I've Loved You From Afar

She had awaken from slumber with a throbbing headache, along with small discomfort between her legs. Her eyes needed to adjust to the streaming light of the sun. Shielding her eyes, she looked over to see a strange man lying in the bed next to her. 

She was startled, Akiaya was a young woman of refinement, that would never sully her pristine reputation in something as irresponsible as a one night stand. Akiaya attempted to leave the comfort of the warm bed without being noticed only to have her wrist grabbed by the man. Her body stiffened at the touch. Glancing back her eyes roamed over the sculpted tan honey brown skin of the man. Her eyes finally met with his deep grey hues and they were staring at her. 

His voice was melodic to her ears. The smile he bestowed upon her made her heart flutter a familiar thrum from the night before. "You weren't going to leave without a good bye right?"

Her cheeks flushed a pale pink. Her voice came out in a stammered whispered. She couldn't face him, with a mix of shame and desire swirling around in her, "I-I um I've never you know I.. this is just unbelievable. I did something with a stranger." She covered her face in her hands, her shoulders dropped. 

He moved his hand towards her shoulder giving it a gentle squeeze. He understood what she was trying to say. "Hey it's cool, I could tell it was your first time but the way you acted was well it was magnificent." He smiled his dazzling smile at her, not knowing she felt even more horrible.

"Wha-what?! You just don't, that's not something you should be saying you idiot." No longer feeling embarrassed by her drunken actions, Akiaya was now feeling embarrassed about what he had just said. She started gathering the sheets in her arms, wrapping them around herself, as she rushed towards the hotel bathroom. Loecking the door behind her. She could only begin to think back on the actions that lead to this morning. The gears in her brain was winding to the events that lead up to this happening. 

8:03 A.M.

Akiaya had just finished her makeup when her phone began to ring. It was an incoming text message from her distant cousin, Eum Chun-Hei. [We're going out to celebrate my engagement kai mai so you better be ready by 8pm.] She shook her head at the message. It's been awhile since anyone had called her kai mai. It was now 8:15. Her driver was waiting by the door to take her to the Eum Family company. It was her job as General Secretary to inform her father about his schedule for the day. She worked for the company for a couple years after making a deal with him, he would allow her to take over the company, if she worked her way up in the company within five years. It had only been two years and she had already became his right hand. Akiaya was quite proud of herself having worked very hard to get this far. 

Eum Geun Hye was a strict man. He knew Akiaya could take over the company but he wished for her to see life as his employees did. So, he put her in a small apartment only paying the first month's rent. He had explained to her it wasn't a punishment but an opportunity. Akiaya had been living there for a couple years and maintained her home with the money she earned. Geun Hye was very proud of her rewarding her with a driver to take her to and from work. Although she tried to protest it, stating it went against the lifestyle she was trying to lead that he wanted her to lead, she only relented when her overgrown father held her hands pleading with a pout on his lips and tears brimming his eyelids. How could a man that look so imposing be able to act in such a childish way.

9:00am

Arriving at the Eum company, Akiaya swiped her key card before walking through the turnstile. She was already pulling out the Samsung tablet to login the company website. She reached the elevator doors and waited. Akiaya took the time to respond back to Chun-Hei. [YOU HORRIBLE COUSIN!!! How dare you only tell me about your engagement now. I expect for you to treat me with all the details tonight. ;-P.] Just as she sent the message the doors to the building opened and in walked her father. She hurriedly put her phone in her pocket and bowed. 

9:19am

"Good morning father, Mr. Eum, here's your schedule for the day." Akiaya launched into his schedule as they ascended the elevator. She had sent word to the barista on the Executive floor the coffee order for her dad and their ETA. She was looking over the schedule when he cleared his throat. 

"Ah hem. Miss Eum, please reschedule my 3:00 with my 12:00. Also Chun-Hei is having and engagement party please make sure to buy her a lavish gift in my honor. Money isn't an object but try not to go overboard and put us in the poor house my sweet and loving daughter." He looked over at her with a pleading look and a smile on his face. She faced him with a bright smile teasing him just a little, "Father if I bought her a lavish gift I would put myself in the poor house. I rely on your generosity to help me survive." She poked his cheek for emphasis. Their brief ride on the elevator was pleasant, one would think their father daughter relationship was a tad bit cheeky compared to others but Akiaya an Geun Hye were just a loving father and daughter pair. 

After reaching the top floor the barista was holding out the drink order: one medium black coffee with four spoons of sugar and a dash of two percent milk, along with a Large unicorn blood frost loaded with whipped cream, cup lined with semisweet chocolate and drizzled with caramel. Akiaya reached for both drinks with a smile, internally she was queasy at the thought of the unicorn blood frost her father insists on getting but never wanting anyone to know he loves super sweet drinks. Once they were in his private office she passed him his drink with ice in her eyes. Her demeanor was as frosty as the drink. "I'm going to tell mother you've been sneaking super frilly sugary drinks. You know what she'll say using your daughter to indulge in your whims." He could only smile as he slurped on the drink like a child,  a hint of a smile toying with his lips. Akiaya slowly drank her black coffee. Bitter but a hint of sweet. Her shoulders relaxed as the warm liquid flowed through her body warming her blood. She looked over the rim of her cup to see her father eyes dancing with a sugar rush. She shook her head lightly seeing him bouncing in his seat.

12pm

Meeting with the board. Akiaya sat in the meeting taking minutes. Her penmanship was legible and easy to read. It wasn't hard to follow along with the meeting as long as you read Akiaya notes. She was very proud to be more efficient than her father's former secretary, bless her heart. She kept glancing up at the executive director, Victor Johnston, sneakily with her heart pounding. Akiaya had been in love with him for a few years. 

Victor was speaking about a new project the company should invest in. His voice was sure and confident in his proposal it made her fall for him even more. She couldn't help the warm feelings growing inside her chest. Victor looked to Geun Hye, to signal he was finished with his proposal, before he took his seat. Geun Hye looked at him thoughtfully before nodding his head. He tapped on the table signaling the meeting was at an end.