ECSTASY LOVE

Chapter Two

Your assistant intern catches up to your stride as she exits the room adjacent to the one you were in with Sanzu. You'd made sure she was to listen to every single session of yours for the past three months in real time, and again on her own time to study. You were hoping to start integrating her into the actual process by your side by next week.

"Chizu."

"Yes Ma'am?"

"I'm happy you're taking initiative with my schedule, but please inform me of any changes regarding the other departments." You look to your side, to where Chizu walks beside you. Her face instantly shows regret, so you quickly add on, "It's okay. You did good. Just for next time."

She nods her head with an assured 'hm!' and you smile softly. Chizu reminded you of your little sister, Ayami, in many ways. Which reminded you-your birthday was coming up next week. And since you had work, you and Ayami were going to spend some extra time celebrating in advance. Ayami was adamant that whilst you two should spend the day doing what you wanted, you also needed to hit the club too-you hadn't taken time to properly socialise with anyone else besides her for, well, since college. And Ayami always pestered you about it.

As the two of you head towards the meeting room assigned for today, you stop Chizu from sitting down outside.

"Come in with me today, I want you to get a feel for these types of formal meetings in between departments."

Chizu gives an enthusiastic smile. You remember how enthusiastic you'd been starting this job. You only hoped it wouldn't wear her away as much as it did you.

Luckily, the whole thing goes on a lot faster than you'd anticipated. You watch the familiar faces in the room ramble on about new procedures and whatnot-and the accustomed gaze of your senior by a few years, Sato, fall on you a couple of times.

Bastard. You keep repeating the word in your head. When the meeting is signalled as over, you motion for Chizu to get up as you try to get out as fast as possible. But like always, Sato is one step ahead of you, leaning against the wall on your way out.

He calls out your name as if you're friends, and Chizu, Chizu who's two sweet for her own good, seems to sense something that's not there and excuses herself from your conversation with a smile. Sure you wanted her to learn the ropes-but part of you hoped her presence would deter Sato from his usual antics.

Sato smiles at you, speaking up from the tense energy once everyone else has filed out, a few patting him on the back for his 'hard work today' as they leave. You have to stop yourself from rolling your eyes.

"Your birthday's coming up in a week." He states.

"Mhmm." You don't even ask how he knows-you'd rather keep this conversation short.

"What do you say to me treating you out?" He looks down at you with a smug smile, arms folded over each other. You lazily check you watch as if you have somewhere to be.

"Busy."

"Hmm," he places a finger on his chin as if in thought, but you know he's already planned out this conversation well in advance. "How about lunch break then? Can't be busy then."

"Chizu's invited me out."

"How about this week then, if not on your birthday."

"Busy." You repeat dryly, and that not so carefully crafted smile on his face falls off.

"C'mon, Y/N. Can't just feel me up and leave me hanging the next."

Despite years of having careful control over your emotions, you can't stop the look of disgust that creeps up. Men like him who took kindness and converted it into another meaning grossed you out endlessly. You say nothing in response, because anything you will say will be ignored. As always.