I hope you’re enjoying your trip. I have two more questions regarding the proposal details:
1. In addition to data on bloodlines and ranking, should we also collect biographical components? Such as interests and hobbies.
2. Can you give me a range as far as what it might cost to launch a new hospital program? How much have other programs cost in the past? I’d like to estimate a budget.
Cheers,
Jae Davies
Staring at my name, I wonder if I should put “M.D., PhD” behind it, or if I should sign it “Doctor Davies,” since that’s what he usually calls me.
I remove my last name and hit send. Sighing, I sit back. It’s obscenely late and I should probably try to sleep, but my body has been wired lately. I’m about to stand when my email notification pings. I look at the screen, and Junichi has already emailed me back.
From: Takayama Junichi
Subject: Re: Proposal Questions
Hello, Doctor Davies,
1. That is an excellent idea. Please include biographical information in the data we collect with specific questions so I can review them.
2. Email Risa.
Thanks,
Junichi
I quickly type up my response.
Will do. Thanks!
When will you return from your trip?
Jae
Biting my lip, I hit send. He’s online now, so… I figure I’ll try. Maybe he’s not interested anymore and I’ve blown it. Or, he might still want to get to know me? I remember his statement about taking his time and giving his full attention… Whenever it flashes in my head, a warm rush of blood races up my neck and heats up my entire face, and I start imagining what that might be like—having Junichi’s full attention.
My email chimes and I sit up again.
October 10th. Why? Do you need something before then?
I don’t, technically. But…
No, I’m fine. I was just curious. Are you on holiday?
About a minute later, his response pops up.
I’m working. Why are you up so late?
I consider for a minute. Truthfully, I can’t sleep.
I’m working as well. Busy schedule tomorrow. Are you doing work for the hospital?
Now there’s been silence on his end for about ten minutes, and I think I’ve lost him. It’s a gaping, slightly anxious feeling… like I’ve asked one question too many and he might be annoyed.
After another ten minutes of mindlessly scanning the Internet (I tell myself I’m not waiting for him to respond—I do actually need to know “where Freddie Prinze Jr. is now”), I give up and stand to get myself a glass of water.
As I turn, my email chimes.
What’s your phone number? Can I call you?
I’m chuffed. I type Yes, pound out my mobile number and hit send. My phone is on the end table near the sofa. I quickly grab some water, and by the time I’m sitting comfortably, my phone rings.
“Hello?”
Ten
Junichi
“Why are you interviewing me via email at three o’clock in the morning?” I ask. “Is this part of the proposal?”
“No…” the doctor says in his warm accent. When he speaks, it sounds like he’s singing a song. Even in one syllable, I can hear the smile in his voice. “I was just interested.”
I raise my eyebrow as I sit back in the plush armchair, making myself comfortable. “You’re interested in me now?”
“I am. You had my number before…”
“That was before.”
“You deleted it?”
“Why would I have kept it?” I ask.
He’s silent, but after a pause, he asks, “Is this your personal mobile?”
“It is.” I hear him fumble with the phone. Seems he’s keeping my number.
“Where are you?” he says once he’s done. “If you don’t mind my asking.”
“I’m in Paris. In a hotel room.”
“Paris, wow… Why?”
“Because I have a couple clients in the city that I design for. In three days I’ll go to Amsterdam for the same reason.”
“What… do you design exactly?”
“Clothing,” I say. This conversation is bizarre to me. Up until now Jae has not asked me a single question pertaining to myself. Not that everything needs to be about me, but I figured he genuinely didn’t give a shit. Now, all he’s doing is asking questions.
