Chapter 7
Usagi woke up feeling more determine than ever. While she was having her breakfast, Jade gave a surprise visit to he motel.
"Can I join you?," she asks then sat without waiting for her answer. "Okay, I'll get straight to the point. What the hell are you doing back in Mandela?"
Usagi lifted her brows. "What do you mean?"
"Cut the crap, I know you're back for Mamoru, but you're too late now," Jade smiled smugly. "He's my husband now and he loves me very much"
Usagi slowly put down her coffee cup. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I'm here to represent my company on a very important project"
"Anyway, I'm here to warn you, Mamoru is no longer a bachelor. So, hands off," she said sharply. "So, what are you working as? A secretary? Mamoru's working as a successful lawyer and has his own firm, right here in town," she said proudly.
"Oh, I'm working as a personnel manager in my company. So I can say I'm doing very well indeed, what about you Jade? Or is Mamoru the only one working?"
Jade turned so red, she then slammed her hand on the table. "Don't be so arrogant, Usagi. Don't forget, I'm the one who's got Mamoru. Not you". And then slammed her way out. Usagi sat there and continue drinking her coffee.
***
Alex Parker poked his head out. "Not you again.."
Usagi smiled. "Good morning Mr. Parker. I'm here to negotiate again. May I come in?"
"No you may not. Get out from here," he barked.
"$800,000"
"I- 800,000?"
She saw interest lurk out from his eyes. "Do you agree at this price?"
He paused, "I'll get back to you". And slammed the door in front of her again.
***
"Hello?"
"What was the price you offered me this afternoon?," Alex Parker asks Usagi on the phone.
"$800,000"
She hears heavy breathing at the other end. "I'll get back at you"
"When?"
"When I've made up my mind"
"Mr. Parker, if another party is-"
"That's all I'm saying tonight. G' bye."
For a long moment after she hung up, she stared at the telephone receiver, wishing she had said more, wishing she had said things differently. Not only was at stake, but her future with the company.
***
Alex Parker hung up the telephone and turned to his guests.
"Well, Alex, what will you tell her when you call her back?". Sam peered at him beneath his brows.
Alex scratched his head and look uncomfortably towards his wife, who was sitting silent and rigid on the sofa. "I don't rightly know what to do, Sam. She's offering eight hun'erd thousand and giving me a year to move out. You can't hardly beat a deal like that."
"We can and we will." Sieya's jaw appeared carved in granite, his eyes as brittle as glass. Throughout the meeting with the Parkers, he had declined to sit down. It had been a hell of a week. He wanted this deal consummated, the sooner the better. He didn't like being in hock up to his eyebrow. But he'd gone this far, so he'd just as well go the distance. If it meant mortgaging a few luxuries like the boat and the beach house on Hilton Head, he'd do it. He gave his father an imperceptible nod.
"Give us a few weeks to match her offer," Sam said, turning back to Alex. Sam did what he did best. He employed subtle fear tactics. "I don't mind telling you, Alex, that I'm disappointed in you. The first time Usagi broached the subject of buying this place, you should've come and told me. I wouldn't have found out if I hadn't had spies on the lookout for my interests. I thought they were lying the first time they told me you were involved in that Tsukino gal's scheme to ruin me"
"I ain't in on no scheme, Sam"
"Well, it sure looks like to me. There's my offer still lying untouched on the table. And here I am, figuring we're friends, figuring I'd promote that son of yours who's working for me. Yes, sir, I was about to promote him to a foreman's job and give him big raise, just on the basis of our friendship"
Sieya picked up his cue to leave. "You ready to go, Dad?"
"I reckon I am, since it looks like no deal is going to struck tonight. I'm tired of this dilly-dallying around. Sam. I'm ready for you to make up your mind about this, you hear?"
Sam nodded.
***
Usagi was shopping for souvenirs when she rushed right into the back of someone.
"Oops, sorry," but to her surprise it was Mamoru. "Oh, hey"
"Usagi, I think it's time we have a small talk. Is now a good time?"
"Sure," she shrugged and then follow him into a small coffee shop. After they order, he immediately went straight to the point.
"Usagi, I never married Jade because I-"
"Is this our topic conversation now? Because now is not a really good time. Ta!," she made a move to get up but was stilled with Mamoru's hand clamping on hers.
"Usagi, don't be so childish I just want to tell you I didn't marry Jade to because I wanted to make you angry. It's because I-"
"My my, it's looks very cozy here," a cold voice said.
Both their head swung towards the intruder, which is Jade and Mamoru quickly remove his hands from hers.
"What are you doing here Jade?"
Jade put her hands on her hips. "No, it should me whom is asking what you're doing here with her!," she pointed at Usagi. She turn to Usagi. "I thought I told you to stay away from him, you slut!"
"Jade!," Mamoru shouted. He stood up and try to pull Jade away from Usagi. "I'm sorry about this Usagi". He went away with a screaming Jade. Usagi sat there bemused.
***
Usagi was working in her room when Sieya came in, unannounced, without even knocking. Sieya smiled at her as though they had parted on the best of terms. "Hi, Usagi"
"What are you doing here?"
"I brought my daddy to see you"
"About what?"
"I wouldn't want to spoil his surprise"
