Notes: My tears won't stop falling while I was writing this chap. Before you become sad, let me tell you, no, this is not an angsty chapter. I just feel so overwhelmingly happy that I can't speak so my eyes just showered tears. It's because of you guys. I am very deeply touched with your reviews and messages. Though I know I asked for reviews, but I wasn't expecting a lot of you would like my story. And your love and support for me is so heart-warming. I won't post here but you all know who you are. Thank you.
Dedication: For all of you. And to my Mom who, when she heard about my break-up, made a very delicious chocolate cake just for me and bought me a new poster of Mao-chan. Seriously, mother really knows best. I love you Mom!
Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Takumi-kun series. Only Mao-chan (in my dreams)
SUMMARY: The battle for love and dominance! Hayama Takumi is up against Saki Ryuiichi. Who will prevail?
"Damn you! What the hell is this?" Saki Ryuiichi, CEO and President of Saki Industries, cursed loudly and violently pounded the table when he saw the check, making the waiters and waitresses slowly entering the room with tray laden of food, running back out in fear. Strangely, for Takumi, the outburst of anger from the old man calmed him as he leaned his back on the chair comfortably and watched the terrifying expression of the older man with a nonchalant expression. Seeing as he was not affected by him, Saki-sama's anger increased tenfold. "You brat! You- damn you!"
The boy just continued looking at him and shrugged his shoulders. "What are you so upset about, Saki-sama? I followed your order exactly as you said." With pursed lips and eyes glaring in contempt, he tried to calm his nerves and raised the hand clutching the check. "This! This is-!"
"Thirty-five billion dollars. Yes, I know how much I wrote there." For the second time today, Takumi interrupted the older man.
"You know this is-"
"Yes, I know. That's the total sum of all your assets including properties, jewelries, and personal bank accounts of you, your wife, and Gii's. As well as your undeclared wealth in two separate Swiss accounts." The boy recited in an uninterested monotone voice, which irked Gii's father even more. "I was told you were an unassuming simple boy. Now I know what you truly are. You're nothing but a money-hungry opportunist!"
Takumi flinched inwardly, but smiled sarcastically outward. "When I agreed to meet you, I was not planning on getting money from you, Saki-sama. Need I remind you that you're the one who offered it to me just a while ago?" he retorted. "Yes, I did. But not my entire fortune! Do you really think I will hand over all my possession and wealth to you just like that?" Saki-sama shouted angrily, face red with fuming rage.
For a brief moment, Takumi felt a tinge of his conscience and felt sorry for the old man. But remembering the hurt of his words earlier and the insult he uncaringly shot at him, not to mention the fear he had to endure this week before meeting with him and lying to Gii because of him, he stood his ground. "You clearly said you were willing to pay me any amount I wish in exchange to ending my relationship with your son and leaving him. The only way you can make me do that is to hand over your entire fortune to me. That's the price of my love. But it seems like you're not willing to pay…"
"Hell no!" the older man snapped. The black-haired boy nodded his head. "Then we don't have a deal. Which means you will let me stay with Gii and we'll continue our relationship. If in the end, we'll break up, I won't ask anything from him or from you. Don't worry, I won't tell Gii about this meeting." He stood up and bowed. "Nice knowing you, Saki-sama. Have a good day." Then he started walking away.
"We're not yet through, Hayama Takumi." Saki Ryuiichi's threatening words floated to him. Without turning back, he answered. "I believe we are."
oOo
On the way back to Shidou, Takumi felt physically, emotionally and mentally drained. Gii's father was way beyond what he expected. He knows he will be against their relationship, of course, but he wasn't expecting him to be that opposed to it as to threaten, insult and offer him money just to leave Gii. He felt worse. He did not just try to accept the offer but asked for the entire Saki fortune on top of that. He must be thinking I'm really after their money. I feel so low. He sighed sadly. In reality, he wasn't even thinking of it. The Gii he loves was the Gii he knows in Shidou High, not the heir Saki Giichi. Call him a hypocrite but it's true. He never once thought himself as the Saki heir's partner, but just Gii's partner. That is clear to him. He is not after Gii's money so he has nothing to be ashamed about. That little tirade back with Saki Ryuiichi was his rage taking over him. Yuki-chan was right. Saki-sama really is unpredictable.
A little flashback
"Eh? Billion dollars in assets?" Takumi gasped out loud in surprise. It's Thursday afternoon. He's in Yuki's room, as usual, discussing and debating possible scenarios he's going to face with Gii's father when Yuki told him about the Saki assets.
"Yup, thirty-five billion dollars to be exact. That's the total already. It includes all their properties' and jewelries' costs and their personal bank accounts. It also has been discovered that Saki-sama has two hidden Swiss accounts. Really, even I am impressed. I never thought the Sakis are this rich." Yuki explained.
Takumi is at a loss. This is certainly not just some rich man, but an ultra super wealthy one. How am I supposed to face a formidable man like him? Worry and insecurity is clearly shown in his face which, naturally, did not come unnoticed by his best friend. "Hey!" the redhead waved a hand in front of his face. He blinked in surprise. "Don't worry. We can use this information to our advantage." She smiled reassuringly.
"How? And how did you get that information, Yuki-chan?" he asked, bewildered. He may not be as good as they are, but he knows this kind of information is not shared with the public. Yuki smiled proudly and straightened in her seat across him. "I had my father's assistant do some extensive research and this is what he got. He just faxed it to me this morning. And for how this can be useful to us, it's just simple. This is going to be your trump card." "Huh?"
The redhead leaned in towards him and in a conspiratorial tone said, "We had never discussed the most important scenario that may happen, Takumi-kun. The deal part. The He-will-offer-you-money-and-ask-you-to-stay-away-from-Gii scene. Now you have two options here: you can accept or reject the offer." Understanding dawned on Takumi. Furiously shaking his head, he replied indignantly, "I will not accept it. No matter how much he offers." The redhead nodded knowingly, "I know you won't. You're not the type of person who can be swayed by money so easily. But what if, instead of offering you specific amount, he'll ask you to write down how much you want? I just thought of that last time. Saki-sama is very unpredictable so you'll never know what he'll do next. This is just the other way around the deal."
"Then I won't ask anything. I don't want their money!" The raven-haired replied indignantly. Yuki laughed at his outburst and explained what she had in mind. "I know you are not after their money, my friend. What I'm trying to tell you is that, even if you refuse to accept or ask anything from him, that won't stop him from doing everything he can to make you leave Gii." This startled Takumi and for a moment, he contemplated on her words then asked, "So what do you suggest I do, Yuki-chan?"
"This is just my opinion and what I think is the better option." Yuki started. "If Saki-sama offers you a specific amount, reject it right away. If he insists, don't be threatened. Knowing him, he will push you to the edge just to get what he wants. But if you stand your ground against him, he'd be forced to take desperate measures. Now, when it comes to the point where he will ask you how much you prefer to get from him in exchange of leaving Gii, use this info we got. Ask him their entire wealth and business."
"I can't do that, Yuki-chan!" Takumi opposed. "Wait, listen first. I know what you're thinking. But that's not how it is. The reason I suggest this is because I know this will work. The idea is to ask him to give up something important to him as he is asking you to give up something important to you as well. His family fortune is an important thing to him. Just like how important Gii is to you. By doing this, you're giving him only two options: to agree with you or to leave you alone. Let him have a taste of his own medicine." She huffed, that explanation was long. Takumi silently considered the idea. Though he doesn't like it at all, but Yuki-chan has a point. If he will let him, Saki-sama surely will destroy their relationship. It's better to lose while trying than not doing anything at all. It's worth the fight, after all. Gii… Yes, well worth it. He decided.
End of flashback
Back in the school dorms, Takumi slowly opened the door of the room he shared with Misu. Walking inside, still engrossed in his thoughts, he did not notice his roommate who was about to greet him, but noticing his faraway look, decided not to. Not even changing his clothes, he dropped himself on his bed, face down. Groaning inwardly, disappointed in himself, he cursed himself. "I am such an idiot!" he buried his face in the pillow. An amused chuckle made him almost jumped out of bed. Turning around, he saw Misu in his desk, looking and clearly laughing at him. "Misu-kun! I'm sorry, I didn't know you were here."
"Figures. You were too busy talking to yourself you did not notice." The tall boy replied, smirking. "By the way, you're right. You really are an idiot. Considering how you avoided Saki the entire week and coming up with a lame excuse which obviously was Miyuki's idea." He added, with a knowing look. "Eh?" Takumi never thought he was that obvious. "It's not like that, Misu-kun." He tried to explain but Misu cut him off. "It's not my business whatever you do or what you're planning. I'm just saying, if it's obvious to me, then it is all the more obvious to Saki. By the way, he was here first thing in the morning looking for you. It seems you just left him without saying a word."
Oh no! Takumi paled. He needs to think of an excuse before he talks to his boyfriend. He did promise the older Saki he won't tell Gii about the meeting and what they talked about. And he needs to see Yuki and inform her what happened, too. So many things to do. No time to dawdle in self-mockery and thinking too much about the recent event. He did what he had to. Now he'll just leave it to fate.
oOo
Later that evening, in the Saki residence, Tokyo
Whack! "Ouch! What the hell was that for, Mako-chan?" Saki Ryuiichi demanded from his wife who hit him with a book in the head, obviously hurt. He wasn't expecting this reaction from her at all. He came home still agitated with his meeting with Hayama Takumi. He decided to have a little drink and calm his nerves and to think of other ways to make the boy give up on his son. It was how his wife found him when she came home. Hesitant at first, as he doesn't want Mako to be hurt when told the truth, he finally gave in and told her about their son's current 'partner'. She was surprisingly calm about the whole thing but when he told her about the discussion he had with the boy earlier, he was rewarded with a smack.
Saki Mako, formerly Akiyama Mako, his lovely wife and the only woman he loved, raised an articulately refined eyebrow and sneered at him. "You were so rude, Ryuiichi. That's why! How can you threaten a high schooler like that?" He groaned in disgust. He doesn't like it when Mako calls him Ryuiichi, it is very different from when she calls him 'Ryu'. It means she's not happy with him. And he feels disgusted with himself for making her unhappy. Mako was-is beauty and brains. He had tough competition over her before. With long-flowing, naturally wavy blonde hair, sharp intelligent eyes, and full plump pink lips, she's a rare gem. Age did not destroy her appearance, it enhanced it further. Now at forty-three, her beauty is still as shining as before. And adding to her charm is her strong personality, which of course was always overlooked by other people simply because they were deceived by her outward soft and gentle nature.
"Yeah, a damn smart high schooler! Were you listening to me? I said he asked for our entire wealth as payment for him leaving your son. If he isn't a money-hungry bastard, I don't know what else to think." He poured another glass of wine and started sipping. Damn that Hayama Takumi! He's got him unnerved. Unforgivable.
Mako let out a sultry laugh. "Oh dear!" she leaned closer to her husband and purred in his ear. "For a successful and an accomplished man like yourself, you can be so dumb sometimes." She teased him. Jerking, he looked at his wife incredulously. "What do you mean, I'm dumb?" His ego suffered an unbearable beating. Standing behind him, his wife gently massaged his shoulders to relax him as she explained. "Honey, you insulted the poor boy. Think about it. Since he knows our son is filthy rich and that the reason you asked to meet him is because you want him to stay away from Gii, then don't you think he should have asked for money first even before you offered? But he didn't. In fact, it was you who just shoved that blank check to him and arrogantly asked him to put any amount he desired even though he had just admitted he loves Gii and will never leave him."
"It doesn't make any difference. It's still money he wants." he countered. And he was damn calm about it the whole time! He can never erase the memory of Takumi's face in his mind when he never showed any signs of uneasiness talking to him. "There's a very big difference, dear." Mako corrected him. "Him asking for payment on his own is a lot different to him asking for it because you forced him."
"I did not force him!" he denied forcefully. "He wrote that amount on his own and told me that's the only way he will leave your son." He heard his wife clucking her tongue. "Why are you such a difficult man to handle? You're not trying to understand what I'm telling you because of that huge ego of yours!" He almost gasped. Now he had made her angry. Not a good sign. He took her hands and kissed them, calming her down. "I'm sorry, Mako-chan. I guess I'm really just angry. It's clouding my better judgment."
The lovely woman is still unconvinced. She yanked her hands from his grasp and crossed them over her chest. "Now listen to me. I'm not going to explain this to you again." She demanded with a dead serious expression. Saki Ryuiichi can only nod his head. "You asked the poor thing to give up something that is impossible for him to let go: his love for Gii. And you did it by insulting him, trying to buy his cooperation. You cornered him, giving him without any other choices. So he opted to give in to your offer but asked you to give him something that is also impossible for you to give up: the fortune you worked so hard to gain. He knew you will not grant it. Which means you now can't force him to do what you asked of him. Bottom line, my dear? He won't give up our son." She finished. Quiet for a moment as she also thinks about what she explained to her husband, she smiled affectionately. "Now that I think about it, I want to meet him too. He must be an adorable child!"
"Are you out of your mind, Mako-chan? You're saying you're fine with this? He's a boy, for goodness' sake! You think it will be good for our reputation when everyone knew our son has a male partner? It's unacceptable!" Now Ryuiichi is furious.
With dead calm, which is actually more dangerous than her being angry, Mako looked at her husband directly in the eyes. "Do you really think I'd actually care about other people?" she asked flatly. "I only care about my family, you and Gii. If this doesn't work out for our son, there's always another. But if he is serious with this Takumi and being with him makes him happy, I wouldn't care less what people will think. I want him to be happy, be it acceptable in society or not. I will protect my son's happiness, even from you." The coldness in her tone made him shudder. Her eyes told him it's not merely a threat. It's what she's really feeling inside. "Mako-chan, please listen…" he wasn't able to finish what he was about to say as his wife pressed her soft lips against him in a sweet but quick kiss.
"I'm going to bed now. Good night, Ryu. Think about what I said tonight… in the guest room."
WHAT?
A/N: There you go! I am so mean to Gii's father *evil laugh* I was so touched with my Mom that I just had to introduce Mrs. Saki in this chap, lol! And yes, her characteristics are just like my mother. I remember back when I was in college and I started accepting suitors (only a couple or so… yeah I know I was pretty late in acknowledging the opposite sex) and going out on dates, my father would not permit me to at first, but mother smacked him hard in the head and told him to stop being a spoilsport and let me do what I want since I'm already a grown-up and a responsible one at that (no kidding, she really patronize me). My father stood no chance, XD!
I thought I won't be able to finish this chap by the time I'm planning to post it. It's because Mao-chan has been monopolizing me these days (and nights *smirks*). Geez, let me dream guys, I'm begging you…
So what do you think of this chap? Is it acceptable as an open ending or would you rather have me wrap it up for you in another chapter? Let me know. Of course, you know what to do, right? *winks
P.S: Oh did you notice Misu? Yes, I gave him something to say here as I'm practicing if I can get his character right. Was it okay?