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
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?"
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.