Hi,

Apparently, having more pressure at work makes me write faster. :D

I also want to thank everyone that has leave reviews, fave this story, and follow it! Your thoughts and comments help me sorting the story in my head faster. So thank you very much! Please, terribly please with cherry on the top, keep your reviews coming. You don't know how much it helps me. :)

For those who asked why Emi is still around, it will be answered in the next chapter which will focus more on Asami and Emi.

Disclaimer : VF belongs to Yamane Amano

Chapter 8. Going Back Home

Part 1. Loneliness Kills The Cat

I lie on the white sand beach, enjoying the warmth of the never-ending summer in this tropical paradise. Eyes closed, I spread my arms and legs wide, trying to relax my whole body. The soft wind blows through the coconut trees nearby and the muffled rustles of its leaves slightly calm my chaotic heart. But nothing can stop my mind from wandering to the only place I want to be.

What time is it in Japan? What does Ryu do by now? Is he well? Is he safe? Does he eat properly? He often skips his meal. He must not smoke and drink too much. It is not good for his health. By the way, what time is it in Japan now?

I repeat every single thought silently in my head over and over again.

I understand that it is for Asami's own good that I leave him. I am not going to watch him getting hurt because of me again. And if I stay with him, I know I will just bring him down. I am a liability that he needs to cut loose so he can survive in his world. A burden. A weakness. This is not the easiest decision, but it is the best for both of us. My logic knows this old arguments well. My stubborn heart, in the other hand, refuses to accept it.

Let him go, Akihito. You have no place in his world. Just like he will never be comfortable in your world. You both are just way too different. Stop thinking about him. Move on. You have your own life to live now. Sooner or later, he, too, will accept your decision. And everything will get better.

But it is easier said than done. I struggle to take a deep calming breath. But that still doesn't stop a willful teardrop from falling down on my cheek. Angry at my failure to control that single drop, I rub my cheek violently to wipe it away.

It doesn't help that the whole place reminds me of my time with Asami in that tropical island. Why didn't I run away to the North Pole, anyway? I am sure nothing will remind me of him there. Oh, right, it is because Tao is the one who arranged everything for me. And according to him, South East Asia is the safest place for me right now. It is a relatively neutral zone controlled by Asami's acquaintance, someone who respect him enough not to hurt me but doesn't work for Asami that he will go the extra mile to find me.

I don't think I can go this far without Tao. For years since the Hong Kong incident, even after I broke up with Asami, Tao and I always keep in contact. When I consulted him about my messy relationships with Arata and Asami, Tao didn't judge me at all. Instead, he asked whether I was sure about my decision to leave the two men. And when I said I did, he told me to describe my plan in detail.

"Leaving Arata is simple, Aki. He is a normal man. You can just break up with him like any other normal couple in the world," he said. "But leaving Asami won't be that simple. Men like him hate to lose what they claim as theirs." He quickly added when I protested, "I know you think that you don't belong to him. Or to anyone else. But he thinks that you are his. For him, it doesn't matter what you think. His instinct is to keep you and to protect you. Trust me, if you leave, he will hunt you down to the end of the earth and he will destroy anything that stands in his way."

Tao sounded so sure and mature that it annoyed me a bit. I was much older than him. He shouldn't be the one who make advices. The last time we met in Hong Kong, he was just a young boy who did whatever Feilong told him to do. How come he grew up so fast in just a few years and I didn't realize it until now? So, just to maintain my pride as the older one, I mocked him, "Yeah, says the 15 years old boy."

He didn't take my teasing seriously, though. Surprising me with his calm confident, he replied in a strong and steady voice, "I can tell you this, Aki, because I will do the same if I am in his position."

His plain answer sent a shivers down my spine. Where had the naive and cheerful boy that I met in Hong Kong gone? Every time we called each other with Skype, I saw how he changed bit by bit. He got taller. His posture became more like a man than a boy. His face lost its innocent attributes. His movement was more graceful. His voice turned deeper and his tone was full of confident. But the biggest change was the way he talked that somehow reminded me of Asami. Or Feilong. It sounded as if he could see everything from a perspective that normal people couldn't see. As if there were a line that separate their world with the normal world where us commoners lived. I didn't really notice the full weight of the difference up until that moment. And somehow, this new Tao made me feel even more scared. If Asami and Feilong's world could change Tao so much, how could I be sure that it wouldn't change me as well? What would I become if I stayed there?

When Tao realized that I didn't have a solid plan other than making up a fake journey to Osaka while hiding somewhere else, he offered his help. In the beginning, I felt reluctant to involve him in my personal problem. But his argument convinced me.

"You won't get far without help, Aki. You may not know, but Sion group is one of the strongest organizations in the world right now. Asami has eyes, ears, and hands everywhere in all five continents. If you stay in Japan, he will find you in a matter of hours. If you hide in another country with a tourist visa, he will track you down in a few days by tracing your passport and bank activity. Even if you can, by any luck, hide from him, most probably wherever you go it will be either Asami's or his enemies' territory. Sooner or later, someone will find you and return you to Asami to get his favor, or someone will kill you just to spite him. You are my friend, Aki, my only true friend. Friend is a rare thing in my world and I don't want my only true friend to die. I know you will do this no matter what I say. But please, at least, let me help you," Tao said sternly when I called him from a random Internet shop half a year a go.

It is one of Tao's strange rules that I must not call him with my own phone or laptop. He even gave me software that I have to run to kill any third party application trying to track or record our online conversation. Just to stay safe, he told me. For me, it looks like the kid becomes more and more paranoid as he grows up. I don't know how Feilong raises him because Tao has never talked much about himself, enjoying my stories better than telling his own. But I make a mental note that Feilong and I will have a serious chat about what-you-should-and-shouldn't-teach-to-your-adopted-son as soon as I can.

From what he told me, it seems that Tao has independently built his own little empire behind Feilong's back for the last few years. And that was how he got me out of Japan illegally without Feilong knowing anything. Tao brought me to South East Asia through one of his secret routes. And with his help, I passed a few country borders without going through the normal immigration processes, which is why Asami can't detect my movement so far. At such a young age, Tao may not have as much power and wealth as his adopted father yet. But his wide connection and the loyalty of his men truly impress me. I guess, without connections and loyalty, he won't be able to keep his business a secret from the world, moreover from his father and Yoh's scrutiny.

I finally open my eyes when I realize that no matter how hard I try to relax my mind, it won't work. I can't stop my brain from thinking about Asami. Maybe it is not a wise decision to come to this holiday resort. It is actually Tao's idea. He heard about this place called Raja Ampat and he thought having a short holiday in paradise would snap me out of my memory of Asami. Besides, since I left Japan, Tao had acted discreetly as my manager, handling my contracts with an international science magazine. And after months working in a tough photography project in the deep forest of Borneo, he thought that I needed a break. "You can't keep working like that, Aki. You need to reward yourself once in a while. It will help you to relax," he argued. But apparently, he is wrong. Having nothing to occupy my mind just makes me feel even more depressed.

I glance at the watch on my wrist. I sigh. It is still 10 in the morning. A day seems to pass even slower when you are alone.

Wait, if it is 10 am here, what time is it in Japan now?

That night, I feel like I can't stand the loneliness anymore. It is not that the place is not beautiful. This holiday resort is breathtakingly stunning. I even took a few amazing pictures here. The sea is great for snorkeling and surfing. And it gives you a quiet personal time. It is a perfect place if you want to escape from your daily routine and the pressure of big cities.

The problem is that it doesn't matter how beautiful the paradise you live in is if you can't share it with the person you love. I see the deep blue ocean and I wish that Asami were here with me. I see the cozy natural room and I blush at the idea of what the pervert may do to me on that sturdy bed. I gaze at the clear starry night and I long for his touches and caresses and embraces.

I decide that I need a distraction. So, after dinner, I try to find a public Internet connection. The first thing I do is checking my email. I will search any news about Asami later, saving the best for the last. Arata, Kou, Takato, and my parents have sent me hundreds of emails in the past six months. Of course, I don't reply to any of them.

Tao helped me once to send a short anonymous message to my parents, informing them that I am okay. I don't know whether they realize that it was me. But I don't dare to put my name in the message. I don't want Asami to find out that I still contact them. Who knows what he will do? The bastard may torture my poor parents just to get information.

There are some new emails. Most of them are from my parents. They write their emails daily as if I always reply back to them, telling me stories about things that happen in their life and asking me about my own day. I chuckle at their latest email about how my mother caught an underwear thief in our neighborhood. I pity the thief for meeting my mother. He must be the unluckiest thief in the world.

What suddenly catches my attention, however, is Arata's latest email. His emails usually ask where I am and beg me to come home. But this one is different. The subject freezes my blood and I think my heart stops beating as I read the full content.

From : Takagi Arata

Subject : Mariko is missing!

Aki,

I am not sure whether you truly read any of my emails since you never reply. But I don't know what else to do. Mariko is missing for three days days now. She went to buy some milk from the convenience store near our parents' house one night and she never returned.

It is my fault, Aki. She told me someone has been following her, but I don't really pay attention. I am too busy with my own problems. We reported it to the police but they didn't do much since she is an adult.

Aki, I told you some menacing men came to our apartment looking for you. I told them that you weren't in the city. I refused to tell them where you were even if I knew. What if those men kidnapped Mariko because I didn't want to tell them about you? Maybe they think I will tell them where you are if they take her. What if they hurt her? What shall I tell my parents if something bad happened to her because of me?

What should I do, Aki? Please, Aki, come home. I can't do this alone. Whatever your problem is, we can face it together.

Missing you, Arata.

Part 2. Tao, James Bond, and Asami Ryuichi

My heart beats frantically as I push my way through the crowd. Holding my backpack tight, I run towards the ticket counter. I was lucky that the hotel manager could get me transportation to the city in such a short notice. But now I need to get into the first flight back to Japan.

After struggling with various administrative procedures, I release a relief breath when the lady behind the counter finally passes my flight ticket to Tokyo. I tuck my ticket safely with my passport and keep it inside my jacket pocket. The satellite phone Tao gave me rings when I leave the ticket counter.

"Aki? Why on earth the phone's GPS told me that you are not in Raja Ampat? Don't tell me you use your real name to get a transport to the city?" he questions me as soon as I answer his call.

I already run towards the immigration by that time. The gate my plane is departing from is already opened and the announcement repeatedly asks for the passengers to enter the boarding lounge immediately.

"Sorry, Tao...it is emergency," I inform him quickly while catching my breath. "I will explain later. I need to go to Japan for a while. Arata's sister is in trouble. Asami kidnapped her."

"What?! But, why? Aki, calm down, you are panic. You don't think clearly! Why would Asami do something so useless?" The boy practically yells at me.

His reply as if Mariko is useless upsets me more than his comment that I don't think clearly. I scream back at him, "USELESS? Tao, since when have you not care about other people anymore? Has your heart turned into stone just like Asami's and Feilong's? Someone could get hurt or even die because of ME! I can't just stay here sunbathing!"

"Asami WON'T do something as stupid as kidnapping your ex-boyfriend's sister just to get you, Aki," he growls low dangerously.

"Oh, and how do YOU know? Let me guess. Is it because that is something YOU won't do? Who do you think you are?! Asami's fortuneteller?!"

"Because he will think that you are a bit smarter than this! Once you go back to Japan, Asami will get you and there is no way for you to leave him ever again. He will put you in a cage that you will need to ask his permission to even taking a fucking pee! And it may truly happen if you go to Japan now. Trust me. Aki, you put both of us in danger. Now calm down-"

I cut him, "No need to help if you don't want to, Tao. Now, I need to hang up. I have to go through the immigration and save someone."

"What?! Immigration? Shit, Aki, you can't! What are you even doing in a commercial airport, stupid?! Get out from the airport, NOW! Aki, you don't understand-"

I hang up and turn off the phone. What? Does he think that we are in some kind of action movies? Besides, this is not Japan. Not even Asami has that much power to control other country's authority. He is not a God like what everyone else thinks he is. He can't be everywhere and knowing everything. I will do this very fast that he won't even realize what I have done.

I shake my head at Tao's ridiculous behavior as I queue in front of the immigration counter. Seriously, how Feilong raises the kid is beyond my imagination. Somehow Tao thinks that he is the main character in a James Bond movie. It must be Feilong's influence. Their world is obviously not something suitable for kids.

When it is my turn, I obediently pass my passport, flight ticket, and immigration form to the officer. He looks bored as he takes my documents. But when he opens the detail page, he stills. He quickly scans my passport and taps his finger impatiently while waiting for the results. In fact, he scans it twice as if to make sure that the information is correct. Slowly, he looks up at me.

"Takaba Akihito?" he asks in a strange accent.

I nod, "Yes?"

The officer nods back nervously as he grabs the phone on his desk. After dialing some numbers, he talks rapidly in the local language. I don't understand anything that he says. But the way he keeps glancing at me makes me feel uneasy. I keep moving my body weight from one foot to the other in an effort to calm myself.

Finally, unable to stand the nervousness any longer, I ask him, "Excuse me. Is there any problem with my passport?"

Indeed, I may have entered the country illegally. But Tao's men told me that the 'fake' entry stamp in my passport was official and legal. They explained that having no official entry stamp in my passport might cause problem if there was any documents checking. That was why, even though my entry to the country was not officially registered (which apparently is possible in some countries!), I should be able to pass the immigration safely if needed. Or so they told me.

The officer tries to smile to calm me down, but he doesn't look convincing. In a slightly broken English, he explains, "It's okay, Sir. My colleagues will come assist you. Just wait here."

His colleagues consist of three bulky men whose appearances scare me right away. All the terrible stories about people being sent to jail in some third world countries flash in my mind. And for a while, I think I can't breath. Horror fills my entire body when I realize that I am in a big trouble. Alone. In a country which language I can't speak at all. Without Tao or Asami to save me this time. The next thing I do before I can think properly is to turn away and run.

"Sir, stop!" one of the officer barks loudly at me.

But my basic instinct tells me to ignore him. I run as fast as my feet can bring me, which is quite fast, actually. But obviously those men are fast as well. People scream all around me as I push them out of my way. A lady falls hard on her side when I quickly run between her and a fat man beside her. Looking back over my shoulder, I yell my apology to her. But I can't just stop to help her now. Not with the additional officers who are now running towards me.

By the time I reach the end of the hall, people shout in a few different languages from every corner of the airport. I can hear a lady yelling the word 'bomb' somewhere behind me. Shit. In my panic, I don't pay attention to where I go. The signs in this country are not so clear. And I am not familiar with the place. I scan my surrounding quickly to find anything that can help me to escape. Think, Akihito, think!

"Sir, this is second warning. Stop!" The same voice warns me.

I decide to take my chance with the door. But before I can grab the handle, a loud gunshot echoes clearly behind me. Everyone around me screams and covers their heads, lowering their body to the ground.

I freeze instantly.

The officer talks to me calmly in his stuttering English, "Sir, that's warning shot. Come peacefully and we don't shoot you."

Both our ability to speak English may not be so perfect, but his message is clear to me. And so, I slowly turn around and carefully raise my hands.

After putting handcuffs on my wrists, they take my satellite phone and backpack and leave me in a small room. Seeing the handcuffs sends a sharp pain to my heart, remembering the unreasonable feeling of safety that I felt as Asami caressed me while I was kneeling naked at his feet inside his luxurious office. Deep down I wonder whether I will be able to see him again. Will he reply if I send him a letter from jail? Will he come to see me? Will he even remember me? What if he has another lover by now? But, isn't it me who asked him to do so?

An officer comes and gives me a glass of sweet tea, some snacks and even an international newspaper. This people are quite friendly, in my opinion, considering I am someone who will go to jail soon. I try to ask why they detain me. Inwardly, I am worried that it is because of my illegal entry to the country. But they simply smile and shake their head. I am not sure whether it means that they are forbidden to talk to me, or they simply don't understand what I am trying to say.

However, I don't wait for long. In less than an hour, two other bulky officers come and bring me towards another door. The door leads to a gate connecting to a plane. I feel so confused. Where is the jail? Why do they bring me to a plane? Is the jail in another city?

The entire plane is lavish but empty. It seems that I am the only passenger. They help me to sit on one of the seat near the alley, fasten my safety belt, and leave.

As soon as the plane takes off, a Japanese looking man comes to sit beside me. The man looks friendly and kind. And when he greets me in Japanese, I immediately release a relief breath.

"Takaba-san, my name is Himura. I am from the embassy of Japan and I am here to assist you. You are safe and there is nothing to worry. At least, for now. We are now in a flight back to Japan. For some reasons that I don't know in details, our government has requested every country in the world to deport you as soon as you pass their immigration. Which is why you are here now. I have made a call to Japan before we take off to make sure that someone will take care of you as soon as we land," he explains politely with some sort of pity in his eyes.

I raise my eyebrow and then shake my head in confusion, "What? Our government? Why? I am nobody."

Looking extremely uncomfortable, he avoids making any eye contact with me as he lowers the volume of his voice, "I don't know, Takaba-san. Do you remember crossing the wrong people? Do you disturb a high profile person? Does your line of work annoy someone? Do you borrow money you can't return? Do you sleep with the wrong person, you know, someone's wife or lover maybe?"

With a completely blank expression, I shake my head along with every question.

"I am just a freelance photographer for a science magazine, Himura-san. I haven't been in Japan for half a year, travelling for my project. The only things I can annoy for the past six months are a family of Orang Utan in Borneo or the monks in Cambodia. Can you please be more specific on which one of those two that I somehow annoyed?" I ask sarcastically.

He sighs. His whisper is almost inaudible as he answers carefully, "Do you happen to recognize the name of Asami Ryuichi? Because you must somehow make him truly upset for him to spend so much resources to track you down."

I look at Himura for a second before I fight to break free in a complete anger. I swear I will kill Asami.

Part 3. There Is No Place Like Home

"Ryu, shut up," I mumble sleepily.

But the disturbing voice doesn't stop. I try to block the noise by covering my head with the soft pillow made from the thickest arctic Russian snow-goose down. I know because I bought the pillows myself. Like Asami will have time to buy his own household stuffs. The man just demands high quality things inside his home without caring how those things get here in the first place.

What is this terrible noise actually? Why can't the man let me sleep in peace?

Unable to go back to my slumber, I open my eyes. Oh, no, no, wrong decision! Close it again! It's too bright. I enjoy the complete darkness that engulfs me while I build the courage to open my eyes again. Even slower this time. Ahh, that was much better.

The roof that I look at is familiar. Our bedroom. In our home. I am home. Oh God, there is no place like home. Wait, didn't something like this happen before? I feel like I just get a Deja Vu.

Then I realize that the noise I heard is actually a cry. A baby's cry. More than one baby, actually, if I heard it correctly. What the hell? Whose babies is it that dare to cry in Asami Ryuichi's home? Wait! Why am I even at home? I shall be at Raja...

...and it all come back to me.

Raja Ampat. Mariko. Running through the airport. Gunshot. Being deported. Himura. Asami Ryuichi.

I grit my teeth as I repeat the last name in my head. The anger I felt in the plane comes back tenfold. That bastard made me run away from the security officers in a foreign country airport like a criminal. Well, I did enter the country illegally. So I guess, it is partly my fault. But if he didn't meddle, they wouldn't even know it and I wouldn't be treated as if I am a fucking terrorist in a suicide-bombing mission!

And being deported! As per my own government request! Since when does breaking up with someone become the government's business, for god's sake? Is it against the law to break up with your lover nowadays? Is it forbidden now to avoid your ex-lover by travelling to another country? Is there any official form I need to fill to report our break up?! Because I will be more than happy to fill any form to break up with the bastard at this moment. Shit, can't he just stop being so over the top with all his actions?!

I am in such a fury. I remember I tried to attack Himura as soon as I heard him mentioning Asami's name. I was so afraid of being sent to a foreign jail and apparently, it was all because of the egotistical Asami. Unfortunately, handcuffed behind my back and strapped by the safety belt around my waist, I couldn't do much. Well, now that I can think properly, it is not really Himura's fault. He was just doing his job, complying with a selfish request from a selfish crime lord.

However, Himura looked shocked by my sudden anger, he immediately called the security guards. They covered my mouth and nose with a piece of fabric full of chloroform. Which explains the throbbing headache I have now.

And the babies' cry doesn't make my headache better. Damn it. Does the man also kidnap innocent children now? Maybe he has turned our home into a human trafficking warehouse. Anyway, how long have I been out?

Struggling to get up from the bed, the chains around my wrists and ankles stop me immediately.

What the hell is this now?

For a while, I am completely speechless as I examine the long chains that bind both my wrists and ankles. Actually, the chains won't stop me from walking wherever I want. It just makes my movement difficult. But, still. I am chained. Like an animal.

Have the bastard lost his freaking mind?!

Furiously, I walk as fast as I can to find him or anyone else who can explain the situation to me. Because everything just doesn't make sense at the moment. Mariko is missing. There are obviously babies in my home, crying. I am chained inside my own house. And I just got deported because my lover, wait, correction, my ex-lover used his goddamned power to influence the government. Or 'the governments', to be exact.

The next time we break up, he may as well put my wanted poster in newspapers all over the world.

But when I finally find him, I stop dead at the entrance of the room. It is actually our study room. But in the six months that I am gone, someone has turned it into babies' room. Or emergency babies room, considering the mismatched layout inside. The crib blocks the entire bookshelf. All things related to baby is scattered on the study desk AND the chairs. And instead of toys, I can see Asami's gun inside its holder lies on the floor.

Asami stands in the middle of the room, facing away from me. The man calmly feeds the baby in his strong arms as if he had never told me how much he hated children. The other baby is still crying inside the crib. And I don't know which one makes me more speechless: the idea of Asami holding a child or the fact that he carelessly put his gun near children.

"Are you out of your mind?" I instantly shout at him.

He doesn't look surprise by my outrage. Instead, he simply says, "You finally wake up. How do you feel?"

I shake my head in disbelief at his ignorance. Taking his gun from the floor, I move it to the top of the bookshelf for now, away from the children's reach.

"Whose babies are they? Do you kidnap them as well?" I ask as I take the other crying baby into my arms. Searching quickly for a bottle of milk, I find one on the messy desk. The chains make it difficult for me to hold the baby in a comfortable position, but somehow I manage to do it.

Instead of answering my questions, Asami just stares at me feeding the baby for a few long moments. Then he replies shortly, "I don't remember kidnapping anyone this week."

"Oh? Really? So you don't call 'threatening an innocent man with gunshot, putting handcuffs on him, sedating him forcefully, and then chaining his wrist and ankles' as kidnapping? Good to know. Up until now, I thought there is law against such things, you see."

"Oh, you are so innocent, aren't you, Akihito?"

Is that a smile I saw in his face? Doesn't the man understand that I am angry beyond words with him right now?

I ignore him and continue, "You haven't answered my question. Whose babies are they? And what is this fuck-," remembering the babies presence, I stop myself. He sneers at my slip.

"Yes, Akihito?"

"Just release me. NOW!" I growl.

He shrugs as he moves the baby in his hand to his shoulder, trying to make the baby burps. How does the man suddenly know the way to handle baby? What happen in these six months that I am gone? Is this truly the same Asami Ryuchi that I knew before?

"Well, maybe I will. If you ask nicely. You, Akihito, just showed these children a very bad example on how we should behave when we ask someone a favor," he gives me a satisfied smirk while stroking the baby he holds gently.

His composure makes me feel even more annoyed. "A FAVOR? YOU ARE THE ONE WHO-"

The babies' cry stops my shout instantly. I put the bottle away and rock the baby in my arm gently, trying to calm him down. When I look up at Asami, I see him grinning at me. If I don't remember that there are kids inside the room, I swear I will use his own gun to stop that annoying smile of his. Which may end up with him fucking me senseless, so I think it is really not a wise option with children around.

"Stop shouting, Akihito. You scare them," he chastises me.

I whisper angrily back at him, "So, the great Asami Ryuichi prefers to hide behind children rather than talking like a mature adult."

Asami ignores my sarcasm. He puts the now sleeping baby in his arm to the crib before taking the one in my arms. The baby calms down instantly in his embrace. I have to admit that I am quite impressed. Who can guess that Asami Ryuchi has a hidden talent with children?

With the two babies safely tucked inside their crib, Asami leads me to the living room. Out of habit, I automatically go to the kitchen to get him a glass of his favorite whiskey. By the time I get back to the living room, I find him settling on the sofa. The lighted cigarette dangles at the edge of his sexy lips. Resting his head back, he blows the toxic smoke through his nose.

I don't give him any warning as I put the whiskey in his hand and grab the cigarette from between his fingers. Putting the cigarette away in an ashtray, I tell him sternly, "I don't know whose babies they are. But you are not going to smoke inside the house when those kids are around. At least, as long as I am here, I will make sure you don't."

Looking up at me, he absentmindedly swirls the whiskey around. Needless to say, he doesn't look worried at all when he replies, "I won't be able to smoke inside the house anymore, then."

I glare at him. "Don't worry. I won't be here for long. As soon as you release Mariko, I will be gone."

He snorts at my answer. "Don't tell me you still believe that you can run away from me, Akihito. I don't believe you are that stupid. By now you should have learnt that wherever you go, I will find you. Besides, where will you go with those chains binding your wrists and ankles? Or should I brand you with a tattoo like what Feilong did? And what do you mean by releasing Mariko? Which Mariko is this we are talking about?"

"The one you kidnapped, you bastard! Arata's sister! How many other Mariko do you have in your life?!" I yell at him.

The moment I mention Arata, he stills. The teasing smile instantly disappears. His expression turns darker and when he finally replies, his icy tone makes me shrink in fear. "I told you, I don't remember kidnapping anyone this week. But even if I did, why does it matter to you? You broke up with that useless dog already. What happened to his sister has nothing to do with you now. I will find you another dog to replace him. Someone that is much more handsome and less boring."

I can't believe my ear. What did he just call Arata?! A dog?

It is not that I still love Arata or anything. I know I don't love him anymore now. The only person who fills my entire mind to the point of insanity for the last six months is the arrogant bastard who now sits like a king in front of me. What annoys me to no end is the fact that he thinks so little of other people. Like the way he calls Arata or the way he thinks I will happily accept his offer for a replacement. As if he thinks I will clap my hand and jump eagerly at the prospect of being able to sleep with someone else. Does he think so low of me? Does he underestimate my love for him? Why does he think I try so damn hard to leave him if it is not because I love him so damn much?

Never before I feel so angry with him in my life. And at that moment, I am quite sure I can strangle the man to death in my rage. In a flat emotionless tone, I tell him, "In case you forgot, I also broke up with you. Shall I find another perverted dog to replace you as well? Someone that is much younger and less arrogant?"

The moment I see hurt flashing in his eyes, I regret my words immediately. The pain was there for only a brief second before he puts his mask of coolness back. But it was clearly there. Other people would not notice it. But I see it as clear as day. I know him way too well to miss it.

People said that words are as sharp as a sword. My mom told me that it is not true. You can halt your movement when you attack with a sword. Instead, words are like an arrow. Once you release it, you can't take it back. And at this moment, I will give everything in my life to take my words back.

"Ryu, I didn't mean it. I am sorry. I am just-"

"Someone younger and less arrogant? Like who, Akihito? Tao, maybe?"

For a long moment, we just stare at each other. I am confused and he is furious even though he doesn't show it much. I don't understand why he suddenly brings up Tao. Is it jealousy that I heard dripping from his questions? Why does the man need to feel jealous towards a 15 years old boy?

He stands up and strides leisurely towards me, looking as confident as a lion approaching a cornered prey. I can't stop the tremble when his fingers make a ghostly caress on my cheek. His thumb brushes my lower lips roughly. And I feel an impulsive desire to suck his thumb and show him how much I miss him even though he is such an annoying and maddening bastard.

Asami leans down until our faces are separated by only a few mere inches. I can feel his intoxicating warm breath on my face. His lips form a sensual smirk. But his golden eyes gleam with danger when he continues, "That boy is smart enough not to leave any trace in the phone he gave you. He is very neat in making sure that nothing can lead me to him. But unfortunately for the both of you, a witness in the airport overheard your conversation with him."

I feel like someone has thrown a whole bucket of ice water to me. Understanding dawns on me as I recognize the accusation hidden between his words. Stuttering, I beg in fear, " Ryu, wait, what did you do to Tao? He is not at fault. I asked him to help me. He has nothing to do with our problem. I didn't run away with him or anything! Come on, he is just a boy. He is barely 15."

But Asami just walks away, ignoring my plea. Standing behind him, I try to reason, "Feilong won't let you hurt him."

My argument halts his movement for a short while. Then he laughs. His chuckle feels unfamiliar even to my ears. It sounds distant. And evil. As if I just see another side of Asami that he has never shown me before. "Feilong would let me punish his adopted son however I wish than having his entire organization eliminated by me. Or maybe you want Tao to replace your last dog? Ask nicely and I may consider it."

I stare at him, my jaw hanging open in disbelief. I don't know what to say. I feel like I just wake up in a surreal world. My ex-boyfriend's sister disappeared. My government requested every other country in the world to deport me just because my egotistical ex-crime-lord-lover told them to do so. I am chained like an animal by the same ex-crime-lord-lover who suddenly has the ability to take care of children. And not only that, said ex-crime-lord-lover is apparently mad enough to suggest me to sleep with an underage boy so the world won't find out about our messed up relationship.

When I didn't say anything else (seriously, you can't blame me for that!), he gives me instructions in a cold voice, "You will stay here until I say otherwise. There are guards everywhere around the penthouse. Think wisely before you act. Haruka and Kirishima will help you taking care of the twins, but they won't arrive in Tokyo until the day after tomorrow. They are still cleaning up the mess you left behind."

"What? Wait! I can't just stay here doing nothing! I have things to do! What about Mariko? If you didn't kidnap her, then where is she? I have to help Arata finding her."

He slowly looks back at me and unconsciously I take a step back in fear. His eyes burn bright with hidden anger until its irises look like pure melted gold and I shudder at his calm wrath. I know I hurt his pride. And defying his orders right after I wounded his ego doesn't improve the situation. His voice is sharp with warning as he snarls at me, "Try to contact that dog if you dare, and Mariko won't be the only one missing."

And with those words, he leaves me alone. Tao's voice through the phone keeps echoing in my head. 'Aki, you put both of us in danger,' he said. And I didn't listen to him. What have I done? How come everything turns into such a mess?

Mariko shivers with cold at the corner of the damp room. Her face is dirty with dirt, tears, and mud. How long has she been here alone in the darkness? It feels like forever already. She has tried yelling and banging the door until her voice becomes rasp and her hands bleed. And now she has passed the point of crying for help. She knows by now that no one will come to rescue her.

Someone gives her food and stinky water regularly through the small hole on the door. But no one answers when she tries to talk to whoever it is at the other side of the door. The food is disgusting. But after some time, she doesn't care anymore. She is hungry and those filthy foods are better than none.

Mariko doesn't understand what happens. A few days after she saw Akihito across the street, she received a letter. It said that it was from Akihito, asking to meet her to explain everything. Akihito told her to meet him alone at the park near her house and not to tell anyone because he was not ready to face Arata yet. So she made an excuse that she needed to buy milk at the convenience store nearby and waited for Akihito. The next thing she knew, she woke up in this dirty room, almost naked but for her underwear.

She hears someone opening the door and instinctively she crawls even further to the corner, trying to cover her body with her arms from whoever it is. It is bright outside the door and she blinks multiple times to adjust her eyes with the light. Someone stands at the entrance of the door. In the beginning, she can only see that person's silhouette. But as her eyes get used to the light, she recognizes the person standing in front of her.

"Akihito?"

The person's reply, however, confuses her, "Akihito? Takaba Akihito, is it? I saw the name was mentioned on that bitch's papers. She didn't realize that I take a peek on her documents, too busy slamming me down into her desk, I guess. I swear she will pay for it. So, it is truly his name. Do I look that similar to him that you keep mistaking me for him? You think I were him as well when we met the other day, don't you? I have been following you around for more than a week that I feel like I have known you forever."

Something is wrong. The voice sounds too feminine for Akihito. Is it a girl?

"You are not Akihito. Who are you? Where am I? What do you want with me?" Mariko asks in fear.

The girl smiles at her. In a glance, her face looks somehow kind and naive, just like Akihito. But Mariko starts to notice a little difference here and there. Like the way her eyes lit brightly the moment she notices Mariko's terror.

"It doesn't matter who I am or where you are. But I can tell you what I want. I want all the information you know about this Akihito. You see, the boy distracts my master, and I think I don't like it. All those photos and reports on the boy's daily activity, tsk, people will think that my master is obsessed with him. And my master doesn't obsess with anything, moreover a brat like him, as if he is a teenager with hormonal imbalance."

The girl tilts her head in a way that reminds Mariko of Akihito. But now Mariko can see clearly that this girl, whoever she is, is not similar with Akihito at all. She curses herself. How come she mistaken this evil girl with Akihito?

"Like I will tell someone like you!"

But the girl just laughs, obviously excited with her reaction. She turns around, reaching her hand to someone behind her, who readily passes something that Mariko can't see from her position.

"Oh? Trying to be brave, aren't you? But you won't act like that for long. It doesn't matter whether it is you, this Akihito, that bitch, or even my own sons; I will destroy everything and everyone that stands between my master and I. Now, you can start telling me everything that you know willingly or I can force the answer out of you. Whichever you choose, Mariko-san, I will certainly enjoy our time together."

And then Mariko sees what she has in her hand. It is metal handcuffs with some clamps attached and wires that are connected to a box in the size of a car battery. And when the girl orders the goon behind her to put it on Mariko's body, Mariko' screams echoes inside the empty dark room.