8 chapter 8

Next morning I could feel a tingling pain in my part. I remembered everything that happened last night. I looked around the room and recognised it from the last time. The shower was running. So I assumed he was in the bathroom, so I decided to run before he came in. So to help me with my embrassment. I rushed out his mansion and booked a cab and instructed the driver to take me home.

I was really embrassed at my actions. How can I go to him this way. What must he have thought about me. I smiled at the moment I spent with him last night.

I walked through the elevator to the Mode offices. Kiara looked up from her desk as I was coming in and pause. She put down every work she was doing and got up, rounding her desk to came to my side.

"There's something different about you," she said, assessing me.

I was about to say something. Someone squealed from behind me.

"Oh my God!" kate interrupted. "You got some last night!"

"That's it!" Kiara pointed at me."You have that just-fucked glow about you."

She and Kate clasped hands and bounced in place as if they had just won a shopping spree.

"Finally," Kate gasped out, complete with dramatic hand to my chest. "Who is the lucky guy? Huh?"

"It's about time you got over that bit-"

I raised my hand. "As much as I'd like you talk shit about my ex and the afterglow, you two are wrong. It's the Cosmetic."

"No." Kate leaned forward and sniffed me. "I can tell you've had at least one orgasm in the last twenty-four hours. Call it a gift."

"Is it the person who keeps sending you flowers?"

Kiara's question pulled me back to the comedy show I had walked into. "What flowers?"

Without waiting for the receptionist to respond, I headed straight for my desk. At one corner sat another vase of white calla lilies. They were gorgeous and as elegant as the man who sent them. I snatched the card sticking out of the holder and quickly slipped it out of the envelope. It read: For this morning and for more like it. And to let you make known that from now on "YOU ARE MINE"

The lovesick teenager returned. I pressed the note to my nose as if the paper had any scent other than smelling like paper. Wishing for it to have Zen's scent.

"In my office now" Miss. Pierce said in a commanding voice.

I went into her office to find my mom sitting on the couch.

"Ana, come here" my mother said in her sing-song voice when I reached Miss. Pierce office. "My dear beloved." she added

I spun around and flew into my mom's open arms. "Miss you ma" Seeing her cheerful face made me feel a million times better already.

"Let me look at you." She gave me a once over before giving each of my cheeks a kiss. "My boy, how handsome you are. But too thin. You do not eat enough."

Seeing her brought the kind of comfort he needed that day.

"What is wrong?" she asked almost immediately.

She deflated her arms. "Rough day."

"You tell me about it over food."

Like that the three of us where infront of my favourite italian restaurant.

Soon macaroni and cheese-my favorite comfort food-materialized on the massive table. His stomach growled in anticipation of the feast.

"It's just work stuff," I said, pulling the plate to myself.

" Are you ok ana", my mom asked me.

"I'm okay," I said still eating.

Her face softened.

"Kendell told me. You have been away from the office very much this days. And it seems you are not concentrating on your job" she said.

My eyes shifted to Miss Pierce sitting beside me.

"Don't look at me that way" she said in defense. I continued eating.

"The main reason I am here is not because of that" my mom said.

"The reason I am here is Mr. Hatori" she added

"What about him?" I asked them confused.

My mom looked towards Miss. Pierce.

" I heard that you went on a lunch with him", she said. "Is there anything going between you two?" My mom added.

The accusation snapped him out of his shock. "Besides a professional relationship, there's nothing going on between me and Hatori."

"Ana . ." my mom sighed out. She straightened in favor of crossing her arms. "You know I don't tolerate crazy behavior from my staff. Especially not from you." Miss. Pierce said to me

"Look, Aunt Kendell and mom" I began, reaching for the truth. "I don't know why you are asking me such questions. You know I wouldn't do anything that would put the reputation of the magazine and my family in jeopardy."

The chill in her expression warmed a degree. "Then there's nothing going on with you and Hatori?" l hummed in agreeing.

"Then what about the lunch you had with him?" My mom asked me.

I shook my head, hoping my sincerity showed on my face.

"No. And when did you see me on lunch with him?."

"Few days ago",my mom said.

"It wasn't him. But there might be something with his business partner." There. I said it.

A minute must have ticked by. The silence was palpable between them. Then Kendell and my mom laughed. My face fell in shock. I was expecting a stern warning, even a command to break things off. Certainly not hysterical laughter.

Then they took a deep breath, a wide smile spreading across their faces.

"I don't care what you do with Kirishima," she said. "He's not in our industry despite being Hatori's silent partner. I spoke about this with your mother. As long as you keep your private life from interfering with your work, I have no problems with it."

My mom looked at my mom. She smiled at me. Relief came so suddenly that I almost lost my balance. My knees refused to work and the muscles in my legs turned to jelly. "Just so we're clear, you're okay with me and Zen . . . I mean Mr. Kirishima. . ."

"Totally ana. Its not to us who you date or love. Its your life. Make your own decisions." my mom said to me.

"I was worried you wouldn't accept it ma and you too Aunt"

"I'm not the one you should be worried about," my mom said in a sudden shift in mood.

The seriousness in her tone told me what she meant. With equal gravity, he said, "My father has nothing to do with this."

"Just be careful. You know your dad" She rounded her hand on my shoulder.

Then we went on to order and have our lunch. After lunch my mom decided to leave but before leaving in her motherly way, she cupped my face and placed a chaste kiss on my lips. "I love you."

"l love you to ma" my shoulders slumped.