Chapter 27 ::Feelings through?::

Cindy ran her fingers lightly across the keys as her other hand polished the shiny mahogany wood with a cloth. She couldn’t believe her luck – she’d gotten a job here quite by accident a week ago. Here, where she could work with all the wonderful piano specimens, play on them even, sometimes.

It was perfect. Finally, she was going somewhere from here. Her decision to run to Japan hadn’t bailed out on her after all.

Except for one thing…….

“Cindy! Come in here for a moment!” A voice called from behind the manager’s door.

She could hardly believe her luck, alright.

Tossing down the cloth, she wiped her hands on her workshirt and walked towards the door, entering the room.

Behind the huge table sat Willy in a cushioned armchair, his brown eyes sparkling with mischief. Brushing away the bangs that had strayed down his forehead, he commented, “Having fun?”

Yeah, until you called me.

Cindy stared back at him unblinkingly. “What do you want?”

“Aa~, is that the way to greet your boss?” Willy asked, raising an eyebrow before he took out a dark brown wallet and tossing it to her.

Cindy caught it in a reflex moment, looking surprised.

“Get us both some lunch. And I want food from only that restaurant. Got it?”

Would you believe he’s been ordering me around like this since the first day of work?

“…”

Cindy turned and walked out, silently fuming. And that restaurant he wants is a 15 minute walk from here. Grr….sometimes I wonder if its worth it…

She smacked herself on the head. Of course its worth it! You’re on the way to make your dream a reality! And you have to show them back home that you’re capable of it! You can’t give up because of one stupid obstacle!

With that thought in mind, she made her way to that restaurant.

After a grueling half an hour, she was ready to walk back, with the packed food in hand when she saw lightning flashing through the sky, and then, torrents of rain crashing down.

“Why does this have to happen to me!” she moaned, looking up at the sky helplessly. “And I forgot to bring an umbrella….”

She thought of waiting in that restaurant, but in order to do so she would have to order something for herself, and she certainly could not afford that nor did she want to even borrow any of his money. And if I wait… he wouldn’t get his lunch.

Making a resolve in her mind, asked for more plastic bags from the person behind the counter (who looked at her with distaste) and wrapped the food securely in it, making sure it was waterproof.

Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the door and stepped out. The wind outside nearly knocked her off her feet, but she managed to steady herself, moving step by step forward. The rains battered against her, and she shivered, but moved resolutely forward.

She’d only managed to take a few steps when she realized she was already drenched to the bone, and it was impossible to make it through the 15 minute walk.

But I have to try!

With her head bent down, she continued on.

Suddenly a car sped past her, splashing the rainwater all over her.

“Oh rats!” she cursed, jumping backward, wet from head to toe.

Without warning, the car that had sped past her stopped and reversed backwards, its wheels squealing at the fraction as it braked right beside her.

The dark window rolled down.

“Are you crazy, walking in the rain like that?! Get in!”

Willy!

Her heart skipped a beat, but she pushed it away, as she opened the car door and climbed in.

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“I don’t know why I even bothered to come. I thought some stupid idiot would be waiting inside that restaurant keeping my lunch away from me… but instead I see a stupider idiot attempting to walk back, not knowing her own limits!”

Willy complained as he reversed back carefully, turning the car in a perfect 180 angle. He turned back forward and squinted at the windscreen, taking in the road’s condition.

The weather had become worse, and he could only make the car crawl along; any faster and he would lose control of the car. He scowled; he wasn’t used to driving this slow. But there was no way he could drive in this condition, so he stopped the car by the side of the road, leaving the headlights and the rear lights flashing.

Suddenly noting the heavy silence from beside him, he turned to look at Cindy and saw her with the package on her lap, her drenched hair hanging limply, and water dripping off her. She was shivering.

Willy bit his lip, realizing he had the air conditioner on. Reaching forward, he turned it off and instead switched on the heater, full blast.

Cindy’s eyes widened as she felt the hot air instead of the cold, slowly stopping her shivers. “What are you—“

She almost gasped in surprise but managed to hold it back when she felt his arm brushing against her shoulder.

He was leaning back, trying to retrieve something from the back seat. Finally getting it, he moved front again and trussed a huge, fluffy towel at her.

“Wipe yourself. You’re soaking my car.”

And for a moment there I thought he was worried about me. But wait….  She stopped in the midst of rubbing her hair dry and looked at the towel, before laughing out loud. “You keep bathroom towels in your car?!”

“What? Can’t I?” there was the slightest tint of a blush on his cheeks before he snatched the wet package from her lap. Unwrapping it, he tossed the plastic into the back seat and opened the wooden box. Taking the pair of chopsticks provided, he popped a piece of grilled salmon into his mouth and chewed furiously.

“Uh…” Cindy wiped her face slowly. “Thanks for coming.” She said, her voice muffled by the towel.

No answer.

At least I said it.

She pulled the towel from her face and came face-to-face with a piece of grilled eel, held in place by a pair of chopsticks.

“Whaa…?”

“Eat it.” Willy stated, his face in front of hers.

A red tint colored her cheeks before she pushed his hand away.

“I hate eel!!”

“I don’t care, you have to eat it!”

“Go away!!!” * push *

“Aaaahhh!! You dropped it!! Do you know how much it costs! Pay me back!!”

“No way!! Don’t come so near me!!”

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The red sports car came to a stop under the shelter of a block of apartments.

The door was pushed open, and Cindy nearly tumbled out, in her hurry. She gathered herself together and poked her head back inside the car. “Thank you for the ride. Goodbye.”

She was about to pull back, when Willy moved with lightning speed and managed to grab her arm, pulling her downward.

“You missed half of your work today. You’ll have to make up for it. Wait for me, by the Pachipachi fountain at 12 tomorrow.”

“Whaa…?! But tomorrow’s a Sunday! I’ll replace it on- -“

“It’s settled! Tomorrow at 12! Dress properly!” He pushed her gently away and pulled the door shut, before speeding off.

Cindy stood rooted to the ground. What was he trying to say? Dress properly…? No way…. He’s asking me out on a date ??

Bwahaha, I think you got that right, Cindy-chan! ^o^ That’s all, folks! We’ll see you next update!