A love like ours ✔️

♛27.Dinners and diatribes

Soraya

As I flip trough a report on the company's performance for the past month, my intercom bips, so I press the button to answer it.

"Mr. Tanakas is here. I've already sent him to you. After this your Monday is clear." my secretary says. Her words are followed by a knock on the door.

"Thank you, Layla." I end the call. "Come in".

A gloomy Yoshiro enters my office. Without a word, he strides towards one of the twin velvet armchairs situated in front of my desk and takes a seat. He runs his gaze over me, and when it falls on my ring, there's so much longing , so much hurt in it. A heavy weight settles on my chest.

"Why?" The single word holds so much meaning.

Honesty is the best aproach on things right now so I go for it. "What you really need to know is that he never really cheated on me with Lee. As for why I chose to forgive him, that's more complicated. The fact that I never stopped loving him played an important role in my decision."

"If it weren't for this revelation, you would have chosen me for the contract." It's not a question but a statement, so he doesn't need my confirmation. Squeezing his eyes shut for a moment, he lets out a deep sigh. "Are you happy, Soraya?"

"Happier than I've ever been." I admit.

"Does he treat you right?"

I don't hesitate at all. "Yes."

He nods to himself, seeming to have come to a conlusion. "Then that's all that matters. I'm not going to pretend I understand. I don't. But I respect your choice and I pray that he's worthy of the great gift your beautiful heart is." Damn him for being so selfless when it comes to the ones he cares about.

"This is why I used to curse at myself for not being able to fall for you, Hiro. It's also why I rejected your proposal. You deserve the world and more. One day you'll find someone who will offer it to you, my friend. I know I couldn't have."

"Maybe..." He seems skeptical about it, yet his lips tug up at the corner slightly. That reminds me of one of the Japanese sayings he taught me: the one who smiles rather than rages is always the strongest.

"The last thing I wanted was to hurt you. I'm sorry."

"You shouldn't be. You never promised me anything. I'm the one who's sorry for almost creating a scene the other night. I want you to know that you can count on my father's support in the war."

"I apreciate it."

"I wish I could catch up some more, but unfortunately I have to return to Tokyo this afternoon." He raises from his seat.

"So soon?" I come in front of him.

"Yes, darling. My business here is done."

I pull him in a tight hug and he brings his arms around me, resting his chin on the top of my head. "I'm going to miss you, Hiro."

"Me too, dumpling. But don't forget that I'm just a phone call away if you need me. I'm always going to be there for you."

"And I for you. You're a part of my family, you gigant prick."

"Ah, I see that my nickname still gets to you." He teases. "Worry not tiny one, I've never seen someone who mastered the art of looking down their noses at a person who's one foot taller than them the way that you do."

"Practice makes perfect. But for goodness' sake, I'm 5'6. That's average height."

"Keep telling yourself that." He chuckles.