Chapter 6
Misaki had been on a private jet once with Tora, but it turns out not all private jets are created equally. This jet contained a gourmet kitchen, two bedrooms both of which were connected to fully equipped bathrooms, an area for watching television, a small conference room and an office. This jet was larger and more attractive than her own apartment. Her facial expression demonstrated her surprise. Takumi really wasn't sure if she looked impressed or disgusted that he'd wasted so much money on something she deemed unnecessary. Just in case he felt the need to justify himself, "I spend a lot of time traveling. I know it seems a bit opulent, but I need to fly so often, its kind of like my second home. I also have to hold meeting here sometimes when I'm meeting with people who are more important than myself. There are some people that just wouldn't be able to meet with me unless I can insert myself into their travel schedules."
Misaki nodded. Mr. Walker lived in a different world than she did. These types of things seemed over the top in her world, but she could see their necessity in his life. He probably had to meet with sheiks and presidents on occasion. Under those circumstances, this type of plane might be needed. She was surprised by the kitchen. She was getting ready to ask him about it when a flight Stewart entered the cabin. "Good Day, Mr. Walker."
Takumi could have kicked himself. He forgot to tell Ralph he needed to play the role of a love sick employee for the day. Takumi gave Ralph a brief greeting, being sure to play the role of a wary, nervous, sexual harassment victim, which left poor Ralph very confused. In truth, Takumi had hired Ralph precisely so he wouldn't need to worry about that type of behavior during his numerous flights each month. Takumi's lie to Misaki drew on actual experiences in his life. Takumi had faced a sexually hostile work environment with the flight attendant he'd hired before Ralph. But that was in the past, unless you counted today.
It would be too risky for Takumi to corner Ralph alone to inform him of what just happened and explain to him his extra acting duties for this flight. Misaki might notice if Takumi willingly cornered Ralph and that would seem inconsistent with the initial excuse he'd made to get her to come on this flight with him. He'd just need to text Claire again. She could call Ralph on the plane phone and tell him what needed to be done. He'd make sure they each got a nice little bonus once he was back in England. He made a mental note to delete all texts sent today. He couldn't risk Misaki seeing his cunning right now. Once he'd won her back he'd tell her how he'd tricked her and she could punish him. But right now he was at step two. She needed to start to forget Tora, remember their shared past, and fall in love with him once more. He would hide all evidence from Step one… just to be safe.
With the exception of Claire, his collaborator and partner in scheming, those that knew Takumi might think that the actions he took today to manipulate the situation to his advantage were out of character. In reality, he often used his talents and gifts to ensure a favorable outcome for himself. Because he could be calculating and cunning so effortlessly the people that knew him assumed that fate simply favored him. They didn't know that below the surface, he had always set actions in motion to make sure he achieved his goals. He wasn't ashamed of this but he did feel like it set him apart from others, and not necessarily in a good way.
Takumi's had always seemed to be smarter or think faster than his contemporaries. In high school, Misaki would become so frustrated because, unless he decided to throw a test for her benefit, he would always get the top ranking in school even without studying. Any subject he was interested in he would easily master. To everyone but her, he seemed to be perfect. People would watch his cool façade and seamless actions and assume his character was as equally perfect, predictable, and blasé as his exterior. Afterall, he never seemed to pause and consider actions. He just acted. They couldn't see the wheels that were always turning in his mind. They couldn't know that although he made it all look effortless, he had been able to achieve so much and learn so fast because he thought differently than most other people. While most people's thoughts were like a train going down a track, steadily and predictably working on a single problem at a time, Takumi's mind was like a bumblebee. His thoughts would wander in looping patterns, covering one thought before flitting off to another. To watch him think would make anyone else dizzy. It allowed him to simultaneously work on several problems and act faster, masking the fact that he would, on occasion use his wealth, power, good looks or charm to his own advantage. It was a gift really. But because they all assumed his every motive pure, his every action noble, and his judgement infallible, he felt isolated. He couldn't show anyone what he really felt or tell them what he really thought. It would destroy the image they held of a hero. An unrealistic, unachievable and one demential hero.
That was why Misaki was his salivation. She had seen through him from day one. She knew he wasn't perfect. She knew he could have behaved differently and avoided the unnecessary heart break he was causing in school. She knew that when gifts were lavishly heaped on Takumi, like they had been at the carnival, it was because he had taken advantage of his charisma. In the quite hours at night, when she'd lay in his arms, she would chide him to try to be a better, less selfish man. It was coaching he couldn't get from anyone else because no one else could even see that he needed to improve his moral character.
Yes. He needed her. He needed her not just because he loved her. He needed her to be the person he wanted to be rather than the person that he was. Although he did want to be a better man, he would need to wait on that goal for now. For now he would would unabashedly use everything and anything he had to win her back.