Junjou Possession

Chapter #4

Junjou Possession |Chapter 4|- Minori

Half an hour later I find myself entering a large business-formal building a few stories high and large glass doors. As I make my way pass several other persons exiting the building I notice the proportion and build of everything. The lobby looks immaculately clean and bright. Even the lady at the front desk is permed and smiling at me as I walk into this studio-like atmosphere. I even take note of the perfectly straightened pictures of waterfalls and buildings on the white walls.

"Excuse me, are you lost?" the secretary asks and I shake my head confidently.

"I'm Minori Takatsuki," I proclaim with my chin high. "I'm here to start my apprenticeship."

The secretary must not be much older than twenty six, maybe twenty seven. Her glossy black hair was pulled back into a ponytail with her angled bangs crimped to the side. She may have been plain pretty if it were not for the fact that her lips were artificially red and her eyes looked drawn in with permanent marker.

"You look so adorable! College kids these days are just so more handsome-looking these days than when I was you age..." she tapers off and studies my appearance. Her lips pop and she grabs the phone. "Right, you said you were here for the apprenticeship? You were expected-let's see....Takatsuki, you said?" Her manicured finger lingers over a schedule and she smiles. "Yes, here you are. I'll call the employer down immediately-"

"Not to worry, I will handle things from here," a deep voice spoke up, making my head turn. A middle aged man-somewhere around forty, I estimate-wearing a formal suit struts towards me with a pearly white and straightened smile. I see the crinkles around his eyes, giving the appearance of someone who is goodhearted and smiles alot. "I am one of the heads on the selection commitee for new workers and apprentice workers. My name is Satsuki Inoue."

Courteously I reach out and shake his hand after giving a formal bow. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Inoue. I'm Minori Takatsuki."

He chuckles. "I know who you are, Mr. Takatsuki. Come, follow me." Mr. Inoue leads me to one of two elevators inside the building and step in moments later when the doors open. Light music plays as we wait to go up to my assigned floor. "So, you told me that your dream is to be an architect one day?"

I nod, holding my bag close to me. "Yes, sir. More than anything."

The man smiles. He says, "I believe that you picked the right choice applying to this company. We offer only the best-and that includes the workers. And I hope you can one day become apart of us."

I politely nod. I feel stiff. Something inside my stomach winds up like a spring, adding pressure and stress, until soon enough it will explode with anxiety. Am I nervous? Of course I am!

When we get to the destined floor Mr. Inoue hands me a folder. "Inside is the name of the architect you will have your apprentice with, along with a list of various assignments he has completed in the past. And-may I add-that you are in good hands, Mr. Takatsuki." He excuses himself and steps back inside the elevator, taking it down to another floor.

Curiousity peaks my interest as I stare down at the yellow, manila folder I hold in my hands. My name is written in simple characters on the tab with pen and there are no bent edges on the corners. Presently it is light, almost empty, but I hope that in a few years it will gain weight with projects and ideas which I hope to succeed and come alive. I only skim the first line to see my boss's office number, knowing that he will present himself when I go see him.

No one pays me any attention as I walk down the hallway and find the wooden door of his office shut, but not locked. Taking a deep breath, I push the door and enter.

.............................

..............

No one is inside.

What, is he on a coffee break or something?! I think slightly annoyed to myself. But my eyes dark around the office.

It is half office, half studio. The lighting above is specifically designed for a studio, yet the lights give off the perfect amount of shadow to a space if I were to draw any object in the room. Pushed against the wall is a tilted table upon which was surrouned by blue prints and old sketches. Sharpened pencils, rules, protractors galore line the table! And on the other side of the room a computer sits with piles of paperwork and several folders. Other than all of that, the room looks completely empty.

But what I find most drawing in is the view of the window. The entire wall facing the skyline of the city is crystal window, not a speck of dirt or fingerprint on it's being. Sunlight filters in beautifully as I approach with caution, knowing that if my boss is not here at the moment he soon will be. Within feet I stop, staring at the window. I touch it. Drag my fingers along the smooth surface, not hard enough to leave dirty marks. It has the same feel of the glass at the aquarium. Such a smooth surface...

"Who are you?"

The voice pierces my vision and my brain screams recognition. The deep voice and tone.

Could it be?

No...

I turn around to see a black suited man standing in the doorway, his glasses slightly glaring under the lights and from the sun. He holds a folder in his hand and the wooden door behind him shuts. My lips are dry and my entire body freezes because I know this very man by name, but only call him by his family name. How could I forget that he was an employer here? Did I not remember that from before?!

Mr. Haruhiko appears just as surprised as me, if not more. But his stoic gaze holds most of it inside of him, I believe, only his eyes changing. They widened at bit. "Minori?"

I lick my lips, not sure what to say. Was I in shock that he was my boss? Before any of it could register in my brain the older man approached me in three long strides and I am pulled into his embrace. Once again I am pressed against his firm chest, his aroma filling my nostrils. Cologne, soap....and mint? After what seems like eternity I blink and open my mouth.

"Mr. Haruhiko?"

I feel a deep rumble in his chest. "I believe I have told you yesterday to call me Haruhiko, Minori," he says.

"And I said that I didn't care for your name," I retorted, the rebellious side of me rising to the surface.

"Oh?" I pull away from Mr. Haruhiko's arms and see his expression. Is that a hint of a smirk on his lips? "But on the contrary, that was before you realized that I am your supervisor, was it not?"

I frown. "You didn't either!"

"No, I was given the name Takatsuki. I did not know your last name until today," he confirmed, pushing his spectacles up his nose. "Tell me-why is it that you never told me that you are working for my company?"

"It's not like I could've told you before, because I didn't know you!" I growled. "And-" I pause. "Wait, your company?!"

His thin lips curve upwards slightly. "Did you not do research on this company, Minori? What an error to make, considering your dream to join us." I watch his arms raise and cross over his broad chest, his large hands cupping his arms. "This company is ran by the Usami family, in which I am the heir to. I am one of the head architects here, as well as serve as Vice President underneath my father. I have achieved many projects, including the beautiful aquarium which you oh-so frequently visit on a day to day basis dating back for several weeks."

He's noticed me like this?! How come I haven't noticed him watching me?! The stalker!

"Well, I cannot say that I do not not want you here, Minori Takatsuki." I blink. "Your presence here will make a good addition to my team of architects, as well as a pleasure to see you more frequently."

A light redness creeps onto my cheeks. "What exactly do you mean by that?" I interrogate, feeling my heart slightly race. Dammit, he really pisses me off!

"Exactly as it sounds, Mr. Takatsuki," he replies, a sly smile on his features. Mr. Haruhiko takes a seat in the leather chair behind his office desk, folding his hands and propping his chin on them. His dark orbs never left my being. "I was just expressing my happiness to add you to my company. Welcome to my office. You will be working for me now."