Chapter 3

The next day at work, I was heading to the locker room getting ready for work. The second I opened the door, everyone rushed towards me at once.

"Freya! What happened yesterday?" Sakiko asked. "Why did you go to the I.V.C?"

"There must be a mistake, there's no way you're Mr Ichinomiya's girlfriend!" Erika sneered.

Erika was the head maid of the hotel, she always tried to bully me and make my job as difficult as possible. I didn't know why, I never did anything to upset her.

I smiled "What's wrong Erika? Jealous?" I asked as I walked towards my locker.

I reached out and felt the braille writing on the door to confirm that it was mine.

I heard her gasp and mutter something to herself.

"Freya, are you actually from a wealthy family? I thought your Dad was in the army?" Sakiko asked.

"Don't be ridiculous. Freya doesn't have a well-bred bone in her body. Tell us how you wound up with Mr Ichinomiya!" Erika demanded, almost shouting at me.

"Hmm.. Wouldn't you like to know. It's shame but considering I don't have a well-bred bone in my body as you put it, I still managed to bag a rich guy. That must really be killing you Erika." I said and laughed smugly.

She gasped and growled in frustration. I heard her stamp her feet before she stormed off, she wore her clunky high heals as always. I could hear her coming from a mile away.

There was one benefit of pretending to be Eisuke's girlfriend, I could bring Erika down a few pegs. But it wasn't just her and Sakiko in the room, I could hear several other people's breathing and smell many kinds of different perfumes and deodorant.

"Come on Freya! You need to tell us!" Another colleague begged.

Just then, I heard a loud clap.

"Ok enough, get to work." Chisato said loudly. "We've got a lot of early check-ins today so we need to hurry."

Everyone all agreed, and I heard them walk away. Chisato was another one of my friends, she worked with Sakiko. She was such a sweet, gentle person. She always looked out for me but didn't do it in a way that I found annoying, she was just always there in case I needed her.

"Freya, don't you have to get to work?" She asked.

Was she trying to save me from any more questions?

"Yes thanks." I said.

I sat on the bench and as usual Sakiko did my hair before I left the room. I quite enjoyed that, I bet Erika was so angry. I couldn't help but laugh to myself.

The rest of the day, I had to deal with people constantly asking me questions and hearing everyone gossip about me. I was heading back to spa, I turned the corner to get to the lobby when I walked into someone.

"Oh I'm sorry." I said and stepped back.

"It's ok Freya." Takahiro said.

"Takahiro, hey. How are you?" I asked, and a smile instantly formed on my face.

"Better then you it seems. Everyone is talking about you." He said.

"Yeah, I know." I said with a sigh.

God gossips spreads fast in this place. I assumed he wanted to ask some questions too, so I braced myself.

"I saw you yesterday in the lobby. That dress looked wonderful on you. You looked like a completely different person." He said sweetly.

"Aw! Thank you, I was worried that I might look horrible in it. It was weird wearing a dress, I hardly ever wear dresses." I said.

I felt my cheeks start to blush at his compliment. He was so nice.

"You looked great, but I think I like you more the way you are now. You look more natural." He said.

"Thank you." I said and my smile grew bigger.

I bet he was smiling as well.

Just then, the pager in my pocket started to vibrate.

Oh great, it was Eisuke's pager. What could he possible want now?

"Sorry I have to go." I said.

"Ok, I'll see you later." He said.

I heard him step sideways which allowed me to continue forwards. I thanked him before I headed to the penthouse elevator. If Eisuke thought for one second that I was going to rush up to him because he wanted me there in 5 minutes, he had another thing coming.

I casually walked into the penthouse lounge, everyone was there. Even Kishi, I could smell cigarette smoke coming from the comer of the room.

"You're late." Eisuke said coldly.

I shrugged "I got lost. It's hard to get around the hotel blind, you know." I said trying to act innocent.

"She's right boss, can't you at least give her 10 minutes?" Baba asked.

It took all of my strength not to smile, I loved playing the blind card!

"She's getting brave." Soryu said almost as if it was a warning.

I then heard Eisuke chuckle "I'm still training her. We're going to the I.V.C tonight. I left a dress in your bedroom, get changed." He ordered. "I also got you new shoes, so you don't walk like a duck again today."

So he noticed that the other shoes hurt my feet huh? So he was capable of being nice once in a while. I didn't see why I couldn't just wear flat shoes.

"Thanks." I said politely.

"Don't walk like a fool by my side. That's all." He said.

"Hm. Whatever."

"There's a very important guest attending tonight. I'm going to introduce you to him, so don't do anything stupid." He warned.

"You look like you've got something up your sleeve." Soryu said slyly.

"Maybe." Eisuke said with a soft chuckle.

"Get ready in ten minutes, we're leaving in 12." Eisuke said.

"What about my hair and makeup? In case you haven't noticed, visually challenged." I said and waved my hand in front of my face.

"You can get it done at the salon before we go to the party. Now go get changed, do you need someone to help you?"

"I'll do it!" Baba instantly shouted, sounding very excited.

"No, I can do it myself. Thank you."

Baba sighed in disappointment as I headed towards the stairs.

He had laid the silk dress on one of the bed. I ran my hands up and down the dress, it was so soft and smooth. Just like the dress from last night.

I picked it up by the hanger, I felt for the label which indicated the back of the dress and where the zip would be. I undid the zip, got changed out of my work clothes and pulled on the dress. It had tight thin straps and went down to just above my knees. The shoes had a smaller heel as well, I slipped them on. Next was the jewellery, I had a necklace and earrings plus a bracelet. I then went back downstairs, but unfortunately, I needed help with the zip. Baba was very happy to oblige.

Just like last night, we left the hotel. We first went to the salon before going to the party. I had my cane and glasses in my purse just like before.

And just like last night, the party was filled with people and sounded very busy. Eisuke introduced me as his girlfriend to everyone. I held on his arm and smiled to everyone that he introduced me to.

"I'd love it if you two came to my next party." A man said.

"Of course." Eisuke said.

He spoke in such a normal friendly tone, if I let my guard down I might actually have thought that he was a nice person.

"It would be our pleasure." I said.

Eisuke then pulled his arm free and slipped it around my waist and pulled me up against him. I could feel the heat coming from his body, he wore a different kind of perfume today. I didn't recognise the scent but it smelt quite nice.

We spoke to a various of people, most of them were famous.

"Eisuke, I need the loo." I said as we took a break from mingling.

"It's over there, be back in 5 minutes." He said coldly.

I assumed he pointed into the direction of them but that wasn't very helpful. I stood there waiting till he realised his mistake.

He sighed in announce, took my hand and brought me to the door of the female toilet.

"Why thank you." I said and smiled smugly at him before I went inside.

I was determined to make his life as difficult as possible. I went inside, took out my cane and found the nearest toilet. I did my business, washed my hands and left the bathroom. I assumed that Eisuke wouldn't be far, if I just stood near the toilets he would soon come and get me.

As I started to walk back to the party, I made out a briefly outline of a figure in front of me and my cane hit what sounded like someone's shoe.

"Excuse me." I said and tried to move around them, but they moved and blocked my path.

It was definitely a woman, she wore clunky high heels and I could smell expensive perfume on her. Maybe Channel?

"So, how'd you sink your claws into Eisuke?" She asked.

She sounded angry.

"Excuse me?" I said.

"How much did you pay him? Did you offer him stocks? Land?"

This must be one of Eisuke's groupies.

I put on my best smug smile "I did nothing. He just fell for my natural charm." I said and used my hand to indicate towards my body.

I wish I could have seen her face when I said that.

"Oh please! Eisuke wouldn't look twice at a dumb blind girl like you! Don't even try to hide it!" She shouted.

"Not my fault I've got what he wants and you don't, we can't all be perfect like me." I snapped back.

As I looked up at her, I saw something blurry coming towards me. It looked quite thin, was it her arm? Before it could touch me, something caught it and pushed it away.

"Just because I spent one night with you doesn't mean you can keep hanging around me." Eisuke said coldly.

"Eisuke!" She gasped, almost like she was about to cry.

"Don't ever let me see you face again. Let's go Freya." He said.

"That's so mean! How dare you speak to me like that!" The woman shouted.

I heard her burst into tears before she ran away in her clunky high heels.

I nodded in approval "Nice!"

"Hm. Just hearing her say my name annoys me." He sneered.

"Well, we all have one night stands we regret. Don't worry about it." I said and playfully punched him on the arm.

His body went rigid the moment I punched his shoulder, it was like he was unsure of how to react. He was silent for a moment before clearing his throat.

"Anyway, there's someone I want to introduce you to. Come on." He said.

Oh yeah that's right, he said there was an important guest he wanted me to meet.

We linked arms and he lead me forwards.

"It's nice to meet you again, Mr Bucci." Eisuke said, putting on his normal friendly voice.

"Eisuke! How long has it been? You're looking well." A man replied.

He sounded like quite an old man, he spoke in Japanese and it smelt like he was smoking a cigar.

"I knew you were coming, so I make sure to look my best." Eisuke beamed.

"Ha ha ha! I see. The day an ambitious man like you loses heart will be the day the Japanese economy collapses!" Mr Bucci laughed.

"Yes, so that's why you can rest assured leaving the matter we discussed earlier in my hands." Eisuke said.

Oh, so this was a business deal. Right, got it.

"I'll think about it. I'll go with whatever gives me the most profits." Mr Bucci said.

"I can guarantee you won't suffer any losses with me handling it." Eisuke beamed.

He sounded very cheerful and upbeat, this was definitely a new side of him I hadn't seen yet. But why did he want me to come if all they were going to talk about was business? I was already bored.

"Is your lady friend here just arm candy tonight?" Mr Bucci asked.

A puff of smoke flew in my direction, so I knew he had turned to look at me.

"No, this is my girlfriend. Introduce yourself to Mr Bucci Freya."

Eisuke pushed me forwards slightly.

"It's nice to meet you sir. I'm Freya Wells." I said and held my hand out to him.

"The pleasure it all mine." He said.

He took hold of my hand and planted a gentle kiss on my knuckles. He had very soft and smooth hands for an old man.

I giggled as he kissed my hand, I was just expecting a hand shake. A guy had never kissed me like that before.

"So you have a girlfriend now. My daughter will be very disappointed." Mr Bucci said.

"I thought it was time to start settling down." Eisuke replied.

So that's why he wanted me to pretend to be his girlfriend? So he didn't have to date this guy's daughter?

"Yes quite right. But you'll still show my daughter around once she arrives?"

"Of course, I'll take her anywhere she'd like to go."

"I'm sure my daughter will be happy as long as she enjoys her time here." Mr Bucci said, he had not taken his eyes off me through the entire conversation. "And I'll make sure to enjoy my time here as well, especially downstairs."

"Please let me know if you need anything." Eisuke said.

Another puff of smoke blew in my direction. I had to force back a cough, could he at least blow it somewhere else?

"I bet you have your hands full dating Eisuke, hm?" He asked.

I laughed softly "More like he has his hands full with me." I said and smiled.

He chuckled softly before I heard him walk away.

After he left, we went straight back to the penthouse without attending the auction. We both went upstairs to the living room, as I kicked off my shoes I heard him sit on the sofa and sigh heavily.

"So, is tonight the reason you said I was your girlfriend?" I asked as I sat down on the sofa.

"Why do you think that?" He asked.

"Well Mr Bucci's a special client and from the sound of it, his daughter likes you? And I assume you don't like her? What better way is there to let someone down gently then using a... vagina block?" I asked.

"So, you can use that brain of yours after all? Bucci is part of the Italian mob." He explained. "His daughter Caroline has fallen in love with me, and it's not like I can turn down the daughter of an Italian mob boss."

"Fair enough but if you need a girlfriend so badly, why not have that woman downstairs that you made cry? She's probably be more convincing than me, as she actually likes you."

"It would be too much hassle to deal with someone who has feelings for me. It's more convenient to have someone expendable like you if anything were to happen."

He paused for moment.

What was that supposed to mean? Was he threatening me again?

"You're the wildcard will help my deal with Bucci go through. So, make sure you play the part until that happens. And if you do that, I will set you free."

"Really?" I asked suspiciously.

I couldn't tell if he was being serious or not, he sounded genuine but he was jerk. I wasn't going to believe anything he said for a minute.

"Yes, however your performance today was terrible."

I heard him stood up, he moved from the sofa and stood in front of me and pushed me down onto the sofa.

"Hey, what are you doing?" I asked and pushed him away.

"When you're pretending to be my girlfriend, at least try to look in my eyes when you speak to me. And actually pay attention when I talk."

Fair enough, last night I hardly acknowledged him when he spoke last night.

"And stop freezing up every time I touch you."

He put his hands on my shoulders, I felt him pushing down on me as his face came closer. I could feel his warm breath touching my cheeks, I feel the heat coming from his body and I could hear the sound of his heart beating. Was he going to kiss me? I tried my best to relax.

I felt him come closer but I couldn't go through with it and turned my face away.

"Is that how my girlfriend would act?" He asked sounding annoyed.

"It's just... the thought of kissing you makes me want to vomit." I said.

"You just need more practice. Any woman would be happy for me to kiss them." He said arrogantly and then pulled away "If you struggle with this, you're going to have a rough road ahead."

"Look, I'm doing my best ok." I said.

"I'm going to make you mine in a few days, don't make me waste my time." He said before leaving the room.

I sighed and relaxed into the sofa, there was a light at the end of the tunnel. The quicker this deal was struck, the quicker I could get away from him. I need to up my game though; it shouldn't be too hard.