Chapter Seven
I managed to write this within a 24 hour period, the majority of it while I was at work. *grin* And BIG thanks go to CP for the beautiful verse below. Remember, feedback is an author's bestest best friend!
- - -
Can you hear the music?
It tells our star-crossed story --
Of a dream that wasn't meant to be dreamt
Of a love that wasn't meant to be but is
Constantly forever
It aches deep within our souls
Constantly forever
Until the day we touch the dawn
Only then can everything be all right
Only then can we be free
- - -
Mamoru had a rough time looking Usagi in the eye after that day in his apartment. They both went about work as usual, but there was less conversation and a slight amount of friction in the air between them. The other co-workers had noticed the silent treatment they were giving each other, but no one dared mention it; it wasn't any of their business anyway.
But someone else decided to make it his business. Hokori had been watching the two throughout the week, noting the distinct changes in their behavior towards one another. He didn't like what was going on. Something had to change, and it looked like he was the only one who could do something about it.
Dropping several file folders onto the desk with a loud thud, Mamoru turned to face Usagi, who was sitting across the room at her desk just like usual, pouring over client files. "Usagi," he said once, quiet enough that if she had been listening intently she would have heard. "Usagi," he said again, but still getting no response. "Tsukino-san!" Mamoru raised his voice, this time receiving a reaction from her.
She threw her pen against the desk in frustration and stood up. "What do you want, Chiba-san?" Usagi replied coolly, pushing up the thin frames of her glasses.
"We need to talk."
She glared at him, pretending to be interested in the work again. "If you're referring to the events of the other day, I don't want to talk about it. As far as I'm concerned, it never happened."
" However, I can't, nor will I forget."
Usagi's eyes narrowed. "Do you expect me to throw myself into your arms, begging for you to carry me away off into the sunset? Gomen, Chiba-san, but this is no harlequin romance, and you are certainly not the brawny Fabio I ever pictured."
"I never thought I'd look good with long hair anyway," Mamoru shot back, walking over to her desk. "And how would you know if I'm brawny? You've certainly never seen me to be able to judge accordingly."
She stared up at him, not a crack in the emotionless mask upon her face. "You know, you're just like all of them. All you want is one thing from a woman, and you expect her to fall helplessly just by turning on that false charm of yours. You may have charmed me once, but I assure you, it will never happen again."
"Oh really?" Mamoru smirked. "Then how do you explain the fact that I'm the only man who's ever been able to do this?" And before she could reply, he bent down and swiftly claimed her lips with his. A muffled gasp escaped from Usagi, and then all was silent.
Moments after he had claimed his victory, Usagi wrenched away from him, her shaking fingers coming up to touch her bruised lips and her chest heaving from lack of air. Mamoru stayed in the same place, his eyes sparkling with triumph and hidden desire. "You kissed back," he murmured quietly. "If there had been any truth to what you just said, you wouldn't have kissed me back."
"Believe me, it won't happen again," she said bitterly, bringing her hand back as if she were going to slap him. Mamoru caught her arm just inches away from his face. "I learned from the first time," he replied with a slight grin.
Usagi yanked out of his grasp. "What do you want from me, Chiba-san? Is working together no longer enough for you? Now you think you have to conquer me in order to please your father or something?"
Mamoru's eyes narrowed at her accusation. "Don't bring Hokori-san into this, Usagi. He has nothing to do with this." She realized she had struck a nerve within him. "Actually, he has everything to do with it. This is his company after all, I'll bring him into it if I please. You can't even bring yourself to call him your father, why is that?" Usagi suddenly asked, focusing her gaze upon Mamoru's troubled face.
He turned away. "He hasn't doesn't anything lately to prove he's worthy of the title. Besides, since he's my employer, it's more professional for me to refer to him as such, and not take advantage of whatever relationship we have." Mamoru shook his head. "It's really none of your business anyway."
"But--"
"I said it's none of your business, Tsukino-san," he replied crisply, emphasizing the formal use of her name. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have some work to finish, as do you." Mamoru returned to his desk and sat down, avoiding Usagi's questioning gaze.
The silence was penetrated by the annoying buzz of the intercom resting on Mamoru's desk. "Hai?" he responded while pushing the talk button. "Your father wishes to see you in his office, Mamoru-san. He said it was quite urgent."
"I'm on my way," Mamoru replied, cutting off the transmission. Without saying a word to Usagi, he left the room and went down the hall towards Hokori's office. Lightly tapping on the door, Mamoru let himself into the room.
Hokori was just ending a phone call when Mamoru entered. The older man smiled slightly and motioned for his son to sit in a chair close by. "You're probably curious as to why I asked you in here. We haven't had much of an opportunity to talk lately, Mamoru. Is there anything on your mind you'd like to discuss?"
"Not really," Mamoru replied woodenly. "Is this what was so urgent?"
Hokori raised an eyebrow. "You seem to be in a rush. Tell me, how are things between you and Usagi? Your performance hasn't been evaluated lately so I suppose I'm a little in the dark in that respect."
"We're.......fine. Everything is fine and the work is getting done. Can I go now?"
"Once you tell me what the big hurry is. Sit and relax for a moment. You mother mentioned she was worried about you, so I thought you might talk to me about it."
Mamoru sat back in his chair. So that's what all of this was about. Nagisa must have spilled everything from their earlier conversation to Hokori. "Whatever Nagisa told you, I can take care of it on my own."
The older man leaned forward, resting his arms on the desk. "I figured as much. But there was something else I wanted to talk to you about. You know of the annual company gala, correct?" Mamoru had no clue what he was talking about, but he nodded anyway.
"Anyway," Hokori continued, "I want to make the best impression possible for our guests of honor this year, to show them that their valued time devoted to our company is not going to waste."
"I don't quite see what this has to do with me."
"You and Usagi are the best this company has to offer, so I would like the two of you to attend the gala together."
"Together?" Mamoru gulped.
"Yes, together," Hokori replied, "as in you escorting Usagi and spending the entire evening with her."
Mamoru couldn't believe his ears. "You're not serious."
"I'm quite serious. Think of this as an executive order." He reached into his pocket and drew out a small business card. "If you call this number, you'll find that all the arrangements have already been made. You don't even have to lift a finger."
"And what if Usagi-san doesn't agree to this?"
"She will, because like you, she is a very devoted employee."
Mamoru pulled the card from Hokori's hand, grumbling under his breath as he got up to leave. "Oh, and Mamoru?" Hokori added with a smile, "don't disappoint the company. Everyone will be looking to you and your example."
