Five Years, Too Late

🌹18🌹

Writer's pov 👙

              Japan__8:29am

Arthur checked his phone as he waited for his designated driver.

There's an angry scowl on his face, he seemed to be expecting a call. He bite his lower lip.

"Sir, Mr Hajime's assistant just called..." She trailed off, waiting for a reply from him.

"What did she say?" Arthur asked.

"She's meeting us on his stead, she said Mr Hajime took an early to Africa for business"

Arthur didn't reply, he's attention is solely on his phone.

"Mr Smith?"

"Hmm" Arthur hummed, still not taking his attention from his phone.

"Mr Smith!" She called him firmly this time.

Arthur shoved his phone in his pocket and gave his attention to her..she cleared her throat.

"The car is here" she said.

Arthur nodded, she opened the door and he slide in...she got in the passenger seat and the car started.

"Have she sent the address yet?"

"Yes, sir"

               ********

"Sir, we're here" his assistant said, turning slightly to face him from the front seat.

Arthur nodded and quickly alighted, he looked up at the building in front of him.

*LUXURY HOTEL*

He shoved his hands in his pants pockets, his assistant rushed to his side and showed him something on her phone.

"I'll see to it later, let's attend the meeting first" he said and they headed inside.

A waitress greeted them, immediately they entered the hotel.

"Ohayōhozaimasu, kōkyū hoteru e yōkoso!...(Good morning, sir, welcome to luxury hotels)" She greeted Arthur in Japanese.

"Ohayōhozaimasu, Hajime no yoyaku wa kochira....(good morning, here for Hajime's reservation)" he replied.

"Ryōkaishimashita, Kore....(alright, this way please!)" She said with a smile.

She led them towards a table.

There's a lady sitting on the table, he presumed she must be Mr Hajime's assistant.

With her back facing them.. judging from her behind, Arthur could already tell she's a classic lady.

"Watashitachi wa koko ni imasu, sā....(we are here, sir)"

"Arigatōgozaimashita...(thank you)" Arthur replied with a polite smile.

The waitress smiled back.

"U~eitā ga sugu ni anata ni tsukae ni kimasu...(a waiter will come serve you soon)" she said and left.

Arthur quickly went in front of the lady, he pulled out a chair for himself.

The lady didn't raised her head, she's stirring her coffee with her head faced down... therefore not letting Arthur see her face.

"Sumimasen, okuremashita, misu....(sorry, I'm late, miss)" Arthur apologized.

"It's fine, Mr Smith!" She replied in English.

Arthur frowned, not the fact that she could speak English..but at the fact that her voice sounded familiar.

In fact, her voice sounded too familiar..like someone's voice he once knew.