Chapter IV

We reached the penthouse with more stories from my mother. She told me a lot all I could give as a reply were nods. This is the moment where everything should work out, and where I should take care of my mother's heart. I wonder what Kazuya would do to tell her about us. When we got inside the room, I was in awe. There was a candle-lit dinner for three; there was also a butler and a couple of waiters. Everything looked grandiose I almost thought I was in the wrong room until Kazuya himself stepped out from the hallway, wearing a nice suit. I think he was overdoing it, but if this is one of the good ways to tell my mother, I'll let this happen. He approached my mother and kissed her hand, "you must be Sergei's mother, yes?"

"Yes I am, my name is Maria. If I am not mistaken, you're the famous Kazuya Mishima, am I right? My son never told me that he's friends with you."

"I am indeed, welcome to Japan, madam."

I was laughing hard inside. Yes, he was over acting to the situation. He almost looked fake acting all much like a good gentleman. I covered my mouth to suppress my snickers.

"Are you saying something, Sergei?" He said.

"Me? Saying something? No, I'm just hungry."

"Very well, then. Let's eat."

"No, wait a minute... mother, please excuse us for a second..."

"Alright."

Me and Kazuya went by somewhere far from my mother which was the hallway to the rooms. "You better make this work, or I'm telling you she's gonna die." I told him.

"Relax, babe. You told me she was a former federal agent, I'm sure she'll get the hang of things, and that she's really open-minded."

"But she kept comparing me to my father; he sure is stern, you know."

"You're not your father. You're a completely different person."

We got back to the dining area to start the meal. My mother was smiling all the time as she kept on looking at me and Kazuya.

"Mr. Mishima, I cannot believe that you're very good friends with someone like my son. You must be the one who gave him that expensive car."

"Please, madam. Your son isn't just 'someone' to me. And the car is just a simple token of appreciation."

I laughed nervously and kicked his shin from under the table. He was made of steel, he ignored it. We finished the meal and gathered outside the veranda for a glass of wine. "Mr. Mishima, would it be fine if I ask you something?"

"Please, go ahead."

"Well, my son told me something about him being in a relationship. Would you be kind enough to tell me the woman he's in a relationship with? You know, you're roommates, he should have told you a thing or two about this."

I butted in nervously. I hope this won't get us to the hospital or lead to my mother's suicide; since we're in the veranda of the topmost floor. "Um... actually, this is something I want to tell you. But you have to promise me that you won't get upset."

"Son, you've told me everything that you can't say to your father. I am your mother, so I am all ears to you, go ahead."

"I'm not in a relationship with a woman."

"Oh, then you better go and find one. You told me that you're into one and now you're telling me you're not? You're confusing."

"You don't understand, what I meant to say is..."

"Just tell me already..."

"Yes I will if you would just give me a cha—"

"I'm waiting..."

"Tell her already, Sergei."

"I am telling already, but both of you keep interrupt—"

"Come on, son!"

"SILENCE!"

Both of them quieted down and took a sip from their glasses. I sighed and downed the beverage first before speaking up again, "Mother, he and I are not just roommates. All the contestants have their own separate rooms, and nobody knows about this but the woman you met a while ago and her colleague."

"Then don't tell me..."

"He's my lover."

Kazuya and I waited for any reaction from her—violent or deadly, because anyone would expect such acts after dropping off a big bomb. I also prepared myself to grab my phone and call an ambulance. But instead, my mother stood back and looked down on her glass while swirling the wine inside. She leaned on the wall and sighed. "Well, I guess, it can't be helped." She said.

"I know you're going to hate me for this. I know you'll feel like I disrespected dad's legacy."

"Son, I have to admit I was disappointed. But who am I to stop you, it's your life, and I don't hate you for that. You're not a young boy anymore, what you do is for you to decide whether it's right or wrong. I just hope you don't regret anything later on."

"I won't."

"Then that's nice to hear. At least, I know I made you feel relieved that you finally got things off your chest for a long time. I just did not expect that one coming up, though. As a mother, I feel happy for both of you, which makes me want to ask your lover here, someone who I do not expect to get into you. Mr. Mishima, do you really love my son?"

Kazuya cleared his throat and adjusted his tie. "Of course, Mrs. Dragunov, I do a lot. Out of all the people out there who, bragging aside, are after my money and power, why would I choose your son? I knew he was the right one when I first saw him."

"So you're not after his body? His father and I grew him up well, you know?"

"I do. He's beautiful."

Listening to their conversation, I wish my mother knew the way he pulled me in the first time we met. But that's out of the question; at least my mother knew the truth and won't expect a lot from me when it comes to grandchildren.

"Are you sure it's not only lust that you're feeling for him?"

"Absolutely not."

"Are you guys having sex already?"

I almost crushed the wine glass in my hand as Kazuya spit out the wine from his mouth. Geez, I think it's going to be one hell of a week.