CHAPTER 1: CONTRACTS AND PAYMENTS
"Good morning, sir. I have finished the financial statements. Shall I present a worksheet?"
Kuroro's eyes gazed on that sweet face. "No need. Just prepare the presentation for the next week's conference."
"Yes, sir." Illumi bowed politely and turned towards the door.
"Mr. Zaoldyeck," he called.
"Yes?" Illumi faced him.
"I - I... just..." Ah! Stammering again! "D-do you... D- d-do you... Do you have a- a... Do you have an appointment this afternoon?" Phew! He got it out finally.
"No, sir. Why do you ask?" Those wide angelic eyes looked at him with uttermost innocence.
"I - I just want to ask if I can - can...I just... want to ask if- if- if..I- I just... never mind. You may go."
Kuroro closed his eyes as he heard the soft click of the door. Ah! When would he be able to say it right? Or should he? Illumi might laugh at him. But he can't deny that his heart beats at it's highest magnitude whenever they are near each other. His prided rationality and calmness vanishes like a thin puff of cigarette smoke when his sight perceives Illumi - even just his shadow.
Of course he's not an okama! Never! Kadiri! He's a straightforward guy down to his bones. He had admired some guys who are intelligent and skilled enough to compete with him. They gained his respect. But this... this is a different kind of attraction, isn't it? Not just a mere admiration. Is it love? WHAT?! his mind screamed. It can't be! It mustn't be!
All those years in his life, he was in control of his own mind, no emotions, there is calmness. Then Illumi came along and destroyed the order that had been enveloping his solitary world.
Yeah, all right. He's in love. So what? But this attraction was so hard for him to bear. Even harder when he discovered Illumi's engagement with a woman named Kumiko (arranged by his parents of course).
Okay, boys are for girls and girls are for boys. But he broke away with that idea the day he first set his eyes on Illumi two years ago...
...
It was a hard day for the Ryodan. Ubogin was gone and there wasn't any candidate for replacement. The brave brown-eyed boy held hostage by his friends can never ever compare to Spider Eleven's prowess in fighting. He was too soft. He could never be the proper replacement.
Kuroro cupped his chin with his hands. That chain-user was indeed a genius. They never expected that the strongest member could be easily eliminated by an amateur fighter.
Screeching sounds disturbed his thoughts. He could feel a strong aura wrap the area he was in. 'He's here', he thought. He contacted an assassin firm - the Zaoldyeck Firm to be exact. The mafia is doing it's best to eradicate the Ryodan. They're a nuisance. They must die. He knew very well about the elders who are killed by Ubogin and the rest, but a considerable number survived waiting for their turn for vengeance. He cannot permit that to happen. The Ryodan must survive.
He smiled. Now, the organization is sure of their destiny. The Zaoldyeck he contacted is willing to do the job he offered for ten million jennies. It's not going to be a Pyhrric victory though. The amount he offered is quite enough to get rid secretly of those enemies.
Now, he could feel the aura closer to him.
Zaoldyeck. The legend. That clan was mysterious. even a single photograph of one of it's kin is worth a billion jennies. Yet he is going to see one of them, in this coffee shop, today. He wondered how they looked like. Are they muscular fellows who have rings and scars like Franklin? Or graceful and fair like Feitan? Or cute and playful like Shalnark? Or seriously handsome like him?
"Excuse me. You are Rushifuru, right? Kuroro Rushifuru," a cold voice asked.
"Yes," he replied. Then he turned his head to look at the person in front of him. And he was astounded. He saw an angel with the fairest radiant skin he had ever seen in his whole life."Waiter," he called. "A pair of coffee and croissants please." The waiter left.
"Good morning. I am Illumi Zaoldyeck. Now let's talk about business. The offer you told my secretary yesterday..."
He was talking to this guy all right, but Kuroro cannot concentrate on his words. He spoke without noticing what his words meant. For the very first time in his twenty-six years of living in this world, he was tongue- tied. And he barely noticed that he had outstretched his hand on the table.
" Nice to meet you,too, Mr. Rushifuru." Illumi grasped his hand and before he knew it, he felt as if he had undergone a terrible electric shock.
"Are you all right, Mr.?" Illumi asked without emotion.
Kuroro nodded feverishly and withdrew his hand. "S-so are you willing to accept the job?" He is trying to get serious.
The angelic face looked direct to his eyes. " I have already accepted it three minutes ago. Are you listening?"
He was caught off-guard! "W-what?! O-of course I am! I am! Yeah, I - I really do..."
"You say so. Anyway..." Illumi was explaining to him about the assassination plan but Kuroro fidgeted every now and then. Sweat was flowing all over him. The ceiling fans of the coffee shop did not help suppress the hot sting in his groin. He was thoroughly ashamed of himself..but it's just too hard for him to take his eyes off that face.
Those wide black eyes would scare anybody looking at them. They were beautifully shaped though, rounded and black. But devoid of any emotion. Can't even reflect a thing he is looking at. Very much alike to that of a machine. Lifeless. Yet those emotionless eyes took his breath away.
That high-bridged nose was perfect above that thin lips which moved slightly as he spoke in that calm, soothing voice. Ah! Like an angel's song to his ears. He closed his eyes dreamily imagining that he was feeling the soft,waist-length,silky-black hair in his hands. How he wished to wrap that graceful yet muscular body in his arms...
"Hey, are you listening?" Illumi disturbed his thoughts.
"W-what? O-okay, you're welcome."
Those brows slightly knitted. "All right. The deal is on. But you must never forget the payment. Five million jennies plus the job."
Now it's time for his brows to knit. "What job?"
"You're a very forgetful person, Mr. Rushifuru. You have agreed thirty-five minutes ago to find me an ordinary job. To state the reason again, I want to stay away from my parents as soon as possible. I don't want to marry the princess they have arranged for me. Get it?"
"Get it," he replied.
"So, goodbye for now. The mission will be accomplished tomorrow night. Don't forget about your payment. I'll wait for your call. See you again, Mr. Rushifuru." Illumi streched his hand on the table.
Kuroro looked intently at that soft delicate figure in front of him. Shall he grasp it or not?
Before he knew it, Illumi had shaken his hand. "Nice meeting you," he whispered to the air as Illumi stood and went away from his sight.
...
Kuroro sighed remembering those moments. Now that the fraud with Kurapika was over, Illumi made him "pay" the payment he had signed on contract: the job. A year ago, Illumi went to the office of the manufacturing corporation he had built telling him that he needs the job immediately lest his parents find out about his running away. Since the auditing area is vacant, he quickly stationed Illumi there.
Kuso! This is crazy! He hated this setup. He can't concentrate on his job knowing that Illumi is around. But what could he possibly do? Illumi is an efficient auditor and an asset of his company. He can't just fire somebody because of these crazy feelings! Not a good employee. Never an efficient one.
But he is just doing his very best to control himself. What if his heart overpowers his mind? What if he is tempted again to - No! No please! He can't possibly do that!
Ah! This is absolutely an insanity! He must kill it as soon as possible! But it's such a sweet insanity, isn't it?
Argh! Kuso! Bakero! Letse! Bwisit!Ah!
