30 Days of Writing: (26) Diamond
I was in Tokyo in order to meet with Akito Enomoto as the man had insisted on giving the files in person; apparently, he did not want to risk it being hacked if he sent it over the network. I had already been here for two days, waiting for him to finish avoiding his pursuers as he came from Kyoto. He was a very paranoid man, but I should expect that from someone who was being chased for designing a machine for memory manipulation; I could name several who would want to have that in their hands.
“How’s Tokyo, Maddy?” Noah asked as we video-chatted. I was currently in my hotel, awaiting the call from Enomoto.
“Same as usual,” I answered. “Too much noise. It makes my head hurt.”
“You should tell the wind to calm down a bit,” he suggested.
“The winds from this part of the world missed me, so I figured I might as well let them,” I informed with a smile. “I was born here, remember?”
“I remember.” He rested his cheek on his palm. “So, will you be back tonight?”
I shook my head. “I am afraid not. My flight is scheduled for tomorrow at 11.”
“So no birthday celebration?”
So he remembered today was my birthday. “Sadly, no. My friends wish to hang out tomorrow for a belated one, though.”
He laughed. “Sounds fun. Are the cherry blossoms still in bloom?”
“They are more beautiful in April,” I replied, glancing at the time. I was expecting the call within fifteen minutes. “It is Golden Week here, so there are lots of tourists.”
“Sounds like fun. Did you get any souvenirs?” he asked eagerly.
“Perhaps.” I had gotten Japanese candies for everyone. “You shall see when I return tomorrow.”
“Can’t wait,” he said with a bright smile. “Oh! You should expect a present to be delivered to your hotel room today.”
I raised an eyebrow at him. “Really now?”
“Yup!”
My phone rang just then. “It is Enomoto. I have to go now.”
“Talk to you later, Maddy!”
--
I entered my suite and tossed the files on the table. I then laid on the sofa, tired. The meeting with Enomoto had gone fairly well, despite him constantly scanning around in his paranoia. My presence was able to calm him down a bit, but he was still too jittery for my taste. I had kept track of him to make sure he would be alright when he went to take the train back to Kyoto.
Someone knocked on the door and I groaned, not wanting to deal with anyone. All I wanted was to sleep. I pushed myself up and headed to the door, peering through the peephole. It was a hotel worker and I opened the door a bit.
“Can I help you?” I asked, suspicious.
“I, um, sorry to bother you, miss, but I have a package for you.” He held up a small box, able to fit in the palm of his hand.
This must be Noah’s present. I accepted it with a bow. “Thank you.”
“It was no trouble,” he said, bowing lower than I did. He then left.
I locked the door after me and I examined the box, wondering what could be inside. Well, only one way to find out.
There was a folded note inside and a jewelry box. I raised an eyebrow and read the note first.
Happy birthday, Maddy.
I know you don’t have long to live now, so I figured that there is no time like the present, right?
I rather like August. Do you?
“Oh my god…”
Inside the box was a diamond ring.
I had to laugh before calling Noah on video. He picked up, looking like he had been woken up.
“Hello? Maddy? What is it?”
I bit my lip to stop myself from smiling too widely. “You are doing this properly when I get back, Noah.”
He blinked, looking incredibly confused, before realizing what I was talking about when I held up the ring box. He looked flustered. “Oh! Oh. Oh! Yes, yes, yes, I will. It was just a…um, that is…I…uh… Wait, is that a yes then?”
“Properly,” I repeated before hanging up.