Chapter 15: Heartbreak and Broken Pride

"Another stealth! The Chows are very rash, this time!" Giovanni Tornatore exclaimed to his wife who was sipping tea at the end of the Renaissance table in their private dining room.

"Famous paintings from Olivier Beaumarchais' Gallery in Paris disappeared in thin air the night of July 3rd," Giovanni read from the newspaper. "They've gone too far. Curse those Chinese!" (A/N: I really have nothing against Chinese).

Maria Teresa put down her tea cup and threw a biscuit to her poodle before answering her husband:

"Then why are you waiting for that party to take action?" she asked. "Really, darling, normally you're a man of action. Why have you gone so soft now?"

Her husband shook his head.

"I don't want to put the ninjas in danger."

"They've already been in greater danger and you know that," the lady said firmly.

"But this time it's different, the Chows are not alone…"

"You mean Balkov? Yes, he's dangerous but you shouldn't be afraid of him."

"Sweet heart, I'm not afraid of anyone!" Giovanni said hotly. "It's just, they're only kids…"

"You've lead them too far to stop now, Giovanni. You should tell them the truth."


When Hilary, Mariam, Tyson, max and Salima returned to the villa, life seemed to resume to normal. Except that Max and Mariam were no longer talking. Hilary noticed that, on their trip home in Garland's car, Mariam had her arms crossed and wasn't speaking to anyone. Max tried to joke with her as usual but she wouldn't listen to him. On the contrary, Salima sat in the front seat and was talking non-stop with Garland. Apparently they shared a flat on Fifth Avenue but they hardly get to stay there because of their job.

When they got off at the villa's gate, Mariam asked Salima whether she was sure that Garland wasn't gay.

"Are you crazy!" Salima practically screamed when she heard that.

"Well, how many guys live together?" Mariam asked back.

"You've never heard of room mates?" Salima asked, rolling her eyelashes.

"Yeah but only two? Alone together? At nights?"

"Stop it Mariam!"

Salima pushed her and ran into the villa. Mariam chuckled behind her but when she caught Max's eyes, she grew silent abruptly and ran into the villa as well.


Later that week, Hilary went cleaning Prima's room as usual when she found Prima herself reading on her bed. Usually Prima never was in her room when Hilary came in to clean. She hesitated at the doorway.

"Come in, don't worry about me," Prima said.

So Hilary went in and started cleaning. Suddenly Prima spoke again.

"How was your holiday?"

Hilary was surprised at the question. They've never really spoken to each other before.

"Good, I guess," she answered, startled.

"How lucky. I don't get to go anywhere."

"Really?"

"Only in New York. In other places, I have to have a bodyguard or something. Not that I need one but my father has made me promised that I won't go anywhere far alone. That's the punishment of being born in a rich family. You're the centre of criminals' attention."

Hilary never heard of her speaking of her family before.Prima told her how her father got this habit of having a gun under his pillow because since their great uncle had been murdered while sleeping, he never slept well. She also talked about her childhood when she always had to move from country to country so that she could visit her family members, spread all around the globe.

"And what about your family?" she finally asks, like someone feeling that they had talked too much.

"Well, I've always lived with my mother. My father left us ever since I was a child. I've never knew him but my mother said that I have his eyes."

Prima looked into Hilary's crimson eyes and pondered about what she'd just said. Seeing Prima grew silent, Hilary resumed her cleaning.

"What are you waiting for?"

"Sorry?" Hilary thought she didn't hear clearly.

"Hilary, in case you didn't notice but you've got two choices: Enrique or Tyson. I'm simply wondering when you will choose."

Hilary blushed. This girl gave her the creeps.

"I… I…" Hilary was speechless.

But Prima smiled. A real smile, not a smirking one.

"Hard situation, isn't it?"

"But Enrique's your fiancé, I can never…"

"He's just my fiancé but if he took it seriously he won't be going out with that tennis player."

Tennis player! Hilary was confused.

"I mean, time is rushing. Go out with him before he'll be lost forever," Prima said sternly.

"Wait, wait a minute. You're encouraging me to go out with your fiancé?"

Prima shrugged.

"Why not? He really likes you, though."

"So how come he's going out with that tennis player?'

Prima's smile widened.

"Either to get you to say that or he just doesn't want to admit that for the first time he lost to a girl."


Hilary indeed began to notice that Enrique rarely stayed at home again. She wondered if what Prima hadsaid was true. That Enrique simply wanted to make her jealous. But why? She had no one to talk to since Mariam seemed moody these last days and Salima was absent.

A month later she went to clean Prima's room again and found Enrique there.

"Enrique? What are you doing here?" she asked.

"Oh… Er, nothing," he mumbled looking tired. "Finding cigarettes."

"She smokes?"

"She says she doesn't but she says a lot of things that aren't true. God, where are they?"

Enrique flopped himself on the bed. Hilary noticed that he no longer had the confident smile on his face and he looked like someone who hadn't slept for days.

"Are you okay?"

Hilary approached him timidly.

Instead of answering he howled and tears fell down his sky blue eyes. He flung his arms around Hilary and sobbed on her shoulder.

"She… She left me!" he sobbed. "Th... this is the … first time! I… I do… don't know what… is happening to me! They… they never leave me be…before! Shit! Where… where are th… those cigarettes…?"

Not knowing what to do, Hilary kind of pat Enrique on the back. She never thought she was going to see him in such a state. His beautiful and sexy features were all one. The boy sobbing on her shoulder was only a sensitive, love-needing boy. Hilary almost felt sorry for him.

Finally he calmed down and fell asleep on Prima's bed. He looked just like a baby. Hilary signed. Is this the real image of Enrique Tornatore? When she thought back about what Prima had said, Hilary believed that it wouldn't really satisfy her to be one of Enrique's girls for a limited time. If she'd choose him, it would be for a life time…


"Hilary!"

"You called Prima?"

"Are you free tomorrow?" the girl asked.

Hilary was surprise by the question. Prima was the one who decided her freedom.

"If you say that I'm free then I'm free."

"Good, 'because I need you tomorrow."

"What? What do you want me to do?"

"I want you to come and assist me at the Kendo competition. Tyson can come too, so he'll get the idea what real Kendo is about. Not that I critic his grandfather's teachings, of course."

Since Prima wanted it so, all was done as she said. After all she was one of the masters. Hiro drove them to a stadium where the competition took place.

"Why all this sudden change, Prima?" Tyson asked, scratching his head.

"What do you mean?"

"You're all friendly all of a sudden!"

She smiled mysteriously.

"It's really not me acting nicely but Primsuda, my good side."

"Oh."

The rest of the journey was spent in silent. When they arrived at the stadium, Hilary and Tyson separated from Prima who was ushered to a cloakroom for the competitors. Hilary and Tyson had their tickets paid by Prima so they went directly up to their seats. The place was already crowded. A ring stood in the centre of the stadium where a spotlight shone on a man in tuxedo, probably the referee.
"Welcome ladies and gentlemen," he said in the microphone. "Boys and girls. We're all reunited here once more for the 34th Kendo Local Championships!"

The crowd roared. Hilary noticed people holding up slogans cheering contestants. It's probably an important contest. Hilary realized that it was the first time that she was going to see Prima fight. She wondered how good she'd be.

"Let's get ready to Kendo!" the ref yelled.

The crowd cheered again when two people entered the ring on the opposite side. They both wore a Kendo gown and a mask so it was impossible to identify them. Yet the fans seemed to know which was which. Hilary's heart raced as she saw how good they were. The sound of wood against wood created a rhythm with the competitors' footsteps, swift and powerful. Tyson beside her too, was bewildered. God, it would take me years of training with Grandpa before I'll attain their level!

Many competitors passed but there was one who remained solid. He must be the old champion or something. Hilary still couldn't recognize Prima among the competitors but if she lost, she'd probably come to see them. Suddenly the champion was beaten by a new competitor. There were groans of disappointment from the majority but a new hope sprang in some eyes.

At last there were only two adversaries left in the ring. Tyson was at his 5th bag of popcorns by then.

"I think we'll have a good one down here," he said munching popcorns.


Prima came at the final round. She felt rather proud of herself despite the fact that this competition was just a local one. She eyed her adversary cautiously, measuring how she'd come down with him. The reason that she came to the competition at all was to release the stone weight in her heart. She didn't know where they came from but fighting helped her lighten it.

"3...2...1… Fight!"

As the crowd roared, Prima ran towards her adversary, her sword high above her head. To her surprise, he dodged it handsomely and positioned himself behind her, ready to strike at his turn. Prima was startled but she couldn't see whether her adversary was smiling with scorn or not. The fight seemed to last for hours. Panting, Prima tried to touch her contestant but he leapt away. Then he jumped in the air, his sword raised high. Before she knew it, she was on the ground, her sword at two feet from her. With her free hand, she ripped off her mask, releasing herself from hotness she was suffering from. Her adversary, who had his sword pointed at her chest, took of his mask too. She almost gasped in surprise.

"And the new champion is… Dranzer!"

He took the sword away from her and went to receive the cup and prize money. Prima got up, dusting herself. She couldn't believe what had just happened. She fought against Kai Hiwatari, the bearer of her secret! Without further ado, she left the ring and went to change. Her limps were trembling. With anger and fear. What if he declared to the whole assembly that he knew her! That she deserved to lose because inside she was as weak as a turtle without shell! She went to the toilet to wash her face but she saw Drazer aka Kai walking towards his cloakroom. An unknown desire urged her to follow him. She stuck her ear on the cloakroom's door.

"… Yes, Sir I'm coming…"

"… 3 thousands dollars, Sir…"

"… Tornatore? Yes, sir…"

Kai seemed to be talking to someone on a cell phone. Prima bet a million dollar that it was Balkov. Suddenly the door opened.

Prima gasped as Kai stared down at her with his burning eyes. He had taken off his kimono and now was in a simple vest, showing his muscles.

"You! You haven't been talking about me, have you?" Prima burst.

Kai just fixed her curiously.

"Do I know you?"

Prima was crestfallen.

"You… you don't remember?"

He continued to stare at her in silence.

She could no longer stand his gaze and turned away rapidly.

"Prima!"

She turned.

Hilary and Tyson were calling her from the other side of the corridor where the cloakrooms were. She was glad that she had an excuse to get away from Kai.

"What is it?" she asked.

Hilary mutely handed her a cell phone.

"Prima, I have a mission for you," Giovanni's voice passed through the line. "Go and investigate the island owned by Wind Dragon, one of Lee Chow's societies."