The CEO of the conglomerate empire, Garuda Corporation, Tenoh Akio had not yet recovered from a shock. His eyes still fixed on the tall young blond man in front of him. Tenoh Akio was not easily surprised and he always prided himself as composed and collected man. In a business world, one has to train himself to prepare for the worse and losing one head when one receives extremely unexpected news could be disastrous.

However the info coming from the young man who sat opposite him had rendered him speechless. His slightly trembling hand absentmindedly loosened his dark red tie. His luxurious couch could not give him the comfort he needed at that moment.

"You said you're Tenoh Haruo and Tenoh Nia's son?" The 65-year-old man was sure he heard the statement clearly at the first time but he could not help himself but to ask again.

"Yes. My name is Tenoh Haruka."

"How old are you, Haruka?"

"18."

So he is the same age as Kei.

Even though the young man confession was far from satisfying him to believe the fact his guest could be his second grandson, part of him wanted to believe so. Haruka was a perfect duplicate of his late son. Except for hair, the blonde who was wearing a simple dark blue sweater and a pair of black jeans had similar face with Haruo especially with his bright green eyes. Even his lanky physique resembled his son built. But of course the CEO would not take the blond's words merely for his appearance merit. After all, it was not possible for someone to have a doppelganger without being related. But, he countered his own thought internally, no sane person would dare to meet the head of the oligarch Tenoh and claimed to be his grandson without any solid proof unless he had a death wish. And to the blond's credit, not once he flinched under the tense gaze of Tenoh Akio, always striking a confident poise.

"I know this news is too much for you, Tenoh –sama, to accept. You have never heard about me before and suddenly I appeared at your door and claiming to be Haruo's son. I don't expect you to believe my words right away but I'm asking for you to give me a chance to prove the truth. For starter, here is my mother locket. She said you gave her this during her wedding ceremony." Aiko eyes bulged when Haruka fished a custom made ruby pendant from his pocket and put it down with care on the coffee table.

The older Tenoh pick it up and scrutinized the piece of jewelry. There was no doubt in his mind that the pendant was given to his daughter law by him. It was Tenoh tradition to give the pendant to the wife of the heir of Garuda Corporation. The concrete evidence in his hand almost made him to acknowledge the young man as his grandson, almost, but he knew it was irrational thing to do.

"Where have you been all these years?" Akio struggled to keep his toNe formal but he did not want to sound concerned.

It is not the time yet, he thought.

"Detroit City, New York." Haruka's answer was simple. Now Akio knew why Haruka's speech was coated with American accent albeit he was fluent in Japanese and he had not bowed to him during their greeting, just casually extending and shaking his hand- like American.

"With your mother?"

Haruka nodded and Akio saw the flash of hurt in the young man's eyes.

"Is your mother here? It would be easier for me to confirm your story with your mother's presence."

"I'm afraid I have to disappoint you. My mother…she has passed away six months ago." Haruka answered with a clipped tone.

"I'm so sorry to hear that."

"It's okay."

Akio felt that he should ask more about Haruka's mother, however he did not want to know more than necessary if Haruka was a fraud.

He would hold any questions he had regarding the blond till he could really confirm that he was indeed his grandson.

"Haruka, I hope you understand that what you have said is difficult for me to grasp. I assume that you'll have no trouble to have the DNA test and we can have further discussion about your status if the result is on your side. " He briefly glanced at his gold Rolex watch and sighed. He had another meeting in 30 minutes but he doubted he could carry on with what he had learned just now. He ought to cancel the meeting.

Haruka, knowing that the discussion was over, stood up.

"Can I have the necklace back. It is important to me."

Akio, realizing that he still hold it in his hand quickly returned it to Haruka. "Here."

"Where are you staying right now?"

"A motel. It's 5 blocks away from here."

"Haruka, do you have any contact number so I can reach you after the DNA result?"

"I don't own a cellphone at this moment. Just find me at the motel or Ieave me the message at the receptionist if I am not there. I know where to find you, Tenoh-sama."

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Haruka let out a relieved sight. It was not easy for her to meet Tenoh Akio. That old man was not just a regular man. He was the owner of 400-year-old Garuda Corporation, one of the largest conglomerates in the world. With the corporation holding business in oil and gas, media, aviation and sport, Haruka could not imagine how big the business empire was. She used to hear some rumors that Tenoh's wealth eclipsed small countries and Tenoh Akio practically owned the Japanese yakuzas. She had to admit, the mere presence of Akio was extremely intimidating. Luckily for her, being raised in the unforgiving environment at Detroit street had taught her some valuable lesson when dealing with people. For once, she knew acting intimidated when confronted was a big no in her experience. The moment your confident faltered and you showed any sign of fear, you were in trouble. And when dealing with Akio, she needed all of her courage and confidence she got. A real Tenoh was afraid of nothing; she muttered that under her breath.

Haruka was confident that Akio would contact her after the test was out since she was really Haruo' child. That matter did not bother her but the fact that she claimed to be a boy, be Haruo's son troubled her. Haruko knew the dire consequence if her cover was blew up but she did not have much choice. After her mother's death, Haruka did not have any other relative in America and surviving in Detroit City was getting harder and harder when she was alone. She braved herself coming to Japan with her last saving with the hope that her grandfather would accept her. She needed a proper place called home and for some reason her living arrangement in America was no longer an option. Besides, it's been years since she attended any formal education. When her mother chronic disease had become worse Haruka had to drop school so she could be the breadwinner for her family. She knew she was too old to enroll to a high school but she believed education is paramount for her if she ever wanted to be successful. It was never too late to learn something.

Even though she could earn those things as a granddaughter of Akio, Haruka had another reason for posing as a male. She wanted to claim what rightfully hers – as an heir of Tenoh Corporation. Tenoh family still practiced strict rules when it comes to its company. Since 400 years ago, only males were allowed to take over Tenoh Corporation and it was considered taboo for females to inherit it. Her mother used to tell her a story when the head of the tenth generation of Tenoh had to give the business empire to his cousin when his wife had failed to bear a son. The man loved his wife too much that he refused to take another woman for the sake of having an heir.

Haruka sighed again, this time it was more audible. It was tricky for her to claim the company but she could depend on her status as the only child of Nia, the first and legal wife of Haruo. Surely, more people would root for her as an heir than Tenoh Kei even though the guy was a few months older then her.

After living in the midst of hardship with her mother, she believed she deserved that much. Currently Kei was the legal heir as he was the only grandson of Akio. The out-of-wedlock child lived luxuriously with all the money while she worked like a pig for a meal. And Kei's mother was the real reason her mother had been living into exile. Ruining Kei and his mother's comfort life seemed to be the right thing for her to do, so her mother could rest in peace; Haruka kept telling that herself.

It was a risky decision to lie to her grand father and she was tethering at the edge of sword once she told Akio about her status.

This is not going to be easy.

Haruka was strolling aimlessly around the street. She was in no hurry to go back to her motel. Her step halted when her stomach growled. She frowned. She only had a breakfast with two slices of plain bread this morning before she took off and now since the day was nearing noon, she was hungry. She tucked her hand into her pocket and inspecting her money. As she expected she did not have enough money for her lunch. She then had to rely on one-week-stock instant noodle for dinner.

God, I'm poor.

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Kaioh Michiru swore silently. She pulled the handbrake and stormed out of her car, fuming. Teeth clenching, she scrutinized the front tire of the right side. It was flat. Her anger boiling inside her stomach caused her to kick the offending tire. She left her handphone on her studio and now she had no mean to contact anyone to help her. Groaning loudly, she sat on the car cushion, waiting for any passerby who was kind to lend a hand. He eyes then caught a tall blond man ogling at her sport car. She raised an eyebrow. The lanky man seemed oblivious that the violinist was staring at her. The man was rather handsome albeit not in a conventional way. His soft features made him look like a pretty boy. His messy short hair and a pair of playful green eyes added some points to his charming appearance.

Michiru cleared her throat, hoping that action would catch the blond attention.

"Oh sorry," he smiled sheepishly, "I always love cars and your Porsche deserve to be appreciated."

Michiru rolled her eyes. "I would appreciate if you could help me changing the flat tire," there was a hint of irritation in her tone.

"Oh, so your tire is flat."

"Yes, thank you captain obvious."

The young man frowned a little before his normal expression was back.

"You know, it's not difficult to change tire, you just take a wrench and –"

"I don't need a lesson for that! Can you do it?" Michiru was getting impatient, flinching at her harsh tone. A small part in her heart was worried if the blond would walk away.

"Open you trunk," his husky voice commanded in calm manner.

Afraid the man would change his mind, Michiru sped to push the button of the trunk. Wordlessly, the man took out a wrench and a jack. His skill was apparent when he completed his work under than 15 minutes. He stood up and faced the aqua hair girl, an arrogant smirk hanging at his lips.

"Done."

"Thank you." Michiru smiled sweetly at him, the kind of small making men falling to her feet. "I'm glad that there's still a gentleman in this world."

The man blinked dumbly as if he was confused. He rubbed the nape of her neck. He looked hesitant about something.

"Though I appreciate your gratitude, I was hoping if I you could pay me for my service." There was a blunt demand.

Michiru was surprised. She had naively thought that the man was sincere to help her without expecting any reward. In her entire life, countless men were willing to do anything for her in a chance of getting a slight recognition from her, surrendering to her beauty. But this handsome guy seemed that he could care less about the beauty in front of him, helping for the sake of money only.

I take back my first impression of him. He's not a gentleman!

Michiru ducked under her car to retrieve her purse. She gave a few notes to the man, slamming the money on his palm.

Smiling, the man took the notes and put them into his pocket. Michiru would think the smile was charming if her stomach was not roaring with anger.

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Haruka smiled with a triumph. She would have a lunch today. She suspected the rich girl did not really look the value of the notes when she gave them to Haruka. The reward was a little too much for her small service but she would not complain about that. What a great day!