Chapter 2

"Oh no, it's raining..."

Rena turned her head in surprise when a familiar, feminine voice sounded next to her. It was 8 p.m. and as she was about to leave the building to go home, she had noticed the rain falling in abundance through the front door. Once again, Rena knew she had taken the right decision by not trusting the weather forecast and placing her mini-collapsible umbrella inside her handbag. However, it appeared her young assistant – who was standing next to her and watching the rain falling outside in concern – had not taken such precaution.

Rena pondered over her words, and knew by the light, dark blue vest her assistant wore she would get drenched if she dared stepping outside. If she wished to stay dry, she had no other choice but to wait for the rain to stop. And, considering how heavily the rain was falling, Rena guessed she would have to wait for a while.

"You can walk with me if you want," Rena suggested. "Where are you going? Is your car parked in the parking lot?"

By her assistant's startled look, Rena could tell her she did not expect such an offer. Her surprise slowly turned into a pleased expression, tainted with slight embarrassment. "No, I don't have a car. I take the subway. But I don't want to bother you."

"You're not bothering me at all. I'll walk you to the station." Rena opened her umbrella and made her way outside, the younger girl quickly stepping underneath to take shelter. Rena moved towards the direction of the nearest subway station, taking in how her assistant was silent beside her. With her other female co-workers, Jurina was talkative, but had a tendency to be much shyer when it came to her. Along with the fact that she never flirted with her, it was an aspect of her assistant's behavior Rena didn't fully grasp.

As they walked down the streets of Tokyo, Rena realized it was the first time they found themselves alone outside the workplace. Rena rarely went out with her employees, except for the monthly dinner organized by Airi for all the employees working on floor 22. Rena never felt at ease during social events, but was conscious of her obligations. There were certain traditions she couldn't afford to break.

As for her close circle, there were only two people she got along well enough to consider as good friends. Akane was a long-time friend, whom she had met when she was studying at University. As of Airi, she was one of the first people she hired when she decided a year ago to create this special division on floor 22. Between her best friend Akane and the new Human resources manager, it was love at first sight. Six months after meeting each other, they were tying the knot.

Until now, Rena had kept silent when she witnessed her assistant flirting with Akane, surprised neither Akane or Airi minded the girl's actions, even passing it off as something innocent. But what if it wasn't? What if her assistant had genuine feelings for Akane, and no one warned her it was a wasted effort? For so long, Rena promised herself she wouldn't broach this particular subject with her assistant, refusing to meddle in her personal life. However, this evening, she couldn't keep quiet.

"There's something you need to know about Akane-san," Rena started hesitantly, almost not believing she was having that conversation. She had to keep repeating herself it was the right thing to do, in order to continue. But how could she announce the news without hurting her, if she happened to have feelings for her best friend? In the end, she figured it was best not to beat about the bush but be honest. "She's... she's married to Airi-san."

Silence enveloped them, Rena hoping she hadn't made a big mistake by bringing up such a sensitive topic. Her assistant didn't say a word, and Rena was too ill-at-ease to look back at her. "I..."

"I know." Her assistant interrupted her before she had time to formulate a semblance of an apology. "I like Akane a lot, but I'm interested in someone else."

Rena tilted her head towards her in surprise and stopped. Her assistant's confession came out of nowhere and Rena felt destabilized, not knowing what to make of it. And what about this shy, but serious look she was giving her? Rena waited, sensing her assistant wanted to say more. Indeed, the younger girl opened her mouth a few times as if she meant to add something else, but no other words managed to leave her lips.

When it became clear she wouldn't elaborate, Rena glanced back to the street and resumed her walk, trying to figure out what her assistant was trying to say. The younger girl had always acted timid around her, but this evening, she was more agitated than usual. Evidently, something was troubling her, and she found herself curious to know what it was.

They had arrived at the subway station, but the younger girl didn't seem in a hurry to leave her side. In fact, she glanced back and forth between her and the entrance of the subway station, as if torn about her next course of action, until she fixed her eyes on her. "Are you doing something tonight, Rena-san? I want to buy you dinner."

Rena didn't often find herself speechless, being naturally a composed and eloquent person, but her assistant's unexpected offer managed to catch her off guard. Despite her assistant's eyes set on her firmly, she could easily read the apprehension mixed with expectation in them. Rena could tell it had taken quite an amount of courage from her to utter such bold words.

They were standing in the middle of the street, under a driving rain, receiving curious looks from bystanders. Rena ignored the attention, looking into the depth of her young assistant's brown eyes. They shone with such determination, that Rena knew the younger girl wouldn't move an inch until she received a reply. Her previous confession made suddenly sense. This dinner wasn't a friendly invitation. And, as Rena made the link between her offer and her assistant's behavior this past month, she understood what Airi tried to explain earlier in her office.

As the head of Matui Corporation, Rena had been courted by many men. The majority approached her for her wealth, while a few were more genuine with their feelings. However, never once did she respond positively to any one of them. For a while, she believed her lack of interest originated from her entire focus on her work. Since her father passed away and left her sole heiress of Matui Corporation, she barely had any free time.

Rena realized what had been going under her nose recently, and what her assistant expected from her. Her assistant had a magnetic effect on others, and Rena never denied the fact she found her attractive. She believed so from the very first moment she laid eyes on her in that elevator. And what about all those times she had been disturbed by her assistant's flirty behavior with others? Much as she tried to conceal it, she was conscious of her petty feelings of jealousy. By the sound of her beating heart, Rena already knew the answer she would give her.

Rena didn't know how this date would turn out, but she wanted to give it a chance. "I'm free. Where do you want us to go, Jurina-san?"

"You are?" Jurina's eyes lit up in joy, and Rena couldn't help smiling at her genuine reaction. She could literally see the relief spreading across her face. "Follow me, I know the perfect place."

Rena nodded, noting the way her assistant became more relaxed and talkative as she led the way. The tension between them dissipated by miracle, almost as if it never existed in the first place. Rena laughed softly when her assistant made a funny joke, finding it hard not to be affected by the charming smile she sent her. After tonight, Rena had a good feeling their relationship would never be the same anymore.