Roasted Sweet Potato

I personally love rural towns, away from big city’s crowds and fast pace. Even now while I’m inside a train and everything passes so rapidly, I love the green trees and blue sky. It brings bliss to my heart. With acoustic music playing in my earphone, the train advances rapidly to my hometown.

The hometown I once left

And I will leave again after my short vacation is over.

My mind drifts off to years ago…

Years ago,

 

“I’m so bored, mom!”, I nagged. “Miwa-chan is on vacation to Tokyo and Sawa-chan joins school summer camping. Why am I stuck at home?”

Mom sighed,”Yuki… Don’t complain so much. You know your little brother is sickly and I need to work… I hope you understand. After all, your dad…”

Whenever she mentioned about dad, mom always looked so sad. “I understand, mom”. She chuckled and ruffled through my hair, ”But today I am on leave. Although I have to take care of Toshio, you can go and explore the town. I will cook your favorite dish tonight, be back before 6 and don’t wander into the woods”

I nodded in agreement and stuffed some things into my small red bagpack. Two bars of wafers, a bottle of drinking water, 500 yen, bunny doll and home key. “I’m off, mom!”

“Have fun!”

That’s what she said…But where am I supposed to go? I thought to myself as I explored the small town. I headed to the shopping district and looked around. The shopping district looked same as always, full of different stores. There were liquor store, bakery, antique store, manju and dango store, grocery store and many more…

I was drawn by the smell of roasted sweet potato. Mrs Kurosawa laughed, “Ara… Yuki-chan? Wandering around alone to fill your summer holiday?”
“Good day, Mrs Kurosawa. Yes, I am a wanderer”

“Here, have a sweet potato. It’s on the house today”, she happily handed me

“Waaaaaah, thank you!”

I happily glomped on the treat and walked happily until I reached a park. I sat on one of the swings and ate. Then I heard someone crying. Hesitantly, I stood up and looked around but there was nobody around. I looked behind the huge tree at the park and saw a boy crouching and crying.

I said “a boy” but he was probably a few years older than me. He looked around junior high. My teacher once said boys don’t cry much so he must have been sick or hungry. I wasn’t sure what to do so I came to him and crouched while offering my sweet potato,

“Ummm… Are you hungry? Do you want some sweet potato? We can share”

Startled, he lifted his face and stared at me. One thing I noticed was his hair-it was purely black as ebony. Even the bright sunlight didn’t turn his hair into a brownish colour. He was wearing T-shirt and jeans, clutching a cellphone. 

The boy wiped his tears away, “I-I’m alright”

“Then why were you crying?”

“…It’s nothing, my stomach just hurts”, said the boy after seconds of silence. I split the sweet potato into halves and gave him the one without bite marks. “No, I couldn’t possibly…” he muttered as he shook his head. “Please eat it and cheer up… I cannot finish it alone anyway. A-and it’s on the house”

He chuckled lightly, ”Then I will accept your kindness”. We both stood up and moved to the swings where we sat and started eating.

“So, Oni-chan…”

“Ah, just call me Ryu. We don’t look many years apart”

“Umm.. Ryu-san?”

Ryu smiled, “Just Ryu is enough”

I pondered a bit and spoke,”I don’t think I have seen you before…”. Ryu chewed his sweet potato before answering,”I am on summer vacation at my grandpa’s place. I don’t have any parents after all… So on vacations I visit him”. His answer caught me off guard and I immediately apologized, “A-ah…I am sorry”.

He shook his head, “Don’t be. It is not like you did anything wrong anyway”

I listened to his story about how he lost his parents in a car accident last year (so it wasn't about stomachache...) and lived with his aunt in Tokyo.  He told me about his school, his soccer club activities, life in Tokyo. Being someone who had never left this small town, I was drawn into his story. Ryu then stopped as if he had realized something, “Ah… Sorry for keep babbling. You must be bored, huh? Tell me about yourself”

“I have no interesting story. My name is Yuki and I’m 12. I hate my name though, it makes me sound like a cold person”

Ryu stared at me for a few seconds and smiled, “But I like your name. Yuki as in snow right? Snow may be cold but I love it. The coldness snow brings give me warmth. It’s the same feeling when you open your front door on a snowy day. It makes me think that maybe I should try building a snowman or start warming the kotatsu. Another idea is to prepare for hot nabe dinner. Also snow is identical with Christmas and holidays. It is very heartwarming”

I never thought of that before, I inwardly admitted .

“So chin up, Yuki. I for one, think you too are a nice person”

“T-thanks…”

Since then, we played together a lot during summer break. Whenever mom didn’t have work, I’d use our house phone to call Ryu and we would then hang out together. Ryu had lots of stories about his life, like that one time he visited a foreign country called Indonesia  or when his parents once brought home an abandoned puppy.

Ryu was like a thick storybook full of amazing stories. I was never bored when I was with him and he never seemed to mind my boring stories like how I caught dragonflies when I was little or how my mom scolded me harshly because I wandered into the woods alone. Ryu was my center of universe.

Whenever summer ended, he would go back to Tokyo and sometimes sent me letters. Waiting for his letters were one of the exciting part in my life. We wrote about school, friends, sending each other pictures of beautiful things around us such as the flowers in my garden or a cup of parfait in Tokyo’s dessert café. Then every summer, he would come and we would be together again.

Before I realized, I enrolled into junior high and Ryu was in high school. Our worlds were even closer and we had a lot of similar stories. My feelings never changed, he was still my center of universe. For some reasons, he often mentioned that he had so many thoughts swirling in him and sometimes he just missed our tiny town where he could be himself.

I too, idolized the lifestyle he had. It just sounded so cool

We met again in the summer. Year by year, he looked different. His height always increased and his chest wider. When Ryu spoke, his voice was always calm and low… I loved his voice. Before I knew it, I started to stare at him. His calm eyes and smile, hair blowing in the wind. I wasn’t sure why but I wanted Ryu to just stay in this town. His gaze had always been melancholy but it was a part of him that I was used to.

“You’re prettier year by year,” Ryu blushed as he said that. “I don’t think I can still see you as the little sister anymore”. I felt happy when I heard that. Ryu too, was special. I have some friends in my school but none were like him.

Ryu understood me and always knew what to say, when I was down he would cheer me up in just a few lines in his letter and if it was summer, he would just stay beside me and say nothing. There were times I broke down and all he did was say nothing and just embrace me. And I knew Ryu well. Whenever he was down, I’d try my best to cheer him up.

I finally turned 15 and my mother gave me a present- it was a cute pink cellphone. I was so excited and sent him a letter to give him my number. Then we texted a lot, sometimes until midnight and we both fell asleep. The topic was still about our lives; how he struggled on test or how I loved high school’s uniform, about our club activities, the nasty curry in his school’s cafeteria, Mrs Kurosawa launching a new menu (Roasted potato this time) and many more…

However…

That summer, Ryu never came.

My texts were also replied in a very short way and sometimes took days before he finally replied. Ryu said that he was very busy because of college entrance exam and many other matters. I understood, but I felt lonely.

I did really feel lonely

Winter came and I hadn’t heard from him for almost a month. My heart was filled with fear that he was in trouble or maybe sick… Another part of me felt scared that maybe he just didn’t want to be my friend anymore or that he hates me now.

One snowy afternoon, my phone rang

“Hello?”

“Yuki, this is Ryu”

“R-Ryu! Where have you been? Are you okay?”

“Yeah… I am actually in your town right now. In the woods”

“At this time of year? I-I will come and meet you!”

Without hesitation, I grabbed my coat and ran out of the house ignoring my mom asking where I was going. My legs had memorized the way to the woods we often explored together. And I knew he would wait near a pond and a big tree. I passed through the shopping street and stopped when I smelled sweet potato.

I bought two and ran to the woods. Near the pond, Ryu was there. He looked even taller and more handsome now. He sat on a huge stone and chuckled, “Hey”. I didn’t understand what I felt. I was so glad to see him. I wanted to just rush to him and hug him but my logic stopped me.

“I… brought sweet potatoes”

“Sweet potatoes, eh? Brings back memories. Here, there’s another big rock beside me, sit down”

We sat side by side and for a long time said nothing. We just ate. Like the first time we met. Ryu sighed, “I’m sorry I couldn’t visit this summer. I was in extensive course for university exam”
“T-That’s okay, really! I understand”

He sighed again, “I should be studying now but I just had to see you before I leave”

“S-so are you on vacation?”’

Ryu was quiet, then he spoke, “My grandfather’s funeral was yesterday… “

His words pierced through me like a block of cold ice. “Please… Accept my condolences”

“It is alright, he left in peace. I just…Miss him“

I couldn’t say anything, so I just hugged him tight. “I’m here,” I muttered. He didn’t say a word, just nodded. Minutes passed, an hour passed. Still in my embrace Ryu spoke, ”I’m sorry, Yuki… This might probably the last time we met…”

I thought my heart had stopped at that time

“Ryu…?”

“Now that he is gone… My aunt is moving to United States… And I am coming”

“But…Ryu! You are an adult, you don’t have to follow her!” –I know I was sounding selfish but it was an outburst I couldn’t control. I wanted to always be with Ryu

“You know what, Yuki? Ever since I met you, my world was way brighter. I hated my life ever since my parents left me but you always listen to me with your innocent smile. You were the center of my universe, I felt that I was actually living a good life whenever you happily responded to my stories. For a moment, I could forget all my boring problems…”

“No… Your stories are always interesting,” I tried to keep myself from crying

He continued,“I waited for summer and glad each seasons passed. I began watching signs of seasons; the first buds of spring, cicadas emerging in summer, falling leaves in autumn and first snow of winter. Before I realized, I found my dream –I wanted to learn about sky and beyond, about meteorology… And for that dream, I want to go to the States too”

I was in loss of words

“…And my aunt is a widow, I can’t leave her alone. She has done so much for me”

He sighed and pulled away from me, pulled out a necklace and wrapped it around my neck. It was a cute pendant shaped like roasted potato. “I thought my life was worthless and I had no dream but you changed my world. And for that I really am indebted to you. You saved me”

I just stared at him

“You’re beautiful, really. I keep all the pictures you sent to me. But I must go… And I don’t want to be selfish asking you to wait. It might take my whole life before I succeed… And you deserve to live a happy life, not just waiting for me like you’ve always done all these years”

“Ryu, I…”

Before I could say another word, he pulled me into a deep kiss. My tears rolled through my cheeks as my mind flashed back to all the fun time we spent. He then pulled away

“I love you… I hope you will ever forgive me…”

Ryu had tears in his eyes. He smiled and stood up, then left. I was dumbfounded and speechless. For hours, I just sat there and stared at nothing. My hand clutched the pendant hard and I broke into tears

To nobody, I screamed alone in the woods

“I…I love you too!!!!”

Why didn’t I say it back to him? Why didn’t I chase his back and hugged him again? Why didn’t I? Regret slammed me and left me breathless. That was the last time and I would never see him again, I couldn’t accept that!

It took me a year before I recovered from my depression. I kept sending texts and letters, knowing that they would never reach him. I understood that he didn’t want to bind me because it was selfish, I understood his hardships and how painful it was for him.

But I wanted to be with him

He was my everything

After high school, I went to a college in Tokyo while working part time. Men approached me but none could compare to Ryu.

Even until now… I regret never telling him how I feel all these time.

Ryu, I am sorry…

My flashbacks got interrupted when I heard the name of my hometown announced. I clutch the roasted sweet potato pendant from back then and sighed as I stood up. I don’t go straight home and take detour around the town. I haven’t come back for years due to college and I now I’m back after earning my bachelor degree. I have been working for a company for years and didn’t have much time to go back

The town remains the same

The park is the same and the stores were still the same. Mrs Kurosawa’s son is now the one selling sweet potatoes while Mrs Kurosawa mostly rests at home. The same bakery, liquor store… The same air and the same feeling

My mind subconsciously leads me into the woods, still carrying my luggage like a fool.

The same pond, same trees and rocks.

Just there is no Ryu…

And there will never be another Ryu…

Ryu, do you know? I can’t even count how many times I think of you and this place. I’d do anything to once again hug you and tell you how much I love you.

I want to share sweet potatoes with you once again

“…Ryu,” I muttered as I tried not to cry

“I’m here,” a voice was behind me. That voice… I turned back and saw a man there standing. He had ebony black hair and was wearing a suit. The man was carrying two roasted sweet potatoes and smiling. It’s Ryu!

“Ryu…?”
“Yuki, I never thought I’d ever see you here… I heard that you moved to Tokyo”

I am dumbfounded by his presence, it felt like a dream. Trembling, I approach and touch his hand. He is real!

As if understanding that I am in a daze, he continued “I am actually on business trip to Japan… So I thought I’d sneak out and come here to… Well, to reminisce. Then I heard from Mrs Kurosawa that you are working in Tokyo and rarely comes back. But then… Here you are”

He handed me my share of sweet potato

“Here, for the sake of old time”

I don’t even take it, my emotion is currently like a dam about to burst and I don’t know how to react anymore. I just stare at him…

“Ryu…

I…I…”

He just stays quiet and listens to me, like the old times

I can no longer stop my tears and shout, “You stupid man! Selfish! You said I saved you, you go and reach your dreams... You said you loved me… What about me? You don’t think about me at all, leaving me here alone”

Ryu sighs,“I… I don’t know, I thought that… I don’t know when I will be back and I don’t wish for you to wait for me. You deserve much happiness with another man who can be there for you. Not somebody like me who cannot even make simple promises”

I just can’t stop crying, “That is selfish! We can work something out… We can send letters or at least email each other…”

“I’m sorry, Yuki…”

“Ryu, I…I love you! I never said it back… I regretted it for years…”

“Yuki…”

Ryu shrugs, he puts the sweet potatoes on the rock and pulls me to a tight hug,

“…I was a fool. Even in The States I couldn’t forget. My feet led me to this woods the moment I realized…”

“Stupid Ryu…”

“I miss you so much, Yuki… I thought I’d never see you again. I'm so happy when I saw the pendant you were wearing”

I don’t know anymore, I just cry on his chest as loud as I can. The only man I’ve loved; the center of my universe,  the letters I wait for, the smile I miss so much. He chuckles happily, probably as relieved as I am that we are back together.

“B-but… Aren’t you going back to the States?”

“I am”

“R-Ryu…!!!”

“Ssshh,” he plants a kiss on my lips without pulling away and smiling. “Won’t you come with me? Actually I even bought a ring but I left it in States”

“Wha… B-but you said you didn’t even know if you would see me again”

“Call it a risk, a gamble. I just had to take the chance. I thought my heart would burst when I saw a woman here…I even calculated all my financial data before coming here to get you. I am sure I have enough fund to bring you along with me”

“Ryu…You…
I…

I mean….

Ugh, I love you so much, you dummy! ”

Ryu laughs so hard,

“Yes, I know. Same here-please stay with me always. Your presence warms my life, Yuki. Just like the snow that makes my day better. Let’s always be together!”

And that is my story

Ryu was the center of my universe

Ryu is still the center of my universe

Ryu will always be

And it all started with a roasted sweet potato…

A Slice of Cheesecake Chapter 1 (part 1)

Chapter 1- Flame Lit

“I think this design is good,” I showed Lisa the image from my tablet. “Too girly for a CEO party, what’s with those flowers? I prefer the black one with gold letters-it screams RICH!”

“Okay, I admit black one is better,” I sighed. “Guess I will email him the draft”

“Your dreamy prince, eh?”

“L-Lisa, cut it out”

“What? You’ve been talking about him days long to the point I almost called my dad ETHAN.”

“You’re horrible”, I laughed out loud

“But better not be too involved, eh? Dudes like them… Rich men are mostly bad”

“I know, MOM”

“Jerk!”, we both laughed again

I emailed him the invitation draft and design blueprint before heading out to the restaurant in charge of his event’s menu. What kind of restaurant, you ask? Nah, nothing fancy. Just huge enough to be mistaken as a hotel.  How rich is his family?, I shrugged. A woman in suit, probably the manager, handed me their thick menu book. 

“My name is Ross Bricks, I heard you’re arranging Mr Ethan’s party”

“Yes, what do you recommend here?”

“I’d personally recommend our foei gras and truffle salad for Western food. We also have lots of exotic menus like Japanese Sashimi Ishikari Nabe or Korean’s…”

“Nothing too fancy, Mr Ethan’s orders”

“Fine then. Just read the menu and decide”

I flipped through the pages, ignoring the prices that looked like the sum I used up to buy pricey skincare products. As instructed, I listed down various kinds of pasta, cakes, sandwiches desserts, roasted meat and some salad. Not long after I texted Ethan the menu list , he replied:

Go ahead, good enough. Please also prepare vintage wine and some grape juice

“I’d like to place order according to this list,” I handed to Ms Bricks. She just nodded in confirmation and reconfirmed number of guests, location and time. Another text, Come to Royale Tailors. Here’s a pic of the map. Ethan? Telling me to come without even explaining. Oh well, clients…

I headed to Royale Tailors, about half an hour from the restaurant. When I reached the restaurant however, I was greeted by a small but very vintage-looking wooden store. The sign said ”Royale Tailors”. Timidly, I opened the door. Ethan was there, wearing a golden suit covering his white shirt. 

He was wearing black trousers. I had to admit, he looked fabulous.

“You’re here,” he smiled

“Good day, Sir. How may I help you?”

“Drop the formalities, Pamela. Come help me choose clothes. I can’t decide”

Ethan was holding two suits : Maroon and brown. In addition with the gold one he was wearing, he couldn’t seem to decide which looks better. I thought for a second, the majority of his party’s decoration was white. Maroon would look too dark for a white party, gold is nice but a bit flashy, brown…Hmmm…

“Black is better”

“That’s so boring”

“….”

Ethan chuckled, ”But I admit suits look best in black. Okay then”

He finished his purchases and put the bags inside his car (Yes, BAGS-he ended up buying all of them). “So now where are you going, Pam?” “Back office, I reckon. Have you checked my email?” I asked. He stared at me like he just remembered something and smiled, ”Oh yes, I have just a little things to add. Let’s go and have some coffee while we discuss”

“SIR, I need to go back to the office”

“I insist”

Okay, I lost-“…An hour” “Fine, an hour it is”

I sent the office driver to go back office ahead and joined Ethan in his car. His car had that…funny but yummy scent. A sweet…scent. “You like my new car perfume?” “What scent is this?” “Cheesecake”.

Eh?

“I’m serious,” he made pouty face. “People do say I am a bit strange. My home chef dried some cheesecake and made them aromatherapy”

I burst out laughing, “There is a limit to how much you love cake!”

“Not for cheesecakes”

We reached the coffee shop and got out of his car. I spotted some men wearing black suits and sunglasses standing around the coffee shop, plus some customers who were frightened. “I wonder if any government people is here, with all these bodyguards”. Ethan smiled, “Maybe, this coffee shop sells premium quality coffee after all. What’s your preference in coffee?”

“I prefer tea, matcha latte with lots of cream”

Ethan blinked and stared at me in surprise, “You are…Quite honest. You’re not planning to be sophisticated and order Earl Grey blend instead?”

“No. Matcha  with cream”

Ethan burst out laughing as he opened the door and signaled me to step inside first. I was greeted by strong coffee smell which somehow made me relax. Ethan walked to the counter and ordered while I sat and waited for him. He not long after joined me and smiled,

“So… Regarding the invitation, I just want you to add golden ribbon as decoration”

“That’s all?”

“Yup”

“You could have texted me”

“But I want to drink some coffee with the company of a lady. Is that wrong?”

The waiter bought a cup of black coffee and a cup of creamy matcha latte, plus two slices of cheesecake. He placed our orders on the coffee table and smiled before going back to his post. Ethan sipped his coffee and sighed in relief,

“Why are you in such a rush to go back office? I thought job was boring”

“It is, but must still be done to earn…Cash. I guess young masters like you wouldn’t understand” Crap, I’m being so rude.”I-I don’t mean it that way…” Ethan just stared at me while sipping his coffee, “You are right. Sorry, I don’t understand you as you don’t understand me”

“Eh?”

"It is easy to say how others live lives better, how others are happier and won't understand their hardships...

Exactly, like how the speaker doesn't understand that person's hardships too and speak above lightly. Maybe that person actually thinks about how happy the speaker is. I for one, admire people like you who are dedicated to job.

Everyone cannot run away from life problems. What seems trivial to you may be big for that person. Telling someone not to act sissy and depressed when they're factually depressed is evil. People never really understand each other

There is a story behind all stories. It is over when people judge only by seeing or hearing one-sided what others say without confirming. But who am I to speak? Just another human. Do you agree with me, Pamela?"

My face flushed, he was right. “You are right. I’m…Sorry”. He didn’t say a word and smiled, yet somehow his eyes stared at the distance. His mind had wandered somewhere. There was a long, comfortable silence. “But, as you could speak of such words, I am sure you too have pent-up frustration inside you. As I see now you are perfect but your heart may speak differently. That is why we need to know each other more”

What?

This is why I kind of hate this guy sometimes, he… stares at you as if he is looking straight to your soul. I feel bared and it makes me uncomfortable. I wasn’t sure where to look and kept staring at my cup. Timidly, I looked up and he was still staring and smiling.

“S-stop that,okay?”
“You seem to say whatever comes to your mind, and I appreciate that. Oh well, I think I have wasted your time quite enough. I will drive you ba—“

A man in suit rushed to Ethan and whispered something. Then I saw his eyes changed, not the kind gaze he showed me before. They were fierce, determine and subconsciously I shuddered. “…I understand. Dispatch the men around the area, I will be there after driving her back”
He stood up, his expression cold

“Let’s go, Pamela. Sorry, I am in a bit of hurry”
“O…Okay”

I wasn’t sure what was happening. Some bodyguards ran around, barking orders with transceivers as Ethan calmly walked out of the store and drove me back. I tried asking what was going on but he simply gave me vague answers as if cuing not to ask further.

Ethan is a very warm and friendly man,
But that day I could see he is also a very cold man

And I wasn’t sure anymore about who I was with. Nor was I understanding what was happening at that time. The car radio kept playing jazz song and the cheesecake smell lingered…

A Slice of Cheesecake (prologue)

Chapter 00-Starter Fire

“I hate my job”

“You say that every day and yet you never quit,” commented Lisa who was sitting beside me forming some report drafts. “You know I can’t quit, my finance is tight and this job pays well,” I grumbled while sipping my Starbucks Latte. She chuckled and adjusted her glasses, “See the bright point, you get to know a lot of people here although I admit some customers are extraordinary. My clients requested their wedding to have sunflowers” “NOW? IN WINTER?” “Yeah, told you they are NUTS”

I laughed seeing Lisa sighing deeply. We worked in a company of Event Organizing-concerts, big events, inaugurations, parties to weddings. You think this kind of job must be fun, eh? Wait until you meet that one client who requested the food to be Tibetan food (Excuse me, sir but I can’t even distinguish Arabian and Egyptian food. Plus I can’t find any Tibetan restaurants anywhere!) and requested a symphony to play hip hop songs (don’t even get me started).

“What’s on your list today,  hon?”  Lisa asked

“Let’s see…  A simple garden party for this rich family who owns P-Triumph Group”

“…The famous dog food brand?”

“NO, Lisa. Not just Triumph, P-TRIUMPH. The P stands for Palm, they are a huge company that exports Palm-related products. They also own hotels, malls, theme parks and… Many more. At least that is what boss told me,” I tried remembering what our boss told me. “I bet the party feels like different world : with background music ‘stock markets’, ‘current capital ratio’ and ‘good investments’…” “YIKES, stop it Lisa. I hate economics”

“Said the economics major college student,” Lisa snorted, “You hate your job and suck at your college major. You are the most unspecialized boss relative in the world. Most people who are related to bosses are very relaxed and happy, plus the special treatments. You, however… Are way busier than others and no freedom to do whatever you want”. I couldn’t respond in any other way but sighing.

Lisa once taught me how to write short description of myself : The direct niece of the boss in this company who is made to do more jobs than anyone, is often scolded, is hated by lots of employees, has to shoulder heavy responsibilities, is forced to study a major she sucks in because the college is near and paid by the uncle. Sad but true. “Oh and add : My only friend is Lisa,” she said back then.

 No use in complaining, I guess.  I arranged the papers on my desk and stuffed them into my drawer. 

“I will go now then, gotta survey location. See you, Lisa”

“Please give my number to any handsome babes there , Pam”

“Oh, shut up you gold-digger,” we both laughed and parted ways

As usual, I used the company car. This time to visit the oh-so-far residence of this rich family… What’s their last name again? Oh yes, it is Artellia. God, what a fairytale-ish name! The trip took approximately an hour until I reached a residential area with… Tons of security guards and metal detectors, anti-bullet vests… Wait, where am I? One of the security knocked my window, “Ma’am, any identification card? Please state your business”- Oh Great. 

“ Pamela Smith, EO of Artellia Group Garden Party two weeks from now. Here’s my name card and ID card. “

“I see. Ma’am, please show us what is inside handbag”

HEY, WHAT IS THIS-AIRPORT? THERE, go check on my cheap phone, purse, make up tools and sanitary pads! The security guy was quiet a moment before he finally said, ”Your car and driver stays here. You may get out of the car. I will escort you”

“…Sir, I saw the map. The house is far from this gate”

“I know but no choice, you don’t carry special pass for this residence area. Usually when people make appointments here, they are given those passes”

“Sir, I am just a staff from the company. I have never even met the one booking our service”

“Rules, ma’am. Follow me and walk or leave it”

I was about to lose it when a white expensive-looking car stopped beside our company’s.  Whoever the one driving was, he lowered the car window and said nothing. The man reminded me of Kpop star (if you know what I mean)- wearing black leather jacket and sunglasses, clean-cut hair (surprisingly short, Kpop-ers tend to have long hair). He took the sunglasses off and stared at me then shifted his gaze to the dumbfounded security team. 

“…Open the gate,” he said calmly. The security guys all immediately stood so straight while some rushed to open gate. The meanass who interrogated me immediately smiled (SO FAKE!) and said, “Why, Mr Ethan! Just back from Los Angeles? How was your trip? Are you ready for the garden party?”

 “…I went to California. Anyway, who is this lady you’re troubling?”

“AH, no sir. She doesn’t have the special pass, you see… She claimed to be EO for your house event”

SO THIS IS THE YOUNG MASTER, I shrugged

“What a dick to let her walk so far,” said the young master which was a surprise to me, “She’s my guest. Hop on, Pamela” Wait, how did he know my… Ah, nevermind. I signaled Tim to wait outside the gate and he nodded with sad face. Hesitantly, I got into his car and he drove past the gate.

The first few seconds was an awkward silence… Until he finally spoke,

“Ethan Artellia, nice to meet you”

“Pamela Smith, likewise…”

“Wow, so your name is really Pamela? I just guessed”

SERIOUSLY? Usually guesses are names like Mary or Nina…

“Yes, you got it right. Here’s my name card-I will be in charge of arranging your family’s garden party”

He took the name card from my hand and was silent for awhile before giving me his,

“Palm Triumph Pt Ltd

Palm Exports

ETHAN ARTELLIA – BRANCH HEAD” ,Oh shit

I must have looked like nervous kitten because he then said, “Chill-that is just a job position. Call me Ethan or Eth or whatever. I was newly appointed anyway, and thus the party. Kind of sad if you think about it, I am arranging my own party. That’s why I asked for your company’s service”

“So you are the main character from this event, huh? “

He just chuckled in response while nodding, “So what’s your story, beautiful? I remember arranging Mr Smith. His special someone?”

“..God, NO. I’m the niece”

“Family, huh? No problem then. I was worried regular employees will give away our address or paid to be a spy”

“Spy?” I laughed, “Company secrets, huh? Must be hard to be rich”

He just chuckled, his smile giving a mysterious vibe. We reached a big house… Sorry, let me rephrase : A huge brown manor with huge garden you can play football at. Some servants greeted Ethan and opened the gate as he drove in swiftly. I am not going to lie to you, I gaped at the scene before me. The garden was full of colors with different flowers, a fountain, a big doghouse and three dogs running around. The trees were trimmed to shape like animals or statues and there were lots of servants pacing back and forth. There was a vast area with big white gazebo-I concluded that will be the party venue.

“Welcome to our house, this is nothing compared to my Uncle’s house,” Ethan muttered. “Your uncle’s house must be White House,” I responded breathlessly. He just burst out laughing. He stopped the car and two servants opened our doors. I got out of the car and immediately headed to the party venue, Ethan following behind me.

“So, big enough? There will be around fifty guests”

“Perfect, so what concept do you want to apply ?”

“Neat, beautiful and simple . Semi-formal with some flowers and Western design. I’d prefer white for overall design”

“Any special food preference?”

“High tea time cakes, pies, pasta… Tea , coffee, wine…The usual stuff, I will give you the card for our restaurant”

OUR restaurant, I shrugged again

Ethan smiled, ”And fifty invitations-please print them out nicely. Remember, semi formal. For the party rundown just around three or four speeches then nice live music. Some firecrackers are acceptable too”

I noted down all of his requirements and nodded, ”Got it. With tables or just arranged chairs?”

“Chairs, just light meal anyway. Not a wedding party”

I laughed to that response and noted down again, “Let me reconfirm- two weeks from now so… 10^th of December at 2 in the afternoon”

“Yes”

“OK. Thank you for your time, Mr Ethan. I will forward you list of menu, decoration design and invitation draft by this week. May I have your email?”

 

“Give me your cell number, I will text you the email”, he handed me his phone. I dialed my own number and gave it back to him. My phone rang loud and clear then he pushed the hang up button. “Alright, thanks”. “What about inside the house?” “No party inside, guests may come in to sightsee though. We have gallery of my mother’s art collections and some antiques” “Okay, okay I get it, Mr Rich” “My last name is Artellia”. We both laughed

“I will be leaving now then”

He nodded, “You know what… You’re pretty courageous to talk to me”

“You’re not the typical annoying rich young master so it is okay.”

“I’d rather you are not seen with me too much”

Huh, afraid of scandal? Rich dudes “Alright then”

“See you around, Pamela”

“See you, Mr Ethan”

“…”

“…You plan to walk?”,he grinned mischievously. Oh damn, I forgot I rode in his car

“…I’m sorry, may I ask for your help again?”

“Hop in, I will give you that special pass so that next time you don’t end up in such misery”

And that was the first time I met Ethan. That was the starting point of my whole life story flipping 180 degrees. Never have I thought that I would get myself into something bigger than anything I could have imagined... 

A/N :HEYA sooo I decided to start a new series which is lighter (Threads of Jades is a bit heavy). But I will still continue ToJ so dont worry and enjoy this new one. If you like it, please help me commenting or sharing the links. Much appreciated! Love y'all XOXO

What Makes A Man Hot?

“When do you think a man looks hottest?”, I asked while adjusting my glasses and leaning back lazily on a sofa. Bags of potato chips were scattered on the living room table and the TV was on. As usual, my friend was busy watching sappy Korean dramas where people cry but they don’t look like a hot tomato mess.

She took a piece of chip and munched, “Hot huh…”

We both thought of it for a moment then started throwing each other comments,

“When a man ruffles through a girl’s hair”

“When he does little things like switching the car heater on because the girl seems cold or fastening her seat belt”

“When he stares at her from afar while smiling”

“OOH YES! Also when he is having a bad day and smiles the moment he sees that girl!”

“When he automatically orders the girl’s favorite dish on a date”

“When he takes a selfie with the girl and makes that picture his wallpaper”

“When the girl is having a bad day and she said she is fine, then the man backhugs her saying “No you are not okay” while looking straight to her eyes”

We both squealed and laughed upon imagining those scenarios. Sometimes it takes only the simplest actions by someone we love to make us happy. I won’t say all, but most girls only need those small gestures to feel loved. I read a blog that says women are made to be loved, to accompany someone who loves them and to be protected. Sounds cliché and fake but there is a certain charm in that concept.

“When a man makes a bet and if he wins, the girl must accompany him to the movies”

“When a girl is sick and he buys a bag of different medicines because he is not sure which she usually takes”

“When he drives her home because it is too late at night”

“When he just hugs her without asking anything because he knows something is wrong and he doesn’t want to upset her further”

“When he skips football night with his boys and accompanies the girl watching meek soap operas”

“When he pins her to the wall and shouts : ‘Why can’t you understand how much I love you? How else am I supposed to make you believe?’

“Oooh then he kisses her”

We swooned and squealed again while covering our faces, laughing hard

“When he remembers the anniversary”

“When he posts one or two couplefies sometimes”

“When he loves her too much it hurts, sometimes he feels like he wants to cry just because of the girl”

“When he is a mess and can’t think straight because of love”

“ When he asks a girl how her day has been while holding a plastic bag of drinks and food”

“When he gets all excited because the girl says yes on a date invitation”

“When he blushes while telling her how he feels ”

“When he texts simple Good Night”

“When he talks to her dad with respect”

“When he wears formal wear”

“And when he gets down on his knee holding out a ring”

We smiled and got lost in our thoughts. Sometimes, it takes more than abs and wallet to make a girl happy. No, actually, what makes life sweet is the small surprises and warm heartbeats. So take a chance, love someone, tell them how you feel, be yourself and shout out how much you love them. 

Show it.

“So what’s our conclusion?”

“A man is the hottest when he loves you”