Exiled (AmBw)

Chapter 6

After quickly bathing and dressing, I began searching for everything I would need for the interview.

Layla: "Tape recorder, video camera, notepad, business cards." I said, listing off everything I had in front of me. "My phone?" I thought, looking around before I remembered. "Damn it," I said when I remembered I lost my bag. "No phone, no laptop, no purse, no cute lipstick." I pouted then sighed heavily.

Takanori: "What's wrong?" he said, walking into the room.

I caught an eye full when I turned to face him. Takanori had just come out of the shower. His hair slicked back, and there were a few drops of water still across his bare chest as his towel tuck loosely at his waist.

Layla: "Could you put on a shirt?" I asked

Takanori: "In time, I will. Don't rush me, woman." he said, continuing into the closet.

Layla: "Whatever." I said, looking away. 'I swear this guy is a nudist.' I thought as I gathered all my stuff together.

Takanori: "So, what were you mumbling about?" he said, yelling from the closet.

Layla: "I forgot I lost my bag yesterday. Everything I usually need for my interview is gone. No phone, no laptop, no purse, no cute lipstick." I pouted.

Takanori: "You can borrow my phone. I don't have a purse, but I have a laptop and about the whole lipstick thing. You're out of luck. I just ran out of my red lipstick." he said, shrugging his shoulders after stepping out of the closet briefly.

Layla: "Are you always this crazy?" I laughed.

Takanori: "Oh yeah, always." he smiled then went back into the closet to dress.

I shook my head at his response.

Layla: "I appreciate the offer, but I got this. I'll figure something out. I'm already indebted to you, sorry but I don't feel like adding more." I paused briefly. "Okay, so I can use the hotel phone to call my contact in Japan to see if we can reschedule the interview for a later time today. That will give me enough time to get a map from in the lobby. Then I could map out the location and walk to it. I'd better wear flats." I rambled on while Takanori dressed. "If I plan everything just right, I'll get there on time. " I said, now pacing. "I think I've got it all figured out. " I said to Takanori as he stood in front of me, fully dressed.

Takanori: "You got it all worked out?" he asked.

I nodded, pleased with myself for figuring everything out.

Takanori: "Great! Let's go!" he said, taking my hand while walking towards the door.

Layla: "Wait." I said, resisting, "Where?"

Takanori: "Your interview," he replied.

Layla: "Didn't you hear my plan?" I asked.

Takanori: "Your rant? Yeah, it's wonderful. It's just a little unnecessary, especially when I am perfectly capable of taking you to your interview."

Layla: "No, no, no. I can't ask you to do that for me."

Takanori: "First of all, yes you can, you're just stubborn. Secondly, you didn't ask me, so it doesn't count."

Layla: "But." I tried to object.

Takanori: "But no...I can't. Because." he said, mocking me in a high-pitched voice.

Layla: "Okay, fine. Let's go." I said, walking out the door with my things.

Takanori drove me to EXPG. The GPS said it would be a 20-minute drive, but the way he drove the car, he cut that down by at least 5 minutes.