Chapter two - Exhibit
Chapter two
You were sitting in the meeting– as always Nanami always had you attending these meetings so you two could seem as a couple who does everything together. Currently you two were in a meeting with one of the other companies; that were also long term friends with Nanami. Satoru Gojo is the CEO of Evercrest Financial. Suguru Geto is the CEO of Zenith Mutual; they were all in charge of leading economical companies in the country.
You felt small sometimes– forced to be here with these executive men who valued money over time. You knew you were here out of coincidence. What if you never went to his company that day and if you never went to the internship? Would this life even be yours? Your eyes raked over the perfectly manicured nails you had, your hair that you had just gotten done earlier that morning. This was all superficial. Your other friends were out there at 21 building real relationships and you were here just being a trophy for these men who only saw you really as someone who needed to attend. Your voice didn’t matter here.
“ The consumers are wanting new faces to the commercials that are being put out,” Gojo pointed, “ We can’t just try and find new faces to the company that people get tired of in less than a month, “ Suguru rebutted. You were now day dreaming; this whole thing was boring. Business this, business that.
“ Are you even paying attention, “ the voice brought you out from your trans. It was Nanami. He side eyed you taking in everything that you were doing. He noticed a little while ago that you were barely listening into the conversation, but now he was annoyed. You were here for a sole purpose. What if someone came by the meeting room and saw you looking bored while your husband was engaging? That would be another article that could have easily been avoided. “ At least look like you're listening,” he grunted, straightening out his suit jacket before returning his focus to the meeting.
Another scolding. Great.
How long was it now? It’s been 2 hours since the meeting has begun, and they’re getting nowhere. They keep circling back to the same model who’s been having scandal after scandal for 3 years. Kaito Maori. She was beautiful; 26, no kids, not married, but she couldn’t keep her mouth closed about politics.
Especially her standing on women’s bodies. She loved to say the fact she thinks women belong in the kitchen serving their man and catering their very needs. She’s been blacklisted 6 times already. Is your husband really considering this woman to be the face of his company?
“ I personally think you shouldn’t hire her, “ your voice ranged throughout the meeting room. This was the first time you spoke up in the entire time. Suguru and Satoru both looked at you with interested glances, “ Why not?, “ Nanami asked. You could tell he was annoyed with you digging into the conversation between business men– especially since you were here for eye candy and not actual conversation.
You knew this– and you also knew the words that he wanted to say next was ‘ shut your mouth ‘. You didn’t, “ She’s trouble in the industry. Your business won’t succeed with her as the face, “ Satoru hummed. Good point.
“ She has had 6 or 7 scandals in the 2 years of her career, I mean– it’s not good business wise to put her as the face. “ Nanami agreed, “ See, my wife is brilliant as she is beautiful. “
This. Why did he have to say this; bring up your looks? You voiced your opinion now he brought it back to people not thinking you were smart, because you had good looks. He was frustrating you right now. You wouldn’t say a word though.
The meeting continued as if you didn’t speak; they spoke among themselves as if they were the one who came up with the idea that Kaito shouldn’t be a part of the project. You stood there looking like a dumb bimbo in front of everyone.
It wasn’t until days later when you two were having your weekly dinner in his mansion– yes his. He made sure to let you know who paid the bills in this arranged relationship. You wouldn’t call it a powertrip– maybe him asserting authority.
“ Don’t speak up during a meeting like that again, stay in your place, “ he said, while eating his unagi. You didn’t look up from your plate this whole conversation– this was something you didn’t want to engage in. He was about to go on his rant about ‘ staying in your place ‘ or ‘ you embarrassed me ‘. But he didn’t say anything after that.
“ I have New York Fashion week in a month, are you attending? “ You broke the silence, you knew he might say no to this proposal. He looked at you raking over everything in your features. Your eyes, your mouth, hair, lashes, nails, and lips. He turned his attention back to his plate.
“ You’re getting wrinkles under your eyes, deal with that. “ he looked down at his plate.
You were about to rebuttal—, “ cancel your Fashion week, “ he said, “ I have some fittings lined up for you to model for Armani. “. What? What did he mean by this; he wanted you to cancel what you had going on to benefit him– but you already signed the flyers saying that you’d be going.
“ I need to go-,” “ No, you heard what I said “, you knew that was the end of the discussion of everything.
His word was final.