Contract Boyfriend

Chapter 1_

Rin stared blankly ahead, mindlessly stabbing freshly cut flowers into a flower arrangement.

"Ouch!" Rin dropped the rose as a bead of blood oozed from the fresh wound on her index finger. Gingerly, Rin blew on her finger and applied a gentle pressure to stop the bleeding, though her efforts seemed to yield no success as blood continued to gush from the small lesion, like water from a fountain.

"Are you alright, dear?" Rin's father looked on with a concerned expression. He was man of fifty years, but his countenance appeared to be that of a man far more advanced in his years. Hardships had etched themselves firmly into the creases on his face and each fold of skin served as a mark of the test of time.

"It's nothing, father. I'm just a bit clumsy in the morning," murmured Rin absentmindedly. Rin's glance flitted over to her father who was sitting in a lawn chaise with a book of poetry in his hand. The morning was awfully peaceful and . . . undisrupted, in fact this was unusual even. Rin was sure that her father would be called away to the company headquarters on urgent matters at almost any moment, yet there he sat comfortably relaxed in a lawn chaise. "Father, do you not have to work today?"

Rin's father chuckled, "I've spent my life working, and I finally believed that I am entailed to a morning of rest." He paused for a moment before adding in a teasing tone, "but if you don't wish to entertain an old geezer like myself I could return to my work."

"N-no, that's not what I meant . . . it's just unusual that you have the luxury to spend time relaxing at home. It caught me by surprise."

"Rin, we should talk." Rin's father gently slapped the paperback book in his lap closed and slid the book onto the table next to him.

"About what?" Rin averted her gaze and returned her attention to the floral arrangement set before her.

"You're twenty-seven year old in a month's time."

"I know."

"What are you going to do with your life?"

Rin froze in mid air with her hands stiffening while holding the stems of roses. Another bead of blood dripped from her lesion, but it escaped Rin's notice.

"I know this is not an easy subject to discuss, but it would set my mind at ease, if you . . . if you would at least consider your options for the future." He ploughed on with the invitation of Rin's silent response. "I know it's been difficult since your mother – "

"Father, the sun is a bit strong today, and my arms are growing tired. I think I shall retire inside." Although Rin hid it well, her father could discern how strained Rin's voice was and he could detect the undercurrent of anger. She must still be angry about that incident.

Rin's father coughed loudly, his entire upper body convulsing from the intensity of the cough. It was not until several minutes later that he finally managed to suppress the cough, but his breathe still came in shallow breathes as if he had run a marathon. Rin had disappeared from the patio and ventured down the hall, oblivious to any of the coughing sounds.

Sesshomaru glanced down at the contract on his mahogany desk with a look of deep satisfaction. This was proof that striking out on his own had been a shrewd decision after all, but it still bothered him to some extent that his father chose his imbecile half breed of a brother to become the successor and gave him all of the family assets. What was the reason again? Right, I had forgotten . . . a difference in opinion. Sesshomaru sneered at the last memory he had with his father, the unfathomable situation that had deprived him of his very birthright.

"Sesshomaru, do you have anyone to love?"

"No father, I have no need."

"Very well then . . . . "

Sesshomaru strolled over to the wall sized window on the opposite side of his expansive office and glanced down into the bustling Tokyo streets. People were colliding with each other as they jostled towards crosswalks, in a hurry to reach their destination. Just a mere year ago, Sesshomaru had been one of them, one of the masses, working to make something of his life. Now, a year later, he had transformed his fledgling company into a multimillion dollar enterprise with holding in almost every conceivable industry, an achievement indeed, yet he was far from satisfied. His late father's company still thrived as the flagship company of Japan's economy, despite being run by a complete imbecile, Inuyasha. Just wait Inuyasha, I'll get my revenge soon enough.

Sesshomaru's cell phone buzzed from its position on his mahogany desk. Sesshomaru briskly strolled over and snatched the phone from the desk, sliding it open in one swift motion.

"What is it?" Barked Sesshomaru

"Well . . . you see . . . about that contract that was supposed to be signed, I-I," Jaken blubbered and stuttered uncontrollably on the other end, turning the rest of his sentences into a jumble of gibberish.

"SUPPOSED TO BE SIGNED? What is the meaning of this?" A vein pulsed at the side of Sesshomaru's forehead, threatening to burst. That useless . . . I knew I should not have entrusted something of such importance with the likes of him.

"Sir . . . I- can make this up to you, I-I'll . . . " Jaken stammered on, the fear evident in his shaky voice.

"Jaken," Sesshomaru said in a deathly calm tone.

Oh no . . . tranquility is worse than rage. . . he couldn't really k-kill me could he?

"That won't be necessary," continued Sesshomaru, "because you won't be an employee at my company anymore. Consider yourself FIRED. I'll have my secretary arranged to leave your possessions at the front desk in the lobby. After you receive them you will be escorted out by security. That is all." Sesshomaru closed his phone in annoyance and whipped the side cupboard open to reveal a selection of expensive liquors ranging from wines to champagnes to whisky. Without hesitation, Sesshomaru grabbed the bottle of Vodka from the far corner of the cupboard and poured himself a hearty glass. The burning liquid slid down his throat mercilessly, leaving a burning sensation in its tracks as Sesshomaru downed the glass in one gulp. Now . . . what to do . . . . The question echoed countless times in his mind.

Irritably, Sesshomaru grabbed a blue folder from his desk and flipped to the page with the contract and conditions listed. However, reviewing the proposal and contract conditions only proved to perpetuate Sesshomaru's escalating annoyance. The conditions were perfectly laid out and relatively lucrative for both parties, yet it was rejected.

Suddenly a purposeful knock sounded.

"Come in," commanded Sesshomaru. His secretary eased the heavy wooden door of the office open just enough to step in and bow.

"Sir, you have a phone call from the president and chairman of Aizawa hotels."

Sesshomaru looked up from the document he was reading and arched an eyebrow in surprise. "Well, put him through then." Sesshomaru picked up the phone receiver, curious as to why the president suddenly took it upon himself to call directly when he had been working through a representative the entire time during the contract negotiations.

"President Taisho."

"President Aizawa, how nice of you to call."

"Of course, of course, but you'll forgive me if I'm not a great appreciator of pleasantries . . . I consider them a sorry waste of time. I called regarding the contract."

"If I recall correctly, you have rejected my terms?" Sesshomaru arched an eyebrow, waiting for a response. After all his effort the reason had better be a valid one.

"Yes . . . because, after all, the terms had been more in your favour than mine. You'll have to try harder if you want this contract more than the other companies vying for my approval."

Sesshomaru gritted his teeth. "Very well. But instead of wasting precious time for both of us, perhaps you would like to outline the terms of the contract. We can work from there." Sesshomaru heard a soft chuckle from the other end.

"Well said, well said, president Taisho. If I did not have this conversation with you today I would not have believed the far-fetched rumours surrounding your name. My conditions are very simple, but now is neither the time nor the place to be discussing this. Come to my office Monday morning at nine o'clock. We will resume his conversation, or shall I say negotiation, then."

Sesshomaru replaced the receiver and leaned back in his armchair. Monday . . .

Rin's father put the phone down and submitted to his coughing fit, almost doubling over from the sheer force of the coughs. Air came in gasping breathes, each breathe becoming shallower and shallower. With shaking hands, he gripped the handle of the drawer on his desk and managed to extract a small bottle of pills. His hands shook so violently that the pills scattered over his desk, but he scrambled to pick up two pills, swallowing them instantly. A few moments later, the coughing subsided and Rin's father collapsed, exhausted, in the armchair of his study. His tired gaze wandered over to the tapestry of his wife on the opposite wall. The tapestry always gave him courage and strength, and now it calmed him, but it also reminded him of his obligation. You've always done so much for me, Misa, yet I returned your kindness with a knife to the heart. I have no right to even beg for forgiveness, but I will invest all the little power I have left into Rin's happiness, her future. I've found him . . . the perfect candidate. I know that is what you would have wanted. Misa.

Monday morning . . .

Sesshomaru downed his cup of strong black coffee in a gulp and reviewed the stock market prices on his laptop. As expected, his company was still rising incredibly fast, but the gap between his company and his father's was still evident, and until he secured this contract, investors would not be confident in his company. Sesshomaru slipped his suit jacket on and adjusted his silver tie.

The drive to the Aizawa headquarters was uneventful, which suited Sesshomaru just fine, since it permitted him to let his mind wander. What could Aizawa's conditions possibly be?

Sesshomaru parked neatly at the entrance of the headquarters, a large glass building ascending into the clouds of Tokyo sky. It was a truly magnificent architectural masterpiece: the contours of the building were beautiful, forming a helical structure. The guards at the entrance immediately opened the doors, Sesshomaru noted, clearly indicating that the president was expecting him.

The elevator deposited Sesshomaru on the 50th floor of the building, the president's office.

"Ah . . . president Taisho, you've arrived." President Aizawa swivelled around in his chair to face him. Sesshomaru nodded in acknowledgement. "Have a seat." President Aizawa gestured towards the series of sofas and armchairs arrayed near the north end of his office. Sesshomaru took a moment to scan the office and its furnishings. His gaze paused, fixed on a portrait hanging by the president's desk. His wife? No, there's something about it. The girl in the portrait was poised and graceful, but the look in her eyes indicated that her true nature was contrary to what one saw in the portrait. Her chocolate brown eyes held mischief, specks of light dancing on her irises.

President Aizawa smiled slightly, "my daughter." Sesshomaru nodded.

"She seems quite charming," replied Sesshomaru politely.

"Yes . . . she is. A lot like her mother," whispered Aizawa reminiscently. However, when the president's gaze returned to Sesshomaru the wistful, distant look in his eyes had disappeared, instead the gaze of a shrewd businessman appeared in its place. "I suppose I should not bore you with my family matters. Let us return to the matter at hand. I have reviewed your contract conditions again and in hindsight they are relatively reasonable, but I had instructed my lawyer to add one more stipulation."

"And that is?"

"The person that cooperates with my company on these terms must be a suitor for my daughter." Sesshomaru's eyes widened. "Perhaps I should explain myself, since you probably wonder why I have done this. Well, as you can see, I am a man advanced in his years. This company, the empire I have built from years of hard work will collapse once I retire. My daughter is ill suited to become the CEO of this company and I have no son. However, even with this stipulation, the terms remain much to your favour. In addition, if you do marry my daughter, you will gain so much more. Perhaps I should put it this way . . . should such a marriage occur, this contract will not simply be one of two companies cooperating, but more of a merger."

Sesshomaru's thoughts whirled around in his mind and he fought to organize them in an orderly fashion but with little avail. "President, if I may ask one question. You must have many suitors to choose from, yet you selected me, when I clearly have no romantic interest in your daughter."

"True, but it appears you do not understand the conditions regarding this stipulation." A secretary silently entered the office and placed two cups of tea in front of them. President Aizawa reached for the cup without gazing downward, allowing his memory to guide him. He took a sip of the hot earl grey before continuing. "President Taisho, perhaps you would like a chance to look for yourself." Aizawa slid a green folder across the glass table towards him.

Sesshomaru flipped the folder open and scanned the text rapidly. The conditions appeared the same and the stipulation added at the bottom was as the president had mentioned, then what was different? Suddenly something caught Sesshomaru's attention and his brow creased in consternation.

"I trust you have realized by now." President Aizawa commented, casually stirring his tea.

"The date at which the contract takes effect has been left blank."

"Yes. You see, according to the stipulation, Aizawa Hotels will only cooperate with someone who is a suitor for Miss Rin Aizawa, my daughter. As of now, you are not her suitor, and your status will not change unless you can convince my daughter otherwise, because I have no intention of forcing anyone upon her. I will keep the contract and write the date in when my daughter acknowledges you formally as her suitor or even a candidate that she has interest in."

"I see." Sesshomaru paused to think. The oddity of this contract was simply appalling, yet financially everything about it was lucrative, the temptation was formidable.

"I will give you time to consider, but I must warn you, I have other candidates in mind. I believe, President Ootori has also expressed interest."

"That won't be necessary. I've decided."

"I admire your decisiveness. What will it be then?"

"Let us sign the contract."