The shutter sound of the camera and flash lighten up the room. The empty woody floor emphasises the emptiness of the space. On the wall, a few Katanas were exhibited, and each of it was beautifully crafted, but there was one katana that attracted her attention — the one with a black sheath and golden plated dragon carved on the handle. The dim in her eyes reflected how pensive she felt. The katana brought back the memories she wishes to forget. Fanna clicked for more close up pictures of all the katanas. The bitter smile cracked on her face when she looked at the images on the camera's display. Portrayed her satisfaction yet unable to wipe the heaviness in her heart.
Done with the surrounding, she walked out of the room but before she could reach it, the door opened and the tall silhouette standing in front of her eyes, blocking her way out with a charming, naughty smile. He was wearing full blue-black Yukata with slightly exposing his chest- Didn't bother with the visible tattoo on his chest. It was an abstract dragon tattoo with mixed of blue, red and green colour, added more masculinity to his charms.
Fanna approached him, but he was faster since his steps much bigger than her. He scooped Fanna to his embrace and cup her face. He gave her a small gentle kiss, no rush neither force. He savours the sweetness from her.
"Did you get what you want?" Oata tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear while she hooked her hand around his neck. Their eyes shone with love and filled the air with a pink and warm ambience.
With a pout, she shook her head.
"Nevermind, take as much time as you need" Oata brushed her soft silky hair. It is his favourite moves when he is with her and Fanna can feel his love through that. She rested her head on his chest.
"My love, let's have lunch first. You can continue later."
"I will, darling... Let's go ..." she held both of his hands and let Oata lead the way to the dining room.
The sound of the sliding door opened, directed those two pair of eyes to them. Both of them froze for a second, did not expect the company. The maid informed him that both of the men were going to visit the eastern territory. The gazes were empty and cold. Slightly awkward, Fanna bowed as gracious as a noble, but she only got slight nods from them.
No woman is sitting at the table, and their eyes felt like x-ray vision towards her. Her heart pounded like a drum roll. The sweat wetted her palms as she approached the table. When Oata was bowing, she also doing the same again.
"Oyabun, dad, this is Fanna, the photographer I talked about," Oata smiles as he introduced them.
"Your woman is quite attractive," his father wiggled his eyebrow teasing him, but Oata maintains his composure as if nothing. His father the only person that dares to act playful around Nobu.
"It's a pleasure meeting both of you" Fanna put on the sweetest smile tried to mask her nervousness she felt facing both of two powerful men she wished she could avoid.
They scanned her from below to top, "Sit," a simple word from Nobu, and then he continues to eat.
'Don't poke around at places you not supposed to," Nobu added and stabbed Fanna with a sharp gaze. The intense stare was glaring a warning to her.
Oata squeezed her sweating hand, "I'll make sure she remembers it," Oata politely replied Nobu on behalf of Fanna.
"Good! Good! Now, let's enjoy the food." Mashimoto started eating his food.
Oata put a piece of meat on Fanna's bowl. She gave him a sour smile and started to chew everything. Aside from the delicious food in front of her, everything else was tasteless. No laughing was neither chatting during the meal, which was making her feels like she was sitting on ice.
The lunch didn't take long hours before Nobu, and Moshimoto leaves the table. A deep sigh from Fanna wiped out all the tension on her face. Oata, on the other hand, laughing to her.
'Stop laughing! I was so scared" she pouted with a blush on her cheeks.
Brushing her hair with his finger, "hehe…you should look at your face just now. So funny! Hahaha!" he gave a sweet peck on her face.
Still pouting, she gently pushed him away, "I hate you!" her words halted all the laughter and smile on Oata's face. He stared at her; the tense line appeared all over his face.
"Aww.. look at your cute angry face," he stood up and patted her, "I have work to do. Please enjoy yourself here. I'll be back as soon as I can, okay?" Oata kissed her forehead before he walked away and left her to remain rooted at the table.
The gentleness and love that Oata showered her placed a heavy burden in her heart. She wished nothing but the best for him, but here she is; a puppet tied with string, controlled by Fiona.
"I'm sorry…" she mumbled barely heard by anyone, including herself — the words she needed to swallow.
The maid came in, cleaned the table as fast as possible. The presence of maids reminded her of the real reason she was here. Fanna remains seated at the table, but her eyes wandered to each of the maids. She scanned everyone. No smile presence in her face, only the tension line below her eyes.
"Ma'am. Do you want some tea?" a beautiful maid with black hair neatly bun hairstyle greeted her. The smile curve on her face, emphasise the gentleness of a young lady. Exactly the person she was looking earlier. She returned her smile with a gentle smile that masking her real intention.
"I would love too... Ah! I brought the tea leaves I bought when I visited Shizuoka. It's my favourite," she opened her handbags and took out a small box, "Please use this, and you can have the rest of it." She placed the box in the maid's palms and patted her hand a couple of time.
"But ma'am…"
"I insist. I have more at home."
"Thanks, ma'am." she grinned ear to ear and gave her a big bow before she disappeared to the kitchen. After a few moments, she came back with sweet smell tea