CHAPTER 14 : THE EMPRESS AND THE DOWAGER
Makino Sumitzu has just finished putting away the dishes. She was in the process of storing away the dinner's left over food when she heard a knock on the door.
"I'll get it," Susumo volunteered.
Probably one of his friends, Sumitzu guessed, glancing at the clock that reads half past eight. Not really caring since it was still relatively early, she busied herself with what she's doing once again.
Finally noticing the absence of noise, she took out her apron and headed to the living area. There she found her son, stood frozen in spot while he stared at the man and woman just outside their door.
Recognizing who the woman is, Sumitzu patted her son out of his frozen state and graciously invited their visitors in. She watched as Domyuji Kaede swept a glance in the tiny apartment, noting each expression that passed on the magnate's face as she gestured for them to sit down. She gave a mental sigh. She knew this was coming but she didn't know it was this soon.
Susumo ran to his sister's room. Tsukushi who was reading a book was surprised a his sudden appearance.
"Its ……its …….that woman" he was saying, too excited to make any sense.
"What woman? What are you talking about?" she asked.
"Perm head's mother is here!" He finally managed to blurt out.
"What?!!!!" Tsukushi quickly headed to the living area, meeting her dad as he came out from their bedroom.
"What's going on?" he looked at both his children, waiting for an explanation. When none was forthcoming, he followed their gazes to the living room. Seeing his wife seated at one side of the table and two others opposite her, he quickly recognized the other woman. Giving Tsukushi a reassuring glance, he made his way to the living room to join his wife.
Tsukushi and Susumo looked at each other before following their father into the room. They were just in time to hear their dad offer the visitors some tea. It wasn't really a surprise when the invitation was declined.
Kaede glanced up as Tsukushi appeared. Oh-huh, I don't think she's here to have tea, more like to spill blood……mine most likely, Tsukushi thought to herself as she caught the light of battle in the magnates eyes.
"I am Domyuji Kaede" , the Dowager began (as if she needs further introduction). "I came here because of our children…. My son and your daughter," she inclined her head towards Tsukushi.
"The Domyuji's belongs to an old lineage that values family and traditions. As such, we have certain obligations that we have to fulfill and adhere to. As a mother it is my duty to ensure that my son will also follow the long line of traditions. Being a mother yourself, I am sure you can understand. Not that there's anything wrong with your daughter, it's just that they can never be together. I'm sure she will be perfect to someone else, someone more …shall we say suited for her" . Kaede at this point was struggling to be polite. What she really wanted to do was throw the money into their faces and watch them scramble for it like the money hungry riff-raffs that they are. Just look at those faces, pride and dignity (these actually surprised Kaede) written all over despite their obvious poverty.
"Why don't you come directly to the point and save all of us time," Makino Sumitzu said.
Staring at the woman before her, Kaede was admittedly surprised upon meeting her. The woman was elegant, there's no other word to do her justice. Although poor, she carried herself with pride and dignity befitting someone with a higher status. Clearly, this is a woman with substance and she can now see where that girl was got her character.
Pushing her misgivings aside, she nodded to her assistant. She covertly watch the family's reaction as Nishido opened the case and presented the money.
If she's hoping for a reaction, she was disappointed as they just gave the offering a cursory glance before looking a her. Sumitzu, on the other hand, didn't even spare a glance at the money. Her gaze remained fixed on Kaede. The rest of the of the Makino's were now looking at the mother as if they waiting for something. Maybe they were expecting more…
"There is 50 million there. If that is not enough, just name your price and I'll give it to you," she raised an elegant hand towards her companion. Reaching out for what looked like a cheque book, Kaede opened it, pen in hand, and looked at Sumitzu expectantly.
"How much are you worth?" Sumitzu asked the other woman asked.
"Pardon?" Kaede wasn't sure what the woman was actually asking.
"I'm asking how much value you put on yourself, Sumitzu repeated. I'm sure you value yourself highly. The same can be said with my family. Although in your eyes we are nothing more than beggars, whatever we have we treasure; maybe because we don't have much. Even if you give us half of your wealth, it will never be enough to buy my daughter's happiness. Money is worthless for us, we live on what we have, in our own rules, in our own way. We do not require money to be happy and we certainly don't need to be bribed to cause others unhappiness, and most definitely not one of our own.
"As you have already pointed out, I am also a mother. Like you, I want the best for my children and like you, I also have misgivings regarding their relationship. I am more than aware of the social gap between them, but unlike you, I know when to let go and let nature take its course. They are still young and the relationship has just began, a lot can still happen. I am sure that along the way, they will realize for themselves whether they made the right decision or not. Opposing them will just spur them on," Sumitzu explained.
" That's easy for you to say," exclaimed the now fuming Kaede. "You have nothing to lose but everything to gain. Bah…you are you kidding…of course you'll let them have their way. You and your daughter are probably in cohorts in scheming this whole thing up. My son might be an easy target but I assure you I am not. I will not tolerate my son associating with low lifes like your daughter who probably spreads herself around…..
Whooze. Everyone stared in shock at looked from Kaede, money still falling all over her perfectly coiffed head, to Sumitzu who still poised holding the now empty case over the other woman's head.
" You just the biggest mistake of your life. I was being polite and came here hoping to end things peaceably but now, you just lost your chance. I will make you regret this. You don't know who your dealing with," Kaede warned softly.
" You and I must have a very different definition of "polite". From what I know and where I came from, what you did was no where near polite. You came here prepared for battle so please do not insult our intelligence by pretending otherwise. As for your threats, do your worst, for I am more than prepared. I know how you and people like you think and act. Now get out of my house. You are not welcome here. You may be known as The Dowager, but here in my house, I am the Empress and last I know, an Empress outranks a dowager. Sumitzu walked over to the door and held the door open.
Almost trembling with rage, Kaede stood and walked out the door with as much dignity as she could muster, the faithful assistant close behind her.