Chapter 58 - A Frog That Is A Prince (2/2)

”Ms. Tan, I think we better go somewhere else,” Tohru commented seeing the crowded place.

Cynthia Tan AKA Chummy usually wouldn't care, but since they were going to discuss something very important, she agreed with her boss. Tohru suggested a restaurant near their building and she agreed, unmindful of the buzz they left behind.

The place was a little bit high end as their office was situated in Shinjuku. Chummy didn't feel guilty though. Just like Yanee, she belonged to a rich family although not the same level as Tohru. The two ordered their food and when it arrived, Chummy jumped in for the kill.

”Boss, you're in love with my ancestor?” she quizzed and Tohru laughed.

”Who is your ancestor?” he laughingly countered but didn't make it difficult for her this time. ”If you're talking about Ms. Yanee Lee, then yes, I am.”

”But… but 5WH?” she asked, making Tohru more amused.

By 5WH, Chummy meant, ”who, what, where, when, why, how”. It's a technique to brainstorm ȧssignment questions and to help in researching topics they used at work.

”You already know the 'who' and the 'what',” Tohru said. ”As for the 'where' and 'when', it was months ago when she did the interview. As for how… hmmm I don't know. I just saw her and I stopped functioning.”

”Woooooah!”Chummy looked delightedly bewildered if there's such a thing. She was shocked but a happy kind of shocked. ”So it's love at first sight thing? Oh my god, boss, I didn't know you of all people can have that experience.”

”Why not? What's the difference between me and other people?”Tohru countered.

”I mean, you don't seem like a person who gets bothered by worldly things,” Chummy commented.

”Worldly things? I'm not a god. I have very worldly worries – making business work for example,” he countered.

He got irritated when he got referred to as something out of this world. It was one of the reasons why he didn't have a girlfriend until now. It's because when he found himself even slightly interested in someone and tried to get close to that person, she suddenly changed. When people found out who he was and his background, they lost their personalities to accommodate him – which was something he disliked. He wanted to be with someone who knew her own mind. This was also why he kept his identity hidden.

”Well, boss, you have to face it. You are good looking, rich, and very good at your job. If not a male god, what are you? Ask anyone at work and they will tell you the same,” Chummy told him matter-of-factly.

”How would they know if I'm rich or not,” he grumbled, but Chummy rolled her eyes on the ceiling.

”Boss, you're not seriously going to deny that bit to me, no? People are not so dumb. Everyone can see the Patek Philippe you love wearing around. I'm sure that's the grand complications men's hand-wound perpetual calendar watch that's worth 316,400USD in retail.”

Tohru was taken aback as he unconsciously pulled back the sleeve of his sweater to show the inconspicuous timepiece on his wrist. He chose to wear it because it was not flashy. He also dressed ordinarily as well, preferring plain shirts or sweater over jeans. But it seemed he couldn't fool the esteemed eyes of experts.

Chummy was a fashion expert. She used to work at the company's fashion department before. Her eyes could discern quality at a glance.

”Well, alright, I'm rich,” he confessed.

”It's something you don't have to hide. If I knew it, Yanee would too. She has better eyes when it comes to fashion than me. Also, it would be bad for you to try to deceive the lady. If you want to win Yanee's heart, you have to win her trust first.”

”Oh?”Tohru's eyes flashed with interest. Now, this was a topic that he'd been waiting to hear. ”How do I do that, then?”

Hurrah for free advice from the best friend of his girl. He was correct in thinking to get her ȧssistance.

”Simple. Don't pretend. Show her who you are,” Chummy stated.

”Meaning?” he prompted. He wanted information.

”Meaning you should stop being a frog that is, in reality, a prince.” Chummy grinned. ”You have to really tell her who you are and that you are coming after her openly.”