Contract With My Boss [Touken Story]

27

The date this time went perfectly. When they were done with dinner, Kaneki brought Touka up to the highest floor of the building--which was a rooftop bar and gave her the present that he's been holding onto. A diamond ring. 

"This ring is my promise that I'll take care of you forever, even if we're old and wrinkly." He said as he slid it onto her right hand's fourth finger and held in his breath when he saw a tear fall down her cheek. 

He caressed her face with a frown. "What's wrong?"

She shook her head and smiled as more tears fell down. "I'm just..happy. But we can't get married, can we? Since you already are to someone else."

His hands encircled her waist and he leaned his forehead against hers. "I will do whatever I can to make our marriage happen. Just trust me and wait."

--

They went back to their normal routine the next day, maintaining their boss-employee relationship while having their trysts in the office after everyone was gone. They became closer now, with Kaneki actively making efforts in finding evidence to demand a divorce from Rize. Thinking back, he should have done this earlier even if their parents wanted their marriage only for business advantages. As bad as it sounds, he should have prioritized his happiness over his parents'. It was his life, not his parents'.

--

While laying in bed one night, Kaneki turned to the side and rested a hand over his wife's waist. He gazed down at her quietly and Touka squeezed his nose playfully--earning a groan from him. "What is it? I know you're thinking about something whenever you look at me like that."

He scooted closer to her and enveloped her in his arms. "I was just thinking if you would want a child after we get married and what their name would be..."

She started to draw circles on his chest. "Isn't it too early to be thinking of having a child? We're not even married yet." 

"We will soon be. So what do you say about a child? Do you want one?"

"Hmm. I don't know. When we settle down comfortably, I would want one. But not now. For the names... I can't think of any. I'm bad at names. You decide."

"If it's a boy, Kou. If it's a girl, Ichika."

Chatting about baby names with someone she loved warmed Touka's heart and she couldn't help but truly feel that they would get married. Once they got married, they would no longer need to hide their relationship from the public. They'll be able to go on more dates and show affection for one another without being afraid of someone finding out about them. 

--

Having spent so much time with one another, they let down their guard at work. Some employees have noticed how close they've become; such as them calling one another casually or chatting casually. One worker even saw them entering the office together and rumors soon starting flying around in the building about how they might be having an affair or how Touka is stealing Kaneki away from Rize. These rumors caught the ears of a certain powerful man and he has decided to take action.

--

"Ken. Do you know why I have asked you to come to my house today?" The grey-haired male asked, eyes locking onto his son's grey ones.

Kaneki cleared his throat. "No, I do not."

"There have been some rumors about you and your personal assistant, you see. About how the two of you might be dating. What do you have to say about that?"

His breath hitched in his throat as he thought back to the countless times he's caught his employees talking in low voices in the pantry and hurriedly shutting their mouths whenever he walked by. Even the employees know about them. He cursed internally for not being careful enough. 

"I wonder what you're talking about, father. There's nothing happening between us. They're just rumors, as you have mentioned."

"Personally, I don't care who or what you're doing outside of your work but if it starts to affect the company's reputation, I will take action. Is that understood, son?"

I don't feel a tiny bit of the love even when you call me your son.

"Yes, father."