Chapter 1
I could feel the warm sun light hit my face, waking me up. I wondered what time it was. I pressed a button on my watch and it read aloud the time. I had woken up a little earlier than usual. Since I was up, I might as well make us both breakfast. I slipped out of Eisuke's arms, trying my best not to wake him up.
"Ah." I gasped.
He tugged me by the hand and I landed back on the bed in his arms.
"Who gave you permission to get out of bed?" He asked.
I sighed "I was only getting up to make us breakfast. And besides, why do I need permission to get out of bed?"
I pouted in dissatisfaction, he placed a small kiss on my pursed lips.
"Do you really have to ask that? There's nothing more important than being by my side, right?" He asked.
"I can name several, breathing, drinking, eating-"
He cut me off as he showered me with kisses. His lips brushed my kiss, tickling me. Normally his kisses were more passionate. So passionate I could barely breath.
"What? You look like you want to say something." He said.
His ego was big enough as it was, I couldn't tell him that I wanted more.
"Nothing." I said.
"Heh. You're always so honest…. Your thoughts are written right on your face."
"Hey."
I turned to hide my face. I grabbed my chin and turned my head back, before I could react his lips were on my mine. But this time, a more passionate deeper kiss then before.
Then, the alarm clock started ringing.
"Times up." He said and stood up. "I know you want more, but that'll have to wait until we get back."
"Oh shut up and get ready." I said and rolled off the bed.
An hour later, our boat cut through the wind as it glided along on the calm morning sea.
"Come closer to me." Eisuke said and pulled me close, I leaned against him.
I wondered if this is what true happiness felt like? Being with Eisuke like this, first thing in the morning made me so happy. I loved living with him, we spent every day together. I couldn't ask for anything else.
"What are you grinning about?" He asked.
"Just thinking how nice things have been lately. We spend more time together and it's nice."
"Of course we do and I don't have to constantly page you when I need you either."
I pulled away from him "Is that what you're thinking about?"
"Oh, don't get upset with me over that. And besides, you were rubbish when responding to my pages anyway. At least in the house, I can have you whenever I want."
He brought his lips close to my ear and nipped it.
I hoped things stayed this peaceful, I couldn't handle any more trouble. I always feel so useless and I was always a hindrance to Eisuke. If only I wasn't blind, things would be easier. He was always there protecting me, I wished I could do more.
"Hey, we're almost there." He said bring me back to reality.
He held my hand and helped me as I stepped out of the boat. The usual crowd was already gathered in the penthouse by the time we got there.
"Good morning." I said and sat on the sofa.
"Morning Freya." Baba said. "See your smile first thing in the morning brightens my whole day!" He said, casually resting his hand on my shoulder.
"Baba, I'm pretty sure Eisuke is plotting your demise right now. Are you sure you wanna do that?" Ota said.
I bet Eisuke was sending his best death stare Baba's way.
"Aw come on, this isn't a big deal, boss." Baba said as he removed his hand.
"I think you may have forgotten something very important Baba, I don't like it when other people touch what's mine." Eisuke said.
"I see you're as maddeningly possessive as always Eisuke. Good morning all. Freya." Shuichi said greeting us all.
"Good morning, Shuichi." I said.
I still wasn't used to him being here with everyone. He joined the auctions managers not so long ago.
"I feel sorry for you Freya. It must be hard listening to that first thing in the morning. " he said.
"No it's fine. It's not a big deal." I said.
I heard Eisuke mutter with satisfaction when he heard my answer.
"It's not too late to forget about him and come be with me, you know." He said and started walking towards me.
"I'd prefer cancer." I said.
Eisuke immediately walked over and stepped in between Shuichi and me.
"You just don't know when to give up, do you?" Eisuke said with a growl.
"That's enough, you two." Soryu said firmly.
"It's too damn early to be fightin'." Kishi said.
"Damn, and things were just getting good, too." Ota said.
"Yeah! Right, Freya?" Baba asked.
"Uh… I don't know about that.." I said.
"Freya, go ahead and go to work. When you're done, it'll be time for the auction, so make sure you're ready." Eisuke said.
I nodded and left, the guys were still arguing noisily behind me.
As usual, I was working with Hikaru. The spa was quite busy, I was booked solid all day.
After work, I got changed and went straight to the auction.
"You're late." Eisuke said as I joined them.
"Sorry I – why is it so quiet?" I asked.
Normally the hall would be buzzing with chatter and people, but all I could hear was faint chatter.
"See? If she noticed it, then it's definitely obvious." Baba said.
"Yes, there are fewer people here tonight." Eisuke said.
"The guest list is the same as it always is though, right?" Ota asked.
"Yes and for people to be invited and not show up, its-"
"It's never happened before." Kishi cut Soryu off.
"You're right, normally people are desperate to get invited." Eisuke said.
"Which means something is going on behind the scenes." Shuichi said.
I hadn't even noticed him here.
The auction proceeded.
"And now, I'll start the bidding. $1 million to #6. 1.2 million to #13. Are there any other bids?" The auctioneer said. ""Very well, then sold to #13!"
"Not a lotta dough bein' put up, either." Kishi said.
Everyone seem very tense, what could be happening?
We got back to the penthouse,
"I'm sure of if now. I want you all to exhaust every possible resource to find out who's behind this." Eisuke commanded everyone.
"So nothing like this has ever happened before?" Shuichi asked.
"We have been noticing some odd things happening lately." Soryu said.
Everyone was so anxious, I just wished there something I could do to help. But there wasn't.
"Hey, don't look so upset." Eisuke said to me.
"I'm not upset, I just wished I could help but I can't." I said.
"I'm going to consult my fortune telling books to figure out the luckiest day for the next auction. We need to make a great comeback especially since Hishy is one of us now!" Baba said.
Baba lightened the mood for us.
After the discussion was over, everyone left except for me and Eisuke.
"There's nothing for you to worry about. Who do you think I am?"
"I know, I'm sure it'll be fine." I said.
He sounded as confident as always but I could tell that he was worried.
"What would you like for dinner?" I asked when we got home.
"It doesn't matter to me, you know I love anything you cook. Just don't put any peas in it." He said.
I nodded and went to the fridge, I got out all the ingredients that I needed to make a vegetable omelet.
As I started to prepare the veg, he embraced me from behind. I could feel his warm body pressing up against my back, his hands firmly gripped my waist.
"If you don't hurry up, I might have to eat you. Is that alright?" He whispered, kissing my neck.
I giggled "I'm not sure you could handle me Eisuke."
He chuckled and continued to hold me as I cooked. After a few minutes, he let me go and went into the other room.
A few days later, Eisuke asked me to meet him at the casino after work. As I entered the casino Baba called my name and guided me to their table.
"You're really going all in?" Baba asked him.
"You know I never lose." Eisuke said.
True to his word, he won one hand after the other.
"What's going on?" I asked Baba.
"He said he needs to make up for all the money we lost in the auction. But it's not like he can do this every time we have an auction."
"Did anyone find out any information?" I asked.
"No." he said before I left.
I sat next to Eisuke as he played. Something else was going on, he isn't just after money. There must be something else happening with the auction that I didn't know about, and Eisuke was great at keeping secrets. After the morning meeting, Hikaru and I started work at the spa. We first went through every room and cleaned and tidied them.
"You seem very focused today." He said.
"Do I?"
"Do you like working here?" He asked.
"I love working here and I love everyone who works here." I said and smiled at him as I placed clean towels over the therapy bed.
"That's so like you. But you know all good things must come to an end." He said but the meaningful tone of his voice bothered me.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
Maybe he was leaving to find a new job?
"Hm? Nothing. I just meant in general." He left the room before I could press him further.
I had this strange feeling in my gut, something wasn't right with him.
After work, I was called up to the penthouse.
"Freya, perfect timing." Baba said.
"What's up?" I asked as I sat down on the sofa.
"I found out some important information." Shuichi said.
"But is it credible?" Eisuke asked.
"All of my sources are credible, thank you very much."
"So? What did you find out?" Soryu asked.
"Take a look at this photograph." Shuichi said.
"It's a party." Ota said.
"Officially it's a party. But it's actually a front for secrete auctions to take place. Sound familiar?"
"Ahh I see. So now that our auctions aren't the only show in town, we're losing patrons." Baba said.
"So, what are you going to do about it, Eisuke?" Ota asked.
Eisuke didn't even try to conceal his anger, but managed to give his orders calmly.
"Soryu, get me the guest list for those auctions ASAP, money is no object here." Eisuke said.
"Are you going to send someone in undercover?" Shuichi asked.
"I'll go." Eisuke said.
"You?!" Kishi asked.
"I'm merely going to show them what happens to people who get in my way." He said.
He sounded fearless.
"Uh-oh, he's really pissed now that someone's violating his territory." Ota said.
"I'm actually really scared right now." Baba said.
"Just be careful Eisuke." I said. "Don't do anything stupid."
"What are you talking about? You should be thanking me instead, because you're coming with me."
"Wait, what?" I asked.
"I'll let you know when the party is as soon as I find out." He said clearly making up his mind before even hearing my answer.
I sighed and lied back on the sofa, things were starting to get complicated again. Every time I thought things were calming down, shit hits the fan!
