Pushing It

"Mr Ichihara, would you please join me on the stage," professor Wakamura calls.

"Duty calls," Kei winks at Sam before walking away.

'He seems in a good mood.' Sam smiles.

"We are going to start the main event, the auction. All proceeds will go to next year's scholarships of course." He turns to look at Kei and smiles. "What's better than to open the bidding with Mr Ichihara himself."

Sam raises a brow, intrigued. 'Are they…'

"A lunch with no other than a Kei Ichihara," the older man starts, making everyone in the room gasp. "Whether it is a business deal you would like to discuss with the man himself, or if it's friendship that you seek, Mr Ichihara is willing to spend an hour over lunch with the most generous of you." He smiles widely. "Remember that this is to create more opportunities for students in need."

Sam cannot believe it. Kei is going on a lunch date? She looks around and realizes that every single person in the room is interested.

When she looks toward the stage, she meets Kei's eyes. He is smirking at her.

'Am I supposed to bid on him too?'

The auction starts without delay.

"Let us start with One Million Yen, since this is a once in a lifetime chance."

"¥1.100.000."

"¥1.500.000."

"¥1.700.000."

The biddings follow one after the other like rain drops, and in no time, the numbers that are thrown around become exorbitant.

"¥9.500.000," a woman in a beige dress calls. She looks to be in her early forties.

"¥10.000.000," another woman calls.

Sam is not sure when it started, but the men in the audience stopped bidding and the arena was left to the women.

'They surely know that he is a married man.'

"¥12.000.000," a woman in the back calls.

'This is getting ridiculous.'

"¥16.000.000," another offers. She has a disgusting grin on her face.

Sam shakes her head, wondering what the woman is planning if she wins the bidding. Her eyes travel back to Kei, he looks like he is enjoying the show. She frowns. It almost feels like she is jealous and even a bit angry.

"Fifty Million Yen," she hears herself utter.

'Shit.' She regrets it as soon as she realizes what she had done.

Everyone in the room turns toward Sam, gasping and whispering, some even cursing. She feels the heat spread through her face.

Funnily enough, Kei is also shocked by the turn of events. His smirk has disappeared and he cannot help but stare at her, bewildered.

"Fifty Million going once, going twice, congratulations to the young lady in the back," professor Wakamura says with excitement. "This is enough for at least five or six students," he tells Kei.

"That is good to hear," Kei responds with an impatient voice. "Excuse me."

"Now, to the next item…"

Kei takes fast steps toward Sam, his eyes never leaving hers. It is as if a predator has locked in on his prey and is about to attack.

Sam gulps. 'Shit, shit, shit.'

"What's gotten into you?"

'Is he mad?'

"What do you mean?" She raises a brow.

"That's a lot of money."

"A simple thank you will suffice." She shrugs.

"Thank you?" Kei frowns.

"Yes, I believe I just saved you from a tedious lunch with one of the housewives or divorcees still eyeing you." She motions to a group of middle-aged women and smiles when she meets their glares.

He chuckles. "I can handle myself. I didn't need you to rescue me, especially by paying fifty million." He sighs. "I'll wire you the money, you don't have to worry about it."

Sam blinks at him a few times. "Why? Do you think I am poor or something?"

"No, that's not-"

"You are not the only rich person in the world, Mr Ichihara," Sam utters while her finger pokes the air in front of his chest. "I'll have you know that I make quite a lot of money in my profession."

"I really didn't-"

"Anyway." Sam sighs. She wishes she hadn't spoken earlier, but what's done is done. "We don't really have to go to lunch, I don't mind helping. It's a good cause."

Kei ponders for a moment. "Well, I am already dealing with so much at work. We cannot have people start more rumors about me, can we now?"

"Fine." Sam says. "Now if you'll excuse me." She walks out of the event room, already dialing Ed's number.

"Did you get my flowers?" Kei takes a few steps until he reaches her.

She is silent. She feels shy, remembering the night of his birthday. She just wants to leave and not be in the same room as him.

"I did," she says with fidgeting fingers.

"I hope you forgave me," Kei adds, feeling a bit awkward himself.

"Already forgotten," Sam answers him after a moment.

Kei's eyebrows twitch at her response. He knows that he should stay away, that he will only complicate things, or worse, burden Sam. But oddly enough, he does not want her to forget about that hug. He is sure that she felt the same way he did when she was in his arms.

"Can I take you home?"

"Don't you think that you're pushing it, Kei?" Sam asks with a firm voice.

He is. He knows he is. But he cannot back down now. "It's just a ride, Samantha."

She presses her lips together. "Thank you, but Ed will come to get me."

Kei wanted to object, but he can tell that Sam will not change her mind. His shoulders droop. "I'll have my assistant contact you about our lunch, then."

"Thank you. Enjoy the rest of your evening." Sam stares at Kei's face for a moment. She only hesitates for a second before walking away.

"Good night, Sam," Kei whispers.