A beautiful encounter: Chapter 1: I want to see you again...
Title: A Beautiful Encounter
Author: Hikari
Rating: AA
Classification: AU, Fluff, Romance
Disclaimer: Do not own mao or jun
Summary: It's about a love story that begin with a beautiful encounter in Spring this year...
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Chapter 1: I want to see you again...
Earlier release: Prologue : Our first encounter...
Date : Morning, Spring, end-May 2010
Inspiration : Sometimes, life is like a board game, just when you thought you throw a lucky six... you would realize lady luck is having her own fun too.
Opening Introduction : Following that short encounter at the park, now let the story begins. Today, please meet the two main cast of the story. Enjoy.
It was yet another beautiful day in Tokyo. As summer is approaching, the weather had turned slightly warmer but still crisp and cooling in the morning.
Mao stretched herself lazily on her swivel chair and cast a glace at the city landscape before her. A small smiled played on her beautiful face as she reached out for her juice on the table.
Mao Inoue, 23 - the young heir of Inoue Corp Inc had returned from the States 3 months ago to join her father as the lead designer for the re-known Mooks label. With just 3 months on the reign, Inoue Mao has created a new frenzy of fashion in the industry. Her American-Japanese fusion range had created a hit in the local market. Not only she discovered a new market trend, but boosted the sales by 2 folds. Now they are in plans of releasing her fusion style under a new label this fall.
After 3 months of grooving intensity in her studio, and completion of the key concept design of the new label last week, she felt exhausted but accomplished. Mao step out to the adjacent garden-balcony of her office and let out a contented sigh. It really felt great to be back. Tokyo had not changed much since she left 10 years ago. The city just looked all so familiar to her, and she is more than grateful that her father had converted part of the Inoue Corp’s roof-top-garden to her personal studio.
The garden had always been her favorite place in the company ever since she was a little girl. Somehow at a very young age; she had learnt to appreciate the freedom she felt whenever she was up there; gazing into the far horizon beyond the city just open up her mind. It is from this where she can look beyond and let her imagination and creativity run wild.
“Yosh… I shall go back earlier today and bring Hug to the park. She’s been slacking too much lately.”
A small blush crept on her beautiful face as the incident of that fateful morning crept in her mind…
“… good girl. Now, let’s go…”
Her gaze had fallen to the most attractive guy she ever meet since her trip back to Japan. His eyes are dark and mysterious with a light glint when he looked at her; his lips are full and curvy and they draw up naturally when he smiled at her.
She was at lost for a moment when he had appeared suddenly in front of her… Her heart was beating so fast that she thought it was going to leap out any time when he keeps his eyes on her with that one-million watt smile of him.
Inoue Mao palmed her chest as she felt her heart beat skipping twice as fast when the image of the man appeared in her mind. She kidded herself for being so flustered over that short encounter.
She never thought her heart would beat so fast in front of a man or realized she can be so chatty with a complete stranger. As the heir of Inoue Corp, she had her fair share of dealings with men in all sort of occasions. Thus far, she had managed them quite well. Hence, she prided herself for being able to keep her cool that day and… or was she too cold?
“Ah… why should I care… it’s not that we will meet again…” she muttered to herself as she rested her arm on the iron bar and continued to let her thoughts drift freely.
But there’s something about this guy… she just can’t seem to get him out from her memory. Ever since that very encounter, she would always think of him whenever she’s alone.
He looks so cute when he flushed… and he likes dog too…
“Neh… will me meet again?” she whispered lightly to the breeze and continued to stared in the horizon before her.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was a beautiful morning to sleep-in when the sun is hiding behind the thick white clouds, while the morning breeze is sending gentle chills to the room.
Jun was dragged out of bed when his door bell rang unexpectedly at 8 a.m. Surprised by the bright yellow delivery guy at his door step, he quickly signed for the documents and open up the envelope. He smirked and tossed the DHL document on the kitchen counter after he took a glance at a the post-it that was placed neatly on the top.
Jun Matsumoto, 27 - the top-notch photographer and the young director of Snapz Media had just returned from his New York trip last evening. With a talent to capture beauty, a unique view of seeing the things, and a natural ability to bring out the best of the subjects under his lenses, Matsumoto Jun had emerged as the star in this niche industry. His works were not known as glossy glamorous shots but a picture that tells a story. Coupled with some business acumen, his had setup Snapz Media at the age of 20. To-date, Snapz was one of the most in-demand media-company in the market, while he - Matsumoto Jun is the most sought after eligible bachelor of the town. Hence it’s not a surprise that he had a new prospect waiting for him in that envelope. Judging from the way it arrived, it must be huge and important; meaning he had to be back at his office today.
He freshened up and fixed himself a cup coffee and started to run through the content in the envelope. His secretary had left a note in the parcel, informing him that the client wished to meet him this afternoon. He made a mental note to thank his secretary for sending him such a good summary of the client background, which allowed him more time to rest at home instead of rushing back to his office.
Jun found himself gazing out of his window again… he loved the view of Tokyo city. Although at a glance it seem so packed with sky scrapers, but when you looked beyond and around, you’ll see silhouettes of the mountains in the far horizon, stretching endlessly; when you look at the bay side area, you’ll see Sumida river cutting across Tokyo and Odaiba, gleaming gently like a silk ribbon; when you look within the city, you’ll see huge patches of lush green parks in many corners of the city; and with each season, you’ll see a different colors that the city can offer. But no matter what, this city, is always bustling with life.
“Spring is going to end huh…”
His lips formed a curl as he remembered his little encounter at the park earlier in the month…
“… but a-ne…”
His vision had been blurred by a glowing beauty before him. Her skin was flawless and radiating with a soft glow under the morning rays; her hazel brown eyes are sending him electric shocks with bright twinkles when she looked at him.
He was captivated by her dazzling sunshine smile when she smiled at him… she looked so cheerful that it makes his heart dance. His heart was skipping a beat here and there; and he thought it would stop any time if she keeps chiming her musical laughter to him with that dazzling smile of hers.
Matsumoto Jun sighed in defeat as he felt his face burning up again with mere thoughts of her, he laughed inwardly at his own for blushing like a high-school kid.
He never thought he would be so nervous in front of a girl or realized he can be so open to converse with a stranger from the park. As the young director of Snapz Media and a renowned photographer, he came across many beautiful women from various parts of the world, despite his reserved nature. But none had captured him the way she did.
Hence, he can’t forgave himself for being so rude to not to introduce himself and ask for her name… or is he so un-cool with his flushed face?
“Ah… I messed up… now how you gonna find her you idiot…” he mumbled to himself as he leaned on the window with yet another sigh….
There’s something about the girl that made his heart fluttered. He never felt like this before. That warm and light fluffy tugging feeling in his heart… she might be gone before his sight, but her face seemed to be appearing every where in his mind.
She looked so cute when she snuggled on her dog…
“… will we meet again?” he whisper lightly as he glanced at the Jasmine flowers on his kitchen counter.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As planned, Mao had leave for home earlier after sending the fabric sample she required to the supplier. Her assistant - Yuki had informed her that the advertising team lead by her brother had started approaching major media companies to for the new label. She should be hearing from them soon.
“I should enjoy my little break now before it start rolling neh?”
She kidded with her brother when she bumped into him at the lobby. He was coming back to the office whilst she’s leaving.
“Have a good rest. This, might start sooner than you think.” his brother waved at the document on his hand and winked at her sister cheekily before going in the lift.
As she wondered if her brother had found a suitable partner, she realized it was drizzling outside. As much as she wanted to bring Hug to the park today…
“Not today huh…” she gazed up at the dark grey sky and let out a sigh…
… Looks like there’s no chance to meet you again… but…
“Someday… I’ll see you again…” somehow, that is what her heart is telling her.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The meeting with his client went unexpectedly smooth, by next meeting - they will be signing the contract. That guy indeed proved himself to be the 2nd in command that giant conglomerate despite his young age. Not only he articulated his business request and scope with clarity, he was fast and straight to the point. And most importantly is these two men just click one way or the other. Just a meeting and they were talking like two old buddies. In fact, short of the contract, the case was almost a done deal.
“Matsumoto-san, Sakurai-san on line 1.”
His thought was interrupted as Yamada’s voice rang come in from his PABX phone.
“Put him through immediately.”
After a long discussion and many apologies, Jun decided to call it a day. He had informed his secretary - to put this new project on top of his list. He needed to think through some of the details before signing next week.
Looking at the drizzling rain and the deserted park near his place… he felt a tug in his heart.
... Just when I thought today was my lucky day… but….
“Someday… I’ll meet you again…” that is what he believed in.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Authors note:
So now you have meet my 2 main leads and co-leads; And you also found out about how they feel about that few minutes of encounter in the park. Did it make your heart race a bit too? How are you feeling? Sweet in anticipation? Do you think they will meet each other again?
Finally, as some of you are aware, I'm going off for my vacation on the coming week, so that's why I'm giving an early release of Chapter 1. Subsequent chapters will be release on a regular intervals, with the time window I think would be good for to keep you wondering and thinking. Lolz.
Comments are welcome. You may tell me anything, everything. Lolz. Arigatou Gozaimasu.