Chapter 4

A few days later, I seemed to fall back into a familiar rhythm at work. It's like I never left, things were just how they used to be. I've hardly seen Eisuke, he's been so busy but at least he wasn't as busy as he was in London. I had just finished work and I was sat in the restaurant, talking to Becca on the phone. It was late morning in London.

"I can't believe you left so suddenly. When are you coming back?" she asked.

"I don't know. Something's going on, but he won't tell me anything." I said.

"Have you asked him?"

"Yes, he's refusing to tell me anything." I said. Last time he did this was when we were in Dubai, and he thought my life was in danger. Was my life in danger again? I tried to think back, the only thing that's changed was the selling of the auctions. Did something happen with them and that's why we had to come back here?

"Well, if he won't tell you anything then you need to find out on your own." Becca said.

"How? I'm visually challenged, there's only so much I can do."

"Then get someone to help you – I know, I could come to Japan for a holiday and we can find out together."

"No. Now is not a good time. Look, I'll keep you updated about everything ok? Just tell Sophie and Lucy that I'm sorry and hopefully I'll be back soon."

"Ok, let me know. Bye." She said and hung up.

It was the first Saturday since me and Eisuke returned to Japan. I had a day off today, Eisuke was working so maybe I could go see my parents and my sister Lucy. I had rung them the other day, to let them know that I was back in Japan and they wanted me to visit.

I knocked on Eisuke's office door to let him know that I was leaving.

"I'm sorry to interrupt."

"What is it?" he said.

"I'm going to see my parents today and I'll be back later today." I said.

"Today?" he questions.

"Is there a problem?"

"I don't want you leaving by yourself. Wait until I can come with you." He said.

"What? Why? I'm just going to parent's house."

"I know that."

"You want to come and see my parents? Is this a joke?" I asked.

"Why would I do such a thing?"

"No, it's just- I'm glad it's not a joke." I said. He'd never really seemed interested in meeting my family before, especially with what happened with my dad in London.

"Ok, fine. I'll call them and let them know we'll come another day."

"Good, spend the day here at the hotel." He said.

"Fine." I said and left the office. He was going to meet my parents, I was kind of excited. They didn't know much about him so I'm sure they'd be happy to see him.

I called my parents and told them of my change in plans and then I went down to the hotel lobby. I wondered why Eisuke didn't want me to leave the hotel though? He was definitely hiding something, and it bugged me. But I couldn't be bothered to fight him today, so I decided to just stay in the hotel. What should I do? I could go to the gym, go to the spa, go shopping. There was so much I could do, that was one of the good things about the Tres Spades.

"Well, I haven't seen you in a while." A cheerful voice said.

"Sakiko." I beamed and stood up. I turned, and she gave me a hug, I could feel her uniform as I hugged her back.

"When did you get back?" she asked.

"Only a few days ago. I'm working here again."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Things have been busy." I said and I explained the situation.

"Oh wow. Hey, didn't a similar thing happen not long ago?" she said.

"Yes."

"And he won't say anything?"

"Nope."

Sakiko was on her break so she didn't have long. We had a cup of tea together before she had to return to work. With nothing else to do, I went back up to the penthouse and decided to go play my violin. I passed Eisuke's office and heard him talking to Mr Kenzaki. I knew I shouldn't eavesdrop but I couldn't help myself.

"All the paperwork is done. I guarantee that the other party can be trusted." Kenzaki said.

"All right. Go ahead with the rest then. And how's the other matter?" Eisuke asked.

"I told them to put a rush on it. It'll be more expensive than we thought, of course."

"Not a problem. I just want it to be done quickly."

They continued talking but it didn't shed any light on the situation. I went to my bedroom and played my violin for a while but I soon got bored again, so I decided to join Sakiko at the casino. She was working as a dealer. I was sat at her table with a cocktail next to me.

"I win with a flush." She said.

"What? Again? Are you cheating?"

"No, you're just not concentrating. A total beginner could win against you." She said.

I sighed, I had already lost a lot of money but thankfully Eisuke had a tab and I could put it on his tab.

"Want to go again?"

"Dunno." I said and took a sip of my cocktail.

"Come on, don't give up yet. Keep trying." She said.

"Having trouble?" a man said and sat down next to me. "Looks like you're losing pretty badly. I've got a knack for poker. I could help you."

"Yeah ok." I agreed and Sakiko dealt a new hand. Thankfully, the cards were brail so I could tell what they were.

"Exchange these two cards." The man said and took the cards from my hand.

"Ok."

Whoa, I got a full house.

"Straight." Sakiko said.

"Full house." I said and laid my cards out.

"Wow, really? Nice one." She said.

"Yes, I finally won. Thank you." I said to the man.

"Just glad to help. Let's keep your winning streak going." He said.

Thanks to the mystery man's help, I made back some of the money I lost. I actually had fun at the casino, by the time I got back to the penthouse Kenzaki was gone and found Eisuke still in his office.

"Are you done with work?" I asked.

"For today." He said.

"Good. I went to the casino and lost a little bit of money, but I didn't do too badly." I said.

"That's what I expected." He said with a chuckle. He didn't seem fake, I think this was the first time since the auction managers split up that he seemed genuinely happy.

"Yeah, it was fun. Now that we're back in Japan, we could go see Baba or Kishi-"

"How long do you insist on talking about them?" he asked, sounding annoyed.

"Well, it's just sad that everyone left-"

"You need to get over it." He said. He pulled me over to his desk and pushed me down on it. "I'll just have to make you forget them."

He put his hand down next to my face and stroked my cheek, before he grabbed both of my hands. I felt him wrap something round my wrists, tying them together.

"Eisuke, what are you doing?" I asked.

He didn't answer, he just kissed me roughly. I could tell that he was angry.