Chapter Two - Jaded By You
Title: Jaded By You
Pairings: Akame, Kurosawa Akihiko/Ishida Yuya & a brief mention of Akihiko/Anego
Summary: Jin’s the boss and Kame is his employee. Kame has a crush on Jin’s younger brother Akihiko… or so Jin thinks. Kame on the other hand is getting tired of Jin’s numerous accusations. Series of circumstances lead them to hate… or maybe love each other.
Chapter Two
Jin stared incredulously at the phone. ‘That… son of a b**** hung up on me!’ he thought, but a smile graced his previously irritated face. ‘He probably found me infuriating.’ he smirked at the thought. He knew that Kamenashi was telling him the truth but he couldn’t help but insist that the other was hiding his boss.
All the other department heads submitted their reports already, sans Mary-san, so what was he supposed to think?!
Jin wanted to be angry with Kamenashi - the other didn’t respect him as the CEO! Kamenashi wasn’t professional in dealing with people on the phone. ‘What if the person he was talking to was a client?’ he thought, calling Takaki to his office. ‘We’d be losing clients if that’s how he answers the damn phone!’
“Yes sir?” Takaki’s answered, walking towards Jin’s table.
‘I’ll teach him a lesson he’ll never forget.’ Jin thought, smiling at Takaki. “Call Kamenashi to come here this instant!”
Takaki excused himself to inform Kamenashi.
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“Marketing Department, good morning.” Kame’s heart was beating rapidly.
“Hi, Kamenashi-kun? This is Takaki from AJ’s office. He wants to talk to you in his office now.”
Kame cleared his throat. “Did he say why?”
“No.” Takaki replied. “Please come to the 35th floor. You know where his office is, right?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” Takaki said and hung up.
Kame placed the phone back to its cradle, his hands shaking.
“Kame-chan?” Tatchan worriedly asked.
“Tatchan! What do I do?”
“Why? Who was that?” Hina came over. “Was it…?”
Kame nodded. “AJ wants to see me in his office.” He swallowed the imaginary lump on his throat. “Is he… gonna fire me?”
“Relax!” Tacchon said.
All of his workmates came to console Kame.
“If he’s threatening to fire you, don’t lose your cool.” Yasu piped in.
“Yeah, just explain why you… ahem… hung up on him.” Yoko smirked. “I’m sure he’ll understand.” Several hands flew to smack him. “Ouch!” the older man grouched. “I’m serious! I heard AJ is not as unreasonable as everyone says he is.”
“Well, that’s not what I heard from Koki.” Kame moped. He walked out of their office. “Wish me luck guys…” he said miserably.
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A soft knock echoed throughout Jin’s office. “Niisan? You busy?”
“I am. Why?” Jin grouched.
Akihiko chuckled. “Mr. Grouch.”
Jin snorted. “So what if I am? Why are you here anyway, little brother? Shouldn’t you be in your own office doing your reports? Reports, that mind you, I need today?”
“Hey, I just finished mine awhile ago! My secretary handed it to Takaki moments ago.”
Jin checked the documents Takaki placed on his desk to see if his brother was telling the truth. “Good.” He patted Akihiko’s report. He reclined lazily on his chair. “So, mind telling me why you’re disturbing me?” he raised an eyebrow. “Are you here to check if I have food on stock?”
“Oi!” Akihiko protested.
“Just tell me what you need, kid!”
Akihiko shook his head. “I’m hurt, niisan~ I came here to invite you to lunch. It’s been so long since we last shared the same dining table.” He looked like a hurt puppy, mumbling those soft words.
Jin heaved a sigh. “You know I can't. I’m busy!”
“I know~ and I know you’ll probably miss out meals because you’re such a workaholic.” Akihiko pouted. “And… I don’t have anyone to join me to lunch… It’s lonely eating alone, you know?”
Jin was taken aback. “Fine!” he sighed. “I’ll join you for lunch. Give me…” he looked at the wall clock. “Thirty minutes. I need to deal with something, or rather with someone, first.”
“Why can’t it be now?” Akihiko insisted. “I’m really hungry~ do you want me to die of hunger?”
“You’re exaggerating. Thirty minutes is just a short time. Go back to your office. I’ll come by after I’m finished.”
“Sir, Kamenashi-san is here.” Takaki greeted.
“Shoo!” Jin said to his brother and gestured for Takaki to have Kamenashi come in. “I’ll come by after I’m finished with him.” he pointed at the nervous man by the door.
“G-good morning, sir.” Kamenashi stuttered. “You… wanted to see me?”
“Who?” Akihiko turned to Kame’s direction. “Kazuya-kun?”
Kame paused and looked closely at the man who called him by his first name, his face not registering to his mind.
“It’s me, Kurosawa Akihiko… well, Akanishi Akihiko now.” Akihiko went and clamped his hands on Kame’s shoulders. “How have you been?”
“I’m… good I guess?” Kame answered, still unable to remember the person talking to him.
“Aki, out! Kazuya-kun and I have some important matters to discuss.” Jin glared at Kame.
“Uhmm… sir, I apologize for my behavior awhile ago.”
“So now you’re admitting that you’re hiding Mary-san?”
“She’s really not in her office, sir. She was doing her reports and got out to get some files from the other departments.”
“Really now.” Jin sarcastically stated.
“Niisan, why are you terrorizing Kazuya-kun?” Akihiko butted in. “It’s because you’re hungry that you’re snapping at everyone.” Akihiko wisely said and made Kame smile a little.
“Uhmm… no, it was my fault why your… brother is angry at me.” Kame interjected.
“Akihiko, shut up. This is between me and Kamenashi here.”
“I’m telling you, the hunger is getting into you.” Akihiko claimed and turned to Kame. “Have you eaten your lunch?”
Kame shook his head.
“Good! Then join me and Niisan to lunch.” Akihiko stared at Jin. “Now that this has been settled, can we go now please? My stomach’s really grumbling from hunger.” His eyes were on Kame. “Even Kazuya here is pale from hunger. Come on!” he motioned for his older brother to stand up.
Kame smiled. ‘Not because of hunger, that I’m sure.’ His nervousness is a bit faint now because of Akihiko.
“Fine!” Jin growled. “Go first. I need to tell Takaki to cancel some of my meetings.”
“See you at the usual place, aniki.” Akihiko guided Kame out of the room.
“Uhhh… how… is it that you know me?” Kame asked once they were on the elevator.
Akihiko smiled. “You really don’t remember me?”
Kame shook his head. “No.”
“Remember Okinawa two months ago?”
Kame’s eyes turned big. “You’re the-”
“Shhh!” Akihiko said. “Don’t mention it, especially in front of niisan. He’ll kill me for sure.”
“Sorry.”
“No, it’s okay. I just feel ashamed when I remember that stupid thing I did. Thank you again for saving me.”
“It was nothing. And you saved me from getting fired so I guess we’re even.” Kame smiled angelically.
After getting off from the elevator, Akihiko lead Kame to the hotel nearby.
Kame paused and looked at Akihiko. “Ano… I don’t think I brought enough money with me. You can just go in. I’ll just grab a bite from the kombini store.”
Akihiko beamed. “Who said you’re paying?”
“But…”
“No buts!” Akihiko dragged Kame inside. “Besides, it’s not even me paying - it’s charged to the company so chill.”
Akihiko ordered the usual for him and his brother while Kame had a hard time choosing because the menu was in French.
“Need help?”
Kame shyly smiled. “Please?”
“Are you allergic to something? Do you like spicy food?”
Kame shook his head twice.
Aki smiled and ordered something in behalf of Kame.
Kame stiffened when he caught sight of the big boss coming in.
Aki turned to the direction of the door and smiled at Kame. “Calm down.”
“Why should I? You know, your brother is really scary.”
Aki laughed. “Trust me; he’s nothing but a big softie inside.” He whispered softly. “Don’t show him that you’re afraid of him. Else, he’ll really go and frighten you.” He conspiratorially said.
Kame just smiled awkwardly and braced himself to dine with… his monster of a boss.
Back to Chapter One ∫ On to Chapter Three
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A/N: I finally had the courage to post this on the communities. ^^
Comments please?