No Strings Attached

Chapter Four

“Jennie-san, you seemed distracted tonight. Everything’s okay?” Jennie’s client, Mr. Sato asked. He was a young man around Jennie’s age. His hair was spiked up like a Japanese idol singer and he had a tanned complexion from playing golf.

“Sumimasen Sato–san, I was thinking about something and probably got lost in my thoughts,” Jennie said. She couldn’t wait to end this dinner and get out of this place which was filled with loud Japanese men. She was the only female present at this dinner with her clients. She would appear to be rude if she didn’t attend this dinner, hence she had no choice but to entertain her clients.

“Everyone, let’s raise our glasses and give a toast to Jennie-san. Without Jennie-san and her team in Seoul, our project would not have been so successful!” a middle aged man with white hair proclaimed, standing up and holding his glass of beer up.

Everyone in the room stood up and cheered loudly in the private room of the restaurant. Jennie pretended to take a sip before placing the glass on the table. She didn’t feel like drinking much at this dinner function since she had a more exciting plan later tonight. She couldn’t wait to bring Lisa to her favourite Japanese bar later.

Jennie felt Mr. Sato slipping his arm around her back. She turned around and met his gaze. His face was flushed and his eyes were red and watery. It wasn’t the first time Sato-san attempted to take advantage of Jennie that evening.

“Jennie-san, you look very beautiful tonight. Shall we adjourn to a private session of our own? I’ve a car waiting for us downstairs,” Mr. Sato suggested, his eyes full of lust as he leaned closer to Jennie. His speech was slurred and his breath reeked of alcohol.

Jennie rose from her seat and waved to get a waitress’ attention. “Sato-san, I think you had a little too much to drink. I’ll get a cup of hot green tea and hot towel for you to sober up.”

She felt Mr. Sato gripping tightly onto her hand as she passed him the hot towel. He didn’t want to let go. He caressed Jennie’s palm and his eyes were wandering to other parts of Jennie’s body. Jennie was feeling frustrated but she couldn’t blow her top at him since he was the client. Thankfully, Mr. Sato’s boss, the middle aged man who proposed the toast, came over to rescue Jennie from his wandering hands.

Jennie quickly took the opportunity to thank the director for his kind generosity and cooked up an excuse that she had to leave. The director empathised with her and told her to leave.

Standing by the main road, Jennie tried to flag down a taxi but all of them had passengers. She glanced at her watch anxiously and the time showed 9.55pm. Knowing she wasn’t able to make it back to the hotel in time, she texted Lisa, informing her that she would be late.

J: This is Jennie. Sorry, I’ll be late. My dinner appointment overran, trying to get a taxi now.

Lisa: Don’t worry. Where are you? I’ll come & meet you instead.

J: At a yakitori restaurant in Shinjuku. It’s alright, I’ll see you at the hotel lobby.

Jennie dropped the phone back into her handbag. She walked along the sidewalk while keeping a keen eye on the oncoming traffic for any empty taxis. There were several other people who were waiting along the same road for a taxi too. Everyone wanted to head home after dinner.

About fifteen minutes later, a taxi pulled up beside her. Jennie eyed the taxi with a suspicious look as the top of the taxi did indicate “Hired”.

Just then, a familiar smiley face popped out of the rear passenger window.

“Hop in!” Lisa stuck her head out of the window. She quickly slid to the other side of the seat so that Jennie could get into the taxi.