Ayumi led Alex into a private room.
Not a single man could be spotted in the basement but in that room were two strong looking bodyguards dressed formally holding automated guns. They were her exclusive bodyguards.
The room was about 20 meters wide and 25 meters long. There was a shelf filled with the most exquisite wine Tokyo can offer. There was a lavish sofa that was blessed by her presence.
With the snap of a finger, four maids arrived. Two of them set a small oak table, and one brought a chair in front of her on which Alex sat. The other one brought two bottles of wine along with two goblets.
'Chateau Cheval Blanc from Saint-Emillion vintage 1947. A luxurious wine with an extraordinary taste. I keep it for special occasions.'
'I'm not sure I'm old enough to drink that.'
Alex saw how the maid opened the old wine with no trouble. As the maid pour, he observed the subtle color of the wine, which mysteriously resembled Ayumi's eyes. She smiled and lifted her glass.
'Boy, if you're old enough to be in this room. You're old enough to do anything.'
She tenderly took a sip keeping her eyes fixated on Alex.
'If you say so.'
This would the first time Alex would drink wine. He examined the wine, which looked remarkably fresh given its year. He thought wine would be like alcohol, thin. But the red liquid seemed thicker than oil and had a silky texture. Magnificent ruby-red color with a hint of garnet at the rim.
He took a sip and was amazed. The scent itself was mesmerizing. Chocolate, blueberries, black raspberries, coffee, and herbs. How could one experience all at once? He couldn't imagine something could taste so incredible. He felt heat rising from within.
'Blissful, isn't it?'
Alex was taken back a little.
'Yes, indeed. This is one of the best things I have ever tasted. Maybe I might buy a bottle of this myself.'
Alex was hooked on the taste, but it made him feel hot, was it the wine's effect? Ayumi saw his cute reaction.
'If you want, I know of a dealer that might sell you one for a hundred and forty thousand American dollars for a bottle.'
Alex quickly came to his sense.
--A hundred and forty thousand for a bottle? That's beyond expensive for one bottle. Is this the elixir of youth?
His lips left the glass with the viscous liquid still riding his throat. He cleared his throat.
'So umm… if you could kindly tell me something about Jira, I would be grateful.'
Ayumi was amused by the anticipated reaction Alex gave. The wine was a timeless masterpiece. It was loved so much that the Italian Underlord actually offered to guard the wine himself. The lord had bought fifty thousand bottles.
Ayumi took a sip and breathed in the aroma, recalling what she could about Jira.
'Jira does not physically exist. It's a ghost organization. The name was first heard in 2010. Back then, Jira was just a rumor among peoples but, in only 5 years, it gained so much power and influence that it practically forced its way into WS potential global threat list. It was only a matter of time when it moved from there to WS global threat elimination list. Assigning a WS agent to first investigate the threat personally.'
'What do you mean it does not exist?'
Alex couldn't her first sentence.
'Exactly what I said. Jira has no digital or physical record of it. There is also no proof that it even exists. It's just like fighting a ghost.'
Alex was astonished that something like this could exist in this modern era.
'What about me? Am I not solid proof that it exists?'
'No. You were created by a company that was influenced by Jira. People who were influenced by Jira.'
'The way you talk, it's like you're hinting that Jira is a person.'
'Am I now?'
Ayumi took another sip of the irresistible wine smiling seductively at Alex with her blood-colored lips. Alex also couldn't the temptation of the wine and now felt cooler.
'So, who is Jira?'
'Sorry, but that is all I know.'
She said, batting her eyes innocently. But Alex wasn't buying the act. He locked his eyes with hers, patiently waiting for her to continue, which she did.
'For free, that is.'
'Free? I brought you the gift.'
'Maybe you misunderstood what I said. The gift you brought was only for me to see you. What I have told you so far doesn't have any relation to the poor gift, making it free. Now tell me, why should I tell anything more?'
You just know things are never going to be this easy. There is always a catch. The kind, gentle atmosphere suddenly became cold and stiff.
'You do know Jira will try to start WWIII?'
'Yes, but it doesn't have anything to with Underworld or me.'
She said it without a care in the world. Pouring more wine from her bottle, she leisurely drank more.
'Jira might try to destroy Underworld. I can help you.'
She giggled like Alex just told her a good joke. She raised her hand and snapped her finger twice in reply.
The room suddenly started moving, more like everything in the vicinity shifted. The room transformed into an arsenal. All sorts of firearms were present. From daggers to pistols to rifles to grenades to missile launchers.
There was enough ammunition to supply a small army for a week.
'Underworld has enough power to completely destroy the world twice. How much help do you think I need? Jira would never go against Underworld.'
The conversation was not making any progress. Alex couldn't convince her to give him more information. He didn't have anything of value which an Underlord might want to desire.
'And depending on what Jia offers, Underworld just might be willing to help it out.'
She snapped her finger twice again, and the armory retreated. The room returned to its formal state. It was clear Alex couldn't offer her anything she wanted.
--The little trick wasn't just to show that Jira won't go against Underworld. It was also a warning that I better not threaten or force her.
'However, I might tell you more IF you can give me something I want.'
Ayumi knew there wasn't much Alex could do right now, but she didn't want the fun to end so quickly.
'And what do you want?'
Alex knew he was walking into a trap.
'You look even more delicious than your friend. I will tell you what you want if you could be mine for tonight.'
Alex's back was against the wall. It was time for him to choose. Ayumi watched him ecstatically like a predator watching its prey squirm. In Alex, she saw her past self.
When she was only a young maid to the previous Underlord. Where she worked in his underlord colossal mansion every day and night.
Her beauty distinguished her from all the other servants. Her long deep marine shaded hair, her innocent jewel orbs, rose lips, and light skin made her master desire her.
She knew exactly what was going to happen. Alex was in a situation she had gone through uncountable times. Just like him, her master would make her choose. Either to service him so she could eat sleep or starve and work without a single wink.
'Sorry, but I am a busy person. Maybe some other time.'
*What the hell? Take the damn offer, Alex! This is once in a lifetime opportunity. There couldn't be a better deal.*
--What a predictable answer,
she thought. It was the kind of response she usually gave. Following her master, she was going to do the same thing he did. Alex stood up, finishing the wine, and was about to leave.
'How about a game?'