CHAPTER I

First encounter

I'm writting this story based on the book,"Bedding The Heiress"

As far as I know, a T rating should do but there's a M rated chapter... should it be T or M? x)

Never mind. Just read and please review if you liked it.

Mimi Tachikawa waited impatiently for Michael in the darkness of the terrace outside her father's new library; the only private and quiet place she could find right now. The recently bought three stories high house was bursting with guests, laughter and music all because her mother decided to throw a "welcome back" party in their honour. Or that was what she thought.

Odaiba's finest people - the elite of the elite - were invited to take part in one of the year's event. It was a perfect time for all of town's wealthiest and powerful men -and their wives- to join the Tachikawa's in a "simple" but classy get together. After all, Keisuke Tachikawa, a business man and diplomat, born and raised in Japan, had come back to his homeland after living ten years in America.

Mimi, the couple's only daughter, sighed as she rested both of her elbows on the balustrade. Anger was slowly taking control of her emotions as patience started drying up. She had been hundred percent sure she'd sent him a text message, imploring him to meet her. After all, if the boy had come after her from America, why would he refuse to meet her?

Though she didn't know the answer of his tardiness, she didn't even know why she kept on waiting. For the hundredth time she wondered why she was stupid enough to trust him after all what's happened. As simple as that was, she knew the answer: because her father would never approve something of the sort. Why? No one knew.

Since she was a little girl, her life had always been very sheltered. Being an only daughter as she was, brought many privileges but also, many restrictions. She wished upon heaven and earth for a normal life, but no, she had to take care of other important matters instead of living a normal teenage life.

The Tachikawas were a respectable family. Her father would travel across the globe searching for a better "living standard", while her mother enjoyed doing and going to big partys and get togethers.

She wasn't truly prepared for all what Michael brought into her life. He was perhaps the only man who wanted her instead of all her money. She needed someone like that. Someone who could and would offer the world to her just because she was important. Not because of all the money he would earn by becoming part of the family. He made her feel beautiful. He had all the right words to make her heart jump and her legs turn to jelly… and she even imagined herself in love with him. He had been the golden shinning ray of hope in a world saddened by the incapacity of feeling free and capable of doing what she wanted. While being with him, she felt she had wings and could soar up the sky.

Being in America since she was fourteen prevented Mimi from going into Japanese society. She didn't feel it beeing important but her parents didn't think the same. Both her mother and father wanted their daughter to marry a noble Japanese man… and the only way of meeting that man was to go into society. But now, all hopes of Mimi marrying were below the average… not caring to say they were rapidly turning to cero. She had gone over her twenties and seemed too "old" to be wanted by any noble Japanese man.

But now, did she really care to marry a noble Japanese? No.

It wasn't her fault her mother was bethrothed to her father and that love did come later. An exception to the rule. Why couldn't they understand that things were different? In a modern world, different to the one they still live in, people cared less about all the "formalities" in a relationship. Who cared if she was twenty-four? She wasn't that old after all, but her parents made it seem as if she was forty.

Once again, was it her fault her parents married at the early age of sixteen and that their minds still belonged to the seventeenth century?

She wanted to have a normal life. A boyfriend, or maybe two, before knowing the right man to spend the rest of her life. A man who would love her for being herself.

Could she be happy and get her heart shattered like normal women do? Apparently, under her father's roof nothing was possible.

Was it her fault to fall in Michael's "trap"?

After all, he knew how to charm and seduce a woman. He, himself, was charming and handsome. He spoke to her as if she had the freedom and intelligence to make her own choices... something she always wanted to hear and do. He made her feel important and wanted.

And so, when he'd suggested her to go and visit the room he was renting so as to talk freely, she didn't give a second thought before agreeing.

Two days ago, thinking herself safe because her parents were still unpacking and worrying about the fuzz the party would be, she'd slip of the house without being noticed. A maid, who helped bringing her up, helped her out.

She had anticipated an adventure; the kind old romance novels dare to mention when lovers sneak out to meet one another. It was her first attempt of clandestine meeting.

But no. Instead she met disaster… maybe because after all, they weren't lovers.

Michael hadn't plan for an innocent meeting. He'd wanted to elope; a step she hadn't been ready to take. Perhaps she could've run away with him after a week or a month, maybe a year or two. She just needed the time to fall in love with him… Time he wasn't wiling to give.

But Michael hadn't wanted to wait. He demanded her to leave with him… something she wasn't willing to do. Her family was here, her friends were here and the hope of a new life buried all thoughts of going back.

She couldn't. And when she'd refuse to leave with him he'd attempted rape to force her. Fear struck her eyes. Michael wasn't this kind of guy... or that's what she thought...

Only a well-aimed and certain kick gave her time to escape

Now Mimi rubbed a finger along the terrace balustrade, gaze falling upon certain guests. Though it was dark, she still could recognize Tai's hair. It was such a mess. Nine other people gathered around him. Three were women, six were men, but there was one missing. Matt Ishida, the loner. She hadn't had much contact with him but knew he was doing well. Rumours said he and Takeru were having a "debate" on the succession of family line. Mimi didn't quite understand this but wished them well.

Michael had taken too long. She was well aware of the risk she'd taken in meeting him alone and again especially under the family's roof…but she had no choice. She needed a safe ground to confront him and ask him to return her necklace.

It was a gold chain with a light green pearl tear shaped pendant. A keepsake of her childhood and friends… the first and only time she could truly be herself.

Apparently, during the struggle to break free from Michael, the chain, or the lock had broken. But she hadn't notice until she was miles away from him, in the safety of her house, when she discovered its loss.

She had to have it back. Not only was her most cherished possession but it was also, proof she had been in Michael's room without her father's consent. He despised the man. If he knew her precious daughter was with him, though no one could prove something actually happened, Mimi could possibly be locked forever.

A burst of laughter coming from the former holder of the crest of courage brought Mimi back into reality. She stepped back into the corner of the terrace, where shadows were deeper, covering her figure from all sight. The open wooden doors served as shelter.

Mimi couldn't help but wonder about all the guests downstairs. She didn't know exactly how many were invited, but the garden view did offer a sight of over thirty people. Knowing her mother as she did, she'd probably had invited all of Odaiba's VIPs… plus her friends.

Mimi's parents only knew Sora in person. The rest were just forgotten names by now.

One thought struck her head. She'd remember hearing that a recently named duke would be attending their party. She didn't know who he was and wasn't pretty interested in knowing either. Followed by what newspapers printed, no one knew who he was. Speculations have being going over weeks and yet, no one had the pleasure to say "I met the duke".

The door of the library opened.

Michael's here. At last. Panic welled up her throat at seeing him again. Unconsciously she held her breath and stepped further into the shadows, towards the wall where the golden terrace railing met the house. If she stood by that door, any slight movement would cause a shriek revealing her hideout.

She sensed him moving inside. She heard the movement of his steps across the thick carpet. He didn't walk into the terrace immediately but paused by the window. Her heart pounded. Her original plan was to firmly demand what was hers by nature, threatening deport and banning accesses to her country. She thought that by being Keisuke Tachikawa's daughter, she might have some influence after all.

Now she realized that such plan wouldn't work. Michael was a legal "tourist" for three months. There was nothing she could do about it.

Damn!

She would have to coax him to give it back… make him believe she had a change of heart. She would have to seduce him into giving the necklace back. Only she thought, things could be easier than what they sound. It was the only way it would work.

She heard steps. Michael was finally coming out. Her breath got caught in her throat. She took another step to the corner, not wanting him to see her first. She feared a violent reaction.

A cloud covered the moon, the only light upon the terrace. His shadow darkened the door, blocking the light coming from the house. Framed as he was, he appeared much taller and larger than she remembered. He stepped out into the terrace. Her heart skipped a beat and her breathing stopped. He gave another step and reached the balustrade. He was dressed completely in black, tension radiating from his contracted muscles. He braced the railing with both hands and looked down. It seemed as if he wanted nothing more than to jump and escape all of this mess.

It was as if something heavily weighed on his mind. Is he regretting what he did?

Her moment arrived. It was now or never. She truly didn't want to do this, but it was the only way. She moved forward; her heels, for once, making only a whisper of sound… but he heard her…

He started to turn. Quickly she slipped her arms around his waist and held him in place. Pressing her breasts against his back, she seductively whispered, "At last you've come" even though she realized his shoulders being broader than last time they encountered.

And she was sure it wasn't just her imagination. He was taller and had muscles… Michael wasn't a sport fan and didn't really workout.

He was different…he smelled different. Michael would just smell like his AXE, but this man just smelled of himself… so extremely masculine.

This man wasn't the one she'd been expecting. This man wasn't Michael. Realization hit her. She couldn't think fast enough to untangle her arms before he turned… taking her in his arms…

She tried to get a glimpse his face but fear and darkness blured her vision.

"If I'd known you were waiting for me, I would've been here sooner."

His Japanese accent confirmed her worst fear.

It definitely wasn't Michael.

Before she could try to escape, his lips came down over hers in a breath taking kiss.

Hope you liked it 'till now. Any kind of comments are welcome!