Mr. Bekku had just finished tying my golden obi when a maid announced that Mameha and the other geisha had arrived. I thanked her and asked that she bring me my jewelry case from the other room.
Just as I was reaching for the red star comb, Nobu walked into the room.
"The guests have started to arrive. The maids are serving tea."
"I am sorry, but the obi just got here in time for Mr. Bekku to dress me."
"It looks very beautiful on you. I'm sure the rest of your geisha friends will be in titters about the design and price," Nobu remarked dryly.
"No doubt they will inquire into the generosity of my Danna."I told him, smiling as I put the comb in my hair.
Nobu watched me and then stepped forward.
"I have this for you." He held out to me a box. It was a jewelers box.
"Nobu-san is too generous!" I exclaimed.
"Are you going to take it or not? I can't stand here all day."
"Of course, Nobu-san. I am honored to receive gifts from you." I gave a quick bow while Nobu grimaced and thrust the box into my hands.
I opened the case. Inside was an opulent ruby ring. On closer inspection, it appeared to be in the shape of a peach. The gem must have been a rare one because it hovered between shades of red and orange.
"How beautiful!"
"I hope it fits," Nobu remarked. "Here," he said, sliding it on my finger.
I watched him with wide eyes. I was beyond pleased. It reminded me of the day he had given me the peach Pitt ruby outside the dances of the Old Capitol. I had been unhappy to have been forced to give the ruby to Mother. Luckily, Mameha had been right when she said it was only the beginning of many gifts.
"Are you ready?" Nobu asked. Looking at my ring, I nodded.
I followed him downstairs where our guests were gathered. I saw Mameha talking to the Chairman. I went over and greeted them.
"Chairman, it has been a long time since I have seen you. I hope you are well." I gave a short bow.
"Sayuri, the country air seems to agree with you. You are stunning tonight."
"It is a lovely Kimono, Sayuri," Mameha commented eying my obi and Kimono hem.
"A gift," I said.
"From a most generous Danna," she guessed. I nodded demurely.
"Nobu-san has excellent taste," Mameha said smugly.
"Please Chairman, would you have a drink?" I asked.
"A beer, if you will," he said. I waved down one of the maids that was serving drinks.
As I handed the Chairman his drink, Mameha asked,
"What manner of business is being discussed tonight, Chairman? I am most curious as to why Nobu-san has gone through the trouble of hosting his own party in his own house." The Chairman's eyes flicked over to where Nobu was talking with a man I did not know.
"A new finance in our company. A man named Yoshio Tanaka."
"Tanaka?" I asked, recalling the seemingly kind man that had taken my sister and myself away from Yoroido.
"Yes, that is his family name."
"Is he an older man?"
"No, he is quite young for one so successful. He has a powerful family backing him, but yet he shows surprising business guile naturally."
"Chairman, you sound worried," Mameha said.
"A bit," the Chairman said, with a thin smile. "Nobu and I are doing our best to convince him it would be better to become partners with Iwamura Electric rather than be a new competitor."
I looked over at Nobu-san, who appeared to be struggling to be cordial to Tanaka. Suddenly I understood his anxiety and aggression the past few days.
"Sayuri, did you see that Pumpkin is here?" Mameha said in a perfectly normal tone. I looked around the room, and indeed I could see Pumpkin talking to a group of men in the corner. In her hand she clutched a glass of sake.
Inwardly I winced.
"Excuse me, Sayuri, Mameha, but I must go over to Nobu-san. He looks like he might need my help."
"Of course, Chairman," I murmured. Mameha bowed.
"It is a truly beautiful Kimono,Sayuri," Mameha said when the Chairman had left.
"It is. I am so honored that Nobu gave it to me."
"The ring is lovely as well," Mameha said. "May I?"
I gave her my hand.
"Very pretty," she said. "I told you some time ago that it would be the first of many."
"I remember. As usual you are always right."
"I see that Pumpkin is here. I wonder if she is less dangerous by herself without Hatsumomo, or rather that is the trick of it all. To catch us unawares at a most important event."
"Pumpkin has been fully trained by her older sister," I said under my breath.
Mameha nodded.
"I fear you are right. No matter. We have no choice but to do our best."
"Our best..." I echoed, looking at Nobu-san.
…...
As dinner was being served, I found myself seated next to Nobu's hopeful financial backer, Yoshio Tanaka. Like the Chairman said, he was a young man, and yet there was a hardened, older look to his face, especially his eyes.
Because I was seated next to him, I was expected to serve him and to coversate with him. I am not sure that this is what Nobu-san had in mind, but things had become jostled in the dinning room when Pumpkin claimed a spot next to Nobu. Mameha gave me a short worried look before taking her place next to the Chairman.
I turned towards Tanaka and gave him a bright smile.
"Would you like some tea or perhaps a beer?"
Tanaka glanced at me and then settled back. His eyes stayed with me, touching on my face, my eyes and the ring on my finger. His eyes were impassive and cold but I suddenly felt unclothed.
"Sake."
I reached for the bottle and poured him some. A maid came around to our side of the table and served Tanaka a portion of grilled salmon on a bed of lettuce and pine nuts. He ate in silence for a few minuets and then he set down his chopsticks and turned towards me.
"So you are the famous grey eyed geisha of Gion. Tales have reached me in Tokyo of your beauty."
"Tales, I'm sure, which were greatly exaggerated. There are many beautiful blossoms in Gion. I am only one of them." Tanaka nodded coolly.
"You are not conceited I see, but you do not deny the compliment."
"As a geisha, people see what they want to see of me. It just happens that some find me pretty. There are others I am sure, who do not."
"I will not take away from your torrents of compliments by saying you are not beautiful. You are. I do not think you are the most beautiful woman I have ever met, but there is something about you that catches the eye." He glanced at my face again. I felt hot behind my white make-up. I glanced to where Nobu was sitting. Pumpkin was leaning over him pouring him sake.
"And yet your Danna is an ugly one armed man."
"Many find him a brilliant businessman." Tanaka shrugged.
"He must have been to secure a geisha of your standing." I stared at him dumbfounded.
Inwardly, my heart raced. I had never been in a situation like this. I was not sure of the appropriate answer. I could not display any anger or rudeness, and yet, I could not carry on in this vein.
"How do you enjoy the weather?"
Tanaka brushed aside my feeble attempt to change the subject.
"Tell me how much does a geisha of your standing cost? I see from the ring on your finger and the beautiful new Kimono you are wearing, your Danna has not scrimped anywhere."
"Nobu Toshikazu is a most generous Danna," I answered carefully.
"Is that all it takes, then, generosity?" Tanaka asked, his lips curling into a smile.
"My Danna is an honorable man,"I said.
"We have talked business all night, Nobu and I. We have yet to come to an understanding. He seems hardheaded in all aspects." Tanaka reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a card.
"If you wish to know, Sayuri, I too can be generous, but I leave honor at the door where it belongs." He put the card in front of me.
When I did not touch it, he frowned and then stood up.
"Forgive me Chairman, Nobu, but I must go to catch an early train back to Tokyo."
"I am sorry that you will miss the rest of the evening," the Chairman said. Nobu said nothing. Beside him, Pumpkin smirked.
"It was enjoyable," Tanaka said with a swift bow. Not looking at anyone in particular, he motioned me to follow him to the door. Instead of the maid, I was going to help him with his shoes and give him his coat. Nobu's nostrils widened in anger.
Thankfully, just then, Mameha got up to perform a dance. Another geisha, whose name I did not know began to tune her shamisan.
I got up and followed Tanaka. The maid opened the door for us and then closed it. The noise of the party was dulled in the quiet hallway.
Wordlessly, I followed him to the foyer. When I knelt to slip on his shoes, Tanaka put his hands on my shoulders and pushed me to the ground. Because I was kneeling on the ground, balanced precariously on the balls of my feet, I stumbled and fell almost onto my back.
Pushing his lips on mine, Tanaka attempted to kiss me. Disgusted, I pushed him back him. He persisted. I bit his tongue. He gave a grunt and let go. The slap that followed was unexpected. It was not powerful given the angle that came from it, but it jarred me just the same.
I scrambled to my feet and left him on the floor. The maids would let him out. I walked quickly into the dark hallway and dipped into a corner and waited until I heard the front door close shut. I waited a few more seconds until I was sure that the maid was gone as well.
When all was quiet, I let out a deep breath. I needed to find a mirror. I needed to make sure my make-up was untouched. If Nobu saw anything was amiss, he would suspect the worst. I did not want to be humiliated so publicly. I could only imagine the lies that Pumpkin was feeding him.
A tear began to slide down my cheek.
