I haven't been really proof reading so i apologize.

Chapter 3

Monk and Ayako were adjusting well to not having Mai around anymore. It was hard for them at first. Empty nest syndrome. Their Mai had gotten married and went off on a honeymoon.

What were they to do? Mai insisted that they stay in the apartment. It suited them and they shouldn't give it up just because Mai had moved out. She told them that she was giving it to them as a thank you present.

They eventually ended up getting a dog. It wasn't a puppy. He was a larger older dog whose name was Max. Max was affectionate and energetic. He was very well behaved. The opposite of Noba. Ayako didn't want to admit it, but she really had missed him a lot.

Ayako stood in the kitchen making coffee. She fed Max and slipped on her shoes. Monk came down dressed in his sweats and t shirt. She handed him a mug as he sat down at the counter.

"So I heard you on the phone with Mai last night." He said to her.

"Hmmm." Ayako replied as she sipped her coffee.

"What was going on? Is she alright?" Monk asked worriedly. He had been too tired to ask Ayako about it last night and assumed it wasn't too serious because she didn't tell him.

"Well yes and no." Ayako said. This caused Monk to put his mug down and looked at her very seriously. "Mai had that party last night. You know for that ballet she's going to be in. It was a little much to handle and she took it out on Naru."

"Oh? What exactly happened?" Monk was curious.

"Well I guess it started off with this girl. She is an assistant and a huge fan of Mai. She started to cry and threw herself at Mai's feet. When Mai tried to calm her down, she touched her and they girl fainted." Ayako explained.

"I can see how that can be shocking, but how does that make Mai angry at Naru?" Monk asked.

"There's more." Ayako went on. "So then Cooper introduced her to this couple and the wife who she said was very beautiful started to grope at her and feeling her. Naru showed up then and asked her to stop. The woman said told Mai that she was like a goddess carved from marble and then was about to kiss her."

Monk choked on his coffee.

"There's more." Ayako said.

"More?" Monk looked stunned.

"So she was interrupted by this agent who wants to represent Mai. The agent and the woman got into a fight and Mai and Naru made their escape. She bumped into the assistant again who again fainted. They get to the hallway and she sees the artist again." Ayako explained.

"Artist?" Monk asked.

"Oh I guess I forgot that part. He is this young artist whose work inspired this ballet. So his stuff is being used in the background. She was introduced to him, but he snubbed her." She filled him in. "So they get to the hallway and he's there smoking. She tries to apologize to him and he ignores her. Mai looses her temper."

"So then what?" Monk asked.

"So she threw her shoe at him and he called her a prima donna." Ayako said.

"I'm guessing she punched him." Monk said.

"Oh she did and she kicked him in the groin area. She was going to continue to beat him to a pulp, but Naru intervened and pulled her off." Ayako said.

"And that's why she got upset with him. So let me guess he slept on the couch. He's going to be grumpy today." Monk grumbled.

"This ballet is going to be very interesting." Ayako mused. "Well if you're finished, we should head out and meet Mai at the park for our doggie play date." She put Max on his leash. The big tan dog barked in delight. "Oh are you excited to see Mai and Noba?" Ayako cooed.

That Afternoon at the Office

Naru was sitting behind his desk reading threw case files. He didn't get much sleep last night. The couch was not the most comfortable place to sleep. His neck and back ached. Mai had been gone before he was up. She and Ayako had arranged a play date for the dogs.

Naru got up and walked out of his office to the kitchenette. He was making his own tea. The office door opened and in came the SPR team. They usually showed up at this time.

"So I hear there's trouble in paradise." Yasuhara commented.

Naru grunted in annoyance. He turned his attention to Ayako and Monk who had taken their usual seats. Ayako flipped through a fashion magazine.

"So…." She start to say as she flipped through the pages.

"So?" Naru asked furrowing his brow.

Ayako plopped the magazine on the coffee table and looked at Naru. "Have you had a chance to talk to your wife?" she asked.

"No. I see you have. Would you mind telling me if I'll be sleeping on the couch again tonight?" he crossed his arms. Ayako looked smug.

"You'll be happy to know that she has calmed down, but she has a meeting today." She said as she pulled out a nail file and began to work on her nails.

"I am aware of that." Naru said.

"So…" Ayako started again.

"Are you "so's" really necessary?" Naru was getting annoyed.

"So what are you going to do?" she asked him and sighed.

"Why do I have to do some thing. She isn't mad anymore." He answered.

"Naru, Naru, Naru." Yasuhara shook his head and click his tongue.

"Really, Naru?" Masako added. "At least do something to show that you aren't mad either and that you are sorry for upsetting her. Even if she may have over reacted."

"Because if the wife isn't happy no one is happy." Yasuhara chimed in.

"So true…" Ayako mused before she turned her attention back to Naru. "She feels bad about how she acted, but she is not looking forward to this meeting. All of those weirdoes are going to be there."

"What should I do about it?" Naru asked her.

"Go to the place and bring her lunch." Monk began.

"Kiss her and tell her that you love her." Masako added.

"Make her feel sexy… Of course if that woman is there you may not have to." Yasuhara joked.

"Just tell her that you here for her." Ayako said as she pushed him out the door.

The Meeting

Mai had been running late which meant she skipped lunch. Her stomach grumbled at her. She had been dreading this. After last night she really wanted to pass on this whole project.

Mai opened the doors and entered the apartment of Cooper Nielson. Hopefully this would be a quick meeting. She looked around at all the faces. The same ones from the other night. "Great." She thought.

"Ah good. You're here." Cooper and the other men at the table stood up as Cooper held out a chair for Mai. "Let's begin. First off, I would like to make some more introductions." He went around and introduced the director and a few other producers. He reintroduced the other guests from last night.

As the meeting began, Mai's discomfort increased. She made the mistake of looking at the others. She glanced at Mrs. Ozaki, who smiled slyly gave her a small wave with her fingers. Mai quickly turned away.

Megumi had brought her tea. Mai turned to thank her. Megumi squeaked and scurried back to her corner where she turned a bright shade of pink.

"Now if you would turn to page 10…" the producer said. Mai opened the packet to the said page and found a business card tucked between the pages. It read:

Trinity Snow

Talent agent

Mai looked up to meet the eager face of Miss Snow. She was give Mai several hand gestures to trying to tell her to call her. Mai let out a sigh and sipped her tea. This was going to be a long meeting. She could just tell.

She didn't even want to look at Masaru, but she did. He was scribbling away on the paper before him. Not paying much attention to the producer who was talking. Mai began to feel the guilt as she noticed the bruises on his face. He seemed to look of for a second to grab another pen from the center of the table and noticed Mai staring at him.

He gave her a death glare. Mai looked away again she could feel the sweat prick on her skin. She looked up and he was still looking at her. This time her had a smug amused look on his face. This pissed Mai off and she began to glare back.

The entire meeting was a starting contest between her and this arrogant artist. She could already see the nickname coming. Naru was Naru the Narcissist so Masaru would be Double AA as in Arrogant Artist.

The meeting ended and Mai hurried out of the room before anyone could ambush her. As she was hurrying to the elevators, she bumped into someone sending them both to the floor.

"Oh! I'm so sorry!" She said as she scrambled to get to her feet. Her hand went out to pick up her purse, but the other hand beat her to it. She ended up with her hand on top of his. It took her a second to realize who it belonged to.

She slowly looked up into the deep blue eyes of her husband. He smiled at her and her jaw was hanging open. With his free hand he reached over and gently close her mouth.

Mai regained her composure as she heard the others coming down the hall she grabbed his arm and pulled him into the elevator. As the doors closed she reached turned to face him.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I came to bring lunch. I knew you would forget to eat and I was hoping to spend some time with you." Naru held up the large grocery size brown paper bag. "I got a spread of your favorites."

Mai reached up and began to kiss Naru. "I love you and I'm sorry. It was just too much and I ended up taking it out on you."

"It's alright. I understand. I would be stressed out if I had to be around all those…. people. There is no word to describe them." Naru said and Mai laughed. She took his hand and they walked out of the elevator to through the lobby to the doors.

"How about we take our lunch and make it a picnic." Naru suggested. "I know I great spot under the cherry blossoms."

"You know me so well." Mai laughed as they walked out hand in hand. The happily married couple.

"For now." The dark figured watched them from the window. "Soon your precious life will be mine. I want to hear you beg and plead."

The couple was unaware of the trouble that was coming their way. Will they survive?

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