Chapter 4

They say people are all connected in one way or another, either by fate or by coincidence. And some connections are ones people would rather not have.

A soft knock was heard. It was a weak knock, reflecting a characteristic of the knocker.

" Come in," the speaker was agitated and not very kind, an explanation for the weak knock.

" Doumyouji-sama, Honda-san is here to see you," the knocker was the slightly dim secretary to Doumyouji Tsukasa, who was starting to consider other career options.

" Let him in," even such simple words seemed to scare the girl. Talking to Tsukasa was like a minefield, any second you could accidentally fall and land on a mine. It'll blow up, you along with it.

" Doumyouji-sama," a man in his 30s entered behind the faint-hearted brunette, bowing to Tsukasa in an attempt to stroke his ego.

" You may leave," Tsukasa made a faint acknowledgement of his secretary, who was glad to leave.

" Honda, you have what I requested?" Formalities weren't necessary with Doumyouji Tsukasa; he didn't care for small talk.

" Yes of course Doumyouji-sama. I have the preliminary results of the search, I haven't been able to dig deeper as of yet, there seems to be some lost paper work, some missing pieces. But I brought what I've found so far. The rest of the information should be located soon." Honda Hideki was still standing, he had not been offered a seat and sitting without being asked could lead to anything with Doumyouji Tsukasa.

" I don't want to hear excuses, I want results. If you can't handle this simple case I will go else where next time." His eyes were menacing. He was devoid of emotions, incapable to feel. Like a lake that had frozen over and had not seen spring for years.

" My people are working on it."

" Let's see what you have so far." Honda placed the yellow envelop on Tsukasa's desk. Realising it was his cue to leave he moved towards the door.

" The money will be transferred shortly."

Tsukasa looked at the envelope. It was plain and not very thick. He sank in to his armchair; he contemplated whether or not to open it yet. He'd been in these situations before, but for some reason this felt different. He had a sense of foreboding. Or maybe it was excitement. He smirked, he was playing god and no one could stop him. He had the power to shape some ones life for better or worse.

He picked up the envelope and unwound the string that kept it sealed. He slid out the papers. He read out the name with a smirk, " Makino Tsukushi."

Tsukushi felt uneasy, over the 3 days since the episode at the club she had been in battle mode. Looking over her shoulder every few metres expecting an ambush. It never came and that's what scared her. From what Shigeru had told her Doumyouji was very touchy about being humiliated. She had told Tsukushi about other cases of embarrassment for the tycoon.

One unlucky man by the name of Katsumoto Ichiro, the son of a prominent businessman, had used Doumyouji Tsukasa as the main topic for ridicule at a dinner party. Unfortunately Doumyouji was also present, along with his short temper. When Doumyouji walked in amongst Katsumoto's group he heard the main reason for their laughter, him. This set off the man and although there was no fight in the middle of the ballroom, anger was poring out of Doumyouji, from what Shigeru had seen. Doumyouji's revenge nearly sent Katsumoto's father's company in to bankruptcy. It wasn't until Katsumoto Ichiro had begged Doumyouji on his knees for forgiveness that Doumyouji had completed his revenge.

Although Tsukushi feared for her future, she couldn't help being furious that Doumyouji was able to do all those things. The only reason he was able to destroy people was because of his money, without it he was nothing. Good people were losing everything.

While Tsukushi had been on battle mode, Shigeru had been on bodyguard mode. She was feeling guilty; she felt everything was partly her fault. Shigeru had taken to stalking. She followed Tsukushi everywhere, but she never walked with her, she always walked a few metres behind. Unfortunately this added to Tsukushi's paranoia. The day Shigeru had started as her bodyguard, Tsukushi not knowing her act, felt Doumyouji's spies were surely following her. It wasn't until Tsukushi nearly punched Shigeru in the face that she found out who it was.

" Shigeru what are you doing? I though you were the stalker following me. Doumyouji's got spies after me."

" Really? And I was so sure there wasn't. I've been following you the last few days, I haven't seen anyone."

Tsukushi stared at her, jaw dropped.

" It was you? Damn it Shigeru you freaked me out I though I was going to get ambushed at any minute."

" Sorry Tsukushi,"

" Shigeru I know you're trying to help, but could you stop please."

" Ok Tsukushi, but I have one last plan."

" No please don't."

" It's a good one. You work at Hanazawa Corp right?"

" Yeah?"

" Good, my plan might just work."

" Tsukasa what's this?" Akira was staring at the yellow envelope that was sitting on Tsukasa's mahogany desk. Soujirou picked it up.

" Don't you to have jobs to do? I'm a busy man you know."

" Makino Tsukushi," read Soujirou.

" Wait Tsukasa, is that the chick from the other night?"

" Your point being?"

" Hey Tsukasa, says here that she's an employee at Hanazawa Corp."

" I can read you."

" Hanazawa, as in Hanazawa Rui, your friend, part of the F4. And the guy that doesn't like his employees played with."

Hanazawa Rui the quiet and mysterious member of the F4. Like the other F4 he was the ultimate package, great looks, good body and above all rich. But unlike the other F4 he was quite and well, mysterious. No girl could tempt him and he never picked a fight. Sure he joined in, what kind of friend would a guy be if he didn't help his pals. Rui was fine with all of Tsukasa's charades as long as it had nothing to do with his company, mainly his employees. Meaning if Tsukasa wanted revenge he'd better do it before Rui found out and it would be hard.

" I don't care if she's Rui's employee, he isn't here." Tsukasa glared at his 'friends'. His words had a sense of finality to them.

" We got it."

" Don't want to die just yet, so many women so little time."

" She has a brother, I guess if you mess him up a bit that wouldn't fall under Rui's code of honour."

" But that's underhanded."

While Akira and Soujirou continued their analysis of Makino Tsukushi's file, Tsukasa continued typing and looking at proposals.

" You could…no that wouldn't work."

" You could date her cute friend and break her heart."

" Then that wouldn't be her stupid."

" Don't call me that you…"

Before a fight started Tsukasa and his temper stepped in.

" Enough, don't you two have anything better to do than to annoy me. God I feel like a baby sitter." He was standing and staring at the two almost fuming, his eyes seemed to have turned a dangerous black.

" Chill, we're leaving okay." They were skating on thin ice and they had enough experience to know when to leave.

" Damn Idiots."

The two partners in crime waited for the high tech elevator to reach their floor. It didn't matter to them that they were nearly thrown out of Tsukasa's office, it was a regular occurrence for them.

" He's always like this when he has a new target."

" Yeah, can you believe he thinks he's the babysitter," Akira said laughingly while shaking his head.

" I didn't think he'd go through with it after all she's just a girl."

" Hey, just a thought, but do you think there's actually a girl out their for our big kid?"

" Let's hope so or else we'll have to make babysitting a full time job."

" What about Rui?" they looked at one another and shrugged.

" Ding" they walked in to the elevator laughing.

The timid secretary walked in.

" Doumyouji sama is there anything you need?"

" Get Westcome University on the line."

" Yes sir, anything else sir?"

Shigeru was looking through her phone book frantically until she found Hanazawa Rui. She picked up her antique phone and dialled his mobile number.

" Bonjour?" said a masculine voice.

" Hanazawa-san?"

" Yes?" She thought she heard a yawn.

" This is Oukawahara Shigeru, Tsukasa's fiancé?"

" Yes, right Oukawahara-san."

" Sorry to be calling you while you're in France but I need some help, well my friend does. She works at Hanazawa Corp and, well, Tsukasa has a grudge. And well you know him so…"

" If she works for me, I doubt he'll do anything to, I'll be back soon ok? Au revoir."

Before she could reply the line was dead. She still felt uneasy for Tsukushi. Hanazawa Rui was unpredictable at best. But she knew of his 'heroism'. He wouldn't let Tsukasa 'damage' Hanazawa Corp employees because they were good workers and he didn't want Tsukasa affecting their productivity.

" I tried Tsukushi."

hi, thanks to the people who reviewed, this chapters a bit dry but necessary,

sorry bout not updating sooner, had stuff to do and couldn't think of what to write, anyways please review. thanks