Disclaimer: Author owns nothing. Mai-Hime belongs to Sunrise.

CHAPTER 22

JAPAN: DAY 33

VIOLA'S MANSION

Shizuru was lying on her queen-sized bed, crimson orbs staring blankly at the ceiling above her and having no intention of making a single move any time soon. She was exhausted in so many ways.

Physically exhausted for entertaining her guests last night. Shaking almost everyone's hands, plastering that perfect smile on her lips for hours that she might not wonder if her face will be stuck like that for days, and trying to feign interest to discussions she will never even bother listening to had it not been for her family's reputation that must be uphold regardless of her opinion. A few years ago, this might not even bother her. She can go for hours gliding in grace effortlessly just to accommodate her guests and she will even do it wholeheartedly. But now, things have changed. If given the chance, she would rather spend her birthday in a club with deafening music booming in the background and with sweaty bodies grinding and swaying around her without giving a damn about the world. She wanted to spend it with people who don't need validation from others. A couple of alcohol will also be much appreciated since, she was legal now and can do whatever she wanted.

Shizuru would have been fine if it was just physical exhaustion but unfortunately, there was the emotional exhaustion that drained her of all the reasons to get up and start her day. It was already past eleven in the morning and she had enough sleep after it finally gave her a visit at almost four in the morning. Given her present predicament, that was the most number of hours that she can get. Her mind was preoccupied with the image of a certain woman with piercing green eyes and the emotions that flickered upon their owner's face. It was not the sight that Shizuru wanted to see.

"But she is married…"Shizuru whispered as her right arm draped on her forehead lazily. "She was never mine and will never be. I was always just an entertainment to her. How foolish of me to think that I am different from the other women whom she played around with. I should have known."

She felt her heart clenched at the idea of starting to want someone who can never be hers. Just when she finally started to feel something other than grief and loss, the universe had a funny way of showing how much valued she was. It was either people were completely taken away from her or they just deliberately left her.

"Perhaps if I had met her earlier, it would have been different. She would not be married to her." She uttered wistfully, shocking herself in the process. Realizing this, her forearm kneaded her forehead in an attempt to make herself lucid. "And I am starting to be delusional." She shook her head and a thought came across her. "It should have just been a game. Initially, that is. It should have stayed just like that. But why?" she asked no one as she felt a small tug in her heart. Silent tears started flowing down her smooth cheeks. She heard her door creaked open and she lazily wiped her tears away before resting her arms over her eyes. Sending a signal to whoever had entered that she did not have the eagerness for any pleasantries at the moment.

"Lovely morning, my dear Shizuru!" The editor-in-chief chirped in a sing-song French as she opened the curtains to allow the blinding daylight to fill the room. "Don't you think that it is such a pleasant day to start enjoying your life as a twenty-one-year-old free woman, yes?" she continued but was only met with silence.

"Oh come on now, my dear. Your bed will not go anywhere. At least join your poor old grandmother for lunch before she departs home." The editor-in-chief tried again before settling herself beside the superstar.

"I apologize, grandmother. It slipped my mind. Just give me a few moments to prepare myself." Shizuru said as she lifted her arm and started to get up. "And good morning, too."

But before Shizuru could even stand up from the bed, her grandmother held her shoulders and turned her to face her. She immediately turned her head to the side in an attempt to hide her puffy red eyes.

"Look at me, my dear." The editor-in-chief lifted Shizuru's chin and guided it to face her. "I am your grandmother and I love you wholeheartedly. You do not need to hide your emotions from me and pretend that you are well. I know you are not at this moment." She paused as she held her granddaughter's face in her hands and wiped the tears that started to flow therein. "You can talk to me about it. Tell me what is the matter."

Shizuru just shook her head. "I do not want to you hold you any longer than necessary, grandmother. You have a lot of things in your hand. I am happy that you came for my birthday and I love you, too." She said to dismiss her grandmother.

"I have all the time in the world for you, my dear Shizuru. Now tell me what is causing you this sadness. Talk to me, my dear." The editor-in-chief soothed but still received no response. "Is this because of what happened years ago? My dear, you still have us. I am here. Little Shizuki is here. Your other grandparents and cousins are still here."

"No, grandmother. It is not about that." Shizuru replied, shaking her head. Although it was true that her parents' loss was still making her sad, her reason at the moment was not that.

"Is this perhaps about a certain young lady with a beautiful pair of emerald eyes?" The editor-in-chief probed further, last night's event wasn't lost to her.

She was actually standing across the young director when the show unfolded and her motherly instinct had been telling her something which she preferred not to be bothered about before being confirmed. The confirmation that she was looking for came in the form of her granddaughter finding comfort in the warmth of her embrace as the young woman poured her heart out. To say that she was unhappy to see her granddaughter being that distressed would be an understatement. Her heart was ripped into pieces when she lost the young woman's mother and to see her like this just shattered her heart.

"Perhaps you can talk this over a cup of tea and some cookies, my dear." The editor-in-chief tried to lighten the mood as she placed a comforting hand on Shizuru's back and started soothing her. "Try to explain things to her and clear things up. She might listen to you."

"She lied to me, grandmother." Shizuru said simply.

"What did she lie to you about, my dear? I know the young lady for quite a while. She maybe playful and fool around but she has a good heart. I am sure it is just another misunderstanding between the two of you." The editor-in-chief tried to reason out.

"She is committed and yet she did not tell me…" Shizuru explained vaguely, not wanting to divulge everything.

"Oh." The editor-in-chief let out. She had no idea that the young director was actually in a relationship. "Perhaps she has her reason for holding the information, my dear. Did she explain to you why?" she paused before continuing. "The better question is, did you let her explain herself to you?" she asked, knowing how her granddaughter can be stubborn and cold sometimes.

"No, grandmother. There was nothing to explain." Shizuru said, proving what her grandmother thought to be right.

"Communication is important, my dear. Do not build walls around you." The editor-in-chief held her granddaughter at arm's length. "Do not forget that you might have also hurt her in one way or another. That video might have given her a notion. I know that you are intelligent enough to know what I mean, my dear."" She added, referencing to the abomination that came out of nowhere.

The event left her questioned her granddaughter's security and safety. That must be addressed very soon. Either by the people who were with the superstar twenty-four seven or by herself if she had to.

"I am not certain, grandmother. I do not know what to do anymore." Shizuru confessed dejectedly.

"Letting it out is a good start already, my dear. Take your time to think about things but do not take too long. Make smart decision and know that I am always here, my dear." The editor-in-chief smiled at her granddaughter. "Now, go and fix yourself. We will wait for you downstairs." She said, kissing the young woman's forehead.

"Thank you, grandmother." Shizuru replied after planting a soft kiss on her grandmother's cheek and giving the older woman a gentle squeeze.

She finally went to her bathroom while the editor-in-chief made her way out.

SEARRS Entertainment Company, New York City

"What's so important that she needs me to be here at fucking five in the morning?" Natsuki grumbled as she strode past the entrance of the huge entertainment company. She took a gulp of her Venti coffee to wake herself up. Her emerald orbs scanned the surrounding which barely had few souls in.

"Good morning, NK. Welcome back." One of the maintenance crews greeted her when she reached the elevator.

"Mornin', Bob. How's it goin'?" Natsuki greeted back the old man whom she knew for quite some times.

"Same old. Same old. Still making sure everyone would confuse the floor for a mirror." The old man winked as he continued cleaning the floor.

"You're doin' great then, Bob." She replied as she looked at her reflection on the floor, her hand instinctively running through her mane.

"Off you go now." He said as he continued cleaning towards Natsuki's feet direction, making her back-up inside the elevator.

The door closed before Natsuki could say anything in return. She hit the last button in the upper right panel before playing with the cup of coffee in her hand. It was too early in the morning for any companion in the lift so, she was alone. Not that she was complaining. A few more seconds of being trapped inside the metal cage before she finally heard the sound indicating that she had arrived at her desired floor.

"Fifty-seventh floor. Have a nice morning." A female voice came from the installed sound system in the elevator.

The elevator door opened, revealing a serious-looking Midori who was obviously in deep thought.

"Morning, Midori." Natsuki greeted as she stepped out of the elevator.

"I wish I could say the same, kid." Midori said as she paused her stride and halted in front of the young director. "Just a heads-up. Boss does not have a lovely morning. You're in deep shit, kid." She finished, letting out an exhausted breath.

"I know." Natsuki said simply as she took another gulp of her coffee.

"Wait. You knew? Then, how are you so goddamn' calm about it?" Midori said in disbelief, blinking her eyes to check if she was indeed talking to the right person.

"I fucked up with Shizuru and Mom is about to give me the time of my life. Yeah, I know." Natsuki replied with a little remorse in her voice.

"Wait. Hold on a sec." Midori gestured her hand up, silencing the young director. "Who the hell is Shizuru?" She looked at the young director, confusion evident on her feature.

"What?" Natsuki replied with a question which did not help the matter at hand.

"Nevermind. Forget whoever that is." Midori said dismissively as she could feel a headache coming. She barely had sleep because she had to make sure that everything was taken care of before she can finally call it a day. "I'm talking about Alyssa."

"What about Alyssa?" Natsuki asked, more confused now.

"Get your ass there and you'll find out." Midori gestured her thumb towards the glass door which blinds were pulled down for some privacy. "Good luck, kid." She squeezed the young director's shoulder before passing by her and finally letting herself inside the elevator.

Taking a deep breath, Natsuki started walking towards the News Department's private room. Unlike the regular news studios and rooms found in the second floor of the building, this one was used only for discussions regarding some classified and confidential information. Decisions whether information will be released to the public or not and the extent of details to be given away were normally made in there. The room was usually accessible to authorized persons only. Usually those at the top of the hierarchy and not regular employees. The CEO seldom interfered with the matter as it was other people's job to handle them. So, what made this case an exemption? Natsuki was about to find out.

She walked in to the sight of the CEO pouring herself a drink as pile of papers were scattered on the huge table. Several flat screens were stalled on the wall making one wonder if there was indeed wall in there in the first place or did the brilliant engineers used the plasma televisions as substitute for concrete.

"Mom, don't you think it's too early for that?" Natsuki tentatively said, eyeing her mother.

"You don't question my preference, young lady." Saeko retorted in a harsher tone than she intended. Her emerald orbs were looking at the young director who was taken aback. "Take a seat." She ordered in a stern voice as she emptied the half filled glass before pouring herself another.

"Yes, Ma'am." Natsuki replied as if she was talking to a stranger and not her own mother. She took the nearest seat and looked straight into her mother. Not a single emotion was shown on her face.

"I'll get straight to the point. I can't be wasting more time than I already did." Saeko started as she took the seat opposite her daughter. The expansive table occupied by only the two of them, making the atmosphere in the room tensed.

She grabbed a small remote control and pressed a button on it. A projection appeared and a video was flashed to her right. "A few days ago, Alyssa's house was turned upside-down. Literally trashed and stripped down to nothing but chaos. Authorities thought it was a simple case of burglary but nothing of value was taken." She paused, looking straight at her daughter whose full attention was on the video. "Her bedroom was burned to ashes and had it not been for the quick response of the fire department the entire house would have been the same. Authorities were wondering why the alarm system did not work." She paused the video and instead handed the report to Natsuki. "Burglary was ruled out of the case when they found out that there was no forced entry. Alyssa was not home so, it definitely wasn't her. "

"Does Alyssa know about all of this?" Natsuki asked, looking at her mother.

"Yes. They had to ask her a few questions which include people who have access to her house." Saeko said, eyeing her daughter carefully.

"Did she mention any name?" Natsuki asked as she leaned forward.

"No, she didn't." Saeko simply answered before grabbing the remote and pressing play again. "But CCTV footage showed you lurking around her house a few days before the incident occurred. Now, tell me what were you doing there?" Her eyes narrowed at her daughter as she paused the video.

"I was just checking on her." Natsuki replied shortly.

"Checking on her when she was not around?" Saeko almost hissed.

"What are you implying, Mom?" Natsuki fired back almost irritated. Now, she felt like she was in an FBI interrogation room.

"You tell me, Natsuki." Saeko answered before pressing play. "Because this video clearly showed you entering her house like it was your own."

"Fine. I have the other key. So, what? I was her ex-girlfriend and she did not get the key from me. Alyssa had no issue with that. Why would it matter now?" Natsuki said exasperatedly, throwing her hands in the air.

"Because you were seen entering the house, tearing it apart, and burning her bedroom!" Saeko slammed her hands on the table as the CCTV footages showed a clothed figure which had uncannily similar figure to Natsuki trashing the room and turning everything on its way upside down.

Natsuki's eyes bulged as she looked at the figure in the footages. Even her eyes could not believe what she was witnessing. It was obviously her or at least it seemed to be her.

"Are you kidding me right now, Mom?" Natsuki hissed as she stood up and massaged her head. "How can I fucking do all of these bullshits when I was miles away?! I was in Japan Mom in case you forgot so, there was no way in hell that was me." She said, pointing to the figure in the video.

"Can I really take your word for it, Natsuki? Are you even telling me everything." Saeko narrowed her eyes as her emerald orbs stared hardly on her daughter.

"Of course I am telling you everything, Mom! Why would I even lie to you?" Natsuki fumed.

"I don't know, Natsuki. You tell me. Why are you still lying to me?" Saeko stood up, her emerald orbs never leaving her daughter.

"I already fucking told you that I am not lying to you, Mom. How many times do I have to repeat myself?" Natsuki paused as she clenched her hands in anger, her knuckles turning white in return. "You know what is so fucked up about this? That my mother does not even fucking trust me" Natsuki was not only frustrated of their discussion but at the same time annoyed that her mother seemed to be accusing her of something she did not do. At least that was what she thought.

"Fine. Have it your way." Saeko said before pressing the play button again and settling herself down. She grabbed her glass and chugged down its content before interlacing her fingers on the table and watched her daughter's reaction intently.

Just when Natsuki thought that they will be over soon, she was again proven wrong. It was the second time that her face was drained of its color for the same reason. Her civil wedding projected to her right.

"Is this some sort of a sick joke? How in fucking hell did you get this video? Only Alyssa and I have this." She looked accusingly of her mother.

"Really, Natsuki? Is that your top concern right now? How I got hold of this footage?" Saeko said with hurt evident in her voice. "Well, to answer your question my loving daughter who got so jittery during the biggest day of her life that she forgot to send her mother an invitation, I did not. That video was posted in YouTube with an IP address traced to your laptop. I didn't know that was how you wanted me to know about this. I thought I was at least important to be on the guests' list maybe."

"Mom, that happened a day after I turned eighteen. I was naïve and stupidly in love. It was supposedly be between Alyssa and I. We weren't ready to tell everyone yet but just when we were about to, the accident happened. Besides, I already filed a divorce." Natsuki explained to her mother.

"On the ground of vitiated consent and irreconcilable difference but Alyssa is not having it." Saeko finished for her daughter as she pondered further. "I talked to your lawyer."

"Why did you do that? That's confidential information and breach of clients' confidentiality." Natsuki said, unbelieving what she just heard.

"Nothing concerning my only daughter is confidential to me. Besides, I need to know everything if I want to help you in this case." Saeko informed her daughter.

"What case? I am not an arsonist, Mom. I did not do it. Why would I even do that? I loved Alyssa and I would never do anything to harm her." Natsuki said defensively.

"All the evidences are leading to you, Natsuki. I want you to be honest with me and tell me if you wrote this." Saeko said as she turned up a photograph of a piece of paper with a note.

"Leave us alone." Natsuki read out loud. "This is impossible!" She banged her hands on the table as she abruptly stood up. Her fists were clenched as she glared at the picture.

"It looks like your penmanship, Natsuki. Did you write it?" Saeko asked when her question wasn't answered.

"I did, Mom. I wrote this when Alyssa and I were dating and some douche bag was annoying her. I threw this at that dickhead's window. But that was freakin' five years ago!" Natsuki roared, massaging her forehead. The threat had materialized and she was sure as hell that she was having a pounding headache now.

"Do you know where that man now, Natsuki?" Saeko asked tentatively although she had an idea what her daughter's answer will be.

"I don't know, Mom." Natsuki said, annoyed.

"This is going to be difficult. The lawyers are seeing it this way. You clearly have a motive to be a suspect. You filed for a divorce to severe your legal tie with Alyssa to be with someone else. Alyssa is not seeing thing the same way you do so, you threatened her to force agreement out of her. You will be charged with arson and even if you will be able to convince Alyssa to sign the divorce paper that could still be ruled out on the ground of undue influence. If not, you will be seen as a threat to her and other legal repercussion ensues." Saeko elaborated.

"Or I can just prove to them that I was in Japan while all this things happened. Problem solved." Natsuki replied as she leaned back.

"Not that easy, Natsuki. No one can prove that you were in Japan. Mai was not with you on that day and you don't fly via domestic flight so, we can't really prove that you were not in New York during the incident. Plus some of our private planes were used to fly back and forth to Japan on that day which could lead them to think that you sneaked out after you did it. Authorities can't also verify whether or not you were one of the passengers as we used a secured and complicated security system which does not use names but codes instead. They might not accept the random code assignment that we will be providing, taking into consideration that I might be doing act of obstruction of justice to protect you." Saeko looked at her daughter before taking a breath and exhaling it. "I'm also ruling out Shizuru as witness since, she was viewed as your affair. Anything that she will say will not be taken as hard evidence in court."

"I'm not dragging Shizuru into this mess." Natsuki firmly stated. "If I had to go into trial then, be it. I did not do anything." She hissed as she towered above her mother.

"Neither will I, Natsuki. Shizuru is nothing but a collateral party in this mess." Saeko stated as she leaned further on the seat and pondered for a moment. "Alyssa did not press any charges yet."

"Alyssa will not even if she knows that I actually did it." Natsuki stated as a matter-of-fact.

"She left everything in the hands of the authorities and Smith. Knowing that man, she will do everything to convict you, Natsuki. Alyssa still owns 32% of this company's shares which Smith is closely eyeing to be merged with his 11%. If she will be successful in convincing Alyssa to sell her shares to him, he will take over this company. Knowing Alyssa's disinterest in involving herself with this business and if Smith's lies will convince her to get rid of anything connected to you, it will be the end for this company."

"Alyssa will never do that." Natsuki defended.

"Alex' last will and testament explicitly appointed Smith as Alyssa's assets manager in case her disinterest in the matter does not change. He is also allowed to make decisions to protect her welfare. If worst happens, he can even make decisions on her behalf. That is until she gets married." Saeko ended her explanation with a knowing smile.

"Well, Alyssa is still married to me. Legally at least. Plus the world already knows that. Alyssa is not pressing charges and Smith is not even a threat. So, I don't see the problem, Mom." Natsuki said, relaxing a bit.

"No, Natsuki. Not everyone knows about your marriage. A few people perhaps but not everyone." Saeko announced.

"What do you mean, Mom? You just said it was on YouTube." Natsuki asked, confused.

"It was until I had requested Midori's special team to handle the matter and delete every single one on the internet. They had replaced it with an edited version to have your face replaced and made it look like a false news. They are also working on the real culprit. Behind authorities back, off course." Saeko said before standing up and getting a refill. She felt her throat dried as the dessert.

"You mean her team of hackers. That was why Midori looked like shit this morning. She looked like someone who did not sleep for ages for Christ's sake, Mom. That's horrible." Natsuki grumbled.

"It's only been three days, Natsuki. Stop overdramatizing things. And you're welcome." Saeko replied lightheartedly before getting serious again. "You do realize that our problem is not yet solved, right?"

"Yeah." Natsuki replied tiredly.

"Well, I do have a proposition if you are willing to listen." Saeko started as she settled back on her seat.

"Spill it out, Mom. I'm here already." Natsuki said, wanting to get over this rollercoaster of information and drama.

"You are calling off the divorce." Saeko started and raised a hand when Natsuki was about to interject. "You are going to India and make amends with Alyssa. There's no way for Smith to go through her if your relationship is working well. Your top priority is to ensure no charges will be pressed against you. I don't want Shizuru's name in this mess, Natsuki."

"Mom, Alyssa is working for the United Nations' project right now. I can't just pop in there and offer peace and harmony to her after years of avoiding her." Natsuki replied sarcastically.

"That has been taken care of. I am sending Midori's team to cover the documentation. It's a joint project with the United Nations and you will be part of that team. You will leave in four days time." Saeko paused before giving her daughter a stern look. "This time I am giving you the order to join the team NK. Am I understood?"

"Yes, Ma'am." Natsuki agreed to the glaring emerald orbs in front of her.

"This discussion is adjourned. All information discussed will be kept in utmost confidential manner and shall be disclosed on a need-to-know basis only." Saeko ended the meeting as per usual when dealing with confidential matters.

"Off to India I go then." Natsuki muttered before standing from her seat and going out of the seemed to be suffocating room. She was never a fan of that kind of room.