The Nail That Sticks Out

Chapter Thirteen: Scent

Olivia Mei Sasaki

I absolutely hated Introduction to Hotel Management. I really tried to pay attention to the professor, but by the end of the two-hour lecture, I had only written half a page of notes on the differences between the different types of accommodation, which were not nearly as intriguing as the different types of clouds in the atmosphere.

I have two more days to make the decision between staying in Bioscience or switching to Hospitality Management, and my head throbs from all the thinking.

"It's not like you're being forced," Sophia argues over the phone. "You're actually thinking of dedicating four years to learning some bull that has remotely nothing to do with what you're actually interested in? And then what, another ten, twenty years in the field?"

"I'm not being forced," I sigh as I make my way towards the main office. "It's just...I want to make him proud."

"Your barely-there father?" she asks incredulously. "And what about your mom? What happened to making her proud?"

Her words strike a chord in me and I resist the urge to snap at her.

'Look," I grit out. "I have to go. Gotta send in my updated schedule to the office."

"Liv-"

I hang up before she has the chance to say anything else.

Blowing out a hot stream of air, I push open the double doors and for the second time this week, I'm met with a surprise. This time, a tall dark figure stands in front of the main desk and although his back is towards me, I instantly recognize the person.

"Kai," I call out as I approach the desk. He turns his head with a confused frown but doesn't say anything. He's sporting a black shirt, unbuttoned at the top, with dark denim jeans. His gaze travels the length of my body and I try not to shift uncomfortably.

"What are you here for?" I ask to break the awkward silence.

"You weren't in class today," he says, completely ignoring my question.

He turns back to the desk without waiting for a reply. I scowl at his back and move to the next counter where a lady smiles at me politely.

"How can I help you?" she asks.

"I'm just here to turn in my updated course schedule," I reply, handing her my printed form.

She takes the paper from me and inspects it for a moment before placing it in a pile behind the desk.

"Thank you. Please let us know if you make any more changes."

I nod and turn to leave the office, but something stops me in my tracks and I look back at Kai. He speaks in Japanese to the lady behind his side of the counter before handing her some files. I half expect him to turn to me, but he makes his way towards the double doors without sparing me a glance.

"You said you were going to show me something," I blurt out before I'm able to stop myself.

He turns to me with his signature scowl, his hand resting on the door handle. His eyes seem to burn through mine, as if he's searching for something.

I can never read this man, I realize.

He screws his eyes shut before finally pulling the door open and jerking his head, beckoning me to follow. I quickly regain my composure, following his back as he walks through the doors without bothering to wait.

Something about his dismissive attitude irks me. Wasn't he the one who said he'd show me more--whatever the hell that means?

"What's up with you?" I snap at his back. He turns his head and quirks his brow at me.