Office Diaries - Chapter 97

“Honey, have you ever read any psychological stories or books about mental health?”

“Ha?”Yanee wondered what the potato was up to now.

Was he wondering that his flirting did too much damage on her mental health? Well, she had to agree to that to some degree. But being asked like this was still…

“No, no, no— honey, don’t misunderstand,” he said in a hurry.

“What shouldn’t I misunderstand?” she quizzed.

“It’s not for you, okay? Even if I know you’re secretly crazy about me,” he answered with a smile and she raised a brow at him to signal his impending murder so he’d explain. “I mean it helps with writing. This will be the first time you’ll ever write a book. It helps to know about psychology to be able to build characters better.”

“Oh, you mean consistency on characteristics?” Yanee asked and Tohru nodded.

“That and many other aspects as well. If a character was set to be naïve, it doesn’t mean he’d stay that way throughout the entire story— well unless the character is old and it’s natural for old people to have fixed ways.”

Tohru James continued to explain to her as they drove home. Yanee already knew about some of it though but never really paid attention to it before since she was not planning on being an author before. Her goal was to be a columnist for magazines. It didn’t need much psychology. But the potato was right. She should read books about it to be able to understand and write characters well.

“I will read some when we get back to Tokyo,” she told him and Tohru was thoughtful for a while before speaking again.

“That’s fine. You better use a recorder for Ria’s story tonight instead of just jotting down notes,” he advised her with a mysterious tone that made her curious.

“Is her story that complicated?” she asked and Tohru flicked her nose as soon as they reached the Cypress Garden’s garage.

“Well, complicated or not, you’ll be the judge of that. But I still advise you to use the recorder. Ria already knows you will use it,” he said which made Yanee all the more curious.

But she could wait. She guessed Tohru didn’t want to tell her so that she had a more natural reaction to the story and not develop any preconception towards it.

When they entered the house, Liam, Jay, and another secretary were already there. Marian rushed to introduce the “crazy donut” to Yanee while Liam and Tohru went to the study to have a discussion about some business venture. Yanee already knew Marian’s story, and so she had a good time talking with Jay.

It seemed the secretary was going to get married soon. He just came with Liam since he was still training the new temporary secretary that would take over while he went on his honeymoon. Afterwards, the two secretaries also left them to have a talk of their own as Jay still needed to endorse a lot

“Ria and Michael will arrive soon. Tohru will pick them up from the train station,” Marian said after a while.

“Will she be okay to have the interview today? Won’t she be too tired?”Yanee asked in concern but Marian shook her head.

“It’s fine. Ria and Michael will go back to Singapore tomorrow and they will be very busy. There’s no better chance to have the interview than tonight,” Marian ȧssured her, but Yanee still didn’t look alright.

She felt a bit guilty. If she didn’t know Ria personally, as a journalist, she’d have been very happy with an opportunity to interview. But since she’d been introduced to her before and they all treated Yanee as a friend and family, she felt guilty for taking their time when they seemed to be very busy.

“Awww, Yanee, you don’t have to feel bad about this.” Marian snapped her fingers as if she had an idea. “Why not do it like last night?”

“You mean hot spring?” Yanee asked, and Marian nodded. “That’s a good idea. She’d be relaxed while telling her story.”

“I’ll let the ugly little thing to keep the guys busy while we go to the hot springs then,” Marian suddenly said making Yanee choke on nothing. “Are you okay?” she asked worriedly as she tapped her back since Yanee coughed a lot until she teared up.

Ugly little thing…

Yanee had totally forgotten the potato’s new nickname from this morning. It was what Mama James gave him since he’s still single. But Yanee couldn’t correct Marian at the moment as she was still very shy and not used to the new status quo. She’d already been teased mercilessly today. She didn’t want to be ribbed the rest of the day most especially since she had some serious interview to do.

Speaking of which…

“Big Sis, do you know Big Sis Ria’s story?” she asked conversationally, surprising Marian.

“Well, of course, since we’ve been friends for a while. But why are you asking?” the latter countered and Yanee shrugged.

“I never jot down notes when I did the interviews before with you, Yunjae, and Ash. But the potato suddenly asked me to use a recorder,” she answered unthinkingly.

“It must be because Ria’s story’s a bit complicated. But what potato were you talking about?”

“Ah! I mean Tohru,” Yanee hurriedly corrected herself but it only put her in more hot water.

The confusion on Marian’s face vanished replaced by a mischievous expression. “Oh? Tohru?” she asked meaningfully as she studied Yanee’s face. “So he’s not an ugly little thing anymore but an ugly little potato?”

Er…

“Y-Yeah…”Yanee had no choice but to agree. She’d been caught using her nickname for her boss— er boyfriend but she was not yet ready to tell Marian about them.

But in the end, she didn’t have to. Although Marian’s so dumb in other areas when she’s pregnant, she’s especially sharp when it came to Yanee’s feelings. Her eyes instantly brightened as a knowing smile formed on her lips.

“But I guess he’s no longer an ugly little one, no?” she asked Yanee meaningfully, and she really didn’t have any answer for that. She tried to open her mouth to say something but nothing came out because she was too embarrassed.

“Kyaaaa!”Marian threw herself at Yanee and hugged her tight. “I’m so happy. We’re real sisters now,” she said.

“Er… we’re not yet married, no?” Yanee murmured sheepishly.

“What’s the difference? Do you think he’ll let you go?” Marian laughed as well. “Yanee, do you know that my little brother had never had any girlfriend until now?”

The sudden question made Yanee pause and nod. “Yes, he told me before.”

“Do you know why?” Marian asked again, and this time, Yanee shook her head. When she did, the older woman grinned. “It’s because that little brother vowed that he hasn’t met anyone who makes him interested in having a relationship with— until you.”

EH?

“He’s never interested at all?”Yanee couldn’t believe it and Marian nodded.

“I told you that my twin took most of the brainpower right? He was bȧrėly human when he was young. He was born an old man who only liked to study. All the mundane earthly things didn’t interest him such as the opposite sėx. It’s also one of the reasons why I adopted Jay as my little brother. It’s because my own little brother acts older than me.” Marian sounded bland and hopeless as she spoke and Yanee laughed imagining the baby potato with a mustache.

Born an old man…

Yanee giggled.

“He changed a lot though in middle school. He began acting normally and even became friends with Alex and Michael. But he was still never interested in girls. For a long while, my mama thought he was even gay,” Marian said woefully making Yanee snort out loud this time.

“Anyway, I told you this just to let you know. Yanee, Tohru didn’t choose you to be just a girlfriend. He chose you to be the one who’ll stay and stand with him in all his life,” Marian told her meaningfully and Yanee blushed but nodded.

She already had a feeling that Tohru’s usual personally didn’t make sense when he met her. It was like she was a wave that caught him unawares. Still, even if she’s still incredibly fearful, his efforts and Marian’s words comforted her. At least, she knew that she could move him.

Afterwards, Marian let her go back to her room to rest a bit while Tohru picked the Chen couple at the train station. Since they would be doing the interview at the hot spring, they decided to have an early dinner first.

The evening meal was livelier than last night as there were more people. Marian’s two children arrived with their father so she was busy with them along with Mama James so Yanee was saved from their fussing. Even Tohru was occupied with the men although he secretly held her hand under the table as she talked with Ria.

Soon, dinner’s over and Marian and her mom took the kids. Yanee and Ria were led to another part of the estate where Ria and Michael were staying for the night to get clothes and they went to the general bathing area where there was a bigger natural hot spring.

Yanee didn’t take a nap and she read some psychology articles on her phone as she waited earlier so she had some basic ideas. Also, she didn’t forget what Tohru told her. She took her mini recorder and set it up on the rocks as she and Ria took a nice dip in the hot water.

“Ah, this is heaven,” Ria crowed in pŀėȧsurė as she sank up to her chin.

Yanee agreed with her.

“Tell, me when you’re ready so I can begin recording,”Yanee said. She had already told Ria about the recorder and the latter ȧssured her that Tohru had informed her about it already.

“You can start now,” Ria said with a grin. “Yanee do you know my husband’s company?”

Yanee nodded. “MCA,” she answered.

The mentioned was a huge advertising company in Singapore. It even had branches in some parts of Asia.

“Have you heard about any special thing about it?” Ria asked and Yanee was thoughtful before answering.

“Well, I heard that the people working on designs were not permitted to have calendars. They have a special person to remind them of what, when, where, who, how. All they had to focus on was their work and the manager would do the rest. But I’m not sure if the rumor was true.”

Ria nodded. “It is— and the reason why there’s no calendar in the company was because of me…”