Note: Thank you for the reviews!
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Chapter 5
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They were reaching the top of the ferris wheel and Pakura's eyes shone in delight.
"Oh, look at the view—look at the view, Sasuke-kun!" She leaned against the glass wall of the cabin, holding a giant stuffed elephant which Sasuke won in a shooting game earlier.
The buildings and parks were below them as they continued to ascend to the topmost part slowly. Sasuke looked out the glass and simply nodded.
It was a bright, sunny day and the amusement park was swarming with visitors below the ride. Pakura was on her day off and he made a promise to take her on a date that day.
"It's nice, isn't it?" She smiled. She looked away from the window and gave him another light kiss on the lips for like the twentieth time that day.
She was wearing a thin, sapphire sweater over a pink skirt, her hair pulled up in its usual ponytail.
It won't be long and they'd be descending the cabin and show him around to a couple of her friends again like some prized toy. She likes parading him around as if bragging to them of how gorgeous the guy she was seeing.
Honestly, they both knew it was an escort service. Yet somehow, Sasuke couldn't help but think she was hoping to get something more out of it. Not sex, but more of the serious type. More like along the lines of relationship.
One of the things Sasuke dislikes the most in his job is being paraded around or introduced to a lot of people. Especially if they're introducing him as their boyfriend. He doesn't mind meeting people but it can be quite risky. You'd never know if the next person they would introduce is someone who knows him as an escort. That could mess things up, not just for him but to the person he's servicing to.
Pakura was two years younger than him and they do act like young lovers—holding hands, kissing, going to movies if she wants to. He hasn't been totally intimate with her, though. She was the type that likes to be on usual dates and wouldn't go directly to a motel in your first night out. He was a little cautious with her.
He met her a few months ago. She came to Gam's one night by herself, crying quietly and trying to get herself drunk, thinking the establishment was just a typical bar to get wasted. Sasuke noticed her at the corner as she wiped tears from the creases of her eyes. He gave her a coffee instead of alcohol after seeing a few empty bottles on the table. He was just checking if she was sober enough—trying to avoid customers passing out in the shop. Based on his past experiences, too drunk customers can be a pain in the ass.
It turned out she had a fight with her boyfriend and didn't want to go home yet. Sasuke listened to her rants and stories without a word—her talking was unstoppable after she fired away nevertheless. It did make her feel good afterwards. She looked pretty interested in him after regaining some senses and consuming a cup of caffeine and water. There was a moment when she looked taken aback and merely stared at his face for a whole minute, asking him how long he had been working there and why was he so ridiculously eye-catching for a bar staff.
She eventually found out about the low-key escorting service they do and after that night, she's been fascinated with him ever since. It was like a way to feel good: seeing him on some days, being with him. He was like a hidden entertainment that can be addicting. Something that takes your mind off things. She would contact him regularly, forgetting about her other or past relationships.
"I'm guessing you've never been here before, haven't you?" She said to Sasuke as he put an arm around her and she leaned her head against him, turning back to the view.
"I didn't have the time even if I wanted to." Sasuke said.
It was true. Most of his dates would want to take him to more secluded places. He had been thinking of riding the screaming rides years ago but time just didn't seem to permit it.
"Well, I've been here several times and this is the ride I like the most." Pakura said, her head still resting on his shoulder. "I'm glad you came with me today. I've been thinking about you these past days."
Sasuke didn't say anything. It wasn't the first time he had heard those words.
Pakura sighed and stared out the window wordlessly. She's been thinking about this scene for weeks now. Her with him in a casual lovely afternoon. Just with him all day. She was falling hard with this boy. He makes her forget about everything.
There was a sudden sound from her phone and she pulled it out of her pocket. Sasuke watched her look at the message before she dismissed it and placed it back in. It had been ringing the whole day but she didn't pick it up even once.
Sasuke had no idea if she had broken up with her boyfriend or not. Nor does he know his name or if she's seeing someone else. He never asks his dates about those things. It wasn't his business nor does he care. As long as they're happy and he's happy, that's all there is. It wasn't like he's planning to marry anyone.
She entangled her delicate fingers around his. "Let's go to the boat ride next."
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The night has fallen and Hidan rode in his luxury car after his last business meeting for the day. He sat alone at the back as his chauffeur stirred the car to the main road. The city lights and dazzling billboards glittered against the polished car windows.
He loosened the burgundy neck tie around his neck, his face placid.
The car stopped before a red traffic light as he saw a giant screen on a building across the street. It was showing the nightly news and there was a young, good looking man being interviewed. It was one of the rookie entrepreneurs sprouting in the country. They were gaining more attention these past several weeks.
Hidan looked at it with distaste.
He never liked those young bloods getting more and more attention. They didn't have any good effects for guys like him. Which is why he always has to keep himself interesting or loved by the public. He's been an eligible bachelor for years but he knew he has to settle down sooner or later. His business partner Chouji was clearly making the right move. He's loved by everybody and the news of him getting married made some headlines. He had found a good match that the public seems to approve—or so that's what that douchebag thought.
Hidan couldn't help but smirk to himself.
He took out his flat mobile phone from his suit's pocket and dialed a number.
"Moshi moshi." Kabuto's voice sounded from the other line. "Yes, Hidan-san?"
"Any news about that bastard Ino's with?" Hidan said stiffly.
Kabuto paused. "Unfortunately, there're no records of him in the city. No files in the local school or companies. He must be from somewhere else."
"Well, go and broaden you search. Everyone is bound to leave marks." Hidan commanded.
"Hai, Hidan-san. I'm currently searching in other places." Kabuto answered.
"Do it fast." Hidan hung up and tossed the phone next to him.
All this playing-hard-to-get game with Ino was getting strenuous. Decent women are getting hard to come by and that cocky prick was making things more difficult. He needs to get Ino back and build a nice, appealing image with him. He's not too worried about Kin walking away. Oh, that girl won't be able to resist him and she's going to be his undisclosed mistress. He's filthy rich and he can do whatever he wishes. Besides, she likes getting screwed by him too much.
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It was 10:15 AM and the café just opened when Ino walked in wearing her ordinary blouse and jeans. A small pot of lavenders on her arms.
The room was still empty of guests and she saw Naruto first, who was mopping the floor near the entrance door. His white blouse was untucked at the back and he was yawning when she came in.
"Ohayou!" She greeted him.
His face immediately lit up. "Ohayou, Ino-chan! You're early today."
"Oh, just dropping by to see the pretty boys." She hummed.
Sasuke was wiping the tables and raised an eyebrow after seeing her. His sleeves were rolled up.
"Hello, handsome man." Ino said in an almost exaggerated purr, setting down the small pot she was carrying on the counter.
"You've gone delusional." Sasuke said with no sign of eagerness nor energy.
"Glad to see you here again, Ino-chan!" Naruto approached her, the mop still on his hold. "I thought you didn't enjoy your first stay and you weren't coming back."
"Why not? You gave me a free drink."
"It's for first timers. You won't be getting it again, sweetheart." Sasuke recited.
"Is it so wrong to swing by in the morning? I was just going to give ya this." Ino patted the little pot of lavenders.
"A plant?" Naruto peered at it.
"You could've just brought a fancy food." Sasuke said, trying not to snort out.
"Well, aren't you picky. This is all I got for now and besides, this place can do some fresh flowers for a change. It looks so… concrete." Ino was looking from floor to ceiling.
"I like it." Naruto grinned, moving his nose to the tiny flowers. "So fresh and earthyyy."
Sasuke stood beside him and gawked at it. "What d'you want?"
"Ohh so sassy." Ino sneered in a pleasurable way.
Naruto started laughing.
"Don't tell me you're infatuated too." Sasuke said flatly.
Ino tried to ignore his narcissism. She could smell baked bread from the kitchen and saw Shino moving past them, carrying a hot tray of buns.
"You don't need to worry about that, hon. I actually came here to say thanks for the help before. I do appreciate it even if I paid you." She said bluntly.
Sasuke was lacking sleep too much to even care to comprehend.
She was about to leave but turned half way to the door.
"Also, why don't you come to the shop and pick me up from time to time? You know, pretend you're going to walk me home. In case Hidan would pop out or check the shop. I bet it's going to look more believable." She said to him with almost a twisted laugh as if picturing it in her head, before turning back and leaving in a brisk pace. "Anyway, see you fellas!"
She trotted away. Her long and tied blonde hair swinging behind her. Sasuke and Naruto were still looking at the door after it closed.
"Oh, I like her. No one has ever given us a potted plant before." Naruto said in a child-like, friendly tone, putting his hands around it and turning it to examine the purplish flakes.
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Ino pulled up the bonnet of the delivery van and clouds of smoke whipped out in the air from the engine. She stood back and coughed and tried to clear out the air with her hands.
"You've got to be kidding me." She sighed out.
She was done closing the shop for the day and was on her way home when the van suddenly started creating odd noises as the engine died. She had managed to pull it over to the side of the street before completely dying. Judging by the look of the engine and from the burnt smell it was emanating, it looked hopeless.
"Jesus, what am I supposed to do with you." She muttered as she took her phone and began calling the tow service.
She was connected straight away and was informed to wait until the tow truck arrives.
Ino could only pray for it to arrive soon because the sky was already dimming. Dark gray clouds were hovering above and rain was threatening to pour down. There weren't any nearby buildings around, only a wide range of parks and trees at the side of the streets. She didn't bring any umbrellas with her either.
Fifteen minutes later, there was still no sign of a tow truck. Ino sat on the sidewalk a couple of meters away from the van. She didn't want to sit inside the vehicle, afraid it might suddenly combust. Who knows what's going on inside that old ball of metal.
Thunders had started rumbling above within the dark clouds and it was getting dark. She needed to keep calm and wait. She was counting the number of white vans passing by when she unexpectedly heard footsteps from behind.
"You dumbass. I thought you wanted me to pick you up."
She turned around and found Sasuke approaching and standing above her from where she sat. He was wearing a black jacket over a white hoodie and a pair of green sneakers.
"Oi, where did you come from?" Ino asked, sitting and unmoving on the sidewalk.
"I went to your half-painted shop to get you but found it closed already. I saw your assistant and she told me this was your way home." He replied, looking down at her. The pale sky was behind his head from her point of view.
"You came all the way here to look for me?"
"It's not too far from your shop and it's on the way to my place anyway." Sasuke said. He noticed the van on the street. "Well, that's no surprise."
"I already called the tow service. They'll be here any moment."
"They should or else we're both gonna get soaked." Sasuke said, glancing up at the darkening sky.
"I didn't expect you'd really come by to pretend and pick me up. I actually forgot about it. I got too caught up with checking the stocks and schedules." Ino said to him as she stretched her legs together against the pavement and Sasuke exhaled with extra noise. "You don't have to wait for me now. I'll be out of here in no time in any case."
"I know. Look at you. You look so pitiful sitting here alone."
There was another rumble in the sky and droplets of rain began spattering. In seconds, the roads were soaked as the hard rain poured down. Both of them scurried and took shades under one of the trees, yet it didn't make much of a difference since the wind came blowing in and they were eventually drenched.
"Where the hell is that tow truck?" Ino was shouting against the roaring rain, her arms pulled together around her body, her hair whipping ceremoniously against her wet, cold face.
"Forget it! They're going to call you once they get that thing in the goddamn station." Sasuke yelled in the wind. His hood was up to cover his head. He pulled her by her elbow so she could hear him clearer. "Listen, my place is just a couple of blocks here. Let this stupid weather pass and you can change into dry clothes there."
Ino stared at him with a doubtful expression first before responding. That's something you don't hear everyday from a guy with movie star looks. She has known him for quite some time now, but still…
"For fuck's sake, I'm not gonna rape you!" Sasuke snapped at her. "Do you want to freeze here?"
The weather was too cold for her cheeks to go red.
"You can't blame me—I'm a woman too, you know!" She barked at him before he pulled her to the park and they jogged to the following blocks.
More shops and houses came to sight as they hurriedly passed by. There were a few people running to take cover from the rain like them—crossing the alleys and the streets. Ino diligently followed Sasuke without a word. He slowed his movements so she could keep up. She was usually fast at running but the grounds were slippery and her flats weren't much help.
He stopped at the entrance of a small, white, newly built building. He was shuffling his dripping hair wildly with his hand before trudging inside as the doorman in dark red uniform bowed. He gaped at the droplets of water and soddened footsteps Sasuke was leaving behind.
Ino smelled the citrus aroma from the lobby and goggled at the minimalist design. It was a residential building that looked like a new boutique hotel. There was a receptionist manning a desk near the entrance. Two small elevators sat on each side of the wall across the entry. Sasuke pressed the button and stepped in. Ino could hear the squishy noise from her wet shoes on the way to the elevator.
She was holding her arms together and gritting her teeth from the cold. She was too cold to even give a compliment or tease Sasuke about the place. They rode the elevator in silence like the first time they've met. She could see the drops of rain rolling down the back of Sasuke's smooth neck.
They got off at the tenth and last floor. Sasuke strode to the farthest corner, took out a card from his pocket, tried to wipe it on his sleeve first before swiping it on a reader against the wall. He yanked down the door handle and pushed it open. Ino followed suit.
The only way to describe the place was a bachelor's pad. It was a studio type with two doors on one side. Sasuke disappeared from one of the doors, which Ino guessed was his bedroom, and the other was perhaps a cabin-like utility room.
Ino left her soaked shoes near the door.
The apartment didn't have much things and furniture, which makes it look breezy especially because of the big window of the unit, facing the living room, kitchen and dining room in the one large square and giving a humbling view of the smaller shops below. Rain was spattering against the surface. A long black sofa was situated in front of a flat screen television that looked a bit dusty.
Ino had a feeling he must be too busy most days to watch. The pecan brown floors looked clean and the electric stoves didn't look like it's ever been touched before. Sasuke unawarely left the bedroom door slightly open and she could see him pulling his wet shirt off. The fabric touching and moving away from from his smooth, muscled back.
Guys like him should be banned during wet season.
Ino was rubbing her finger against the wooden table in the dining room, trying to see if there were dirt forming, when Sasuke tossed a white towel over her head and handed her folded clothes.
"You can go change in my room." He said to her.
He was topless now and only has a white towel over his shoulders. He was rubbing it against the back of his head with one hand. He wore a blue cargo pants and he walked barefoot to the kitchen counter, looking for something on the counter top.
She didn't expect his bedroom to be neat. Maybe it was because he spends a lot of nights in other people's bedrooms. But everything looked tidy except for the wooden toys on one side of the bed and some were scattered on a desk. They looked like parts of a toy ship—like the ones bigger kids assemble. There was also a poster of a rocket ship in space pasted on the wall and a paper umbrella with sumo wrestlers painted on it hanging on a rack beside a cabinet.
Ino changed quickly into a dry white shirt and black pants with drawstrings which hung loosely on her. They actually smelled good. Ino wondered if she looked sexy in it and with her hair all messy and wet. She fixed her wet clothes and stepped out of the room.
It was only then that she noticed a model of a white wooden, old-fashioned airplane and what looked like a space probe hanging from the ceiling in the living room. She realized there were really a lot of things she didn't know about this boy. One wouldn't think something like this belongs to a guy like him. How can a bar staff own such a place? She runs her own business yet her apartment looks so much crappy than this. She felt her pride being deflated.
"How can you afford this place?" She couldn't help but asking as she joined him in the kitchen.
He was trying to boil hot water in an electric thermos and didn't turn to her when he responded. "I don't own it. I'm just renting it."
"Still, this must cost you a lot." Ino was looking here and there.
"The tips on the job can come hefty—especially if the client enjoys it." He said, his bare back still turned to her. "I can't stay in one place. They do eventually find out where I live and I don't want people bugging me on days off."
"I don't even know how to describe your whole situation." Ino was mainly muttering to herself.
"It's easier to have everything temporary in this kind of job. No permanent address, no real names…" Sasuke said. "Hey, your useless van just went suicidal, right? I was planning to get rid of the car I bought last year. Do you want it?"
"What?"
"The customers from the café seemed to have took note of it when I came to work with it one day and they were able to track me easier after that. I haven't been using it for months."
"No, thanks. I don't want them tracking me instead." Ino replied. It would be of good use to her but her ego was bigger than the building where they were. "You should just sell it."
"Speaking of tracking-By the way, your golden boy looks like the sort to have someone stalk you—you know, keeping tabs on you. Isn't someone following you around?"
Ino had no idea if he was half joking or not.
"No, I don't think so. I don't think he'd go that far. And it's not like I'm some celebrity."
"He's a creepy rich kid." Sasuke paused when he recalled the threatening look Hidan gave him during the last time they met. "So were you two hot and heavy during the old days?"
Ino fell silent.
"He wasn't always like that." She murmured, staring at nothing in particular. "He was polite and rather caring. Always been business minded but he finds time to be with people."
"Then why did you break it off with him?" He asked out of the blue.
She almost forgot he was as frank and barefaced as her.
Ino turned her head away and watched the strong rain hitting the window glass. Sasuke couldn't see her face from that angle. Somehow she couldn't get herself to talk about it. She could abruptly feel the sting lethargically creeping up.
"It's…" She began to say but wasn't able to to finish at all.
Sasuke didn't press further.
There were minutes of silence as Sasuke rummaged in one of the kitchen cabinet and Ino sat on the carpet in the living room between the sofa and the small center table. She saw a pile of hardbound books under it and took one. It was a science book about space and distances.
"I didn't know you were into these things." She said.
The scent of lemon tea filled the room as Sasuke handed her a mug. He had put on a white shirt and went to the fridge, grabbed a can of soda and popped it open. He drank it straight. He saw her watching him and stopped.
"What?" He asked.
"I'm just curious." Ino spoke. "Have you always wanted to be like this?"
His eyebrows coiled.
"I mean, you look smart and you seemed to be doing well on your own. Are you content like this?" She inquired, glancing around them.
Sasuke was the one who turned soundless for a moment, holding the can.
"I didn't plan this. It's just something I was thrown in." He replied.
"Are you going to do it til the day you die?"
"'Course not." Sasuke said, Jiraiya's face suddenly flashing in his mind. He tried not to have goose bumps. "That's gonna get gross."
Ino chuckled. "Do you have other dreams when you were a child?"
"Dreams are overrated." Sasuke spoke, leaning back against the fridge. He pondered for a moment before speaking. "See that?" He pointed at the wooden crafts hanging from the ceiling above her.
"You made them?"
Sasuke nodded. "Ever since I was five, I wanted to see the world. I grew up in a small town and I've always wondered what's outside. I did leave and found this city. There's just so many things you can do. Now that I've been living here for years, it still feels like there're other things that I could do. Do you know that feeling?"
Ino was exactly the opposite. She's been living there since she was born yet she understands what he meant. "You want to do something else?"
"Yeah."
"Like what?"
"Well…" Sasuke, for the first time since she met him, appeared hesitant. "I've always been interested in space and how they assemble the crafts. Them being deployed and going to corners of the universe where people don't get to see… It's—I don't know—just seemed awesome..."
Ino listened to him as she sipped from the mug and sat on the carpet.
"I'm good at building and creating things, you know. Something I've always been good at." He said in a soft voice, as if a bit embarrassed rather than bragging.
She hasn't seen this side of him before. He was a perplex man, Ino realized. There was something underneath those edgy appearance.
"So why don't you go and learn it?"
Sasuke just angled his head and smirked as if the whole idea was absurd. "Formal education has long been gone for me, sugar."
"I don't think so." Ino spoke in a steady tone. "You've got a lot of potential if you ask me."
He appeared to like what he heard because he put down the can of soda and moved across the room to where she sat. He was tall and lean and he moved like a man filled with youth. Ino tried not to ogle as much as she could. She was supposed to be used to it by now.
There was a small smile on his face as he looked down at her. He flicked the bottom of her chin to face him as he kneeled down. Next thing Ino knew he had touched his soft lips against hers. It was a bit cold from the soda and hers was still warm from the tea.
The contrast felt good. She held onto the mug, afraid it would slip and make a mess.
His fingers touched the side of her face and she could feel the creases of his mouth and cheeks against hers. His face was contoured in all the right places that it felt unfair.
She moved her face away and his gray eyes instantly gazed at her through his long thick lashes. The strands of hairs draping his forehead were touching hers.
"What are you doing?" It was becoming a usual question.
When Ino was in her early twenties, she would slap or punch guys who would suddenly touch or kiss her. Perhaps it was because she was getting too old to create such dramas anymore. Or maybe because she feels at ease with Sasuke. Come to think of it, they might be even called friends.
"I haven't told you I like you, have I?" A hint of mirth in his eyes.
"Because I just gave you a compliment?"
He surprisingly laughed and put his arm down. "No. But I don't normally talk about my life to people I'm seeing. It's weirdly refreshing."
Ino made a gagging sound as he stood up and moved away. He was teasing and was unbelievably an airhead.
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Kin's naked and sleeping form stirred on the big four-poster bed. The thin lamp on the corner gave a faint, reddish yellow light in the room. The velvet curtains drawn close.
Hidan thought she was bound to get all knocked out from all the moaning, screaming and kinds of position she was doing during their love making. She knows he loves it whenever she bends on the perfect places and loves the feel of her full breasts underneath his strong hands.
He himself was tired but he was still up and was now putting an emerald bathrobe. He still have a few papers to sign. He was still reading a number of statements when she entered his office wearing a tight skirt and stilettos. He lost it when she sat on his lap with her opened legs and started giving him a hand job.
Hidan left the bedroom and entered the library quarter. He pulled the windows open and lit up a cigar as he stood next to it. He inhaled with a sigh.
There was a knock on the door and Kabuto stepped in.
"I'm sorry to have bothered you at this time, Hidan-san." He said upon entering.
"It's still not that late. What is it?" Hidan turned around, the cigar dangled on the side of his mouth.
He stepped forward and handed him a white folder.
"You've asked me before about the man Ms. Yamanaka was with. I have found some details of him." Kabuto stated. "I had one of the agents followed him the other day after he was seen dropping Ino off the flower shop."
Hidan opened the folder and saw a few stolen shots of Ino and the dark-haired bastard clipped on it. There were shots of them side by side on the sidewalk, laughing inside the flower store, and a picture of the guy entering a café establishment. There was also an orange business card pinned underneath the photos.
"I heard his first name is Sasuke and he works as a bartender in a café shop named Gamabunta's near Shinjuku." Kabuto informed.
"A bartender, huh?" Hidan sneered in repugnance, glowering at the photos. "She dares to spend time with that bottle-tossing pretty boy over me?"
"Not only that." Kabuto spoke with a touch of amusement in his voice as he stood with his back straight like a rod. "If you'd look closely at the other photos, our agent had spotted him seeing other women too."
Hidan slid the photos with his fingers until he saw the rest underneath. There were several stolen shots of Sasuke with different faces of women on each.
He puffed out smoke. "So that fucker is sleeping around with other women?"
"As far as I'm concerned, the district where he's working is rather known for under-the-table services. Men and women alike." Kabuto said, the corner of his lips twisting. "It appears that boy leads a, well… a double job. The agent informed me he had spotted them in groups. I'm guessing he's doing escort jobs. He is an escort."
Hidan's hazel eyes were glued on the images of Sasuke and the number of females. His mind was quickly raising. He knew there was something off and dubious about his whole demeanor. He couldn't be too immaculate.
"You're saying that chances are she paid this guy to be with her?" He spoke in a stony voice.
Kabuto nodded.
Hidan threw the folder on the desk and stood in front of the window. The chilly night air met his face, his silver hair swayed and the smoke from his cigar drifted. He breathed in again and exhaled, a dark grin forming on his face. The bluish moon light casting a shadow on his features.
"And she went all that trouble for nothing." He mused. "That bastard's going to be easy."
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