The Assistant

Chapter Eleven

"Ouch!" "I'm so sorry," Aurora said, stepping once again on Hiroto's foot. The slow dance was over; now it was a matter of who could dance. "I hate to say this, but I think the alcohol." They laughed at each other, trying to find their rhythm. The music was somewhat classical but also had some pop in it; all in all, it was really good; they even played a 'James Bond theme song'. At this point in the night, everyone was drunk or on their way to being drunk, causing laughter among tables and smokers to finish their packets. After several attempts at dancing, Hiroto tapped her on the shoulder, pointing at Michael, who was calling her over. "You better go and please remember what I said." "It will be fine; I'm fine now." Hiroto smiled at her; his eyes glanced at her lips, almost tempting him to give them a quick greeting, but he resisted the urge to. Disappointing. "I'll be back. I have some investors to impress." Aurora nodded her head before she walked towards the most disheveled table she saw. "Who's the sexiest boss here?" one of the women asked as Aurora sat down. "Mr. Jacob." "Who?" Aurora asked instantly.

Michael leaned closer to her and whispered into her ear, "His one of the bosses who makes women's underwear." Aurora's eyes widened at the statement, "What!? Isn't that a woman's job because, you know, um, it's women's underwear?" He nodded his head and continued to whisper. "There's a rumor about how he has so many women he sees that even though he's married, he lets them model their underwear for him, and you know, get all the information from it from touch to tear." He winked the last part, which made no sense at all. Aurora thought, shaking her head from the thoughts she did not want to know or meet this man. "Too bad his taken." "Says who? I heard it's an open marriage." "Oh really? I guess I'm going to have to change companies." Aurora could not believe what these women were saying and how suggestive they were towards the men; thinking about it, it may have been all the alcohol. Aurora chose not to participate in the conversation; instead, she opened up another bottle of wine that was placed on the table and poured herself a generous glass. "Aurora, please drink slowly; you barely ate anything." Aurora looked at Michael as she chugged half the glass before placing it down, roughly causing it to spill on the white silk tablecloth.

"I am fine; I just need the bathroom." Aurora slurred her words, standing up immediately, losing balance, feeling the world spin and her stomach turn upside down. "Whoa, Aurora, do you need help? Should I call you a cab or?" "It's okay, Michael, I got her." Michael almost jumped in his seat at the sudden appearance of Hiroto. "Who is touching me right now?" Aurora was too drunk to even recognize his voice from all the shock; she lifted her arm to take a swing at him. Hiroto blocked it, of course. "Miss Solace, it's me. Are you alright?" Aurora's eyes widened with shock and she immediately started to apologize, touching his face to see for any marks. "I'm fine, Miss Solace." 'Oh no' Aurora thought, holding her hand to cover her mouth, "I think I'm going to puke." "Right now? Please make way; she is very ill." Hiroto held her firm by the waiters, pulling her arm over her shoulder and carrying her to the bathroom. Hiroto got her into a stall, rubbing circles on her back; her hair was already tied up, so there was no reason for him to hold it for her except to take the stands out of her face and say, "Let it all out." "Please no leave me here to die. I'm so embarrassed."

After what felt like hours of throwing her stomach out, she went over to the sink to wash her mouth and drink some water. "You should probably get out before other women see you in the stall." "I'll wait for you outside then." As soon as Hiroto was out of sight, Aurora sank her face in her hands, feeling all kinds of emotions of embarrassment and death; she fixed her face and goggled water once more before stepping out the bathroom, seeing Hiroto stand directly in front of the door. "Alright, Eric is waiting for us." Hiroto grabbed her hand, guiding her towards the exit; the reporters were still outside taking pictures of them; the blinding lights only lasted a few moments before they stopped when they realized they had gone one of the models. "Are you alright?" he asked once again before opening the door for her to get in. "Just tired." Her eyes were half-lidded, feeling drowsy, yet she smiled sweetly at Hiroto before stepping into the car. Aurora was drinking water in the car before completely falling asleep; her head was resting on Hiroto's shoulder as he stroked her hair.

"Hey, wake up, where're you?" Hiroto shook her awake; to his surprise, she did not wake up. "Sir, would you like me to call the staff to" "No need to, I got this." Hiroto grabbed her legs and supported her neck, carrying her to the room and walking up the stairs. Aurora began to open her eyes, fully sobering up from the shock. "What wait, where am I?" "Relax, it's only me," Hiroto said as she calmed down. The room was exactly how they left it; no room service was in to clean. He placed her down on the bed as he took off his blazer, calling room service for dinner. "Since we haven't eaten, I thought you might be starving. "Not really, just more awake now." Hiroto laughed, and Aurora sighed as she took off her shoes, watching Hiroto move around the room. "What are you looking at?" "How handsome you are." Hiroto smiled before taking a seat next to her. "Are you still feeling bad about what she said?" Aurora nodded her head, her smile dropping. "What exactly did she say?" Aurora was a bit hesitant to speak, waiting a few moments before building the courage to tell him her feelings.

"She was telling me how I'm not special to you, and I'm just like any other secretary you have, and the rest before you were also so affectionate with, and just all these negative things that put me down because the truth is." Aurora took a breath before she spoke, "Hiroto, I like you not just as my boss or a person; I do like you, and I know it's awful and so unprofessional, and that's why it hurt me." Hiroto was quiet, not saying anything. I admire you as a person. You inspire me so much, and I just really like you. I know it's probably the alcohol talking, and you probably don't feel the same. I don't expect you to say it back to be nice. I just needed to tell l you." Aurora's heart was beating so fast she thought it would burst out of her chest, her face redder than tomato. She waited for him to give her an answer, but all he did was stare at her. "I know, so silly of me. What was I thinking, making everything so awkward?"

Before Aurora could finish her sentence, she was silenced by his lips pressing softly against hers. Aurora was taken aback by the sudden act; she didn't hate it; she loved it. Aurora wrapped her arms around his neck, and Hiroto's hands rested on her waist, pulling her closer. Aurora pulled away, staring at his midnight eyes; his eyes were glued to hers, their breaths mixing in, "I like you too, Aurora. Wasn't that obvious by the way I treat you? I hope you have gotten a hint, but I guess we were scared of the same thing and forgot what Becky said. I had other assistants before, yes, but none like you, and how would she know she's just jealous of you, and honestly, she should be. I have the best assistant in the world." Their lips met again. Aurora pressed her lips deeper on his; Hiroto slightly opened his mouth, running his tongue over her lip, making her gasp; his sly tongue snuck into her mouth, making her moan at the feeling. Hiroto gently laid her down on the bed towering over her; their lips moved in sync. Aurora's hands were dangling his hair, making it disheveled; his hands traveled up and down her sides, eventually tugging at her dress, slightly pulling it down. "Do you want me to touch you? I will not go any further without your consent," Hiroto said, breaking the kiss. Aurora was hot and bothered; her eyes were practically at the back of her head already. "Yes, I want you too," Aurora said, her hands unbuttoning his shirt. "We don't have to do anything if you don't want to," he spoke again. "Do you want to?" Aurora stopped staring at him. "More than anything."