"Yuzuru-sama, the Chairwoman wishes to see you." Instantly, the secretary thought that the temperature in the office dropped by a few degrees. Indeed, her boss had never been exactly thrilled whenever the matriarch summoned him. Today, was no exception.
"Thank you, Tomoko."
As he stepped into the huge office of his mother's, the lady sat in her seat. After the son had closed the door behind him, she spoke.
"I see that you have been playing around with the Ouran academy." Yuzuru hid his disgust at the tone of the voice behind his mask of freezing politeness. He always wore it around his mother. The lady, on the other hand, didn't care too much.
"I have indeed, Chairwoman." Not surprisingly, it had been a long while since he called her "mother". The lady stood up. Turning away from her son, she proceeded to drop her bombshell.
"Might as well. It is about time that Fujioka girl leave Ouran."
"What do you mean?" There was a sudden edge to the man's voice. His mother, with her back to him, continued.
"For me to acknowledge Tamaki, the girl has to go, and that so-called 'host club' of his along with her." By now, Yuzuru knew better than to speak out against the chairwoman. However...
"Are you trying to do to Tamaki what you did to me all those years ago?"
"If that is how you think about it, so be it. My orders remain."
"I heard you the first time, Chairwoman. But, I can assure you that there will be consequences." With that, the son took his leave. Just empty threats, thought the mother...
"Chairman, your appointment with Sir Anderson is in another half an hour." Tomoko knew that there would be an obligatory cooling-off period after every meeting between her boss and the chairwoman. She made sure that her reminder came AFTER the cooling-off was complete.
"Prepare the car." Yuzuru had a faint smile on him. The pieces are finally moving...
"Yuzuru! It has been a while since we met, young man!" Gerald Anderson was an elderly man, but he stood ram-rod straight and was in excellent shape, at least for an 80-year old. Yuzuru tried not to wince as he shook his guest's hand. The old geezer still had quite the grip, he thought.
"It's nice to see you again, Sir Anderson," greeted the younger man as they took their seats. The room they were in was decked out like the halls of Westminster. After all, the elderly gentleman was a regular at the actual Westminster Palace.
"Your English is as good as ever. Oh, and please, call me Gerald, just like how your father used to!"
"Sir Anderson, that was before your knighthood... and my father was still around at the time." The jovial smile slowly disappeared.
"Yes, it's been a while. Back in those days, your father was the first Japanese businessman I had dealings with. My company had just expanded overseas, and I had much help from him." He paused to sip the glass of wine in front of him.
"I heard about that from Mother." The old man thought he detected a hint of bitterness when he heard the word "Mother".
"Yuzuru, how much about your mother do you really know?" The younger man looked at the food in front of him.
"To tell the truth, I don't know." Kiyomori's widow must have overdone certain things, thought the old knight. Perhaps, it was time to set the record straight.
"Do you remember the time when the Suoh business was on the verge of collapse?"
"I've heard about it from the older staff. Mother refused to talk about it when I first joined the company, and I never asked again."
"Those were dark times." The old man's tone was grave as he spoke. "Your father had just passed away, and there was a recession going on. If you thought that was bad, several partners took the opportunity to turn their backs on your mother and the company her late husband built." Sir Anderson paused for another sip, and for his words to be digested.
"And that was how you bought into our business," deduced Yuzuru. Sir Anderson nodded his agreement.
"Your mother was not always as harsh and unfeeling as she was now. When your father was around, she was a competent businesswoman, and a cheery lady. Life just wasn't very kind to her, and she forgot certain things as time went by." Yuzuru saw that it was time for his request.
"Which is why I need your help on a certain matter, Sir Anderson."
"What help do you require?" After explaining himself, Yuzuru observed his companion. Sir Anderson was deep in thought.
"As a business partner, I am supportive of it. But, as a family friend, I must advise you against it."
"My mind is set," said Yuzuru firmly. The old knight sighed gently.
"Perhaps, it is time for her to re-learn how to feel like a human being again. Very well, you have my word on the deal."
"Then, let us begin our meal. The food is getting cold." As the pair tucked in, Yuzuru thought about the dinner appointment he would be having later. Hopefully, Mr Steiner would be as easily persuaded as Sir Anderson...
Atogaki (Afterthoughts)
1) It's been three years already? Where did all the time go?
2) Since Ouran has ended its run, time for me to restart this project.