Chapter 3

Naoki saw Miyu standing still as if she was glued to the floor. He couldn't see her face so he decided to come closer to where she was. As he took a step, he saw a group of people who walked passed by her. All of them are wearing a formal black suit with matching black shades. As he came to Miyu's side, she was still silent and frozen on the spot.

"Miyu, is there a problem?" he saw her flinched as if she didn't see him standing there.

"N-Nothing." her lips curved into a tight smile. "Let's go back."

As Miyu turn in the opposite direction, the man looking at her stopped and gazed back to where she was standing. Reo's eyes narrowed as he saw the man standing next to her. The woman who was looking at him with the same beautiful hazel eyes was indeed different from the young Miyu he knew. She grew more beautifully that all men couldn't resist being near her. His expression became darker as he imagined how many men would follow her around like that, it made him irritated.

"Master Reo?" it was Shijo.

Reo fixes his eyeglasses and looked at them with his usual cold eyes. He started walking in the same direction ignoring his thoughts about Miyu.

***

It's been three days since the bidding at Haven Group. They did receive a copy of the contract the day after the bidding. The contract was sent to their lawyer for checking while waiting for the update from Haven Group.

Miyu was looking at her computer screen with serious eyes. She was reading a news report about the Sonoda Group acquiring other companies. It was said in the report that within four years, the Sonoda Group was able to expand their companies entering different industries like Hotel chains, restaurants, travel chains, entertainment industry, industrial and medical fields. It was said that it started expanding under the management of the heir of the Sonoda Group, Reo Sonoda.

Miyu stopped reading and turn off the screen. She massages both sides of her eyes as if relieving the tension that she's feeling. No matter where she goes, she will end up meeting Reo again sooner or later. She leans at the backrest of her chair and closed her eyes shut, trying to calm herself. While Miyu was taking a break, Naoki coincidentally passed by her office and saw her. She opened her eyes after hearing two knocks on her door. She immediately rose from her chair and saw Naoki standing on her door.

"This was the first time that I've seen you restless," Naoki smirked while looking at her.

She gave him a quick grin after returning to her seat. "It's just that I didn't sleep well last night."

"Oh, want to get an early off?" he offered then came inside her office. "I am your boss so I can grant you an early off from work."

"Geez. Stop being unreasonable, Naoki-kun. Too bad that I have to decline your offer then, I have a lot of work to do."

Naoki laughed. "You know if you kept drowning yourself with work then you might not get married in the future."

"That's good then…" she said then turned on her computer screen. "...because I don't have any plans," she added.

"Miyu, you're not keeping me single for the rest of my life, aren't you?"

"I told you I'm out of the list since long ago."

"No. You're the only one on the list." Naoki pointed out.

Miyu stopped what she was doing. She was used to his sweet-talking but today it felt like he was serious. Silence filled the room as both of them were lost for words. Seconds turned into minutes yet no one dares to say a word to each other. Then while they were both preoccupied, someone came rushing inside Miyu’s office.

As Momoka barge in, it was like both of them were released from the tension.

"Boss? You're here?" Momoka looked from Naoki then back to Miyu as if she was was able to notice the tension lifting up on both of them.

"What's the matter?" Miyu asked her before the tension surrounds them again.

"Oh, umm… there's a phone call from H-Haven Group."

"Call? What was it about?" Naoki asked.

"They're inviting us over dinner tonight to discuss the details of the project."

"I...see…" Miyu mumbled blankly. Both Naoki and Momoka was surprised by her response. Miyu was the very first one to push through with getting Haven Group but now with her reaction, it was like she was not looking forward to it.

"Over dinner, huh," Naoki said casually. " Are you free this evening?" he faced Miyu that was caught off guard with his sudden question.

"Y-Yeah. I can go there this evening."

"Alright, then I'll go with you." Naoki agreed then he looked at Momoka. "Forward me the details about the meeting."

"Okay, Boss."

***

She had her legs crossed and her eyes were fixed on the car window as they drive to the place provided to Momoka. An hour ago the sunset had radiated across the clouds, turning them molten orange with bands of pink, but now they were gone, and she has sat next to the sky covered with streams of wispy grey ash and soot instead.

Naoki glance at Miyu who didn't say a single word since they left the office. He sighed and focused on the road before clearing his throat.

"It's okay if you don't want to go...I can manage the meeting myself."

Miyu kept her eyes on the car window, her eyebrows drew together as her lips stretched in a tight smile. "Don't tempt me cause I might back out," she mumbled but then she changed her mind, "It's fine. I need to go anyway."

"This project...you worked hard on getting Haven Group,"

"I know. That's why I'm not backing out," she said bitterly.

Naoki turned the steering wheel to the left and entered the parking lot of the building. As he parked the car, Miyu was about to get out of the car when he suddenly grabbed her left arm to stop her from leaving.

"Before we go there, can you tell me what happened?" he lowered his head avoiding eye contact with Miyu. “I can’t see you like this like you are about to walk into the lion’s cave and it’s my fault.”

Miyu could see that his friend is worried. "Naoki, it's okay. He's just an old friend that I didn't expect to see," she said in a weak tone.

"Who is?"

"The CEO of Haven Group."

Naoki let go of her hand and saw that dark expression on her face. 'If he was just a friend why would your face show a painful expression like that?' he thought bitterly. He was never brave enough to ask her about her past and he knew no matter what he does she won't ever open up to him.

They gathered all their things and went inside the building, the meeting will be held on one of Sonoda Group’s buildings. They were assisted by Reo's secretary in the conference room located on the very top floor of the building. The conference room was huge compared to where the bidding was held with a huge table and a lot of chairs circulating it. Both of them took a seat and the woman who assisted them informed that the CEO is on his way. Miyu felt nervous as she heard that Reo is about to arrive. She couldn't understand the fear filling her chest, she never owned Reo anything, to begin with, but she's so terrified of meeting him again. Then that scene on their graduation day replayed on her mind, the last time that they saw each other and remembering that disappointed look on his face, she was even more terrified than she was earlier. ‘Why should I be afraid of him? He was the one who dumped me anyway.’ she thought bravely. Miyu was startled as the door opened. Her eyes broadened as she slowly sees his image entering the conference room. Her body stiffened as his brownish eyes darted at her like knives. Somehow he looked angrier today than he was the last time they met.

Naoki stood up from his seat and welcomed Reo and Itsuki, then he glanced at Miyu who was still on her seat and staring blankly at the door.

"Miyu?" Naoki called her name and she immediately stood up to face them.

"I'm sorry. I'm Oyanagi Miyu from Miharu Designs. It's nice to meet you, Sir." she bowed slightly but she made sure not to meet his eyes.

"No need for formalities, Miyu," Reo said emphasizing her name. "We are… friends from High School, aren't we?"

The word friends echoed inside her mind. She forced a smile before meeting his sharp eyes. "I'll make sure to remember that."

"Alright, how about we start with the meeting then," Itsuki said as he notices that tense atmosphere surrounding the two.

They all went to their seats and start the meeting. Naoki discussed the amendment they want for the contract and the other party agreed with it. While Naoki was discussing, Miyu could feel the heavy stare given by Reo. He was watching her closely like an eagle waiting for his prey to make the wrong move and get eaten. She sighed.

"How about you Ms. Oyanagi? Do you have any comments on the project?" Reo asked in a challenging tone. "Since you are the designer of the project."

"I'm pretty confident with my designs, Mr. Sonoda. Rest assured that I will be monitoring everything to make sure of the success of the project."

Reo's lips curved in a tight smile. "I'm sure you will. I've seen a lot of your work and I definitely believe you won't disappoint us."

"Of course, Miyu is one of our best designers and she's an outstanding student way back in our college days," Naoki said.

Reo leaned back in his chair. "I see. So you two are college buddies." Miyu felt like something weird from how Reo said those words. "It seems like Ms. Oyanagi likes to hang out with her school buddies."

Miyu didn't respond and lowered her head. It was like Reo was pointing out something that she couldn’t see. She clenched her fist trying to control her anger. "Of course, I like spending time with my friends. You should too, Mr. Sonoda," she answered back.

He chuckled a little. "Then if there's nothing more, we will revise the contract and send the copy by Friday." he stood up from his seat. "I still have an event to attend to, it's nice meeting you Mr. Suzuki and Miyu."

"No, the pleasure is ours."

Naoki and Reo shake hands then Miyu was confused when he offered his hand to her as well. She hesitated at first, not sure if it's okay to accept his handshake but it will be weirder if she won't. Without thinking, she took his hand for a quick handshake but it was different. Reo slowly squeezes her small hand as if not letting go. His hand was warm and soft that it reminds her of that time when he held her face with those hands. He couldn't help her heart from remembering that warm feeling, she couldn't handle the awkwardness and pulled her hand away. Reo flashed his evil smile as she caught himself a prey. As the CEO left the conference room, Naoki looked at Miyu who's face was like tomatoes after shaking hands with the CEO.

"Miyu, are you okay?" he asked. "Your face is red."

"I...I'm alright," she answered but couldn't stop her face from blushing.

***

That night after the meeting Miyu head back home. She went to bed without having dinner since she doesn't feel like eating at all. She lay on her bed and looked at her phone and saw that she had a lot of missed calls from Haruko. She was about to send him a message when her phone suddenly rings.

"Hell-"

"Miyu-chan!" Haruko suddenly shouted before she can even answer.

"W-What is it?" she said then sat up from her bed.

"Where are you right now?"

"I just got home from a meeting." she leaned against the wall as she listened to Haruko.

"We're having a party tomorrow for Reo. You know he came back from the states the other day." Haruko said.

She wanted to hang up but she was unable to move after hearing his name. She was silent for a while.

"Miyu-chan? Hey, you still there?!" Haruko asked then she heard a loud noise from the other line. "You idiot! That's why I said not to invite her!" it was Shigeru. "Are you that stupid to know Miyu's feelings," Shigeru added then hit Haruko again as he screamed in pain again.

Miyu couldn't help but giggle from those two idiots. Both of them were stunned as they heard her laugh on the other line.

"Miyu? It's Shigeru," he said. "Sorry about that, we understand if you won't make it tomorrow." she didn't respond so he continued. "We just want to let you know about the party cause you're our friend and we all want us to be together even though we already graduated."

"I understand. Thanks, Shigeru," she answered with a smile.

 Their group, she considered them all as a family until the day she realizes that she has feelings for Reo. Back in high school, she was considered as a lesbian since she hangs up a lot with boys but those boys are the only friend that she has. They all look after her as their own little sister.

"I'll go."

"Are you sure?" Shigeru suddenly asked in surprise.

"Yes, what happened before is all in the past and the reason why I returned here in the first place was to start a new life."

"Okay, but don't push yourself," Shigeru said then she heard Haruko talking in the background. "So she's going?!" Haruko asked in excitement. "Shut up!" Shigeru said then she heard a loud noise. "You should rest now, Miyu. I'll handle Haruko from here. Bye," then the line got disconnected.

Miyu fell down the bed like a lifeless doll, she was stupid to say that it was all in the past. That day, after the failed attempt to confess to Reo, she runs off crying to Shigeru’s house and after that Reo just left Japan without a word. She raised the hand that Reo touched earlier, with just a simple handshake it made her heart waver once more. 'In this lifetime, could it be that I can only love one man then if not, please tell my heart how to forget him?' she desperately pleaded. With a heavy burden filling her chest, Miyu slowly drifts to sleep then little drops of tears escape from her eyes.

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