Thanks for all your support! Favor to ask everyone, please don't just copy my work and if you see someone copying me, please tell them to stop. Its really a mood ruiner when someone steals your work. Thanks!

Chapter 12: Madame X

"Do you think they're going to buy this act?" Ruri asked. The women were at Rose Latte for a housewife meeting.

Misaki sipped her English tea. "I think it's working. Takumi is actually using our bar now..." she told her friends.

"Does he have a look like this..?" Ruri asked, making a tired face with wide eyes and tight lips.

"Yup..." Misaki said, stirring her tea. "How long have we been doing this?" she asked.

Sakura checked her phone. "Two weeks now," she said. "Hey, I think it's going to benefit everyone. Kuuga wrote a great song the other day about love and longing. It sounded pretty good."

Misaki laughed. "How nice..."

Ruri poured herself more tea. "But we can't drag this out for forever. We really need something that will completely crush them."

Sakura thought about it. "Let's go shopping," she suggested. "I'm sure we'll come up with something. I'm in my zen mode when I'm shopping."

Misaki popped the last scone in her mouth. "Check!" she called to the waitress.

The girls walked down the busy streets. Boutiques, restaurants and other stores lined right after the other. Most stores had large glass displays.

"Looks like someone bought the old antique shop..." Misaki mused. The old wood was now polished and there was a chic black and gold theme.

"Madame X..." Sakura read. "Want to go check it out?"

"Sure,"

Not like the girls had anything better to do. They pushed open the new glass door and stepped into a clothing store.

"Hello, welcome to Madame X. How may we assist you?" a young girl said.

"I've never been here before," Sakura said. "Tell us about this place."

"Hello!" another woman said, strutting down the aisle.

She was much older than the sales assistant. Her gray eyes were piercing and her lips were a deep red color.

"My name is Sabrina and I am the owner of this boutique. I will happily assist you personally. I want get our name out there," Sabrina told them.

Sakura nodded. "Please tell us about this place then."

"Madame X specializes lingerie and nightwear," Sabrina explained. "Are you girls interested in hooking a date tonight?" she asked.

"We're all married," Sakura said, holding up her left hand. "But we'd love to look at your collections."

"Hm..." Sabrina said. "What are your names?"

"I'm Sakura," Sakura said, shaking her hand. Misaki and Ruri introduced themselves too and shook her hand.

"I have a question before we get started," Sabrina said. "I'm dying to know but is there any chance that I have Mrs. Sakurai, Mrs. Walker and Mrs. Igarashi all in my store right now?"

The girls looked at each other. "That's us," Ruri said. "How did you know?" she asked.

Sabrina laughed. "Your wedding rings. They're all one of a kind. I remember looking at the pictures of all your weddings. The press was sure into your business those days..."

Misaki sighed. "They sure were..." she said, thinking back to the old days.

"So now that we all introduced ourselves, what can I help you find?" Sabrina asked.

"We need something sexy," Ruri said.

"Are we talking sophisticated sexy, cute sexy or just plain sex appeal?" Sabrina asked.

"Last one," Sakura said. "We need to be irresistible!"

Sabrina nodded. "Follow me," she instructed.

The girls followed her to the back. Misaki felt embarrassed just looking at some of the clothing...she would never in a million years have the guts to wear them.

Sabrina and the sales assistant took their measurements and then went to grab some clothes.

Misaki gingerly took the hangers from them and stepped into the dressing room.

"Yikes..." she thought to herself. "What have I gotten myself into...?"

Misaki's lingerie was usually pretty conservative but this was the exact opposite. The first set was a jade green with jewels on the edges.

"Sakura!" Misaki called. "This looks really awkward. Can we do something else?"

The door next to her opened. "Come out!" Sakura said. "These are really sexy."

"I'm glad you like them," Sabrina said.

Misaki wanted to put her street clothes back on. She turned around and they were gone.

"Sakura?!" Misaki exclaimed.

"Come out or else I'm not giving your clothes back," Sakura told her.

Misaki blushed and opened the door.

"You have a very nice figure," Sabrina complemented. "Very fit and toned muscles."

"Thanks..." Misaki said trying to cover herself up.

"We need something more..." Sakura said.

"I am not wearing anything with all those buckles!" Misaki said.

"I think Takumi would love seeing you wear that," Sakura teased pointing to a corset.

Misaki rolled her eyes. "I'm sure that perverted alien would..."

In the end, Misaki was forced to buy a tiny black lingerie set, both pieces barely covering anything. She also had a sheer nightgown and fishnet leggings. Misaki handed over her Gold Card with trembling hands.

"I'm going to look like a hooker..." Misaki said, burying her face in her hands.

"Nothing wrong with looking like a hooker in front of your husband!" Ruri said, pushing her out the door before she could return the clothes.

"I really can't do this..." Misaki whimpered. "I'd rather point a gun at him head and make him sign..."

Sakura scoffed. "I bet Takumi knows you would so he won't be surprised. We have the element of surprise, especially Misaki. I have to take you lingerie shopping more often. Your husband would thank me."

Misaki was too worried to even respond.

"Tomorrow when he comes home from work," Sakura reminded everyone.

Misaki nodded and got into her car. The Lamborghini purred to life and Misaki drove home.

"Hi darling," Misaki said, kicking off her shoes.

"Welcome home," Takumi greeted. "Did you go shopping?" he asked.

Misaki blushed. What was she suppose to tell him?!

"Uh..." she said shifting her weight from one foot to the other. "Just stuff for Suzana," she lied. She would never buy this stuff for anyone especially not her sweet innocent sister.

Takumi nodded. "Can I see...?"

Misaki was ready to faint. "...No..." she squeaked out. "Sakura made me buy it! I didn't want to!" she screamed and ran out of the kitchen.

Takumi raised an eyebrow. What just happened? His phone buzzed.

"Hello?"

"Hey Takumi," Tora said. "Kuuga and I are hitting up the bar tonight. Want to come?"

Takumi sighed. "Sure," he said.

Takumi wasn't really a person to go out but he just needed some fresh air. After a very tense dinner, Takumi just needed to get himself together. The way Misaki was simply chewing was starting to look erotic to him. He couldn't swallow any of his food.

"I'm going out with the guys," he told Misaki when they cleaned up.

"Alright," Misaki said. "Have fun..." she said, pulling on his tie. Takumi could smell her shampoo.

"I thought we said no touching," he said putting his hands on her waist.

Misaki brushed his hands off. "You can't touch..." she said. "But I can if I want..." she said pushing his hair out of his eyes. "Have a fun night," she said, walking away.

"Get me something strong..." Takumi told the bartender as soon as he sat down.

"Women..." Tora muttered, downing his drink.

"Here's to our survival..." Kuuga said, clinking glasses with them.

"How do you think this is going to be when they're pregnant?" Tora asked.

"That's different," Takumi said. "We'd still be allow in our bedroom and hugging and kissing is fine."

Kuuga poured himself another glass. "I don't know how much longer I can do this...what if we just let them work?"

"Again, no woman of mine is going to be thrown into the working world. Kuuga, you understand how it is. Everything's cutthroat. You have to be the best or else you will be crushed," Tora said.

"I just want to protect Misaki from worry and stress..." Takumi added. "What have I gotten into...?" he said, twisting his wedding band. He took it off and ran his thumb on the inscription inside. Takumi and Misaki forever

Takumi downed another drink and sighed.

"What if we had them work under us?" Tora suggested. "I could fire my secretary and hire Ruri," he said.

Takumi shook his head. "It seems like a good compromise but this is our wives we're talking about. Do you really think they'll agree to work under us? Misaki has too much pride for that."

Tora filled everyone's glasses again. "What about a manager position?" he asked.

"Misaki wouldn't even agree to be the vice CEO. She wants to be independant. She's worried that everyone will treat her differently because she's my wife," Takumi said. He threw his head back and gulped down his drink.

"What's wrong with getting help from us?" Kuuga asked. "I don't own a business but I could get Sakura any job in my company but no...Sakura doesn't want any connection with me."

"You're right..." Tora said. He twirled the lime in his drink. "They're fine getting help from everyone else but not us? Shouldn't we be their #1 choice for support and connections?"

"Its like they have something to prove..." Takumi observed.

"I already know Ruri could get a job if she wanted..." Tora grumbled. "She's no idiot."

"Misaki was top of her class in law school...I don't know what they're thinking..." Takumi sighed.

"Cheers to our brilliant wives," Kuuga said, raising his glass.

They clinked glasses and drank. Takumi was starting to feel a buzz.

"Hey..." a woman purred, leaning against the counter. "Want to buy me a drink?" she asked, batting her eyelashes.

Kuuga looked away. He had his disguise on but he didn't want to have the risk of attracting a mob of fans.

"No, thank you," Takumi said politely. "I'm a happily married man..." he said.

"If you so happy, why the long face?" she asked, touching his arm.

Takumi stood up with a glass in hand. He gulped the last of his tequila. The liquid burned down his throat. "Turning in for the night," he said.

The woman was disappointed and slowly walked away, hoping they would change their mind.

"I think we better all go home before we regret it," Tora said, throwing some bills on the counter.

"None of you drove right?" Kuuga asked.

"Taxi," Takumi said.

"Driver," Tora said with a smirk.

"Good..." Kuuga said. "Alright..." he muttered. "Good luck," he said dryly.

By the time Takumi got home, Misaki had already went to bed. He trudged off to the guest room feeling forgotten...

The next morning he had a huge headache and wasn't looking forward to work. Misaki had aspirin and water waiting for him at the kitchen counter.

"Have a good day at work," she said kissing him on the cheek. "Will you be home on time?" she asked.

"Do you want me to be...?"

Misaki smiled and nodded.

"Anything for you, my love," Takumi said blowing her a kiss.

Misaki spent the day on the phone with Sakura and Ruri. She still thought the clothes were embarrassing.

"He won't respect me after this..." Misaki argued. "He'll think I'm cheap..."

"He wouldn't dare," Sakura promised. "Nothing wrong with a wife looking nice for her husband."

"I feel like I'm getting ready to sell my body..." Misaki muttered, picking up her curling iron.

"Your body is already his just like his is your's. Marriage brings people together into one soul..." Ruri said, sounding like she was explaining a philosophy.

"Okay...?" Misaki said, still unsure.

"Misaki, you can not chicken out," Sakura warned. "If one remains standing, the others will not fall."

"Yeah yeah..." Misaki said. "I know..."

"They'll be home soon so talk to you later!" Sakura said. "We can only succeed!" she yelled.

"Remember...whoever chickens out is a TROPHY WIFE!" Ruri said.

Misaki said goodbye and hung up. She finished curling her hair and chose the darkest lipstick she had.

"Don't look in the mirror..." she ordered herself as she got changed. She strapped on a pair of black stilettos and clacked downstairs.

"Do this for your career. You want to be a lawyer!" she said a dozen times as she cut fruit up and arranged it on a plate.

If Takumi laughed at her getup, Misaki swore she would just burst into tears...

The door opened and Misaki muttered a prayer for herself. "Allow me to survive another day..."

"Hey Misaki, I'm ba- whoa..."

Misaki turned and watched Takumi's mouth literally dropped open.

"Uh..." Takumi was speechless.

Misaki walked over and put the plate of fruit on the table. "You hungry?" she asked, avoiding eye contact.

"Um..." he said, clearing his throat. "I'm fine. Thank you..." he said, loosening his tie.

Misaki simply stood there unsure of what to do. Takumi's eyes looked her over.

"You look...nice..." he said, swallowing.

Misaki tucked a curl behind her ear and blushed. She had no idea what to say to him.

"Can you stop staring...?" Misaki finally said.

"To be honest, I don't even know where to start looking..." Takumi muttered.

Misaki took Takumi's hand in her's. "I miss you," she said.

Takumi groaned. He picked her up and sat her on the counter. "Why are you torturing me so, Misa?" he asked.

"Am I...?" Misaki asked.

"You realize this dress is entirely see through, right?" Takumi said, his hand trailing up her calf.

"Does that bother you...? I thought you like this sort of stuff."

Takumi pinned her on her back. "I could take you right here and right now," he warned. "I have limits too...and woman...you are going to make me snap."

Misaki smiled and ran her hand through his hair. "You could and you are stronger than me but you won't. You're a gentleman," she reminded him.

Takumi let her sit back up on the counter and flipped a chair over. "Gentleman," he scoffed.

"Contract's on the table," Misaki said.

"I don't want you to work,"

Misaki closed her eyes and pressed her lips to Takumi's. Her lips parted and let Takumi deepen the kiss.

"You don't... miss me at all...?" Misaki gasped out as Takumi's lips traveled along her jawline to her neck. She gently pulled Takumi's head up and kissed him again.

"Just sign your name..." Misaki said, pressing her fingers to Takumi's lips. "It would mean the world to me..."

Takumi threw his hands up in the air and slammed his fist down on the table. He grabbed the pen and scribbled his name.

"Happy, darling?!" he asked.

Misaki laughed. "Thank you, Takumi..." she said.

Takumi shook his head and threw his tie on the table. Misaki slid off the counter and walked over.

"I guess all rules are off now," Misaki said.

"You are such a sly woman..." Takumi said, sweeping her off her feet.

Misaki wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. "But you still love me..."

Takumi carried her upstairs without breaking the kiss. He pulled the dress over Misaki's head and tossed aside.

"You look really sexy," he said, backing her up into the wall.

"Thanks..." Misaki said, blushing. Her hands instinctively tried to cover herself.

"Don't cover up now," Takumi said pinning her hands over her head. "Misaki Walker, I'm going to make you so sore that you won't be able to walk straight tomorrow," he said with a glint in his eyes.

Misaki gave a nervous laugh. "Haha..funny Takumi..." she said, hoping that he was joking.

"Just you wait..." Takumi said, capturing her mouth with his.