Random my loveprize in viewfinder stories.

Sex, money, and a bucket of paint by UllaBritta

"Modern ambiance and spacious rooms; we will make this home sleek and effortless!" Aichi, the interior designer, waved his hands as if painting the image in his head for his employees, like doing so would make his vision for Asami Ryuichi's house come to life. His overly dramatic tone spoke of wonders and the men and women listening to him were all used to his original behavior and ideas. Though why he insisted on putting on this show for every client was beyond them, it's not like they didn't know the plans already. They've been getting ready for this project for weeks after all. "A house for a chic king with darkened oak floors. Colors like black, white, silver and we will use wood and stone for that hint of nature to breathe life into it," he continued his tirade, wandering from one side of the large, empty, living room to the other.

Asami, the customer himself, was regarding Aichi with an unreadable expression. Dressed smartly in a dark suit with a gray shirt and a black tie, with a hand in his pocket and a half smoked cigarette between his lips, he managed to look relaxed yet intimidating at the same time. It was his dark eyes and poker face that made the employees feel like they were under close scrutiny and yet the few women, and a man or two, couldn't stop staring at his handsome features, torn between fascination and discomfort.

The interior designer stopped in the middle of the room and readjusted his fashionable glasses with thick, black frames that looked too big for his long and narrow face. Most people suspected he only wore glasses because it was currently trendy. "Yes... I have a good feeling about this," he concluded and turned towards Asami." We would like to start immediately, if that is all right with you sir." His thin lips stretched into a smile yet he didn't receive one back from his customer.

"I have faith in your business Aichi-san. Go right ahead, I won't get in your way." Asami didn't even move a muscle, yet was relieved that the man would, hopefully, end his nonsensical rambling and actually do some work.

Aichi clapped his hands together and bowed to his customer like some gleeful monk. "We at Decorum appreciate your kind words sir," he turned to his staff and his expression changed to that of a businessman. "You all know what to do; take your positions and let the show begin!"

Takaba barely suppressed his snort and moved to follow some of his colleagues to the other rooms that were to be painted. His boss seemed to believe that this was a theater instead of basically a painting and construction company, fancy titles or not. He zipped up his dark blue coverall and checked with his superior that he had the information right. Takaba had just been hired and was desperately in need of this job for the money and so making any type of mistake was out of the question. Each room would be painted differently which meant that it was important to know which room was which and what colors went with it. The guy, Asami, sure lived in a huge apartment all alone. "Maybe he's making up for something," Takaba snickered to himself and opened the can of white primer paint.

Aichi was running around and keeping an eye on his staff to make sure they did everything right. His reputation was on the line after all, and Asami Ryuichi wasn't a man to be taken lightly. One small flaw and Decorum was doomed, and so was Aichi. The very idea of having to work as a busboy at a sushi restaurant, like he did as a young man, brought tears to the man's eyes. So he was strict and easily angered, and that made the workers edgy. Takaba had found a way to keep his good mood though, by sticking earphones into his ears and listening to music while he painted the bedroom. Yet even that didn't keep out Aichi's rather shrill voice; "I want this maison to say Welcome home Your Majesty, and the chambre à coucher to scream: Here sleeps a mighty beast ready to devour!" And with that comment meant for whoever was listening, the interior designer left the master bedroom and went to bother some other unfortunate soul. Next to Takaba, another painter rolled his eyes and Takaba grinned.