A month has passed since I last spoke to Megumi. My avoidance has been so thorough that the weight of his absence seems almost tangible. Work has been my refuge, my distraction from the emotional turmoil. With the promotion on the horizon, my focus is entirely on maintaining this newfound stability. I can't afford for my personal life to bleed into my professional one. Work is my sanctuary right now, a place where I can find solace and purpose. I still think about Togame, but those thoughts are now a distant echo, one that I'm learning to live with contentedly. I refuse to let him complicate my life any further.
As I'm immersed in my tasks, the sudden knock on my cabin door jolts me from my concentration. It's my boss, Mr. Yu. I can't help but wonder what could be so urgent. "Is it okay if I come in, Ruby?" he asks with a friendly smile as he steps through the door. "Hello, Mr. Yu. Of course, please take a seat. How can I help you?" I reply, trying to keep my tone neutral .Mr. Yu settles into a chair, and his smile falters just a bit, replaced with a look of mild seriousness. "Oh, you have a visitor. I think you need to go meet with him right now. Please wrap up for the day. And also, we need to speak tomorrow. Please meet me at 1:00 PM, okay? "His words catch me off guard. A visitor? My mind immediately jumps to Megumi. Why on earth would he come here? The mere thought of him in my workplace makes me frown with unease. I quickly compose myself and respond, "Yes, Mr. Yu. I'll go meet with the visitor shortly and will see you tomorrow at 1:00 PM. "Mr. Yu nods with a reassuring smile before excusing himself. As I sit alone, the reality of the situation sinks in. My heart races at the prospect of facing Megumi again. The professional facade I've maintained feels suddenly fragile, and I brace myself for whatever confrontation lies ahead.
I gather my things and head to the lobby, my mind racing with uncertainty. When I reach the reception area, my eyes scan the room, and then I see him—Megumi, standing by the entrance. My breath catches in my throat. He looks dashing, more so than I remember. He's wearing a well-tailored suit, and his usually tousled hair is styled neatly. In his hands, he carries a bouquet of flowers, a vivid mix of roses and lilies, their colors bright and inviting. Megumi spots me and his face softens. He takes a tentative step forward, holding out the bouquet with a nervous but hopeful smile. "Ruby," he begins, his voice tinged with vulnerability, "I'm so sorry for everything. I've missed you more than I can say. Can we please talk? I'd really like to make things right. "I hesitate, my heart torn between anger and the lingering affection I feel. But seeing him here, looking so sincere, makes it hard to maintain my resolve. I take the bouquet with a shaky hand, trying to mask my emotions. "Alright, Megumi," I say quietly. "Let's talk. "He beams, visibly relieved. "Thank you, Ruby. I'd really like to take you out for dinner—somewhere special. Despite my reservations, I nod in agreement. We leave the office together, and Megumi leads me to a sleek, black car waiting outside. The drive is filled with a tense silence, but his occasional glances and the soft, calming music playing in the background help to ease my nerves. We arrive at a charming, secluded restaurant nestled in a picturesque part of town. The restaurant's exterior is quaint, with ivy climbing up the walls and twinkling fairy lights casting a warm glow. As we enter, the ambiance is instantly enchanting—soft candlelight flickers on each table, and the gentle strains of a live violinist serenade the diners. Megumi guides me to a private table on a cozy balcony overlooking a serene garden. The view is breathtaking, with the moonlight reflecting off a small, tranquil pond surrounded by blooming flowers. He pulls out my chair with a grace that feels both intimate and respectful. Once we're seated, he reaches across the table, taking my hand in his. "Ruby, I know I've made mistakes, and I can't take back the hurt I caused. But I'm here now, and I want to show you that I've learned from it. You're incredibly important to me, and I want to make things right."
The sincerity in his eyes makes my heart ache. "I don't know if things can go back to how they were, Megumi," I admit softly. "But I appreciate your effort and your honesty. "Dinner is served—a selection of gourmet dishes, each more exquisite than the last. We share a candlelit meal filled with conversation. Megumi makes a concerted effort to listen, to understand, and to express his regrets. He talks about his realizations, his growth, and how much he values our time together. His words, though heartfelt, come with a tinge of desperation that makes me question if forgiveness is truly possible. As dessert arrives, a decadent chocolate fondue accompanied by fresh strawberries and marshmallows, Megumi stands and reaches into his pocket. He pulls out a small, elegant box and opens it to reveal a delicate diamond locket. "This is for you," he says, his voice trembling slightly. "Inside is a photo of us from happier times. I want you to remember the good moments we shared and know that I'm committed to making new, better memories with you. "The gesture, though touching, does little to ease the confusion I feel. Still, the evening has been a beautiful escape from the stress and heartache I've been enduring. As we finish the dessert, Megumi takes my hand once more and walks me back to the car. The night air is cool and refreshing, offering a brief respite from the emotional whirlwind. Before I get into the car, Megumi gently touches my arm. "Thank you for giving me this chance, Ruby. I hope, in time, we can find a way forward. "I look into his eyes, seeing both the pain and hope reflected there. "We'll see, Megumi. For now, I need time to think. "With a final, lingering glance, I step into the car and watch as Megumi walks away, the lights of the restaurant softly illuminating his retreating figure. I'm left alone with my thoughts, contemplating the possibility of what might come next.
---
The next day, I walked into Mr. Yu's office, my heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and nerves. The room was bathed in the soft light of morning.
Mr. Yu, gestured for me to sit as he settled into his chair behind the desk. "Ruby, thank you for coming in," Mr. Yu began, his voice steady but carrying an undercurrent of excitement. He shuffled through some papers, then looked up with a smile that was hard to miss. "I have some very good news to share with you. "My heart raced as I leaned forward, eager to hear what he had to say. Mr. Yu's eyes twinkled with a hint of pride as he continued, "After much consideration and reviewing your recent work, we've decided to promote you to Human Resources Business Partner. "The words hit me like a wave of elation. A rush of warmth spread through me as the reality of the promotion sank in. I could barely contain my grin as I looked at Mr. Yu, who nodded in approval at my reaction. The feeling of accomplishment was overwhelming; this was a significant step forward in my career, and it was a testament to all the hard work and dedication I had put in. "I'm thrilled," I managed to say, my voice thick with emotion. "Thank you so much for this opportunity. "Mr. Yu chuckled softly, "You've earned it. Your dedication and effort have not gone unnoticed. We're excited to see what you'll accomplish in this new role. "As I left Mr. Yu's office, the hallway felt brighter, and every step I took seemed lighter. The promotion meant more than just a new title; it was validation of my hard work and a new chapter full of possibilities. My mind raced with thoughts of future projects and the new challenges ahead, but for now, I let myself bask in the joy of this moment. I couldn't wait to share the news with Ayato. The day was filled with a newfound energy and optimism, and as I moved through it, I carried with me a deep sense of pride and happiness that felt like it could light up the entire world.
---
After receiving the exciting news from Mr. Yu, I quickly reached out to Ayato to share the great news. "Ayato, you won't believe it—I've been promoted!" I told him, my excitement practically bursting through the phone. His enthusiastic response matched my own, and we immediately started planning a celebration. "Let's definitely do something special," Ayato said. "How about we all meet up and celebrate tonight? It'll be great to catch up and mark this occasion. "I was just about to hang up when Megumi's name popped up on my phone. After filling him in on the promotion, I decided to ask, "Hey, Megumi, we're planning a little celebration tonight. If you're free, you're welcome to join us. It'd be nice to have you there. "Megumi agreed, and we arranged to meet later that evening. When the time came, I headed to the venue with Ayato. As soon as we arrived, Megumi was already there. It was the first time Megumi and Ayato were meeting in person, though Megumi had heard a lot about him. After introductions, it was clear that Megumi and Ayato clicked instantly. Their conversation flowed effortlessly, and they seemed to hit it off like old friends. It was a relief to see them getting along so well, especially since I had been feeling a bit uneasy about how the evening would unfold. Despite the festive atmosphere and the camaraderie, I couldn't shake off the wariness I felt around Megumi. I was still processing everything that had happened and finding it hard to fully relax. To calm my nerves, I started drinking more than I intended. As the night wore on and the alcohol took its toll, I found myself becoming more and more candid, my thoughts spilling out in ways I hadn't anticipated. My words were increasingly disjointed as I began to voice my worries and frustrations—things I'd been holding back. It wasn't long before it became clear that I was too far gone. Seeing my distress, Megumi took charge. "Ruby, you've had too much to drink," he said gently but firmly. He guided me away and helped me out of the venue. The world seemed to spin as we made our way to my place. When we finally got home, Megumi settled me down and made sure I was comfortable. Though I was too inebriated to fully process his concern, his presence was reassuring. I felt a mix of relief and embarrassment, knowing that I had let my emotions get the better of me in front of Ayato and Megumi. The night was not quite the celebration I had envisioned, but I was grateful for Megumi's support. As I drifted into a restless sleep, I couldn't help but hope that tomorrow would bring a chance to make things right.
But lately I was caught in a whirlwind of confusion and pain, and it felt like there was no clear way out. My reliance on alcohol had become a desperate attempt to numb the storm of emotions inside me. Each time Megumi and I went out—whether for family gatherings or work events—I found myself drinking excessively. What started as an occasional indulgence quickly turned into a habit I couldn't control. The alcohol became my crutch, a way to escape the turmoil within me and dull the ever-present thoughts of Togame.
Every outing became a battleground for my self-control. I would hit the bar and drink more than I intended, making scenes that left me feeling both relieved and ashamed. Megumi, always present but increasingly embarrassed, would handle the fallout with quiet efficiency. He would ensure that a driver took me home safely, smoothing over any mess I had made. It was as if he was used to this routine, dealing with the immediate concerns without delving into the deeper issues.
Despite his outward calm and support, Megumi never seemed to fully grasp what was driving my behavior. His focus remained on his work and business, leaving little room for him to understand or address the root of my problems. He would make occasional, half-hearted attempts to address my drinking, but they were fleeting and lacked the depth needed to confront the real issue. To him, it was more about managing the surface-level chaos rather than digging into the emotional wreckage underneath.
His detachment was painful. I could sense his frustration and concern, but it felt as if he was unwilling—or perhaps unable—to fully engage with what was happening with me. The constant cycle of drinking and being whisked away by Megumi became a grim routine, one that left me feeling more isolated and misunderstood.
Everything felt so messy and unresolved. The emotional chaos I was experiencing made me question my own sanity. Why couldn't I find peace? Why did my life feel like it was spiraling out of control? The promises of a fresh start with Megumi seemed to unravel with each passing day.
I was left grappling with a deep-seated frustration and a sense of betrayal. I hated how my life had turned out—how the dreams I once held were now marred by doubt and conflict. I hated the constant battle within myself, the never-ending cycle of trying to escape my reality only to find myself more entangled in it. The peace I longed for seemed like an elusive fantasy, and I was desperate to find a way to reclaim my sense of self and direction.
This wraps up the past; starting with the next chapter, we will shift to the present.
YOU ARE READING
Are You The One Jo Togame?
RomanceJo Togame, the Vice President of a gang, finds himself unexpectedly falling deeply in love with Murshene Ruby, a successful professional, despite their significant age difference. As they navigate their complex relationship, they uncover a profound...
