Fists and Lipsticks 2: The Silver Crescent

CHAPTER 28: Santa Clause

CHAPTER 28: SANTA CLAUSE

You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I'm telling you why.

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Yamazaki Kosuke giggled like a child as he saw the surprised expression on my face. Right after that last flash of Mr. Daniels' camera, he reached for my nose with his index finger and pressed it down teasingly, "Gotcha!"

 Humming a cheery Christmas carol, Kosuke winked at me for one last time before heading to the exit. I knew that smirk of his so much –triumphant one. I was aware of the fact that his sudden 'marriage proposal' was part of his grand scheme to make me confess that I am Yoshida Ayane – to catch me off-guard and leave me surprised with every meeting.

Kosuke never asked me the same question again since that day. And so, I convinced myself that it was all a prank – that the whole marriage proposal was simply a joke to astound me.

Would you say 'yes' if I ask you to marry me right now? – Somehow, those words managed to linger in my thoughts for the next ten days.

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Day 24 – the day before Christmas...

How time flies so fast...

I spent the whole morning making rounds on my other hotels. As I walked through the corridors, I could not count the number of people who came up to me to say 'Merry Christmas' and 'thank you'. I replied to each greeting with a nod or a faint smile. I was pleased that my business had been going well for the past few weeks, especially during the seasons.

I kept myself busy by reviewing business proposal, financial reports, and employee application forms, hoping that it would make time run faster than it already did. I just wanted this day to end. Then, I would go back to my room tired from all the work. Perhaps that way, it would be easier for me to sleep. I would not have to hear the Christmas carols being played in every corner of my hotel. I would not have to see the grand fireworks display my staff prepared for the employees' Christmas party. I would not have to see those smiles from other people who would be spending Christmas Eve with their loved ones. I would not have to feel jealous and miserable from spending the holiday alone. Christmas, to me, would be like any other ordinary day.

Kosuke did not showed up either. Perhaps, he would be spending Christmas with his mother.

Ring...

Ring...

I picked up my mobile phone, "Hello."

Ayane-chan...

"Rei-kun!" I exclaimed upon recognizing his voice.

How are you? I... I miss you so much.

"Rei-kun... I... I miss you too."

I'm happy to hear that... I'm sorry if I can't be with you right now. I'll make it up to you once I come back for New Year, Ayane-chan...

"How's Switzerland?"

The usual... It could have been better if you were here... How are things there?

"The hotels are doing great. We closed the French deal just recently. The construction of the new hotel will start early next year."

A new hotel means new work for you. Ayane-chan, you have to rest once in a while.

"How about the laboratory?"

We're in the final parts of the trial. The process surely is difficult without your father's help, but I'm sure things would go well. The scientists asked me for three more days. Now that we are able to cultivate the Silver Lilies ourselves, I'm confident that the drug extraction would be successful this time. I'll call you right away once I get an update.