Harumi yawned as she entered the break area. Her work suit, a button-down affair of black fabric and a custom cut around the waist, clung to her body with every movement. Her bra, put on at the last minute still smelled of the restaurant from the night before. She wished she didn't sleep in, but after going to bed at three in the morning, she found it hard to wake up early enough to get everything done before rushing out the door.
Her hand shook as she shoved a mug underneath a coffee maker and pressed the serve button. She pulled back as the liquid brown poured into the bottom of the cup.
“Well, you look like you had a late night.” It was Mana, one of the analysts from the opposite end of the floor.
Harumi smiled and nodded. “It was a good date.”
Mana slipped up to her and peered at her face.
Harumi tried to look away, but Mana moved to keep looking at her.
Then, Mana stood up and sighed. “Went to bed alone again? Harumi, you're too picky.”
With a blush, Harumi looked away. “How do you do that?”
“What, know that you spent the night alone?”
After hesitating, Harumi nodded.
“Because you don't smell like you had nasty animal sex with—”
“Mana!”
Mana smirked, a lock of her dark hair hanging over her mouth. She held out a hand and said, “Well? Am I wrong?”
“No….”
“No!?” Mana's voice rose in a high pitch. Harumi shook her head and then Mana blushed. Leaning forward, the younger girl whispered to Harumi. “Well, why not? He was perfect.”
“He just wasn't the one.”
“Harumi, you act like a queen with how… what's wrong?”
Harumi realized that she had paled. She gulped and shook her head. Forcing a smile on her face, she beamed brilliantly at Mana. “Nothing.”
Mana shook her head and headed for the refrigerator to get one of her ever-present cans of tea. “You need to get a real boyfriend then, one that even a princess like you can't turn down.”
“And who is your boyfriend of the week?”
Mana's hips rocked for a moment before she stood up. She sighed and leaned against the refrigerator. “Oh, god, he's sexy as hell. Strong, muscular, and American.”
Harumi pulled a face. “I don't like Americans.”
“Doesn't matter. If you saw the bulge in his pants, then—”
“Mana!”
Her friend grinned and stepped away. “Don't worry, you can't have him. But, you should meet him.”
Harumi nodded. “I suppose. Tonight?”
“The Golden Goose?”
With a grin, Harumi nodded cheerful. “I can't wait to meet him.” She picked up her coffee cup.
“You are going to love Steve, he's got the most beautiful south Japanese accents… for an American, that is.” Mana waved as she walked out of the break area.
Harumi froze at the name. Her mouth opened in shock as she stared at the door. She could feel the mug slip from her fingers, but she was helpless under the sudden onslaught of memories that crashed into her.
It had been two years since she made the video. Two years of shame and humiliation, but also relief that she would never go back. She never saw anyone else from that fateful day and she never planned on watching the tape again.
Why did he have to come back?