(This fiction is based on the characters and settings created by Oyuki Konno)
A Woman Scorned - Chapter 12
"What the hell were you thinking. Making a deal with that devil." Arisu yelled into the phone in frustration. "He'll betray us for sure."
"You weren't there. So how do you know that," Yumi fought back. "He's regretted his decision every day since my brothers death. I can tell by the sound of his voice, and the pain in his eyes. Besides, if he betrays anyone, it will be me. He knows nothing of your involvement in this. So calm down. Alright?"
Arisu sighed in resignation. "I'm trusting you," he replied. "So now what's the plan?"
"I think it's time for my 'official' return to Japan," the brunette told her partner. "It's time to drive Sachiko completely over the edge."
"What do you mean," the blond asked in confusion.
Yumi related Suguru's confession about the heiress' mental state to her partner. "So what do you think will happen, when she's forced to face the truth?"
"She'll either break, or dig in her heels," Arisu answered. "Either way, it will be extremely vexing."
"Exactly."
Yumi hung up the phone, and filled the bathtub in her hotel room. 'If I never have another one of those inside me, it will be too soon,' she thought as she lowered herself into the warm water in an effort to relieve the aching in her pelvis and hips. They were quite sore after five straight days of regular use. She had about two hours to herself before Suguru would be calling to get together and firm up their plans. She was going to make the most of it.
XxX
While Yumi was taking her bath, across town, alone in his office, Arisu called up the video from the hidden webcam he had set up in the infirmary, prior to the last weeks events. He forwarded through most of it, only copying the parts of the video, where Yumi and Suguru were 'in the act.' What surprised him during his review was that by the third day, the black haired man was unrestrained, and didn't require the injection to be able to 'perform.' By the fourth day the two seemed like lovers. 'That little bitch is trying to betray me,' he thought angrily. 'If that's the way she wants it, I'll take her down too.'
For the rest of the morning, he painstakingly edited the videos, and copied them to DVDs. When he was done he placed the discs in an envelope and addressed it. When he was done, he called Kanako into his office.
"You wanted me, sir," the tall, black haired woman asked after she walked into the office.
"Yes, Kanako-san," her boss responded, holding out the envelope he just addressed. "Could you take this down to the mail room, and get a courier to deliver it today. It's very important."
"Certainly sir," the office manager replied, taking the proffered envelope. "I'll make sure it gets delivered today." She left the office and went down to the mail room. After talking to the supervisor there, she was told that all the couriers were currently out delivering and wouldn't be back until later in the afternoon. Knowing how important this was to the boss, she decided to hand deliver it herself, during her lunch hour.
She looked at the destination for the package, and was shocked to see it was addressed to Sachiko. Her eyes clouded with anger at the thought of the despicable woman that caused Yumi such hurt. That thought, added with the fact that though Arisu was her boss, she still didn't trust the man, caused her to question the contents of the package. Her curiosity peaked, she took the package into the ladies room, locked herself in a stall and opened it.
Seeing the unlabeled discs, she put them back in the envelope and brought the package back to her desk. She took one of the discs out and placed it into her computer. She was both shocked and dismayed by the contents of the video files. 'Yumi-sama, how could you,' she thought as she saw her precious friend engaged in a sexual act with one of those detestable men. Upset and angered by it, she decided to confront her friend directly. So she decided to go visit the brunette's parent's house, and try and track Yumi down.
XxX
After she met with Suguru, Yumi went to Arisu's estate and collected the rest of her things, much to the dismay of the blond's mother, who had thought that her son had finally decided to settle down with the brunette he had known for years, and she had said as much when Yumi took her leave.
"I'm sorry, Kintarou-sama," Yumi said apologetically. "Arisu and I are too close. I really don't think things would work out between us."
"Just think about it," the older woman requested. "You seem to be the only one that can handle him. You could do worse than being a member of the family."
"But my heart already calls out for someone else," the brunette replied. "I'm sure you can understand that."
The Kintarou matriarch nodded. "But if things don't work out, I'd love to have a nice girl like you as a daughter-in-law."
Leaving the matter open between them, Yumi left the mansion and traveled by taxi to her parent's house. When she got there, she grabbed her luggage from the back of the cab, and paid the driver. 'Nothing has changed,' she mused as she walked up the pathway to the front door. She took a deep breath before ringing the doorbell.
Fukuzawa Miki strode toward the door, ready to tell off the annoying salesman, who had disturbed her writing. In a matter of seconds from opening the door her expression changed from annoyance, to shock, to sheer joy. "Yumi-chan, you're home," she squealed, rushing in to give her daughter a big hug. "You should have told us you were coming. I would have made your father take the day off, and we would have picked you up at the airport. Come in. Come in." The older woman ushered the brunette into the house.
"I just wanted to surprise you," the young girl said, smiling mischievously.
"You certainly did," Miki replied giggling. "Why don't you take your bags to your room, and I'll put on some tea. You can tell me all about your big adventures abroad."
Yumi nodded and changed into a pair of house slippers. She grabbed her bags and headed up to her room to drop them off. Before she headed back downstairs, she stopped by her brother's room to pay her respects. When she opened the door, she stared at the contents with her mouth open. Instead of Yukki's furniture and personal effects, the room was turned into a miniature office, with a desk, office chair, computer, and printer. She screamed, and fell to her knees.
Yumi's mother hustled up the stairs, concerned for her remaining child. She knelt down next to her, and pulled her into a comforting embrace. "What's wrong dear," she asked her weeping daughter.
"What did you do to Yukki's room," the younger girl asked sobbing.
"Shh. Why don't we calm down, and talk about it over tea, sweetie," Miki said softly, as she guided Yumi down the stairs, and into the kitchen. Once the brunette was seated she went and poured the tea, then sat across from her daughter.
"Why Mom," Yumi asked sullenly.
"Both me and your father felt it was time to move on," the older woman replied. "The time for mourning was over." Yumi gave her an accusatory look, so she continued on, not giving her daughter time to speak. "Listen, honey. People deal with loss in different ways. Your father buried himself in his work, I walked around like a zombie and spent my nights sitting up waiting for your brother to come home, and you ran away to the States. Your father and I eventually got over Yukki's death and went on with our lives. When I started writing again, we needed space for my office, and Yukki wasn't ever going to use his room again, so we put it to use. Is not like we've forgotten him. Your father built a lovely cabinet to see as his shrine. I really don't think your brother would have wanted us to mourn forever. Now would he?" Yumi shook her head, and wiped the tears out of her eyes. "Maybe it's time for you to move on too," the older woman finished.
She gave Yumi a few minutes to collect herself, before talking about other things. "How long will you be staying in Japan," she asked.
"For a while," the brunette answered. "Arisu wants me to stick around and train some of our new people. I'll probably be getting an apartment as soon as I get my bearings."
"Take your time, Yumi-chan," Miki responded. "There's no need to rush off. After all, we haven't seen you for the past five years. Give us time to learn about our little girl again."
"How have things been with you and dad," the brunette inquired.
"Business has been going strong," Miki answered. "I mentioned that I started writing again. Well I finished a book last month, and Sei-chan put me in touch with a good agent. Cosmos will be publishing it. It will be out in a couple months."
"Way to go, Mom," Yumi said with pride.
"Why thank you," Miki responded. "But I can't take all the credit. Sei-chan, helped me with editing. You do have some very nice friends, Yumi-chan. Not a week goes by that one or more of them don't come to visit. In fact just yesterday, Rei-chan and Yoshino-chan stopped by with a plate of cookies, and stayed for a bit. They asked about you."
"What did you tell them?"
"What we always tell your friends when they ask: Your out of the country, working on assignment. That's pretty much all you tell us during your brief calls, and terse emails," the older woman chided. "We should call them and all get together. I'm sure they'd love to see you."
"Yeah we can do that," Yumi agreed. "There's some stuff I have to deal with beforehand, so I can take some time off."
"I guess there's no rush on that either," Miki said, sounding disappointed. "Are you dating again?" She continued, with hope in her voice. "I know the breakup with Sachiko left you a little gun shy, but there are other people out there, you know."
"Mom," Yumi whined, turning red in the process. "Can we leave my love life out of this?"
Miki smiled mischievously. "There is. Isn't there? I can still read you like a book, sweetie. When are you going to introduce them to us?"
Yumi looked down at her tea cup, as if reading the leaves. "It's not like that, Mom. I'm not dating anyone now," she replied, then submitted to her mother's penetrating gaze. "At least not yet. Things are still up in the air, but I promise if things work out, I'll introduce you. OK?"
"Well at least you're making progress there," the older woman stated.
Afraid of getting herself backed into a corner, Yumi stood and took her cup to the sink. "If you don't mind, I'm going to head up to my room. I have to make a few phone calls, and rest."
"Sure thing," Miki said. "What do you want me to make for dinner?"
"I'll have to take a pass on that," the brunette responded. "I have a business dinner to attend with a client. Can we do it tomorrow?" She headed for the stairs.
"Tomorrow it is then," the older woman agreed. "I'll make all your favorites."
XxX
Kanako was nervous as she approached the front door of the Fukuzawa house, having never been there before. She had only assumed the brunette's parents were loving, caring, good people, just for the fact they raised such a wonderful daughter. Now that she was facing the door, she had fears that they weren't. Summoning her courage, she rang the doorbell.
A minute later, she was looking at a slightly older version of the face that haunted her dreams. "Can I help you," this older version of Yumi asked.
"Ah ... Um ..." the young girl started. "My name is Hosokawa Kanako. I'm an old friend of Yumi-sama's from high school. I was wondering if you knew where I could reach her. It is imperative I get this to her today." She indicated the envelope she held in her hand.
"Well, you happen to be in luck," Miki replied. "She just flew in from the States this morning. She's upstairs having a rest. Why don't you come in and I'll get her for you. I'm Fukuzawa Miki, Yumi's mother. Kanako-chan is it?"
Kanako nodded, stepped in the entry way, and closed the door behind her. She waited while the older woman went halfway up the stairs and called out, "Yumi-chan, you awake? There's a Kanako-chan here to see you." She heard a muffled response, and Miki came back over to her. "Come on in. Don't be shy," the older woman stated. The young girl removed her shoes, and stepped into the main part of the house. "Go on upstairs," Yumi's mother directed. "It's the first door on the left. I'll be up to bring you refreshments in a bit."
The young office lady followed Miki's directions and found herself in front of a closed door. She knocked, then entered when she heard the brunette call out to her. Yumi was sitting on her bed, reading. The older girl, closed the book and looked up. "Did Arisu send you," Yumi asked.
"No," Kanako replied. "He doesn't even know I am here, and I need to talk to you about something." She handed Yumi the package clutched in her hands. "He wanted this delivered today. I thought you might want to look at it first."
"That bastard," Yumi exclaimed when she saw the addressee on the envelope. "What the hell does he want to send her?" She opened the envelope and took out the DVDs. She stood up from the bed and walked over to her laptop on her desk carrying the discs. She sat down in the chair, and inserted a disc.
Kanako turned her head away as the video started playing, not wanting to see that filthy man pawing Yumi a second time. She turned back when she heard the brunette say rhetorically, "What the hell game is that little shit up to?" Yumi stopped the video, and turned to Kanako. "You knew what was on these discs?"
Kanako nodded nervously. "I-I didn't mean to pry into y-your privacy, but since it was addressed to Sachiko-sama, I thought you might want to know about it."
"Thank you for bringing it to my attention, Kanako-chan," Yumi replied.
"B-But why would Yumi-sama do such a thing," the younger girl blurted out the question foremost in her mind.
"Because it was necessary," Yumi responded in a flat tone, grabbing Kanako's attention. "I know how you feel about me," the brunette continued in a gentler tone. "I'm not so cold that I wouldn't realize that, but there is too much history between us for me to cross the line between friends and lovers. You're a great girl, and I'm glad to be your friend. That's all we will ever be."
Yumi paused and licked her lips, while she let the younger girl process what was just said. "The last time we spoke, you told me I still had love left inside me. I didn't realize it at the time, but I've met someone. Her name is Mitsuki, and I love her dearly," the older girl said with a gleam in her eye. "When I'm with her, I feel like I can find myself again. Forget the pain of the last five years, and be happy once more. But Mitsuki is in trouble." The brunette went on to tell Kanako all about Sachiko's infertility, Mitsuki's kidnapping, and her plan to have Suguru's child and negotiate Mitsuki's freedom. "I thought Arisu was on my side in this, but apparently he has other plans. I need someone I can trust. Do you think you could help me out."
Kanako took a moment before responding. She was a little upset by Yumi's second rejection, but she realized and accepted the fact that the two of them would only remain friends. But when the brunette talked about Mitsuki, the younger girl did in fact catch a glimpse of the 'old' Yumi peeking through. The Yumi that was unburdened by pain and sadness. That made Kanako very happy, and she would do her best to help the older girl out. "You can count on me," she finally answered.
Just then Yumi's mother came in with a tray of tea and cookies, smiling. She put the tray on a low table in the corner of her daughter's room, and left saying, "Enjoy the snack."
Yumi poured tea for both her and Kanako, then placed a couple cookies on the younger girl's saucer, and passed it over. "Do you have time," Yumi asked. "I could really use somebody to run a couple errands for me."
"I'd be happy to, Yumi-sama" the black haired girl replied.
"That's good. Just sit and enjoy your tea" the brunette stated, before taking the picture of her and Sachiko's first meeting from her desk and heading across the hall to her mother's office and returning with a photocopy of the picture, and a new envelope. She sat st her laptop and started the first DVD ripping.
While the copy was going on, Yumi took the photocopied picture, and scribbled something on it. She folded it up and placed it in the envelope. By this time the first disc was done, and the brunette swapped discs. She took out a piece of stationary, and a matching envelope and wrote a second note keeping it separate from the package she working on. The second disc finished and Yumi took both and added them to the package.
Yumi sealed the big envelope and readdressed it to Sachiko. She picked up both envelopes and gave them to the younger girl. "Go ahead and take the big one to Sachiko at her office," she directed. "However I need you to deliver the other one first. You need to give it personally to Sae-chan, at the fertility clinic, and tell her to sneak it to Mitsuki. Got it." Kanako nodded in understanding. "Thank you Kanako-chan. Your a real friend."
Kanako stood up to leave. Just as she was walking out of the bedroom, Yumi called out. "Make sure you ask for a time stamped receipt, so you can show Arisu you really delivered the package." The younger girl turned and left the house, thanking Miki for the hospitality.
Once Kanako left, Yumi took out her phone and made a call. "Takeshima Photography," a woman's voice answered, Tsutako speaking. How may I help you."
"Tsutako-san," the brunette said into the phone. "It's Yumi."
"Yumi," the woman on the other end of the phone said excitedly. "It's been a long time. What have you been up to?"
"Working overseas," Yumi said, giving her standard answer. "I was wondering. Are you still doing the paparazzi gig."
"I'm actually a freelance photographer for the entertainment industry," Tsutako replied, sounding a little put out.
"So that's what you're calling it these days," the brown eyed girl responded teasingly. "Do you think you could do me a favor? It will probably be of benefit to you also."
"What's the pitch," the photographer inquired.
"What would you do if I told you where to find the up and coming next president of the Ogasawara Group, on a date with his 'side dish?'"
"I'd be there in a heartbeat," Tsutako replied. "But how would you know this?"
"I'm the 'side dish'," Yumi stated. "I'll give you the inside scoop, but I need you to find me a good writer. Is Minako-sama still working for that gossip rag, 'The Tattler?'"
"Yes," the other girl replied. "Why do you ask?"
"I need her to write the article to go with the pictures," the brunette responded. "She has that juicy bite we need for the story. I'll give her all the juicy details. Do we have a deal."
"It sounds like a good deal all around," the young photographer commented. "You get what you want. I get some money in my pocket, and Minako gets a scoop. I'm in."
"Great," Yumi said mischievously. "Now here's our itinerary ..."
XxX
Kanako walked up to the reception window at the fertility clinic, where she lost herself in the wide eyes and fresh face of the girl sitting there. She didn't catch was the girl said as she walked up, she was so entranced. "Excuse me?"
"I said, 'Can I help you?'"
"Oh yeah," the girl with long black hair answered. "I have a message to give to Sae-chan."
"I am she," the wide eyed girl responded.
Kanako passed the girl Yumi's letter. "Yumi-sama wanted you to sneak this to Mitsuki."
"I will do that," Sae-chan affirmed, smiling. "What's your name?"
"Hosokawa Kanako."
"Well Kanako," the girl continued. "If you leave me your phone number, I'll call you when it's delivered, and maybe we can go out sometime?"
"I'd like that," the girl with long hair said, returning the smile, and gave the receptionist her number.
XxX
Nanako walked through the door into Sachiko's office carrying the package she just received from a tall dark haired woman. The young office worker was acting as the heiress' assistant while her friend Mitsuki was out on a leave of absence due to family matters. It must have been serious, because when she stopped by to check, her friends parents apartment was empty.
"Sachiko-sama," Nanako said. "This package just came for you by courier. It's marked 'IMPORTANT.'" The young girl passed the boss the bulky envelope she was holding.
Sachiko took the package and slit the top open, telling her assistant, "You may go." Inside the envelope was a note and two DVDs. She took out the note and opened it. On the top was a picture of her retying an underclassman's tie in front of the statue of Maria-sama. Below the picture it read: "It is a petit soeur's duty to stand in for her Onee-sama, when her Onee-sama cannot meet her obligations. I hope I did a good job of it. -Yumi."
'Can I not get away from the name, Yumi,' Sachiko thought in frustration. 'Why does the name come up so often?' She fought down her irritation, took one of the discs out of its case, and popped it in her computer. When the video started she was shocked to see a naked woman straddling her husband on a bed, and the two of them seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely. Then Sachiko looked closer at the woman. 'It's HER,' she screamed to herself. 'That's the woman who has been out to get me. What business does she have with Suguru.' Then her paranoia hit a high point. 'Is Suguru in on this conspiracy to discredit me also. "It's all in my head", he tells me. "It's just your imagination, Sachiko." Like a fool I believed him. I'll get you Suguru. You and that little bitch.'
She knew she should just turn the video off, but Sachiko found herself mesmerized by the brunette. The way her pert breasts jiggled. She could almost imagine herself cupping them and feeling the hard nipple against her palm. It was a familiar feeling, but she couldn't remember ever touching a woman in that way. It was maddening. She couldn't turn away from the spectacle in front of her. She felt the area between her legs dampen as the sight of this woman turned her on. The heiress continued watching the video, forgetting all about meeting Mitsuki for their appointment at the fertility clinic.
XxX
As soon as Mitsuki returned to the mansion from her appointment, she rushed to her room and locked herself in the bathroom. Once she was secure, she reached into her pocket, and removed the envelope that Sae-chan handed her during her office visit. She slit the envelope with her finger, removed the letter it contained and read it.
Dearest Mitsu,
I miss you horribly, and I regret the way we parted. I had planned on telling you everything that evening anyway, but you beat me to the punch. I have a plan to get you out of there, hopefully unscathed. I will not go into any details, in case this letter gets intercepted. I've already done some things that I regret, and will probably do more before this is through. Know that I love you with all my heart, and will do anything to secure your freedom. Please keep in mind, that no matter what you hear, see, or read things are not as they seem. Until we meet again, be strong and keep the faith. I love you.
Yumi
Mitsuki read the letter again, her heart in the clouds. 'She said she still loved me,' she said to herself. Just that fact alone lifted her spirits and gave her hope. She was certain that Yumi had forgotten about her, or that the woman didn't care about her anymore. She had been quite concerned when she didn't see Yumi working at the clinic.
She also started to wonder if she could get a message through to her love, using Sae-chan. Letting Yumi know that the heiress was not completely sane, or any other useful information. With her mind thinking of things to tell her girlfriend, she got undressed and took a bath.
Once out of the bath, she secreted the letter between the pages of a book, so it wouldn't be found. She then called for dinner and watched television until she went to bed.
She was shaken awake, a half hour after she fell asleep. "Mitsuki-san," Sachiko said. "Come upstairs with me. You have to see this."
The younger girl rolled out of bed and put on a robe. She followed the heiress up to the attic. It looked much the same as it did when she saw it before, except this time there was a laptop on the floor, playing a movie. As she got closer she saw it was Yumi having sex with a man.
"It certainly looks like she's enjoying it," teased the older woman. "I guess she's not as faithful as you think she is." Sachiko laughed at her own joke, leaving Mitsuki aghast at the scene before her of her lover being intimate with a man. She then realized it wasn't just any man, but the husband of the woman next to her. 'Oh Yumi. How could you hurt me like this,' she wailed in her mind.
Sachiko came up behind the younger girl and placed her head on a shoulder, wrapping Mitsuki in a tender hug. "This is making me so HOT," the heiress whispered into the girl's ear. "Just look at Yumi's lewd face as she grinds down." Sachiko then lowered her hand until it was positioned between the younger girl's legs. "My, my," the heiress continued, her fingers feeling the dampness. "I think you are too. How about it Mitsu-chan. What's good for the goose ..." Mitsuki let out a soft moan as the older woman nibbled on her ear, and started pressing gently against the younger girl's sex.
The younger girl started feeling good and began thrusting against Sachiko's hand. 'It's been so long. God, this feel good,' she thought as the pressure inside her was building. 'I mustn't do this. I can't betray Yumi like this. She has a plan to save me.' Just then the younger girl remembered the words in the letter she received earlier. "... things are not as they seem." She shoved back against the heiress, breaking Sachiko's hold on her and yelled, "NO!" Mitsuki ran out of the attic and back to her room, locking the door behind her.
Author's Notes:
To all of you who are still following this story, I send big thanks. I am going to be busy with family this weekend so I probably won't be able to update until the middle to end of next week.