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It was nine o'clock when Akihito opened his eyes. Stretching out an arm, he felt the side next to him cold and empty, a sign that Asami had already been gone for a couple of hours. He stretched and when he stretched his whole body, he felt a twinge in the bottom of his backside. All the fault of Asami and his stamina.

Remembering the activities he and his lover had engaged in, the young man's face turned a faint blush. Then when he was reminded of all the moans he had produced with his mouth, asking for more, his face was totally and completely red with embarrassment. He shook his head to get the image of all the positions Asami had taken him in out of his head.

By the time he was done, Akihito was so exhausted that he hadn't even noticed that Asami had taken him to the bathroom to wash him and put him in the clean bed. That man is truly insatiable. But how can he have so much stamina?

Calmly and lazily, the blond man got out of the warm and comfortable bed to draw the curtains and open the windows. As soon as he made that gesture, the whole room was flooded with sunlight shining in the clear sky. Akihito had to close his eyes because of too much light, but then he got used to it. He picked up his torn boxers from the floor with an embarrassed but also annoyed air. That man must learn to be more patient, he can't always tear my underwear, damn it. Shaking his head he headed for the bathroom where he would take his time to let his muscles relax and wake up properly.

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Coming out of the bathroom, he decided he would do an hour of meditation and call his two best friends, Kou and Takato, to make arrangements for when to see each other. It had been about a month since he had heard from them. No one other than his family and close friends knew that he liked to practice yoga and Mindfulness. He likes to take time for himself and be at peace with himself and then he felt that he especially needed it.

Since he was with Asami there were times when he was afraid of being swallowed up by the dark aura the other man exuded. He knew that in illegal work, the golden-eyed man killed and was not at all kind to the henchmen who betrayed him. He had never seen him bloodied but only thanks to the fact that before going home he used to take a shower. Sometimes even that didn't get rid of the smell of gunpowder. At those times Akihito would simply pretend not to smell it and concentrate on sleeping or thinking about something else.

Why do I feel this tightness in my chest again? I'm fine with Asami, right? Akihito hadn't realized that he was stuck in the middle of the room wearing only a towel around his waist. Recovering, he put on only simple black boxers and red shorts. He went to his old room and grabbed the mat that was under the bed. Then he also took some vanilla scented candles and the computer that contained harmonic and relaxing sounds.

He placed the mat in front of the large living room window, then lit the candles and placed them around it forming a circle and in front of him the computer that was already playing a symphony that made you close your eyes and wander with your mind. Hopefully no one will disturb me for at least this hour. Akihito closed his eyes and began to inspire and exhale, inspire and exhale. He had his legs crossed and was sitting on the ground. His back was straight and his hands went up and down in front of him, following the rhythm of his breathing.

When he was practicing yoga to be able to focus and be flexible enough, he had learned that there was this other discipline, Mindfulness, that taught how to cultivate attention in a wise, healthy and clean way. His goal was to know himself and the world around him for what it really is, looking at it with freshness and acceptance, learning to ground himself in the present moment and moving forward in life without stress, one step at a time.

Akihito also discovered that if you remain anchored in what is happening here and now, the mind expresses its full potential, working with the reality of what is there in the moment it arises. In doing so, you don't tire yourself out chasing the past or the future, you don't tire yourself out regretting, suffering from uncertainty and comparison. The young man had learned to appreciate life and wanted to live it to the fullest. I love life as it is.

Akihito in his work, had met so many false people that he did not want to become one of them. He didn't care if he was judged, bullied, or made fun of, he would stay true to his self. The world is fake enough and full of people wearing masks, that I don't need to be too.

After several minutes, finally the young man felt that all his muscles were relaxed, that his mind was lighter and he felt that feeling of freedom that he was missing. He took a big breath and opened his eyes and smiled. In front of him he could see the sun shining and warming him and the clear sky, more blue than ever. Getting up, he decided to do a couple of yoga figures to stretch and loosen up completely. He loved being in motion all the time, but sometimes it also helped to be still and listen to yourself.

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When he finished everything, he saw that it was after 10:30, so he put on a white tank top and called his friends. He picked up the phone and called Kou. He waited and after three rings, his voice finally came: -"Hi Aki, finally. Where have you been?" Scratching his head, he answered: - "I've been busy with work and everything, sorry. I'm calling to ask you if you'd like to meet me on Sunday and we'll do something together, you, me and Takato."- - "I think that's a great idea, man. I'll let Takato know that he'll be delighted."- Kou was about to end the call, when he added - "And Aki, please don't disappear." Akihito smiled, he had really good friends. - "Yes, it's fine, and sorry I haven't been in touch for the past month. Eventually the two friends said goodbye and Akihito decided that he would cook something light and fresh and also for his two men on guard duty.

Come to think of it, I haven't greeted or seen them yet. He walked to the entrance of the penthouse and opened the door. Of course, the two men were sitting one on one side of the door. Eichi was reading the newspaper, while Isao was doing a crossword puzzle. As soon as they heard the sound of the door opening and saw the figure of the young man, they stood up and bowed, and in unison exclaimed, - "Good morning, Takaba-sama."-

-"Good morning to you. Would you like to have lunch with me?"- he felt a bit embarrassed because he was afraid to disturb them but he really didn't feel like eating alone and he knew that Asami had a busy day, including a working lunch so he couldn't disturb the other. The two men seemed uncertain whether to accept the invitation. They didn't know what to do since without Asami-sama's authorization, they couldn't make any decision. Akihito seeing that the two men were definitely thinking if their boss, a possessive bastard, would agree to the request added: - "Rest assured that Asami is okay with us having lunch or dinner together. She knows I don't like to eat alone and then at least this way you'll have your eyes on me all the time. Besides, we've already had dinner together and Asami didn't mind, so just relax and come in."-

Having said these words, he didn't wait for any answer and headed towards the kitchen, leaving the door of the attic open. The two men were looking at each other and still a bit indecisive since they worked for Asami anyway, they decided that they would ask permission no matter what the young man said. Eichi wrote to the boss.

E: Asami-sama, Takaba-sama sent us to have lunch together inside the penthouse. May we accept?

A: Yes, please accept. I have spoken with Akihito and I give you permission to eat with him whenever he asks.

E: It's ok Asami-sama. I will also notify Isao-san.

Goodbye. He was about to put the phone in his pocket when he heard another message come in.

A: Keep an eye on him and don't let anything happen to him.

E: Yes, Asami-sama. He can count on us. Finally putting the phone away and looking at his partner, they both went inside.

As Isao was closing the door, they heard Takaba yell: - "It's about time you guys came in. I realized I'm missing some ingredients so I'm going to go shopping. The two men who in the meantime had reached the kitchen, could not help but wonder what was that perfume that intoxicated the whole living area. It looked like vanilla, a delicate but intense perfume. They looked into each other's eyes. I wonder what Takaba-sama did. Eichi, who recovered, turned to his master:- "No problem Takaba-sama. There is a supermarket nearby where you can buy everything you need. If you want, we can go now."

Akihito would have preferred to go alone and to the supermarket he wanted, but he knew that such a thing would not be possible. But today he felt full of positive energy and didn't want to waste time in discussions that in the end he would have only lost so he smiled and nodded. Also because Asami won't let me go out alone, even if it's just to go shopping. Hopefully they'll wait for me in the car and let me do my shopping alone and above all that it's not one of those stores that sell everything at double the price. He put on his shoes and together with Eichi and Isao, headed to the supermarket.

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As Isao drove, Eichi couldn't get the scent he had smelled in the penthouse out of his head. Not to mention that Takaba-sama was quieter than usual, smiling and hadn't even tried to argue for not being accompanied. Usually when he wanted to go shopping, he did everything he could to go where he wanted and especially alone.

Stranger still, neither of them heard any noise from the other side of the door. Only the young man would turn on the TV, or put on music at a higher volume, or sleep until 11 o'clock. That morning there was no noise at all and seeing the young man relaxed and brighter, it was clear that he had woken up quite early. Their young leader never ceased to surprise them. They still had a lot to learn to understand the young photographer.

Both guards hoped that the day would continue like this, peacefully and quietly without any problems. They knew that in the evening the young man had to go on a mission because he had to get a scoop on a woman who was supposed to be a senator's daughter and was dating an already married politician. Plus they both would have to keep their eyes peeled and that he was not to let the young boss slip through his fingers. He usually stalks them so they don't get in the way of his work but if anything happened to him or he had even the slightest scratch, they know Asami-sama would be very displeased.

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