The Assistant

Chapter Seventeen

"That's it for today, thank you for your time everyone is dismissed" Aurora watched as all the employees left one by one like ants marching down one path talking among themselves about the general meeting. The meeting was an hour-long making both Hiroto and Aurora tired from the long presentation of finances and planning "Well that went great" Aurora said picking up the papers that were scattered on the desk as a visual, Hiroto sighed as he leaned back into his chair running a hand through his hair making it look disheveled. Aurora walked over to him smiling at his tired state which she found uncontrollably cute "Your tie is weird" Aurora said bending over placing her hands on his tie and adjusting it to look straight; suddenly Hiroto grabbed her hands with such force she hissed I pain "You smell nice" he said his voice more horse and deep laced with exhaustion "You bruised my hand" Aurora said wiggling her hand out of his grip, but it was no use Hiroto took her hand and brought it to his lips placing a soft kiss on it "I'm sorry I didn't mean to hold your hand so tight" He said placing another kiss on her hand as well as the palm of her hand, Aurora smiled at him moving her face closer to place a kiss on his lips "Now isn't this sweet "Aurora had jumped back away from Hiroto in shock f the presence of someone else. Aurora caught herself her heels clicking against the tiles; Hiroto's hand was out to grab her however his attempt was in vain. "Oh shut up," Aurora said fixing her pencil skirt and eyeing Mr. Mason who stood innocently "Knock Knock knock, hello," he said as Aurora walked towards him playfully punching his chest "Don't scare us like that" "Keep your hands to yourself Hiroto your assistant is harassing me" "I am not!"

Hiroto laughed at the display of childish behavior before clearing his throat " Aurora please don't hurt my business partners" "Aurora? so you guys are official then?" Aurora stood dumbfounded at what to say and how much she should reveal to him, Hiroto gave a sight nod as he stepped into the office completely before closing the door behind him. "So what can I do for you?" Hiroto asked "I just came to visit, my studio is boring right now" "Shouldn't you be working on those projects I had given you for our upcoming line?" Mason sighed as he loosened his tie leaning into his seat "Oh come on she can't be the only one who can spend time with you" Aurora was put off by the given title of 'She' he used to address her, it was evident in Hiroto's face that he was as well not appreciative of that title Miss Solace is not a she, Aurora is my girlfriend for your information so I would like you to address her with more respect" Hiroto smiled at Aurora from across the room as she stayed standing by the door contemplating if she should leave or stay "Oh please you made that so obvious when I caught you guys kissing" "What if I gave him a good job kiss?" Aurora said folding he arms crossed "Mr. Han is very good at his job" "Thank you Miss Solace and might I add you are good at your job as well"

"Ha! The only good job I believe you'd be great at giving is a blow jo-" "Ah la la la la la!" Aurora plugged her ears walking up to Mason and punching him with so much strength not to hurt him "Enough no more please!" Mason exclaimed through laughs, Hiroto had not uttered a signal word from this entire sense afraid he would get a beating as well "Is Liam here?" Aurora asked walking back to the door "Yes, I asked him to prepare coffee" Aurora waved bye at Hiroto smiling at him "Don't forget to do your work while you spend time with your friend" Hiroto said as Aurora pulled a face before closing the door behind her. Aurora made her way towards the staff room spotting Liam almost immediately "Liam" she said placing her hand on his shoulder making him jump in shock, "You're so mean, why didn't you tell me you were visiting" Aurora said Liam placed Mason's coffee down "I didn't know I would be here today Mr. Mason just took me by the hand and dragged me all the way here," he said in a monotone voice, Aurora noticed the tiredness in his voice assuming he wanted to have a quick day at work but ended up here instead.

"Excuse me Miss Solace" Aurora turned her head to see Hannah the messenger in the office she was in charge of all the mall that was delivered to the building; Hannah had golden blonde hair that was regularly cut just above her shoulders; her skin was ivory with dark brown freckles on her both sides of her cheeks "There's a package for Mr. Han" "A package? why don't you leave it on my desk and I will tend to it" Aurora tilted her head in confusion, Liam patted her on the shoulder whispering "I'll see you inside the office" he said before walking away "This package is well um follow me" Aurora mindlessly followed Hannah to the front desk expecting to see a huge box or an oversized stuffed animal with a basket of candy instead, she was greeted by a little bot no older than twelve who was dressed like he was ready for the winter storms yet it was the heart of summer, his strange get up was strange making the hairs at the back of her neck stand.  "Hey there kiddo I'm Miss Solace Mr. Han's assistant, what can I do for you?" The little boy looked at Aurora with nothing but innocent eyes; he looked unfazed he scrunched his nose a very times as he looked at Aurora, his skin was pale as if it had never been touched by the sun; his hair was golden brown all curls that fell around and behind his ears, his clothes were a mitch match of jackets painted prismatic and a blue scarf covering his neck leaving only his chin visible "I'm here to see Mr. Hiroto" Aurora gave him a close eye smile grabbing his hand guiding him to the office "Right this way"

Aurora knocked on the door before stepping into the office, she was greeted by the sight of Hiroto and Mason standing by the glass window with their coffee in their hands laughing amongst themselves "Well isn't this cute" Aurora said walking towards Hiroto still holding onto the boy's hand "This little boy came to the front desk saying his the package for you" Hiroto raised an eyebrow placing his coffee down bending to his level smiling at the boy "Hey there little guy, what can I do for you?" Hiroto said as the little boy let go of Aurora's hand standing all stiff and proper. "My name is Max, I'm your surprise gift from your favorite company" Hiroto ruffled his hair confused as to what the boy meant, all in all, he was convinced this was a joke someone was pulling outside the company which wouldn't be the first time "I'm sorry I don't think you'll be able to please him with your little hands-" "Mason! What is wrong with you that's plain disgusting" Aurora through a not-so-playful punch at Mason for his inappropriate remark. "I mean a massage! a foot rub! get your mind out of the gutter" "That was not a good joke and how dare you" Hiroto was the one who broke up the fight between Mason and Aurora. Hiroto pulled Mason to the side to discuss what a child could be doing here, Aurora decided to pull Max over to where Liam was sitting as they discussed what and who Hiroto's favorite company was. "Hey little guy, what's up with all the winter clothes, don't tell me you're modeling next month's new fashion trends," Liam said checking his winter jackets out, the little boy shook his head "Under all this is the surprise, I have to be very careful not to break it or else it will be ruined"

Aurora looked a little closer at Max she noticed his eyes were almost lifeless as if he were a ghost, curious about the surprise Aurora decided to take a shot and ask if she could see it, maybe it would give a hint as to whose the boy "May I see the surprise?" He nodded his head as he zipped down one by one of the jackets until he got to the last one "You're really cold aren't you?" Aurora awkwardly laughed looking at Liam who was staring in anticipation "Let's see what surprise you have for my boss" As Aurora zipped down the last jacket she froze in horror, a bomb was placed on his chest wrapped with duck tape with a clear red light flashing. Aurora slowly moved back not knowing what to do, the boy looked as if everything was normal as if it was supposed to mean nothing that there was a bomb strapped to him, Aurora looked at Liam who held the same mortified look on his face "Hiroto" Aurora managed to speak more of a whisper than anything else "Yes?" Hiroto turned his head walking towards her before he stopped in his tracks when his eyes landed on the metal object on the boy "We have a problem"