The marriage interview/ lunch continued with casual banter, Yuki disregarding Alex's presence and finding comfort in her fathers intimidating shadow. Although uncomfortable she tried not to show it,but she couldn't help but stiffen every time Caroline touched her hand, her back straight like bamboo.
Picking up the clear wine glass of water, a mouthful to wet her parched tongue, she took a secret glance at Alex accidentally attracting his attention. Meeting his gaze, this time more composed managing a polite smile her eyes closed. Her thick, feathery lashes left a slight shadow. Not wanting him to see her fierce eyes, she fiddled with the jade ring and repeated sutras in her head, suppressing the boiling rage inside her.
****
Looking at her he felt annoyed that she didn't even look at him once, guessing she must have forgotten. His thoughts a mess trying to understand for what reason she didn't agree to the marriage 'Does she have a boyfriend?', his muscles tense as he met her gaze with a dark look.
Feeling his heart thumping wildly, as she gave her father a sweet smile his thoughts turned sinister. Clenching the knife in his hand wanting to flip the table over, taking her away with him so she could only see his face.
Pressing a wrinkled hand on his shoulder whispering , "Control yourself, you'll never see her again if he disagrees." Watching him drop the knife reluctantly.
****
Hayato who saw this, his eyes flashed a little silver looking at his father with gritted teeth.
'Dad...Why does this son of a bitch know Yuki?'
Growling, his voice replied scolding him mentally, 'Don't cause a scene, take Yuki for a walk so the both of you can cool off outside.'
'The both?' He paused. Looking at Yuki from where he sat, his brows furrowed at the slight sweat collected at her temples. Her breath quick and shallow with perfect and unmoving posture.
Seeing this he clenched his jaw. Wiping his thin lips with the linen napkin smiling he asked considerately, "Yuki why don't you join me for a walk in the gardens, so they can talk a bit more before we leave?"
"Sure." Taking a deep breath. Her eyes glistening as she stood up, tossing the braid down her back and adjusting the sleeves of her cardigan.
Her feet were a little shaky but Hayato grabbing her arm before they took notice, held her steady. Unnerved about her disorderly breathing he smiled politely at the guests, before heading towards the door with Yuki holding her hand.
****
"Hayato is really sweet, what a good brother" she said raising an eyebrow at Alex, who just wanted to follow after them.
However, the piercing gaze from papa Nakamura seated him down firmly. His mother completely oblivious to this mans hidden and violent behaviour.
"Well in the family, daughters aren't common" he explained looking at Alex as he enunciated. "So Yuki is very important to us and Hayato dotes on her a lot." Showing a rare smile, his skin stretched tightly hooking up his lips to one side.
His expression like the calm before the storm, Alex understood immediately that he was being threatened. Placing a leg over his knee, he took in his smartly dressed and well fitted suit. The body underneath clearly well looked after with no bulges hanging anywhere. Smirking he looked away from his well groomed black hair, thinking it was probably dyed-trying to keep young for the ladies.
Thinking about something... he thought it would be pointless to ask, although he was curious.
"You're staying at the hotel right?" Yuto asked with hidden amusement.
"Yes but I think Alex was a bit late in making arrangements, So Hayato helped us out a bit." Edward replied patting Alex on the back.
As they all had ordered drinks, they drank seated comfortably.
"I'd say in 6 months time would be fine." He said suddenly attracting their attention. "For Yuki's things, we'll handle that ourselves."
Feeling a little awkward as they talked about his own wedding he looked at his mother for help, as if questioning her if he was really needed there.
"Alex, do you feel uncomfortable?" , asking with a sly smile. "Well I doubt you'd want to stay here." Gesturing he could go with a manicured hand.
****
Marching out of the room combing his hands through his hair, wanting to pull out a cigarette to smoke. He dragged his sleeve back to check the time 14:15.
Several questions popped up in his head, specifically the million dollar question he knew the answer to. 'It was definitely her.'
Standing on the white steps leading towards the garden, lighting a cigarette. He figured that 8 years , 9 for her would've been too long to remember someone. Wondering what the hell she was doing at that club, in Tokyo. In the first place.
All he knew was that when he woke up, he was in the VIP ward of a hospital back home being told that he almost died of a drug overdose. His parents, particularly his father had refused to see him telling him he was a disgrace and put under surveillance he was forced to undergo drug rehabilitation.
Adam who had called him had told him that his father was more pissed over the fact he was being accused of the possible kidnapping or murder of Yukari Fukushima. The girl that he had fallen in love with, after transferring for a period of two and a half months.
Classmates had told the police that they'd last seen her with him, but he hadn't remembered a thing. Blaming the fact he took drugs recreationally to defame his character, he was the type to do such things as a result. However, his name was soon crossed off the list, despite still not being able to find her.
Later on the doctor had appeared with a list of all the drugs that were found... particularly a large dosage of a certain drug, resulting in his loss of memory as a result.
Unable to withstand the news, he had vomited and became depressed not wanting to get close to anyone and had almost killed himself several times. Like a zombie he was muttering her name with dull eyes, his hair overgrown and being given medication to help him sleep.
Later on he was visited by Adam who had punched him in the face, telling him that he should find out the truth instead of just sitting here. Handing him two necklaces, one he recognised being what she always wore and the other figuring it was hers he kept. Despite not knowing who the military tag belonged to, having done his research. Since putting it on, he hadn't taken it off.
****
Helping her into her thick coat and holding her hand, the cold air rushing past her face calmed her down. Dragging her to a quiet area, he sat her down on a wooden bench overlooking an assortment of growing vegetables. Squatting in front of her as she played with the ring, he listened to her softly whisper the heart sutra "no suffering, no cause of suffering,
no ending of suffering, and no path, no wisdom..."
Feeling his look on her as his hands on hers tightened, his muscles tense. "You don't have to tell me anything, just nod your head. Do you know that guy?"
Looking at him hesitant, she nodded.
"Do you like that guy?"
Shaking her head, her eyes with a silver sheen.
Sighing with relief, he sat beside her. Yuki's brows furrowing she asked quietly, "Are there any jobs going for tonight?"
Looking at her his eyes wide "But you just came back from the Tokyo branch. Weren't they a lot of traitorous bastards?"
"Only 10. They visit a lot of brothels on a weekly basis, before they could get the money from betraying us..." She explained shrugging.
"Only 10? There all big shot directors at dads jewellery company before they tried to sell company secrets... Weren't a lot of them married with kids?"
"Bro... rapists, pedophiles and stealing millions of yen from dad." With a raised eyebrow.
"Are we still Yakuza if majority of money made is legal?" He thought aloud.
"Illegal gambling, firearms, stealing and killing." Pointing them on her fingers.
"At least we don't have prostitution services." He said with a laugh.
"Grandfathers the best! After he found out his friends-sisters husband had cheated on her and got herpes at the brothel he owned..." She reiterated with admiration. "He closed it down, kicked all the women out and castrated him." Putting a thumb up making them both laugh.
"I'll call you later on, when I find out." He promised, suddenly getting a call walking off with a wave.
Watching her brother walk away, she leaned her head against the back of the bench and closed her eyes for a while.
Enjoying the feeling of the sun against her white skin and the smell of upturned soil. She frowned when she felt her phone vibrating in her pocket and opened her eyes a little confused.
A large shadow was cast over her, covering her body from the sunlight. The large outline of the man made it difficult to see the face, but her eyes were much stronger than the average humans. Her muscles tensed as she gripped her phone, shivering when she heard his voice.
"Did you pretend to not see me or do you not know who I am?" His deep voice echoing with a little anger.