1Still reading? Good. I promise that in the next chapter, things are going to begin to get on the fast track...but you have to read this first to follow the plot.
Her Secrets
Chapter Twenty-Five
Loyalty (Part II)
Christophe took me in with open arms and I could not blame him, my fake tears were Oscar worthy. He brought me to his place in Paris to stay for awhile before I got my own place.
Living with him was an interesting experience. We were together for nearly a week before he really asked about Sakyo. I was beginning to believe that Chris did like me. He called off from work for a few days just to show me around and spend time with me. And spending time did not include trying to get in my pants (though I'm positive that was on his mind.) He also loved to talk, mainly about life. He had a sense of humor that I found a little corny but refreshing at the same time. He asked me a lot of questions about my life and my plans for the future. I did not really know how to respond to any of his questions. No one really asked me things like that before. And I never gave shit like that a second thought. I lived in the present. But it was fun to bounce crazy ideas off of him. He thought I was just sooo crazy and sooo much fun judging by what I said. That led to him asking my opinion on everything.
Another thing Chris did that I was not accustomed to was that he was very affectionate. I knew the French had a reputation for romance and all that jazz but this was something else. There were a lot of kisses like the one at the repast—and some that were even better. He was constantly on me. I liked it (no one knows how many times I was tempted) but I liked air better.
The one thing Chris did that I really liked was taking me to his company one day. He showed me practically everything, even introducing me to his father (who was an idiot). Any question that I had, he would answer. I was surprised he was so giving.
But the biggest surprise I received came from myself. I had been trained in basic mind control in my Seduction classes. If I wanted to, I could get anything from him ranging from his dental records to his family secrets. Of course, I was not certified to use these abilities but the point was that I did not have to stay with him.
The more time I spent with him, the closer I became with him. But I could not get close to him the way I felt I should. I had an emotional roadblock. That did not mean that I did not have strong feelings for him. It just meant that I was damn confused—and not in a way that "just business" was supposed to be.
Fortunately (or unfortunately) for me, fate found its way to force me into a hellish reality check. After my week with Chris, there was a party being held by me "ex" in Tokyo. Now you would think that a guy wouldn't want to bring a girl to a party being thrown by the man that dumped her a week ago. But Christophe's ego convinced him that flaunting me would be a good opportunity. I could see that the father was not the only idiot in this family. Christophe told me it was strictly business but I overlooked his BS because I was homesick.
When we showed up to Sakyo's penthouse party, I expected a lot of attention for showing up on Chris' arm. I had been part of the underworld's "Super Couple". But the attention I received was not what I expected. Instead of the looks of surprise, I saw looks of...pity? The girls were looking at me like I had fallen off. That's when I saw her—the new girl on Sakyo's arm.
I was PISSED!
But I stayed calm. I guess we were done and he did not bother to tell me. That was okay. But how dare he make me look like a tossed aside tramp? This other girl couldn't hold a candle to me anyway—she looked very old. Maybe it was the lighting...no I knew this woman. It took me a few more seconds to realize she was Sophia. (You must remember her—she's the bitch that cause me to take a lighting fixture in the head to save Sakyo's life...all because he was trying to help her.)
AGAIN, I was calm. I couldn't let Christophe start getting suspicious. We mingled as usual but I noticed the difference in power between my "ex" and Chris. Sakyo always had people fighting to talk to him. Christophe had to hustle a bit to get some attention. Eventually the time had come to have dinner. Sophia took the spotlight, thrilled I was out of the picture.
I still held up, letting Chris cuddle with me at the table, honestly enjoying it. We held a private conversation, even laughing at a few inside jokes. We practically ignored the rest of the table. (I could not have paid for this to go any better.)
That did not stop Sophia from starting something.
"I guess young hearts heal quickly." She commented, causing the table to fall nosily silent. I knew what she wanted and she was not getting it.
I looked up at her as though I was not fazed and smiled warmly. I looked Chris tenderly in the eyes, tracing his arm with my finger.
"I guess so." I said, softly. Christophe chuckled, he knew I hated Sophia. She left me alone afterwards and I was fine until the waiter accidently spilled a drink on my dress. I did not flip, though I wanted to, and headed for a bathroom. I was cleaning myself off, hiking my dress up when the door opened and Sakyo came in.
"Hello." He said, causing me to jump, pulling my dress down.
"You could have knocked." I huffed.
"You could have locked the door." He responded.
"I thought I did." I said, turning from him. "You do know there is another bathroom around here."
Sakyo chuckled and closed the door, locking it.
"Are you enjoying the party?" He said, disguising his true question.
"Are you?" I faced him. Sakyo smirked, looking like he was glad to see me.
"What do you want?" I asked, tightly.
Sakyo raised an eyebrow. "I just wanted to know how your new love has been treating you."
"I haven't found anything. He never mentioned you and I searched his home, his parent's place and his office building. All I know is that he likes me."
Sakyo nodded.
"I predicted he would not talk. He is quite determined." He said.
I paused. Had he not hear me say that Chris was cool?
"Determined? I just told you I found nothing." I said.
Sakyo raised an eyebrow. "I heard you clearly, Kay. Did you hear what I said? While you were gone, I had some employees look through his hidden files. He is after me. Here." He handed me a folder to read.
I frowned, not sure what to make of this.
"Can you link him to Tarukane and the others?"
"Yes. But I'm not concerned about them. I have to protect my own interests." He said, strangely.
"And how will you do that?" I asked, foreseeing a confrontation.
Sakyo stared at me hard. "I would like to speak with him."
"Okay." I said.
"Now." He said.
"What?" I looked at him like he was crazy.
"Right now?" I asked.
"Bring him out to the corridor...alone." He specified.
I could not believe he was telling me to do this.
"But, if I tell him you want to—" I started.
"Kay, where is the sense in being up-front? I don't care how you get him, just bring him."
I could not mask the look of uncertainty and fear from my face but I began to walk towards the door anyway.
"Give a five minutes." I said softly.
Ten minutes later, I was hotly kissing Chris while dragging him into the corridor Sakyo had asked me to bring him. (He did say that he did not care how I brought him) Once the door was closed, Chris, thinking we were alone, tried to get frisky by pushing me against a wall.
"A-hem." Sakyo said from the opposite end of the corridor. Chris looked over to him in shock. Instinctively, he tried to protect me by pushing me behind him.
"What is going on?" Chris asked.
Sakyo looked to me with this slightly wicked look in his cold, ice blue eyes.
"You can leave us, Kay." He said to me. I stiffened, trying to avoid seeing Chris' reaction. But I could feel him stiffen and move away from me. I looked at him. His eyes showed a look of pure disappointment but it was aimed towards himself. As if he was thinking he should have known better.
He should have.
If I had been more humane, my heart would have broken. But I had to toss my emotions aside. I wasn't trained to be that way. (And it was either him or Sakyo)
Besides, all is fair in love and the art of seduction.
I quickly walked back to the door and reached for the handle when it opened for me. There stood the Toguro brothers with the evil one riding his brother's shoulder. I was too shaken to question wether or not they were brothers or lovers. (And I'm sure everyone had that same question at one time or the other.) I wondered what they were doing here. Sakyo had said he only wanted to talk.
I did not get a chance to ask a question. I quickly found myself on the opposite side of the closed door. I did not want to move. I was paralyzed with fear for Christophe. I highly doubted Sakyo needed any protection. I had always joked with him about roughing people up or bumping people off...but now I was worried he would actually do it. That look in his eyes...it scared me.
I walked back into the bathroom with my stomach in knots and my entire being trembling. I felt guilty and I wanted to splash cold water on my face but my makeup was just right and I wasn't going to wreck it. I just ran the water over my wrists. I kept reviewing what Sakyo said to me. I still was not confident that Chris was guilty. And I knew that Sakyo would eliminate whatever was in his way...but what if Sakyo was right?
The very thought of Christophe dying caused me to gasp.
I had as good as killed him.
No.
I had killed him.
I gasped, feeling huge tears well up in my eyes. My throat began to burn as it tightened. I had never felt so much guilt in my life, it was so painful. I heard a door in the corridor open and close. The demons had left but I could faintly feel Chris. I dried my hands quickly and darted back into the corridor. I was so quick that I startled Sakyo who was leaning against the wall.
I ran over to him.
"Where is he? Did he confess?" I asked.
"He's been handled." Sakyo said smoothly, as if it were no big deal.
I felt my heart dropped through the floor and I felt so weak. I just gave out, causing Sakyo to have to catch me. He had to wrap his arms around me as I leaned against him.
"Kay." He said quietly.
I remained quiet. Where could I go now if anyone found out? I had no one to turn to except the man I did this for.
"I'm fine." I managed to say. I looked him in the eyes. "It had to be done." I said aloud, trying to reaffirm it for myself.
"Then why are you about to cry?" He asked, seriously.
I looked at him hard.
"I'm just a little freaked out, that's all." I understated. "But I'll be over it." I said, softly.
Sakyo gently pushed me away from him.
"Why did you do this if you weren't comfortable. I would not have forced you." He said.
He was right, I could have refused. Why did I push this? No, I knew exactly why it made me feel this? No, I knew exactly why and it made me feel so weak in my soul. But how could he not see that?
I looked at him, very puzzled. The look in my eyes caused him to look surprised.
"I did this for you." I managed to say as if it were a no brainer. "To protect you." I reinforced.
I felt extremely tired. I just wanted to leave.
"Please don't interrogate me." I leaned against his chest, closing my eyes. "Take me home."
To my surprise, Sakyo tightened his hold on me, drawing me in closer. His head rested against mine. And I was overcome with this intense feeling of calm. Even though I had assisted in a murder, Sakyo had calmed me down. That was why I could not commit to Chris, he would never have this effect on me. Though now that did not matter...
Suddenly the door behind us opened—and Christophe stepped out—ALIVE. My brain just stopped. Had I been drugged? No, he was really there, dressed to leave. He started to walk past us, when he did, it gave me a look that showed that he felt sorry for me. He shook his head and then chuckled, turning his gaze to Sakyo before walking away.
I froze, utterly stupefied. Did Sakyo—why did he do this? I dropped my head, ashamed, confused, and frustrated all at once. I could give the term "emotional roller coaster" a whole new meaning. I separated myself from Sakyo and crossed my arms. When I managed to look at him, he remained unaffected as though he had done no wrong. I narrowed my eyes at the bastard, how could he? He attempted to say something but I cut him off.
"Don't." I said with a raised hand. "I just want to go." I said quietly, yet fiercely.
Normally, my mind would be racing, pulling me in a million directions and asking a million questions but at the moment, it clearly had a unified thought: this charade was over.
Coming up: The story hits it's first major turning point when Sakyo comes clean about a lot of things, including his and Kay's future...A Loss of Innocense is next.
