Chapter 11: Secrets and Surprises
Jade was far to engrossed with her new book to notice a certain green-haired woman approach her.
"Damn it!" she spat slamming her hands on the desk.
Jade shifted her gaze from the book to the angry face of Ai. The woman seemed genuinely disturbed. This was one of those few moments she'd seen her sister lose all her poise, and usually that meant something was wrong.
"Your information was insufficient!" Ai hissed.
Jade smiled knowingly and returned her attention to the book. "I take it you screwed up, dearest sister."
"It's just a minor setback."
"Then tell me, how will you get him to cooperate then?"
Ai frowned. the original plan was to use the girl as hostage. But since that one failed miserably... She shot her sister a penetrating glance. "Hey, help me will you! I'm at the end of my wits here."
The wizard closed the book shut and brought her two hands together. Jade closed her eyes and remained silent for awhile. She rested her chin on her palm and finally spoke "In the first place it's your problem. Secondly, If you don't fulfill father's wishes he'll surely disown you." a smug look now occupied Jade's face "Meaning when the time comes ill be the sole heir to everything father will leave behind."
Ai sighed in exasperation, she knew all to well what would make her older sister cooperate. "How much?"
Jade's eyes lit up. "I believe a million will suffice."
"A million!" Ai was scandalized, that was half her current assets. "Are you mad!"
Jade's eyes glinted mischievously in the dim lighting of her office. She opened her drawer and rummaged through the papers and potions. "I would normally charge you double. But since you'll be doing most of the work."
"What work?" she leaned in, desperate for help.
"You need a kiss from the boy right?"
"Yes."
"But the conditions require him to do it, not you."
Jade took a purple bottle and placed it on the desk. "This is your salvation."
Ai's brow shot into the air.
"If you don't believe me, fine! Ill leave you to your own devices." she took the bottle and was about to put it back in her drawer when Ai snatched it from her hands.
"Alright…" she agreed albeit reluctantly.
Jade found it difficult to suppress a laugh, her sister was all to predictable. "Now listen to my plan."
"I'm all ears."
Lei's eyelids fluttered, he shielded his eyes from the light. He felt like he had run from Proneta to Geffen and back non-stop. Every muscle was aching and every breath was a chore. His eyes were still having difficulty adjusting to the light when soft slender hands took his and held them tight.
"I'm glad you're awake." The familiar voice said.
He squinted and made out the form of a brown-haired girl with amethyst eyes. "Yukino?" he asked with uncertainty.
"Yes." The girl said in relief.
His vision returned and he was surprised to see Azami sitting beside him. "Familiar scene isn't it?" she said dryly. Lei forced himself upright but Yukino pinned him down on the bed. "You're not leaving this room till tomorrow." she scolded him.
Azami placed a hand on his forehead and frowned. "You still have a very high fever." she said calmly.
"What time is it?" he asked.
"Eight Thirty." came Azami's answer.
"Azami I have to go!" Yukino suddenly exclaimed.
Yukino patted Lei's head. "Lei ill be back in the morning."
Azami nodded. "Alright, ill take care of him for you."
"I'm sure you will." she said before leaving in a hurry.
Azami went to the table and returned with a steaming bowl of mushroom soup. She sat on the bed beside Lei. "You need to eat." Lei opened his mouth looking dumbstruck. He swallowed a spoonful and smiled. "How was it?" Azami asked apprehensively.
"More please." Lei said cheerfully. Azami smiled and spoon-fed him until the bowl's contents were emptied.
After that she sat on a chair adjacent to the bed.
"Thanks." Lei said gratefully. "Uh… No problem." was Azami's reply.
The next hour or so Azami just sat there. She remained in a perfect posture, never slouching and quiet. "Azami… Aren't you going to go back to ou—I mean your room?" he asked, not out of curiosity, but because he wanted to break the silence.
"No." was her stiff reply. Lei sighed.
Azami excused herself from the room and returned with a sponge and a bowl of steaming water with grounded leaves in it. She sat on the bed beside Lei. She dipped the sponge in the bowl, then after squeezing it she rubbed it on his forehead. "That was reckless." she said in an undertone.
Lei blinked "What was reckless?" Azami stopped what she was doing. "What you did." Lei stared at Azami with a vacant look in his eyes.
"How did you fight as Yukino described?"
Azami couldn't help but just notice, Lei was… well built. He was toned… she shook her head. What was she thinking!
"Something my grandfather taught me."
"and… who was the girl?" Azami asked.
"Someone I thought I knew."
"A ghost of the past?"
"Something like that. I was supposed to marry her." he said bitterly. Azami blinked at that statement and unconsciously bent closer "marriage?" she asked.
"Kunlun's not too different from Payon or Amatsu. Pre-arranged marriages and all, I'm supposed to marry that girl for the good of my father's… clan." He explained.
"I understand." she rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "But what I find odd is how serious the woman was." Azami undid the ropes fastening Lei's robes.
He bolted backwards "What are you doing!" waving a finger in Azami's face.
"What does it look like?" she said in a matter-of-factly way.
She crawled on top of him and began to undo the rest of his robes buttons. "A-Azami!" he squealed.
"I have to get your clothes off so quit struggling." she said in a husky voice.
"B-But!"
She placed a finger on his trembling lips.
"No one's around. So let me do this…"