MUTUAL ADMIRATION

by dilettante maia

edited 2016 by All-About-AAE

 

Just like to share wth you eves a little product of my scattered brain. I retained the Philppine names of Kenneth Yin and Nicole Zhen and all the other characters. Feel FREE folks to change them if you prefer their Korean or Chinese names. Forgive this super super ‘‘amateurstc’’ work eves

 

Characters' name guide:
Kenneth = Hyun Chul / Xiang Zhe
Nicole = Sun Mi / Shan Mei
Erka = Young Mi / Yin Mei
Warren = Woo Jin / You Zhen
Allan = Xian Da
Judth = Yong Xi

 

 

"Peter Rabbit"

 

It has been another long day. Kenneth Yin looked at his watch. It was already late but then time is not important to him especially at night. He would often stay at the office poring over the documents meticulously as he was not the kind of company officer that would just put his signature without reading the contents of those documents.

Kenneth reclined in his desk chair and closed his eyes. He has been with the family company for only nine months and he was still n the process of getting a grasp of everything, Learning the ropes so to speak. When he came back from the States, he accepted reluctantly his father's offer to occupy the vacated position of his uncle.

"One of these days, l'll be retiring, as you can see that I'm already old. When will you start to accept the fact that all these will be turned over to you? You have to start now before some people who are just waiting on the sidelines will wrestle the power from us," Mr. Yin gave him a long talk on that.

"Ok Dad, l'll think it over. Just give me a few days to get my own place, meet my old friends and visit some favorite places," Kenneth replied reluctantly. He really wanted to go open his own business, see it flourish but then, does he have lots of choices? He just shrugged his shoulders then.

A few days later, he accepted his father's offer. Kenneth was able to meet his former friends, but unfortunately, he was not able to visit some of his favorite places as he had requested from his father. He realized it was time for him to have a sense of responsibility. Perhaps it stemmed from the fact that most of his friends were already married and have their own families or who already have businesses of their own. Kenneth knew it was time for him to accept the responsibility given him by his father.

He opened his eyes and muttered, "Enough of these musings. Perhaps you’re getting old already Kenneth Yin."

He was about to stand up when he noticed the still open financial report on his desk.

"Nicole Zhen," he murmured and traced with his fingers the signature stroke over the written name.

"Your master's handwriting matches her looks," he wagged his finger to Peter Rabbit atop his desk.

"Nicole Zhen, Financial Analyst," he said again and reclined back on his executive chair and smiled at Peter Rabbit.

He recalled the day Peter Rabbit came into his possession.

It was summer when he joined the company. He learned from Alan, the head of the Finance Department, that it was the company tradition to give an informal gathering for the all the employees of the different departments. Alan was one of his college buddies during his schooldays in Korea. And later they became the best of friends. in fact, Alan was one of the few people he can count on his fingers whom he considered his friends.

"Why won’t we hold the party then at our private beach?" Kenneth asked his friend.

Alan surprisingly replied, "You’re joining us?"

"Oh why not, I thought it was a company party. Or perhaps I did not hear it right?" Kenneth said with raised eyebrows.

"Well, you see, most of the times we have this party, there are no top executives who joined us. Though this event has the company approval, most of the time this were just participated in by the department heads and their staff. The company role here is to give necessary financial support. Although, your parents and uncle make it a point to stay for an hour or two but they never joined n the different activities. They just want to give the staff time to be themselves without the scrutiny of the older set," Alan expounded.

"Is that so? Well, make it different this time for l be joining n the activities. After all do not belong yet to the older set," Kenneth said teasingly.

"Your wish is our command Sir," and his friend departed with a mocked salute.

On the day of the party, everyone was requested to bring a gift that was somewhat amusing. Kenneth requested his secretary, Erica, to buy something for him.

One of the games at the gathering was for everyone present to draw out a name from the rolled pieces of paper in a little basket. Then the person, before giving his/her gift, must give a brief description of the recipient. Aside from the Department Heads and their assistants, Kenneth was the only top executive there.

Nicole's turn came. She walked purposely towards the table where Kenneth and Alan were seated with that lovely smile on her beautiful face.

"Now here comes a woman who knows what she wants in life," Kenneth thought to himself.

"Ms. Nicole Zhen, may we know the unlucky recipient of your gift?" the emcee asked.

Everyone laughed as what they’ve been dong since the start of the game as gifts upon gifts were opened accompanied by shrieks and lots of laughter.

She smiled impishly and Kenneth sat there mesmerized by her beautiful face and smiled also.

"Oh, I won’t agree with you that the recipient of my gift would be unlucky. He s already a very lucky person at the moment and believe that my gift would further bring him good fortune," Nicole retorted playfully.

"And have no further description of the recipient," she added flippantly.

And she stepped n front of Kenneth, gave a bow and presented her gift. She stared into his eyes and it seemed that the earth stood still for a moment. The lapse was only temporary as Nicole was quick enough to regain her poise and smiled at him.

"Please accept my humble gift Senior," she said in a sweet low voice.

My God, such a beautiful pair of eyes, she thought to herself.

The party was one of those memorable ones he would always remember. It was in that party that he found the reason to do his best in the company. It was there that he met Nicole Zhen, the beautiful face behind the signature. It made a difference in his life and fortified his resolve to stay and do his best.

Kenneth picked up Peter Rabbit, smiled and said, "You mark my word, one of these days, my good fortune would come. Remember what your master said. So you better start helping me in my mission of capturing a lady who breaths, eats, and sleeps with figures. Ok?"


"THE PICTURE IN THE WALLET’’

 

Kenneth Yin and Alan were discussing the financial reports handed in from the latter department.

"I’m very impressed with these figures Alan," Kenneth said as he stared at the flourish of signature at the last page. That has become a habit, his staring at that signature as if by dong so, he can conjure the lovely face of the owner.

"Trust Nicole to come up with such profound analyses. She’s a gem. Very intelligent. And she the kind of person who has a sweet disposition n life that people can resist being drawn by her charm," Alan said.

Kenneth shrugged his shoulders appearing uninterested but Alan was unaware that he was tracing the signature stroke with his finger.

"Did you know that when she was about to be promoted as Financial Analyst, Judith and I had a tug-of-war over her?" added Alan who seemed not to notice the other man uninterested look.

"How come?" Kenneth asked encouragingly.

"Well, Judith wanted to pirate her into her Personnel Department because she feels that Ms. Zhen was her protege. But I naturally won over her as your father saw the importance of Ms. Zhen in my department. She really has a way with figures," Alan said with admiration n his eyes for his assistant.

"And a figure to match her brains, I should add," Kenneth grinned.

"Be careful Kenneth with your words you might be charged with sexual harassment," Alan warned.

"But I’m only saying the truth, she’s beautiful with a charming smile, intelligent and SEXY," wth his emphasis on the last adjective.

Alan shook his head. "Well know that you don’t have a bad track record with girls, so I don’t have to warn you to keep off her. Besides, she’s too young for you. Well, if we’re through I think I should go now."

"Ok thanks Alan for all your help and your time with this ignoramus." Both men laughed.

Alan was already at the door, when Kenneth asked, "How are things between you and Judth?" and laughed again at Alan's embarrassed face.

"Don’t worry Alan, I was not born yesterday," his laughter followed the departing back of his friend.

At the Finance Department, Nicole Zhen was preparing to leave. After clearing her table, she took out her wallet and took out an inserted photograph from among the folds and said, "Would you like to go shopping with me?" and smiled sweetly at her own foolishness. If her colleagues can see her now, they would really laugh at her. Talking to a picture, pouring out her feelings to it as if it can hear her.

She did not go out with her officemates for dinner that night. And Nicole Zhen was one of those rare career women who does not have a car. She enjoyed walking, riding in cabs or on the bus. She felt normal dong those things instead of being confined behind the steering wheel. It gives her the chance to admire the things around her, something which she believes she cannot do if she driving.

Tonight is one of those nights when she took a short walk from the company building mindless of where her feet would take her.

She felt for her wallet inside her bag and asked, "Are you tired Senior? Don’t worry we’re almost there at the mall." Again she giggled like a little girl at her stupidity. And the people she met can't help smiling back at her.

Nicole went to her favorite stores, checking what is new, buying something when she felt she needs it. She is a very careful shopper and after deciding on the items to be bought, she allowed the salesperson to carry her purchases to the counter. It was while pulling her card from her wallet that something fell to the floor. She did not notice it, but a hand picked it up where it landed near the owner’s feet and tapped the salesperson to give the paper back to Nicole.

"Madam you accidentally dropped this. is he your boyfriend? He’s very handsome," the salesperson said with a friendly smile.

"Oh thanks, he’s not my boyfriend, he's my HUSBAND," she replied flippantly, not caring if people around her can hear what she said.

"Then your husband is not only handsome but very attentive to you too madam," the salesperson said glancing beyond Nicole’s shoulder at the man standing a few feet away.

"He is and I love him very much."

Nicole Zhen went home that night with a big smile on her face.

The next day, Nicole, as usual, reported to the office early. She was walking along the corridor when she noticed a man turned at the far corner. Who was that, another early bird? she thought to herself. She was humming as she entered the office and the first thing she noticed was a single rose on top her table. She hurriedly opened the card, there was her name on it and initialed "HY".

She sat down and tried to recall among her recent acquaintances if there was someone with that initial. She smiled, opened her bag, took out her wallet and took out the picture, "Well I warn you if this one turns out to be better looking than you, sorry if I will fall out of love for you.’’

She knitted her brows, pouted her lips like a little girl and said to the picture n a soft voice, "Sorry, it’s only you who is important to me. I will love you forever." She hurriedly returned it in her wallet when she heard voices. As expected, she was the object of her colleagues teasings when they saw the rose, another heart will be broken n a week’s time, they chorused.

At Kenneth Yin’s office that afternoon, "Just leave them there Erica, l’ll tackle them tomorrow."

"Going out shopping with Ms. Zhen?" and seeing his secretary’s surprised look, Kenneth justified, "I often saw you together and assumed you are very good friends."

Erica replied, "Nicole, my boyfriend Warren, and I are childhood friends."

"I see," he nodded.

"She’s a master matchmaker, it was she who pushed me and Warren towards each other."

"So I assumed since she a good matchmaker, she already found her perfect match for her?" Kenneth picked up Peter Rabbit and winked at him.

"Nicole Zhen s NBSB," Erca grinned at her boss.

Kenneth raised his brows and she knew already that by that action, he wants further explanation.

"No Boyfriend Since Birth," Erica wanted to imply that her friend s still free.

"I’m sorry Mr. Yin to bore you with my blabber. I have to go now," she said and bowed slightly.

When she turned she saw him holding Peter Rabbit with a foolish smile on his lips. Erica can’t help asking, "I hope this won't offend Mr Yin, but I can't help but notice that you’re so happy nowadays."

"I'm in love, Erica," Kenneth blurted what was on his thoughts. Too late he has already said it. He smiled at her and she turned to leave.

Once the door was closed, he perched at the edge of the desk and asked Peter Rabbit, "Did you hear that, NBSB?" and laughed. I should see a psychiatrist, he thought. He has been talking with an inanimate object for months and sometimes he feared for his sanity. Love. He shook his head and grinned.

He remembered the incident at the mall. It has never been his habit to stalk at unsuspecting females. But that night when he was about to open his car, he saw her walking. It seemed he was pulled by a magnet and he followed Nicole at a safe distance. He grinned remembering picking up the picture that flew off her wallet and it seemed to have a life of its own and landed near his feet. He was surprised when he picked it up and saw his face staring back at him.

"BSB but has a husband already," he winked at Peter Rabbit.

Meanwhile, at the lobby on her way out, Erica dialed Nicole’s number.

"Erica, please give my regards to Auntie," Nicole replied joyously.
"Nicole, listen I don’t want to impart this to you now but Nicole he’s in love," she whispered.
"Warren?" her friend’s voice raised an octave higher.
"No, the man of your dreams," Erica replied glancing around. She has already reached her car.

"You mean Kenneth?" Nicole said weakly and sat in her chair. A long silence followed at her end.

"Nicole are you alright? sorry but I think the sooner you know the better. Do you want me to stay with you, have dinner perhaps? I can call Warren."

"Don’t worry Erica, ok, go ahead they are waiting for you. Bye," she said with unbidden tears welling out her eyes.

Nicole slumped on her desk and cried. I love him very much, her mind shouted. She decided to go home. There n the confines of her room, she can pour her heart out and cry and cry. She was gathering her things when a figure loomed at the doorway. When she looked up, she was surprised to see the reason for her misery standing there. She bowed slightly and continued fixing her things.

"Good evening Senior. If you want to see Alan, he has left already," she said in a barely audible voice.

Kenneth strained his ears to hear what she was mumbling. Was she crying? he asked himself. He saw her wipng her eyes when he entered. He wanted to go to her side to hug and comfort her. At that very moment, she just looked like a little girl whose toy has been taken from her, not the impressive Ms Nicole Zhen. For the first time, he saw her without the signature smile on her face.

"Nicole, is there something wrong?" he asked with a worried look on his face.

She shook her head. She could not be mistaken, but he called her by her first name. She wanted to cry more as it sounded so nice on his lips. With head bent, she excused herself and went out of the door. Please give me the strength not to cry here. Please, she bid her mind to help her.

Kenneth followed. They rode the elevator in silence. He clenched his hands to stop himself from grabbing her and comforting her from whatever it is that troubling her.

"Can I offer you a ride home?"

He got no reply from her as she continued to walk hurriedly.

"Nicole, can you tell me what’s wrong? I was offering you a ride home," he almost shouted with exasperation.

He grabbed her arm and asked, "Why are you crying Nicole?"

She bent her head. "I just want to be alone Senior," she whispered. She’s having a hard time controlling her tears and she must leave before she will make a fool of herself in front of him.

He did not release her arm and asked, "Will you have dinner with me?" he asked softly.

She looked up at him with tears shimmering n her eyes, "It’s not proper Senior," and seemed to be hypnotized by his eyes.

"Why? I believe that a HUSBAND has a right to ask his wife to have dinner with him. Hmm?" he asked in a serious tone.

Her mouth formed an "O" but no sound came out. He bent his head and kissed her.

When he again looked at her, he smiled.

"Senior, did the rose came from you? Does "HY" mean Husband Yin?" she asked, the smile returning to her face.

"You’re very intelligent indeed, Ms Nicole Zhen," and bent again to kiss her.

END OF MUTUAL ADMIRATION.