Chapter 3
After we got back from Frank's hotel, Eisuke practically threw himself onto the sofa.
"Is Frank's hotel really the number one hotel in London? He's so young." I said and sat down next to him.
"Coffee please." He demanded.
"Ok." I said and went to the kitchen.
As I brew the coffee, I heard Eisuke sigh heavily.
"It's more exhausting than my normal work."
"What is?" I asked.
I gave him his coffee and sat down opposite him.
"Observing the enemy."
Now that he mentioned it, he did seem tired.
"It must be hard to keep up appearances the whole time." I said.
"All the muscles in my face hurt. Meeting him was worth it, though."
He drained his coffee cup and stood up.
"I'm going out." He said.
"Ok. I'll see you later." I said.
I stood up to say goodbye, he turned around and planted a kiss on my lips before he left. Since I had time, I really needed to un pack my things. My suitcase was still full and Eisuke had my stuff transferred from Dubai in boxes. I went to the bedroom and pulled my suitcase out from the cupboard and started to unpack. I put my clothes inside the wardrobe and emptied my suitcase. I then went through the boxes, inside one was my violin.
I picked it up and ran my hand up and down feeling every detail. It had been a while since I played, maybe when Eisuke got back I could play him a song to cheer him up. I put my violin in it's case and put it away. The rest of my stuff was just books and other bits and bobs. I had finished unpacking in just under an hour.
Well, what to do now? I didn't want to stay inside all day. That's when I realised, I hadn't seen any of my old friends since I got here. I got out my mobile and called around, I managed to get hold of my friends Becca, Sophie and Lucy. I was friends with them in school.
30 minutes later, I got out of a taxi and they were waiting outside our favourite café.
"Freya!" Becca beamed.
She ran towards me and gave me a big hug.
"Hey. How are you?" I said and hugged her back.
She hadn't changed. She was still shorter than me, she smelt of the same perfume she always wore. I placed my hand on the back of her head and felt her soft hair.
"You've cut your hair." I said.
She used to have long blonde hair but now it was just above her shoulders.
"Yep and it's dyed red." She said.
"Nice." I said.
"Hey, move over Becca, some of us want to hug Freya to." Sophie said.
Becca moved away and I hugged Sophie next. Sophie stood taller than me, I did the same and touched her head. She still had her long hair but it was tied up into a pony tail.
Lucy was next, she pulled me in for a tight embrace.
"We've missed you." She said.
She was the same height as me and I could feel her long, curly hair down her back as we hugged.
"It's so good to see everyone. Shall we go inside?" I said.
"Let's, we have so much catching up to do." Becca said.
She took hold of my hand and we walked inside. We took our favourite table at the back of the room in the far right hand corner and each ordered a drink.
"So, what's new with everyone?" I asked.
"Well, I'm currently training to be a fashion designer." Becca bragged and laughed. "It's amazing, I get to work with models all day designing their clothes and helping in shoots. It's really amazing."
"You're only a trainee but I do admit, you do get to meet all the hot guys." Sophie said.
"That's amazing Becca. And what about you Sophie?" I asked.
"Same old really. I've qualified as a sports injuries therapist and I'm trying to run my own business but it's hard." She said.
"Well that's good. You still playing rugby?" I asked.
"Of course." She said.
"I don't know how you do it, getting dirty all the time." Becca said.
"What about you Lucy?"
"I'm still working with my mum as a hair dresser and can I just ask, who did your hair this morning?" she asked.
"My hair? What's wrong with it?" I asked.
I reached up and touched the long plate that Eisuke had done for me.
"It's messy, did you do it?" she asked.
"No, my boyfriend did." I said.
"You have a boyfriend? Do tell." Becca said.
"Oh well, there's not much to tell really…"
"Don't be like that, we want all the details. Spill!" Becca ordered.
"Yeah come on." Sophie said.
"I bet he's cute." Lucy said.
"Well, I wouldn't know if he was cute but people have told me that he is. Um well… we met in Japan and he runs the hotel that I work at." I said.
"Really? Ooh an office romance! So, I assume you met at work?" Becca asked.
"Yeah… you could kind of say that."
"So, what are you doing back in London? Last time we spoke you were in Dubai." Sophie said.
"Yeah, you really get around." Lucy said.
"Oh well, he's just opening new hotels that's all and I wanted to come back to London, I missed it. I loved Japan and everything but I feel at home here. And Eisuke grew up in London as well, so it's like we're getting back to our roots." I said.
"His name is Eisuke, huh?" Lucy asked.
"I just googled him. Oh my god Freya, he's freakin' rich! May I ask, what are you doing still working when you've got such a rich boyfriend?" Becca asked.
"Becca, it's not all about money. Freya might enjoy her job." Sophie said.
"But yeah but… why work when your boyfriends rich?" Becca asked again.
I sighed and shook my head "I'm not interested in his money and I don't need his money. I can look after myself and I don't need anyone to look after me."
Sophie laughed and then she punched me on the arm.
"Ow."
"You never change Freya, I'm glad your back." She said.
I rubbed my tender arm but smiled.
"Me to. First things first, we need a night out. Just like what we use to do, I want to hit all our old clubs and bars." I said.
"That's going to be hard, some of them aren't around anymore." Lucy said.
"Doesn't matter, let's do it. I love a good night out and I can get us all some really nice dresses." Becca said.
"Great, well I'm free Saturday." I said.
"Same." Sophie said.
"Me to." Lucy said.
"Then it's agreed. Ok here's the plan, everyone come to my house. We'll all get ready together, Lucy you can do our hair and I'll do everyone's makeup and I'll get us all some nice dresses. We'll have some pre-drinks as well." Becca said.
"Sounds good." I said.
A few hours later, after the café we went and did some shopping and I was heading back to the hotel. I was stood in line waiting for a taxi. As I stood there, I felt something cold being pushed into my back and someone then grabbed my arm.
"Don't move or make a sound. Come quietly and this won't get messy." A deep voice whispered in my ear.
I nodded.
"This way." They said and pulled me backwards.
We started to walk down the street, he was stood next to me holding my arm and I could feel the cold object pressing against my side. I guessed that it was a gun.
"Who are you? Where are we going?" I asked.
"Shut up." They hissed.
This guy must be the same as the other ones that chased me the other day. We walked for a little longer before he then pushed me into a car, I fell forwards onto the seat. He pushed me along and I moved till I bumped into another person.
"Drive." The man with the gun ordered.
He continued to press the gun against my side.
"Please tell me what's going on." I said.
"Just be quiet. Take her bag and throw it out of the window and take her cane as well." He said.
"Hey!"
The person on the other side of me grabbed my handbag and my cane and they disappeared.
"Give them back." I demanded and tried to snatch them back.
"Sorry, they've already gone out of the window." The second person said, now that I heard them speak I knew that it was a guy.
"Why did you do that?" I asked.
"So no one can track us." The first man said.
What was going on? These guys were kidnapping me but why? I just needed to stay calm, if I complied and did what they asked this shouldn't end badly.
The car came to a stop and I was pulled out by my arm.
"Walk." The man with the gun ordered and pushed me forwards.
"You took away my cane, how am I meant to walk? I'm blind you know." I said.
He didn't reply, he just pushed me forwards. I walked hesitantly with my hands out in front of me. We walked up a few steps, then we went through a door. I was pulled to the left and we walked down a long corridor before we walked into another room. I was instantly greeted by the smell of cigar smoke and alcohol.
"Boss, we've brought her." the man with the gun said.
"Excellent. Welcome Freya, it's nice to finally meet you." Another man said.
The room was so dark, even when I took my sun glasses off I couldn't make out anything.
"Do I know you?" I asked.
"No, but I know you. Don't just stand their boys, help her to a seat." He ordered.
Someone took my hand and pulled me forwards and then pushed me onto a chair. I reached forwards and felt a wooden desk in front of me.
"Who are you? Why have you kidnapped me?" I asked.
"You look so much like your father and you appear to have inherited his fiery nature as well." The man said.
"Answer my questions, who are you and why have you kidnapped me?" I said again.
He just laughed "I apologise for being rude Freya, my name is Sam and I've worked with your father for years but unfortunately, he doesn't want to continue our partnership. So, I was hoping you could persuade him for me to change his mind."
"You kidnapped me just for that? Why not just approach me and ask. I'll be happy to talk to him, I'm sure we can work this out." I said.
"Why, aren't you a good girl? I was expecting more of a fight."
"I don't mind talking to him. What's the reason he wanted to stop being your partner?" I asked.
My dad must have a good reason but if I spoke to him, maybe I could convince him? But I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off with Sam, but I needed to cooperate.
"Simple really, he no longer wishes to sell me weapons and I have already promised my buyers this month's delivery."
"Guns? No, my father wouldn't sell you weapons." I said.
Sam laughed again "I hate to break it to you sweetheart, but me and your father have been working together for nearly 10 years. He's been selling me military weapons, but for some reason he's had a change in conscience and you are going to change it back."
"My father wouldn't sell military weapons, I don't believe you. He's a high ranking General, he wouldn't do that." I said firmly.
"I don't need you to believe me, I just need you to change his mind. Get the good General on the phone and put it on loud speaker." Sam ordered.
I heard a phone dial and then a ringing tone.
"Hello?" my Dad answered.
"Hello George, it's Sam."
"Sam? I've already told you, I am not selling you any more weapons."
At that moment, my heart sunk. I couldn't believe it, how could my Dad do this?
"Before you hang up, I just thought you'd like to know that I have your daughter Freya here with me. Say hello Freya." Sam said.
I kept my mouth firmly shut.
"Freya? I doubt that. Threatening my family won't work Sam." Dad.
"Oh really? Do it." Sam ordered.
One of his men then grabbed my hand and started to twist it backwards
"Ow! Ow! No stop, stop it!" I shouted.
I fell to the floor on my knees and tried to twist with my body.
"Freya? Let her go Sam." Dad ordered.
"If you want to see your daughter again, I want that month shipment and I want your continued cooperation. You have 6 hours." Sam said and then hung up.
The man released my hand, I held it close to my body and cradled it with my other hand.
"That was not necessary Freya, I suggest if you want to live, that you comply. I'd prefer not to use violence if I can." Sam said.
"Hm, bastard. I bet you secretly enjoyed doing that." I hissed as tears rolled down my cheeks.
I heard a chair move and then I was pulled to my feet and Sam was only stood inches from me.
"Now, I have no intention of hurting you Freya. You have two choices, you can either spend the next 6 hours in luxury as we wait for your father or I can have you locked away in a room. So, are you going to behave?" he asked.
I nodded.
"Good, now this way. I have dinner ready for us." He said.
He had hold of my arm and dragged me out of the room. We came to another room and he sat me down at a table. I could smell all kinds of different foods, from steamed veg to cooked meat.
"Boys, fill Freya's plate with food and get her a drink. I think she's going to need it." Sam said.
His men moved around the time and in no time at all, a plate full of food was placed in front of me and a glass was pushed in my hands.
I smelt the alcohol before I took a sip.
"Nice? One of my finest wines." Sam said.
"Hm, I've tasted better. How long has my father been selling you weapons?" I asked.
I picked up a knife and fork and started to pick at the food.
"Ten years."
So since I was 16? We moved to Japan when I was 21 and that's when I got the job at the Tres Spades.
"What are you going to do with the weapons?" I asked.
"Isn't it obvious? Sell them to my buyers, who will ever buy them at the highest price."
"What did you do to make my father do this? Threaten him?" I asked.
Sam laughed.
"You think I threatened him? We split the profits, every time. 50/50."
I threw my knife and fork to the table, this couldn't be true. My dad wouldn't do this, he wouldn't.
I bet Sam was enjoying this, I could imagine him smiling at me.
After dinner, I sat with Sam in his living room where he chained smoked cigars and made me listen to some horrible music. Then one of his men came into the room.
"Boss, it's time. I have the car ready."
"Perfect, let's go Freya." Sam said.
He pulled me up from the chair and pulled me out of the house and pushed me into the car.
"Now, as long as you behave you won't be harmed." Sam said.
I was sat in between him and one of his men, he had a firm grip on my arm.
"I still don't believe you, my father wouldn't sell you weapons." I said.
"Are you stupidly optimistic or just stupid? You'll see once we get to the rendezvous point." Sam said.
I just hoped that this was all a mistake, I knew it wasn't but I hoped that it was. When the car came to a stop, Sam pulled me out of the car. It was freezing, the night air hit me and made me shiver.
I could smell water and oil.
"Where are we?" I asked.
"The dock yard." Sam said.
A heard another car pull up, a door opened and then slammed shut.
"George, good to see you again." Sam said.
"I'm here, now lets Freya go. I have your weapons." Dad said.
I then heard what sounded like boxes being dropped on the floor.
"I'm sorry it had to come to this, George. I hope you understand what it means if you try this again." Sam said,
He still was holding onto my arm, probably to prove a point to my Dad.
"I understand, now let Freya go." Dad said.
"Fine, off you go sweetheart." Sam released my arm.
I moved quickly towards my Dad's voice till I felt him wrapped his arms around me.
"I'm so sorry sweetheart, are you ok? They didn't hurt you did they?" He said and held me tight.
I couldn't hug him back. I just stood there, unsure of what to do.
"I'm fine." I said.
"Freya, I need you to listen carefully. When I say, I want you to run. Understand?" he whispered.
He was planning something?
I nodded.
He let me go and took hold of my hand and we started to walk away.
"Get ready." He said.
"What are you doing?" I whispered.
I heard a small bleep before I was thrown forwards by a large explosion. I skidded along the floor, I could feel heat on my back, I could smell burning and smoke.
"Get up, run." Dad ordered.
He pulled me to my feet and dragged me with him as we ran.
"Get in the car." He ordered.
He opened the rear passenger door and pushed me in before he climbed into the driver seat and we sped away.
"What happened?" I asked.
"I placed explosives in the guns."
"You blew up the guns? What is wrong with you?" I shouted.
The car skidded as we turned but then I heard a gunshot echoed nearby, it was followed by the sound of my car window shattering. Small flakes of glass hit me in the face, piercing my skin.
"Freya, get down." Dad shouted.
I hit the seat and covered my head with my arms as more gun shots followed. I cried out as the windows were being shot, the car moved in every direction as Dad tried to avoid the bullets.
"Who's shooting at us?" I asked.
"Sam."
"He's not dead?!"
"Obviously not!" Dad shouted.
Suddenly, there was a loud bang and the car started to skid out of control.
"He shot out one of the tyres. Hold on." Dad shouted.
I was thrown forwards as the car crashed head first into something, I rolled into the foot wells of the car onto shards of broken glass.
"Ow. Dad are you ok? Dad?" I said and sat up.
I could smell smoke coming from the car.
"Dad." I said louder.
I reached over the driver's seat and shook him, but he didn't respond.
Oh god!
Both of my arms and hands have been cut from the glass, pain seared from my bloody hands as I opened the door. I stepped out and opened the driver's door.
"Dad. Dad! Wake up, please!" I begged and shook him.
I could hear him breathing, so that was a good thing, but we needed to get out of here. As I started to reach in to pull him out, a hand grabbed me from behind and pinned me up against the car. I felt the cold barrel of a gun against my temple and a hand round my throat.
"I am going to make your father pay for doing this to me." Sam hissed.
My entire body shook, I held up my hands in surrender.
"Please, please don't do this. Please!" I begged.
"I tried doing it the nice way, but it looks like I'm going to get to do this the hard way. But question is, should I kill you now or wait till your father wakes up, so he can watch?"
He was toying with me, he moved the gun from my temple to under my chin and then he started to trace my face with it. This was it, I was never going to see Eisuke again or any of my friends. I was never even going to get married or have any children.
I cried out as I heard a gunshot ring next to my ear, I froze waiting to feel pain from the shot, but it never came. Instead the hand around my throat disappeared and I heard Sam fall to the floor with a thud. My heart was racing, I tried to catch my breath to calm myself down. My whole body trembled till I couldn't stand anymore and I fell to my knees sobbing.
"Freya, are you ok?" Dad said.
"What happened?" I said as I sobbed.
"I shot him, he's dead. Don't worry, he won't hurt you again." Dad said.
He gently put his arms around me and pulled my face into his chest as I burst into tears.
"It's ok, you're safe now." He said tenderly and stroked my hair.
Once my heart had finally stopped pounding, I pulled away from him.
"We should go." I said.
"You're right, you need medical attention. Can you stand?" he asked.
I nodded and slowly stood up.
"How are we going to get out of here?" I asked.
"Let me worry about that, let's go." He said.
As my hands and arms were covered in many tiny cuts, I couldn't hold onto him. So he kept his hand on my shoulder and guided me through the docks. We walked till we came to a road.
"Wait here." He said.
"What are you going to do?" I asked.
He didn't answer.
A few minutes later, I heard a car screech to a stop.
"Get out of the car, right now!" Dad shouted.
"Ok, ok please don't shoot me." A woman cried out.
"Dad! We can't steal a car." I said.
"We have no time, get in." Dad said.
Before I could refuse, he pushed me into the car and we sped off.
"So now we're adding grand thief auto to your list." I said.
"What list?" he asked.
"Dealing illegal weapons, murder, dangerous driving and now grand thief auto. Anything else you plan to do tonight? Just so I can prepare myself."
"Freya, I know you're angry but you don't understand-"
"Damn right I don't understand. How could you sell military weapons? After everything you ever taught me to follow the rules, always do the right thing. You're nothing but a hypocrite."
"I had no choice, he threatened our family."
"Bull! Sam told me that he paid you, is that true?"
My Dad's silence gave me my answer.
"You're a hypocrite, I hate you."
"You don't mean that Freya." He said.
"Oh yes I do, after this is over I don't ever want to see you again." I shouted. "Where are we going anyway, hospital?"
"No, I'm taking to our old military base. You can get medical treatment there and then I'm taking you back to Japan, where I can protect you."
"You're joking if you think I'm going anywhere with you. Take me to the Tres Spades hotel."
"No, you won't be safe there. Sam's men will come after you." He said.
"No they won't, Eisuke will protect me."
"You're boyfriend? Well he's doing a great job so far."
"Huh! Kettle black. It's your fault I'm in this mess in the first place. Now, take me to the Tres Spades or I'll jump out of this car right now."
My Dad snorted in laughter.
"Oh, you think I'm joking?" I said.
I turned to then open the passenger door.
"No, stop." Dad said.
The car then skidded to a stop.
"Ok, fine. I'll take you to the hotel."
"Thank you, now drive." I ordered.
I sighed and leaned back into the seat, everything ached. My head, I had scuffed my knees when that explosion had thrown me to the floor. I could feel blood dripping down my face, from the wounds that were made by the glass. My arms and hands were the worst, I could feel the blood running down my arms. They throbbed with pain. Eisuke wasn't going to like this, he was going to be so mad.
After a while, the car came to a stop.
"We're here." Dad said.
"Good." I said.
I opened the door and stepped out of the car, I kept one hand on the car as I walked around it till I came to the front of the hotel. I had lost my glasses with all the chaos, but I could recognise the bright lights at the front of the hotel anywhere. There would be ten steps before I wound reach the lobby.
"I'm coming with you." Dad said.
"Whatever." I said and started to walk up the steps.
Dad opened the door for me, I felt so disorientated I couldn't even remember where the main reception desk was.
"Take me to the reception guest." I said.
Dad placed his hand on my shoulder and guided me forwards till we came to the desk.
"Hello-oh my god, Freya?" the receptionist gasped.
"Hey. I lost my key card to use the penthouse elevator, please may I have a new one?" I asked.
"What happened? Should I call you an ambulance?" she asked.
"No, just the elevator key please. Now." I said firmly.
"Uh… ok…" she muttered.
A few minutes later, she placed a thin plastic card in my hand.
"Thank you."
"Freya, are you sure you shouldn't go to hospital? You look terrible."
"I'm sure, but thanks." I said.
We walked away from the desk.
"Ok we need to get to the penthouse elevator, it's up the stairs. It's a big gold one." I said to Dad.
"Fine, this way." He said.
We walked up the main stairs and came to the lift, I used the card and we got it.
"This hotel is impressive." Dad said.
"Yeah it's great." I said uninterested.
"Freya, I'm sorry."
"I don't want to hear any apologises. Just get me to my room and then go away." I said.
The elevator pinged, I walked out of the elevator first and went straight up the corridor. I counted my steps and ran my hand along the wall till I felt the door to the penthouse lounge. Dad pushed them open for me and we both walked in. The room was buzzing with all the guys talking to each other, they all sounded so worried.
"Eisuke." I said loudly.
The whole room fell silent, I could feel everyone's eyes on me.
"Oh my god Freya." Baba said.
"What happened?" Ota asked.
I was so happy to be back that I burst into tears. Eisuke was at my side in seconds and I felt him wrap his strong arms around me.
"I was so scared. I thought I was never going to see you again." I sobbed and buried my face into his chest.
"Who are you?" Soryu asked.
"I'm Freya's father, General George Wells." Dad said.
I couldn't stand to hear his stupid voice anymore. I turned to face him.
"I'm here, I'm safe. I'm with Eisuke so you can leave. Get lost." I said.
"Freya, please. If you stay here, Sam's men will come after you again. If I'm not with you, I can't protect you." Dad said.
"What happened? Who did this to Freya? Tell me and I'll make sure that they won't come near her again." Eisuke said in harsh tone.
I had never heard him sound so angry before.
"This does not concern you, young man. Freya, come back to Japan with me. You'll be safe there." Dad said.
"You've got some nerve. I am not going anywhere with you so get lost. It's your fault that this all happened. You're a liar, you don't deserve to be a General. I don't ever want to see you again." I shouted.
"Freya-"
"Get out! Go, leave me alone!" I shouted even louder.
"You heard her. Leave." Soryu hissed.
"Yeah, I would rather not kick Freya's father out of the hotel but, I will." Baba said.
All the guys were jumping in to defend me.
My Dad sighed "Fine, Freya when you're ready to talk just give me a call." He said.
"Yeah, I wouldn't hold your breath." I hissed.
I heard him left and the doors to the lounge closed.
I sighed with relief and at that moment, it was as if all the strength left my body. My legs buckled but before I hit the floor, Eisuke scooped me up into his arms.
"Is Freya ok?" Ota asked.
"Doesn't look like it…" Baba said.
Eisuke remained silent, he turned and carried me out of the room. He brought me to our bedroom and placed me on the bed.
"Wait here." He said.
He moved away, I then heard running water and I could smell my favourite bubble bath. He returned minutes later and carried me to the bathroom. He helped me undress and lowered me into the bath.
I gasped and moaned as the hot water touched my wounds.
"Give me your arms." Eisuke ordered.
I held up my right one, he then started to gently clean and wash the wounds.
"What happened Freya? Tell me and I'll make sure that whoever did this, won't walk on this earth again." He said.
His harsh voice was starting to scare me, he must be so angry at this.
"I was kidnapped by a guy named Sam, I think he was part of the mafia or something. My father was selling military weapons to him. But then my father stopped, and Sam used me to blackmail my father. My father then came to rescue me, but things got out of hand." I said.
I then explained about the explosion and the car crash.
He finished with my arms and moved onto my face.
"I'm sorry." He said.
"For what?" I asked.
"I should have protected you. You're mine, it's my responsibility to look after my things. I won't let it happen it again."
"No, it's my father's fault. Not yours." I said.
I reached up and took hold of his hand and gave it gentle squeeze.
"Don't cry anymore, I don't like it when you cry." He said and wiped away my tears with his thumb.
After the bath, Eisuke helped me get dressed and carried me to bed even though I told him that I could walk. He dressed my wounds and then put me to bed. I led down and he pulled me into him and wrapped his arms around me.
"I won't let anyone hurt you again." He whispered in my ear.
I turned to face him and placed my forehead on his.
"I know. I'm sorry for worrying you." I said and gently stroked his cheek.
"No more apologised and no more tears. I forbid it, understand?" he said.
He then pulled me closer and placed a kiss on my lips, he then kissed every cut on my face before he moved down to my hands and arms.
He was being so sweet, I almost felt like crying again.