Chapter 8 - Facing the Challenge (1/2)
The next day, Yanee's depression had lessened considerably. Thanks to her sister, her confidence was resurrected. Even if Ami was a hopeless romantic despite her age, Yanee couldn't deny she had a lot of spunk. Her self-assurance was admirable and was something the younger sibling would like to mimic.
Last night, when she told her sister everything, Ami was dumbfounded.
”What? Your company was bought by Niji?”
Ami was not really knowledgeable about the publishing businesses, but she sure knew about Niji International. After all, it was the biggest publishing company in the country. Yanee felt ashamed now the way her sister looked at her.
”You were promoted and since you dislike the job, you want to quit?”
”Well…”
For other people, her situation was a dream come true. Yanee was the ungrateful one, she knew. Also, it would be hypocritical of her if she said she'd quit and try to start at a smaller place when she knew that she had ambitions as well. It was why she worked so hard in the first place and left that job in Nagoya to transfer to Tokyo. It was to reach the top – and the top meant Niji International. But now that she was there, just so she didn't like her new project, she'd whɨnėd and quit.
”Stop being a sissy and show them what you got,” Ami told her, and so Yanee promised she would do it.
Yanee Lee studied herself in the mirror, noting how she looked in her cream-colored shirt and black slacks. She partnered those with a pair of cream stilettos and a flowery purse. She tied her hair in a messy bun atop her head, but it gave her a fresh look instead, plus her nude makeup.
She looked every bit a confident office woman, and she totally approved. Yesterday, she had come home in defeat, thinking she would quit, but she didn't think that way anymore. She was again ready to face the potato and show him she could do her job.
Just wait and see…
With her newfound brave heart, she marched on to work. Rush hour was always bad in Tokyo, so she always took a cab to work and take public transportation back home if she's not too tired.
”Wow! You look amazing!” Chummy crowed as soon as she spotted Yanee entering the editorial department.
Since Yanee would be taking over a project, Tohru James had arranged for Chummy to work in the literature department permanently as another ȧssistant which the latter accepted happily.
As their routine, Yanee gave her friend some poses showing off her great curves with a mischievous grin. ”As always,” she answered jokingly afterwards as she went to Chummy to give her a kiss on the cheeks.
This type of greeting was totally unusual in Japan, but both Yanee and Chummy were not Japanese, and the latter even grew up abroad. Yanee's parents were foreigners who settled in Nagoya because of work. Chummy's an American born Chinese. This was why the two of them hit it off right from the start.
”Are you feeling better now?” Chummy asked with worry written on her face, making Yanee smile.
She was touched. She went home upset yesterday, and even if she didn't say or show it, it was amazing that this girl always knew.
”Yeah. I'm so sorry for throwing a tantrum.” Even if Yanee could be unreasonable and stubborn, she knew she was the one who was not acting correctly. When she made mistakes she owned up to them, and it's why the other didn't mind when she had her moments.
”It's fine. Yesterday must have been shocking to you,” Chummy said as she patted her on the arm. ”Boss is there in his office. If you want to make it up from the almost meltdown yesterday, do it as early as now.”
Yanee's eyes widened as she lifted her arm to check her watch. It's still half-past eight in the morning, thirty minutes before work officially started.
”He's early,” she commented, but then again remembered the interview and sighed.
Tohru James was an early bird. He came to work at seven in the morning regardless of how late he worked at night. It was an admirable trait, really, for a boss.
”I'll see you at lunch, okay?”Yanee said as she turned and headed for the editor-in-chief's office.