Chapter 51：1st Anniversary

Xiao Ping is still happily talking with A Dao on the phone. It is in contrast with Takeshi who lets his phone rings continuously. Fifteen minutes ago Hiroshi just stopped knocking his apartment door. Takeshi purposely ignored it. For almost five minutes Hiroshi had kept knocking on the door and calling his name. Maybe his assistant's knuckles now is bruised due to his vigorous effort.

Finally, the phone stops ringing. Takeshi takes the phone and unplugs its cable. His cellular has never been turned on ever since he arrived at the airport. He then sits on the bed and deeply looks at an alarm clock on the table. 18.30. No wonder Hiroshi becomes so anxious. Once landed from Australia this afternoon, Takeshi went straight to his apartment. Hiroshi let him, to think that it was Takeshi's chance to rest before his event, Takeshi's 1st Anniversary Celebration. But it is now half an hour before the event is planned to start, and Takeshi hasn't arrived, even worse no where to be found.

Takeshi is really not interested to attend the event. His body is very tired, and his heart is too empty. If he came, he can not be sure whether he can act as if he is happy and enjoying the party. With feet still on the floor, Takeshi lies down his body on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

One year. To other, It might be a merely short time to receive such an achievement he has. But they don't know how hard Takeshi has worked for it, how many things he has lost or missed for all the works he must did. It is not that he is ungrateful. It is just.. he feels like..

Takeshi sighs. He doesn't know what he feels. He doesn't know what he wants. What do you really want for now actually ? he asks himself in silence. Takeshi sadly smiles. What he really wants for now. For now.. he wants to sleep and have a good rest. Thus, that is what he does.

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"You a**hole !! Who do you think you are ? You better come to the office now or I will fire you !!" That is the only sentence Mr. Hamada said on the phone.

Takeshi throws his cellular on the bed, so hard that it bounces off to the floor. Takeshi just turned his cellular on in the next day. There were twenty mailboxes from Hiroshi and Mr. Hamada. Not long after Hiroshi called but his cellular was taken by Mr. Hamada immediately.

Takeshi then sets his apartment phone cable back and dials a number. "Receptionist ? It's Hasegawa. Please call a taxi for me. Thank you," he asks. After that he takes his bag and packs some clothes before goes out from his apartment.

"The taxi is ready, Hasegawa-san," receptionist tells Takeshi right when he came out of the elevator.

"Thank you," he replies but his gaze is on plenty of reporters who has gathered in front of the main door of the building. Takeshi shifts his pitt sight to the two securities who guard the door. "Sorry to bother you," he says. Both the security nod.

"Last night I was asleep at my apartment," Takeshi speaks as he walks to the taxi that stands by in front of the building's terrace. It is only three meters, but with all the reporters surround him, the distance seems like kilometers.

"How could you forget an event that is so important ?" a reporter asks between other questions that buzzing around.

"Are you that tired ?" the same reporter asks. Takeshi crookedly smiles before answering, "If my body could be split in two, I'm sure both are still exhausted with my schedules."

"What do you mean ?"

"You can conclude it your self," Takeshi answers. Finally, after struggling he can reach the taxi opened door. "Well, If you excuse me," he says while entering the taxi.

"Hasegawa-san, one more question. After one year, what is your impression ? Are you grateful or sorry ?" The question halts Takeshi to close the taxi door.

Takeshi is silent for a moment then answers, " I don't know what I really feel. Now I can even feel anything. I only feel like I am a dairy cow owned by a greedy farmer." He then closes the door and the taxi goes away.