Hi it's me again ^_^
First up I would like to say THANK YOU SO MUCH to those who have read, reviewed and followed this story. ^_^ It was really humbling to know that you guys liked it.
I also would like to apologize that it took me awhile to update; I just hope this chapter won't disappoint you.
Anyways enough with my ranting ^_^
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Viewfinder characters; they are the wonderful creations of Ayano Yamane-sensei. The added characters here are simply made up; any resemblance with any fictions is purely coincidental.
On with the story…
*v*
Chapter 2
*v*
It was the Hanami festival, people were enjoying the festivities. The cherry blossoms were falling like snow as the wind gently blows. Everyone were busy with their celebration; no one notice the two young men sitting at underneath a cherry blossom tree at one of the secluded parts of the Kema Sakuranomiya Park,
"Akihito, I love you. Nothing and no one can change that." The young man took Akihito's hands and placed them on his chest. "As long as my heart is beating, my love for you will not change, I promise"
"You say that now, but we both know that'll never last" Akihito bowed his head to hide the tears betraying his eyes.
"No! Please don't say that. Trust me Akihito. I will always be here for you. You are my best and will always be"
With those words, the young man tilted Akihito's chin up, bestowed the sweetest and gentlest kiss sealing a promise of forever.
-v-
Akihito woke up with tears falling from his eyes; his heart was beating wildly. He tried to wipe them off but they kept on falling. Good thing that Asami already left when he woke up; he honestly doesn't want to deal with older man just yet, after the episode of last night, he'd rather be left alone.
What was that weird dream? More importantly who was that guy? Akihito tried to figure out who the other person is; remembering the dream, a sharp pang gripped Akihito's chest. The pain that surge was exactly the same pain he felt every time the thought of Asami tossing him aside crosses his mind.
Asami is the only man I've ever been with, he thought.
Akihito reined on his emotions; telling himself; no need getting stressed out about a silly dream. He looked at the clock which read 9:15.
Shit! I'm going to be late.
Akihito abruptly got up only to find himself falling back on the bed; a sharp pain surged at his lower back. Falling unceremoniously on the bed, he allowed the pain to subside and slowly got up limping towards the bathroom.
Ugh! Damn it. Perverted, overbearing, possessive bastard! He completely over did it; if I miss my deadline, I'm going to kill him!
Akihito revelled at the relief the warm water was causing for his aching muscles, he would have preferred to stay longer, if he wasn't so pressed for time. He quickly got out of the bath feeling somewhat rejuvenated; although he would really feel a lot better if his lower back stop bitching. Hurriedly he put on his favourite dark blue button up shirt and dark denim pants. Secured his camera in his camera bag and made sure the disc containing the shots was also secured.
On his way to the studio; Saito Akira one of the assistant in the editorial team had been calling his phone causing it to ring non-stop. He arrived at studio just in the nick of time.
"Saito san," Akihito called causing the young assistant to turn.
"Takaba kun, finally you're here" Akira's face showed relief upon seeing the young photographer.
"Gomen." He bowed slightly. "Here are the photos of Nakamura Saizo, I really apologize for almost getting late in submitting it." Akihito handed the disc containing the said item. Akira took the disc graciously.
"No apologies needed Takaba kun, I'm sure the photos are beautiful. I'm really glad you were able to hand it just in time." Akira softly smiled.
"So if you'll excuse, I'll get back to work. Oh before I forget, here." Akira handed Akihito an envelope, which Akihito accepted eagerly.
"Thank you so much again, Takaba kun." With that Akira hurriedly walked away.
Akihito could barely contain his glee after receiving the envelope; he was all so thankful he'll be able to clear his piling bills. He abruptly turned to leave when he bumped into someone.
"Oomph..." Akihito staggered backward, he was about to fall, good thing the person who he bumped into, firmly grip his arm steadying his feet. Akihito's heart skipped a beat the moment his arm was held.
"I'm sorry." Akihito apologized. He quickly looked up to see who steadied him; only to be drawn towards a pair of piercing black orbs.
"Fancy meeting you here," Saizo smiled, he released Akihito's arms once he was sure that Akihito was steady on his feet. "Are you ok?"
"Yes, I am now. I apologize again for bumping into you. I hope you are ok as well." He uttered embarrassment clearly evident on his face. Saizo just smiled at Akihito.
"Umm, thank you again, I'll take my leave." He bowed slightly, as he was about to leave.
"Takaba-kun, I have some time to spare, would you mind having tea or coffee with me?"
Akihito looked at his watch; before he can give his answer Saizo beat him to the punch.
"I hope you're not thinking of declining my offer."
Feeling somewhat guilty for turning Saizo down the previous night, he agreed to have tea with the young man. He made a mental note to make this the first and last time.
**v**
At Club Sion
Knock. Knock.
Enter.
Asami was reading through some documents, when Kirishima came in.
"Here is the report about Nakamura Saizo."
Asami looked up and took the folder and read through the file. After a moment of silence; Asami toss the folder on the table. There was nothing out of the ordinary; Saizo grew up in a remote village in Okinawa, but had to move to Osaka where he completed his education; he is currently in Shinjuku to complete a movie; he had no criminal record of sort, except a few parking violations, other than that the man is squeaky clean.
"Is this all that you found?"
"Hai. Asami-sama"
"Find out if there are any connections between Akihito and Nakamura Saizo, other from Akihito being the photographer for one of the shoots.
"Understood"
After seeing the report; Asami was contemplating of having a full time guard watching over Akihito; it's not that he doesn't trust the other. He just needed to make sure that no one was foolish enough to take what is his. But knowing Akihito; this option will not be accepted lightly.
I'll let you have your way for now. But you better know, to who's side you belong to.
**v**
"I really am glad that you accepted to have tea with me." Saizo said; who all this while could not stop looking at Akihito.
"It's not that I have a choice; you can say you obliges me to come with you." Akihito answered in a somewhat playful tone.
"Ouch. That hurts!" Saizo answered feigning hurt. It's not as if I forced you to come with me.
Both of them just laugh seeing how silly their banter is.
Whether you call it I oblige or force you, I really am just happy you accepted my invitation, Takaba-kun.
Akihito's heart skipped a beat after hearing his name roll off Saizo's tongue; it was also the exact same feeling whenever Asami calls his name. But why am I getting such reactions from Saizo? A light small frown formed on Akihito's brow; This is the same as last night. Trying to ignore his unusual reactions, he just stared at Saizo with a soft smile. Akihito's subtle change did not escape Saizo's eyes Are you remembering me now? Saizo sensing that Akihito's mind was elsewhere; broke the silence and said.
"I think this call for a celebration?"
Akihito stared at the actor, wondering what one earth are they celebrating about.
"Huh? Celebration? For what?"
"For what you say? Of course for becoming my friend!" Saizo answered enthusiastically
"Ha? Friend? When have I agreed to be your friend?"
"Double ouch! First you say I forced you to have tea with me, now you're telling me I'm not your friend." Saizo retorted in a hurt tone. Feeling dejected he just hangs his head in shame.
Akihito gave the actor an incredulous look. What are you a kindergarten? The thought crossed his mind, which made him smile a little. Sensing that people were starting to stare at them; without thinking he blurted. "Fine I'll be your friend" Saizo's face lit up like a child seeing his first fireworks. "You know what for a 28 year old guy; you sure act like a 10 year old." He added and just laughed it off.
Saizo pleased that he got such reactions from Akihito pushed his luck a little.
"Great! Now that you're my friend, have dinner with me?"
Before Akihito could reply his phone rang; he knew exactly who it was that was calling. He looked at Saizo and excused himself to answer the phone. Saizo just smiled
"Yeah!"
"Akihito are you done with work?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
"Is it so bad to ask how my kitten is doing?"
A small blush crept on Akihito's face; he imagined a smirk formed on Asami's face when he said those words that he answered "Bastard! I'm not your god damn pet!"
Asami pleased that he was able to rile up Akihito, which meant that he now fills Akihito's mind.
"I want you to come by Club Sion; I have something to talk to you about." Asami said in a serious tone.
"Can you not tell me at home?" Akihito acquiesced, curious as to why Asami would take a little time off from his busy schedule to call him; instead of having Kirishima do it for him. Hearing no response from the other line, he let out a sigh and asked "What time do you want me there?"
"Be here by 7."
"Got it."
"Be good, I'll have the car pick you by 6."
"Fine! And stop treating me like a child!"
Akihito just heard a soft chuckle on the other end; irritated at Asami he immediately disconnected the call. A small warmth envelope him, just thinking that Asami took time to call him and invited him to Club Sion is a rare occasion; most of the time he would be spending the rest of the evening at the penthouse waiting for the older man or if their schedule would permit they would be spending it together. I wonder what's up.
Saizo who all this while had been observing Akihito, was curious as to who it was who caused the young man to elicit such response; seeing Akihito's facial expression change a pang hit his heart. I need you to remember soon, or it may be too late.
"I'm sorry about that Nakamura-san." He apologized and settled back to his seat.
"It's ok. Call me Saizo since we're friends. So shall we go for dinner?"
Akihito taken aback with the question simply said "Thanks for the offer but I cannot. Something came up"
Feeling slightly dejected, Saizo just smiled and said Its ok then. "Can you give me your phone? I'll store my number."
"What for?" Akihito asked, reluctant to comply with the request.
"So I can contact you; we are friends after all." Saizo answered innocently.
Seeing no harm in it Akihito handed his phone to Saizo, who in return did store his number; but quickly checked Akihito's incoming call logs Saizo was surprised to see the name; pretending that he did nothing but encode his number in, he miss called his phone using Akihito's before he handed the phone back.
"So shall I accompany you to where you are going?" Saizo offered, as they prepared to leave the cafe.
"There's no need to do that, I'm…" Akihito's response was cut short, he felt someone was watching him, unable to shake the feeling whipped his head to his right, true enough, across the street there was parked uncanny sleek black BMW, and the window was rolled down the driver who he knew to be as Kaito was watching him. Possessive jerk! And to think he said that I'll be picked up at the penthouse. Akihito was annoyed that Asami had someone tailing him again.
Saizo on the other had was wondering what made Akihito stop his sentence midway and followed the direction to where the younger man was looking at. Sensing that Akihito might be in trouble, he grabbed hold of the other man's arm "Let's go." Akihito just stood his ground and gave Saizo a warm smile.
"No it's fine Nakamura-san," He gently brushed off the hand that was holding his arm. "I know the owner of that vehicle, don't worry I'll be fine. "
Saizo still suspicious, stared deeply into Akihito's eyes, looking for any signs of fear or doubt; seeing that there was none in those hazel eyes, he let out a soft sigh and said. "If ever you get into some trouble you call me"
Akihito knew enough not to answer, he had a strong feeling that this will be the last time, that'll he'll be seeing the other man. As he was about to walk away, his arm was grabbed yet again "I mean what I said Akihito, you call me anytime" Saizo's tone was serious and was laced with worry. Akihito just smiled; unable to do anything; Saizo let go of Akihito's arm, who in turn walked towards the car that was waiting for him.
Saizo can only stare at the young man walking away from him, every hope of Akihito remembering him has started to dim. Shaking his head to brush the thought away, This will not do! He clenched his fist and made his resolve; Akihito you will remember me, or I will force you to. Series of thoughts were playing in his mind as he watched the car speed away.
*v*
At Club Sion
Asami placed his beeping phone back in his desk, amused that Akihito had the audacity to hang up on him. A smirk graced his face thinking about the suitable punishment for Akihito's action. Speaking with the younger man and hearing him submit had simmered Asami's temper a good degree down, for it wasn't the case a few moments earlier.
A good few minutes before the phone call
Asami stared at the report Kirishima had compiled about Nakamura Saizo; completely unimpressed with what he learned about the other man. He had been trained since young that not a single soul in this world is clean; people have secrets and skeletons in their closets; and the report on his desk about Nakamura is proof that this person is hiding something.
But what Asami had been bothering him was Akihito's reactions the previous night, his fist clenched when he remembered Akihito blatantly lied to him. He had seen Akihito worked on shots of male models, and not a single one piqued the other man's interest; but what was it about Nakamura that made Akihito not even notice his presence. His trail of thoughts was interrupted when Kirishima knocked and came in informing him that there is a call from Kaito.
"Report"
"Hai Asami-sama. Takaba sama just left for work."
"Keep a close eye on him; make sure you are not notice and report to Kirishima of his whereabouts."
"Understood."
Asami disconnected the call and went back to reading the financial reports and the important documents which needed his attention and signature, that Kirisihima had left on his desk. Not a moment too soon, Kirishima came in, without taking his eyes off of the document he was reading.
"Where is Akihito now?"
Kirishima pushed his spectacles slightly before saying "According to Kaito's recent report Takaba-kun is at Coffee-Smile Café having coffee with… a friend of sort."
Kirishima's hesitant tone did not escape Asami, he looked up from the document he was reading; eyes filled with suspension and seriousness he asked "Which friend?" Seeing the displeasure in his boss' eyes, he simply answered "Nakamura Saizo."
Asami for a brief moment was still after hearing Kirishima's response, his face remained stoic and unnerve but inside he was furious. He went back to the document he was reading as if nothing bothered him. Kirishima left his boss; with all the years he had work for Asami, he can say that he can read his boss quite well and he knew that when he left the room, he was positive the Asami was displeased with the report he just heard.
After Kirishima left Asami lit a cigarette, inhaled a good amount of smoke before releasing to calm the anger that was creeping in. I gave you a little freedom and you do this? Asami thought fuming in anger Akihito, you should know by now to whom you belong to. Keeping a rein on his anger, he picked up the phone and called Akihito.
Feeling uneasy and possessive over Akihito; he contacted Kaito "Pick up Akihito, and take him back to the penthouse"
A smirk painted his face while thinking what sort of punishment he will subject the young man to; one for going out with another guy and second for hanging up on him. He stood up from his desk, walked towards the glass window overlooking the beautiful concrete jungle of Shinjuku. You better have very good explanation why you were with another man, when you clearly know who you belong to. Asami thought as he exhaled out a good amount of smoke.
*v*
So what do you guys think?
As always comments, reviews and criticisms are welcome.
Thank you for reading. ^_^