One Moment in Time
By Stunstar
Chapter 2: The First Revelation
Ray stared at the bubbles surrounding him, deep in thought. A good, hot bubble bath was something he desperately needed after having such muddled thoughts and freaky discoveries.
He had come back to find the lights in his apartment switched on and for a moment he didn't know what to do. Cautiously he had made his way in all his martial arts reflexes ready just in case even though it had been ages since he had actually practiced the art. Slowly he had made his way around, looking into the kitchen, his bedroom, the bathroom – nothing. There was nobody there and he had sunk into his couch in deep relief feeling extremely nerve wracked.
After he was convinced that there was no one in his apartment, he had decided to let the light situation go thinking that maybe Max had indeed left it on accidentally. But something deep inside did not allow himself to let the matter go at that. He decided to check if everything was intact. The only place he didn't look was the spare bedroom and that was because it was always kept locked. He first checked the drawer where he kept his money, he saved as much as he could and locked it up in a drawer in his cupboard and once a month he would go to the bank to deposit the excess so that he could have the finance he needed for the hotel he planned to put up.
The money was there but not all of it. A very small amount was missing but since everything else was intact Ray decided that it could be that he had spent it himself, also since Max didn't have a full time job Ray loaned him money from time to time, so the money could have been with Max. Next he checked his clothes, all of them were in their places, however when he opened his underwear drawer he felt a cold tremor because it had obviously been sifted through.
Ray was very methodical by nature and even if he were to make a mess he would know exactly what was where in the mess. So he was absolutely sure that somebody had gone through this drawer. He couldn't make any excuse this time but the fact that some unknown person went through his personal drawer probably arousing himself by running his hands through Ray's underwear made his skin crawl.
But there wasn't anybody there so Ray had to let it go at that. Feeling absolutely freaked out he decided to have a long, hot bath. A tiny tape recorder set beside the tub played soft, soothing music. It was a tape his childhood friend Mariah had made him and it never failed to relax him.
After nearly an hour in the tub wallowing over things but not coming to any conclusion Ray decided to get up before he pruned out. As he dressed he noticed the tiny blinking light on his phone and pressed the button to get his messages.
/This is Ray Kon, I'm not in right now, so please leave a message at the beep BEEP Ray this is Lee. Haven't seen you for weeks bro so I was wondering if you were free for lunch tomorrow? I've got some great news to tell you. Let me know about your answer, see you/
Ray called Lee up immediately and left a message to tell him to meet him the following afternoon outside Monsieur Oliver's. With that done Ray proceeded to make himself a simple dinner, he decided to eat while watching T.V.; he kept the news channel.
…and the Hiwatari & Balcov companies are making their mark everywhere… These ambitious Russians however seem to have certain internal problems they don't seem to want to discuss however we feel it is our duty to let people know… Balcov now seems to want to start a hotel chain…Hiwatari wasn't too happy with his grandson's decisions…:
Ray was only half listening and spaced out from time to time. It was only after he finished his dinner and re- entered the kitchen that he realised that Driger was nowhere to be seen. He felt the uneasy feeling again but ignored it. The T.V. continued to blare.
:…Hiwatari Kai seems to want to make no comment…the new case handled superbly as always he's taken the world of Law by storm, he can be expected of great things…even his grandfather can't possibly argue that…:
"Driger?" he called softly, "Drig where are you?" For a moment there was only silence but then a soft mewl answered his call. Locating the source of the noise he crouched on his knees and peered under one of the kitchen cabinets to see Driger wedged under the small space at the very back.
"You foolish cat what are you doing there?" Ray asked playfully and extended a hand to coax Driger but the cat did something it had never done before and scratched him. Ray drew his hand back with a hiss of pain. There wasn't any mark on his wrist now except a thin white line but he knew the scratch would show itself after sometime.
"What's the matter with you, Drig? It's me!" Ray said more surprise than anger showing in his voice. It took him an age to convince Driger out and after the cat confirmed that it was truly his master it nestled contently in Ray's arms. However, Ray couldn't get over the cat's strange behaviour, it had never done something like this before and how could the cat be confused of its own master's identity?
Feeling that he would go crazy if he dwelled on this thing along with everything else that was going on he shook his head and decided to drop it. He went back to T.V viewing glad to find that the reporter had finally stopped blathering on about some Russians to which Ray hadn't paid any attention.
:…and now switching on to local news, a brawl was reported in one of the pubs east side of the town. A person was injured as someone smashed a beer bottle on his head:
'Hooligans,' thought Ray darkly as he stroked Driger's soft fur.
: The person responsible got away before anybody could get a better look but was reported to have gone east. He wasn't a regular some of them say:
Ray shot up at this; the pub in question was located to the west of his house which meant that from there his house would be located in the east. 'Could the same person be the one who came here?' Ray thought. If it was true the fact that the guy was capable of such violence scared Ray. But then again it was only his paranoia, he couldn't be sure if it was the same person. He was thankful when the report changed to weather.
: The weather forecast for this month predicts sunny days up ahead followed by mild showers later this week. Storms are predicted for the rest of this month…:
Ray switched off the T.V. not interested in it anymore as his sharp ears caught the sound of keys jingling and he realised Max was home. He almost ran to the door desperate to talk to somebody. He opened it and Max who was just getting the door opened looked up and gave him one of his sunny smiles but it faded when he noticed Ray's expression.
"Ray, are you all right?"
"Max, I need to talk to someone, care to join me for some hot chocolate?"
Max nodded, "sure but I just got back so I'll take a quick shower first, I'll see you in fifteen minutes, k?"
Ray nodded and walked back in and started to prepare hot chocolate his mind wandering trying not to think of the worst possible things. Max came in fifteen minutes later as promised and they both sipped their hot chocolate in silence before Max turned to him.
"So what did you want to talk about Ray?"
Ray sighed not really sure how to start, "Max did you by any chance leave the lights on in my apartment this evening?" he silently crossed his fingers for a positive answer.
"No Ray I don't think so," Max answered slowly.
"Are you sure?"
Max frowned trying to remember, "I'm pretty sure Ray. The last I came in was to give Driger his lunch before I went to visit dad. And I can't possibly have switched the lights on, why would I switch the lights on in the afternoon? What's the matter Ray? You look upset."
Realising there really wasn't a more normal reason for what he had discovered today Ray told Max everything that had happened from his falling asleep and getting home a tad late to find the lights on and discover that someone and been through his things to Driger's behaviour which though insignificant as it seemed disturbed him. Max was silent for sometime.
"Ray, I can understand why you are freaked out but couldn't there be some logical explanation for this?"
Ray looked at him dubiously, "like what?"
"I don't know Ray couldn't it be that you misplaced your things?"
"What about the lights and Driger then?"
Max sighed, "You know what Ray? Maybe this is more serious than we think. Maybe you should complain to the police."
This time Ray sighed, "Don't be ridiculous Max; I haven't any solid reason to lodge a complaint. If I went up to the police station I'd need proof and switched on lights and a messed up drawer hardly counts as one. Throw in Driger and they'll think of me as a certified nut!"
"But your money's gone missing too hasn't it?"
"But it isn't much in fact I may have made a mistake there. Forget it Max, all I wanted was somebody to talk to. I'm feeling better now, so tell me what happened at your dad's?"
At this Max's expression perked up and he smiled happily, "it was so great seeing him again and guess what? Mom was there too!"
Ray smiled at his friend's enthusiasm. Max's parents were divorced but they were on good terms and saw each other from time to time. But that was really all that Ray knew about them, the topic of parents wasn't something they discussed often especially since Ray didn't have anything to offer on the subject. He, for some reason couldn't remember his parents at all. He had been brought by his friend Lee's family since he was around seven or eight, the times before that he couldn't remember much. That was another thing that worried him – his memory. There were certain times when he just couldn't remember what happened for a considerable duration.
"It was so cool that she could make it. I mean her institution's keeping her pretty busy," Max babbled.
"Institution?" asked Ray curiously.
"Yes, my mom has for the past few years been the director of the mental institution up north. She says it's really gratifying to work there for the people who have mental illnesses which not many people are aware of. In fact remember I told you I was going to write a book?" a nod, "well, I decided to write a book based on any one mental illness so that people are made aware of them. Mom says that writing a fiction based on real life experience is the best way to create awareness."
"Good for you Max, I'm sure you'll make a success. What are you writing about?"
Max frowned thoughtfully, "I haven't decided yet, but I also need a good plot line so it'll probably take time." Then he yawned, "I think I'll turn in now, you sure you'll be all right?"
Ray nodded and smiled, "yeah I will be, good night."
Max grinned, "Good night and if you need me just holler. I can't guarantee I'll protect you but I can scream and run pretty fast."
Ray was still chuckling as he made his way to his bed. He was feeling so much better now that he didn't even notice the upper half of a broken beer bottle under the couch.
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Lee was waiting outside Monsieur Oliver's as Ray stepped out into the warm afternoon sun after his shift. They greeted each other with friendly hugs and warm smiles. Ray and Lee had been good friends since their childhood days and Lee's family had taken Ray in to stay with them. Ray didn't know what had happened to his parents and nobody would tell him and he never asked.
"So what was this great news you wanted to tell me?" Ray asked excitedly. He wanted to hear what was going on with his good friend and brother and felt a tad guilty at not keeping that much in touch.
Lee grinned, "All in good time, my friend, first I have to make a stop at the law firm and meet up with my lawyer, then we can have lunch, you don't mind do you?"
Ray shook his head and together they made their way to Lee's car and Lee started it and swung into the main road.
"So where are we going?"
"To the Hiwatari and Balcov Law firm. I have some legal business I need to take care of and my lawyer works for that firm."
Ray frowned, deep in thought, Hiwatari and Balcov; he had heard that name somewhere.
"They were in the news yesterday," Lee was saying and Ray suddenly remembered the news he had been half listening to last night.
"Yeah, I saw it too, something about their internal affair and Hiwatari's grandson..." Ray trailed off and Lee nodded.
"Yeah, the grandson, name's Kai, rumours say he loathes his grandfather and he purposely took up criminal defense law against the wishes of his grandfather so that he could be aware of all legal procedures and one day use them against the senior Hiwatari at least that's what the reporters say. They say he's a great success too hasn't lost a case so his grandfather's mellowed a bit to the career option now, though there was a scandal involving one of his earlier cases where I heard his client committed suicide, I'm not too sure though." Lee stopped talking as he swung into the parking lot of a huge office building.
"I might take some time, are you going to sit here or come inside?" Lee asked as he undid his seat belt.
"I think I'll be fine here," Ray said rummaging in Lee's glove compartment and picking a crushed and battered looking magazine, "don't take too long or I'll boil here, the weather lady wasn't kidding when she said the following days will be sunny, I'm actually waiting for a storm."
Lee grinned and nodded and left with a 'be back soon'. Ray sifted through the magazine but was soon bored as there was nothing but politics and business related things. Lee was into architecture engineering and had constant meetings with his lawyer to bring him up to date on legal procedures regarding his deals. Ray was glad that his job required none of that hassle but had already decided that he would give Lee the contract for his hotel building once he decided to put it up.
Fifteen minutes later there was still no sign of Lee and feeling highly stifled in the car Ray decided to get out for some fresh air. He supposed that a huge building like this would have a water cooler and decided to have a drink.
He entered the cool interior of the building which was bustling with activity. Despite it being lunch time busy looking people were walking along the corridors in a pre occupied and hurried fashion. Ray spotted the cooler at the far end of the corridor but before he reached it his sharp eyes fell on an envelope lying discarded in a corner. Stooping down he picked up the thick brown parcel. He turned it over to see CONFIDENTIAL: K. HIWATARI printed in block letters.
'This must belong to the Hiwatari grandson Lee mentioned,' thought Ray, 'what was his name? Yeah – Kai.' The envelope looked official and Ray decided that it was obviously of importance therefore the right thing to do would be to return it to the rightful owner. He wondered vaguely how someone could be so careless, Hiwatari didn't seem like the type but then again Ray didn't know Kai Hiwatari. He made his way to the receptionist.
She smiled at him, "What can I do for you, Sir?"
Ray smiled back politely, "I'm looking for Mr. Kai Hiwatari. Could you please direct me to his office?"
"Sure, his office is on the ninth floor, the defense department. It's the third door to your right after you get off the elevator. Do you have an appointment?"
Ray frowned slightly, "No, actually I just want to return something that I think belongs to him."
"Oh okay, but make it quick. Mr. Hiwatari is a busy man and I doubt his secretary will let you meet him without an appointment."
Ray nodded and thanked the receptionist and getting into the elevator pressed the button 9. The elevator rose upwards and Ray clutched the envelope in slight apprehension as he got the familiar uneasy feeling of being watched, he looked around the elevator there were only three other people there with him all in business suits, seemingly minding their own business either deep in thought or pouring over some file, they had only given him a cursory look as he stepped in. They didn't as much as glance at him when they got off at their stop on the second floor. Finally he was the only one left on the elevator. He was surprised when the elevator dinged to a halt on the third floor itself. He got out and a man in coveralls hurried to him and explained that something was wrong with the elevator and he would have to wait or use the stairs. Not really sure if he had time to wait he decided to take the stairs wondering if this was even worth it.
'I could have given it to that receptionist downstairs,' thought Ray feeling irritated as he climbed what felt like an endless flight of stairs, 'but no, I just had to go and be a goody-goody and do this myself. I swear this side of mine which has the impulsive streak of not wanting to burden other people while burdening myself is going to get me in trouble.'
He arrived at the ninth floor slightly out of breath and noticed that this floor was a lot more elite than the rest of the building. He walked the richly carpeted floor towards his right as instructed by the receptionist and stopped in front of the third door which was built of a rich mahogany and read the gold plated inscription-
Kai Hiwatari
Defense Lawyer
He knocked. There was no answer. He knocked again. Still there was no answer. Feeling irritated he tried the door but it was locked. Then he presumed that the person must have gone for lunch. His own rumbling stomach made him feel light headed for some reason. It was ironic that he fed thousands and was surrounded by food all day and hadn't touched a morsel, in fact he hadn't even had his breakfast because he was running late. And then he got that strange feeling again of being watched. He whirled around but there was no one. He looked either ways but he was only met with long empty corridors. This time he felt he heard something, like someone was standing just out of sight but within earshot.
'No, no, no,' he thought, 'what is wrong with me? Not here, not now!' he dropped the envelope as he held his head, his vision feeling blurry. He knocked over a potted plant as he staggered back slightly and was about to collapse on the floor.
His body never did make it to the floor as somebody caught hold of him and a smooth voice said, "Get the door open, Granger." Almost immediately it seemed Ray felt better, his vision was clear again and he felt embarrassed. He caught the arm of the person catching him and stood upright.
"I'm fine," he mumbled. The person didn't respond and instead of letting go of him helped him into the spacious office in front of them which another man had just opened. He helped Ray into a chair and Ray got a clear look at him. The man standing in front of Ray was wearing a business suit like the rest in a smart dark blue colour which matched the latter part of his two-toned hair. His complexion was pale and on his cheeks were painted four blue triangles. Ray thought them to look strange but alluringly mysterious. The person's crimson eyes were fixed on Ray who estimated him to be a few years or so older than himself.
"Here, take this you'll feel better," Ray turned to look at a speaker. A navy haired man was offering him a glass of water. He studied the man; he looked younger and was tanned in comparison to the man next to him. He also wore an official business suit but in a distinctly more rumpled fashion. He had a friendly looking face and dark blue eyes which were currently looking worried. He was "Granger" Ray presumed. He drank the water but felt highly silly now.
'What must they think?' he thought, 'that I'm some kind of a ninny who keeps collapsing?"
"I'm fine, thanks for the help," he said trying to keep the discomfiture out of his voice.
"Glad to know that," said the navy haired man offering him a grin, "what happened back there buddy?" Ray was startled at being addressed as "buddy" when he had only met the man two minutes ago.
"Nothing," Ray mumbled in answer not quite sure of what happened himself.
"What were you doing here?" the smooth voice spoke again and Ray looked back at the crimson eyed man whose eyes had never left him in the entire encounter.
His question brought Ray back to why he was there.
"I wanted to meet Kai Hiwatari," he said.
"You're looking at him," the crimson eyed man replied voice as smooth as ever. It looked as though nothing fazed him. For a moment Ray was caught off-guard, when he had heard of the Hiwatari grandson he had assumed him to be someone older. Then he got out of his momentary surprise and remembered what he had come for.
"Oh good," Ray said, "I have something which I think belongs to you," for this Ray got a raised eyebrow but no actual response or enquiry. Ray realised he didn't have the envelope anymore.
'I must have dropped it', he thought and went back to the corridor. The envelope was lying docilely on the carpet where he had dropped it. He went back in and handed it to Kai. There was no reaction from him and his face remained impassive, however the man beside him split into a huge relieved grin.
"Thanks! I was going crazy searching for that, Kai was about to have my neck for lunch. It was of such importance goodness knows what would have happened if it fell into the wrong hands. Where'd you find it?"
"It was lying on the floor in the lobby area." Ray's response made Kai give a piercing glare at his navy haired companion who grinned sheepishly.
"Thanks a lot again. I guess I was careless that while. I don't know how it could have happened. By the way I'm Tyson, Tyson Granger." Tyson smiled as he held out his hand. Ray shook it and smiled as well.
"I'm Ray Kon," he replied.
Tyson stopped pumping his hand and stared at him for a while, "you're not the Ray Kon? The chef who works at Monsieur Oliver's?" Ray nodded and then jumped slightly as Tyson all but yelled, "I love that place. The food is so great and I'm actually meeting the chef? Do you have any idea how much I enjoy eating there?"
"Where do you not enjoy eating Tyson?" Kai interrupted in a cool voice, "and I bet you've said the same dialogue to every person under the sun who can cook anything edible."
Tyson glared at him, "well, obviously not to you then," he retorted.
Kai rolled his eyes, "like I have no better work to do than make something for you to eat. A person would grow old just feeding you."
Ray wondered how it was possible for the two to be working together if they were at each others throats all the time. Tyson seemed to have noticed Ray's expression and guessed what he was wondering.
"Oh we're always like this, kind of a sibling rivalry sort of thing, we're actually good buddies at heart, brotherly like."
"Speak for yourself," Kai replied coldly.
Tyson didn't respond but glared again though he was wasting his time as it had no effect on Kai. Ray looked at his watch and realised it was past half an hour since he had left the car, Lee would probably be waiting for him.
"I have to go, it was nice meeting you," for some strange reason he found his eyes lingering on Kai when he said this. The young lawyer intrigued him somehow.
"Likewise," the younger Hiwatari replied smoothly and he sounded sincere.
"I hope we meet again," said Tyson, "we definitely will if I plan to compliment the chef the next time I visit Monsieur Oliver's. I think I'll go there the next time I want to eat."
"Which will probably be in fifteen minutes considering it has only been twenty minutes since you last ate," said Kai sardonically. Ray chuckled; he liked the sarcastic amusement that lined the cool voice. The chuckle got him another piercing stare from the crimson eyes.
For a moment they just looked at each other then Ray turned to leave.
"I'll accompany you outside," Ray turned to find Kai striding towards him, "Tyson file this away and try not to lose it this time." Then Kai led Ray outside.
"I can find my own way downstairs," Ray insisted as they walked down the corridor towards the stairs feeling his cheeks heat up at the memory of having nearly fainted like some sort of a wimp.
"I'm sure you can," but he kept walking beside Ray. Not knowing exactly how to respond to that Ray kept walking. They didn't speak all the while that they walked down the eighteen flights of stairs from the ninth floor to the ground. Ray found it close to a miracle that someone was voluntarily walking down so many flights of stairs just to accompany someone. He voiced his thoughts. Kai looked at him his expression indiscernible then his lips twisted lightly into a smirk.
"If you can walk all the way up to the ninth floor to deliver something, when it was actually nothing that mattered to you, I don't see why I can't do something similar in return."
Ray couldn't help it and smiled.
"Thanks. Um, and well, just for the record I don't normally faint in corridors like that." He only got an amused look in reply to that. They arrived outside and suddenly it seemed a lot hotter after being in the cool interiors of the building. Ray saw Lee's car in the distance and an anxious Lee waiting in the driver's seat.
"Well, bye," Ray said and even though he didn't voice it he hoped that they would meet soon. Kai merely nodded his acknowledgement then went back in.
"Ray, where the hell have you been?" Lee had spotted him from the car and came to meet him halfway. Ray grinned as they made their way to the car and told Lee what had happened as they strapped in and Lee started the car.
"So what's he like?" Lee asked wanting to know more about the famous Kai Hiwatari.
"I don't know," answered Ray now suddenly unsure how he should describe Kai. He had been nice to him, but there was this mysterious façade to him. Overall he was the type of person Ray would definitely like to get to know better. He was so deep in thought that he didn't realise that Lee had stopped the car.
"Come on," at the voice Ray realised they had reached their destination. He got out of the car and looked around; they were at Lee's apartment building.
"Lee, I thought we were having lunch outside. Don't tell me you're going to make lunch!" The last statement was accompanied by an incredulous stare. Lee's last attempt at cooking was vividly etched in Ray's mind as a scorched shirt, a messy kitchen and the most terrible stomach upset. Tasting Lee's cooking wasn't one of the smartest things he had done in his life.
Lee laughed, "No I'm not going to cook. But we are going to eat in my apartment. This brings me to my news. I have a roommate."
Ray rolled his eyes, "that's your big news?"
Lee grinned as they reached his apartment and he fished out his keys, "yes, it is but there's more to it than that."
He got the door open and they entered the simple yet neatly furnished apartment. Ray frowned, "the Lee I knew wasn't this neat. As far as I remember the Lee I knew was allergic to a mop and swore that dustpans were evil."
"He's not a neat freak but I sure am," Ray turned to the source of the familiar voice and his face split into a wide grin. The next instant the speaker of the voice hurled themselves at Ray who gave his childhood friend Mariah a warm hug.
"Ray! It's so good to see you," said Mariah squeezing the living breath out of him.
"Same here Mariah, but I'd like to let you know that I'm a fan of breathing," Mariah let go of him with a sheepish grin but beamed all the same. Ray finally put things together.
"You," he said pointing to Lee, "and you?" he said pointing to Mariah and they both nodded and Mariah snuggled happily to Lee's side who gave her a one armed embrace.
"I am so happy for you!" Ray said sincerely, "when did this happen?"
"We'll tell you over lunch. You two must be starved," said Mariah ushering them into the kitchen.
Lunch was the most wonderful affair for Ray in the longest while. They just chatted happily catching up on old times. The three of them probably had the longest history with each other other than anybody else.
"Isn't it beautiful?" Mariah gushed showing off her engagement ring.
"That was a rhetorical question wasn't it?" Ray asked with a grin. Mariah grinned back.
"You'll make a beautiful bride" Ray said warmly making Mariah blush, "so when's the big day?"
"We haven't really decided yet," Lee replied, "but we know that it's going to be simple. Just close friends and family."
"That's great! That way I can get to meet all the others again," Ray replied happily, "so what are Gary and Kevin doing these days? I kind of lost touch."
This question was followed by uncomfortable silence and Mariah's eyes filled with tears.
"Oh Ray I'm so sorry, you didn't know" she sobbed. Ray didn't say anything in hopes that she would continue.
"Kevin's dead, Ray. He died the night before you and Lee left for Tokyo."
Tbc…
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A/N: The KaiRay meeting was really hard to write. Try as I might I just couldn't get them to meet in a really nice way, you have no idea how many times I had to delete those scenes and it's still not come out the way I wanted, but I didn't want to delay on the update any more. And I wanted it to be a normal meeting, not the cliché love or hate at first, so I hope it worked.
Yes, and I've heard that Mariah and Lee are siblings and it will seem like incest but in this fic they are not siblings and besides they don't have much more of a role. Also it felt a nice change to keep Mariah on a friendly, sisterly basis with Ray. She could have been one of the characters who got killed but that wouldn't fit in with the plot.
Also I suggest you pay close attention to some of the thoughts and dialogues – they have a key reference to the future even if they seem insignificant now. Whenever I read a suspense based fic I kind of like to guess stuff and then like to see how many things I got right after I finish reading, it makes reading more fun. So if you guys have spotted stuff let me know! I'd like to see how good readers are at guesses.
Please read and review.