Chapter 6

The next morning, Seiya had already left the house when I woke up. He had taken the notepad from the desk, which made me smile. He was actually writing a love song for me. I got ready calmly and checked my phone. Still no response from Mamoru. I started feeling uneasy, and then I remembered Motoki's suggestion. Call the clinic. It was almost 8 a.m. here... Seattle is 16 hours behind... so it must be around 4 p.m. there.

I dialed the number of the clinic and noticed that I was getting nervous.

"Seattle Central Hospital, how can I assist you?" came a friendly voice on the other end.

"Hello, this is Mrs. Tsukino. Could you please connect me to Dr. Chiba?"

"One moment, please." Then came that unbearable waiting music. I tapped my fingers on the table, waiting. Waiting was driving me crazy, and finally, the music faded away.

"Hello? Are you still there?"

"Yes."

"Unfortunately, Dr. Chiba won't be back in the office until tomorrow. He had to go to Boston a few days ago and will be returning tomorrow. Would you like to leave him a message?"

I breathed a sigh of relief. So nothing had happened to him, and he hadn't left early.

"Yes, please tell him to urgently contact Bunny." A smile flickered across my lips. Mamoru was the only one who still used my old nickname from middle school.

"Bunny? Like the rabbit?"

"Yes, exactly. He'll understand. Thank you very much."

But why did Mamoru have to go to Boston? He didn't mention anything about it during our last phone call. Hmm... At least I could calm down a bit now. He was fine, and that was the main thing.

Then I went to work. As usual, I pulled out the folders for the day and went through them all. Luckily, today was a very uneventful day. After yesterday, I needed some relaxation desperately. But who would have guessed that the relaxation wouldn't last long because during lunch break, my phone rang.

Diamond.

"Yes?" I answered curtly.

"Usagi, we need to meet. My driver will pick you up after work."

No, that wasn't possible. Seiya would pick me up. Damn it, why was it so difficult with both of them these past few days? They used to be able to keep their agreements.

"I already have plans. Today will be difficult."

"Then cancel them. It's important," he sounded just as tense as yesterday.

"No, only if you tell me what's going on. You've been acting strange since your brother came to see me."

Beep, beep, beep. I stared at my phone. Did he just hang up on me? In the middle of the conversation? Breathe, Usagi. My grip on the phone tightened. Having a conversation with Diamond when we had different views was difficult, that was nothing new to me. But I also knew that he would do whatever it takes to push through his goal.

Call Diamond. Was he seriously expecting me to call him back after he hung up on me?

A few minutes later, Mr. Sato stepped out of his office.

"Mrs. Tsukino, please call a taxi for us. The Prince family wants to part with some art objects and is asking for our professional opinion."

I rolled my eyes. This couldn't be serious. In my boss's eyes, all he saw were dollar signs. He knew that the Prince family often gave him good deals. On the other hand, I was 100% sure that it was Diamond who was summoning me in this way.

This couldn't go on. I wasn't his property to be ordered around. The closer the taxi approached his villa, the more I felt the anger boiling inside me, but I couldn't let it show. After all, I was here on business.

"Is everything okay, Mrs. Tsukino?" Mr. Sato interrupted my thoughts.

"Yes, since tomorrow is my day off, I just went through everything one last time to make sure nothing is overlooked."

"That's good to hear. When we arrive, I'll have a discussion with the senior, and you please have the junior show you all the objects, take photographs, and create a list."

Breathe, Usagi. I nodded to Sato. Of course, that's how it would go. I would run into Diamond directly.

He had something coming for him.

One of the servants led us to a small salon where the senior and Diamond were already waiting for us. Diamond was already grinning at me, which made me clench my fist.

"Mr. Prince, it's lovely to see you again. Lately, your sons have primarily been visiting our house. I hope you're doing well. Allow me to introduce my assistant, Usagi Tsukino," Sato greeted the senior.

He looked exactly like Diamond, just a few years older.

"Pleasure to meet you too. Diamond, could you please take Mrs. Tsukino to the storage and show her everything?" With a sweeping gesture, he pointed to a door on the left side.

"Certainly, Father. This way, Mrs. Tsukino."

Stay calm, Usagi. Breathe. You can't strangle him now; it would raise too many questions. I followed Diamond with some distance. This villa was damn huge, and we walked to the other end until he opened a door and I rushed past him.

As he closed the door and I was certain we were alone, I turned around abruptly and charged forward.

"Diamond, is this your fucking serious? I said I don't have time, and you make up appointments with my boss just so I show up here?! This is not okay! You need to respect my boundaries! When I say no, it means no! When will you finally understand that normal people have to work for their money? Rent and groceries don't pay for themselves. I rely on this job, and if you keep this up, I'm genuinely afraid of losing it soon! Besides, I have a personal life too, and if I say I'm busy, you can't dictate that I should cancel my plans just because you're in the mood for sex again. There are more important things," I shouted at him.

However, he leaned against the door with his back, amusedly watching me, which fueled my anger even more.

"Are you done now?" he asked after a moment of silence.

"I haven't even started properly! I mean it! You can't always prioritize your needs over others. It doesn't work like that!"

Slowly, he moved away from the door and circled me like a predator. Suddenly, my libido chimed in with a joyful tingle in my lower abdomen. No, I couldn't weaken now. Otherwise, he would never take me seriously. I had to make it clear to him that he had crossed a boundary today.

I felt his breath on my neck and the rising desire building up inside me again.

"I told you we need to talk urgently," he whispered behind my back.

He roughly grabbed my wrist and turned me to face him. His lips were only inches away from mine. I was so angry and yet aroused that words couldn't describe it. Both emotions battled for dominance.

His deep black eyes pierced mine at the moment he closed the final distance and kissed me, but it was the anger that won. I struck back and instinctively slapped him across the face. Shocked by my own actions, I stared at him. He held a hand to his cheek and glared at me. My knees turned weak like jelly. I was done for, completely.

He firmly grasped my wrists and stared at me.

"Never do that again! Stay away from Saphir; he's dangerous. As long as I don't know what he's planning, you have to be careful," there was clear fear in his voice.

"What do you mean?" What was wrong with his brother?

"Just as I said. Be careful. I know he's up to something, which is why I'll be on the move again. I need to uncover his plans. We'll meet in Osaka on Saturday. By then, I hope to know more and can tell you everything."

He leaned down towards me and gave me a commanding kiss. My mind went blank again, and my body responded to him with every cell. But when I felt his hand sliding under my skirt, I gained a clear moment that I clung to. Gently, I pushed him back a bit.

"I... I don't think this is a good idea now. I need time to think, please," I stammered.

He nodded silently and walked around the room. He took a folder out of a drawer and handed it to me.

"So that your boss doesn't get suspicious."

"Thank you, Diamond. I'm not sure yet if I'll come to Osaka with you, but I hope you can figure out what's been bothering you. I'll let you know once I've made up my mind," I leaned up and kissed his cheek. I took the folder from him and left. I just left him standing there. I felt his gaze lingering on my back, and I couldn't turn around again, or else I would weaken.

As I closed the door behind me, I felt the tears welling up. No, don't cry. That will only raise more questions. Be strong.