Chapter 6

"Don't you think your jokes have gone too far, Carolina?" Eisuke asked.

A joke?! He would class this as a joke, I almost died!

"I'm sorry, I was doing it for you Eisuke." Carolina wept.

"Carolina, the best thing about you is your honesty. Don't lie." Eisuke said.

"I had no choice, I was so jealous of Freya because you love her so much. So I thought I'd show her by making her smell like skunk!"

"A skunk? I thought you were going to kill me." I said.

"They're holding onto tiny bottles, I bet it was skunk scent inside of them." Eisuke said.

That little bitch! If I wasn't still tied up, I would have gone for her.

"It was my ultimate secret weapon." She said.

"Tch. I'm glad I'm not the one she fell for." Soryu said.

"Soryu?"

"If you really loved him, you wouldn't do anything to upset him."

"If I really loved him? I can't believe I'm being lectured about love... but that just means you're genuinely concerned about me." She said and paused for a moment.

"I've found true love." She said happily.

"Huh?" Soryu said shocked.

"Freya you can have Eisuke, because now I have Soryu."

"What?!" Soryu gasped.

"Heheh... just as I planned." Eisuke chuckled.

"Eisuke. You..!" Soryu growled.

"I guess she prefers cools guys like you." Eisuke laughed.

"You've got to be kidding me." Soryu grumbled.

I heard him turn and he started to walk out of the warehouse.

"Waah! Wait, Soryu! Now I understand why Fang likes you so much!" Carolina squealed.

"Inui, it's me. Bring the car around, now!" Soryu said.

I assumed he was speaking into his phone.

I heard him start to run and Carolina was fast behind him, her clunky shoes echoed throughout the warehouse as she ran.

Poor guy.

"Wait, Miss Bucci!" Her man shouted and ran after her.

But now me and Eisuke were alone.

"Are you just going to stand there or are you going to untie me?" I asked.

He moved behind me and removed the ropes before pulling me to my feet.

"I don't like people touching my stuff without my permission." He said coldly.

"How did you know I was here?"

"I paged you about something regarding tomorrow, and you never answered. So I tracked the GPS of the pager."

"There's a GPS on the pager?!"

"Yes, I need to know where my things are at all times."

I sighed, he had this amazing ability to be nice and then back it up with something horrible. But he just saved me so I couldn't be too angry at him.

"It looks like you kept up the act as my girlfriend in front of her. You did well, thanks to you Carolina has now moved her affections onto Soryu."

"That was your plan all along." I stated.

"She's the daughter of an Italian mob boss, not a bad match if you ask me. He should be thanking me." He said smugly.

He chuckled with amusement as we heard Carolina's voice in the distance. He was definitely enjoying this.

"I didn't expect you to go this far though, good job."

"Thank you." I said.

He seemed different now. His voice was tender, nice. Not a hint of indifference or coldness to it. He normally only spoke to me like this when we were around other people.

The next day, we were invited to have dinner with the Buccis. We sat across from them in a gourmet restaurant. All the food smelt so good!

"It seems my daughter has been giving you trouble eh?" Mr Bucci asked me.

"Oh Daddy! That's all in the past now, Live and let live!" Carolina said.

"She was probably just having so much fun in Japan, she got carried away. Freya and I don't mind showing her around at all." Eisuke said.

He was holding my hand tightly to remind me not to verbally attack Carolina. "Right Freya?"

"Of course." I said with a sweet smile.

"Freya doesn't look it, but she's quite a strong woman. Isn't she?" Mr Bucci asked.

"Of course, I picked her after all." Eisuke bragged.

"At first I was surprise one woman could satisfy you, but now I understand. You seem like a trustworthy young man, you'll fit right in with the family."

"Thank you." Eisuke said happily.

"I've been telling you that for ages Daddy." Carolina said. "I told you Eisuke would be perfect for the family, and I'd like his friend Soryu to really become part of the family."

"What kind of women does he like anyway?" She asked.

"Hmm. He hates it when women wear a lot of perfume." Eisuke answered.

"Really? Oh no! Starting tomorrow, I won't wear a drop of perfume!"

"Carolina, you don't have feelings for Eisuke anymore?" Mr Bucci asked.

She certainly was a very fickle woman.

"Forgive me Daddy, but I'm a passionate woman. Eisuke's just an amico now."

I think Amico was Italian for friend. So she was happy with just being friends with Eisuke, that was good so hopefully this deal would be over soon and I could go back to my normal life.

"I can see a long friendship between you two." Mr Bucci said proudly.

"That would make me very happy." Eisuke said.

"Hey Freya, Soryu will fall in love with me right?"

"Of course he will." I said with a smile.

"I knew it! At first I thought you were impossible to deal with, but I was wrong. I know we'll be great friends."

Not likely.

"Me too." I said.

"I hope you can give me all kinds of advice about my relationship with Soryu."

Does she ever stop talking?

"That sounds like a great idea. Right Freya?" Eisuke said.

"Sure." I replied.

"Well, it seems like Freya and Carolina have become friends." Mr Bucci said. "I'm pleased."

The meal ended peacefully and we left the restaurant.

The next day, I was exhausted. I had the morning off work and decided to relax in the staff room. I was sat on my own at a table drinking tea. Carolina had really knackered me out, how did her family put up with her?

"Hey Freya, on your own?" Takahiro asked as he approached me.

"Yes, please have a seat." I said.

I straightened myself up as he sat down.

"When is your next day off?" He asked.

"Huh? Oh um.. at the beginning of next week, I think. Why?"

"Do you have any plans?" he asked.

"No not really." I said.

"Then can you keep your schedule open for me? I'll take you somewhere nice." He said softly.

A smile instantly grew on my face "Are you asking me out on a date? And besides, I thought you were going to ring me?"

He chuckled "I tried but it just wouldn't feel right doing it over the phone. So what do you say?"

"Yes."

"Great well, I'll see you later." He said.

He left without even waiting for me to speak. I suddenly felt really excited for my next day off, I wondered what he had planned?

A few days later, I was stood in the kitchen making myself breakfast. I was still in the penthouse, it was getting annoying that I had to keep going to my apartment to make myself breakfast. So, I bought all of my stuff to the penthouse so I could eat here. Eisuke just ordered room service.

I brought everything into the living room and sat on the sofa, Eisuke wasn't up yet. I had also made myself a cup of tea and Eisuke a cup of coffee.

I heard him walk through the door.

"Unusual for you to be here at this time of day." He said.

That was true, I often left the moment I woke up, so I didn't have to deal with him.

"Usually you'd be long gone by now."

"Yeah well, usually I go to my own apartment to have breakfast but I couldn't be bothered so, I'm having it here instead. I also made you coffee."

"Why?" He asked suspiciously.

"What do you mean why? I was making myself a cup of tea and thought I'd be nice and make you a cup of coffee. I made it with three cubes of sugar and lots of milk." I said and started to eat my toast.

I heard him pick up the cup and he took a sip and sighed.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Not enough a milk." He answered.

I shrugged, it was my first attempted to make him coffee after all.

"But it was pretty good for your first try." He said.

I listened carefully, he sounded genuine.

"Thank you." I said.

"Like I said, good for your first try. Don't get cocky."

I chuckled "Yeah whatever."

What was going on here? We were actually getting along. It felt weird.

"You can have some toast if you want." I said and pushed my plate towards him, I had made too much.

"No I'm fine." he said and continued to sip on his coffee.

"How can you drink it so sweet? I can't stand having sugar in my tea." I said after a moment of silence.

"Your brain needs sugar for energy. Maybe even you could get smarter if you eat more sugar." he said.

I laughed again, what kind of logic was that?

"Yeah I'm not sure that's quite how it works and besides, I don't want to get fat." I said.

"You don't have to worry about that." He said.

"Yeah well, you can say that because one you're a guy and two, you aint interested in me. Eating too much sugar isn't healthy for you." I said.

"I don't want you to lose weight without my permission. Lots of dresses fit well just as you are now." He said firmly.

And jerk Eisuke was back, just when we were starting to have a normal conversation. Well, almost normal.

"What are you doing on your day off tomorrow?" He asked.

"Oh um.."

Could I tell him about Takahiro? Probably not.

"Just meeting up with a friend." I said.

"Fine but if I page you, you'd better be back in 45 minutes." He said.

He was still trying to control me? I had to admit, I admired his persistence.

"Whatever. Anyway, I've got to go to work." I said.

"Go ahead." he said.

I picked up the tray and placed my plate and cup onto it and brought it back to the kitchen and put them into the dishwasher. I then left to go to work.

That night, everyone gathered in the penthouse lounge including Soryu who was holding a Chihuahua.

"Why do you have a dog Soryu?" I asked.

I was sat on the sofa, Soryu was stood next to me and I heard hear the dog making cute little noises and wagging it's tail.

"It's Carolina's dog. She made me take him." he said sounding very annoyed.

I tried my best to hold back my laughter, Carolina hadn't left him alone not even once.

"Pff. Looks like you two are getting along well." Eisuke laughed.

"Shut up. I can't believe you pushed that pig onto me." Soryu snapped.

"Oh who cares? You hate women right?" Eisuke said.

"Oh, that's right. Eisuke totally set Soryu up. And you can't be cold to the daughter of an Italian mob boss." Ota said.

I laughed "Even the great Eisuke needs help dealing with people." I said.

"I wouldn't even call her a person. How long do you have to keep the dog for?" Eisuke asked.

"Who knows. She said she'd be home tonight. Maybe I'll make Inui take it." Soryu said.

"What a cute little Chihuahua. He looks pretty fond of you, too. I'm impressed Sor." Baba said with a hearty laugh.

"All animals love Soryu. Now Eisuke on the other hand.." Ota trailed off.

"What about him?" I asked.

I pushed down my glasses and looked at Eisuke, he reached out his hand to Fang.

"Come." He said coldly.

Fang instantly barked at him.

"Grr. Not this one too." He said and sounded slightly upset.

I burst out laughing.

"He's not afraid of boss, either!" Baba laughed.

"It must be so sad to have animals hate you when you love them so much." Ota said.

"Shut up Ota." Eisuke snapped.

"Wanna hold him? I'm sure he'll bite you, though." Soryu said and chuckled.

"I'm done." Eisuke said sulking like a child.

It was kind of cute that he threw a tantrum just because a dog didn't like him.

"What are you grinning about?" he said.

I wasn't sure who he was talking to.

"Freya! Answer me." he said loudly.

"Oh sorry. I'm not grinning at anything. Soryu, can I please hold Fang?" I asked.

I held my hands out. Soryu gently placed Fang in my arms. I held onto him tight and then placed him on my lap. He nuzzled my hand before he started licking it.

"Ha! He even likes Freya over boss!" Baba said with glee.

He and Ota both burst out laughing.

"Can you blame him? He's clearly got good taste." I said and happily scratched his head.

"I'm going upstairs. Make me some coffee Freya." Eisuke said coldly.

"What's the magic word?" I asked.

"Now."

"Nope. That's not the magic word, try again." I said and turned my attention back to Fang.

"Please make me some coffee." he said after a few moments of silence.

Everyone else was silent, the atmosphere in the room suddenly turned icey. You could cut it with a knife.

"Did she seriously just ask the boss to say please?" Baba asked hesitantly.

"She did." Kisaki said.

"Are you ok with that?" Soryu asked.

Why was it such a big deal?

"I don't care, as long as I get my coffee." Eisuke said.

"Hm. That surprises me. I expected you to say 'When I ask you for something I expect it to be done in under 5 minutes!' or something." Ota said.

"Anyway, Freya coffee please." Eisuke said firmly before I heard him walk away.

On my day off, me and Takahiro first walked around town together. We held hands as he led me along. We then went to a fancy bar for some food and to finish it off, we took a walk on the boardwalk by the ocean.

"The sea smells amazing." I said as I inhaled deeply.

It had been a long time since I felt this relaxed. He was holding my hand again, it felt so secure and nice.

"It is nice isn't it? You looked like you really enjoyed your food." He said with a laugh.

"Yeah, I kind of ate a lot didn't I?"

"It was nice to see. You seemed down at work lately so I wanted to cheer you up."

He had such a nice soft, tender voice. Completely different to Eisuke. Wait, why was I thinking about Eisuke at a time like this? I should be enjoying the date.

"Yeah things have been crazy latey but I'm fine now. Thank you." I said and smiled at him.

"I had some reservations about inviting you out alone, since your Mr Ichinomiya's girlfriend. But you seemed really down and I just couldn't help it. That's why I didn't ring you." he said.

"Oh well, thanks. This has really cheered me up."

"I'm glad to hear it. I'll take you back to the staff apartments before it's too late." he said.

"It's fine, I can go home by myself. I don't need help, I've got my phone sat nav." I said and pulled my phone out of my pocket to show him.

"I know you don't need help. I need to stop by the hotel anyway plus, I want to be with you a while longer."

My smile grew "Really?"

He didn't say anything, I assumed he that he was probably blushing. I couldn't help but giggle. Why couldn't Eisuke be like this.

Now wait, there he was again. Why was I thinking about him at a time like this? Seriously!

We walked back to the staff apartments and came to the front entrance.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. If you ever want to get out for a change, just let me know." he said.

"I will, thank you. I had a great time."

"Good. Good night." He beamed and walked away.

I sighed, today had been so much fun!

As I stood there, I heard the sound of chunky heels behind me.

"I saw you! I had a feel it was something like this!" Carolina hissed.

But it wasn't just her, I could also hear Soryu's soft breathing.

"Carolina? Soryu? What are you doing here?" I asked.

"We were taking Fang for a walk on the beach and I saw you there alone with another man! I suspected something so I followed you. You're dating that man, aren't you?!"

"What? No! Takahiro was just taking me home. In case you've forgotten, I'm blind. It's hard for me to navigate around so he walked me home." I snapped back.

"You can't fool me anymore! I knew something was up! You liked about being Eisuke's girlfriend!" she shouted.

"No I -"

"Don't play dumb! A regular guy like him suits you way more than Eisuke!" she continued.

Her voice was just getting higher and louder by the minute.

"We just work together at the hotel. He was helping me get home you idiot! We're not dating!" I snapped.

I had to try and convince her, I couldn't let all my hard work go to waste. I was so close to being free of Eisuke.

"Do you go on dates at night to the beach with a co-worker? Yeah right! Only people who are dating to things like that! Right Soryu?"

"I don't know about that." He answered.

"Anyway, you tricked me and I won't let you get away with it! I'm telling Daddy!"

"No wait!"

She ran off before I could stop her.

"Where is she going?" I asked.

"Back to the hotel." Soryu answered. "This isn't good."

"We need to call Eisuke." I said.

"Tch.. Fine." he agreed and called Eisuke. "Eisuke? Your woman screwed up... all right... got it."

"Well?" I asked after he hung up.

"He said he's coming down and to wait in the lobby."

"Fine."

I had my white cane in my purse but I had folded it up when I was with Takahiro. The only way I could get away with this was to play the blind card. I needed to look as helpless as possible in front of everyone.

I took hold of Soryu's arm.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

"I don't have my cane, how else am I suppose to get to the hotel safely?" I asked.

He sighed and started walking but didn't object.

As we entered the lobby, we were hit by a wall of heat and bright lights. I instantly covered my eyes, my sunglasses were in my purse as well but hopefully me looking like this would help. I kept my eyes closed.

"Hm? Freya?" I heard Takahiro say.

"Huh? Takahiro?" I said.

Why did he have to be here?

"Daddy! Over there!" Caroline screamed.

I suddenly smelt cigar smoke.

"Is Mr Bucci here?" I whispered to Soryu.

"Yes." He whispered back.

"Carolina, if you're right about Eisuke, this violates the rules of the family." I heard Mr Bucci say.

"All Eisuke's hard work on this deal will be for nothing now." Soryu said to me.

"I know. You don't need to tell me." I hissed back.

I was starting to panic.

"Freya what's wrong? Are you showing around some guests?" Takahiro asked.

"Hey! What are you doing holding onto my Soryu like that?! Go over here and be with your boring boyfriend!" Caroline shouted.

"Is that the man you told me about?" Mr Bucci asked before I could reply.

Oh no, what was I going to do?

Just then, the penthouse elevator door opened and out stepped Eisuke. I recongised his perfume and his heavy steps anywhere.

I heard him walked straight towards me, he then grabbed me by the waist and pulled me towards him.

"You're late. I wouldn't wait this long for anyone else but you." he said tenderly.

He brushed his soft fingers along my cheek.

What was he doing? We didn't have time for this.

"Bad girls like you who make me lonely deserve to be punished." He said.

Punished?

Our bodies were pressed up against each other, I could feel his heart pound against my chest. His warmth breath tickled my face. Our lips then met.

"Mmm." I moaned.

"Mamma mia!" Caroline cried out.

"Freya!" Takahiro said.

"Hmmm." Mr Bucci said.

"Good lord.." Soryu exclaimed.

I could feel everyone staring at us, but Eisuke ignored them and continued to kiss me deeply.