Chapter 1

The auction managers had decided to split up, and they all left the room one by one.

"You guys." I said. The only ones left in the penthouse were Eisuke, Soryu and Luke and myself. I waited for Eisuke to say something, but the one to break the silence was Soryu.

"This is my responsibility. I'll take care of cancelling the auctions." He said. He sounded guilty as he started naming off the people he should contact to call off the auction.

"Can you do it in time?" Luke asked.

"I can take care of it by the end of the day. Is that fine with you, Eisuke?"

"Heh." Soryu seeked Eisuke's approval, but he only chuckled in response. "There's no reason to call off the auctions."

"What?"

"You mean you're going to continue in this situation?" Soryu asked.

"We've already sent out invitations. All the preparations have been made. Why should we call it off?"

"That's true." Soryu said.

"Do you have enough items to sell at the auction?" Luke asked.

"We already have plenty of items in reserve. The other auction managers quitting doesn't mean we have to call off the auctions right away."

"All right. Then we'll proceed with the next auction as planned." Soryu said.

Eisuke just mumbled in reply.

So the only auctions managers left were Eisuke, Soryu and Luke. Were things really going to be ok? I couldn't help but feel anxious and I didn't want everyone to leave.

"What's with the look on your face Freya?" Eisuke said.

"It's nothing." I said, it was none of my business.

"Please. I know you. I'm sure you're thinking that we should call the auctions off."

"Well yes, we should call the auctions off." I said.

"If we cancel them now, we'll lose the patrons' trust." He said.

I guess that made sense, I could see why he wouldn't want to cancel but it just didn't feel right doing it without the others.

"Get back to work." He said.

"Ok." I said and left the room.

I just couldn't believe the guys had gone. They were all kind of weird but that's why they all got along so well. Eisuke didn't seem like he had any problems accepting it, but it wasn't that easy for me. Wasn't there something I could do? I entered the lobby and started heading towards the spa, when I heard Baba's voice.

"Oh, Mamo." He said.

"Hey, Baba." Kishi said.

"I wonder if we'll be on the same flight together?" Baba asked.

"Nope not."

They were walking through the lobby, carrying large packages.

"Baba, Kishi." I said and walked over to them.

"Freya, perfect timing. Can you send this to Japan?" Baba approached me.

"Mine, too." Kishi said.

"Wait, you guys are going back to Japan?" I asked as they handed me two big packages.

"We're not auction managers anymore. I thought we'd be together till the end but guess that's not how it worked out." Baba said.

"There ain't no reason I gotta stay and place nice to 'em anymore." Kishi said.

"But…. You guys were friends." I said. I was shocked at their unfeeling responses, and I sputtered hopelessly. I thought they valued their friendship more, were they really that shallow?

"So, will you mail it?" Baba said.

"Mine, too." Kishi said.

"Of course I will." I said.

They both then walked out of the hotel, as if nothing ever happened.

That night, I finished work and went up to the penthouse to fine Eisuke working on the list of auction items by himself.

"I'm home." I said as I closed the front door. I folded up my cane and put it in my purse and removed my sun glasses.

"Mm." Eisuke said, clearly distracted. Normally he'd be having a meeting with the others right now. I wondered if he knew that Baba and Kishi had left?

"Baba and Kishi are going to Japan and gave me their things to send home." I said.

"I see."

"Are you sure it's ok with everyone just leaving like this, Eisuke?"

"Stopping bugging me." He said coldly.

"But-"

"Is there a reason we need them around?"

"Well-" now that he was asking me, I couldn't really think of any practical reason but they were out friends. "It just makes me anxious."

"Even though I'm here?" he said not sounding happy.

Had I offended him? "Well… no. I'm sure everything will be fine as long as you're here." Well at least I hoped it would, but the knot of unease in the put of my stomach just wouldn't go away. "So hypothetically speaking…"

"What?"

"What if the situation changing makes the security lax and it puts you in danger?" I asked. I thought he would lecture me again, but he just laughed it off.

"Have I ever failed at anything before?"

"Well… no."

"That's the answer." He said. I liked that he was confident, and his judgements were always right. He didn't have a hint of uncertainty in his voice. I guess I just had to trust him.

"You're right, I trust you know what you're doing." I said with a slight smile.

"Looks like I've trained you well." He said seeming satisfied with my answer. He then pulled me towards him onto the sofa. "You can be pretty insecure somethings, huh? You hate change."

"I don't adapt well to change. I like to know when things are going to happen, and I don't have nerves of steel like you."

"Just do as I say, and you'll be fine. I'll give you the life you want." He sat me on his lap and hugged me from behind. He then gave me a teasing kiss on my cheek, making my mind go completely blank.

"What about the auctions?"

"Don't worry about it." He said and turned me round and kissed me on the lips. He then started to unbutton my blouse. He must be in a good mood if he's stopping his work to do this. Maybe he's in such a good mood because he knows that I trust him? I shivered as he revealed more of my skin.

"I'll make you forget how cold you are."

I wrapped my arms around his neck and gasped every time he bit my skin, leaving a sting sensation behind. True to his work, he gives me all the pleasure I wanted. My small doubt was washed away by waves of passion.

"I can always see what you're thinking by the look on your face." He said.

"Is that a good thing?" I asked but he didn't answer me, he just started to kiss my collar bone. I gasped and dug my nails into his back, he always knew which spots to hit.

"You're giving into your desire now, hm?"

"Only because of you."

He gave a throaty chuckle and started skimming his hands over my skin. I then began to remove his clothes as well, starting with his jacket and his shirt. He knew every inch of my body and exactly how each part liked to be touched.

"Why don't you just be honest and tell me you want me?"

Should I give him the satisfaction of giving into him? I was tempted not to. He then stopped moving.

"What do you want?" he asked.

"You know what I want. I want you." I said.

"Passable."

"Mmm." I moaned as he kissed me whilst pushing me down onto the sofa.

A few days later, the auction was proceeding as planned. It felt rather lonely without the guys and quiet. I never would of thought that I'd missing their goofing around and constant teasing. Right now, only Luke and Eisuke was here.

"Where's Soryu?" I asked.

"He's late." Eisuke said.

There was the same excitement in the air as usual, with all kinds of rare items for sale. The auction it's self was the same, even with the guys gone it seemed to run fine. I started to feel relieved until Soryu walked in.

"You're late." Eisuke said not impressed.

"I came here as fast as I could." Soryu hissed back.

"Whatever. The showcase item is coming up." Eisuke said.

I wondered what it would be this time? A rare jewel or something weird? Finally, the last item appeared on stage.

"And for the last item of the evening, we have a –" the mad hatter then let out a gasp.

"Eisuke, what is it?" Soryu asked.

"You'll see." Eisuke said.

"I wish he'd just hurry it up." Luke said.

The audience buzzed when they heard the mad hatter gasp. His voice trembled as he spoke "The next item up for bids is… this auction?!"

Me and Soryu both gasped at the same time. Eisuke seemed to laugh at our reactions.

"You're selling the auctions?" I asked.