Coffee

I turned around just enough to catch him turning around to face the window. Although his lithe body faced me, leaning back in the chair, he was focused on the view from the window. He crossed his right leg over his left knee, while his right arm rested casually over the arm of the office chair. His left arm was propped up by the elbow on the other arm of the chair, a loose fist just barely touching his lips. The light from the window cast a beautiful glow upon his face. I couldn't help but admire him from afar.

He looked like he was contemplating something rather serious. Even so, there was an effortlessness that exuded, bringing a smile to my lips. Before he caught me staring, I turned around, exiting the office, and headed off to the kitchen.

Unlike the rest of the penthouse, the walls of the kitchen were a soft beige. The drawers and cabinets were a beautifully finished cherry wood, matching the rest of the furniture in the house. Running my finger over the countertops, I admired the highly reflective, almost glass-looking finish. All of the appliances were the newest and most up to date versions. Walking further in, I noticed an exquisitely crafted wine cellar.

The wine cellar acted as a dimly lit hall, from which I could just barely see a dark object that resembled a piano on the other side. As I walked closer, I entered a secluded room. The room only had French doors that appeared as the only source of natural light. The white walls were adorned with black and white pictures of which resembled a solitary woman. She posed in several positions, one contemplative, another emitted the feeling as if she was protecting her heart from another heartache.

Along on wall was a black desk, while a black suede couch lined the other wall. The floor was a dark wood, almost black like the rest of the furniture, but in the center of the room was a white carpet. The contrast was strikingly beautiful. In the farthest corner of the room was a beautiful black grand piano. Nothing in the entire room had a single speck of dust, which was surprising considering it looked like no one had ever entered the room. I took a step toward the French doors, but thought better, as I remembered why I was even here.

Coffee.

Returning to the kitchen, I searched for a coffee pot. Instead I discovered in the corner a Keurig. Why am I surprised he has a Keurig? I thought to myself, smiling. I feel comforted by the familiar object from my previous life. As a gift from my mother, I had received a vanilla colored Keurig for my birthday. As I filled the water canister, an overwhelming sense of sorrow began to consume my heart. I remember this feeling from my trip to Las Vegas. I felt homesick.

I was so consumed by the excitement of beginning a new life, and having somewhat of an insider perspective, that I was too busy to reflect upon the family I had left behind. Hot tears started to fill my eyes, as I thought more about my family and William. I never thought about how my disappearance was impacting them. Was I completely erased out of their lives? I thought, taking a black mug out from the cabinet, placing it on the counter. Do they even know I am gone? Is there someone in my place? Is she caring for them as I had? I'm sure that if I had taken someone's life here, someone had to have replaced me in my life. I just hope she finds the happiness that I had found here. But have I found happiness yet? I think.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

The sound of the Keurig finishing the brew, drew me from my thoughts. Turning to the refrigerator, I sought out the milk. Eisuke Ichinomiya enjoyed café au lait, meaning he enjoyed coffee with a lot of sugar and even more milk. I wonder if he would prefer cream over milk. Cream has quite the sugar content. I slipped three cubes of sugar into the coffee, stirring before adding the milk. I stirred the coffee one more time. Sticking the spoon in my mouth, I could taste the sweetness of the sugar and milk, blended with the bitterness of the coffee. Giggling, I thought, his coffee is much like his attitude! Grabbing a napkin from the counter, I placed it under the coffee cup and headed toward the office.

Taking a deep breath, I slipped through the opening of the sliding doors. Eisuke had returned his focus to the laptop that was on his desk. He was typing away vigorously at the keyboard, leaning forward slightly in his chair. The papers that had been strewn across his desk were now in a neat pile in the top corner farthest from where he was currently working. His blazer was also currently across the room, hung off the back of a chair.

"Your coffee, sir." I interrupted, stepping closer to the side of his desk.

He let out a low grunt, before pointing to the corner of his desk, signaling me to put the coffee down. As I obliged, I could smell the memorable aroma of his cologne. Taking a deep breath, I placed the coffee on the desk, where he indicated, and took a step back. I closed my eyes and bowed, before turning on my heels and heading back toward the office doors.

"Thank you." I heard, my back toward Eisuke.

Turning, I could see he had the cup of coffee in his hand, taking a sip, his eyes closed ever so slightly. He must enjoy it. I thought proudly to myself.

"You're welcome, sir." I said, allowing myself to smile toward him.

I turned back toward the door and continued through his bedroom back to the kitchen to clean up after myself. I didn't make a huge mess, but I had every intention of returning to the solitary room with the grand piano. I couldn't help but wonder if any of the bidders were capable of playing any musical instruments. I could assume that Eisuke would be capable since he was portrayed as a man who could achieve any task assigned to him. Ota was an artist, so I imagine he would be inclined to any artistic talent. As for Baba and Soryu, I would be highly impressed if they were capable of playing the piano, or any instrument. Both men were mysterious, so it would be completely possible. However, one bidder I was certain would be incapable of playing any musical instrument is Mamoru.

I laughed aloud at the thought.

"What's so funny, pretty lady?"

Startled, I turned around to see Baba leaning up against the counter.

"Hello." I said, placing a hand over my chest to calm my nervous breathing. "You have a knack for sneaking up on a girl!" I exclaimed, turning my back on him, focused on cleaning the counter.

"I'm sorry, I keep startling you." He said chuckling heartily.

"Is there something I can get you." I offered, throwing away the paper towel I used to clean the counter with.

I turned to him, smiling. There was just something about Baba that calmed my nerves, despite the initial shock of him randomly appearing.

"What are you offering?" He suggested raising an eyebrow.

"Certainly not what you have in mind!" I burst out in a fit of giggles, rolling my eyes. "But I can make you some coffee or tea if you're interested."

"I would love a cup of your tea." He said, sweetly, catching my eye.

Flustered, I felt the heat of a blush rise to my cheeks, as I broke our gaze and turned to grab a cup from the cabinet. My pulse raced as I could feel him watching me while I maneuvered around the kitchen. Walking over to the sink, I filled the kettle with water, placing it back on the stove. Knowing it would be a moment before the water boiled, I aligned the cup I had put aside for him, along with the sugar cubes and searched the cabinets for any sign of tea, loose or in teabags. In one of the cabinets, a tin caught my eye, which prompted me to grab it. I placed it on the counter, opening it to find a sweet blend of loose tea leaves. I closed my eyes as I inhaled the sweet aroma emanating from the canister.

After setting some of the tea blend aside, I replaced the canister, noticing the water still had yet to come to a boil. Wiping my hands on my apron, I bowed to Baba, who had been watching in silence from the counter, politely excusing myself for a moment. I decided to take the moment to further inspect the piano room, and exited through the wine cellar.

In the room, I felt as though I was finally able to breathe. Although Baba had inflicted mixed feelings upon me, at times being comforting, the fact remained that he was still one of the bidders, of whom I still had an opportunity of being with. As much as I had referred to this faux reality as a game, it felt more and more realistic, as the days lingered. I was coming to terms that I was restarting my life, and these are the men who were going to be the most influential players, shaping the quality of my future. Do they have any idea how important they all are to my very existence?

The somber thought crossed my mind as I traced a finger along the grand piano. I walked cautiously over to the French doors. As I put my hand on the knob, I started to hear the kettle whistle behind me. Distracted from my thoughts, I turned and hurried back to the kitchen. I turned the stove off removing the kettle, pouring the steaming water over the loose tea leaves. The sweet aroma filled the kitchen, surrounding Baba and myself.

I must admit, I was shocked to see he had not followed me into the other room, but then again, I was surprised he had stayed at all in the kitchen.

"Would you prefer sugar in your tea?" I asked, gathering courage to look at him.

"How do you prefer your tea?" He questioned in response.

"Are you going to respond to every question I have with your own question?" I toy, before answering his question. "And if you must know, I do prefer my tea sweetened."

"If it's black." I added, grabbing a napkin from the counter.

With one hand under the cup, the napkin acting as a barrier, I placed the tea on the counter before Baba.

"Enjoy." I smiled.

He smiled in return, breathing in the sweet aroma the stemmed from the tea. He closed his eyes, as if he was savoring the smell. For a moment, I'd like to think, that something so small, was able to erase whatever troubles he may have been experiencing. Perhaps, as silly as it may seem, he was able to find peace, even for just a second.

My heart jumped as I felt a vibration in my apron. The pager danced around in my apron pocket, tickling my fingers as I reached in to answer the page.

"Pardon me." I said, excusing myself from the kitchen, heading back in the direction of Eisuke's office.

Learning from my previous mistakes, I snuck through the opening of the office doors, rather than knocking or introducing myself. Sensing my presence, he looked up from his desk, his slender fingers withdrawing from the laptop and folding together over his lap.

"Sit." He motioned toward the seats that were placed in front of his desk.

I obliged, smoothing out my dress as I sat in one of the chairs. I nervously crossed my legs, unsure of what to do with my hands, I placed them in my lap, entwined.