Haou Airen

Chapter Ten: Departure

"Hoshina-sama wishes to speak with you," The butler stated monotonously with a well-mannered bow. His expression was indifferent and blank, as he waited for my reply. Blocking my pathway, he stood at the center of the hall giving me no room to escape. A shiver of disgust crept up my spine at the mention of that despicable man. I gave a curt nod. Without another glance, the butler went off to continue his duties.

As I walked down the hallway of offices, I hummed quietly to myself in an attempt to calm my nerves. The quiet hung above me like a fog dulling the senses, and the impending doom weighed heavily on my shoulders. The hallway seemed as if it stretched out into eternity, and I knew that the final destination was hell. I was walking to my death.

When I arrived at my destination, I paused for a moment to stare blankly at the large mahogany door. Its size mocked my insignificance, and I felt miniscule in its presence. I held on tightly to my sanity. With a deep breath, I straightened my shoulders and prepared for the worst.

Knock, Knock. "You wanted to see me, sir?"

"Come in," Hoshina commanded. There was a trace of disgust in his voice. I entered and quickly shut the door behind me. He sat in his black leather swivel chair with his hands folded perfectly on his desk. All the papers were stacked perfectly and neatly like uniform snow mountains. In an attempt to win his favor, I bowed my head and didn't dare look him straight in the eye. "Now, don't do that. You aren't some lowly servant of mine. Though, you're close enough," He spited.

I didn't bother to look up. "Did you want something, sir?"

"It's nothing really." He was displeased with my apathetic reaction. "It seems you've gotten acquainted with the girl?" He mocked snidely.

I was disgusted by how he regarded Rima as nothing more than a trophy to be won. I knew he was anticipating my desperate reaction so that he would have something to laugh at. I wasn't going to give in so easily. "Yes I have, sir. Rima-san is a very nice girl." I stressed her name, showing that she wasn't just a toy for his collection.

"Yes, I suppose she is," He stated listlessly. He didn't see worth in her, rather, he saw worth in her dowry. "And it seems that Ikuto has grown quite fond of her presence." At the mention of his name, my heart ached painfully in my chest. The wound was opening again.

"It would seem so." I kept up my charade of indifference, for I wasn't going to crack under the pressure. I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of my helplessness.

Obviously unsatisfied with my lack of interest, Hoshina stood up and headed towards me. "Lift your head, girl!" He exclaimed impatiently. "Look at me when I'm talking to you!" When I refused, he grabbed my chin and jerked my head upwards. I squeaked in surprise, but he took my reaction as fear. With a devilish smirk, his eyes scoffed at my triviality. "You will obey me. You're nothing but a pathetic wench my son picked up off of the streets. I know he treats you like some pet, but it's time to end this useless game of house."

I glared daggers at him, as I stood my ground. I wasn't going down without a fight.

"What a brave little soldier," Hoshina laughed, as he let go of my chin and headed back to his chair. "But, you're nothing more than a pawn, and pawns are nothing special. They're only meant for sacrificing." He gave me a give-up-because-I-already-won look that pierced me like knives. "I do thank you for making Ikuto more willing to be with his fiancé, but your services are no longer needed." When I didn't understand, he continued. "It's time for you to leave."

Leave? Leave and go where?

"I have no reason to leave," I said defiantly. His threats would not faze me.

"You're wrong, my dear. You hold no purpose, and now, you're just a waste of space. A nuisance. You'll only hinder my son's future." His malicious eyes danced triumphantly, as I hesitated to retort. "The tickets have been purchased. You're going to Hokkaido, where you belong. Oh, don't look so disappointed. At least you'll be with your sister whom you haven't seen for a year now. That counts for something, doesn't it?" His sarcasm dripped with venom, as the poison slowly crept through my skin. It burned like fire.

"What about Ikuto?" I asked feebly. Ikuto was my only ray of hope, my last hold on my sanity. I was hanging at the end of the rope.

"What about him? He has nothing to do with you anymore." His smile gleamed with smug triumph. He knew I was nothing without Ikuto, worthless like an expired coupon. My time was up. "Your plane leaves tonight, and I've already packed your things and sent them to the airport." Before I could interrupt, two burly men, who looked like wild grizzly bears, grabbed both my arms. Their identities were shielded by their dark sunglasses. Underneath their suits, I could see the ripples of their muscles. I was pretty sure their colossal biceps were the products of steroids. It was impossible to struggle against their grip. "Don't be alarmed, Amu." He spat my name as if he swallowed dirt. "They will escort you to the airport."

The brawny men lifted me as if I was lighter than air and carried me to the exit. All the while, Hoshina watched, clearly pleased with himself.

I kicked my feet and twisted my torso in an attempt to escape, but their iron grips never faltered. I grunted and yelled, but they showed no interest in my frustration. After many failed attempts, I gave up like a deflated balloon that was never able to fly.

As we went down the hallway, I heard the lulling hum of a violin. I knew who the player was in a heartbeat.

"Ikuto! Help me!" I pleaded desperately. The two men grunted in exasperation as they quickened their pace. "Hurry, Ikuto!"

The violin's aria stopped abruptly, and swift footsteps followed behind us. When I listened carefully, I noticed that there were two pairs of footsteps. "Wait a moment! Where are you taking her?" Ikuto bellowed. My body instantly relaxed at the sound of his voice.

The two men stopped for a moment, their eyebrows furrowed and their lips set in hard lines. Despite their reluctance, they turned around to answer. "We were given directions to take this young lady away," One of the burly men answered. His voice was raspy, as if his throat was scratched by nails.

When I saw Ikuto's eyes gleaming with concern, I let myself believe in hope. But when I saw the figure clinging to his shirt, my heart sank. Rima stood silently next to him, but her eyes screamed satisfaction. Now I wouldn't be in the way of their engagement.

"And where is that, exactly?"

"That's classified, sir. We were instructed not to tell you." The man was starting to sweat.

"Oh really? Well as the future successor of The Black Dragon Organization, I order you to tell me this classified information," Ikuto commanded wrathfully. His glare pierced their bodies like needles.

The men were in a pinch, as they pondered what their next move would be. They couldn't risk angering the future successor who would have the power to strip them of their positions. However, they couldn't betray their current financer in fear of the consequences that would follow. "I'm sorry, sir. We can't say."

When Ikuto stepped forward to argue, Rima tucked at the hem of his shirt. She shook her head, discouraging him from interfering. "You can't do anything, Ikuto. This was probably Hoshina-sama's doing." Underneath her mask of concern, I could see the traces of delight.

I struggled to say something, but my voice came out in hoarse breaths. I was losing faith in myself, faith in our relationship. How could he look at another woman? How could he believe in another woman's words? How could he abandon me?

Ikuto hesitated, knowing full well that his father's orders were absolute. He was powerless. When he looked back at me, his eyes whispered guilt and longing. There was absolutely nothing he could do. He held my gaze for the longest moment before breaking away. "Fine, you may leave."

I saw the men inwardly sigh before continuing onward. That was the final blow, the final KO. It was game over for my faith in him. Anger, yearning, and regret pinched at my heart, and the tears threatened to fall. But I held it in. I would never be caught dead crying in front of these guys.

When we arrived at the taxi, I didn't thrash around or resist. If this was what everyone wanted, I wasn't going to argue. If this was Ikuto's answer to my feelings, then so be it.

I only wished him happiness.

Author's Notes: Ok, yes I know it's been a while since I updated. I hope you can forgive me! And yes, this chapter is very short, but it was necessary to end it there. I needed some sort of cliffhanger to keep you guys hooked! Well, I hoped you liked the chapter. Did I mention how much I freaking hate Hoshina right now? Anyway, review and tell me what you think!

On a side note, you guys can follow my updates on my Facebook page (link in profile).

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