InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Favorite Mistake ❯ Second meeting ( Chapter 6 )

Chapter 6: Second meeting

“Correct me if I'm wrong,” Sango said, “but I distinctly remember you told me you're going to an interview, not the Academy awards.” She was at Kagome's apartment, flopped on the bed scanning a back issue of a magazine, as her best friend hauled a big box from the cramped storage area and was busily emptying its contents on a nearby chair.

“Yes, but I can't just show up at that interview in my usual clothes, sis,” Kagome replied, holding out a dress in front of her before shaking her head and adding it to the growing pile on the chair. “I need something decent.”

“What do you call your clothes, immoral?”

Kagome gave Sango a dry look. “You know that's not what I meant! Come on, sis, I could use a little help.” Kagome didn't like prowling through the box containing all the clothes Kouga bought for her when they were still together, because it felt like desperately hanging on to him even after all this time, but it seems she didn't have much of a choice. She had been called for an interview at what can safely be assumed the biggest group of companies in Tokyo, and she knew her clothes, though presentable, wouldn't quite make the cut in making a good first impression. She needed something that would immediately radiate competence, reliability, and of course, style. In short, she had to resort to wearing something Kouga gave her. It was a violent kick to her pride that she would be dressed in clothes he had bought her, given everything that happened, but she needed to pay the bills more than she had to keep her pride.

Most of the items were cocktail dresses, because Kouga usually took her to balls and functions rather than seminars and conferences, but she and Sango were able to find a number of corporate suits. After settling for a white blouse with frilly ruffles at the center, paired with a matching black coat and skirt, Sango pronounced that she looked like a certified executive assistant. All she needed now was to snag the job.

It was fifteen minutes before her scheduled interview at two in the afternoon when Kagome stopped in front of the ultra modern high-rise building. Takahashi Corporation, the large silver letters by the entrance read. Good, she was in the right place. She left her apartment more than an hour ago, even though the address given to her said that it was only three subway stations away from where she lived, not wanting to take chances at being late.

“Excuse me,” Kagome said, smiling at the woman behind the reception area.

“Yes?”

“I have a two o'clock interview for the executive assistant position.”

“Your name, please?” Kikyo asked, not even cracking her serious expression.

“Kagome. I'm Kagome Higurashi.”

“Wait a second.” She turned to her computer, checking the validity of the appointment, before picking up the phone and dialing a number. “Excuse me, Sir,” she said in a noticeably warmer tone. “Applicant number 68 is already here.”

Kagome inwardly winced. Applicant number 68? Just how many people applied for the position? But then again, given the prestige of the company and the salary offer, it's completely understandable.

“Take the express elevator,” the receptionist informed her. “It will automatically bring you to the fiftieth floor. That's where the executive offices are located. Look for the office of Director Inuyasha Takahashi; your interview is with him.”

“All right, thank you,” Kagome smiled before turning to the direction of the elevators. Kikyo watched her with sardonic eyes. `Poor girl,' she thought haughtily. `She's bound to be terribly disappointed.' Since she reluctantly put on the ad for that blasted secretarial position, literally hundreds of resume poured on her, so Kikyo was forced to shortlist applicants before scheduling interviews with the director. But so far, he hadn't seemed to consider even one of them. The applicants were always out of the building about twenty minutes after they arrived. `That girl will be no different.'

Kagome took several deep breaths to steady herself before softly knocking on the door. `This is it,' she thought, checking the name on the plate for the nth time in the span of thirty seconds. `Might as well get it over with.' After overhearing that she was the sixty-eight candidate for the position, she didn't waste time day dreaming that she would manage to get the job. There were a lot of people who were more qualified for it than her, and she was sure the director wouldn't spare her any more time than it was necessary to politely reject her after looking at her resume.

“Come in,” a male voice called.

She opened the door, turned her attention to the imposing mahogany desk at the far end of the room, and promptly stopped dead in her tracks. Blood drained from her face, and Kagome's breath caught in her throat. Inuyasha Takahashi, director of the multinational company Takahashi Corporation, was the handsome young stranger she had a one night stand with.