Meeting

People live their lives restricted by rules and obligations. some of those are self-imposed, and that's fine. Because a person had to live by the standard he or she believes in. But, most of those rules are imposed on them by society, expectations, and such things that do nothing but pin down people and restrain their dreams and hopes stealing away their chances of experiencing life and living it to the fullest.

Jun didn't believe in that way of life, and he had no interest in submitting to society and its rules. He had no interest in their Idea of happiness nor did he ever want to be happy to start with. His goal in life had never been happiness. Or perhaps it had been a long time ago. But, now, he was living for life itself, savoring life and going through it in a way that makes him satisfied with each day that passes. 

Some called him a free spirit for that, and some say he's a player, but some others like his father, were much harsher in describing him saying that he was vain... But, if Jun was to be honest with himself, and describe himself truthfully, he would say that he was a coward. Jun was constantly running away like a coward. running from his past, from his present, and even from himself, and that suited him just fine. there were things that were better left as they are, and among them, the mess that lays behind Jun's facade.

He knew that he was a runner and he had made peace with it a long time ago. 

As they say, people from the same kin recognize each other, and that's why he was immediately drawn to Iori when he first saw her. Iori was a woman who looked like she had it all together, someone who was comfortable with their own skin and their own life. someone resigned to their state and living with it.

To anyone outside, she may have seemed like a perfectly accomplished woman, and that's impressive on its own. But Jun realized that it wasn't it, in a moment of awe and admiration he realized that Iori, a woman who had seen hell and survived it, was standing tall despite her scars and facing the world. She was making each small imperfection into a perfect and strong pillar for her to stand on and rise higher. That very woman was running away from something too...

Sometimes he would see the sadness in her eyes or the utter horror in her face at the most unexpected moments. But she always stands back up ready to fight like a phoenix.

Drawn to her unique personality, Jun approached her, and that's when what he had expected the least happened. as soon as they started talking they clashed exploding like fireworks, and not in a good way. the hostility, the rivalry, the stubbornness, and the pride that kept swarming in their conversations was giving him a rush as good as the finest wines and he found himself drawn to her and fighting with her every time they talk to each other.

When the president talked about them collaborating. He was adamant that it would never work out. after all, the two of them still had to have a proper conversation after all this time they'd known each other. They can't even agree on the genre of their books. how could they cowrite a book?

But, there was nothing that either of them could do. They were bound by contract and had to fulfill the requirement no matter what. That's why Jun decided to read one of Iori's books for the first time after he came back from that meeting. He wasn't really against reading mysteries but the fact that they tend to become repetitions and that the plot is always the same. 

But it was different for Iori's books. The book was simply interesting, the characters were complex and had a depth that he could sense coming from her, her plot had essence and originality that he rarely sees in today's novels, and there was this darkness lurking in the edges of the story. A twisted sense of humanity represented the culprit and his desires and motives. Overall, Jun liked her work, and he found himself respecting her as a fellow writer. If someone like her was to write a book with him, he had a feeling that they would create a masterpiece.

And with that mindset, Jun headed to the meeting place his editor had arranged for him to have his first meeting to discuss the book with Iori. He was determined to convince her.

As he followed the GPS directions, he found himself driving toward a luxurious part of town. It was unusual for their working meetings to take place at fancy places, but the resident was probably closely looking over this project so it wasn't impossible that he could be the one sponsoring their expenses like this.

The meeting location was a Japanese traditional tea house. The hostess welcomed him and took him to a spacious room with a view of the garden. Iori was already there sitting in front of her laptop and typing away. She looked up at him her working glasses sliding down her nose and she lifted her head further to adjust it to them.

Her long dark hair slid down her shoulder exposing her neck in a delicate yet elegant move that left Jun in a trance for a moment. One thing about Iori that he learned was that she was a through and through Japanese woman, from her beauty to her manners, she exuded an aura of traditional grace and elegance that was hard to come across these days.

Unlike him who had a mixed-blood between a Japanese father and an American mother. Jun attracted people's attention because of his unusual hair color and looks. He even had a hard time continuing his studies in Japan and had to spend a few years back in the state as a child before coming back to Japan.

"You're finally here, I thought that I was mistaken about the meeting place," She said snapping him out of his thoughts.

"Sorry to make you wait. I was surprised when my GPS led me here too. It seems like the president is really invested in this project,"

"Well, when that person puts his mind onto something he always makes sure to see it through. And it's not always pleasant for those around him..."

Jun chuckled as he sat in front of her, " Did you order something?" he asked

"No, I was waiting for you," She responded.

The two of them ordered some Japanese sweets and Jun made sure to order the most expensive ones just to spite the president. Iori who realized what he was doing simply shook her head at him.

"So why don't we talk about our collaboration?" Jun said getting ready for the main subject.

"Yes, before that, I have something to say," Iori said with a serious tone, "I... read your book for the first time yesterday," she confessed looking up at him with a wry smile.

Jun laughed at that then told her, " Me too..."