chapter 11

It seemed the entire city celebrated the success of the House of Hatori couture show. Words like innovative, genius, the future of fashion were bandied about. Already the women were swooning over which ones to purchase.

Its been eight hours since i heard anything from Zen. I have been worried since last night since he seemed so shocked when he was on the phone. And here i couldn'd pull my the courage to make myself call him or text him about his whereabouts. He just said sorry and said bye and rushed to wherever it was. My thoughts drifted to last night-

**************FLASHBACK****************

I had taken my second sip when Zen's driver arrived at our table.

The man seemed to be even larger than Zen if that was possible. I only noticed because they didn't have the barrier of the front seat between them. What looked like the tattoo of Japanese umbrella-pine tree, kōyamaki peeked out of the man's collar.

Out of respect, he removed the cap he wore to reveal a closely shaven head then bowed low, apologizing in Japanese, ending his sentence with the word Waka-sama. My eyebrows rose. What could the man mean by calling Zen that?

He handed his boss another cell phone. The murder on Zen's face was both scary and funny. A scowl so severe it could cut a person in half with a slight eyebrow twitch made such an intimidating man seem adorable. At least, I thought so.

Well, maybe not so much.

His driver paled significantly without losing his stone-cold composure.

Zen took the phone that was handed to him. This time, he didn't wait to hear what was being said on the other end. Instead, he barked threats of dismemberment for interrupting his dinner, all in measured Japanese. Then someone from other end said something. The shock in his face and voice could he seen and heard clearly.

"Ok. I'll be there soon", he said in utter shock and litte fright in his voice. He spoke the whole sentence in nihongo. He pushed back his chair getting up. I too pushed mine to get up.

"Please, enjoy the dinner." He said to me. I frown confused at him. He smiled at my confused look and added, "I wish I could stay."

He traced the line of my jaw again, ending by tipping my chin up with his fingertip. I looked up. The hot hunger he saw kindled some of my own. Zen's gaze widened a fraction. Then he ran his thumb over my lips.

I nipped at the pad, eliciting a groan from the standing man. "You're making this very difficult."

"Hmmm. Waka sama" his driver said to us.

" I know. I am going ok" he said to him annoyed.

"Good," I whispered. "Now go. I have surf and turf coming and I'd like to enjoy the meal without interruptions."

Without hesitation, Zen gripped my chin and placed a searing kiss on my lips.

************END OF FLASHBACK************

It was already seven in the morning. I checked my phone. There wasn't a call nor a message. I decided to call him. I dialed his number. He picked it up.

"You baka. Baka. Baka. You don't even have the decency to call me or text me after you left me hanging there alone", I shouted out.

A chuckle could be heard.

"Missed me?", the question brought me back to realisation what J shouted out few minutes ago.

I closed the speaker of my phone I scowled to myself.

How can I shout such way. I shouldn't have shouted at him that way. What have I done. I gained my posture and put my phone back to my ears.

"Hmmm" I coughed. "Who said I was missing you? I just called you to know if you reached home safe or not", I said to him leaving a sigh.

"So you didn't miss me", sadness could be heard in his voice.

"Hmmmm", I hummed.

" But you were worried about me", he asked to me.

"Yes"

"Really?" With happiness in his voice.

"What I meant to say is that. I just wanted to know where you are", I said stammering.

"So you accept that you were worried about me?" He said to me. I remained silent. I couldn't say anything.

"To assure you I am fine. Anything won't happen to me", he said chuckling.

"Who asked?" I answered stubbornly.

"By the way thanks. It was nice knowing you were worried for me" he said. The instant blush could be seen on me. I could feel the phone heating me. I disconnected the phone in embrassment.

The elevator binge as I walked in to the busy corridor of Mode office. I smiled at kate and started walking to my cabin. But before I could she came to me with a evil grin on her face.

"What?", I asked knowingly. She must be about what happened yesterday.

"who is it?" I looked at her confused

"The person who keeps sending you flowers?"

Kate's question pulled me back from my thoughts about yesterday.

"What flowers?"

Without waiting for the her 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. He snatched the card sticking out of the holder and quickly slipped it out of the envelope. It read: For last night. Sorry.

Then I got a groan from behind the glass seperating my desk and Miss. Pierce's cabin.

She saw the pictures and read the articles like everyone else.

"In my office," she barked at me. "Now!"

I dropped the card on my desk, picked up my tablet, and hurried in after the fuming editor-in-chief.

"Close the door," she said, shrugging off her floor-length coat and hanging it on the rack at one corner of her office. Then she proceeded to tug off her gloves.

I prepared myself for what was to come. She dropped the gloves on her desk with a thwack. Then she pinched the bridge of her nose and breathed, closing her eyes. Her other hand grasped her tiny waist.

"I take it the spa day didn't go well?" I ventured as an attempt to undercut the tension already floating in the air.

She inhaled sharply then sent a punishing glare my way. "What was it all yesterday about?"

"Oh that?" my grip on my tablet tightened.

"Don't play ignorant with me, Ana." She splayed her hands on her desk, leaning forward. " It is all over the news. I said you could date him. It doesn't mean you would make up such scenes".

I stayed silent not knowing what to say.

"I am sorry GM. I didnt meant it to happen", I appologised feeling guilty.

"Ana . ." she sighed out. She straightened in favor of crossing her arms. "I only forgive you for that debacle at the Fashion show because their entire inventory was sold out in minutes. And it's free publicity for the magazine. But!" She pointed at him. "You know I don't tolerate crazy behavior from my staff. Especially not from you."

I swallowed. It wasn't like I could defend myself. The pictures said it all no matter how erroneous the allegations made in the articles were. Well, except for those who speculated it was a love triangle between me, Zen, and Daniel.

"I am sorry GM," I said.

"Promise it won't happen".

"I promise" I said.

"Good." she pinned me with her I-mean-business stare.

"But..." I paused thinking about my parents.

"Don't worry I talked to them ok" she said giving me a assuring smile, realising my sadness in my voice. I smiled back at her.

"Now, we have much to do before you have to go" she said with a smile.

"Let me print out your schedule for today and grab your messages." I backed out of the office.

As I clicked print, my phone pinged. A message from Zen. The smile was instantaneous. The entire world faded away.

'Missing you' in bold letters.