Like I Can Tell You That

"See you next week." Sam smiles as her students leave.

In the past couple of weeks, she has gotten used to teaching. She enjoys it more than she had anticipated. She was also informed that Denji Watanabe had dropped out of her class. She is sure that Kei had something to do with it. She was grateful when she heard the news because she had no idea how to deal with Denji as a student after the birthday fiasco.

After her lunch with Amanda, Sam also hasn't seen any of the Ichihara family members. Although she has talked with Yoko about meeting soon, they have both been too busy.

"Professor Martin." Sam turns toward the door. It is the dean's assistant, Mari. "I am so glad I caught you before you leave."

"Did you need something?"

"I was going to ask you for a favor, if you are able to do it of course."

"Yeah, sure."

"We have an event tonight, and one of the professors who was volunteering to welcome the guests had a family emergency and can't make it." Mari gives Sam a hopeful look. "If you are free, do you think you can take her place?" she adds quickly. "All you need to do is check the invitations at the entrance and mark the guests names."

Samantha ponders for a moment. She has nothing planned for the evening, she was just going to unpack some furniture she got for her new apartment, but that can be done another day. The assistant looks quite stressed and desperate. Sam is sure she is not her first choice so she must have tried a few people already.

"Sure, I can help."

"Oh my gosh, thank you. You are saving my life." She smiles sheepishly. "Can you be back at seven this evening?"

"Where should I report to?"

"It is going to be in event room B1. I'll be there so you can come find me."

"I will see you then." Sam nods.

"Oh, the dress code is Black-Tie."

"I'm sure I have a formal dress somewhere," she jokes.

"Thanks again," the assistant adds before rushing away.

'It'll be a nice change from organizing my apartment and take-out every night.'

Sam is back at the school at seven sharp. The event room is bustling to finish the last preparations. There is a podium on a small stage in the front of the room and cocktail tables scattered around. Maroon and gold drapes–the school colors–hang from the ceiling as chandeliers glitter with light.

"Ah, Professor Martin." Mari rushes to her.

"Please, call me Samantha," she says with a smile.

"Samantha, here is a list of the guests." She guides her to a table placed at the entrance of the room. "When a guest arrives, you ask them for their invitation. It says the name of the person at the top," she explains. "You just need to check the box next to their name on your list and welcome them."

"It sounds easy enough."

"Thank you so much for helping tonight."

"Don't mention it."

The guests start arriving a little before 8:30. Everyone is so elegant, Sam could tell that most of the guests are rich and famous. She is grateful that she had a formal dress in her closet. She remembers she bought it a few years back to attend Andrew's sister's wedding. She presses her lips together at the memory.

"Sam?"

Samantha freezes. She looks up and sure enough, she is right–it is Kei's voice. For a moment, she forgets how to breathe. The man is a walking sin. His hair is gelled back with perfect comb strokes. He is wearing a black tuxedo that hugs his body in the right places, and his expensive cologne is euphoric.

"Sam," he calls again as their eyes meet.

"Yes?" she whispers, making Kei bite his lips to prevent a smile.

"What are you doing here?"

"Oh, I am volunteering. What about you?"

"I am the guest of honor." He grins.

"You are?"

"Yeah, it's the Foundation Gala to present scholarships to the winning students, and try to get more money for next year."

"Oh." Sam feels stupid, she didn't even ask what the event was about.

She suddenly feels subconscious. The last time she saw Kei was in his office while in each others' arms.

She clears her throat, feeling her temperature rise. "May I have your invitation?"

Kei hands her his card, still grinning. For some reason, he can read every emotion that traverses her face.

"Enjoy the event," Sam says without meeting his piercing gaze.

"Thank you." Kei strides to the room. The short encounter puts him in a good mood.

After two weeks of dealing with so many issues at work, and a bunch of yakuza to top it all, it is nice to have a quiet evening, seeing Samantha is a bonus he did not expect.

"Mr Ichihara," professor Kamura greets Kei with a warm smile. He is one of the few honest men he trusts to deliver the scholarships to deserving students.

"Professor." Kei mirrors his warmth. "What a great turn out."

"To be honest, we advertised that you are one of the guests. I reckon that many people decided to attend because of that." They both laugh.

"As long as they donate for next year's scholarships, I don't mind."

Sam stays at her station even after the event starts, in case there are any late comers, which there were. When she finally enters the room, she is right on time for Kei's speech. He speaks of the students who won this year's scholarships and announces the addition of a few more for next year.

The thing that Sam focuses on is not the speech, though. Her eyes are studying his body from head to toe. The way he picks up the microphone and moves away from the podium. The way he puts his right hand in his pocket as he makes a joke that everyone laughs at. The way he occasionally licks his lips before he smiles. The room is hot all of a sudden and Sam's thoughts are filled with Kei.

"You seem lost in your thoughts."

Sam jumps in surprise. "Oh my goodness, you scared me," she utters.

"It wasn't my intention, sorry."

Sam did not even notice when he finished his speech and came to stand next to her.

"So, what were you thinking about?" Kei smirks, as if he could read her mind.

Sam blushes immediately. 'Like I can tell you that.'