Chapter 27

*Across town*

(Marcus's POV)

The crisp night air jolted my senses and I wrapped my jacket closer to my body. It wasn't very cold out but the withdrawals were taking their toll on me. How long had it been since I last had a drink? I couldn't do it at home because Sophia was getting suspicious and travelling around the city was getting dangerous with the convicts lurking around every corner. The only reason I was out here was that blasted letter. The stupid envelope was sitting on my bed. A date, time and address were printed in black ink and the only thing stopping me from burning it in the fireplace was the Hanayama crest at the bottom of the page. I knew If I ignored this next time would be more than a letter.

Following the map on my phone I wandered further into downtown, taking in the bright lights and neon signs flashing around the darkness. Students of various ages were out with books, talking about the latest trends in fashion and upcoming finals. I'd heard a few people talking about Sophia's club and if they were going to study there. I knew Sophia was doing something with the club for school but I couldn't remember all the details.

"This is none of your business old-man."

I'd paused, looking at the street signs as I failed to follow my map for the fourth time this evening and take in the older gentleman and the student in the alley. The man was about my age, a simple suit and comfortable shoes. Unlike me, he wasn't yelling or cowering in front of this troubled youth.

"That doesn't mean I can't do something productive for your life now does it?

The youth seemed close to frustrated tears "Damn you are annoying, leave me alone all man."

AS the youth went to leave the man changes his tactic "You're breaking their hearts."

"What?" that sure got his attention "Who are you talking about?"

"The people who love you. The people you love. Everybody you hold dear, you're letting them down."

"Nobody cares about me."

"So nobody cares huh. That's because you're not ready." I turn away, feeling his words cut me deeply. "From now on you will change. You'll be a better and more loveable person." this man was everything I wanted to be but couldn't. "Once you wake up, people that can love you will come."

His words made the letter in my hands burn, the weight all but dragging me to the floor. I was an adult and my teenage daughter and her boyfriend were parenting me.

I follow the man, a teacher I soon learn and watch him. Everyone seemed to gravitate towards him. Students stepped out of stores to talk to him. Delinquents promised to return home soon and actually left towards the train stations. Even two police officers stop him. "Ahh, sir. Thanks for your assistance."

I glance at the address on my map once more and cross the street. As luck would have it the teacher enters the bar as well. I pause by the door, seeing Kaoru sitting at the bar drinking.

The server smiles "Welcome sir's. Would you both care for a hot towel?"

He only stares disappointedly as I take a towel.

"We live in a world that's quite big."

"Sir?"

"I expected to see a lot of youngsters fooling around tonight, but I never expected to see one like this."

Kizaki stands from his chair. The man almost seemed happy about the challenge.

"And who might you be? You don't look like a detective."

"Who I am is not important. I am just a school teacher that shows kids the right path. And all I can tell you is that boy over there is underage. Drinking, smoking, wearing an adult suit. And he seems to be quite familiar with all the adult pastimes. He certainly appears to be quite the adults but that's not actually the case, is it?" Kaoru lifts the cigarette to his lips "his body and gestures say it all. You can see it on his face and hands. It's hard to tell because of the roughness of his scars but his skin doesn't lie either. I'm willing to bet you're still a teenager, aren't you?!"

"Willing to bet you say? Isn't it a bit inappropriate to make a wager on a minor don't you think?"

"Come now. Stand up. We'll go to the police station for assistance."

Honestly, did this teacher have no idea who he was talking too? Hanayama at a police station? They owned everything in Japan. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if he owned this bar as well.

Kizaki clearly sharing my thoughts burst out laughing "You're going to take the boss to a police station for assistance."

"I'm not joking at all. If you try to interfere, he will be charged with the corruption of minors."

"Go ahead and charge me, old man." He threatens.

I stop, crushing the letter in my hand and wait for Kaoru's men to shed blood. Sophia was constantly defending Kaoru's honor but everything I'd seen in the last two minutes only confirmed my suspicions.

"Kizaki." Kaoru finally speaks, a deep powerful voice "Let it go." Kizaki pauses, glancing back at him "Everything he said since he entered this joint. He's absolutely right. However, I have a family to look after. So I kindly ask that you also let this issue pass too."

"Huh? A family?" He stutters "you can't... You mean... You're... Involved with the mafia circles!?" Kaoru simply drinks "unbelievable... This goes against many established national loss! Child welfare laws, juvenile laws not to mention a whole string of others... you! And you! You're all guilty of corrupting a minor!"

I watch the teacher struggle, trying to comprehend the situation as I had before. I stand, moving closer to the door and go to clear my throat when the door bursts open. Three men in ski masks charge in, weapons swinging to strike the teacher. The only thing more shocking than the attack itself was the way all three men abruptly stop, frozen in spot.

"Oh shit!"

"Hanayama's here!"

Kaoru simply glanced at them and their weapons hit the floor.

"Take off those masks..." the masks drop like flies

"We're... We are sorry... I'm Tateoka... I just... I just do... A little business around here..."

I couldn't decide if it was terrifying or hilarious the way the three men broke, cowering like children under his gaze.

"What kind of business?"

"I employ part times for girls... Bitches make a lot of money from old men and other kids..."

This time its Kaoru that stands, sending three swift smacks to each head and the three crumble like a deck of cards.

"I don't allow prostitution of any kind in my territories."

Kizaki chuckles like an amused parent "Boss... You went too hard... They didn't hear your message."

"Hey, Mr. teacher are you alright?"

My eyes fall on the visibly shaken teacher "You saved me..."

"If these guys were serious about hurting you, that means that you're showing the right path is having a serious effect. Now go home, this area is dangerous at night"

I watch the teacher move, stumbling out the door and Kaoru sits, grabbing his whiskey "Mr. Jones. Welcome." His eyes flicker over to me "please, sit." I swallow, stepping over the three unconscious men and sit on the barstool "you want a drink, or maybe a bottle... that seems more your speed lately."

I roll my eyes and grip the paper tightly "You don't get to judge me. You don't know my life."

"Actually, I do." He reaches into his jacket, pulling out a thick folder and slides it over to me "You're a very interesting man Mr. Jones."

My heart stops when I flip open the book and take in a picture of me drinking at the bar, my birth certificate, wedding certificate and my divorce papers. I glance to the right 'Subject was born march 23, 1970.' I scan down the page-flipping in about ten of the thirty pages "subject works as head manager of international industries.' I flip closer to the last page 'Subject was fired for drinking at work.' And see multiple over-due bank statements for the house.

"I've worked with a fair share of secretive people but I must admit, not many come close to you, Mr. Jones. Over half your life has disappeared and even someone with my connections its difficult finding all of it." I watch him slide over more documents, many of the words hidden under thick black permanent marker and bank statements showing massive amounts of money owed and paid in cash "I like to believe that people can have lucky breaks but we both know this isn't the case."

I feel my heart speed up "What do you want?"

"Actually I'm here to figure out what you want." He takes a sip "Do you want to burn your whole life to the ground or repair your relationship with your daughter."

"I'm not even going to dignify that with a response." When I stand his voice stops me

"Two choices. Be a drunk or a father.
One or the other. Because you can't have both. I won't allow you to have both.
Choose Sophia and I'll protect you; I'll pay off your debts and keep your secrets.
Decline my offer and I'm sorry but I will have to use my significate resources to tear you down brick by brick. Because the only way to drop you from Sophia's life and not have it completely destroy her is to make sure it's not just Sophia chasing you out of town but every person in her life.

So you need to make a choice, be a father for the rest of your life or lose everything in the next month.
Because that's how long it will take for her to drop you when I drag all your demons into the light."

I chuckle, placing a hand on the bar "You know, I'd often wondered how a person so young could keep control over so much, but now I see why... You're worse than all the criminals out there."

"She loves you Mr. Jones but she's not a toy. If you want to be in her life than do it, if not, let her go. I will not sit by and watch you destroy the woman I care about."

"What the hell am I supposed to do?"

"Choose. If you choose Sophia I will buy your house, you will use the money to buy your own apartment and clean up your act. When you're sober, you can come to talk to your daughter." He stands, slides me a card "You have twenty-four hours Mr. Jones, choose wisely."

Read and Review, peace.