"Whoa" breathed a soft voice against her neck, like someone had blown air. For that one moment, shivers had run down her spine and she quickly brought her hands up in position, turning around to defend her self against the unknown stranger in her doorway.
The minute she turned around and faced the person, she just stood over there, her hands frozen in the air and blinked her eyes rapidly for several seconds.
The person standing in front was, a little taller than her with deep jade green eyes, and striking silver hair. He was leaning against the hinges of the open door, displaying his long legs and showing off his jawline by flashing her wide smirk.
Akane gave out a breath of relief before grabbing him by the hand and bringing him completely inside the apartment.
She shut the door as quickly as possible and turned to him with her hands on her hips. "Zelion!" She called out to him, clearly showing the annoyance in her tone and narrowing her eyes on him.
He had made himself comfortable on the sofa and was still grinning at her while wiggling his fingers in a form of a 'hi' to her.
She just rolled her eyes and gave him a smack on the back of his head. "Oww!" Zel shouted, rubbing his head. "What was that for??"
Akane flopped on the couch and started massaging her temples, giving Zel a menacing look from the corner of her eye and he in return gave him an I-don't-know-anything-just-try-me look. She just sighed.
"It's good that no one saw you when you appeared out of nowhere. Don't want to be called a witch again." She said. "If you are done worrying, shall we take a look at this apartment??"
He asked and Akane sighed and nodded her head to agree and they both made their way around in the different rooms.
The living room, which was the largest room of the apartment, had a brown soft couch against the right side of the wall, near the main door with a television fixed on the wall opposite to it.
There was a small teapoy which separated the television and the couch from each other at a good distance. The kitchen which was next to the bedroom was not too small nor too big and was decorated with light blue tiles.
Then came the bedroom where the walls had been coloured with a colour of light purple. The bed was of normal size and the window had been covered with violet coloured curtains.
The whole apartment was selected by Mrs Bradford and was perfect. Zel and Akane gave each other a satisfied smile.
The whole day was spent on buying groceries and other stuff and getting settled in. The night took over in a blink of an eye and they went to sleep.
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The alarm rang with a screeching sound before Akane slammed her hand on, almost knocking it down and it shuts it up abruptly.
She woke up yawning and scratching the back of her head She groaned as she stretched her hands as much as she could and got off the bed, just when she heard Zel's voice coming closer.
"Akane it's eight, get-" He stopped when he opened the door and saw her awake. He was wearing a dark red shirt with the words 'Try Me' with a silver slash, printed on it and a pair of black jeans.
He looked handsome like always, but not as handsome as the stranger Akane had met the previous day and she realised the huge comparison between the stranger and Zel. And she also realised that she should stop comparing them.
But something was missing in Zel. She squinted her eyes in his direction. And suddenly, she knew what the missing thing was. She smirked and asked, "Your apron and wooden spoon are not in sight. Where are they?"
Zel had this passion of wearing an apron while cooking when they were in Japan. He always used to find satisfaction in wearing them, as any great chef would. And Akane on the other side had the passion and satisfaction in teasing him whenever he wore it and cooked something.
He glared at her, crossing his hands in front of his chest and she just stood there, trying not to laugh. "Well, unfortunately, I finished cooking breakfast, and I'm ready. I did not know that you want to see me in those things that badly" He said, victoriously.
"Of course! It's not every day you get to look like a thirty-year-old lady" She mocked him and earned a light growl from him.
She raised an eyebrow before walking towards the closet to get a towel and removed her clothes to wear for the day. She had planned on wearing greyish blue formal trousers and a matching blazer with a white shirt inside, for that day.
She quickly stepped in the bathroom and washed her face first before getting under the shower. She closed her eyes as the water fell on her.
As her eyes were closed, her thoughts had drifted to the day before, to the stranger. She could not help but think about him as she had never been fascinated by anyone like that, and yet she was pulled by this human like a magnet.
Was there even a human that attractive?? A part of her wished if she could see him again. But she knew that it was a stupid thought and discarded it. I should probably stop thinking too much.
She turned off the shower and got out wrapping the towel around her. Zel was lying on the bed, with his legs propped up and was playing games on her phone.
He was so concentrated on the game, he didn't see her entering the room and standing in front of him.
She had her hands on her hips and water was dripping off from her wet hair, damping the floor beneath her. Some drops fell on the edge of the bed, making small wet spots of water on the sheets and he was still unaware of the eyes which were weighing on him.
She closed her eyes and took a big breath, filling her lungs with air before shouting her lungs out, "Zel! You better get off the bed right now!!" That moment Zel literally jumped in surprise, almost dropping her phone.
He threw his legs over the side of the bed and sat straight. And when looked up and saw her, he placed a hand in his chest, calming down his panicked heart. "Shit woman, you scared me! I thought I was going to die by a panic attack" He said finally calming down. Her eyes narrowed at him. She shot him back a stern gaze.
"What??" He asked, raising both his hands, his left eyebrow raising perfectly and forming an upside down 'V'. She lowered her gaze on her phone, which was still in his hand.
"If my phone goes dead by the time I reach the office, you'll be the next dead item." She threatened him grabbing the phone and connecting it to the long white chord of the charger.
He gulped and laughed nervously rubbing the back of his palm. She sighed, rubbing both her eyes with her index finger and her thumb.
She then closed the window which was just above her nightstand and dropped the towel, walking naked around the other side of the bed.
Being naked around Zel was as normal as breathing for her, cause' Zel never showed and never will show any interest in the female anatomy.
He was a Ōgama and the emotion of lust was so foreign, that he was almost never interested to feel it. To him, it's a complete waste of time and energy and discarded it long back. And that was the only emotion he lacked and did not care a damn. But he did show the other ones.
He never ever showed any interest in female humans, so even if any girl sits on him naked and try to seduce him, there's no chance of her getting fucked by him.
He had various interests and one of them was fighting- as for how Akane should attack and as for how he should be used.
Now since he had nothing better to do, he just watched her change into her office attire, his eyes nonchalant at the body he looked at for so many years. She slipped on her inners before slipping the shirt on. Then put on the trousers, she tucked the white shirt in and then slipped her arms through the blazer- which had the same colour of her trousers.
After being satisfied, she turned around to show him how she looked, stretching her arms wide open. He leaned more on his palm, analyzing her somewhat a dark coloured attire and then got up to give her a grin, giving her an approved look.
She smiled and went near the full-length mirror, to do her hair. But the problem was she did not know what to do, so he decided to ask Zel. "Zel, should I leave my hair or should I tie them in a ponytail?" "A pony- what?" He said as he stopped leaning on his palm. His face was all pulled by a 'what-the-hell-is-that" expression. Akane saw his confused face and turned around, rolling her eyes. Then pulling all of her hair behind with her hand she said,
"This hairstyle over here is called a ponytail." And she let go of her hair again, as they fell on her shoulders. "Ohhh, that hairstyle," Zel spoke, his mouth forming a circle. He had taken a pillow, which was resting near the head of the bed and kept his elbow on it, leaning on his palm once more. "I think the ponytail looks good." He said, his eyes trailing her hair. She gave a quick nod and turned back to the mirror, before brushing her hair and pulled them back together in a shiny black hairband, high enough to make them swing left and right.
Most people have always left comments on her scarlet hair saying that it had a look of elegance and fierceness. They were wavy and fell between her shoulder and mid-back. Yes. Her hair had the striking scarlet colour, almost making her hair glow. Minako too, said it suited her and her nature.
She always used to wonder whether it was because of her hair her real parents had kept her name Akane- which actually meant 'Deep Red'.
With one last look in the mirror, she turned as Zel stood up, giving out a small yawn and they went into the living room. Since the living room had a lot of space on its left side, Akane and Zel had bought a huge black table, big enough to fit the space there and four matching chairs. The legs of the table and the chairs were made of metal, giving the whole set a stylish look.
Akane pulled a chair and made her self comfortable and Zel went into the kitchen and came back with two square-shaped plates, of breakfast. And hurrying back again in the kitchen, he brought two transparent cups with tea in it. A sweet, light and familiar scent hit her nose as she closed her eyes to breathe a little more of the scent.
"Mm...Zel, what did you make today? It smells great" She asked him making him smile in excitement. His eyes twinkled as he pulled back the chair opposite to her in and sat.
"Today I made scrambled eggs and since it is your interview, I made your favourite, Earl Grey." He explained like he was demonstrating his masterpiece for the first time. It felt ages since she had Earl Grey. She remembered the first time he had made the tea back at home. It was his only chance to make her taste his cooking when others were out, and she was head over heels in love with it.
Akane took a sip of the tea. It was delicious. It was not strong and was overwhelming. "It's very good, Zel" She complimented him after drinking the whole cup. He grinned at her like a child, making her chuckle.
After breakfast, she wore her shoes, which were baby heels. Akane never bought high heels for three main reasons.
First- She did not want to look like a giraffe in them since she was already tall enough.
The second-the moment she used to try them on, they always used to threaten to kill her feet.
And third- Zel stated that, even though it could be used as a weapon for defence, she was already strong enough to defend herself. So then there wasn't any chance for the heels to be on her feet. And the bonus was, these baby heels suited her attire for work.
After checking her belongings, they closed the door behind them and moved out as she dropped her key deep into her satchel.
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"Are you sure about this Zel??" She asked him again, the hundredth time. They debating with their hands crossed in front of them, whether Zel was going to stay at home or not.
They were currently in the parking lot which was beneath the building. There were barely four-five cars since they had arrived twenty-five minutes early.
"Yeah, Akane it's fine. I want to try out more dishes today. So please? I'll come to pick you up. Just give me a call on the landline okay?? Pleeeeeasee??" He pleaded, extending the number of 'e' and attacked her with his puppy dog eyes.
How could she say no to them?? She sighed before nodding her head. He jumped happily and gave her a hug before getting into the car and driving away.
She sighed as she watched the car disappear from her sight and walked out of the parking lot. The morning was bright and warm, the sun hanging brightly in the eastern sky and showering its rays. The building of Edwards Enterprises stood firm and tall within its area in Central London. The building was really tall and looked like it was almost touching the sky. It was so sparkly with the polished glass, it almost hurt her eyes. She didn't expect it to be less than exquisite.
But when her feet stepped between the two sliding glass doors, she felt her eyes stuck at the place in front of her. The interior was ten times more beautiful than how it looked on the outside. The building on the outside was about shimmer. But the inside was more lavish and professional.
It had been painted all pure white with elevators, just like any other office building. A good few people in suits were making their ways from one place to another, some with files in their hands and others with some coffee. She gulped nervously as her hands clutched around her bag (which contained her files) and walked toward's a desk which was just a few feet away from her.
The desk was built with a strong shade of grey, contrasting the interior look of the building and there she saw a lady with blonde hair, her eyes focused below on her desk as she scribbled something on the papers.
She was too busy to notice the young woman standing in front of her until Akane cleared her throat. She stopped writing her hand freezing midway and looked up at the redhead, in confusion.
Akane offered her a small nervous smile and said to her, "Well, I was called over here for the interview today."
The blonde quickly recovered from her daze and offered Akane a smile and spoke in a kind yet professional tone, "Hello Ma'am. Welcome to Edwards Enterprises. My name is Layla, and I'm the receptionist." She introduced, somewhere relieving the tight knot of fear Akane.
Layla put forward a hand for a handshake to which Akane was about to bow, a habit which she couldn't get rid of no matter what. Once she realised what she was about to do, she quickly gave a little embarrassed and nervous smile and returned Layla's handshake.
"My name is Akane Hanasaki. Glad to meet you" Akane introduced herself. "Well then Ms.Hanasaki, will you please sign on the sheet over here?" Layla produced a paper and a pen from her desk below and placed on the desk above, in front of Akane. Akane took gold of the pen and stared at the white sheet, her catching hold of a bunch of other people's name along the column. She recognised her name next to the number six and signed in the column next to the name that says signature.
Retreating the paper of names Layla spoke, "You can take the elevator there." She pointed straight ahead at the silver sliding doors. "And press the button of the twenty-fifth floor. You will reach Mr Edwards office if you just take a right after reaching the floor. Sit outside on the chairs provided till we call your name. Is that understood, Ms Hanasaki?." She explained to her giving her a smile which somehow brought her chaotic heart to rest. Her heart had been acting very violent when she walked in through the doors. And her brain wasn't helping much either.
Akane gave her a quick bow and thanked her, making her way to the elevator.
She was alone in the elevator and was hoping the CEO of the Enterprises was a very nice person, like Layla. She was another kind lady Akane had met until now.
She sighed.
Really the was earth filled with kind souls, hasn't it?
The elevator dinged, signalling that she had reached the floor and the door slid open.
As Layla had said, she took a right and reached a wide corridor which was filled with rows of sit. There were already some eight girls sitting outside, waiting for their turn.
One girl was retouching her lipstick, she opened blazer showing more than what it had to show.
Some other girl was checking Akane out, her legs crossed and her short pencil skirt flashing Akane all the insides of her skirt.
She made her way to the ninth seat and took her place over there, with some girls giving her disgusted look like she was the one in ragged clothing.
She ignored them and waited, shifting her eyes everywhere but the girls sitting over there. At least they had proved her wrong that, her whole life was not entirely destined to meet kind souls.
She smirked.
This should be fun.
"Well, the ladies. I hope everyone has arrived. " Layla's voice cuts through Akane's thoughts and she sat up straight, re-adjusting her posture.
Now that she was standing, Akane got a chance to see what Layla was wearing. She had her baby pink shirt tucked inside a grey pencil skirt which reached her knee. And her feet had high heels on, which made Akane cringe.
She offered Akane a smile before bringing back her serious face.
"Now as I call out your names, you shall follow me inside ok??" She said, checking the papers in her hand which was stuck to a board.
She looked at it again and called out to a girl. Akane realised it was the girl with the short skirt who was called. As she stood up, she started adjusting her skirt a little more high and gave her a smirk, before following Layla.
Seriously??
After some minutes the door slammed open, revealing the same girl- the only difference was her one button was open and she looked furious.
She was stomping past Akane, but stopped quickly, bothering to give Akane a glare. Akane just shrugged in response, making her grow crazy.
They did not even know each other but she's already acting as if Akane had trampled on her skirt and had stolen her boyfriend.
Great. (Note the sarcasm)
After another half an hour, Layla came out, calling out to Akane, "Akane Hanasaki. It's your turn now"
Akane stood up, clutching her files tightly in her hands and taking a deep breath.
"I bet you'll get the job, Ms Hanasaki," Layla said in an encouraging tone. Akane just nodded at her, feeling better and walked in with her.
They stopped near a huge door inside. Layla signalled Akane to wait and knocking on the door. A deep voice responded from within, "Come in"
She nodded towards Akane before wishing her luck. Akane grabbed the handle and pushed the door open, ready to face whatever was in there for her.
The inside of the office had a nice manly atmosphere. There were two shelves in the corner of the room, one containing books and the other one held different files.
On the other side, there was a black couch close to the wall. The room had a dark grey colour, and on the side, near the shelves, there was a door.
Akane just stood there, staring in front of her at the person who was sitting there. His suit was black in colour, similar to the room and the sight of his face made butterflies set free into her stomach.
The moment they saw each other, they froze. She was staring back at the same silver eyes whom she bumped into two days back.
He was also shocked to see her standing there in front of him. They were staring at each other for a good thirty seconds when he broke the silence by clearing his throat. He is Cian Edwards.
"Sit," He said in a stern voice which made an unknown feeling wash over her. But instead of dwelling on the feeling, she chose to listen to him.
"Name?" He asked in a more calm manner as if he was trying to choose a tone, rather than being harsh.
"A-Akane Sai-" She bit her lip. "Hanasaki" She answered further and mentally smacked herself for letting the nervousness take a toll on her.
She honestly did not know why she was being so nervous. Just being around him since that day made her feel nervous and breathless.
"Akane Hanasaki...." Her name trailed on his lips like he was tasting it. "Japanese huh...??" He asked her, his personality completely changing from serious to playful.
She was kinda surprised, cause just a few minutes ago he was serious, now was being playful??
Bipolar much?? She thought.
"Yeah" She answered, giving him a nervous smile since she didn't know what else to offer. His smirk was still dancing on his lips.
He then leaned forward and stretched out his arm. She looked at him in confusion, thinking what he planned to do. He saw her reaction and shook his head," Your file."
"Oh," She quickly opened her bag and got her files out, handing it to him. He opened her file and was flipping the pages over, occasionally glancing in her direction.
She was playing with her fingers, as they were the most interesting things in the world and was observing the whole room.
He sighed, his pale skin looking tired and rubbed his eyes. His hair was messy, unlike yesterday, probably from work. She was waiting eagerly for his answer when he finally responded.
"I'm impressed with your qualifications, Ms Hanasaki. There are very few people out there who have impressed me." Akane looked at him with a nervous smile. Stay calm. Stay calm. He finally closed her file and looked at her with his enchanting eyes. "Well Ms Hanasaki, " He said smiling, "you have the job."
Akane was literally about to jump off her sit from happiness if she hadn't controlled herself.
Mr.Edwards gave her a grin before standing up and putting his hand forward."Starting today, you will be my PA. Good luck with your job"
She offered him her hand for a handshake which caused a tingling sensation to her body. But she shrugged it and bowed her head. "Thank you, Mr Edwards. I promise I will work hard."
"Well, first you have to sign on this papers agreeing to our terms. You will be working for five days a week. Your timings will be 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. I don't tolerate tardiness. Got that??" He explained with stern voice but the smirk on his face was contrasting his tone.
He bent down and started searching the drawers for the papers, but he couldn't.
"Well I guess they are not here, shall I get them tomorrow??" He asked with a guilty expression on his face. Akane looked at him with a confused expression. Huh? That's weird. Even though he said that he was still rummaging through the drawers for them.
She did not understand how he could forget to bring them, but she could always sign on them tomorrow and didn't want him to bother him, so she nodded. She stood up saying a quick goodbye to him and happily exited the door like she was floating on cloud nine.
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