𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐃𝐋𝐄 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 ❥︎ 𝐠𝐢𝐲𝐮𝐮 𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐨𝐤𝐚

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐫

Still being winter, darkness overcame the sky at around 5pm, meaning by the time you arrived back, it was pitch black, but the lively atmosphere from restaurants and other shops illuminated your walk home.

You wrapped your jacket around you tighter, the cold air filling your lungs.

Thankfully, you made it to your apartment complex shortly.

The sound of chatter from outside could be heard even as you meandered up the stairs.

Lost in thought, you didn't even realise that you had bumped into someone.

Or rather, someone had bumped into you.

"Do you always take it upon yourself to take up the entire stairway?"

"Excuse me?" You spoke out, unsure if you had heard him right.

"You're blocking the stairway. Again." he spoke, rather harshly this time.

You awkwardly allowed him to pass through.

You watched as he plodded down the winding stairs, hands deep in his pockets.

A sigh - of both confusion and relief - left your mouth as you dragged your legs up the last flight of stairs, eager to curl up under the covers with some hot food.

With outside getting dark so early, and because you were still slowly moving in and getting settled, there wasn't a huge amount to do.

You turned on the TV as you cooked some pasta before giving your parents a quick call.

"Mum, it's been like 3 days. How could I have possibly found a boyfriend in that amount of time,"

"Oh, you know, love comes when you least expect it, plus it's one step closer to a wedding,"

That was your mother's plan for you. Get married, have kids, and have a successful career.

She meant well, but you felt it was all too much to pile on sometimes. You did worry about her, scared that perhaps you not being close by was a bad idea. Obviously, she had your sister and the rest of your family, but you still felt the need to just be there.

"I love you too," you said before hanging up.

You collapsed onto your bed, bored and cold.

You'd think with a new job and half decorated apartment, you'd be a hell of a lot more busy than you were.

-

Much to your liking the next morning came quickly, and it wasn't long before you were out the door walking to work in the icy air.

You shoved your hands in the pockets of your coat, eager to keep them warm.

You approached the still slightly unfamiliar building shortly, taking in the many floors.

Just as you were about to press the intercom, a soft and high-pitched voice called your name.

"Y/n," you turned your head and met with the girl you had met yesterday.

Her pink and green hair was still braided like yesterday, and her tights were white, matched with pink dress.

"Hey," you smiled. "How was your evening?"

"It was okay! I went out to dinner with an old friend of mine. How was yours?"

"Boring," your expression morphed into one of slight disappointment.

"I'm sure Tengen will set you up with more today. You'll be busy soon, I'm sure," she reassured as she buzzed you guys in.

You continued chatting as you walked up the stairs and to the elevator. She talked a little more about herself, and you did the same.

"Ah, Mornin' Y/n," Tengen greeted as you walked in the office. "Your desk is just over there," he gestured to the table next to Mitsuri.

You walked your boss and joined you shortly. "I have some stuff I want you to get started on, also there's someone swinging by later that I'd like you to interview, he's the newly appointed CEO of a major luxury fragrance company, think you can do that for me?"

"Of course, just send me more details, and I'll get started right away,"

"You're a star." he finished with before heading back to his own gigantic office.

"Told ya!" Mitsuri grinned at your now full workload.

-

"I'm kinda apprehensive for this interview. Tengen said I just have to ask him a few questions to get material for the article, but apparently, he's kinda grumpy and unapproachable," you spoke quietly to Shinobu.

"If it's who I think it is, then yes, a little, but he's not that bad once you get to know him,"

"Oh, okay, wish me luck though,"

The article you had been asked to write focused on sustainability for large luxury brands. In this case, you were hoping the mystery CEO would give you some insight into what his company was doing.

You read over some of the information about the company Tengen had sent.

It was called Ame ( 雨 ) and meant rain in Japanese.

And the CEO was...

Your stomach plummeted about 20 feet.

Did you read that, right?

Your eyes fixated on the screen once more.

Giyuu Tomioka.

There was no mistaking it.

You had to interview a man who was not only your next-door neighbour but had also slammed a door in your face after introducing yourself.

At that moment, you had a feeling that this interview was going to be a lot more difficult than planned.

-

The time of the interview came around quickly and as you waited to greet him at the door, you could almost sense his presence.

He appeared shortly, walking out the elevator holding an A4 leather file. He wore a navy blue suit with a white shirt and black tie and in all honesty:

He looked good.

Really good.

You held out your hand for a handshake but he just stared at it.

"Hi. Sorry, Mr Tomioka. I'll be interviewing you today. My name is-"

He cut you off.

"I don't have amnesia, Miss L/n, I remember your name perfectly fine,"

"Right. Sorry." You awkwardly broke eye contact."If you could follow me, please,"

You walked down through the office, making your way to one of the spare areas that Tengen had said you could use.

You opened the door for him allowing him to pass through first, before entering yourself and gently closing the door behind you.

The air was heavy, with a weird kind of tension you weren't used to, especially as his eyes fixated on your figure.

This was your chance to prove to yourself and your boss that hiring you was no mistake.

Fingers crossed grumpy pants cooperated.

And didn't make your life a living hell.

-

a/n: sorryyyy for not updating this book for like a month I had the shittiest writers block 😞😞