Author's Note: This time, I think this atrociously late update is beyond an apology. However, I must really, really apologise for this, especially to all my loyal readers out there. I was amazed and touched when I did not receive any hate mails, but lots of support instead. I realised that I should never have started this story – not at this point of time in my life when I'm struggling with so much work (I haven't had time to even visit this website to read other stories). I managed to squeeze out this chapter coz of the Easter holidays.
Again, a most heartfelt thank you to all my reviewers for your patience and for hanging in there despite my horrendously late updates. For your kindness, patience and understanding, I promise that this story will be completed. I treasure every review and your support continues to motivate me as always. Having said that, please do not misunderstand that if I do not write, it means that I am waiting for more reviews prior to completing a chapter. I would never do that to my loyal readers. Because I am anxious to post this chapter, I will reply your comments next time, but many, many thanks to:
Piglet, karashacket, X-Zai, CM, just a reader, .: Stacey :., electrohisa, catmum56, sweetpeakit, kensingtonkid, CURRY, Rui and especially Zen Nat. I have read your comments carefully, taken the suggestions to heart, and I deeply appreciate your support.
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Rui: You are a hopeless incompetent.
Sheen: Me?
Rui: rolling eyes Do you really think I would ever address myself as such?
Sheen: Not really – I mean you aren't really hopeless or incompetent are you?
Rui: Was there any doubt about my intellect or capabilities?
Sheen: Urm … … not that I know of. However, you were the one that brought up this issue … …
Rui: I give up! Talking to you is a waste of my breath.
Sheen: to herself Now, Soujirou is right. I really should listen to him more often.
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Recap of story to date:
Tsukushi's parents died in a car accident and she was left to bring up her younger brother who was diagnosed with kidney problems. She bumps into Rui (a gigolo) and Tsukasa. She has certain feelings for the former but is blissfully unaware of his profession. On the other hand, Tsukasa is attracted to the feisty Tsukushi and hires her as his personal assistant after taking over the firm she works in. Tragedy strikes when Tsukushi is informed that her brother's illness is terminal and there is a need for an expensive kidney transplant. Because of financial difficulties, Tsukushi is forced to moonlight as a dancer in a club. Part of her duties, unfortunately, includes entertaining VIPs.
Both Rui and Tsukasa discover Tsukushi's part-time job and react differently, the former with sympathy whilst the latter becomes jealously. As events unfold, the truth about Rui's profession comes to light, however, this only serves to make their relationship closer. On the other hand, a series of events lead to Tsukasa misunderstanding the nature of Tsukushi's role in entertaining the clients and she becomes subject to his fits of jealously. In the meantime, Tsukasa also finds out that one of his best friends – Soujirou is having an affair with a gigolo (Akira) whom he claims to be in love with. He is also pressured into continuing a loveless marriage with Shigeru in order to support the merger of their parents' businesses.
Last chapter:
Rui's past is revealed as he stops a desperate Tsukushi from committing the same error as his father did – to take out a loan from loan sharks. His façade cracks for a moment as he comforts Tsukushi and reveals that his feelings for her are more than brotherly. However, he pulls back in time and explains to an upset Tsukushi that they can never be.
Tsukasa is under pressure to reveal his true marital status to the world and at the same time struggles with his feelings for Tsukushi.
Tsukushi is propositioned and waylaid by a "prospective client" and a furious Tsukasa steps in to save her … …
Chapter 14 – The Indecent Proposal
He sat at the table furthest from the stage nursing his lukewarm drink, a lonely figure shrouded in darkness, his eyes glued to one particular figure on the stage. A sardonic smile twisted his lips as he imagined the reaction of his parents and his few friends if they could see him now. Never in his wildest dreams had he ever expected that he, the great Doumyouji Tsukasa, would be driven to acting practically like a love-lorn idiot, hiding in a corner and obsessing over a girl from afar. An extremely ordinary girl at that. However, since no Doumyouji could ever be an idiot, tautologically he was not one and would never be.
Tsukasa took a sip and grimaced at the medicinal taste of the warm liquid as it burned a path down his throat, warming his gullet. Placing the glass aside, he beckoned to a waiter who had mysteriously appeared the moment he had turned around and ordered six shots of vodka. At the end of each dance, he silently glanced at the stage before downing the liquid. Although he would never admit it, it was his own way of saying goodbye to his dreams of being with her and of wallowing in his own misery of becoming yet again a victim of his parents' schemes. It was time to let her go – not that he ever had her to start with. By the close of the performance, there were eight empty shot glasses on the table. However, he was still relatively clear headed, having only been slightly affected by the amount of alcohol that he had consumed.
For the first time, his temper failed to be roused and he watched with an emotion akin to resignation as Tsukushi and her colleagues joined the group of politicians who had been sitting nearest the stage. He watched quietly as she headed for the toilets, a frown only ceasing his forehead when he noticed one of the politicians staring after her gently swaying hips with a lustful glint in his eyes – a look that any male would be well acquainted with. Tsukasa tried to convince himself that he was only being paranoid when the same guy made his way to the toilets a short while later. However, the feeling of unease refused to leave especially when the guy did not return after what he deemed to be a reasonable time period.
Unable to ignore the persistent voice in his head any longer, Tsukusa stood up and took off in the same direction, resolving to keep out of sight to avoid a "chance" meeting with Tsukushi. As he walked past a row of rooms near the corridor, he thought that he heard the sound of Tsukushi's voice and went to investigate. The first two rooms were empty. As he was about the step into the third room, the rumble of a male voice made him pause.
"… to you. 20,000 - that's my final offer." His legs suddenly felt like lead as an unfamiliar feeling of dread uncoiled in his stomach. Somehow, he managed those last few steps that led him into the room. For a moment, he felt almost light-headed with shock as his eyes took in the scene that was playing out in front of him.
Tsukushi's head was tilted back with a (passionate?) dazed expression in her eyes, and she was making no move to stop the perverted politician who had one hand under her skirt and was fondling her breast with the other as he sucked greedily at her neck. The blood in his veins turned into ice as his brain tried to process the images. A single, possessive thought flashed through his mind, rousing him from his state of paralysis. 'SHE'S MINE.' And then, a fury greater than anything he had ever known consumed him … …
Tsukasa flexed his bruised right hand, the pain a reminder of the satisfying crunch and the feel of bones breaking under his knuckles. The fat slob was out cold even before his limp body hit the floor. Now that the idiot was taken care of, there was one issue more he had to settle. He glanced first at his watch and then shifted his unseeing gaze to the passing scenery. His jaw clenched when he realised that time was running out and he was still no closer to resolving his dilemma … …
Tsukushi remained silent as she sat beside Tsukasa in the limousine. Her face was pale and her eyes a little fearful as she snuck quick peeks at the terse, brooding figure that occupied the opposite corner of the vehicle. Ever since he had knocked out the sleaze bag with a single punch and dragged her out of the club, she had not made a single sound except for the involuntary squeak she had emitted when he picked her up bodily and slung her into the limousine before climbing in next to her. The exceptionally grim expression on his face and the tautness of his jaw as he sat there gave him the appearance of a man struggling with a tough decision. She wisely decided to hold her tongue. The car finally stopped in front of a grand estate.
"Out," was the only word Tsukasa bit out when he stepped out of the car as his chauffeur held the door open for them. She scrambled out immediately and then had to half jog to match his swift strides.
When an elderly man dressed neatly in a suit appeared in front of them, he barked out an order gesturing in her direction, "let Ms Makino freshen up and then send her to the library in fifteen minutes." He stepped past her and vanished into the house.
"Please follow me, Ms Makino," the butler bowed politely and she followed him without protest as they strode down countless corridors. The entire place was a huge maze. Tsukushi would have marvelled at the beauty and elegance of the house and its contents if she had not been more than a little hurt and extremely confused by Tsukasa's strange behaviour, especially his exceptionally callous treatment of her. He was surely not blaming her for getting attacked by Mr Yamada was he?
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With one gulp, Tsukasa downed the glass of brandy, feeling the fiery liquid burn a path down his throat. He would have to be half drunk to muster up sufficient courage to carry out the plan that he had finally decided on. He closed his mind to the many doubts and uncertainties that was plaguing him as he hardened his heart and steeled his resolve. Picturing a familiar face, he firmly reminded himself that he was far from being the one and only person guilty of doing such a thing. Darn, there were millions of men who were also guilty of the same … … action … …
"Come in, Tama," he was pouring himself another glass when a crisp knock was heard at the door. His butler entered with a low bow.
"Ms Makino is ready."
"Send her in."
He looked up when she entered and his breath caught at how lovely and extremely innocent she looked in a simple white flowing dress that seemed to be floating around her ankles, in spite of the somewhat disgruntled expression on her face.
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His study was designed to be almost an enlarged replica of his office. Or perhaps it was the other way round. Tsukasa had taken off his jacket and his tie was hanging loose around his neck as he leaned against a huge oak desk, holding a glass half-filled with some dark liquid. He was looking rather ruggedly handsome and Tsukushi was immediately annoyed with herself for noticing this particular irrelevant fact.
"What on earth are you trying … …" Tsukushi began heatedly but her voice wavered and died away when her eyes met his. There was some strange emotion blazing in those dark eyes that terrified her. Somehow, she sensed that he was barely holding onto his self-control. "Mr Domyouji?" she asked weakly, backing cautiously away when he closed the distance between them with a few long strides. For the second time in the same night, she found herself trapped between the wall and another masculine body. Her knees went weak when she found herself staring up into dark, hungry eyes – eyes belonging to a predator.
"I want you." Her body went rigid at the words that left his mouth and his low, husky tone. The burning look he was giving her sent shivers down her spine. What was it with men and their hormones tonight? Was it a full moon or something?
"What … …" Tsukushi's protest was cut short when his lips came crushing down on hers. Her struggles gradually stopped as those hot lips moved urgently over hers, stroking and melding her lips to his. She was shaking when he finally broke the kiss, her breathing as uneven as his, her eyes cloudy and unfocused.
"Can just anyone's kisses do this to you?" He snarled. "Can anyone else make you feel like this?" His harsh words cleared the haze from her mind and she stared at him dumbly as she tried to catch her breath. She shrank away from him instinctively when he made to kiss her again. Looking at her fearful wide eyes, he cursed and violently shoved away from the wall. Muttering under his breath, Tsukasa paced the length of the room for a few seconds before stopping in front of her. Raking his hand through his unruly mop of curls, he took in a deep calming breath. When he looked at her again, the fire in his eyes had been replaced by a blankness that she found even more terrifying.
"I have a proposition for you." Tsukushi found that the sound of his voice devoid of any emotion sent shivers down her spine. "I want you. Exclusively." He ignored her startled gasp and sudden pallor as he continued calmly, "you will stop working at the Den and you will stop seeing those men. You will only have one client in future – myself."
Misunderstanding the reason behind the outraged expression on her face, he elaborated, "of course I will pay you well. Why sell yourself for a miserly 20,000? I will make sure you have comfortable accommodations in your own name, your own transport, presents and a generous monthly allowance. You will never want for anything. I am not a tight-fisted man, you will discover." He paused as his eyes hardened, "however, I have my own conditions. I want you in my bed, willingly. And you will give yourself to no other from now on." He glanced at his watch. "I will give you half an hour to think about it and you can ask the butler to get me if you decide sooner." Having completed his speech, Tsukasa walked out of the study, leaving a shell-shocked Tsukushi behind.
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Tsukasa headed straight for the mini-bar the moment he stepped into his bedroom and poured himself a stiff drink. The first unpleasant task was over. He winced as he remembered the strained silence in the room and Tsukushi's shock at his proposal. Well, the ball was now in her court. He had to continue with the next part of the plan – the part that was actually beyond his control. Squaring his shoulders, he hit a button on his mobile. The ringing tone grated on his nerves.
"Hello?"
He silently took a deep breath and then simply said, "I'm going through with it."
"Sorry? Who is this? Tsukasa?" The other person was startled.
"Yes," he growled. "I'm calling my parents next."
"Did I actually hear you say that you are going through with it?"
"Yes." He bit out. Damn, was she deaf?
"Are you sure? You can't change your mind once the announcement is made, you know."
"Yes, stop your nagging woman! I know what I'm doing." He hung up as he tried to ignore the one question that persisted in his head - did he really know what he was doing? He resolutely pressed another number.
"Kaeda Doumyouji speaking."
"It's Tsukasa."
There was a pause and Mrs Doumyoji's voice was wary when she spoke again, "what is the matter now, Tsukasa?"
He said through gritted teeth, "you can go ahead with the announcement at tonight."
"Was there any doubt that we wouldn't?" There was genuine surprise in her voice.
"No, goodnight MOTHER," he snapped his phone shut. Although he knew it was a futile and childish gesture, he picked up his empty glass and flung it with all his strength at the furthest wall, feeling strangely gleeful when it shattered into a thousand pieces. As he got up to get another glass, he could not help but feel that what he was doing was wrong. However, he had to admit that he wanted Tsukushi – badly. And in his own way, he would be placing her under his protection and she would be safe from other men. Silencing the nagging voice of his conscience, he poured himself another drink. Now, there was nothing further for him to do but drink himself half into oblivion as he waited for Tsukushi's decision … ...
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Tsukushi stared at the door as it closed behind him, pale and numb with shock. The tick-ticking sound of the clock seemed extraordinarily loud in the silence of the study. Think, Tsukushi, she told herself, think. However, her brain was a complete blank.
When the little wheels in her head finally cooperated and started churning again, her first lucid thought to refuse Tsukasa's offer was accompanied by a rush of self-righteous anger. How could that bastard have such a low opinion of her or even thought that she would have sunk so low? Then, the image of Souta's pallid, thin face, the looming deadline and the huge amount of money that she still needed to gather for his medical bills came to mind. Her shoulders slumped as she sank onto the floor, her bravado completely leaving her as she recalled Rui's last words, "… also, you should save yourself in case you need it as a last resort … …"
As a last resort … … the words kept reverberating in her brain. Biting her lip, Tsukushi had to admit that she was running out of options. Hugging herself, she shuddered when she recalled Yamada's lecherous expression and his encroaching hands. There was absolutely no comparison between how violated and repulsed she had felt from his advances, and the uneasiness she had felt when Tsukasa embraced her. If she really had to take this final drastic step, everything pointed to Tsukasa as the ideal candidate. He had made it clear that he was unwilling to share her with anyone else. Yes, to be at the beck and call of the insufferably arrogant man would be quite unbearable. However, the alternative – to sleep with a trial of slimeballs like Yamada, which was what some of her colleagues had been doing - was unthinkable.
Tsukushi realised that she did not have a choice, that she never really had one to start with. There was no way she could come up with the astronomical sum given her circumstances, and the solution to all her problems had just been presented to her. Yet her ethics and moral standards protested vehemently against this path of action, refusing to let her degrade herself in such a demeaning way. She had never dreamt of being anyone's mistress being exceptionally conservative and idealistic, and the very thought of it turned her stomach. She had always believed in love and in marriage. Her hands clenched themselves tightly into fists.
Tsukuasa … … The pain of betrayal that flooded her being was sharp as she thought of the person offering this "solution" to her. She had never expected that someone whom she had looked up to (in spite of his ill-temper) and to a certain extent trusted would have been capable of such a thing, especially not him. She had believed in his honestly and integrity and the bitterness of her disappointment was hard to swallow … … Also, there was Rui ... … Tsukushi quickly blocked out any thoughts of him and the excruciating pain that came with them. Rui could not do anything for her and she refused to let him make any sacrifices on her behalf. He owed her nothing and she could not afford to allow him to cloud her decision. Lifting her head wearily, she glanced at the hands of the clock, her heart throbbing in time with the steady ticking as she counted down the minutes and seconds to her doom … …