Tick tock tick tock. The sound of time going by painfully slow. 5 more minutes 'till work is finally over. A young man stretched while yawning impatiently waiting for it to be 9pm. At last what felt like an eternity was thankfully over. He mumbled his goodbyes to his Co-workers.
Today was like any other day work, dinner with the parents, home, more work, sleep. Mundane at best. His parents will go on about how he needs to find a wife and have kids and so on.
He reached his luxurious three story penthouse. Most people would kill for a home like that but to him it was lonely. What's the point of having all this when he is barely home anyway. He showered and washed his wavy, short black hair. And messaged his forehead.
It was around midnight and he couldn't sleep.
So he put on a large black trench coat,skinny jeans and boots. He headed out to a bridge and stared at the moon. As the cool breeze hit his face he took a deep breath in and out. Since the area was just outside the city he found it therapeutic.
"Nice night tonight isn't it."
He turned to see a young woman who looked around his age approached him. She was wearing a Long black dress which hugged her figure. Her hair was dark brown kinky and coily. She had on platforms.
"Yeah, it is."
He mumbled
"My name is Lacey by the way."
"Jun."
She could clearly see he wasn't interested but for whatever reason she was determined to talk to him.
"So, do you come here often?"
"Yes. "
She scrunched her face admitting defeat she stared at the moon . It was an awkward silence for about ten minutes.
"Lacey, your break is over."
She rolled her eyes and sighed and said goodbye. She quickly put on her work apron and left. Soon after Jun went home.
Then the cycle began again work, parents, home, extra work. Again he couldn't sleep he went out and saw Lacey sitting on a bench and staring at the moon with a bottle of beer in her hand. He couldn't help but stare, she was breathtaking to him. He slowly crept to the bridge hoping she wouldn't spot him.
"Can't sleep again huh?" She said
"How do you know I'm not just coming home from work?"
"I see you head early in the morning to the train station so I assume its work related."
"What are you stalking me?"
"Aren't you full of yourself? No, I'm not stalking you I'm just observant." she gulped down the last bit of beer.
"Plus, I recognise a lot of faces here. I find it interesting that we live in the same area have similar schedules but are complete and utter strangers. We see eachother everyday yet say nothing. I noticed how I always see you here when I have my break from the store."
"Stalker definitely a stalker." He giggled.
"Hah, Hah very funny. Anyway it was nice finally talking to you but I've got to go back to work, see you later."
Jun went home, he realised that Lacey must work at the 24/h convenience store. He has never been there, let alone any convenience store.
The next day came and went it was now midnight he did the usual thing and went to the bridge low and behold Lacey was there with her beer.
"We meet again, Jun."
"Yeah unfortunately."
"Aw come on don't be like that you enjoy my company. Anyway since we keep meeting like this let's get to know each other.
My name is Lacey I work in a convenience store,library and a cleaner . In my spare time I like to party."
"You forgot stalk people. I'm Jun and um an office worker." Jun didn't want to tell her he's a Ceo of a well known business.
"Hah, hah. You forgot comedian. Well when next you free? I think it would be nice to actually see each other in daylight.
" Hm, I don't really have a day free but technically Saturday is my day off."
"Yikes,sounds like you overwork I shall plan a fun day. Be prepared for the best day of your life."
"We will see."
"So you in?" She grinned.
"I'm in."
They shook hands
The nightly meeting continued until Saturday came. Jun is quite surprised that he agreed so easily but alas it was 9 am and he didn't have a chance to have breakfast.
He went to the bridge and there she was wearing a long red trench coat tights and trainers.
"Jun, you didn't stand me up." she waved happily to him.
"You said I would have the best day of my life how I could I refuse."
"Great, have you had breakfast yet?"
He shook his head.
"ooh have you been to the cafe they have the best pastries. And the coffee is amazing."
He shook his head, so she dragged him there they ate and went back to the bridge. She prepared a picnic. They started talking about life, friends, family. They got on quite well.
Night time came she took him to a party. It was not a party he was used to. People passed out on the floor, drunks everywhere and the music was definitely not his forte. She picked up two beers and passed him one.
She could see how uncomfortable he was. So they found a small corner in the room.
"Not much of a partier huh."
"No I go to parties, not this kind of party though."
They enjoyed each other's company for a bit.
"This is my favourite song,let's dance."
Before he could finish saying no she dragged him up. And started dancing. He was tense at first.
"Relax, everyone here too drunk to judge how bad you are."
They danced for awhile close to each other. He hasn't had fun like this.
"Having a nice time?"
"Yeah it's different to what I'm used to. Anyway I hope I'm not prying but I remember you telling me that you have three jobs. How come?"
"Well I moved out of my parents house at 18. I found a cottage here, it still has a lot of work to do. Plus the bills and my parents don't earn that much either so they can't help. In addition I've made great friends. I hope to be a ghost writer."
They moved somewhere quieter.
"You said your not used to being at parties like this. What parties are you used to?"
"Dinner parties that are dull. My parents wanted to give me a life that they didn't have growing up. And since they were foreigners they wanted me to learn the culture here as well as from back home."
Before they knew it, it was midnight.
"We better get going it's late."
Lacey, left first and then Jun went home.
The next day came he was really tired. He went to work.
"Mr Aikawa, Mrs Stone is here for the meeting."
"Okay, tell her I'll be there in 10 minutes."
"Are you OK sir you seem tired shall I postpone the meeting."
"I should be fine, it isn't going to be too long. It might wake me up." Meeting after meeting it was finally lunch all the employees seem worried because instead of working like he usually does he's napping at his desk.
He shares his office with his assistant and the other ceo of the business.
"Lucy is he okay? He isn't ill is he?"
"No clue, get this yesterday was our day off and he only emailed three times and that was after 5 am."
The Co-workers mouth dropped.
"No way, come to think about it he's falling behind of next month's work load. Lucy check his forehead he might have a fever."
Lucy shook her head but the ceo insisted.
But when Lucy was about to put her hand on his forehead. Jun woke up she swiveled around to pretend she was looking at the books.
" What on earth are you doing Miss Hull?"
" N-Nothing. " She quickly sat down.
He checked his watch and quickly got his work done.
"Um Mr Aikawa are you okay?"
"Yes Why Mr Young?"
"No reason."
"Did you do anything nice yesterday, you didn't make your business calls."
"I did, do the calls just later than usual. I didn't do anything that interesting."
Lunch was over and the day went unchanged.
"How was work?"
"Strange, my Co-workers were acting odd. They were really nosey all of a sudden. Then had the audacity to say I was strange."
"You are rather strange though."
"How so?"
"You don't have fun. You work a tonne and not enjoy the benefits of it. I know I don't know you like that but that's the exact impression I got."
"Work is fun, plus why enjoy the benefits when you could work even more. When everyone is partying and relaxing I'm getting ahead. I've nearly finished next month's work load.And Have plans for next year."
"But you're not having fun with it. You need to relax and enjoy what you have."
"I guess I don't know how to have fun."
"What did you do when you were a kid?"
"I didn't have fun I was often ill so I read books. Or studied. My parents were happy about grades but were worrying about friends."
"Well then next Saturday we're going to be kids again and going to an amusement park."
He wasn't too excited but he thought he might be able to do business there.
Saturday came it was fun they went on the ferris wheel. Roller-coasters and Lacey won two Teddy bears and gave him one.
" How old are you exactly." He said
"Come on, let's think of it as a start of our friendship."
"If I refuse?"
"You won't though will you."
He rolled his eyes and took the bear. They took pictures together in a photo booth. Then some more with Lacey's phone.
He snuck away to find the owner and tried doing business. Which Was successful.
"Jun, there you are I got popcorn and you disappeared."
"Just here. I've never had popcorn before."
" really… Hold that thought I need the toilet be right back.
As she came back it started pouring down with rain. They ran for shelter.
"Guess it's time to head back huh?"
They ran to the train station.
The next day…
He held a meeting for work and explained how all the divisions would benefit from the amusement park even the fashion division. Once the meeting was over Mr Young whispered to Lucy.
"Where has this idea come from, he's never been anywhere fun in his life."
Lucy shrugged.
3 months later…
"It's been three months since we first started talking."
"Surprised I actually like the weirdo who followed me."
"I didn't follow you, stop being self absorbed." Lacey laughed.
"Its my birthday next week, is it possible to come to my party on Friday."
"Unfortunately I can't, I finish work really late.However as a thanks and a happy birthday let me treat you. How about dinner on Saturday. I can pick you up."
"Oh no you don't have to."
"I want to plus you helped me with work and you know how I love work."
She giggled and nodded.
The next day…
Mr young, Lucy and Jun was working.
"Ms Hull,please can you book an appointment at Moonlight for Saturday. At 8 please."
"How many people, three?"
"No, just two and flowers."
"OK, all sorted."
"Thanks. Oh also I would need a new suit. Can you get that sorted out please. Oh and a necklace"
"No problem."
Mr young and Lucy quickly glanced at each other.
Jun had a meeting and left.
"Um, I think he has a d-date." Lucy exclaimed.
"I know he is finally growing up. Who is she how did they meet?"
The two went back to work.
Saturday came, Jun picked her up. She was wearing a red dress which hit the ground and heels.
"You clean up good."
"Hah hah, Where are we going since you told me to dress fancy."
He gave her the flowers
"Moonlight, I know you like all sorts of food."
Lacey's face dropped its really expensive and the wait is ridiculously long.
"How did you book there in short notice?"
"Is it meant to be hard to get into. I have business meetings there a lot."
They got into his expensive car and she was shocked. "This is your car, wow."
They reached Moonlight. It was beautiful and spacious. The chandeliers were made of diamonds.
The two were greeted by the host and taken to the table.
"Have whatever I'll pay. You've been awful quiet you normally chat all the time."
They ordered food and wine.
"Happy belated birthday Lacey."
"Thank you. I can't explain how grateful I am."
"Here is your present."
She opened it and it was a necklace. The one she was eyeing the other week."
"I can't take this."
"It's a present take it, I won't take no for an answer." He smiled.
She got up and hugged him. He placed it on her neck. Once they had eaten,they went for a walk.
"You know Jun, we've been friends for some time. And we don't have each others phone numbers so can I have yours?" Lacey smiled.
"Sure, here."
"Great, I can send the pictures as well. Speaking of which, let's take more to remember this moment."
The beach wasn't too far so they went. It was completely empty. She took off her heels. She started running towards the water taking him with her.
"Let's Jump in." she gently took the necklace off and placed it in her bag then her dress she was in the water swimming.
"What are you doing you can catch a cold." Jun was trying not to look.
"Come on it's refreshing." He looked around
"Fine," He reluctantly joined. They swam a bit.
"It's official your weirdness rubbed off on me."
"Good, we can be weirdos together." It was getting windy so they got out and changed.
"Let's get you home." Jun drove her home.
As they were heading to the door.
"Thank you so much this was the best birthday ever.".
"No problem." they gazed into each other's eyes. A smile crept on both of their faces.
"Well um I'm gonna go now. We should do this again. Later Lacey."
"Later Jun and feel free to call me Lace."
As he drove home there was a huge grin on his face. Since that night he couldn't stop thinking about her.
Weeks turned to months and still he thought of her. His heart rate skyrocketed out of his chest when he was near her. He tried over working to forget but he couldn't stop thinking about. They would text often and sometimes call.
"Mr Aikawa, are you OK?" Said Mr Young.
"No I think I have heart problems."
"You need to take it easy, you're over working go see a doctor."
"it is weird, Every time I'm around this person or think of them my heart races. I think they stress me out."
"Hmm, so you have a crush on someone? Oh Jun don't scare me like that."
"Foolish, Can't be possible."
"It is, like you said whenever your around that person your heart races. Plus I assume you think of them a lot. I know you are scared to love since you last crush lead you on and he wasn't nice. But you can't assume everyone is like that."
"I'm done talking I know Lacey isn't like that. She seems nice"
"So it is someone. Lacey huh should thank her for being patient."
"You're hearing things." He mumbled.
"Don't tell miss Hull. I don't know if she his single I don't even know if she likes men or she could be asexual " He added.
"True, but hey don't know unless you ask."
"Nope, I'm keeping my feelings in not telling her not hinting either."
Mr young smiled "You really like her, I hope she likes you back."
Jun buried his head in work.
He arrived home, changed and headed to the bridge. He saw Lacey she seemed down.
"What's wrong, Lace?
" I'm just tired couldn't sleep last night."
" Is that code for partying."
"Pretty much but I'm leaving all my part time Jobs for a full time job now."
"What's your new job."
"I'm a freelancer now my own boss."
"Congratulations, since I don't have work tomorrow let's celebrate now."
"Yeah, there is bar quite near shall we go there?"
"Sure, drinks on me."
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