They hear the sound of rumbling with broken glass in the background. Madara's solid and large hand gripped my waist.
Haruko hung helplessly in Madara's arms with her whole body. From the side, the pose was like a dance move.
He lifted her to their feet with one tug, and just for a moment, their faces felt each other's intermittent breathing.
The smell of her hair is so pleasant and delicious, he asserted.
"You could've hurt yourself. Is this cheap thing worth it?" He said in a worried tone.
For a moment, their faces were very close together. I was lost in his eyes.
"Thank you for catching me," I mumbled.
"Oh my God, this is very embarrassing," I grunt, rapidly going away. "A-and sorry for THIS." I pointed to his opened shirt, and my cheeks burned.
He glanced at his fabric. "It's no big deal; I wouldn't have noticed if you hadn't told me." Madara throws his gaze at the shards and says. "The vase is nothing; I'll pay the charges. Don't dwell on it."
I turned to him. "You're so helpful, but...why?" I gave him a suspicious look. "What are your motives? What do I owe you?"
Haruko announced.
He shot me a surprised glance and questioned. "Do you think that most people always seek their benefit?"
I noticed the look on his face; this slightly smug expression spoke for itself.
"Well, actually, yes. People often do nice things for a range of reasons." I shrug my shoulders.
Madara smiled and stepped closer, touching a part of her hair.
He muses. I love the way she speaks. "You're right, Haruko, I want something in exchange. You can say no if you want to; I will accept any answer."
They stand in front of each other.
Haruko looked at him and felt a mixture of shame and anger simultaneously.
What on earth was that? What does he want? Could it be all these hints about how to drag me into bed faster? I admit it. Something is appealing about this man. But I do not sleep with the first guy I meet! It's too much! He decided to compensate for the damage. And now he expects me to work off the money like a whore! That's never going to happen.
She finished her inner conversation.
I inhale. "I have to say no. I don't wish to be rude, but I ha-...-"
Madara cut in, "Did you always reduce everything to sex?"
I was so flustered I almost screamed. Good heavens! I could have sunk through the floor.
I continued after a moment's pause. "Aren't all men obsessed with it? Or are you addicted to getting laid?"
She was facing him with these green eyes of hers.
"Both yes and no. You don't know much about men. Moreover, it should be understood that each individual - individuality, so cut one size fits all - wrong." He discussed.
I was so agitated that I could hardly speak.
"My bad. I was so blunt...It's just that..." I grunt. "Never mind. " I responded abruptly and hurriedly went behind the table to pack the papers. "I had that wrong. Sorry for this misunderstanding. I didn't mean to offend you with that."
"That's fine," Madara chuckles. "Before I could say a single word, your thoughts have gone too far. I must say, you surprised me; I didn't expect you to be so quick."
"I didn't expect this from myself either. It must be the hormones. I had a terrible day, and now it's even worse." I rushed over to the shelf and dropped some papers along the way.
"Shit! What the devil!" I scold myself.
"Haruko, don't be so jumpy." He chuckles and adds. "As they say, everyone talks of their sores." Madara jokes.
"No, it's not!" I protested. "As you mentioned, cutting one size fits all is wrong."
She put the binder on the bookcase.
"So you officially acknowledged that I was right." He mocked her.
"Thank you for making me laugh, sweetheart."
"Ohh! " I sigh. "Just stop jeering at me. I'd like to draw your attention for a minute." I rant.
"I hope I heard the correct word from your mouth, dear. Jeering at me or..."
Madara stared at her for a second.
My face was startled, "Or... what?" I tried to understand his point and began to feel strange.
"Oh, please cut it out," I mumble.
He burst, "Hahaha, apologies for all my inappropriate teasing."
"Please put your signature on the following documents." I handed him the docs.
Madara signed.
"Here, take this." I passed the card and excerpts into his hands. "Thank you for being our valued customer. Enjoy your evening!"
She swings away to clean up the mess.
"Welcome!" Madara grinned. "I'm not finished yet. You won't get rid of me that fast." He joked.
Haruko reversed and caught his gaze.
"Oh, yes! An exchange. That's right. So what did you mean by that?" I shyly asked.
"I was very pleased that your thoughts quickly turned to sex."
Something suddenly squirmed in my stomach. My cheeks flushed again, this time with shame. It was for the hundredth for today.
"But first...." he resumes. "Would you care to join me for dinner at the restaurant?"
"Dinner? Um, yes, I would like to." I rejoin softly.
"I'll pick you up tomorrow at six." Madara winked at me and walked out.
Haruko bit her lower lip, trying to understand and realize what had happened. She was shocked, in pleasant astonishment.
"Strike me pink! This is awkward. I shouldn't behave like that. What has happened to me? I was caught up in my exuberant imagination. He was simply jerking off at me.
"Wait, what did I just say..." I paused to recall his words.
"Jeering at me...jerking off at me. God! It's such dirty wordplay. Perhaps this is what he meant. What a perv."
Haruko covered her face with her hands and whispered.
"In hell, I'll get a special room. Oof!"
She took a deep breath and went to sort out the chaos.
