Glancing at the window outside, the unusual commotion somewhat distracted Rena from reading one of Jurina's fashion magazines. It wasn't like the neighborhood wasn't busy with activities and doings every day, but what made her feeling something different happened was, they sounded like cars, as she remembered that the road in the environs was mostly passed by bikes and pedestrians. The heiress stood up and slowly unveiled the white curtain a little, enough for a pair of eyes to peek, as Rena didn't want anybody around to learn that there was another person temporarily living in the younger Matsui's place. She had to be careful with any actions because it wasn't impossible for one of his father's men to telescope building by building from somewhere unknown. Rena quickly scanned the area. It was lucky, the view from third floor where Jurina's room was, made her easier to find the source of the fuss.

Just like what she thought, it was the sound of cars. Some of them stopping in certain areas and some were just passing by. The weird thing was, all of them were alike; black and had a certain logo printed on each side of its door. Once she took a good look on the mark, Rena knew something wasn't right. It was the same symbol in the Matsui Headquarters' main hall.

Why are they getting increased?

Rena couldn't help but thinking that Yuasa might be betraying her. For a moment there was a slight disappointment and regret in her eyes for believing her most loyal butler too much. But not long after that, she remembered that neither her nor him ever spoken about Jurina's place at all. He did definitely not know where she lived judging from his actions in the festival.

The walking stick didn't make his intimidating aura diminished even just a bit. In fact, it added the tough look he already possessed, looking from the way he spoke and a large scar carved on his face, as if telling all the history he had been through. Rena couldn't believe that the man, who cripplingly walked with a wooden cane with pure gold engraved on its handle, was her father. Rena refused to believe if it wasn't because he had the same mismatched brown eyes as hers. The only thing proofed that she had his blood run in her veins, which she detested as his were gleaming with odious intention and endeavors.

He moved his finger, gesturing something. Soon, a maid came pushing a wheelchair, which was a surprise to Rena. With a short step, he dropped himself on and sighed.

"You may laugh."

Rena was shocked knowing her father's condition was far different than the last time she met him, which was years ago when she was fifteen. He looked thin and though his eyes were unchanged, there was a slight spark of hope in between.

"I'm not as strong as I was back then."

The man reached a thick cigarette behind his blazer and lit up. He inhaled deeply. A man wearing white suit and stethoscope around his neck, who was Matsui family's personal doctor, was about to say a word, as if wanting to object something. However, as her father lifted his hand, the doctor knew he had to keep his mouth shut.

"Let me smoke."

There was compassion grew inside Rena for her father. The same man who had put her life in desolation for years, not to mention her mother's as well. She wondered what would that woman said if she were alive and seeing the man who had control almost half of Japan's economy was sitting imperceptibly on a wheelchair like this. Trying to look strong despite of the cracked shell he was clad in. However, it died as soon as she heard what the man was said next,

"Accept the marriage."

Matsui Rena retreated from the window and sat on the bed, pondering. She started to question her actions whether it was the right decision or not to keep things the way she wanted to be. Behind his egocentric decision, she knew that her father was desperately seeking her help. However, the more she thought about that, the tattooed mistakes the man had left were gone too far even hurtful in her chest. If she went back without objection, it means she gave in her life once again, where she couldn't have a right to control her life, to control her actions, to control her decisions. She would be completely a tool, a living device that as good as dead, living in emptiness.

And the painful thing if it happened, though she just realized it recently, that she wouldn't be able to meet the escort again.

Slowly, her hand made its way to her lips, feeling the surface with the fingertips. The warm touch of the younger Matsui's velvet pair still felt real, leaving an inquisitive aftertaste. Rena wondered why it felt much different than the first time they did, in the back of an alley. It was as if she'd absorbed into Jurina's eyes, the way she look at her like she never did before, Rena wanted to see it again.

And somehow the everlasting question that had been spinning inside her head finally found its answer. The answer that she hesitatingly convinced herself that it's the one; about how she didn't feel any uneasiness no matter how insecure the condition she was in. She had denied many times but as it grew stronger, she couldn't help but taking in her senses. Rena at last found what actually made her feeling this way.

It's because there's Jurina by her side.

When the escort slept in her arms, it was the first time for Rena to actually touch the younger girl as they never really had physical contact before, if their first kiss didn't count. In that time, though was strange, she felt like she wasn't all alone in this life.

Rena's chest somehow twinged knowing that she would lose these all if she complied with her sympathy towards her father. She knew she can't be selfish on both ways but the situation and condition just made her like a balloon in a cramped room, waiting to explode and release all its inside. Matsui Rena just wanted to be selfish for once in her life. She just wanted the younger Matsui to come back, holding her tight, telling everything will be alright.

"Sorry for not coming home last night, but,"

Rena was drowned in her own emotions that she didn't realize the person she'd been thinking about was standing in the doorway, yawning. In her hand was a plastic bag.

"Would you like some melon bread?"

xxx

"Let go!"

All of sudden, her phone rang and the grip in her hand loosened. A smirk formed in the guy's face.

"Saved by the bell, I see. Just like back then in the school rooftop."

Matsui Jurina sent her most death glare when he finally let go of her hand, it was so hard she almost felt her blood had stopped for a moment. Underneath her jacket, her wrist probably had turned red due to the ministration. The man walked back to his car and waved in a manner that irked Jurina in so many ways.

"We'll meet again."

The sudden laugh from the couple across the room dragged Jurina back to reality, and to the club room. Knowing that it was one of Mariko's workers; who now pouring more whiskey to the already tipsy customer, Jurina's self-esteem dropped even lower as she still couldn't find girls that she would wholeheartedly serve without objection. Mariko already told her to have more than one personality when dealing with clients though; this was easier said than done. Even pretending was a tough task to do. However, that didn't last long as the girl who was sitting with legs crossed not far from her caught Jurina's attention.

Never had she seen anything so out of place like this. In the building where everyone was supposed to be drinking, talking, flirting, dancing, or simply sitting while getting drunk, this girl was appeared to be holding…a PlayStation portable. Jurina raised brows, the girl didn't look like she was just a teenager who doesn't know what to do in a place for adults like this, and in fact she seemed to be older than Jurina herself. She wondered if the girl was lost or something, but looking from the way she relaxed herself while concentrating on the device, Jurina knew it was only her imagination. She decided to approach closer.

"Hello, may I sit beside you?"

The girl didn't even look at Jurina, let alone gave out an answer. Jurina shrugged it off and sat down anyway, still feeling curious despite being ignored. The girl had a long straight hair with her forelocks down trimmed properly. She wore bright cream fur sweater and black leggings above brown miniskirt. Jurina assumed she was a rich person judging from a pair of boots that wrapped the girl's legs. Living in Roppongi for almost two years made her eyes becoming keen of branded and exclusive things.

"Want me to get you drink?"

"Do I look like I want to talk to you?" Jurina shifted a bit as the girl finally responded, though her eyes still attached on the screen. It was weird for the escort; despite of how attractive the girl was, it was totally the opposite on the inside. Jurina wondered whether all rich people could only buy things but not manners like this. However, she didn't feel like losing yet.

"Aren't you coming to place like this for socializing?" without raising her tone, Jurina kept trying to be humble though her stomach stirred with impatience.

"I wonder why," the girl pressed a certain button on the device and turned to look at her opponent, "people don't like to keep their mouth shut."

"And I wonder why," Jurina put down her glass and stared back intentionally, "someone would be playing games in a place like this." The music in the club wasn't so loud because it wasn't the time for happy hour; this made Jurina glad she could engage in normal conversation without having to shout due to the noise. The girl made a face like she was going to leave this place at anytime.

"I'm sorry; I just can't help seeing a pretty girl like you, sitting alone like that."

"Fine, what do you want?"

Obviously your money, girl, Jurina thought.

"Having fun with you. Didn't you come here to have fun?"

"Not here if I wanted to, definitely." Jurina felt she got a green light as the girl turned her device off, finally gave in to the conversation.

"So, you like games, eh?"

"Look, Host-san, if it's not because of those politicians upstairs I wouldn't be here."

Jurina just remembered that the upper floor of this club was a VIP lounge with more privileged choices of entertainments where special guests and only certain members could come in. From what she observed, the room was also usually reserved for private parties of famous people she knew from the television.

"Are you a politician?"

"Hell no, I don't want to be like Dad."

"Your father? Then what are you doing here?"

"I'm tired with him trying to introduce me to his colleagues in his parties."

"I see. I'm not a host anyway."

"You aren't? Your attitude said so."

Jurina smiled and shifted closer. Seeing the girl didn't give any reaction to her obvious approaching, Jurina whispered into her ear in a tone that made the girl's hairs rose in pleasure, "I'm an escort, you know."

"S-stupid! What are you doing!" The girl instantly jumped and Jurina could see a shade of crimson sprawled her cheeks. Jurina's deep and husky voice vibrated in her ears, sending her a pleasant sensation she never felt before. However, knowing she was being laughed at by the culprit, she couldn't help but to frown deeper.

"Did that feel good?" Jurina asked in a mischievous attitude.

"What are you talking about!" it was as if steam was about to come out her head, her face getting even redder and Jurina never felt this pleased in her life, this itched her to tease the girl more.

"So you don't like it huh, I see. I won't disturb you again." Jurina pretended to be sad and stood up, acting like she was about to walk away. Then, like she had predicted, a hand grabbed her wrist.

"I-I don't say I don't like it…" the girl had her head turned away, obviously trying to hide her embarrassment. Jurina internally smiled in victory, the cocky and arrogant stance the girl was kindly showing suddenly disappeared in an instant. If only there were lots of pretty girls like this around, she wouldn't mind being an escort forever.

"Stop staring and get me a drink!"

"Okay."

By the time she went back to the couch where the conceited girl sat, Jurina was astounded as she found that the girl was nowhere to be seen. She put down the glasses and searched around. Even in the bathroom and the VIP lounge, there were no sign of her at all. Disappointment struck Jurina as she knew she was just being tricked that the one who's winning was the girl. Getting enough with today's unfortunate, Jurina threw herself on the couch with a long sigh. She decided to just get drunk today, forgetting the wasted effort she had done to everyone, that was before she noticed a piece of torn newspaper that wasn't there before, laying on the table asking to be picked.

Jurina's eyes widened as she read the headline which was printed in large fonts showing it was news about a corrupt politician who had just engaged in a fund scandal. Wondering why such scrap laying around in a place like this, she was about to throw it away until she discerned a handwritten note in the backside of the paper. Flipping it, she couldn't believe what she was seeing. There was a row of numbers underneath kanji letters of a name.

"Watanabe…Mayu…"

Jurina raised her brows as she realized the girl had the same family name with the person in the headline.

xxx

Something ticked Yuasa Hiroshi and he couldn't help but thinking about it.

It wasn't about his dying master or the escaping mistress though they'd been occupying his mind all the time. Ever since he encountered Matsui Rena in the festival, there was always something nagging in his subconscious begging to be figured out. And surprisingly to himself, it was the name of the girl who had been with his mistress all along. Yuasa felt like he had heard the name somewhere before. No wonder it sounded familiar in his ears.

Turning on his computer, he typed the name down. With the power of Matsui's wealth, even the Matsui Enterprise elites could access the public record and statistics that only little people were able to. There were lots of entries with the same name coming, complete with a display photo and personal data. He typed 'Nagoya' to divide them into more detailed information. And finally he got couples of names in common.

Scrolling down, Yuasa narrowed his eyes as he found a photo which had biggest resemblance with the girl he saw with Rena in the festival. He clicked it to read the expanded information.

"Very interesting…"

Another thing that made his brows furrow, was the same name she bore with the family he was serving in. When he happened to read the personal record of the said girl, something that had been nagging on his head suddenly popped out, finally finding the answer.

"No wonder I'd heard her name before…"

(you know what makes me happy? Reviews! *points downwards* :P )