My Dear Parasyte
Chapter 10
It's Time
Once inside Reiko leads the way down the center of the hallway to the elevator at the end. A tall man dressed in a very nice suit is already waiting there. When he turns around Sonia knows that he is the guy from Mister Takeshi's office. Sonia doesn't know why she couldn't recognize him from behind. He was pretty hard to forget.
"Hello Reiko Tamura." He says
"Hello Gotou."
They briefly stare into one another's eyes then Gotou turns to stare at Sonia.
"Hi." Says Sonia nervously.
"She is nervous." States Reiko.
Sonia wants to tell Reiko to button her lips but Gotou's silent gaze is so frightening that it makes her silently squirm in place.
"Hello Sonia." Says Gotou
She nearly jumps out of her skin.
"How do you know my name?" she asks.
The gift tag had her name yes, but the gift wasn't for him so there was no reason he should be calling her by her first name.
"I know many things." Says Gotou while he continues to stare holes through her body.
There was no moment as truly painful as this one. Reiko just stands there watching with clearly no understanding that Sonia needed to be rescued from this situation. Finally the elevator reaches their floor. Reiko gets on followed by Sonia then Gotou. During the elevator ride up to the third floor everyone is silent and Sonia's eyes shift sideways from Gotou to Reiko.
"I understand that you are an instructor along with Reiko." Says Gotou as he continues to face forward.
"Yes that's right." Says Sonia with fear in her eyes.
She couldn't understand why he was asking her questions. He didn't seem like the type that just wanted to make small talk with her that seemed highly unlikely. Sonia swallows hard and almost chokes but plays it off by clearing her throat.
"So are you some kind of body guard for Mister Takeshi?" Asks Sonia.
Gotou actually turns around to look at her now.
"I am his business partner." He says
Sonia freezes and can't bring herself to respond so her and Gotou stare into each other's eyes until the elevator opens to their destination. Gotou holds the elevator doors open while watching as Reiko and Sonia get off first. Sonia's throat is now too dry to swallow as the three walk to the banquet room. Gotou is walking right behind Sonia and her stomach feels as if it's a ball of nerves. She wanted to ask him some question any question to put him on the spot but her mind is blank. On second thought putting a guy like him on the spot still wasn't smart. They reach the outside of the banquet room in silence. Gotou walks ahead and holds the door again. Sonia avoids eye contact with him as she enters a large room with a very cheerful atmosphere. There is a band playing on stage and a bar to the left, round tables with name cards on the right, and a large dance floor in front of the stage. Sonia has never been to such a fancy occasion. She hangs close to Reiko who doesn't seem at all out of sorts.
Sonia pretends to have an itch on her shoulder in order to sneak a peek at Gotou. He isn't behind her and has disappeared somewhere.
"He is strange." Whispers Sonia to Reiko
"Who?" asks Reiko.
"That Gotou guy. He makes me feel like he wants to break me in half." Says Sonia
"Most interesting." asks Reiko
"I don't find anything interesting about it. He's so scary. It's like he has so much power it just isn't-normal." Says Sonia.
"Miss Tara!" says a male voice.
Sonia spins around almost losing her balance.
"Mister Takeshi." Says Sonia in open mouthed surprise.
Mister Takeshi is holding a drink in one hand and smiling at Sonia. Gotou stands silently next to him giving her his chilling stare. Sonia feels goosebumps rise on the back of her arms and can't break away from Gotou's stare. She is unsure if he heard her previous comments and that fear of the unknown grips her core. Her hands begin to tremble and she prays that he can't see them.
"Miss Tara." Repeats Mister Takeshi.
"Mister Takeshi." Says Sonia
Her attention is taken from Gotou but her heart still threatens to come out of her chest.
"I'm so glad that you could join us." He says
"Yes. Me too. This is great." Says Sonia relaxing a bit.
"Enjoy it. I would also like for you and Reiko to join us at our table." Says Mister Takeski.
"Really?" asks Sonia
Mister Takeshi laughs.
"Of course. I'm inviting you. Would you care for a drink?" he asks.
Sonia nods then looks to Reiko.
"I require only water." Says Reiko
Sonia looks a bit discouraged.
"Reiko doesn't drink. It's a party Miss Tara get whatever you like." Says Mister Takeshi all smiles.
"She is nervous." Says Reiko
Sonia bits her bottom lip. Reiko was embarrassing her in front of Mister Takeshi.
"Why on earth would you be nervous?" asks Mister Takeshi
"You are welcome here." He adds with a sly smile
"I'll go get something to drink." Says Sonia
She is dying to get away from this uncomfortable situation. The three are standing there staring at her and she isn't too interested in being the center of their attentions.
"Gotou you should go with her." Says Mister Takeshi
"No!" Sonia practically shouts.
She realizes her error and lowers her voice quickly.
"Thank you but I can get it myself."
Sonia heads to the bar before Mister Takeshi can get another word out.
Hopefully this moment wasn't setting the stage for the entire night Sonia thinks as she gets a fruity alcoholic drink with a straw in the glass. She takes a sip and it's like a tropical explosion of flavor in her mouth. Just as she turns from the bar Mister Takeshi comes up to her.
"Hey. I didn't mean anything by asking Gotou to come over. He's just good to have around." Says Mister Takeshi.
"Really? He's seems very- focused." Says Sonia
"He wouldn't do you any harm." Says Mister Takeshi.
"Ha. He sure looks like he could do someone a lot of harm if he wanted." Says Sonia
"Why do you think that?" asks Mister Takeshi with a skeptical look.
"Are you kidding? His muscles are huge! Plus he just feels different." Says Sonia
"And how do I feel?" asks Mister Takeshi drawing closer.
Sonia blushes and releases a giggle.
"You feel nice." She says
"Shall we?"
Mister Takeshi holds out a hand and escorts Sonia to his table personally. She catches a few nasty glances from a few women in the crowded room.