L'Eclat du Soleil was the fashion brand I worked for. It was one of the major companies in the country we were headquartered in France, running multiple brands to accommodate various targets. It had been 2 years since I joined the company of my dreams. I worked hard with my senior co-workers everyday as a secretary to the president.
An award ceremony for the country's most prestigious design award was to be held that day. An amazing world of splendor spread right before my eyes. As I let out a sigh, he called out to me.
"Is everything okay? You look so disoriented... Are you tired?"
Smiling before me was an elderly gentleman, the president of L'Eclat du Soleil the man I was working for as a secretary.
(I guess all the glitter is getting to me. He was kind enough to bring me all the way here... and the crowd gets me sick?)
" I'm so sorry for making you worry, sir."
" Oh, I don't mind. Maybe I wore you out by taking you around to too many places... since you're leaving me soon."
Yes. I was leaving him soon. My one-year stint as secretary over. I was about to start on a new job as a personal assistant to a board member.
" I've always wanted to come to parties like this. Thank you for bringing me here today, sir."
" Well, this is the industry after all."
The president smiled and looked around the fancy venue. At the front of the venue hung a drop curtain with the words "Maiyomi Design Awards" on it. The "Maiyomi Design Awards" was a prestigious award and gateway to the world.
Most Japanese designers who won the award are now working globally it was an award given to the most stylish designer and various fashion magazines and media.
" It's really great that L'Eclat du Soleil designer could win this award."
" Yes, he worked for so hard for this."
( The president looks so happy... With the winner being from our company, all eyes would be on L'Eclat du Soleil.)
" I knew Kitazawa would win the award someday. He really got talent.''
The president smiled proudly.
" Did you know who he was before he won the award?"
" Well, of course. There's no one at L'Eclat du Soleil who doesn't know Omi Kitazawa is."
(Actually, I only saw him once from a distance at the company but his designs are amazing. It'll be my first time seeing him up close... I wonder what he's like? Really cool, I bet.)
As I stood there daydreaming, I felt the president smiling at me.
" ..."
" Why are you smiling like that, sir ?"
" Just thinking how interesting fate can be."
" Huh? What do you mean...?"
Just when I was about to ask the president meant, the venue started buzzing. (W-What is it? A fire?)
" What happened?"
" Let's go look."
" Yes, sir !"
I hurried after him.
" Aargh !"
" Uh.. Excuse me."
I felt somebody bump into me.
" What do you think you're doing ?!"
I looked up trying to complain. A man with an impeccable face looked into me, expressionless. I know this face, from somewhere, the admirable. (No ! Kitazawa !? Here !? Of all places?)
" Shh !"
He pushed his finger against my lips.
" Huh ?"
" Can you just... stay like this a bit more?"
Saying so, something fell over me. (No ! He's holding me in his arms ?) An unfamiliar scent and the warmth of a man's body. ( We've only met..)
" N-No,.. Don't !"
I resisted.
" You gotta help me."
He pulled my chin up with his thin, yet strong fingertips. My eyes met Kitazawa's, as he held me. A blank expression, under these circumstances ? ( What do you mean, '' help'' ?)
"You worked for L'Eclat du Soleil, right ?"
" How do you know ?"
" You were with the president a while ago."
" Well, yes but—"
" Besides –"
As Kitazawa tried to go on, we heard the noise coming closer. He looked in that direction and clicked his tongue.
" Just listen to me ."
" Only if you really need help."
He squeezed me even tighter. ( What am I gonna do? I can't run away.) Contrary to his slender build, I could tell the man who held me was very strong. (So this is a man's body.) I could feel his heart pounding against my body. His right arm slipped around my waist.
Revered designer Kitazawa holding me in his arms under these circumstances? I was so nervous I didn't know what to do. (Hurry, whatever this is, let's get it over with!) Pleading, I held Kitazawa with my trembling hands. I thought I heard a chuckle at my ear. (He's laughing?)
" Sorry, it won't be long."
His whisper at my ear had a gentle ring to it. Without a word, I gripped the hem of his jacket. That was when a woman approached clicking her heels. She was breathing hard and stopped right in front of me and Kitazawa.
" Found you !"
Staring at him with bloodshot eyes the ghastly expression spoiled her beautiful features. (I'm not the one she's glaring at, but she scares me still. Wait a minute, is this the model Sarina Michiyama!?) The charismatic model had a huge following among female office workers, even appearing in various TV programs recently.
(She's always smiling on TV, but Sarina can look this scary in real life.) I found myself clinging to Kitazawa and felt him chuckle. The words he spat out right after, however were extremely low-toned and chilly.
" You're in my way. This is how it is, so leave."
" So, you're into girls like that now. A bootlicking piece of scum!"
(M-Me!?)
" No matter what you do… I'm the only girl for Omi. Enjoy your moment while it lasts!"
Barely giving us time to respond, she left clicking her heels.
" Hah, she's gone?"
Kitazawa stepped away. A faint scent of his perfume lingered along with the warmth of his body and our bodies moved as if a spell was broken.
" U-Um."
" Huh?"
" What just happened ! ?"
Without moving an inch and running his hand through his hair, Kitazawa said
" Hey… getting mad would spoil your dress".
" N-None of your business!"
"You want something in return ? I'll send something to your office later."
" I don't need anything !"
" Hey, what's your name?"
Despite his annoying arrogance, I found myself blurting out my name.
" Catherine… Catherine RoseBlood is my name."
" Huh, that's a nice name."
That's when we heard someone calling his name.
" Anyways, you were a great help. Well done, RoseBlood."
With those words Kitazawa returned to the venue as if nothing happened, expressionless again.
" W-What was that?"
( I was totally wrong about Kitazawa!) Stunned, the words that left my mouth rang hollow and disappeared into thin air. (So Kitazawa was going out with Sarina Michiyama. Wow, guess that's the fashion industry.) As I was thinking about such things…
" Oh, so this is where you are, RoseBlood."
" President ! "
It felt like a while since I'd seen the president face. Relieved, I ran to him.
" Huh ? RoseBlood, were you wearing perfume today? Something smells good."
" …!" (Kitazawa's perfume…!)
" Y-You must be mistaken, sir."
" I wonder…oh?"
" What is it, sir?"
" What happened to that?"
" What do you mean by that?"
The president pointed at my neck.
" You know, the necklace you said you bought for yourself when you got this job."
" Oh!"
I touched my neck after the president pointed it out. ( It's not there. I lost it !) The necklace I bought for myself when I landed the job! ( It was perfect for this dress.) I looked on the floor but couldn't find the necklace. (Oh, no. I must've lost it in that fuss. Ah, I'm so out of luck today. I can't bother the president with a personal thing like this.)
" Let us be on our way, sir."
" Are you sure? It was precious, wasn't it?"
I checked the floor again and nodded at the president.
" It's all right."
And that was how we left. I didn't know then, that I would have such a relationship with the man who got me in such a mess.
A month after the award ceremony, the day finally arrived for me to be assigned to my new department as personal assistant to a board member. I called to the president's office the first thing in the morning.
" Well, I guess it's farewell for now. We'll be under the same roof, but we won't see each other much."
" President, how can I thank you enough for everything you've done for me? "
" Please support your new boss well."
" Yes, sir!"
The president nodded and stroked my head gently with his strong hands. I was appointed as secretary to a board member also acting as Design Department manager. At L'Eclat du Soleil many department heads acted as board members.
I was to give the busy boss behind-the-scenes support as secretary so that he could work efficiently. ( Kitazawa would be in the same Design Department but who cares, he's not my boss.) I was reminded of the award ceremony incident the moment I heard I was to be working in the Design Department. I would feel pretty awkward running into Kitazawa but I can just focus on what I have to do and I won't have to get that involved with him. ( After all, I'm the department manager's secretary. More than that, the Design Department's the most popular department at the company. My dream of getting appointed her came true much faster than I expected. I'm gonna work real hard and show them what I can do !) I made up my mind. I cleaned out the office I've been working in for the last year and packed my things.
" Oof!"
(Is this it?)
" Oh, RoseBlood."
" Oh, hey!"
" It's our last day together. I'm gonna miss you."
" Thank you so much for everything."
Tears welled up in my eyes. She taught me so much in the last year. After a round of parting words, she grinned.
" RoseBlood, you're going to 'that' Design Department, right?"
" Huh? What do you mean by 'that'?"
I asked her, feeling there was more to her words.
" You have my sympathies."
She nodded. ( What does she mean?)
" What do you mean?"
" Oh RoseBlood, you're so out of touch with what goes on in the company. That's why I'm worried about you."
" I'm sorry."
" Well, just don't leave the company to get married."
" Huh? What do you mean?"
" I hear he has a girlfriend so I guess you'll be OK."
My senior whispered, and that was when we heard the president call out to her.
"Ms. Yamada, there's been a change to the schedule tomorrow."
" Oh! I'll be right with you, sir! Sorry, gotta go. Good luck!"
" O-OK."
She gave me a gentle tap on my shoulder and headed in the president's direction.
" I wonder what she meant."
Snapping out of it, I picked up my things. I took a big breath in the corridor in front of the Design Department… I knocked.
" Excuse me. Hello, I'm RoseBlood assigned to this department from today."
There was no answer. ( Maybe they're busy? Can't be helped, after all it's the most popular department in the company. ) I stood there holding my things in my arms. ( They're heavy . Wish I can put them down somewhere at least.) I looked around the corridor.
" All right, I'll tell them."
" But boss, you're the manager. You don't have to go out of your way –"
" They'd listen more from a man in my position."
I heard voices from within the office. ( So there was someone inside. They look busy though. Maybe I should wait a while.) That was when suddenly the door flew open.
" Aargh!"
Surprised, I staggered. As I fell, a pair of strong arms saved me and I recognized the familiar scent. The man the arms belonged to was…
" M-Mr. Kitazawa !?"
"?" ( Oh no, I didn't want to run into him.)
" L-Let me go, please !"
" Oh, sorry."
His arms let go instantly. ( Can't believe it, running into him this soon?) As I stood there startled, Kitazawa stared at me and said something without emotion.
" Oh, the new secretary… had to show up now, of all times. We're busy, so do whatever you need to do."
With those words, he hurried away. ( W-What was that all about? Besides, why does Kitazawa have to order me around!? And, he doesn't seem to remember anything about the award ceremony.) Not quite getting it, I started to unpack.
" Catherine !?"
It was then that I heard a familiar voice call out to me.
" Wakako, is that you?"
" Long time no see! You e-mailed me that you were coming to the Design Department, Catherine. I was looking forward to it !"
Hand in hand I rejoined with Wakako, who had joined the company in the same year as me. Wakako and I were in different sections, the Design Department and Secretarial Division respectively, but we were the best of friends among fellow employees. We used to find time for each other to talk about work and love issues.
( Since we've been too busy to go out for meals recently… we'd been e-mailing each other so it didn't feel so long since we last saw each other.) Such thoughts crossed my mind as I looked at her smile. She really cleared my gloom instantly.
" Be good to me. Hey Wakako, can I ask you something ?"
" Sure, what happened?"
" Where's the boss ? I wanna say hello."
Wakako looked at me with a strange look on her face.
" Huh? You just saw him now, Catherine."
" … Huh?"
"At the door."
I ran into Kitazawa back there, but couldn't remember anyone else, however hard I tried.
" N-No, you can't mean… Mr. Kitazawa?"
" You're right, he's the boss. Hey? You didn't know? He won the Maiyomi Design Award the other day, right? He got promoted after that."
Other than the boss, everybody at the Design Department was nice and friendly. I let out a sigh of relief at the restaurant they took me out for a welcome party. (They're all so fashionable. I mean, it IS what you'd expect from the Design Department.) I thought I cared enough to dress appropriately as a fashion brand secretary… but maybe I need to work on it more.
" Are you having enough to drink, RoseBlood?"
" Y-Yes, ma'am, I am!"
" Oh come on, relax!"
Chitose Awamura took all day to show me how things are done. She also cared enough to talk to me here too.
" RoseBlood, that's our brand, right? What you have on right now?"
" Y-Yes."
" You're really cute wearing it. Maybe a longer length here might work better?"
" Yes! And …"
As we were talking… there was a buzz at the entrance. ( Wonder what happened?) Emerging from the door..
" Oh! Mr.Kitazawa."
Yes, that was who it was. Everyone from the department called out to him. He answer them casually, looking around the restaurant and found me. (…!) He walked straight up to me. And stopped right before my eyes.
" I'm sorry I couldn't greet you in the afternoon. I'm Kitazawa, your boss from today. Don't give me trouble."
With some alcohol in my system, I got a bit emotional.
" I'm Catherine RoseBlood. I'll work extremely hard. Thank you."
I bowed and looked up. Kitazawa stared at me with his ever-cool eyes and leaned into my face. (W-What are you…?) I tried to look away but he kept closing in on me. Just when I closed my eyes.
" Too much makeup."
He said, and stroked my cheek.
" … Huh?"
That's all he said and went to his seat… without giving me even a moment to respond.
" It's rare for you to show up on occasions like these, Mr.Kitazawa."
" Well, it doesn't hurt to drink with you guys once in a while."
(W-What was that?) Stunned, I froze.
" Wow, he usually doesn't mess with people like that."
" He's got a model girlfriend. And he goes to hit on RoseBlood. Guess Mr.Kitazawa's a womanizer just like everyone says."
(So Sarina Michiyama was his girlfriend.) Just as I thought—
" Hey RoseBlood, do you have a boyfriend?"
" Um…"
He asked so suudddenly, I was lost for words.
" Catherine doesn't have a boyfriend now… ever since her boyfriend from school faded away. All she thinks about is work. No man in her life but work."
" Oh, really. What a waste, you're so cute, RoseBlood ! Maybe I should be her boyfriend."
" Watch what you say! You can't, you've got a girlfriend."
After a while, Wakako turned to me and whisper in a small voice others couldn't hear.
" Hey Catherine, what do you think of the boss? Love affairs between secretaries and bosses, aren't they exciting?"
To Wakako's question of how I felt about my new boss, I answered…
" I think he's cool."
" No, I don't really like like people like that."
I thought back to when we first met. ( Grabbing anyone around him.. Just to run away from his girlfriend.)
" Oh, so that's how it is. It's rare for him to show up at our parties so…it got me thinking you were someone special for him,Catherine."
Wakako said, a bit disappointedly. ( It's just a coincidence.) As I Stole a glance at Kitazawa, I felt his gaze on me… and not knowing what to do, I looked away.
The day after the welcome party… I had a bit too much to drink the night before. Holding my throbbing head I studied the material for new job. ( I finally landed a job as secretary on my own. I really gotta work hard. Focus only on work, not Kitazawa !) Just when I made up my mind, the phone rang suddenly.
"Design Department, this is RoseBlood."
" An incoming call for Mr.Kitazawa. Can he take it?"
I looked over at Kitazawa's seat and saw that he wasn't there yet.
" S-Sorry, he's not in the office."
" Then can you have him call as soon as he gets back? I'll give the number now."
" Yes, please."
I confirmed the contact info with the receptionist and hung up. (Hmmph, he's late… wonder if..) I looked over at his schedule board and saw that he had an in-house shoot today. (Oh, that's where he is!) However hungover I was, I shouldn't have missed that. Picking up my memo with 'Urgent' written on it, I stood up.
(Oh, that's where he is.) I ran to the venue and found Kitazawa. Glancing at me he came over after excusing himself from the person he was speaking with.
" What happened ?"
" E-Excuse me, sir. There's an urgent call for you."
Kitazawa shot me a look and took my memo.
" All right, I'll return the call later."
" Thank you."
I bowed and tried to leave.
" Wait, where do you think you're going?"
" Back to work."
I answered. After a thought, Kitazawa said.
" Stay here and watch a bit."
": But that's not…"
…'my job', I tried to say, but Kitazawa cut me off.
" You should know how your boss works. Besides, I want to introduce you to some people."
" Y-Yes, sir. Allow me to accompany you, sir!"
Inadvertently, I stood rigid and answered.
" Too stiff."
Grinning a bit he tapped my forehead. ( He actually smiled.) He was a bit different when he smiled… a bit softer, somewhat gentler. I was absorbed with the unexpected change in his expression.
" Hey, what do you think you're doing ?"
" S-Sorry, sir. I'll be right there!"
I rushed to Kitazawa as he called me. The photo session venue was full of bright lights. (Wow.) The spectacular ambience overwhelmed me for a moment. I was drawn to Kitazawa who noticed how awestruck I was. The white light of the reflector board was blinding.The photo session revoloved around Kitazawa shooting out precise directions one after the other. I was captivated by his breathtaking presence. (W-What am I thinking?)
" Hey, hurry over here."
" Y-Yes, sir."
" How do you do> I'm Kitazawa's secretary, RoseBlood. It's a pleasure."
" Oh, hi."
Once I finished introducing myself to one person, Kitazawa grabbed me and took me over to the next.
" This is my secretary, RoseBlood. RoseBlood will be taking care of all correspondence from now on."
" Thank you."
" Yeah, thank you."
( How many more introductions do I have to go through? My head's spinning.) I didn't think I could memorize any more names. That was when Kitazawa stopped.
" I guess that about does it."
(So many people are involved in this project.)
" Thank you."
" No problem. This is so that future projects will go smoothly. Nothing profound."
" Yes, sir."
(Yes, it's work after all.)
" Yes, you! I've been waiting to for a while actually."
Ida eyed me head to toe. His gaze stopped at my chest, then my waist.
" You have a nice figure."
(G-Gross.) Maybe it's all in my head. I tried to spare my body from his scrutiny by subtly slipping out of his gaze. Ida clicked his tongue quietly.
"….!"
I ran out of words to say but Ida didn't even notice and opened his mouth to speak.
" Man, you're adorable. Wanna pose for a centerfold sometime?"
" Huh?"
" Yeah, let's do it! We can take our time over dinner and talk it."
" Um, no I can't do it."
" Yeah, I love that innocence about you. I can reach you at the number on the card you gave me, right?"
" Uh, um,ah."
I wanted to say no but he was our business partner, the man who was shooting today. I can't spoil his mood, but… ( Someone, help me!) As I squeezed my eyes shut, somebody grabbed my arm. I thought I was being dragged by the arm but was actually hidden behind the person's back. I sneaked a look over the back of the suit and heard a familiar voice over my head.
" You can't do this, Mr. Ida."
"…!"
Oh this voice…!
" You'll have to go through me to solicit my subordinates."
" Mr. Kitazawa!"
" Besides, she's not for show. Excuse me."
The next minute Kitazawa grabbed and turned me around, slid his arm over my shoulders and led me out of the venue. I thought I heard Ida yell and I cringed. When we reached a corridor I recognized, Kitazawa quickly let go of me.
" U-Um, thank you."
" …"
Kitazawa cast a cool glance at me as I apologized. He reached into his pocket for a cigarette but realized we were in a corridor. Letting out a breath irritably, he turned to face me.
" A fashion industry secretary… should be able to sidestep something like that."
( So that's how it was.) Glamor was not all there was to the industry.
" Huh. You seem pretty weak in that sense."
" Yes, I'm sorry."
" To have guys like that drool all over your body and not do anything about it."
An irritated tone. ( Could Kitazawa be mad?) As I looked down… Kitazawa yanked my face to him.
" H-Huh!?"