Chapter 10
They landed in a small private airport. While landing at one the major commercial airports was an alternative, Takumi knew the it was easier to avoid the press this way. He didn't want some stupid gossip columnist to interfere with his plans. The airport was so exclusive, it didn't have the types of barriers required in larger airports. Tora had known the names of the two individuals on the flights passenger manifest. With this, he was checked through security at the front entrance and was permitted to wait for his love at the gate.
So it came to be that, upon disembark the plane, Misaki had the delight of seeing her handsome boyfriend standing a few yards away holding a large bouquet of flowers. Misaki ran across the tar mac and burst through the terminal doors only to stop abruptly and looked around. Misaki had been traveling to multiple cities for the purpose of attending various trade shows. She had been gone for three weeks. She missed Tora desperately and longed for his embrace. But Misaki also had a strong aversion to public displays of affection. She was shocked to discover that when she scanned her surrounding, she didn't notice any other people. Theirs was the only jet landing at that hour, security was located at the front entrance of the terminal, the customs officer was conducting his interviews and inspection in the jet's fuselage which was delaying Takumi's departure and the other airport staff had gone home for the evening. It was a rare invitation to show her affection for Tora outside of the privacy of their home. She flung her arms around his neck. He was overcome with joy and picked her up by the waist spinning her around until finally placing her gently on the ground. It was then that the couple looked into each other's eyes and engaged in a passionate kiss.
Takumi had been watching Misa through a plane window from the second she'd left the plane. Watching her actions and emotions was difficult for him to bare. He knew she was no longer his, but his heart seemed to disagree. He felt a possessiveness that was completely unwarranted. He was grateful that the customs officer had trapped him in the jet because it had prevented him from acting foolishly.
"Tora," Misaki asked, "what are you doing here? I thought Suzuna was coming to get me."
"I rearranged my schedule so I don't need to go out of the City until next week. I just couldn't bare to be away on the night you came back to Japan. It has been torture not seeing you for three full weeks."
He hugged her again to prove to himself that this moment was real. He hated that she insisted on traveling for her job. Misa's unit was one of the units that his division oversaw. And he was the son of the majority stockholders in the company. He could easily see to it that her supervisor found a different employee to fulfill out of town obligations. But Misa did not want any sort of special privileges as a result of her personal relationships and insisted that Tora act as if they did not even know each other when they were at work.
Keeping their relationship hidden made formal work functions very awkward. Misa was able to attend such gatherings without an escort, but Tora was expected to secure a date. His family connections and assumed role of future Corporate CEO required that he mingle with clients and potential business partners at such events. Invariably, these individuals would bring along a significant other. Tora needed to have a date on hand to help entertain the significant other so that Tora could take full advantage of his conversations with the clients. Misa was not a jealous girlfriend so she suggested Tora ask his secretary to regularly accompany him at such times. Since his secretary also helped him make reservations and purchase gifts on Valentines, birthdays, Christmas and other special occasions for "his love" she understood that Tora's invitation was not to be confused as a date. Still, all night long Tora had to consciously avert his eyes from the only thing that he could see in the room and pretend like he didn't even know the name of the enchanting woman that was laughing at another table.
This ruse was even more difficult given that Misa also wanted his family to feign ignorance of their relationship. Although Tora's parents had not been affectionate parents, their son had grown into a useful commodity. He was bright and capable. Someday they knew, they could leave their first love, the family business, in his care. For this reason, they did have an interest in Tora's potential spouse. They had gotten to know Misaki. She seemed to be more than adequate to fulfill the role of a daughter in law. She was stunning and could be a brilliant conversationalist so they had the utmost confidence in her ability to host parties and social gatherings. She had worked at the business and was intelligent. This would enable her to act as a sounding board when Tora became CEO. She understood the importance of hard work so she wouldn't resent the hours Tora would needed to dedicate to work once he took over. She was sure to produce attractive grand children. In short, she'd make the perfect daughter in law and they loved her for it. It took much coaxing to make them agree to treat her as a mere employee at work events.
This secrecy was part of the reason the open display of affection they shared now was so special. They were rarely allowed to hold hands in public for fear they would encounter a fellow employee. Misaki had promised that if they ever became engaged, she would consider being more open about their relationship. When she'd first made the promise, Tora immediately dropped to one knee and begged her to agree to marry him. She informed him she would not even consider any proposals until they had reached at least their fourth year anniversary. This was only a few months away and Tora had been diligently shopping for a ring these past three weeks. Tora was staring into Misaki's eyes while holding her hand, trying to gauge if the ring he'd selected would fit her slender fingers, when the door opened and the couple looked up to find Takumi sauntering over with his usual cool, calm and happy persona emitting.
"Tora," he said smiling and holding out a hand to shake, "it's been a long time! Thank you for letting me borrow Misa here. It made the flight go by much faster than normal." Takumi saw before him a middle manager who's only real accomplishments had been to be born into a wealthy family and to steal Misa's heart through lies and deception. He saw Tora as weak and pathetic. Takumi knew that Tora had watched him with envy as teenagers. Tora wanted to be him, to be able to get what he wanted but without being hated. And this sad man couldn't do it without robbing Takumi of his past. Why hadn't Misaki seen through this? Why was she still with this guy? Tora would never be his own person. He'd always be trying, and failing, to become Takumi Walker.
Tora noticed that Takumi referred to his girlfriend as Misa and wasn't very happy about it, but he wasn't going to make a fuss over such a small matter. He felt sorry for Takumi. He'd seen the magazine stories about his rise to fame and power. Tora knew the price that had to be paid for such things. He could only imagine how empty and sad Takumi's life must be. Tora had intentionally declined several opportunities for promotion because Misa's accident had given him insight into the how brief life could be and how important it was to use that precious little time to be with the ones you love. His father had finally pressured him into assuming the role of Chief Operating Officer for the manufacturing division. This was still a far cry for Takumi's position. Takumi was the Corporate Chief Executive Officer. Tora couldn't imagine accepting such responsibility and commitment at such a young age. His father wanted him to eventually grow into the same role for the family corporation, but as soon as Misaki accepted his hand in marriage, he was going to jump ship and work for a smaller business that would have fewer demands on his time. They were happy with their life style and even on his current salary, they were building savings at an alarming rate. Wealth and fame were not keys to happiness. All that really mattered was love.
"How are you doing Takumi," he took Takumi's hand and shook it. "Thanks for watching out for my girl." Misaki blushed.
It was interesting to witness this exchange. Both men would have said very different things to each other had Misa not been present. Takumi wanted to confront Tora about stealing his past. Tora wanted to chastise Takumi for causing Misa so much pain. Both men wanted to warn the other to back off. Both men felt both anger toward, and sorry for, the other. But now was not the time. Somehow, they both knew that their paths would cross again very soon, and at that time, the would drop the perfectly civil masks they had spent their lives crafting and they would show their true emotions.