Chapter 10
That night, after work I visited the hotel Eisuke was staying at.
"You met with the butler?" he asked.
"Yes, he told me what happened after Frank dropped out of school." I told Eisuke everything the butler told me.
"Right now, he might be consumed with thoughts of revenge against you. But I'm sure once he's calmed down, he'll realise how stupid he's being." I said.
"I'm not expecting him to feel sorry for his actions. Because I know he's not the type of man who's capable of that."
"But this place is special for you, Eisuke. Full of precious memories and I don't want you to fight here. The Butler said he'd talk to Frank's father. So, can't you just try to peacefully negotiate the return of the hotel?" I asked.
"You saw Frank's true colours. You know he's not the type of man who will listen to reason. I feel sorry for his father. His company nearly went bankrupt because of his good-for-nothing son." He said.
"The butler said Frank's father hid the fact that it was his fault that the family business suffered. Maybe he thought it would hurt Frank too much if he knew the truth. I think his father's concern for him was what made Frank have a change of heart." I said.
"He probably didn't say anything because his son is such an idiot he wouldn't even understand. I don't care about his feelings, it's too late for that. Anything I do now can't change what happened in the past, and that's a fact." He said coldly.
I understood where he was coming from, Frank had hurt him and he wanted revenge but if there was a way to solve this without fighting we should do it.
"I would never lose to someone who would let something as trivial as family impact their behaviour. And I thought I told you to trust me and not worry about anything."
My heart stopped from a moment when he said this,
"How can you say that? What about your sister?"
"Yukari has the family that adopted her and now she belongs with her husband and his family."
"But what about Akira? He cares for you so much." I said.
"We're not related by blood, he's basically a stranger to me. He's my adoptive father because of a contract. My father on paper, that's all."
A contract? I instantly thought of us getting married, he thought that was a contract.
"Akira would be sad to hear that, he loves you Eisuke."
"He knows that it's true. He continues to have a relationship with me because of my talents as a businessman. He would have abandoned me long ago if I weren't so skilled. Family is nothing more than a nuisance to me. I don't need anything in my life that would impair my judgment on important matters." His voice was lower than usual, almost like he despises the very idea of family.
Was this what he thought about marry me? And that's why he didn't care one way or the other about it? How could he think like this?
"If we ever get married, we'd become family. So, would family still be nothing more than a nuisance to you then? Something you don't want in your life?" I asked coldly.
He didn't answer my question, we just stood looking at each other.
Well, that answered that question. I turned and ran out of the room, he didn't even try to stop me. I didn't want to be alone, so I rang Becca, who welcomed me with open arms. She decided that the whole gang needed to be there, so she invited Sophie and Lucy as well.
"What happened?" Sophie asked. We were all sat in Becca's living rooms, drinking wine.
"Me and Eisuke kind of had a fight." I said.
"Kind of?" Lucy asked.
"It's complicated." I said and took a big gulp of my wine. "Me and Eisuke just keep having issues. I swear being with someone shouldn't be this hard. You guys heard about the way he proposed to me, right?"
"Yeah it was so lame." Lucy said.
"He sees marriage as a contract, I see it as way to prove your love and start your life together." I said. I explained to them about his views on family.
"What a horrible thing to say!" Becca said shocked.
"But he's never had a family, not like ours. He was adopted, so he doesn't know how amazing it is to have a family who cares and who embarrasses you every moment they get. But I'm scared if we get married that's what he'll think of me."
What if one day I became a nuisance and Eisuke decided to let me go?
What a stupid thing for me to think, Eisuke had saved me several times and even got shot trying to save me. Maybe the solution to this would be to never get married? But I wanted to get married, more than anything. I had my dream wedding planned since I was 7 years old. But I loved him, and I wanted to be with him.
"You know what we need, ice cream." Becca said and brought a tub of ice cream from the kitchen.
"Ok, new rule, tonight we don't talk about guys. Let's just eat ice cream and watch chick flicks." Sophie said.
"And get drunk." Lucy said.
I smiled and held up my glass "Agreed."
A few days later, I was back at work. Eisuke hadn't even tried to contact me since I left. He was so stubborn, but I was stubborn to so that didn't help things either. I was sat in my treatment room folding towels and tidying before my shift ended. As I left the spa and headed to the staff changing rooms, I heard a commotion. There was a group of people in the lobby, talking and making noise.
What was going on? As I started to approach the group, someone approached me.
"Miss Wells." Someone said.
I turned and saw Frank stood behind me smiling.
"Hi Frank." I said and smiled back.
"What are you doing here? Had enough of Eisuke, want to be with a real man?"
He looked so smug, I had to remind myself of what the Butler had told me otherwise I would have punched him in the face. This was the perfect opportunity, I could try and convince Frank to give the hotel back to Eisuke.
"Frank, can I have a word with you in private?"
"Of course, this way." He said.
I followed him to his office, he offered me a drink but I refused.
"Listen Frank, I want you to please stop this stupid behaviour and give Eisuke's his hotel back before things turn nasty." I said.
He laughed "Is that a threat, Freya?" He asked.
"No. Eisuke is ruthless, he will take you down and you will lose everything your father has given you. Just give Eisuke's hotel back and things can go back to normal. You can run your father's hotel without any problem and no one will get hurt." I said.
Frank chuckled "I'm not the one who is going to get hurt, Eisuke will be. I won't stop till I have everything he owns."
"You are such a child! Why can't you forget about the past? Haven't you hurt your family enough? If you keep going like this, you'll lose everything."
He sneered "No Freya, Eisuke will loose everything."
I sighed this was helpless, they were both as stubborn as each other. This was a total waste of time.
"Where are you going?" He asked as I stood up.
"I'm going home." I said.
"No you're not." He said coldly and grabbed my wrist "I will have everything Eisuke owns, including you."
I laughed "Remove your hand. Now." I said and tried to wriggle free.
"No, you're mine now Freya just like Eisuke will be soon."
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked.
"You don't know? In exchange for the deed to the hotel, Eisuke has offered himself up for auction. I will buy him and then use him as my slave." He said with a dark chuckle. I could only imagine the type of grin he had on his face.
"I won't let you hurt him." I pulled my hand free and tried to run to the door, but I was disorientated. By the time I came to the door, Frank had blocked my way and held the door closed.
"You won't interfere but if you insist on watching the auction, that won't be a problem." He said.
He took hold of my arm and dragged me out of his office and escorted me up to the penthouse and tied me to a chair in front of the big TV. He also forced a gag into my mouth.
"Enjoy the show." He said and left the room.
It was weird being back here. I listened to the TV, from the sound of it, the deed was being sold at the auctions and Eisuke was bidding on it. At least he got the hotel back but Frank was going to buy him. I had to save Eisuke!
I struggled and tried to get my hands free. I don't know where my handbag was, it was on my shoulder but now it was gone. I needed to get out of here and get help. My hands were tied to the arms of the chair, but my legs were free. I stood up, lifting the chair up off the floor and walked forwards before I swung the chair into a nearby wall which I knew was just in front of me. I swung the chair till the chair broke and I was free. I removed the ropes and the gag.
I needed to get to the auctions, but Frank had probably change things, so I couldn't just walk in there. Instead, I went over to the phone in the penthouse and dialled Soryu's number.
"Where are you?" He demanded.
"In the penthouse."
"Stay there." he said. Within minutes, he came into the penthouse. "What happened?" He asked.
"I confronted Frank and he brought me up here and tied me up." I explained.
"Why do you always cause so much trouble?" He asked sounding displeased.
"I honestly don't know. It's starting to freak me out. Eisuke is selling himself at the auction in exchange for the deed to the hotel." I said and rubbed my sore wrists.
"I know." He said.
"You know?! Then why are you letting him do it?"
"It's all part of his plan. We did try ringing you before the auction, but you didn't answer your phone."
"I was at work, it's still in my locker." I said.
"Let's go." He said and took hold of my hand.
We went down together, Soryu forced his way through the guards and we came to the stage. Eisuke was still in the cage but the auction was coming to a close.
"Sold to #86 for 1.5 billion." The auctioneer announced.
Frank was stood by the cage. "This was a thrilling auction. "
I went to go Eisuke but Soryu had hold of my arm and pulled me back. "Don't do anything stupid." He whispered.
"That brings the auction to a close." An announcement came over the loudspeaker. The auction hall was oddly quiet, I bet everyone was eager to see what was going to happen to Eisuke.
He has a plan. He always has a plan. I told myself over and over.
"Open the cage." Frank ordered.
The staff members hesitated, but they pulled Eisuke from the cage and handcuffed his hands behind his back. Why was Soryu just standing there? He should be going to help him!
"Police! Everyone, get your hands up in the air now! We got a tip off that there's human trafficking going on in here!"
Suddenly the door burst open and Kishi charged in, followed by several police officers.
"What's going on?!" Frank gasped.
"You Frank Ackerson? You're under arrest for human trafficking." Kishi said and handcuffed Frank.
I sighed with relief and smiled, this must be Eisuke's plan all along. I did warn Frank what would happen if he crossed Eisuke.
"There's been some kind of mistake! Why me?!" Frank shouted out. "These auctions belong to Eisuke, he's the one who started them!"
"What in the world are you talking about?" Eisuke said sounding shocked.
"Give it up Ackerson." Kishi said.
"Mister detective, thank you ever so much for coming and saving me. I was nearly sold into the slave trade." Eisuke said.
"Why, that's terrible!" Kishi said.
"Dammit! How the hell did you call the police?! The security here is airtight! Eisuke, what did you do, you bastard?!"
"I did nothing during the auction, you saw that with your own eyes. The police 'just happened' to come at the perfect time." Eisuke answered.
"Yep, quite the coinkydink, huh?" Kishi said.
"There's no way this was a coincidence!"
Whilst Frank was being read his rights, the other police officers rounded up his staff. Two police officers approached me and Soryu.
"Were you part of this auction to?"
"No, they work for Mr Ichinomiya. They were forced to participate by Frank, who threatened their lives." Kishi explained and the two officers left us alone.
"Eisuke really is ruthless, isn't he?" I said to Soryu .
"Yes." He was still holding onto my arm tight.
I couldn't help but feel kind of sorry for Frank, he had lost everything and now his family were going to lose everything. Kishi removed Eisuke's handcuffs, I heard Eisuke chuckle proudly.
"I bet Ackerson never dreamed a cop was workin' for ya, huh?" Kishi said.
"That's why he always loses." Eisuke said.
"It was risky plan." Kishi said.
Eisuke walked towards us, Soryu finally removed his arm.
"You.. You prick!" I shouted and punched Eisuke in the arm.
"What was that for?" He asked bewildered.
I heard Soryu and Kishi snigger as I punched him.
"For worrying me and for not apologizing for the other night." I said and glared at him. "Don't ever do something like that to me again."
He looked at me and then sighed before leaning over and swept me off my feet, carrying me in his arms.
"You're so much trouble."
"Put me down." I ordered.
He ignored me and carried me out of the auction hall.