Office Diaries - Chapter 121

“Sometimes, we need to slow down so we can appreciate the view more, no?”

Instead of being whisked off her feet by a tornado of emotions, Yanee preferred to slowly fall in love.

“Hmmmmnn…” Tohru hummed his agreement as he held her hand.

The coldness caused by her panic that Yanee felt in her system slowly ebbed away. It was replaced by a gentle feeling that was as warm as their clasped hands.

“I can’t promise not to mess with your mind though. I was told I was too charming for my own good sometimes,” he suddenly said as he squinted at her face followed by a mischievous grin, and Yanee’s love meter just hit the roof.

If it were possible to emit smoke from her head, she’d have done it.

This flirty potato…

“I take it back. I don’t want to try anymore,” Yanee deadpanned making Tohru laugh, knowing that she was just teasing him back.

“I’ll behave, I’ll behave,” he cajoled, and peace returned between them. “I’m sorry, honey.”

“Why are you apologizing again?” Yanee wondered. She thought they already settled the issue, but it seemed, not yet.

Tohru let out a nervous laugh, and she became more curious.

“I guess you’re not the only one who felt insecure,” he admitted out of the blue, shocking her.

“Insecure? You?” Of course, the thought that he was insecure was preposterous. At least, to her.

“Why not?” he countered and she became more confused.

Why… not? What did he mean by why not?

“You’re Tohru James. Why would you be insecure?”

Well, there were tons of women who were pining for him. He looked good, had money, and a brilliant career. He’s a totally dreamy potato that women would drool over to have a piece.

And he’s extra cheesy…

“Why wouldn’t I be? Regardless of who I am, it still depends on you if you want me or not, right?” he answered as he looked deeply into her eyes.

Only then and there that Yanee realized how true his words were. It didn’t matter what identity he had. At this moment he sincerely wanted her and if she didn’t want him back, there’s nothing he could do about it.

Also…

“As I said, I know you’re allergic to romance given what you experienced before. You’re really reluctant to start a relationship with anyone, most especially with me since I’m your boss. If I didn’t bug you in the past few days you’d have run away for sure. Also, the fact that I am Tohru James made you don’t really want to give me the time of day. Instead of an advantage, I could say that my identity’s even a disadvantage for me. Am I correct?”

True. There’s nothing Yanee could say to rebut all those.

She couldn’t deny the fact that it was also the reason why she’s overwhelmed and in a panic.

“It’s why I’m insecure. I really, really, like you— no, I’m in love with you. But I know your feelings aren’t the same— at least not yet,” he added with a smile. “It’s why when you said yes to me yesterday, I was so happy but at the same time, there’s still this sense of unrealness. It’s like if I don’t grab hold of you, you will try to escape.”

Haha…

Yanee mentally laughed. She totally wondered if this potato had clairvoyance as he could predict what she would have done if she did have time to absorb things.

But it was no longer the case, alright? Yanee pouted.

“I’m not going to run away. Okay? I will stay with you,” she said and Tohru pulled her into another hug.

“My HP is being hit again,” she grumbled making Tohru laugh.

But this time, since she’s able to express herself, she surprisingly didn’t feel suffocated anymore. This time, she returned his hug, although still awkwardly, making him laugh again.

“It’s okay. We’ll do it slowly but surely this time,” he told her lightly.

He placed a kiss on her forehead before straightening up.

“Are you feeling better now?” he asked and she nodded.

“By the way,” Yanee started as she tilted her head to look up at him. “What did my sister tell you aside from my panic attacks?”

Tohru looked surprised at her question before grinning.

“You mean aside from the death threat or castration threat if I end up making you cry?” he quipped making Yanee groan.

That totally sounded like her sister. Sometimes she really thought Ami was a gangster— a mafia boss.

“Yes, aside from those,” she deadpanned, and the smile on his face only widened.

“Well, she said in the event that I’m really true to you, I should feel free to inform her when I’ve successfully made you say yes to marriage and she’d give me a free wedding planning and coordination.”

Urgh…

Ami, you traitor…

“Don’t go into a panic attack okay? I just answered your question,” Tohru suddenly added as he scanned her face.

“No. I don’t think I’d have a panic attack,” Yanee deadpanned again.

Around this time, she was already immune to shocks as she had already reached her threshold.

“Tohru,” she called out again when she remembered something. “Marian said it’s our last day here in Kyoto.”

She hadn’t discussed this with him yet so technically she’s still unknowledgeable of the changes in their itinerary. As if remembering this, Tohru sat back down cross-legged next to her on the floor.

“Ah, yes,” he murmured as she whipped out his phone. “We’re supposed to stay here longer, but Jena notified me that she has free time this week so I arranged our travel back to Tokyo tomorrow.”

If it were an ordinary thing, Yanee would have been upset. But Tohru was all in a business mode right now, and she understood that it’s very important to rush. But she wondered why. Usually, a person had at least a year or two years to prepare a book. If they’re speeding up with the interviews, it meant that he wanted to have the interviews and research over and done with at the fastest time possible.

But why?

Ah… Yanee then realized that it might be because it’s her first time writing an actual book and needed more time writing than research.

That must be it. Or not…

“You must be wondering why we’re making this fast, right?”Tohru smiled at her. “Since we just took over your company, we have to make a bang!”

Huh? What bang?

Yanee somehow had a bad feeling about this. But Tohru looked suddenly excited.

“We’re joining the Ai Awards,” he announced and if Yanee were an uncivilized wench, she’d have crapped in her pants.

Ai Awards? AI AWARDS? THAT AWARD?

Yanee wanted to tear her hair out.

“Isn’t that the awards for the best-selling romance novels?”

Of course, there’s no other Ai Awards other than that.

Tohru nodded, and Yanee’s heart stopped.

“Why?” she asked dumbly. Did she really need to ask the obvious? Of course not, since the answer was glaringly obvious. But she wanted to clarify anyway.

As if reading her mind, Tohru tightened his hand on hers. “Honey, don’t be frightened.”

Huh?

“Why? I only have one gut alright? How did I end up joining that?”

Panic mode on.

Yanee knew she asked another dumb question. Niji had just taken over her company. The publishing house’s magazines were doing well, but the literary department’s not doing that good— most especially the romance one. It’s why Tohru James took over it personally in the first place. She should have known. Tohru’s known as Midas. He’d touch even the poopiest things and they’d turn into gold— figuratively, of course.

Right at this moment, the romance department suċkėd. He took over not only to improve it but to make it strong— a gold mine. To do this, it had to win an award.

And it’s all in her hands it seemed…

Tohru laughed again and Yanee wanted to punch him. But she’s still unable to speak properly. She gave him a ‘what’s so funny’ kind of glare instead.

“Honey, I already said don’t be frightened,” he reminded her.

Nonetheless, it’s still very hard to absorb. It’s a huge responsibility after all. Even if it’s cheesy, Ai was still a major award.

“I’m here. Do you honestly believe I’d leave you to your own device and work on the book on your own?” he asked teasingly.

Well, that’s also true. Tohru James had been meticulous in helping her. In fact, the whole project was all thanks to him. Everything had been spoon-fed to her. All she needed to do was gather the information and write the book.

“This should actually be your book,” she told him matter-of-factly making him laugh again.

But he shook his head.

“This is our book.”

Oh…

Yanee’s HP and heart took another hit. No more. There’s no helping her situation anymore. With him smiling at her and saying sweet things like that, there’s no longer an option for her but to fall in love. How soon, she didn’t know.

Slowly but surely. She would try to analyze her feelings, but there’s no rush.

“Alright. We’ll work on this together…”