Chapter 4
A painful scream escape from the girl's mouth as another surge of electricity running through the small, beaten body. The once clean white shirt became stained with a deep red colour of blood from the wounds. The girl gritted her teeth as another whip came her way, striking her across the back. Yet, no scream or sounds came from her as she bit her already torn bloody lip.
As she heard a few steps walk towards her, the man who was instructed to torture her came into the light. His gruff voice broke the silence in the dark room. "Give me the name"
After a moment of silence, the child inhale deeply. The stench of the room did not even sicken her a bit. She laughed then spit out a splutter of blood toward the big man as she eyed the man sharply. The action caused the man to snap and again he swung the stick to the small beaten body. With the last attack, the man left the room leaving the unconscious girl hanging as the rope tied her hands on the wall.
The small girl opened her eyes slowly, trying to focus her vision. She was collecting her breath, anticipating what would come next. The silence was interrupted as she heard a small step walking in the hall towards her room. The footsteps stopped and the door opened revealing her visitor. This time, unlike her previous visitor, which is big gruff violent man, now her visitor is a small girl like herself, in a brown one piece dress. As the girl walk into the light she now could see a small detail of that small figure as she held a bowl in her hand.
"U..urm...master said to feed you." the small timid voice coming from the little girl had caught the other's attention.
"No… Its poisoned isn't it?" the tied girl asked, suspicions lingering in her tone.
"U...umm.. I cooked this myself. Don't worry..."
"You eat it first then. One spoon" the tied girl instructed and it was obeyed. After nothing happened, the beaten girl stared at the soup in the small hand. A small hand just like hers, save a few plasters covering her fingers.
"Sorry, I can't eat it myself. As you can see, my hands are tied." the beaten girl smiled weakly.
"Let me feed you." she blew the hot soup in the spoon to cool it. As the spoon of soup inched closer to the blood-soaked face, slowly, the wounded lips parted to welcome the soup. The soft and rich taste soaked her tongue "Hey!"
"Y-Yes." two set of orbs now shift from her bowl towards a face in front of her.
"What's your name?" a set of eyes look into hers with intimidation. The action caused the little girl to shiver.
"My… my name is..."
Fujino House
"Natsuki..." Shizuru approached the lone figure standing in the center of the rose garden.
A few lights shined from the lamp posts around the flower beds, the night sky streaming an endless sea of stars as the cobalt haired woman averted her gaze from the stars to find Shizuru standing before her. "Ah, Shizuru…" Natsuki turned to face Shizuru. "So, what's your father's decision about the merger?"
"Ara.." Shizuru cupped her hand on her cheek "Now Natsuki is more interested in my father rather than me? I felt cheated" Shizuru's hand covered her face as a sob escaped her lips. The action caused the blunnete to panic.
"Y..Yah..I mean... I mean.. Shizuru, don't cry. Well, what I want to ask you is... is your father approved our...urm, our... relationship?"
"What relationship? Just now, the first things that come to Natsuki's mind are companies merging. She didn't even asked how I am, how beautiful I dressed tonight just for her." now the sobbing became more frequent added with a sniff.
"What!?" this caused the blunnete hair girl to jump, her eyes shaking side to side. Right! Baka Natsuki! Serve you right, Natsuki Kruger! What Should I do? Come on!
Ahhh! Whatever..
Two arms encircle the shaken body in a hug. "Don't say like that, Shiz. I love you. You know that."
"Prove it!" came a short demand voiced quietly between sobs.
"How?" Natsuki's curiosity peaked at the honey brunette's woman's request.
"I want... hick... Natsuki to go.. sob... shopping with me tomorrow!"
"Okay" Natsuki complied immediately.
"Promise?"
"I promise" ever so gently Natsuki answered to soothe the sadness in Shizuru.
"Now, where were we?" Shizuru revealed her face without any trace of tears. Instead she smiled showing her white teeth.
"Errr...Shizuru...?" Natsuki's left eye twitched incredulously, her mouth half open in awestruck at what heppened.
"Ah...about father. He said he wants to meet your father first. He can go to China to meet your father" ignoring Natsuki's frozen state, Shizuru explained in a sing song.
"A..anoo... what happened to the shopping thing?" this time Natsuki's eyes narrowing. One can see frown had form on her forehead.
"Eh!? What? Natsuki had promised to go shopping with me tomorrow, hasn't she? or... or..." Shizuru's lips began to quiver and a hint of tears leaking from her eyes.
Seeing the incoming cry, Natsuki breathing hitch "Hai! Hai! I'll go, I'll go, so don't cry, okay?" Natsuki quickly interrupted for she was afraid of what the next few words from Shizuru would be.
"That's good" Shizuru reverted back to her cheerful composure like nothing had happened before.
In the silence of the night where the moon's glow shined upon two figures in the garden, each one had a different thought going through their mind.
Shizuru smiled smugly to herself. Fufu...weakness number two, just as I thought; A very straightforward puppy.
Natsuki left eye twitched. Why did I feel tricked? Inhaling deeply and closing her eyes while savouring the cold wind that blew across her face, Natsuki's mind brought back to the events just a while ago.
-flashback-
Natsuki arrived in her usual black suit and red tie that Shizuru felt she had grown tired of the same attire Natsuki had chosen every day. It seems like Natsuki never wore any other colour and ever since she met the cobalt hair girl a month ago, she has never seen her in other attire other than that black suit and red tie. Shizuru sighed. Either Natsuki didn't have any other colour of suits or clothes or this might be her uniform. Which one is it? Yare yare
She never had a chance to discuss about what the matter is with Natsuki. She didn't know why, but every time they met, all the questions she wanted to ask were gone with the wind whenever she saw the lopsided grin on those cherry lips.
Still... Shizuru glanced at the pin that adorn to Natsuki's tie. I also forgot to ask her about that character. I thought I once saw that character, but I don't remember where.
"Good evening, milady"
Her thoughts were cut by Natsuki's charming husky voice and Shizuru blinked to clear her mind and look at the extended arm in front of her. Taking Natsuki's invitation, they began to walk slowly towards the door.
"Ara...Natsuki looks dashing tonight." she could smell the perfume Natsuki choose. The scent isn't so strong and its more of a feminine type of scent with a hint of... rose? Shizuru's eyebrows arch at her discovery. A...ara.. what am I thinking? Bad thoughts, Shizuru.
Gulping down the lump in her throat, she stepped inside the house as she was greeted by their butler who removed Natsuki's overcoat. Looking up, she found her father already standing at the top of the staircase. As they proceed ahead, her father too began to walk towards them and they met at the end of stairs. Natsuki immediately bowed.
"Good evening, Sir Fujino Shirai-san" Instead of bowing too, her father extended a hand for greeting. Natsuki arose and accepted the welcoming hand.
"Good evening, Zhang-san. Thank you for accepting my invitation"
"No, sir. Thank you for inviting me here. It is such a great honor to finally meet you, sir"
Fujino Shirai seem unaffected by the praise instead he eyed Natsuki suspiciously. Coughing slightly onto his hand, he continued.
"Oho… looks like the dinner is already served. How about we talk while having a nice dinner?"
"That would be welcoming, sir" again, Natsuki bowed slightly before she extend her arm to Shizuru. Smiling at the gentlemen manner of Natsuki, Shizuru felt that she wanted to kiss the smooth white cheek that was currently pouting. Ara! Cute puppy is upset now.
As always, Natsuki pulled out a chair for Shizuru and making sure she was comfortably seated before she herself took her seat next to Shizuru. The act didn't go unnoticed by her father as he raised her brow in a silent question toward his daughter but only received a smile as a response.
"So, Zhang-san.."
"Natsuki is fine, sir. I still find it hard for me to be accustomed myself being refer with my family's name."
"Why is that?"
"We Chi.. I mean, since I've been living in China for so long, people around me never called me by my family's name. I had a big families and the Zhang name is only used by the main house family. Therefore, to avoid confusion, my friends and families always just call me Natsuki."
"Hmm, that's acceptable. Therefore Natsuki-san, how's your father doing?"
"Ah, father." Natsuki stopped in contemplating. Her eyes focus downward at the tableware in front of her. "Lately he's having a health problem, that's why my sister, Nao has been going back home to take care of him and his business there. As we couldn't leave the Japan Branch unattended, I was sent here to substitute for Nao"
"That's very sad to hear about your father. I must be honest with you, Natsuki-san. Although your father and I are a sworn rival and enemy in business, it still feels bad for losing such a good and competitive one. Enemy is a must to remind us of who we are and to remind us to always be aware and keep striving. I bet your father also has taught you the same"
"Indeed, sir. My father had taught me with the Sun Tzu Principles"
At the answer, Shirai laughs rang in the dinner hall.
"Sun Tzu.. of course, you are undoubtly a Zhang. Legalistic..."
"...and cunning"
"So, how about you, Natsuki-san? Do you live by the Sun Tzu Principles too?"
"Part of me, yes. Most of it is in my business and negotiation approaches. But not on my personal life. I find it... too harsh and I can't get myself to compromise and get use to the principles"
"I see, I see... tell me more about how he raised you up?"
"Well, the way my father taught me about business and life isn't any different from how he taught Nao. But as I am the older sister, he's taking more efforts to make sure I'm more disciplined, responsible and influential than my sibling. Sometimes, even if my sister makes a mistake, the one receiving the punishment is me, for I am neglecting my responsibility to guide my sister but not without explaining to me what's my mistakes and how I should be correcting them"
The short conversation was brought to a standstill as the maids proceeded to serve the first courses of dishes for that evening. Sipping the wine slowly, Natsuki found that the taste rather too light for her liking. Of course, she much preferred red wine instead, but asking for a red wine is inappropriate for now. The dinner invitation is more than she ever asked, and she didn't want to spoil the good intention by asking something like that from the host. Well, if the opportunity comes again in the future, she'll make sure to bring along the finest red wine she has to share with them.
"Putting aside the comments from tabloid magazine..."
Both Natsuki and Shizuru blushed at the same time as Shirai mentioned about thr tabloid magazine, particularly, Otome Magazine. Didn't know why they both found that the table cloth is more interesting right now.
"I was astounded when I read this month Business Times. The Zhang Group had lead the industrial market overthrowing the Fujino Corporation by 1.5 percentages for this month. For as long as I remember, from the first month I was = pioneering in mechanical biotechnology industry, we had never been defeated by any company, let alone by the Zhang. But I must admit, your father, Ren Wu Zhang, is undoubtly a competitive enemy during my time of administration. So, for my daughter, Shizuru to lose to a Zhang's daughter, it was a shock beyond my words. I still found it hard to believe that. My daughter is far more knowledgeable and tactical strategist in nowadays market's competition"
The comments from her father made Shizuru flinch and she could feel ashamed being criticized by her own father.
"Otou-sama, I had tried my best. I can assure you; my personal matter never interrupted my business practice"
"I know, Shizuru. That's why, Natsuki-san, I would like to know more about your plan in the future, since you are now on top of the ladder. What is your target?"
"I want a company merger between Fujino Corporation and Zhang Japan Branch" just like how Natsuki mentioned the plan to Shizuru a month before, this time also, Natsuki voiced it without any trace of backing down.
"I had offered an invitation to Shizuru and sent her my proposal, but, she hasn't replied to my offer. Might be that she thinks that the company's merger is unnecessary or my company is unworthy for such, I decided to prove the depth of my intention, by first, of course, defeating the leader"
"Blunt, aren't you, Zhang. Shizuru?" Shirai looked straight to the young leader fiercely with a challenge, yet it was responded with not even a hint of fear.
As if on cue, Shizuru tried to cooling down the heat between the two by explaining further the plan "Otou-sama, in my point of view, the company's merger is a little unfavor to us. I have read the proposal. The Zhang will engineer the superbike under Fujino's brand; whereas we will design the NerveGear to comply with the superbike thus produced a smart-type superbike with the NerveGear technology navigation."
"The problem?" her father interjected shortly.
"Customer will buy the superbike as the primary product, but not for the NerveGear. It becomes a complementary product. Because the superbike is produced by the Zhang despite the brand name of Fujino, by accounting nature, the profit goes to the Zhang." patiently Shizuru tried to voice her reason hoping there will be no world war will erupting in her house.
The Fujino and the Zhang. Like cat and dog. Shizuru sighed inwardly.
"So you hear that, Natsuki-san. It's a one-sided agreement" her father declared with finality to end the discussion.
Looks like this time Natsuki didn't show any sign of surrendering to the result as she continue to make an offer. "Therefore, sir. What if I can offer you a market in China? You also know the language barrier makes the NerveGear impossible for China market so far. Fujino Engineering, even after 5 years still cannot penetrate it, as long as there is the barrier"
"Ehem..." Shirai coughed as the daring phrase reach his ears. The same phrase didn't go unnoticed by her daughter who inherited part of her dark side nature.
"Ara!?" Shizuru closed her mouth with her hand as she couldn't contain her surprise. I wonder why Natsuki seems more...sensuous tonight. Two sets of eyes glance dat each other secretly as though they were sending the secret messages.
"Huh? Did...I say something wrong?" luckily the culprit was clueless as she raised her brows in question toward Shizuru.
Enemy's weakness number one. Dense and clueless. Both Shirai and Shizuru noted.
"No, you didn't, Natsuki." Shizuru assured Natsuki by patting her lover's lap. "And?" Shizuru motioned to continue. She would like to support Natsuki if its result in good will.
Nodding to proceed, Natsuki resume her offer "By cooperating with the Zhang, we can offer you our engineering and specialist so that Fujino Corporation can manufacture to China a version of NerveGear. As an exchange, we want the NerveGear Technology for our superbike, and of course, you don't have to share the blueprint or the technology secret, thus still protecting your technology's patents and copyright. More, you can have your brand's name imprint on the China Version"
"I see. The more reason for the company merger. Well, how about we discuss this in my office" as the dinner ended with the break of discussion between bites and drinks, Shirai stood up and gestured Natsuki to follow suit.
"Sure, sir. I would be glad" raising to her feet, Natsuki smoothing her crease suit as she turn toward Shizuru, Silently, she voice the word 'I love you' before follow Shirai behind.
"First, I'm giving you a warning, Zhang. Do not lie, for I know when a Zhang plays a trick. Continuing our discussion earlier, I want you to be honest, is this your idea or one of your father's cunning tactics?"
"It is my father's idea for the merger. Beside from managing the Japan's Branch, he also sent me here for this mission, but I was the one who thought of this strategy. Sir, my father is already old and now he is currently ill. With the mission and hope to merge the company, he want a good hand to help with the future of Zhang Group and he decided to choose your company, his enemy instead of his friend, because he said, enemy is much closer than friend. In competition, we must always be aware of friends and listen more to enemy. But, the Zhang Group didn't want to choose the Marguerite because of differences in point of view."
"So, he really wants a friendship with me after all this time of rivalry and fighting. And… it's funny how desperate he seems when it comes to the Marguerite. Yet, here he sent me his adopted daughter, Natsuki Kruger, to fulfil the mission. How can I trust the Zhang in these?"
At the question, Natsuki smile confidently. "If you already know I am an adopt daughter of the Zhang, then I'm sure you also know that I am the Chief of Strategy and Risk Management Department of the international Zhang Group. In business point of view, Ren Wu Zhang is sending his most trusted and competent employee, the leader of the strategy and tactical to accomplish this mission to show the weight of it. This is a very important mission to my father and I was given this responsibility, like it or not, I will make this succeed"
"Your words make me miss those good old time competition with your father. You are just like your father, straightforward, chivalry, good with negotiation, yet cunning. So, one of your strategies is to flirt with my daughter?"
"Urk… I, sir..."
"So it seems"
"Sir Fujino Shirai-san" Natsuki roe from the leather seat. Closing the distance in front of the older Fujino, she dropped to sit in seiza on the floor and bow deeply.
"Sir, I'm following my father's order, but that doesn't mean... I am a cruel and heartless person. Nao has told father about Shizuru, how competent she can be. After much thinking, he wants someone as skilled and responsible as Shizuru to look after Zhang Group besides his daughter. And he chose me instead of Nao. I also questioned his decision in this, but I trusted my father for he had plan for both our benefit."
Still unmoving from his seat, Shirai looked at the person in front of him. "Is your father thinking about company's marriage?"
Natsuki bowed deeply as she replied "Yes, sir. And he offered me to your daughter"
Staring intensely at Natsuki, Shirai's deep red eyes were trying to figure out the cunning way of the Zhang. What was Ren's thinking? Sacrificing his own daughter? "Natsuki-san, do you love Shizuru? ...Honestly"
Still in bowing position, without lifting her head, Natsuki answered slowly "...No… sir. I'm sorry. I'm just following my father's orders and proceed with well-planned tactics...but... I think I can get along well with her."
Now Shirai looked sadly at Natsuki who was now still bowing deeply waiting for his reply "May I remind you, Zhang's daughter. The Fujino and the Zhang have been sworn enemies from the first day the Fujino Corporation was born into this world. Why do you think we can ever live together under one roof?"
"Sir, as my father is bedridden and gravely ill, he gripped my hand and asked me to take this mission. Its feels as if this is his last wish. I can see how he hoped for it and I know, in his heart, he puts his trust in you, and so sure, you will not be disappointing him. Is that not enough a reason?" muffled slightly by her bowing position, Natsuki had to raise her voice so that her words would reach Shirai.
When there was still no answer from Shirai, Natsuki again tried her luck "Please, sir. I'm begging you. I can feel this is my father's last wish and I want to fulfil it. I know, I'm not really in love with your daughter, but I promise you I will not make her cry either. I will treat her well and give her the love as she deserve. I will take full responsibility" Natsuki declare bravely her promises.
Looking at Natsuki now reminded Shirai of Ren who always put up a good fight when it comes to market competition until Ren took the decision to went abroad and withdraw from their long last war. Ren, I miss our good old time fights. Now, you sent your daugther in front of me not for continue our war, but to offer me an open hand of peace.
"Have you already proposed to Shizuru?" Shirai look softly at Natsuki.
Raising herself to face Shizuru's father, Natsuki was averting her gaze as she answered. A tinge of pink adorn her cheeks and her finger scratched it shyly. "Not yet, sir. I want to ask you first, sir. I never thought the time is as soon as this. I thought, when I'm ready to tell you, but I'm afraid if I can't see you again after this, well...urmmm... this is the only opportunity I had. I don't plan this to be so soon"
"So you should ask Shizuru, for her decision as mine as well" Shirai patted Natsuki on her shoulder and gesture her to stand. Extending his hand for a handshake, he smile genuinely toward sNatsuki "I'm welcoming you to my family, Natsuki-san"
-end of flashback-
"Natsuki... did you hear me?" Shizuru asked, her voice waking Natsuki from her reverie.
"Wa...Y-yes... what is it again?" Natsuki tried to search at the back of her mind. She didn't realized she had been ignoring Shizuru in her reverie.
"Mou, Nat-chan. I said, why do you think my father wants to meet your father so badly? He's even emptying a week's schedule to go to China to do so. I thought they were both sworn enemies in business and were never good together like a cat and dog. Even a while ago I could feel that World War III would be erupting anytime soon" Shizuru pouted while repeating her last comment in a whisper. She knew something was bothering Natsuki ever since she talked with her father earlier.
After Natsuki left the library, she immediately excused herself for a breath of fresh air. She wanted to follow Natsuki, but her father called her to come inside the library for a small talk. Shizuru exhaled thinking about her father last words before she was dismissed for the evening.
"Shizuru, I hope you're doing the right decision for your future. Make sure you'll see it until the end"
Was that a warning or a wish? Are the Zhang really bad people that they should take caution? No, that's not it. That's not the case.
"My father is badly ill." was the simple answer from Natsuki.
"I'm sorry to hear that" Shizuru firmly held Natsuki's hand to soothe her, telling her she will always there for her.
"Maybe that's why your father wants to meet my father so badly. Last time Nao called me, she said maybe I also should be going back to China immediately before father's condition is worsen. I hope I can fulfil his wish before he closes his eyes."
"Wish? What wish?"
"Ah...that's, you still remember our first dinner together?"
"Hurmm... yes, you bluntly bluffing about the company merger." Recalling the previous night, Shizuru put two and two together in her mind. "Natsuki...the friendship between our companies, is that what your father wished?"
"Yes. He sent me here for that mission. Company merger no matter what it takes. Shizuru, as you know, I'm the Chief of Strategy and Risk Management. That's why this mission is entrusted to me and not Nao."
"A-ara..." letting go of Natsuki's hand, a thought was playing at the back of her mind. "Don't tell me, the..." she found it hard to swallow the lump in her throat as she couldn't bring herself to continue. It couldn't be like that, is it? "Natsuki, tell me honestly, please!" Shizuru gazed into those two deep green pools searching for any doubt or honesty in them. Natsuki's brow rose inquiring but didn't avert her gaze away. Instead she can see... only emptiness.
Why is that? Why can't I see into her soul?
"Please, look at me and tell me that our relationship is not part of that plan" Shizuru focused into the two deep iris's looking for an answer. Still, they look blank. Natsuki, who are you? Why are you so different? So distant even when you are this close to me? I feel so far away from you that I cannot reach you. But then, here you are with me, whispering love and a thousand promises. Here you are, daring yourself to do whatever I ask saying you did it for your love. But... I can't see it in your eyes. All I see is emptiness and void of that emotion. I can't read you, Natsuki...
After a long silent moment, those two green pools were filled with something different. It was still a mystery to Shizuru for she couldn't comprehend the meaning behind it. Calming? Hypnotising? Hope? What is it?
Two lips parted to answer her desperate question. "Shizuru, I love you. And it is not in the plan." At the end of the answer, Natsuki's pupils dilated.
Is she lying?
"Meeting your father tonight is not a plan, the necklace is not a plan, our first dinner is not a plan, the walks in the park is not a plan, the scandal in Otome Magazine is not my plan" at the end of the answer, Natsuki turn around, raising her face to look at the big round moon.
Is it, ne Natsuki? How do I know it? Your eyes tell me otherwise.
"Falling in love with you is not my plan. But what my plan is meeting you that night of the fundraising event and arranged an appointment with you the next morning. Yet, I didn't do that plan. I have failed that moment I saw you on that stage, hearing your angelic voice with your beautiful eyes smiling toward the audience. I was struck and that's why I silently waited at that dark corner of corridor, collecting my wits and bravery on how to confront you without trembling on my knees. But before I could manage to face you, you were already standing in front of me like a dream" this time Natsuki turned again towards Shizuru and embraced her in a comfortable hug.
Natsuki, look at me and tell me it's true. All you said is true.
"Natsuki, don't sweet talk to me. I still remember how... charming you were that night." Shizuru chuckle amusingly to get rid her doubts.
Please, let this be true. Shizuru wish beyond all hope.
"I've tried to. Looks like I succeed." Natsuki chuckled.
Cupping Natsuki's face, Shizuru descended herself to catch Natsuki lips in a needed kiss. All she need now is to dismiss all this doubts that were playing inside her heart.