Chapter 9

Hunter Shishijima has been sitting by the phone the whole day waiting for the girl from that fateful night to call. 

He is sitting in a dimly lit living room in his pajamas looking like he hasn’t gotten a wink of sleep. His head can barely stay up and his eyes keep lowering like they have weights taped to them. 

Just as he’s about to fall completely asleep he hears the sound that he has been waiting to hear all day. 

His phone begins to ring in a specifically brash and bold ring similar to a person blowing into a kazoo but a bit violently. 

His eyes open and he leaps over torwards the phone only to stumble and trip over his foot. He shifts his body fast enough so he wouldn’t land directly on his phone but on the empty half of the coffee table it was sitting on. 

He slams side-first into the table and the shear forces of his body ends up breaking it. He turns on his side; immediately reaching for the cell phone. 

“Hello, this is Mr. Shishjima speaking!” said Shishijima in a chipper tone of voice. 

“Uhmm; Hello? You may not remember me. I’m the girl from last night. You know the one who you gave your business card to?” says Rin on the phone. Her very timid voice shocked Shishijima as she seemed to be very boisterous and outspoken when they met in person. 

“Ummmm— sure I think I remember you?” said Shishijima with a very sly tone of voice. 

“She can’t know that I am desperate. I have to play it cool or she’ll get suspicious.” though Shishijima in his head. 

“So are you the girl with the auburn locks? I’m not sure I give out so many cards. You know since I’m a big time dolseller.” said Shishijima in a poignant tone. In order to throw Rin off his trail. 

“This guy is totally trying to give me the runaround. He literally said he took the tram 15 minutes out of his way to find me; at Dol’ Fest no less. I don’t think a person who was so busy would go out his way to scout a novice.” Thought Rin steadfast in her cause but still hesitant of Shishijima. 

“Well sorry to bother you; Sir. I just wanted to know if you had time to discuss a possibility of me signing with you.” asked Rin in a subtle yet firm voice. 

“Well— I am rather busy. Uhm tomorrow at 4:30 pm we can meet a Quiblo’s Cafe.”  said Shishijima in stern tone of voice. 

“Uhmm—even though I’m sure you are uber busy and all but I don’t get out of school until 4:15 pm . Even if take a tram downtown I want be able to get there by 4:30 pm . Maybe 5 o’clock sharp? That way I will get there on time and we both can have a talk without feeling rushed.” said Rin with a determined attitude.

“We haven’t even gone over the details of the contract yet and this girls already trying to call the shots. The average team ride may have you a bit late but I don’t think it wouldn’t put you any more than 3-5 minutes over.” Shishijima thought to himself. 

“Well I can move it back about 15 minutes to 4:45? Unfortunately, since I’m on such tight schedule I can’t move it back any further.” replied Shishijima. 

“Well— I guess that could work. I will meet you there at 4:45pm.” said Rin nonchalantly. 

However, in the back of Rin’s mind she was thinking “well I was trying to home and change before meeting him. Meeting a creepy guy like this in anything other than business casual attire would be rather creepy. — I just make sure to wear something super long and covering. That way he won’t get any bright ideas.”

However, after all the waiting Shishijima did by the phone all he could was sleep. 

In the heart of Nova Raton a double decker limousine pulls up to a huge 30-story high-rise. The limousine has two levels and is connected to the rider’s EV Specs. Alerting them to when they reached their destination and also allowing the concierge to be notified when they arrive.

Santana steps out of the limousine and walks hastily into the high-rise building. There is greeted by the concierge “Hello Sir, are you craving anything? I know the food at that school isn’t up to your standards.” Then man clicks a button on the desk and a hollow graphic menu pops up. The concierge toggles through the potential meals and exclaims “What about Steak Tartar with a fresh salad with arugula and quinoa.”

“I’m fine Randy; I ate already. Thanks for asking.” Santana reassured. “Thanks for asking” Santana followed up with.

“My pleasure sir! I just recently saw your father moments ago. He had asked if you had gotten.” the concierge uttered in the most calm demeanor.

“That’s weird. He usually stays late at the office consulting with the board or going over contracts with outside parties.” said Santana.

“I’m sure it is of the utmost importance sir.” the concierge says in a reassuring tone. 

“Whelp! I guess I’d better get going now. See you around Randy.” as Santana gingerly walks into an elevator. 

He scans the code on the phone and an app pops up for the complex. 

“WHICH UNIT?” is displayed in big letters on his phone. He then types in  #308 and presses his index finger on the screen. 

The phone takes a minute to scan his fingerprint and then a voice says “Welcome Back, Santana!”. The doors of the elevator close and the lights flash an iridescent shade of blue. 

Santana unbuttons the top button on his shirt as to signify that he is finally home. When they arrive on the floor the elevator gently stops and says “Here you are sir.” in a friendly tone of voice. 

When the doors open the entire room is covered in a screen. However, upon closer inspection the blue is actually a scenic view of under the Atlantic ocean. As there are a school of fish quickly swimming in view of the camera. 

“Wow, he finally decided to change the view on the monitors. He must really be taking a break from work.” said Santana shockingly. 

“OH YOUR HERE. WELCOME MY SON!” a man’s voice can be heard over the P.A system. 

Suddenly; the view of the scenic ocean change to a view of a man in his office. 

“How was your day at school?” asked the man as only the bottom half of his face is shown. 

“It was OK; I guess. I mean—“ said Santana until he was interrupted. 

“Yeah. I’m sure it was great seeing as though you’re one of the more known faces there. However, can you join me in my office please? I need to discuss something with you.” the man said abruptly. 

“Wow, whatever it is it must be important. He never wants me in his office”. thought Santana to hisself. 

He sets his stuff down on the coffee table near one of the monitors and heads up the escalator towards the second level of the penthouse. 

When he ascends the escalator to intended level he walk over to his left and down a long hallway. At the end of it there is a door he stops and slowly paces towards it. Before he could even open it; the handle turns and a man pops out of it. The man is the same man who’s judged the contest that Rin competed in. 

“Come in my son. There is a lot to discuss.” says the man opening the door allowing the boy to walk in and slowly closing it behind him.