Business as usual

by Kadzuki Fuchoin

A normal day in life for Asami and Akihito.

37. Chapter 35

I sincerely apologize for the super late updates. Thank you so much for your mails and pms and I'm so sorry for not taking the time to return them. I usually check mails when I'm away from the computer and by the time I reach home, I have forgotten completely about it. Honto ni gomen nasai!

I won't keep blabbing about my life. Please enjoy the story!

Edited by the wonderful RiveReinStyx. And if you see other mistakes, please pm me and I'll change them. I was in a hurry to finish editing this as I am leaving to Europe for a short holiday.

Finder Series and its characters are property of Yamane Ayano sensei. I'll take Toru and the other OCs

---

Xx Business as Usual Chapter 35 xX

Asami checked his wristwatch. His expensive custom-made watch showed exactly half past one in the morning but the crowd at Sion showed no signs of slowing down. He was informed by his guards that there was still a line outside the club, waiting to get in.

From the large windows of his office, he could see the packed dance floor below. Patrons were gyrating hips with one another, trying to show off their dancing skills. He wasn't the least interested in them because unless it was Akihito on the dance floor, he wouldn't give a damn.

Then again, if it were Akihito on that dance floor, he'd made sure that the crowd stood at least a few feet away from the boy. Sliding his hands into his dress pants, he pulled out the five-yen coin; the same one Akihito had given to him on the beach in Osaka and looked at it.

He thought about how Akihito had presented him the coin and smirked. The boy never failed to amuse him. When he first took Akihito in, he wondered how long his interests would last. The women in his life certainly lasted no more than a month and he thought Akihito was merely an infatuation. But a month stretched to two, and two stretched to four. By the time he realized it, he had kept the boy for more than two years. And instead of getting tired of Akihito, his desire to monopolize him grew.

Akihito's body was perfection. The way the photographer moved beneath him, the sultry sound he made during their lovemaking; they reminded Asami of high quality cocaine that you could never have enough. He wanted everything from Akihito. He wanted the boy so bad that he was willing to invest a great deal of time and money to have him.

Pushing his thoughts away, Asami slid the coin back to his dress pants and scanned around the club. Satisfied that all his men were already in their respective positions, he sat and waited.

Usually he didn't need so many men around but tonight was an exception. The head of Wu organization in Macau contacted Kirishima earlier that morning, expressing his intentions for a meeting at Club Sion. He had no dealings with the Wus so it piqued Asami's interest why he would want to meet up. The Chinese mafia had been Fei Long's greatest competitors of late, expanding his drug market right into Baishe's territory.

A discreet knock had his attention shifted again. "Enter."

"Sir, the VIP room has been prepared. The men are in their positions."

Asami nodded. "Tell the men to be careful. From what I gathered, Wu is rather shrewd."

The bespectacled secretary took a closer step to Asami. "Sir, we do not have any dealings with the Wus. Why do you think they want to meet us?"

"I'm guessing they know of our dealings with the Baishes and wanted to take over the position instead."

"Pardon me for asking, Asami sama. Do you plan to have dealings with them?"

Asami looked up at his secretary's worried face. "No. Baishe is far more reliable than Wu in many aspects."

"Then why approve the meet up?"

"I'm rather interested in what they want. And –," Asami halted, retrieving a cigarette from the pack before placing it between his lips, "—I'm interested to meet Wu's new successor."

Kirishima moved in to offer his boss light. "Wu's new successor?"

"Wu died last of a heart attack last week. His son apparently committed suicide a few days later."

Kirishima's eyes widened, shocked with the information. "I haven't heard about it."

"I just received the news from the informant in Macau," Asami said before taking a drag of his cigarette. He savored the nicotine before exhaling. "Wu's death was low profile. I heard the succession ceremony wasn't even a lavished one."

Kirishima clasped his hands behind his back. "The news of Wu's death could throw everything off balance and crumble the organization."

"Especially when they have Fei Long as their rival," Asami added. "Fei Long is an opportunist; he wouldn't allow chances like this slip."

A soft rap on his door had both of men look at the wooden door. Suoh walked in, bowed. "Sir, they're here and – ," the bulky guard hesitated.

"And ?" Kirishima asked.

"The leader is a woman."

Asami stood up from his seat, buttoned his jacket. "This is getting interesting."

Xx Business as Usual xX

Eight hours ago – Mainichi Shimbun

Akihito sat across Takeda's desk in Mainichi Shimbun. The editor-in-chief, a stocky man in his fifties donned his usual shirt, khaki pants and suspenders. Hair combed to the back, Takeda squint his eyes through the huge reading glasses at the screen of his computer. He gave up reading and focused his attention on Akihito instead.

"So—," he paused for a moment to look at Toru standing behind Akihito. "How are you?"

The greeting was understandably awkward and uncomfortable for both Akihito and the editor. This was their first face-to-face meet up after the Yamaguchi case. The former superintendent blew his identity as Asami's lover, causing him to nearly lose his job as a result.

Takeda had not only stood by him, he offered information that eventually led to Yamaguchi's downfall. But that didn't stop Takeda from behaving rather awkwardly in front of Akihito. In fact, he was so stressed that he accidentally knocked his empty coffee mug, dropping the file he was holding in the process. It was painful to look at.

"Takeda san, you don't have to be nervous. I'm the same old Takaba Akihito."

The editor looked around before leaning forward. "You can't expect me to act like nothing has happened now that I know you're Asami Ryuichi's –," he halted, looking around to make sure no one was focusing their attention on him before whispering,, "—lover."

Akihito rested his elbows on Takeda's desk, leaned forward. "Just behave normally," he pleaded. "And you're playing favoritism here. I keep getting good assignments from you – low risks stake outs with high payouts. Sooner or later, people are going to talk about it."

"I can't risk if anything happens to you," Takeda said. He opened his mouth to continue but another crime reporter came forward with some advice so the editor-in-chief was forced to halt their conversation once again. He jerked a thumb into the discussion room located at the other end of the room, signaling Akihito to wait for him there. The photographer stood up, ignored a few pairs of curious eyes and made his way to the room.

Takeda came minutes later, closed the door and stared at Akihito again. "Like I said, I can't risk if anything were to happen to you. The president reminded me many times that you'd only be given low risk assignments."

"I'm not a porcelain doll," Akihito defended. "Besides, with Toru and Ando sticking close to me, I have more protection than the pop idols out there."

"Who's Ando?"

Shit. Akihito had forgotten that Takeda wasn't aware of Ando's identity. The younger guard was always waiting in the car so Takeda had never seen him.

"Ando is my partner, Takeda san. We are both Takaba sama's guards."

Akihito quickly glanced at Takeda's shocked expression. Either the editor was taken aback with the fact that he had two guards or surprised that Toru used the suffix 'sama'."

"Takaba, you have two guards?" The editor asked uncomfortably. "Asami san has certainly taken a liking to you," he managed to say after a long pause.

The color on Akihito's cheeks deepened. "I – I didn't ask for it," he mumbled before snapping his attention back to the matter. "Anyway, that's not the point, Takeda san. All I'm saying is, don't play favorites. Just assign me to regular assignments."

When Takeda once again looked uncertain, Toru answered, "Takeda san, Asami sama would not take interest in how you assign the tasks. As for Takaba sama's safety, you do not have to worry. Ando and I will make sure of that and we will inform you if the task is deemed too dangerous for Takaba sama."

Akihito sighed. "See what I mean? I can't even go out to the convenience store in peace."

Takeda shifted in his seat uncomfortably. He looked at Toru, as if he was seeking some reassurance before gazing at Akihito again. "Well, if Toru said so – "

Akihito hated the fact that Takeda was more persuaded by Toru's words than his but he couldn't complain about that now.

"I have to say this Takaba. I actually had my suspicions about you," Takeda continued abruptly.

"Suspicions?"

Takeda offered an awkward smile. "It was weird how you could afford Toru with your meagre salary. And the threads you wear to work? It doesn't take a blind man to figure out they were expensive. I did wonder where you got them but never in a million years could I have guessed that they were from Asami Ryuichi."

"Takeda san, please trust me when I say that I didn't ask for those. Asami is a bas –" Akihito stopped himself from cursing his lover. He cleared his throat. "Asami likes to have things his way and I couldn't even say no."

The editor-in-chief casted a hesitant smile, obviously remembering what happened to his boss a few weeks earlier. After Yamaguchi was arrested, Asami Ryuichi had paid a visit to Watanabe's office and although Takeda didn't know what took place in the room, he knew it was bad enough to make the President shake violently. In fact, when Takeda entered the room after Asami left, he found the Watanabe breaking in cold sweat.

Takeda was no fool. He knew Asami must have done something to Watanabe. As an editor-in-chief, he heard many things about Asami Ryuichi. Most of them weren't pleasant to say the least but there wasn't any proof about Asami's illegal activities so Takeda didn't attempt to even run the story. Besides, he knew even without being told that Asami Ryuichi was a man he could not afford to mess with.

He looked at the young man in front of him who didn't seem to realize that he was going out with one of the country's most powerful man. "Takaba, can I ask you something?"

When the younger man nodded, he dared himself to ask. "With Asami san's wealth, you could easily live a good life. Why do you still want to work?"

"I'm not his mistress. I'm no gold digger, Takeda san. I earn my own keep."

Takeda wanted to ask if Akihito was afraid being involved with Asami but with Toru watching like a hawk, he decided to keep his thoughts to himself. Besides, he wouldn't be able to bear the consequences if Asami found out about it.

"My story aside, do you have any assignments for me, Takeda san?"

"Actually, that was the reason I called you today. I received an anonymous email yesterday and they told me that a certain politician will be meeting with someone from the yakuza."

Akihito grinned. It was the story he had been hoping to cover. "I'm on it. Give me the location and details."

Again, the editor-in-chief looked troubled. "Here's the thing, Takaba. I couldn't verify the story since none of my sources seem to have heard anything about it." He looked up at a confused Akihito. "I can only ask you to do this because the meet up is at Club Sion tonight."

"Sion?" Akihito looked at Toru. "Have you heard anything about it from Asami?"

The guard shook his head. "I am not aware of it, Takaba sama."

Akihito focused his attention at Takeda again. "You're sure?"

"No, that is why I wanted you to go. The place belongs to Asami san so it's easier for you to gain access to the club. And if you found anything that you felt it shouldn't be in the papers, you don't have to report it," Takeda said, passing a piece of paper containing the details to Akihito.

The photographer took the paper, scanned through it. "You mean that I should drop the story if I found out that the politician is actually meeting up with Asami."

"That's a blunt way of putting it but – yes. I don't want to be caught with a mess."

Akihito stared at the paper again. Takeda had a point. He wasn't the type who would pass on a story just because Asami was involved in it but he didn't want to repeat the incident with Ishida Atsuki. Ishida, a fellow reporter accidentally took compromising photos of Asami with a Chinese businessman and upon learning Akihito's involvement with Asami, Ishida blackmailed him. The price of the blackmail was steep. Akihito was left with broken ribs and multiple injuries while Ishida nearly lost his life because of his actions.

"I'll do it."

Takeda looked relieved. "That's great. I'll count on you then."

XX Business as Usual xX

The woman had her back turn against him when Asami entered the VIP lounge. The black evening gown she wore hugged her body, showing off her curves. Her slender legs ended in a three-inch pencil thin heels, accentuating her height at least a few centimeters from her petite five feet five frame. She wore her hair in an elegant bun with a sparkling jewelry at the side; a sign that indicated both business and casual.

She turned slowly, deliberately, just as Asami entered. Her large grey eyes sparkled as she offered Asami an alluring smile; which he translated as sexual power.

"Ryuichi," she began, offering her hand. The five men chaperoning her stood behind her uneasily, no doubt feeling insecure about their guns being taken away prior to entering the club.

"Keiko," Asami replied, took the offered hand in a firm handshake.

She offered a surprise look before giving Asami a robust laugh. "I'm surprise you remember me."

Asami released his hand and took his seat without waiting for Keiko to do the same. "I do not forget people easily."

Keiko didn't seem to mind the rudeness and ease herself gently on one of the expensive couches in front of Asami. She gave her full wattage smile. "Especially since we shared a bed many years ago."

Kogetsu Keiko, Asami recalled. She was one of his former lovers. No, they had never been lovers. None had been until Akihito came along. She was just one of his many bed partners whom he did not care.

She had been one of those night club hostesses and by chance met her during one of his meetings with a business partner. He had just established Sion and the company was taking its baby steps in the industry. Asami admitted he was infatuated with Keiko back then, most likely for her highly ambitious plans and sharp tongue.

Their bodies were once very compatible but like many others, he soon got tired of Keiko's antics. He knew she wanted power and he was careful not to give her any of that. Tired of waiting, Keiko left without a note.

As Asami looked at her now, he questioned his sanity of keeping her for six months. He should have kicked her out by the second month rather than burying himself in the pursuit of wealth. In the back of his mind, he knew there would be a day when he couldn't even stand to look at her without irritating the hell out of him.

"How are you?"

"I'm well enough to enjoy a few simple luxuries in life."

Keiko took the champagne glass and sipped it. "A few luxuries? You're too modest, Ryuichi. After defeating Chey Rith in Cambodia, you became the don of the underworld."

"I'm sure it's an exaggeration," Asami replied before leaning back against his seat. "I'm sure you're not here for old times sake. Why don't you start telling me why you're here?"

"Serious as always," Keiko murmured but she smiled anyway. Placing the glass gently, she crossed her legs, purposely showing off her thigh through the high slit of her dress. "I'm sure you've heard the tragic news about my husband's death."

"I did. But I don't see what it has got to do with me."

"My husband was obstinate. He wanted the Wu clan to overtake Baishe's position but we both know that Baishe is too powerful."

Asami raised an eyebrow. "So you came to me, thinking we can form some sort of partnership?"

I"ve always admired sharp thinking," she said before uncrossing her legs. "What do you think? If we join forces, we will be indestructible. The Asian market will be ours."

"I failed to see what's in for me." Asami accepted a cigarette from Kirishima and lit it. He took his time, savoring the rich expensive taste of the tobacco before staring at an impatient Keiko. "Sion and Baishe are already in partnership and I have to add, the current partnership is working remarkably well."

There was a faint irritation on Keiko's face and she fought to maintain her charm. Locking her eyes on Asami, she ordered her men. "Leave the room for a while. I need to speak with him privately."

As her men began to protest, she glanced backwards, piercing her sharp gaze at them. They fell silent before walking out of the room reluctantly.

"Dismiss your men."

"Boss," Kirishima began but Asami quickly cut him off.

"I have nothing to speak to you in private. You can speak in front of us."

There was a hint of annoyance but Keiko masterfully hid it. "It's fine. It's not Kirishima's first time being the third wheel."

Eyes never left Asami, Keiko stood up from her seat and walked slowly towards Asami. Her hand raised to her hair, removed the thin stick that held her hair together and let it fall freely.

The way Keiko was moving towards him, the way she batted her eyelids and put on her megawatt smile, it brought nothing but annoyance. He thought of Akihito who would glare his fiery eyes at him; he thought how the boy would always lied about wanting him but ended up screaming his name during the climax of their lovemaking; and he immediately felt his pants tightened.

He snapped his attention back to Keiko, who was in the process of reaching her hand to the back of her dress, no doubt trying to unzip it.

Both he and Kirishima whipped out their guns at the same time.

"Relax, I'm merely trying to undress," she murmured.

"I'm not concerned about you pulling a gun out of that dress," Asami said, his voice hard.

Even with the gun aimed at her, Keiko wasn't unnerved. There was no doubt in Asami's mind that she had used the same technique on others. "Come on, Ryuichi. It's just a little fun for old times sake," she said, reaching out to Asami's lap.

Asami caught her wrists and pushed her away. She fell backwards onto the couch, her eyes widened in surprise and hurt.

"Does your men know what you were about to do?" Asami asked, his lips curved into a thin, mocking smile. "Or are they used to seeing you sleeping around?"

Her pale cheeks turned crimson in anger. She stood, and raised her hand, "You bastard!"

The crime lord caught her hand easily and flung it away. "I don't normally hurt women but don't try me, Keiko."

The soft, almost inaudible tone had Keiko staggered back a little but she wasn't about to back down. After all, no one said no to her before. She fixed her dress, hair and sat again.

"Was it because of the boy?" When Asami did not reply, she continued, "I heard you're keeping a boy with you. And rumor has it that you'll kill anyone who dares to touch him."

As if trying to test the waters, Keiko moved a seat closer to Asami. She took out her phone, placed it on the small table. "He's a beauty, Takaba Akihito."

At the mention of Akihito's name, Kirishima pushed Keiko down on the couch, pinning her down by her neck and pointed a gun between her forehead. "Boss, just give the order and I'll fire."

Saying nothing, Asami stood, staring at Keiko in his downcast eyes. "The rumors are indeed accurate," he said as he buttoned his jacket. "So, think carefully before you go after Akihito. I don't appreciate people touching my property."

"Kirishima," he ordered and the secretary released her.

"You would do so much for the boy?" Keiko spat in disbelief. Her hands went to her neck, rubbing her bruised throat. "You prefer a man's body over a woman's? Over me?"

Asami took a backward glance. He couldn't deny that Keiko is more attractive now than she was many years ago, but he wasn't the least interested in a face that had gone under the knife in the name of beauty. In fact, he wasn't interested in anyone but Akihito.

Saying nothing to retort back, he allowed Kirishima to open the door. He walked out, leaving Keiko behind as her puzzled men rushed inside the room to tend to her.

Xx Business as Usual xX

"Takaba sama, you sure you don't want to go inside?"

Akihito turned around. Camera on his hands, he stared at the lanky guard in front of him. "No, I rather stay here. Only at this rooftop can one see Sion so clearly. Other buildings have mostly obscured the view," Akihito said before turning his back at his guard.

"How did you know to come here?"

The photographer squinted his eye as he looked through the viewfinder, adjusting his lens at the same time. "I used to take photos of Asami from here before the bastard found out and sent Suoh to come after me."

Since they were basically at Asami's turf, Ando had parked the car and joined them on the rooftop. At Akihito's demand, both Ando and Toru promised not to inform Asami about his assignment. It took the photographer a lot of reassurance but he finally managed to convince his guards that it would make more sense to do a stake-out rather than waltzing into Club Sion with his camera.

"Takaba sama, you could have asked Kirishima or Asami sama about it. It'll save you the effort of crouching here for hours," Ando said.

"That takes half the fun away. I haven't done a stake-out in front of Asami's club for a while so I'm pretty pumped right now." The photographer said before looping the camera strap around his neck and rubbed his hands together. "Damn it, it's so cold today."

Toru took off his trench coat and draped it around his master's shoulders. "This is the middle of January, Takaba sama." The guard produced a heat pack and slipped inside the coat.

Akihito jammed his hands inside and nearly purred at the comforting heat radiating around his palms. "What about you, Toru? Don't you feel cold?"

The lanky guard shook his head. "I'm used to extreme weathers, Takaba sama. Don't worry about me."

Ando leaned against the concrete wall, looking at his master. "Besides, if Asami sama knew you caught a cold because of this, we'll be in deep trouble."

Decided that he was warmed enough, he took out his ungloved hands—only to quickly slip them back inside the warmth of the heat packs. He knew he should have worn his gloves but it was difficult to fiddle with his camera when he had them on so he purposely left them in the car.

"If I get a cold because of this, it's my own problem. So, if the bastard made both of you responsible, I'll kick his ass."

"Don't take Ando seriously," Toru interjected and gave his partner a silent stare and the younger guard immediately dropped the subject.

"Just joking. Anyway, I can't literally kick his ass yet. I'm still working on my moves," the photographer responded and resumed his position.

They waited another 20 minutes silently before the boy felt his fingers went numb, from the cold. Checking his wristwatch, Akihito realized that it was nearly three in the morning, which meant that he had been waiting for close to four hours.

He cursed. "Damn it, did Takeda mix up the dates?"

He peeped at the club again. The men guarding the club showed no indication that they were cold despite the freezing temperatures. There were still a few people standing outside smoking but the crowd had lessened considerably compared to two hours ago.

"Is Asami still inside?"

"I am not entirely sure, Takaba sama. Should I confirm with Kirishima?" Toru answered, his hands on his phone.

"No, don't bother. That'll blow my cover."

Akihito checked his fancy watch piece that Asami had given on his birthday. It was well over three hours already but he wasn't about to give in. He had done longer stake outs and he damn well could do this; even if it meant freezing his ass out.

He checked his lens again, using it like a binocular. His heart thumped when he noticed a few men in suits walked out of the club. Akihito was positive that they weren't Asami's men, which meant someone of importance was leaving the club soon.

They didn't look Japanese, much to Akihito's surprise. They had the looks that leaned towards Chinese although Akihito couldn't be sure. Most Asians shared the same skin tone anyway. Before he could decide which nationality that the men belonged to, a woman walked out.

She wore a black dress, paired with a black fur overcoat to keep her warm. Her loose hair cascade down her oval shaped face, her pale grey eyes were calm and emotionless as she stood in front of the men bowing before her. She stood for a while, looking around. For a moment, Akihito swore she was looking right at him but since it was only a swift moment, he dismissed the idea.

How could she know that I'm here? Akihito scolded himself.

The lady lingered for a few more seconds before something caught her attention. She gave a backward glance, her eyes lit up almost immediately and her pink lips curved.

Akihito couldn't tear his eyes away from the lens. The way the woman changes her demeanor, the way she acted in front of her men; Akihito knew, she was beautiful and dangerous.

Quickly snapping out of his thoughts, the photographer resumed his cameraman mode and took few successions of photographs. He turned his attention to the front door, presumably at the person that the lady was waiting for.

It was Asami, flanked with Kirishima and Suoh. Akihito was rather surprised that Asami had dealings with her because she didn't look like the type of person Asami would venture business with. A surge of jealousy built within Akihito but pushed it away scolding himself, ridiculous!

With the wind billowing around her coat, she sauntered towards Asami. She put on her megawatt smile, so star bright that Akihito had no doubts that she was seducing Asami.

Unsure if they were the ones his viewfinder should capture, Akihito took a few shots halfheartedly – and nearly froze; and it wasn't because of the chilling temperature that numbed his fingers.

The lady had leaned forward and kissed Asami on his lips.

Akihito gasped, dropped his camera; it would have fallen on the concrete floor if it wasn't for the camera strap around his neck. He couldn't watch anymore. He clenched his numbed hands into fists, fighting the tears threatening to fall.

"That bitch!" Akihito heard Ando said but he didn't bother responding.

"Takaba sama," Toru said urgently and when he didn't elicit a response from the boy, he whipped out his phone to call Kirishima.

Ando knelt beside the boy and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Takaba sama, there should be an explanation –"

"Ando –," Akihito whispered and both guards went silent. "—Take me home."

Xx Business as Usual xX

The ride home was uncomfortable for both Ando and Toru. Ando had to be reminded a few times to concentrate on his driving while Toru kept looking at the rear-view mirror, checking on his master.

Toru hadn't seen Akihito so pale. Whether furious or happy, the fire on Akihito's eyes never burned out. Even when he was captured and tortured in Cambodia, his master was strong willed and resilient. But the Takaba Akihito Toru see now was pale white, his eyes dull and glazed.

Kirishima couldn't be contacted and Toru couldn't blame him. With so much happening at the main entrance of Sion, the secretary couldn't be possibly checking on his phone. He left a text, informing briefly what had happened, assuring that both he and Ando would look after Akihito in case he tried to flee the penthouse.

By the time Ando parked the car at the garage, Akihito stormed out of the vehicle without waiting for his guard. Toru managed, just barely, to catch up with his master as he escaped into the private elevators. As the doors to the elevator doors open, Akihito dashed to the penthouse and slammed the door behind him. This time, Toru didn't pursue. Leaning against the wall outside the penthouse, Toru contemplated his next move when Ando came rushing in.

"Shit, Toru san. We should have informed the boss that Takaba sama was doing stake out outside the club," the younger guard said worriedly.

Toru understood his partner's fear. He too, shared the same thoughts when they were on their way home a moment ago. He was forced to admit of his failure and didn't want to imagine what the boss would do for his incompetence but he would not cower and run. It wasn't his style.

His phone beeped discreetly, signaling an incoming text. Calmly, Toru read the text before looking at his partner. Maintaining his poker face, he broke the news Ando had been dreaded to hear.

"Asami sama is on his way home and wants us to stand by."

Xx Business as Usual xX

Asami strode out of the private elevators to the penthouse where Toru and Ando were already waiting. He got the news shortly after Keiko left and hadn't been pleased that Akihito had seen the little incident outside his club.

He would have put a bullet between her forehead if they weren't outside the club. Two policemen on patrol were hovering nearby and he believed Keiko pulled that little act because she knew for a fact that he wouldn't have her harmed with law enforcements standing by.

"Toru."

"Asami sama," both Toru and Ando greeted simultaneously before turning to greet Suoh and Kirishima.

Asami glanced briefly at the closed penthouse door before resting his icy gaze on his guards.

"Report," he said in a tone that made his guards tremble.

The lanky guard straightened his body; place his hands behind his back and began his report. He spoke calmly, clearly and by the time he was finished, the entire hallway went silent. Ando was almost glued on his spot, too worried to even speak while his colleagues bore a disconcerting look.

When Asami slid his hands inside his pocket to retrieve a cigarette from the pack, Ando took a step back, obviously worried if their boss was going to whip out his gun. The tension was unbelievably high as they waited for the crime lord to speak.

"So –" Asami said after exhaling the smoke into the air. "—Takeda passed information to Akihito about the stake out?"

"Yes, sir," Toru replied before kneeling on the floor. Ando quickly followed suit. "Asami sama, for my failure to inform you about the stake out in front of Sion, I'm ready to accept any punishment."

Asami took another drag of his cigarette, savoring its rich aroma before exhaling. "Akihito can be very persuasive but you should know better than that."

"Asami sama, we deeply apologize. We do not wish to offer any excuse for our failures," Ando said and the duo bowed lower.

Ignoring Akihito's guards, Asami turned his attention to his own. "Kirishima, run through Sion's guest list yesterday. Look for anyone who fits the description. Suoh, get a few men and have Takeda brought here."

As the two seasoned guards walked away to carry out their orders, Asami focused his attention at his men kneeling in front of him.

"Stand," he ordered and watched them obeyed his commands. "Toru, Ando; this will not be repeated," he said coolly.

"But Asami sama –"

"There is obviously something more to it than this. Even if you had informed me about it, it wouldn't have changed anything," Asami said, his golden eyes narrowed again. "Get Kirishima to fill you in the details. Do you have your guns with you?"

The guards nodded.

"Toru, arrange more guards around Akihito. He remains in your sight at all times, are we clear?"

Toru and Ando bowed. "Yes, Asami sama."

"Good. Toru, assist Kirishima. Find out who emailed Takeda about the stake out."

"Sir, is this a set up?"

"There might be; something isn't right," Asami admitted as he stared at the cigarette between his fingers. There was a good length for him to take a few more puffs but he didn't feel like smoking anymore. He took out a pocket ashtray, crushed it out.

"How is Akihito?"

Ando stepped forward and offered to take the ashtray from Asami. "Not too well, sir."

"Takaba sama hasn't spoken a word since the incident," Toru said quietly.

"Ando, remain here for another hour. If Akihito storms out of the penthouse, have him followed."

As the duo bowed at his requests, Asami turned to enter the apartment.

Xx Business as Usual xX

As expected, the apartment was dark and quiet when he entered. The hallway was dark, so were the rest of the house and the only light in the penthouse came from the floor of their closed bedroom. Slowly, he opened the door and found Akihito sitting in the living area, staring at the darkness outside. There was a neatly packed bag resting beside him.

Asami willed himself not to jump into conclusions. "Akihito," he called, expecting the boy to fume like he always did. When Akihito did not respond, Asami took another step forward.

"Akihito," he said again, this time his voice was cool. He stopped whatever he was about to say as Akihito turned to face him. The boy was pale, his face white and the fiery eyes that Asami loved was gone, leaving them dull and glazed.

"The woman in front of the club–," Akihito took a painful gulp. "—she was one of your former lovers."

It was a statement rather than a question.

"She was; many years ago," Asami began calmly but when Akihito yet again did not offer a response, frustration and rage took over.

"Whatever it is that you're thinking, it is not true."

Akihito took the bag on the couch. "I need to go."

Asami grabbed Akihito's arm before he could move past him. "You're dead wrong if you think you can walk out of here, Akihito," he said in a voice so dangerously soft.

Akihito flung the older man's hand away as the he raised his head to meet the crime lord. "Try me. I'm not your property."

"I hate to repeat this every time but you are mine."

"I'm not your pet. You don't own me," he said before laughing somewhat miserably. "Besides, I'm doing you a favor. You can bring her here when I'm gone."

Insulted and furious, Asami grabbed Akihito again and pushed the boy to their king size bed. He caged Akihito's hands, brought them above his head and glared. "If I wanted to fuck her, I would have done it at the club. What you saw was an act of a cunning woman who tried to worm her way back into my life."

"From the way you looked at her, it doesn't seem you mind."

"You're judging me based on that?" Asami growled and watched his young lover closed his eyes, most probably regretting his choice of words. After a pause, the boy opened his hazel eyes and the fire he had a moment ago was once again, gone. His face was an utter misery now.

Asami loosened his grip and Akihito took his chance to escape.

"I need to go," the boy repeated.

"Akihito," Asami growled and the boy halted his steps.

"I'm not going to disappear. I just need time to think." As he placed his hands on the doorknob, he halted. "I'll be at Toru's apartment," he said and left.

Asami never felt like killing anyone so much like he did right now.

Xx Business as Usual xX

"The firewalls are double encrypted; this is like trying to penetrate a concrete wall with a plastic knife. Whatever we're doing now, it's not working." Kirishima removed his spectacles and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"The emails Takeda claimed to have received from someone is also wiped out. I can't trace the IP address without it," Toru added before looking at the secretary. "The security level is so high that I need time to hack into it."

The secretary put on his spectacles again before focusing his attention on the fourteen-inch screen of his laptop. "I have a bad feeling about this, Toru. The anonymous emails, the top-notch security – it doesn't sound right."

"Do you really think Keiko staged it?" Toru asked.

"She doesn't have the tech skills but she is a smart woman. With her power in the Wu clan, she could have employed anyone to do that. But until we get proof, it remains as a presumption."

Toru checked the time. It was past six in the morning and any minute now, Suoh will be bringing Takeda in. When he thought how his mistakes had caused Akihito misery; and how it could possibly put Takeda into a trouble, Toru immediately felt guilty. He should never have kept the assignment a secret from his boss.

"Takaba sama?"

At the mention of Akihito's name, Toru snapped into attention and trailed his gaze to where Kirishima was looking. His master was standing at his genkan with a small overnight bag.

"Takaba sama," Toru stood up immediately.

"Ando, what happened? Why is Takaba sama here?" Kirishima asked. "Where is Asami sama?"

Ando made an eye contact with Kirishima, one which the secretary understood immediately.

"Toru, can I stay over tonight?"

Nodding his head, the guard lead the boy to the spare room. Toru thought it would be wise not to allow Akihito to use his own room, seeing how it would cause misunderstanding with the boss. With everything else that was happening, it was the last thing he wanted.

Without a word, Toru went to his kitchen and opened the cabinets to prepare hot tea for the boy. From the way Akihito looked when he walked into the apartment, he knew that the altercation between his boss and the photographer had been bad.

Kirishima had once mentioned during their drinking session that it was hard imagining Akihito leaving Asami because he played an important part in the boss's life. Sure, Asami's actions were often deemed erratic when it concerned Akihito but Toru thought that Akihito's presence also created a perfect balance.

Kirishima was right. Toru thought as he brought the cup of hot tea inside the room where Akihito sat. Just the mere thought of Akihito breaking up with Asami was enough to scare him out of his wits.

Xx Business as Usual xX

His mind blanked. When Asami walked out from Sion, Akihito didn't think there was anything between Asami and the woman. After all, he was well aware Asami knew many beautiful women, maybe even slept with them in the past. Akihito dug on Asami's former lovers when he was actively pursuing the crime lord but after they were together, he stopped. Besides, he wasn't interested in how many women or men Asami had bedded anyway.

Watching how the woman had held Asami's face intimately in her hands, how she pressed her soft, luscious lips on his lover; it sent shock waves through Akihito. He knew Asami didn't initiate the kiss, understood perfectly when Asami explained that the woman was someone who wanted to worm her way back into his life.

But the bigger question was; would Asami want to cheat on him?

It shook him to the core realizing how well-suited they were. In the car, he looked at himself through the reflection of the tinted glass and for the first time, he doubted his existence in the crime lord's life.

He wasn't particularly good looking nor did he have any special skills. He was at best, a little above average than the others but it wasn't enough to be the partner of Asami Ryuichi.

She, Akihito noted, was different.

He cursed. He hated behaving like a jealous, possessive lover; hated the fact that he let emotions cloud his thinking.

"Takaba sama?"

Turning to the door, he saw Kirishima and Toru at the door. He said nothing as he crossed his legs on the couch, all the while watching Kirishima pull a chair next to him. Toru and Ando followed the secretary inside the room and remained standing near the door.

"I brought you some tea," Toru said, passing the cup to Akihito.

He accepted and took a few sips, recognizing the smell of chrysanthemum immediately.

"Takaba sama," Kirishima began again. "I don't normally pry into Asami sama's affairs but what you saw earlier was a misunderstanding."

Holding the cup between his hands, Akihito looked away. "I know," his voice was all but an audible whisper.

The answer surprised the guards. "Sir, if you know that it was a misunderstanding, why –" Ando halted when Kirishima held his hand up.

"Asami san hadn't been in contact with her for a very long time. Their relationship – no, there was never one in the first place," Kirishima said, pushing up his spectacles. "Their communications ended after Keiko disappeared more than ten years ago."

"She left Asami?"

"Yes."

So she walked out. Akihito thought miserably. He bet on his entire savings that Asami never had anyone walking out on him before so Keiko's disappearance battered Asami's pride. It was only natural that Asami would show interest in Keiko. There was a connection, a history between the two.

Did he ever love her?

As if Kirishima heard him, he answered, "No."

He studied his lover's loyal secretary's face and there wasn't a hint indicating that Kirishima was lying.

"Takaba sama, Asami sama was never seriously involved in her. I dare to say that he thought nothing of her even after she walked out."

Akihito looked at the cup. He wanted to ask more but since his mind was still digesting the information, he remained silent.

"I'm not sure if I should be the one telling you this but don't doubt the boss. He was never as involved with anyone than you," Kirishima explained. "He went through lengths for you; it was something he hadn't done for anyone."

Akihito opened his mouth, wanting to find out more when Kirishima's phone rang. The secretary checked the phone, stood up almost immediately.

"The boss calls for us," Kirishima said to Toru. "Ando, you remain here with Takaba sama." He turned back, offered a smile. "Think about what I said, Takaba sama."

And think was all Akihito did when he was left alone in Toru's office.

Xx Business as Usual xX

"Suoh just texted; he's on his way up with Takeda." Kirishima stepped into the private elevator. "Let's hope Takeda can shed some light about the emails. If he backed up his data, it'd be perfect."

"There must be some sort of electronic trails. No one can perform a complete wipe out," Toru interjected as he strode out from the elevator to the penthouse.

Suoh and Kanda were already at the door with Takeda. The editor-in-chief was dressed in a large shirt and khaki pants, evident that he wasn't given much time to dress before Suoh hauled him out from his apartment.

He looked more afraid than tired and Toru couldn't blame him. Takeda had originally been afraid of Asami so being summoned to the penthouse must have scared the hell out of him.

Kirishima filled Suoh in quickly and the bulky guard's troubled looks only intensify Takeda's fear. Kanda was ordered to standby at Toru's apartment while the four of them brought the editor inside the apartment.

The smoke permeated the air when they went inside. The crime lord, dressed in his perfectly pressed three-piece suit, sat on the three-seater couch. His hair was perfectly combed to the back, his hands steady as he held his cigar between his fingers. If the guards didn't know any better, they would have thought Asami was about to entertain an important guest.

But beneath his calm demeanor, Kirishima noticed that his master's golden eyes were on the dangerous side. He knew just how dangerous Asami was when he was quiet, knew that he wouldn't hesitate to use the gun currently resting on the coffee table. His boss was a time bomb, ready to explode any moment.

"Sir," Suoh said carefully. Apparently, he too, noticed Asami's foul mood. "I've brought Takeda here."

Asami drew in the smoke from his expensive cigar, blew it out slowly. He did it a few more times quietly, much to the discomfort of his guards before setting the cigar neatly on the ashtray.

"Suoh, bring our guest here."

The guard gripped Takeda's arm, dragged him to where Asami sat.

"Sit down."

Unsure where to sit, Takeda merely stood. Again, Suoh came forward and pushed him on a single-seater couch.

"I believe this is our first meeting, Takeda san."

Takeda could only nod as he clutched his briefcase tighter across his chest. "It's –it's a –a pleasure to finally meet you, Asami san."

Asami took his glass of brandy from the table and sipped it. "Do you know why you're here?"

"Your men told me in the car." The editor looked around uncomfortably. "I swear I didn't know who the sender was."

Ignoring Takeda, Asami turned to his secretary. "Kirishima?"

"Sir, we haven't gotten anything yet." Kirishima bowed deeply. "There were layers of encryption that requires time breaking into."

"Asami sama, most of the data were also wiped off. Whoever who did this, they have skills," Toru explained. "I'm positive that there're electronic trails but we need more time."

Takeda was pale as death after hearing the explanation, most probably realizing that his privacy can be invaded any time.

Pleased with Takeda's reaction, Asami spoke again. "Takeda san," he said softly and watched the editor jumped from his seat. On purpose, he took his gun from the coffee table, checked its condition before narrowing his eyes on Takeda. He was already bathing in cold sweat.

"Why don't you start telling me from the beginning? From the time you received the mail?"

With shaky hands, the editor took a white handkerchief he always kept in his pocket and dabbed his forehead. "I – I –I got it three da—days ago." He wiped his face again and took a deep breath. "The—there wasn't any name on the sender. It contained details of a politician having a secret meeting in Sion."

"Which politician?"

"It – it wasn't mentioned," Takeda gulped and quickly continued when he noticed Asami's displeasure looks. "Information like this is nothing new in the media industry. Some informants prefer to remain anonymous but that doesn't mean that their information is bogus."

"So you send Akihito to Sion without verifying the sources?"

"I had my doubts. That's – that's why I asked Takaba san to check it out. I was afraid that the politician turned out to be your acquaintance. "Takaba – Takaba san," he corrected, "—would have known if the story is meant for public consumption. I told him to drop the story if he finds anything suspicious."

"Toru, is that what he said?" The crime lord asked the lanky guard standing behind Takeda.

"Yes, sir. Takeda san voiced his concerns over Takaba sama's safety and told him to abandon the story by all means if he deemed it inappropriate."

Satisfied with Toru's report, Asami placed the gun back on the table, much to Takeda's relief. "Do you have a copy of the email?"

Takeda rummaged through his briefcase and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper. "I printed it out, just in case." He passed the paper to Asami. "And I made it a point to backup my files daily because I was worried the crappy computer of mine dies anytime."

"You have the soft copy?" Kirishima's voice was both excited and urgent at the same time.

Again, the editor rummaged through his bag and this time, he produced a hard disk drive. "They're all here." He passed the disk to Kirishima. "Uhm, I also have it backed up in my private email account, if that interests you."

Kirishima's smile spread, as though as he had won the jackpot. "Asami sama, with these, Toru and I will be able to find out the culprit."

Nodding his head in approval, Asami turned to Takeda again. "You did well."

Obviously not expecting the praise, the editor bowed in relief. "I'm happy to be of service."

"Takeda san?"

"Y—yes?"

"You're among the few whom I know would not betray Akihito. Don't disappoint me."

For the first time, Takeda managed a smile. Wiping his forehead again, he said, "I always thought of Takaba as my own son."

Xx Business as Usual xX

As Takeda was led out of the penthouse, Asami allowed himself a moment to think of the situation. He didn't buy that the entire fiasco was an unfortunate coincidence and was quite certain that it was part of Keiko's schemes.

He knew Keiko. A troublemaker who would stop at nothing to get what she wanted. Wasn't it why she left years ago; to pursue a rich older gentleman that could give her almost everything she wanted? Now that he was successful, she came back, in hopes to rekindle their relationship?

Don't fuck with me, Asami thought as he gripped his gun.

He had to admit, Keiko IS smart. Becoming Wu's new leader meant Asami couldn't kill her as he pleases without risking a war between himself and the Chinese Mafia.

No matter, the crime lord smirked. Two can play the game. Defeating a woman as shrewd as Keiko would require patience and very soon, he'd give her a taste of her own medicine.

"Kirishima," he called. "Call Suoh, Ando, and Toru here."

"Certainly," the secretary answered before taking out his phone.

As Kirishima carried out his task, Asami lit his cigar again, smoke in silence as he waited for his guards to gather in front of him.

When they finally did, he studied his guards individually. They were all different, yet they share a common trait –Loyalty. Just the very fact pleased Asami.

"Suoh, I need you to do something for me."

"Anything, sir," Suoh said.

Waving his hand on the couch, Asami's lips curved. "Sit down, gentlemen."

Xx Business as Usual xX

The silence in Toru's office was both comforting and deafening at the same time. Akihito knew that Ando was outside. Kanda arrived a few minutes ago but he could hardly hear them. Either they didn't talk or they had mastered the art of sign language.

The room was simple yet elegantly furnished. A minimalist at heart, Toru kept the room practically empty, saved for a laptop and a few books with titles Akihito couldn't comprehend. His gaze moved to a samurai art piece on the wall, admiring it for a moment before turning his attention to the laptop.

Without thinking, he stood up, grabbed his camera bag. Plugging his memory card in the computer, he sat on the chair and waited for the images to load. The images loaded faster than he expected and before he could decide if he wanted to see the photographs, he found himself staring at the thumbnails of the photos he took earlier that evening.

Can he see them again without an emotional breakdown?

Akihito contemplated deleting them but curiosity got the better of him. He doubled clicked the images and regretted his decisions instantly.

As a journalist, he was a trained observer so he immediately noticed that there was something different when Asami looked at Keiko. The crime lord looked slightly irritated but there was also something Akihito couldn't quite explain. Perhaps it was the connection that Asami had once shared with Keiko.

Was Asami interested in her because she walked out on him in the first place?

Stop this, Akihito. Behaving like a jealous lover who frets and sulks when an ex-lover shows up, it was so uncharacteristic of him.

Leaving the files as they were, he stood up and sat on the couch again. He could feel his head heavy and the back of his head started to pound. It had been close to 24 hours since he last slept and all the negative emotions made him so tired. He willed himself to stop thinking, closed his eyes and fell asleep almost immediately.

The dreams chased him. When he woke up, he couldn't remember any of his dreams and instead of getting better, his headache got worse. He blinked a few times, expecting to find himself staring at Toru's samurai paintings. But Toru's elegant painting had been replaced with the familiar ceilings he woke up to everyday.

Realizing where he was, he tried moving but found that his hands were bound above his head. His feet were also spread, with each side tied to a corner.

"What the hell?" he cursed.

"Awake, Akihito?" Asami drawled.

He glanced sideways and noticed the bastard lover of his sat on the side of the bed, watching him. The crime lord had showered and changed into his business suit but he looked like he hadn't slept at all.

"You bastard, untie me."

"No." Asami climbed on top of Akihito, gripped the boy's chin. "You're going to listen to me."

"Talk—" He writhed against the bondage. "—but untie me."

"So you can run away again?" Asami golden eyes went a shade darker. "I don't think so, Akihito. You're going to listen to me, whether you want to or not."

Akihito recognized the tone. It was so cool that it felt like ice; and it chilled him to the bone. He tried looking away but Asami gripped his face, forcing him to look straight at the golden eyes.

"If I intended to run away, I wouldn't have gone to Toru's apartment."

"You know perfectly what I'm talking about. You didn't want a confrontation so you chose to believe what you saw and escaped."

"I –," Akihito tried to deny but nothing came out of it.

Asami loosened his grip but he was still hovering on top of him. "So –," He said almost too softly, "—why don't you tell me what is running in your mind?"

Akihito almost couldn't believe what he was hearing. Bastard, how could he push it back to him?

"I'm not that one who got a kiss from a woman, you bastard!" His hazel eyes burned with anger. "I'm not that one who had past connections with her and I'm certainly not the one who's thinking to bed her!"

Asami cupped Akihito's cheeks again. "Just who do you think you're talking to?"

"Go ahead," Akihito urged, although he didn't know what Asami would do. "Do whatever you want. I'm nobody anyway. Just untie me and I'll be out of here in two breaths." His voice shook at the last line, a sign that he was about to break down any minute.

Get hold of yourself, Akihito. Don't cry.

"So, you're thinking that I wanted that to happen? You think I cheated on you?" The crime lord's eyes went dark.

"I don't know what to think," Akihito's voice cracked as tears began to well up. "At first, the thought didn't cross my mind. But when I saw you with her, I just – I just thought that both of you looked good together." Akihito stared at his lover.

"And –," Asami's voice turned icy cool, "—you're judging me based on that?"

"I'm a trained observer; I know what I saw in the photographs."

"No, you chose to believe what you saw. Instead of confronting me, you ran away and assumed I was interested to rekindle the relationship," Asami said, infuriated. "When did you become such a coward, Akihito?"

The disgust in Asami's voice hurt Akihito in more ways he could imagine. Head turned to the side, he stared at the couch by the window. He hated it; hated the fact Asami was right. A part of him wanted to escape because the reality would mean an end to their relationship.

Realizing that he had accomplished nothing but pissing the Asami off, he took a deep breath before looking back at the golden eyes staring furiously at him.

"You're right about me being a coward," his voice hardened. "I'm not going to run away, Asami. If you want to end this, let's do it here and now."

Asami's frustration turned into anger and insult. "End? You seemed to be forgetting your position here, Akihito."

He ripped Akihito's shirt, bend down to bit his nipple. "You're mine." Asami placed a hand on Akihito's mouth to stop him from responding. "I have no intention of ending things here. You think I'd get myself shot by Fei Long if I had intentions to end things with you? You think I'd travel to Hong Kong and Cambodia to reclaim you if I want to dump you?"

Akihito tried to wriggle away but Asami was far stronger.

"I'm not finished, Akihito," Asami said as he gripped his lover's cheeks, forcing the boy to look directly at him. "I'd rather drag you to the pits of hell with me than let you go, do you understand?"

The final statement hit Akihito and he stopped struggling. He looked at the older man whose golden eyes never left his; and knew that Asami was serious.

"I –" he began poorly but nothing came out.

"I thought I made my feelings clear at the beach; or have you already forgotten about it?" The lack of response from Akihito further infuriated the older man. "Answer me, Akihito."

His eyes were swimming as memories came flooding back. The confession in the car while they were heading to the beach, the guards Asami hired to keep him from harm, the trouble he went through in Hong Kong and Cambodia to get him back from the most dangerous criminals –everything came back in an instant.

"I'm – I'm sorry," he finally whispered.

For a moment, the crime lord did not respond but his gaze softened. Releasing the boy from his bounds, he took his coat and covered Akihito's naked torso before ruffling his head. "Are we clear now?"

"I feel like an idiot." Ashamed, he buried his face in Asami's expensive jacket. The scent of his expensive tobacco calmed him almost immediately.

Asami pulled the boy to him. "I'm pleased that I don't have to point that out for you."

"Bastard," came the soft reply.

"And let me point out the obvious, since you have definitely lost some sense. Your astute reaction is the result of Keiko's manipulation."

Akihito pulled back, staring at Asami in astonishment. "What?"

"You're a journalist, Akihito. Just think. You think everything is a coincidence? The kiss outside Sion was well timed and perfectly executed."

For the first time, Akihito looked confuse. "But – for what purpose –"

"—this," Asami interrupted. "—to get you worked up. Your reaction is exactly what she wanted," he said finally before letting the boy go.

Akihito lay on the bed, dumbstruck with what he had heard. He knew he was supposed to counter Asami's argument, yet nothing came out. Asami had been right; how could he be stupid to fall into the trap of a clever woman? Didn't Asami go to Hong Kong to get him? Didn't he save him from the sadistic hands of Kuroda and Chey Rith?

And instead of thinking straight, he let jealousy get the better of him. Behaving like a brat whose favorite toy was taken away from him, Akihito never felt so pathetic than he did now.

He contemplated a response and was wondering how he should end the awkward situation when Asami crushed his mouth onto his. Akihito responded by looping his hands around Asami's neck and pulled him in.

He felt Asami tugged at his pants, felt wet slick fingers slid into him, moving in and out. "Hurry," he whispered and the crime lord complied by spreading his legs and taking him hard and fast.

Asami was rough. There was no finesse in the lovemaking but the feelings were mutual. Like a man clinging to his life, Akihito clung onto Asami desperately. He cried out when the older man bit his lips and neck, moaned when he bruised his skin on purpose as Asami slammed into him.

Akihito climaxed quickly, violently, crying out Asami's name as he did. Showing no mercy, Asami continued to plunge into him until they both surrendered to pleasure.

Xx Business as Usual xX

"We're a mess," Akihito commented as they lay on the soiled sheets on their king size bed.

"We are," Asami agreed and tightened his hands around Akihito's shoulder.

Akihito took Asami's words and the intimacy as a sign that his mood had improved. A sense of relief but he knew it wasn't over. Feeling ashamed and remorseful for his childish behavior, Akihito desperately wanted to apologize.

He had caused so much trouble. Asami probably had to let go his billion-dollar empire unattended for hours because he was busy sulking.

"I'm sorry," whispered.

His head was on Asami's shoulder so there was no telling of his reactions. He waited for a while and when there was no response, Akihito began again, "I heard a little about her from Kirishima. Why did she leave?"

There was a short pause before Asami replied, "We weren't lovers. We stay with each other to satisfy our needs. I sensed she wanted more than that but it was something I wasn't ready to offer. She soon left without a word."

"And you didn't go after her?"

"No."

For some weird reason, the answer pleased Akihito immensely. Hiding his urge to smile, he got up and stared at the crime lord. "That's surprising, considering you're a possessive bastard."

Asami pulled Akihito to the bed, reversed position so he was hovering above Akihito. "She's not my possession; you are. So if you run away, I'll invest a great deal of money and men to go after you and drag you back to where you belong."

As much as Akihito wanted to begin his usual charade of 'I'm not your possession', he couldn't hide his inner satisfaction. "I won't make it easy for you," he said, smiling.

Obviously surprised by Akihito's reaction, Asami smirked. "Don't challenge me."

Akihito wanted to reply when a loud bell chime rang in the stillness of the room. He recognized the alarm almost immediately.

"Shit, I lost track of time. I have an assignment –some fancy charity dinner at a hotel." He scrambled to get up but Asami held him back. "Hey, I'm going to be late. I only have two hours before the show starts and it's customary for the press to arrive at least ninety minutes earlier."

But Asami held him down again. "We'll get there."

"We?" Akihito asked, puzzled.

When his lover flashed his trademark smirk, Akihito knew that he wasn't going to like what was coming.

Xx Business as Usual xX

As Akihito rushed to get himself ready, Asami stood in his home office, dressed in his white designer shirt and pants. He fixed the black tie that Akihito gotten for him for Christmas before moving on to the cufflinks. He caught a glimpse of the defected five-yen coin that he had left on the table a few hours earlier.

He stared at it for a moment and thought how Akihito had stood bravely in front of him at the Container Handling Terminal in Osaka. The boy had his blood all over him, his shirt was nearly torn but his eyes were fierce and strong willed. It was a reaction Asami couldn't forget.

A knock on his home office brought him back to present. Slipping the coin into his breast pocket, he gave orders to enter.

His loyal secretary and guard entered first, followed by Toru and Ando. "Asami sama," they greeted simultaneously.

"Any updates?" he asked as he put on his vest.

Kirishima stepped forward. "Sir, Toru and I managed to track the IP address and we are in the process of tracking the registered owner."

"Asami sama," Toru began, "I'm in the midst of breaking into layers on firewalls of the service provider to obtain the particulars."

Asami sat on his leather chair, placed his hands on the arm rest. "Can you get it done?"

Toru bowed. "Yes, sir. The security is tight, as expected of a multimedia company but it is nothing that I can't do. I will have the particulars in an hour."

"Good. You'll stay here to complete the task."

Ando bowed. "Sir, Takaba sama has an assignment in fifty minutes. Should I call Kanda?"

The crime lord nodded. "Call Shiba as well."

"Understood," Ando replied and stepped outside briefly to complete his task.

"Suoh," Asami called his trusted guard. The bulky guard immediately stepped forward and bowed before him. "About the task I asked of you earlier –"

As if worried that someone might be at the door eavesdropping, the bulky guard locked the door and moved closer to Asami. He spoke in a low voice, explaining to Asami about his findings. The remaining two guards in the room were surprised with the information but the crime lord remained calm with the news. When Suoh had finished, Asami stood up, put on his watch and looked at Suoh again.

He smirked.

Xx Business as Usual xX

"I don't get why we need to wear suits for the event," Akihito grumbled as he tried to fix the tie in place.

He was already running late for his assignment, thanks to a certain bastard messing him up. By the time he rushed out of the room with his untucked shirt and uncombed hair, his lover was already dressed to the nines. How he managed to get ready on time forever remains a mystery.

Asami pushed Akihito's hands away and took over the task of fixing the tie into place. "We have about forty minutes."

Akihito's eyes went to slits but didn't make any attempt to push Asami away. He skimmed over to Ando and Kirishima who were seated across them in a limousine. As expected of the secretary, Kirishima looked unperturbed with the public display of affection but Ando's ears had turned red.

It was a pity Toru couldn't join him because the lanky guard was in many ways, a good help. He was told that Toru had some work in the apartment so Shiba was called instead.

"You do, I don't. We need to be there early to take photographs of the guest arrivals." Akihito checked his watch and nearly groaned. "Takeda will fry my ass if I couldn't get the photos for him."

Asami thought of Takeda's fearful face a few hours ago and nearly smirked in response. He said nothing about their meeting, knowing that would trigger Akihito's nerve if he knew. Asami was positive that Takeda wouldn't even dare to open his mouth if Akihito went back empty handed.

"You look good in a suit," Asami commented when he finished helping the boy.

Akihito looked at his own designer suit. "I hate wearing them. And let's hope that someone wouldn't realize how costly this thing is. My colleagues might think that I'm overpaid."

"You are wealthy for a cameraman," Asami pointed out.

"I didn't buy those. A certain crazy man bought them and hid them in the closet."

The crime lord smirked. "How fortunate of you."

Akihito smiled; he couldn't help it. He enjoyed the normalcy between them and liked the fact Asami was paying him a little bit of attention. He shook those thoughts away, mortified that he was behaving like an attention seeking child.

"Kanda, drop me off at the end of the street." He grabbed his backpack.

Kanda looked uncertain with the instruction. "But –"

"I can't be getting out of the car with Asami. He's the guest and I'm the cameraman. Plus, the less people know about my existence, the better."

When Kanda looked troubled by Akihito's request, Asami spoke. "Kanda, stop the car at the junction."

"Yes, sir."

The car pulled to a complete stop at the side of the road and Akihito got out of the vehicle.

"Ando," Asami called when the guard was about to alight the car.

"Yes, sir?"

"Don't let him out of your sight. If you see Keiko anywhere, pull him away."

Ando nodded. "Understood Asami sama."

Asami watched his lover ran down the block with Ando and Shiba trailing behind him. He waited until they disappeared from his sight before he commanded Kanda to drive.

"Sir," his secretary spoke. "I received news that Keiko had left the country an hour ago."

It was a small relief that Keiko left. She wasn't dangerous to say the least but she is a manipulator. A foreign woman climbing ranks in a male dominant organization meant her intelligence shouldn't be underestimated.

His phone rang again and this time it was from Suoh. He read the text message and his lips curved.

"Asami sama, we're arriving shortly," he said and noticed his boss was preoccupied with his phone. "Sir?"

Kirishima took the phone and read the texts from Suoh. His eyes widened. "Sir, this is—"

Xx Business as Usual Xx

Akihito barely made it to the event. The placed was swarmed with people, with reporters clicking the cameras away as guests paraded down the red carpet, dressed in their finest evening wear.

He watched his fellow cameramen worked and cursed. He was slightly late so all the good spots had been taken by other reporters. He could always use his lens for shoots but he wouldn't be able to get a full shot.

"Takaka sama, we reserved a spot for you," Ando said as he guided Akihito to a place right at the front.

Makoto stood at the front line with another guard Akihito couldn't recognize. When he came forward, the two guards allowed Akihito and Ando to take their places before quietly withdrew.

"He did this?" he asked, referring to Asami.

Ando looked around, and after confirming Shiba's location, he looked back at the photographer. "Yes, Takaba sama."

Akihito took a few shots of the artist walking on the red carpet. "Bastard," he muttered affectionately.

He took consecutives shots for nearly an hour, satisfied that none escaped his radar. Asami didn't show up on the red carpet, which was expected since the crime lord preferred not to have his photos splashed on the front page of the newspaper.

When the event started, Akihito went to the designated seats for the media. He noticed Shiba in the mix of reporters and Kirishima was as usual, by Asami's side. He took a moment to look at Asami, admiring his god-sent sculptured face.

A loud applause broke Akihito's thoughts about a naked Asami in bed. He shifted his focus back to the stage, took a few more shots of a few important people passing their mock checks before heading back to the reporters' room to work with the photos.

Akihito liked using his own sophisticated equipment in the apartment better but they had to get the photos sent before the cut out time for printing. The reporters were already sitting in front of their computers, typing the story as quickly as they could. The photographers were all crammed in one corner, uploading and airbrushing the photographs to make it look presentable for printing.

A few cameramen were exchanging photos; some were talking on the phone while others were simply minding their business. It was a typical press room scenario. Makoto reserved him a computer so Akihito hardly had to wait. He took his seat, and saw Sanada right next to him.

"Takaba," he greeted warmly.

Sanada Hideki and he shared the strangest friendship. Aside from Kou and Takato, the entertainment journalist remained the only person who knew about his relationship with Asami. Sanada had sworn that he wouldn't spill about Akihito's relationship with Asami and the promise had not been broken since.

"Sanada, you're here to cover the event too?"

The entertainment reporter grinned. "Takeda asked me to. He said there were too many guests and asked me to help out with the photographs."

"He's probably intimidated by the amount of photographers other agencies are sending."

Sanada laughed. "True. We're outnumbered by at least three people here."

Akihito plugged his card into the computer and started working. "I just hope Takeda isn't going to cut our payment into half because there're two of us here."

Sanada's face fell. "Damn it, I forgot about that." He took his phone out. "I'm going to call him and confirm with him. If he made us share our salary, I'll sabotage the photographs."

Akihito had to laugh. "I'm with you. Tell him that."

Sanada stood up. "I'll get a drink in the meantime. You want something?"

"Yeah, thanks."

"Great. Hey, I've edited a couple of photographs just now. Check them if you want."

As Sanada left the room to make a call, Akihito peered over what his friend was working on, comparing photographs. Sanada was both a cameraman and a journalist but he tends to lean towards writing. His skills weren't bad and Akihito did find a photo or two he could use.

Ando remained standing behind him, playing the part of an assistant photographer and Shiba was ordered to be on the lookout at the front door leading into the press room. Akihito continued tweaking the photos as fast as he could. He checked the time and cursed.

He had less than two hours to finished everything and send them to the editor. Thankfully, he could work fast and by the time Sanada came back into the room holding two cups of juices, he already finished editing four photographs.

"So, what did Takeda say?" Akihito asked as he took the paper cup from Sanada.

Sanada sipped his drink. "He agreed to pay us full. I wonder what cause a change in his stingy mind. He isn't usually generous."

Akihito took two huge gulps of the chilled lemonade Sanada gave him. "Where did you get this? Usually reporters are only served bottle mineral water."

Sanada sat in front of his computer and began editing the remaining photographs. "Thanks to you, we get to drink something nice for a change."

Puzzled, the photographer turned sideways and stared at his friend. "What do you mean?"

"A waiter passed them to me. Said that they were from Asami san," Sanada mumbled, his eyes never left the screen.

It's weird, Akihito thought. Asami usually wouldn't do that. Besides, he had Toru and Ando so there wasn't any need to get another person to pass him a drink. He stared at his drink again.

What sort of games is the bastard playing right now?

Behind Akihito, Ando can't help but to share the same thought. Why would the boss asked someone else to deliver the drink to Takaba sama? Was he one of the guards?

No, it couldn't be. He did a quick calculation and realized that there were at least six guards in the building and according to Kirishima, none of them were in waiter's uniform. Did the boss change the security line up last minute?

Ando looked at the drink again. He watched Akihito took the glass, raised it to his lips; and he felt uncomfortable all over. Something was very wrong here but he couldn't put his finger where.

He was positive that Asami did not order the drink to be sent to Akihito. Wait a minute, if Asami sama didn't order that, who did?

With that thought, Ando snatched the glass just as Akihito was about to drink.

"Hey, what the hell are you doing?"

Ignoring Akihito's questions, he whipped out his phone and called Shiba. The former policeman rushed in and before Ando could explain his suspicions, Akihito started to groan, all the while clutching his stomach.

"I don't feel so good," he managed to say before closing another hand across his mouth. He grabbed the press souvenir bag he gotten earlier and vomited in it.

Beside him, Sanada experienced the same symptom although his wasn't as serious as Akihito.

"Shiba, call Kanda. Have the car ready," he ordered before carrying Akihito. "Bring Sanada too."

Ando raced to the entrance, ignoring other reporters' curious glances at them. He rushed through the long corridors to the back exit and pushed the doors open. Kanda was already standing with the car door opened. He placed Akihito inside the limousine, waited for a sickly Sanada to climb in before urging Kanda to rush them to the hospital.

"What's wrong with Takaba sama?" Kanda asked worriedly.

"I don't know," Ando said, wiping the cold sweat on Akihito's forehead. The boy was stiff in his arms and legs and began breathing rapidly. "But if my assumptions were right, both Sanada and Takaba sama were probably poisoned."

Xx Business as Usual xX

Kirishima stood behind Asami the crime lord spoke to a few business associates. His trained eyes scanned the room, satisfied. The guards were all in place and there was no indication of a security threat.

The secretary checked his time. The event ended nearly half an hour ago and any minute now, Asami would be leaving the place. He hoped Toru would have the information ready by now and they could start identifying the source of the email.

He was almost a hundred percent positive that it was Keiko who sent the email to Takeda. It couldn't be a mere coincidence, seeing that there weren't any VIP guests in Sion that night. Normally, they needn't go through layers of investigative work to find proof. After all, they didn't have to follow protocols like the police. However, this involved the mafia. They couldn't barge into the headquarters and demanded answers.

His phone vibrated in his dress pants and while he usually does not answer phone calls, he found it compelling to at least check the caller. His heart sank when he noticed the caller's ID.

"Kirishima."

Ando's panicked voice rang out. "Kirishima san, we're bringing Takaba sama to the hospital."

"What happened?" Kirishima asked, struggling to remain calm. What Ando told him had his hair stood up. "Are you sure?"

The guard hesitated a little. "I'm not a hundred percent but Takaba sama showed symptoms of poisoning."

Kirishima looked at Asami. The crime lord was still in deep conversation with his business partner. "I'll inform Asami sama. Call Kanzaki sensei now."

"Kirishima san," he heard Shiba spoke. "Get the glasses. They're in the press room. Some poison leaves the body quickly so we need to get them tested."

"I will see to it," he said and disconnected the call. He signaled Makoto and instructed him to get the samples from the press room before approaching his boss to break the bad news.

"Asami sama," he said and whispered the rest into his ear.

His boss showed no reaction to the news, mainly because his business partner was still standing right in front of him. He excused himself, citing a business agreement he needed to look into and strode out of the room.

"Kanda has taken the limousine. Toru is coming in another car," Kirishima informed just as Makoto came running with two pet bottles containing lemonades.

"Got them, Kirishima san. I poured them in the empty pet bottles so they wouldn't spill," he said breathlessly before showing them to Asami.

As the BMW driven by Toru drove to the main entrance, Asami slid inside. Kirishima sat next Asami while Makoto took the passenger seat.

"Toru, when we reach the hospital, pull up the surveillance feed. I want to know who passed the drinks to Sanada," Asami ordered, his voice so dangerously soft that it made even Kirishima shiver.

"Yes, Asami sama," Toru answered before taking the file on the passenger seat and passed it behind to Kirishima. "I tracked down the owner of the IP address who sent the mail. His information and address are also included."

Kirishima opened the file, scanned through the information. "He lives in the outskirts of Tokyo, sir."

"Send the men. Have him picked up and questioned," Asami said, retrieving his cigarette from his coat. "I'm in no mood to play games. Get him to talk, whatever means possible and after that, kill him."

Kirishima bowed. "What about the waiter who served the drinks?"

Asami took a long drag before exhaling. "Find him."

No one said another word as the car sped towards the direction of the hospital.

Xx Business as Usual xX

Akihito wouldn't stop vomiting. He felt he had lost controls of his muscles because he couldn't even talk. He felt so sick, so terrible that his stomach began to cramp. Covering his mouth, he willed the nausea to stop but that only generated more saliva.

His felt his chest hurt and by the time he reached the hospital, his heart was beating so furiously that it was about to burst. He breathed slightly better when someone placed an oxygen mask over him but that didn't last long. Before he realized it, he closed his eyes and welcomed the darkness.

Ando watched Kanzaki sensei and a team of experts wheeled Akihito into the operation room helplessly. Sanada was also placed on the stretcher and was pushed to a separate room, only his situation wasn't as severe as Akihito. He complained of severe nausea but his muscles weren't stiff and he was breathing normally.

The guard paced outside the operation theatre, furious with himself. Beside him, Shiba kicked the concrete walls, sharing Ando's sentiments about the entire incident.

"How could we have not known?" Shiba said as he curled his fist and punched the wall.

"If I ever find out which bastard did this – I'll—"

"Leave that to me."

Recognizing the owner of the voice as Toru's, Ando looked up and saw his partner walking towards him. Asami was behind Toru and Ando didn't have to guess to know that his boss was extremely displeased. The muscles of his face tight, his golden eyes had somewhat darkened and his mouth grim. If looks could kill, he probably had dropped dead by now.

"Asami sama," Ando knelt immediately. "I'm a failure. I should have seen it coming."

Kirishima bowed in front of Asami. "Sir, we were too careless. The news that Keiko had left the country gave us an excuse to relax. We did not foresee that this would happen."

Asami glanced at the blaring red lights of the operation theatre before focusing his attention back to his guards. His secretary had been right because as much as he hated to admit it, even he didn't see that coming. He looked at both Shiba and Ando who by now, shivering slightly. They most probably dreaded what sort of punishment they would receive for their failures.

As furious as Asami was with the incident, he wasn't an unreasonable man.

"Ando, Shiba, stand."

Surprised took over the guards' faces but they didn't disobey the order. In somewhat hesitant moves, both men stood. It was then Kanzaki sensei strode out from the emergency room with another doctor, both still dressed in operation robes.

"Asami sama," he greeted and bowed.

"How is Akihito?"

Kanzaki sensei straightened his body and took a clip board from the doctor standing beside him.

"Ando-kun was right about the poison. I had Takaba sama's blood sent it for a tox screen. There were high levels of arsenic in his bloodstream—," he said, passing the clipboard to Asami. "—and it is enough to cause cardiac arrest and death an hour after ingestion."

Asami slid his hands into his pants, curled them in anger.

"Takaba sama is currently going through hemodialysis to remove the poison." The doctor bowed. "I'm afraid I started the treatment even before the tox screen results came back. If I were late, the poison might bind to the tissues and this can be life threatening."

"Sensei, can we see him?" Ando asked.

"He's still inside doing dialysis. It might take a few hours," Kanzaki sensei paused before looking at Asami worriedly again. "Asami sama, the after effects of acute arsenic poisoning is serious. Takaba sama might develop some degree of nerve damages and might even have cardiac and liver problems in the future."

"And how is the other boy?" Asami asked, referring to Sanada.

The other doctor standing beside Kanzaki stepped forward, bowed. "He is doing all things better considerably. His tox screen indicated that he was poisoned by arsenic but his levels aren't as high as Takaba sama."

"And why is that?"

The doctor could offer nothing but a mere speculation so Ando took his chance to step forward. "Sir, when the drinks arrived, Sanada-kun merely sipped his drink while Takaba sama took a huge gulp."

Finally cleared, both Kanzaki sensei and his young protégé disappeared into the emergency room again.

"Asami sama, the men reported that he had caught the waiter who served the drinks to Sanada. He is currently detained in warehouse number three," Kirishima said, his hands on his phone. "They are awaiting further instructions about the matter."

Controlling his anger, he said harshly. "Detain him at the warehouse. I'll deal with him myself."

As Kirishima murmured the instructions on the phone, Asami walked into the emergency room. A long corridor with glass panels greeted him first. He scrubbed his hands to avoid contamination, all the while looking through the glass where Akihito lay in the middle of the huge room.

His dutiful secretary pushed the main door opened and he walked inside. His pants were all that left of Akihito's expensive evening wear. The jacket had been discarded while the white shirt was cut opened by the medical personnel. He had an oxygen mask over him, presumably because of his shortness of breath.

He groaned a few times and gagged as though as he wanted to vomit but his eyes remained shut. There were at least four different needles poking his delicate skin, two presumably for the dialysis and a few others for IV drips. Another machine was hooked to measure his heartbeat and blood pressure.

And despite the best medicine and equipment his money could afford, Akihito didn't look like he could recover anytime soon. His heartbeat spiked for a moment, causing Kanzaki sensei to be alarmed.

"Sensei, cardiac arrest!"

Asami pushed the connecting door open, strode to his lover. His breathing labored, even with the oxygen mask. Kanzaki sensei checked his pulse, barked instructions at his team and proceeded to administer a jab into the IV drip.

He waited for a while and when the breathing finally slowed down, the doctor breathed a sigh of relief.

"Kanzaki sensei," Asami said, his eyes never left his lover, "take care of Akihito."

The elderly doctor bowed. "He's in for a rough night but the team will be here to monitor him until he pulls through."

Since the crime lord didn't think he could stand there without destroying something, he walked out of the room hurriedly. He had never been this furious. True, there were many times Akihito was hurt but not once he had seen his lover so vulnerable. If Akihito reached the hospital any minute later, he was positive the boy would die.

Kanzaki's warnings about the arsenic poisoning rang hollow in his mind. Even if Akihito survived the arsenic poisoning, he'd most likely suffer from life-long liver and nerve problems. It was something that he couldn't even imagine.

He strode out of the emergency, entered the private waiting room where his subordinates were already waiting. He scanned his men; his eyes hard, rigid and cold.

"Kirishima, get me the background of the waiter who served the drinks to Akihito."

It was Toru who stepped forward with the file. "Sir, already done," he said, passing the file to the crime lord.

Without a word, Asami read the file and his eyes immediately narrowed. The burning hard gaze had everyone silent, knowing that a single sound would trigger Asami's displeasure. Finally, after a few minutes, he closed the file, passed it back to Toru.

With a gaze that could kill someone, Asami stood up, signaling Toru and Kirishima to follow him.

The two guards obeyed, knowing that the information had just released their boss's inner pyscho.

Xx Business as Usual Xx

Kirishima walked out of warehouse number three, feeling slightly green. In the years that he served Asami, he thought he had seen it all but apparently, he was wrong. The assassin, or what was left of him, was tortured in ways Kirishima hadn't thought possible.

His partner for the night, Toru looked slightly uncomfortable for the first time. Even the bravest man couldn't take in the grotesque killing.

The assassin should have known it, Kirishima thought as he slid into the limousine with his boss. After what happened to Sakazaki, the message was loud and clear. Touch Akihito and you pay. He saw what happened to Akihito in the emergency room. He heard what Kanzaki sensei said to Asami. And he had never seen his boss so furious. The way Asami looked at Akihito in the emergency room; he was ready to blow everyone's brains out.

The secretary took a backward glance as the car drove out of the warehouse. They had eliminated the man responsible behind Akihito's poisoning but Kirishima knew that the main culprit had yet to be caught so killing that man could hardly appease Asami's anger.

"Toru, get me reports on Akihito."

The lanky guard immediately took out his phone and dialed Ando's number. He spoke in a low, quiet tone on the phone, occasionally nodding his head before replacing the phone in his pocket.

"Takaba sama has been transferred to the suite. Kanzaki sensei and his team are still monitoring him but he is reported to be stable."

"Get Ando to tighten the security around the hospital. He has permission to use the gun."

"Understood, sir."

Asami took out his gun, fiddle with it. "Kirishima, have you gotten confirmation from Suoh?"

The secretary checked his phone and nodded. "Suoh just sent me this," he said, passing his phone to Asami.

"Good, we'll fly to Macau in three days."

Kirishima's eyes widened. "We're going to Macau? But sir, we're entering a foreign territory. Isn't that unwise?"

For the first time, Asami's lips curved almost evilly. "I have something that'll shake the entire organization and bring it down."

Xx Business as Usual xX

** to be continued**

---

The idea of this chapter is based on a few reviewers' requests. I got stuck so many times trying to come out with the plot of this story because it's hard to imagine the type of women Asami had dated in the past. I hope Keiko's character is somewhat passable.

Please don't kill me for the cliffhanger! I promise I'll update as soon as I can! Again, thank you so much for reading! Share with me your thoughts by leaving a comment in the comment section.