s capable of doing. Finalizing this month’s issue she is trying to decide what picture of Leighton Meester to use for the cover, adjusting her glasses to align back in her eyes, Mao was startled by her ringing phone. She specifically told her trusted-assistant/best friend that she wouldn’t be answering any calls today. Picking up the phone like a pro, like she’s been doing it since birth, she cradles the phone between her cheeks and shoulders whilst typing her honest-hurtful-comments to the pictures for the Senior Editor to mull over.
“Mao Inoue speaking.”
“I’m sorry…” The hell? How did he? Who let him? Without thinking she placed the phone back to its place ultimately ending the call. Like a controlled robot, she stood from her chair and walked the short distance from her desk to her to pristine glass door; pulled on the knob, walk through it, her stilettos clicking on the floor taking Rebecca’s attention.
“What is wrong with you Becky?! Weren’t you there when I almost killed myself from too much alcohol?! Must I remind you the reason for that particular incident?!” Words escape from Mao lips non-stop.
“I see you received the call… Oh and there’s no need for you to remind me, I have that night recorded in my phone. Want a copy?”
“Oh please no!” Mao took a seat in front of her friend’s desk. “I can’t remember much from that night, would really like to keep it that way. But seriously why let the call go through the intercom? I feel so betrayed.”
“Because unlike all the other calls I have been receiving since this morning, others don’t call back every hour, begging!”
Mao stares at her friend, waiting for her to elaborate.
“He’s been calling for weeks Mao! Weeks! 8-10 times a day! It’s getting rather annoying and I’m not in the mood to insult and force him away today. Plus don’t you think it’s about time? It’s been a months since the break-up don’t tell me you’re still mourning over it?”
Mao avoided her friend’s gaze. It’s been months since his fiancé broke up with her eventually breaking her heart as well, cancelled the wedding she’s been working on since she’s was a kid, months since he run-off with her neighbor apologizing that they met in the lobby and it was love at first sight! Well you know what? Love at first sight my ass! They did break-up in the short run, and that made Mao happy but still the pain was there. With Mao’s busy schedule you would be thinking she’s over it, but little did most of the people around her know, she still cries over that break-up, spent sleepless night with a bottle of White Zinfandel, she still cries over Jun Matsumoto.
“That kind of relationship is not that easy to forget, we dated for 4 years, engage for a year. That’s five freaking unforgettable years of my life!” She answered with a huff. The story of her relationship with Jun is a sensitive topic that brings her moods and emotions to a whirlwind.
Rebecca knows from Mao’s tone that the subject is closed, will it be opened again? The answer is unknown.
Both of the girls remained quiet for a few minutes until the ring of the phone placed an end to it.
“Jr. Editor-in- Chief office this is Rebecca Kinsella speaking. Oh! Yes please bring him up. Thank you Jennifer.” Rebecca places the phone back before looking at Mao. “Jennifer front desk called, the person for your 1 o’clock interview is already at the lobby. I still don’t get why you need another secretary when you already have me? If it wasn’t for the well-deserved vacation I will be getting out of this I would’ve been hurt. Remember I’m sensitive.”
“Ha! Assistant, call yourself assistant it sounds so much more respectable don’t you think? Like what you said, you get a well-deserved vacation I’ve been promising to give you for a year now. And I need someone who follows instructions” Mao glared at her friend. “No calls means no calls! No exceptions!” Mao stood from the chair and started clicking her stilettos back to her room.
“Plus we need a time apart, give ourselves a chance to miss each other!” she added teasingly. “Please send him straight to my room, don’t scare him off and if his your type don’t attack him, please? And please bring my afternoon tea will you?”
“I can’t and I won’t promise anything!” Rebecca winked at her, checking her appearance at her compact mirror. “Tea coming in 10 minutes. Shall I add another cup?” Mao smiled and disappears behind her door.
---
“Mr. Yamashita, Konnichiwa!” The simple Japanese greeting brought smiles on both Mao and the person in front of her. She was surprise with the enthusiasm that comes with her voice. But totally not expecting the Japanese accent that comes with it.
Mao spent years perfecting not only her accent but also her ability to speak English fluently. Trying to remove the Japanese accent for other people to understand her the first time she said something, also to prove to the people around her that she can do it. She has this not so endearing personality that she always have to prove something and win. She loves winning so much like she loves her afternoon teas.
“Konnichiwa.”
“Well Tomo…-kun? Will it be okay if I call you Tomo… hisa-kun” Mao was taken aback by her unprofessionalism. Not only did she called him by his first name the first time they meet but she also used ‘Kun’ like they’re close friends. Which they certainly not! It’s not like she doesn’t want to… It’s not like she doesn’t like him…
Mao tried to shake the thought away from her mind. This is not the time to think about they impending friendship. Plus it’s to early to think about friendship she just met the guy 5 minutes ago. I just miss being around a person with the same nationality as mine. That’s all! Nothing else. Nothing more.
“Ah yes.” Heavy with Japanese accent, Mao can’t help but smile. What is wrong with me?
“Your resume is impressive I must say. You seems to have the experience were currently looking for and your references… Wow… New York Times? If you don’t mind me asking why apply as an assistant position when you’re already a Jr. Editor-in-Chief/Writer? ”
“Ah… My senior is not satisfied with my writings, with my decisions, with my… everything. He told me I need a time off from work, from writing. Apparently I still haven’t found my true self. Plus I really want to meet the famous Mao Inoue, so when the opportunity present itself…”
“Ha! Honest… Very rare, especially here in New York.” Mao can’t control the blood rushing in the veins in her face causing her to blush.
5.) Honest… Mao mentally shook her thoughts away. She’s conducting an interview for crying out loud! Knock knock! Rebecca appeared behind her door holding a tray with tea and a giddy smile plastered in her face. In normal circumstances she would’ve been furious for the distraction but right now she is quite grateful for it. Plus she’s been friend with Rebecca for years to know that she hates it when Mao called her with her whole name, and that professionalism seems to be thrown out the window when her friend wants to share a piece of her mind.
“Your tea Miss Inoue.”
“Thank you, ” Mao eyed her friend, waiting for something. “Just place it here in my desk.”
Rebecca scurries to her desk all the while admiring the person in front of Mao. “Do you want me to pour your tea for you Miss?”
“No I’ll do it. You can go now, thank you.”
“Okay, just be careful it’s very hot.” Mao eyelids dilated getting the message her friend is sending. Oh great! Here comes the rush of blood again. Rebecca gave her a wink before she finds her way back to the door.
Desperate for another distraction Mao grabbed the teapot pouring her self a cup without so much of a caution. Boiling hot tea splash from the cup to her manicure hands. She gasps from the pain letting the teapot drop to the table unto the floor causing for more hot tea to spill.
Never in a million years did Mao foresee what happened next. Never did she imagine that what is about to happen will give her life a 180 degree turn allowing her to see the other side of life she’s not familiar with. Before the unforeseeable act happened she thought chivalry was dead but she’s wrong and she hates being wrong.
Yamashita Tomohisa jumped from his chair, pulled Mao from her chair and hugged her. He hugged her not to take advantage of her, but to cover Mao from the approaching hot tea that was about to come her way. Yamashita Tomohisa hugged her to welcome the boiling hot water without hesitations.
Mao can hear the groan eliciting from Yamashita Tomohisa’s lips, a sign that he was in pain. But with all the things that happened Mao found her self focusing on the scent entering her nostrils. Acqua Di Gio, Giorgio Armani. Another deep groan escape Yamashita Tomohisa’s lips, this time Mao closed her eyes to savor the sent.
She doesn’t know how long it was -limbs tangles, breaths being exchanged- but it was more than a minute before she realizes the intimate position they were in. She pushed Yamashita Tomohisa causing for him to gasp in surprise.
“Oh my God! I’m really sorry. You’re Hurt! Let me call my assistant, we’ll bring you the clinic. I’m really sorry! I’m so clumsy! Oh my God!” Mao was about to reach for the phone when Yamashita Tomohisa pulled her wrist.
“I’m fine,” He said in Japanese. “No need to bring me anywhere.”
It took Mao a few minutes to fully comprehend what’s he saying. “No you’re not fine!” she answered in Japanese.
“Yes I am.” Mao looked deep in his eyes. She nodded and found herself lost in them.
“I guess we’ll just have to reschedule the meeting.”
“Are you sure? I heard Mao Inoue is so busy. I can still talk just in case you haven’t notice?” He flashes a smile, a genuine one.
Mao smiled back, genuine as well. The kind of smile reserved for closed friends, family, relatives and… special someone?
“I know you’re in pain, so if you’re not going to let me bring you to the infirmary at least let me reschedule. I’m busy but I promise I have a time for another interview? Maybe its you who is busy?”
“I’m in a time off from work, remember?”
“Okay how about Friday?” Mao holds her breath waiting for the answer. Reasons for than particular action, she has no idea.
“It depends,” Yamashita Tomohisa let go of Mao wrist and place her hand under his chin. Mao found her self disappointed from his answer and for the lost of contact, still holding her breath she frowned. Surprised with her behavior she let go of the breath she wasn’t aware she was holding. Equipped with a protest Mao opened her mouth but was cut short.
“If we do the interview in the morning and you agree to go out for lunch with me then yes I’m available Friday.”
Mao with her mouth open stared at the man, a handsome one for that matter, in front of her. Is he drunk or just in so much pain?
“Like a date?” She has no idea what’s causing all this behavior and emotions, but if she’s being honest she’s excited and happy.
Yamashita Tomohisa smiled. Tuck a loose strand of her in the back of her ears. Wipe the water that find its way to her cheeks. Straighten his suits before answering. “It’ll be whatever you want it to be.”
To the person who told me chivalry is dead, shut up!
--
Mao escorted Yamashita Tomohisa back to the elevator. Asking for the nth time if he’s sure that he doesn’t need to be sent in a clinic or hospital, all the while getting a look of suspicion from Rebecca. She can’t blame her friend, a very hot, handsome guy just left her boss’ office wet with Mao looking all out of place.
“I’ll see you in Friday.” Mao said in her perfect English.
“Looking forward to it.” Yamashita Tomohisa answered in Japanese earning another raised eyebrow from Rebecca. “Thank you very much Miss Rebecca.” And with that the elevator door closed causing him to disappear in their line of vision and more importantly out of earshot.
“Mao you sly fox!” Rebecca shriek from her chair. “You did use protection right? He has one right? Or you have one?” Another shriek followed by as gasp. “Mao Inoue I thought I know you but its clear with your flushed cheeks and mess of a hair that obviously I do not! Is he better than Jun?”
“Becky!”
“Speaking of Jun,” Rebecca stand from her chair grabbed Mao by the wrist, the simple-not-so-new gesture cause an instant reaction. Mao pulled away; touch her wrist while her cheeks involuntary blush. Rebecca gave her a sly look.
“What?” Without waiting for an answer Mao started walking back to her office with a smile in her lips.
Rebecca closed the door behind her, the pool of tea instantly taking her attention. “I can smell the smell of sex in the room!”
“Becky! What about Jun?” Mao found her happiness disappearing with the mention of Jun’s name. To control the tears that she knows is on the brink of falling, she pulled on her bag in search of something to fix her hair with.
“He called again,” Rebecca paused, she watched her friends. She looked for any changes in her demeanour.
“That’s not new. You told me he call everyday. Beg-”
“I told him you’re inside your office with your new boyfriend.”
It feels like a bucket of ice cold water was poured on her. Total contrast to the boiling hot tea from the previous conversation she had. It took Mao a full five seconds for Rebecca words to register in her brain. Her face drained by its color feels weird for having it blushed for a long time.
“What?!?”
Author's Note:
** Unbeta-ed and not proof read.
This was suppose to be a very long one-shot. But because of a out of the blue brainstorming with my trusted friend it became a Mini Series. Three chapters to five chapters maximum, it depends. I'm bit rusty so I apologize in advance if the story is not worth your time. But please bare in mind that the my the last paper i wrote was a report about enzyme. Thank you very much for your time.
Oh and one more things its seems like I forgot how to use the LJ Cut so if a kind hearted soul would like to teach me how please send me a PM or write the step by step procedure in the comment section below. You'll get half of the cookie i'm currently eating. Half of the cookie fed-ex with love to the gorgeous popsicle who pm-ed me. Thank you very much!