Life Without You

Chapter 46 - Depressed

The news went wild the next day with pictures of Ariel purchasing Leon's skincare products. Because of her unofficial endorsement, sales in Leon's skincare business improved for the first time in months.

"You're a genius!" Anna commended. "I knew you're the right person to help Leon."

"More like I really needed something for my skin. It's actually doing quite well. Have a look," Ariel let Anna observe her face.

"I can see a difference," Anna remarked. "Leon once gifted me his anti-aging cream and I saw improvements. Too bad I can't afford it. I'm not someone who cares so much about how I look anyway."

A message from Ariel's phone pinged her.

Leon: Is that on purpose? (sends photo of Ariel shopping for his product at the mall)

Ariel: I needed good skincare

Leon: Why mine?

Ariel: Why not? It works well + I can afford it

Leon: Show off

She shook her head and drew a smile at his response.

"Leon?" Anna peeked at the message on her phone.

"Yes," Ariel placed her phone right into her pocket.

"I can't believe you two are neighbours now. Makes my job easier working between the two of you," Anna laughed. "Oh, how I wish you two could-"

"Anna!" Ariel pleaded with a shy smile.

"Sorry my dear, won't make fun of you anymore," she giggled.

—————-

"What's this, Ariel?" Mr Fujita showed Ariel the paparazzi photos of her purchasing Leon's products from his phone during a meeting with her and Hiroshi.

"Fujita-san, I was just buying something to tackle my skin issues, and it just so happened that Leon's brand worked well," she explained.

However, Fujita-san was not convinced.

"Ariel, remember how challenging it was to build a good reputation around you without reference to your former boss? Because we want you to be synonymous with Fujita."

"I understand, Fujita-san. But I was recommended the products by the staff so I bought them on the spot. I never thought this would affect my reputation in any way," said Ariel.

"At least, you could've ordered them online than being seen purchasing it," Mr Fujita added. "Being implicated with anything to do with Leon would just make the public more hungry about you two than they are on Fujita and Hinata."

"But I -"

"Remember the incident in the park and how hard it was for us to quell that for you? Do you want us to go through that again?"

"No," Ariel bowed her head low with downcast eyes.

"You're part of the Fujita family, not Waltz. I don't wish to see such implication, is that clear?" Mr Fujita warned.

"H-hai, Fujita-san," Ariel stammered.

"Good, you're dismissed."

When Ariel left the room, Hiroshi spoke to his father, "Otousan, isn't it a bit too much? After all, we were at Yellowstone with Leon Waltz. But I thought about it recently, now that Leon is staying near Ariel. I don't wish to keep distancing her from someone whom her son wants to be friends with."

"Well, Ariel has to learn and adapt, especially if she were to marry into our family."

"Marry?" Hiroshi was astounded. "Otousan, she's not even accepted me. Isn't marriage kinda far-fetched??"