Anna marvels at the grandness of the Harada estate. It never ceases to amaze her how gorgeous the property is no matter how many times she's visited. The Harada mansion is a contemporary, Japanese architecture consisting of a blocky, construction with odd, geometric shapes elevated slightly off the ground with tiled and a thatched roof. The front of the property is adorned with a heavy, iron gate with the infamous Harada crest, a fan with the color red on the top half and white at the bottom, methodically placed in the middle of a grand archway right above the gate.
The mansion is guarded by gigantic hedges that one would wonder whether it was placed to keep nosy neighbors out or keep family secrets in or perhaps both. The property also has a large, outdoor pool with a hot-tub, decorative patio furniture with a built-in barbecue grill, a matching mini-bar and an outdoor fire pit.
Across the way in the expanse of the backyard, is a separate guest house that is partly hidden from view by surrounding vegetation. Yuji sometimes use the guest house during his hibernation period with one or on occasion, two of his girls or whenever he's trying to avoid his grandmother's strict punishments. Obito sometimes occupies the guest house from time to time when him and his wife are having marital disputes or in layman's term, when he's in the doghouse.
Behind the guest house is a tranquil, Japanese ancestral shrine with one tombstone. The tombstone is kept in pristine condition and adorned with a few ornamental gifts and offerings.
As soon as Anna pulls up at the top of the driveway, two men in dark sunglasses, earpieces, and matching dark suits with guns holstered at their sides, walks up to greet her. One of the suits opens the door while the other helps her out of the vehicle.
"Mrs. Robles, Lady Harada is waiting for you in the study," states Suit #2.
"Thank you," replies Anna, taking his hand as she steps out of the vehicle.
Anna straightens her skirt and repositions her glasses as she looks around to discover that there is an unusually higher than normal amount of suits. She's used to the Haradas always having security but the number of suits with guns is really making her feel very unsettled.
She is escorted by Suit #2, a young guy who looks like he's barely out of highschool let alone have such a dangerous job. As she walks up the steps to the main door, she sees a group of 3 suits, 2 men and a woman, loitering around the bottom of the steps. One of the men carrying a long, electro-mag rod, has a very bright red-colored, spiky hair similar to Yuji's but longer and a bit more unruly at the top with the rest of his long hair tied in a low ponytail. He also has what seem like goggles atop his head. The other man is a well-built, African-American with a shaved head, dark sunglasses and a clean goatee. The woman, a petite Caucasian with brown eyes and neck-length blonde hair worn longer on one side.
"Man, I hope this next assignment takes us somewhere nice. It's been a while since we've had a vacation. Where would you want to go?" Red-head Spike asked his bald friend.
"Let's just focus on getting the job done first then I plan on hiding out in the mountains and visiting a certain bar," Bald and Sexy replied in a deep voice.
"You mean visit a certain barmaid," the Blonde chimed in.
"Don't know what you're talking about," Bald and Sexy denied, hiding the pinkening of his cheeks with a fake cough and his gloved hand, if one looked close enough.
"What are you gonna do about her blonde-haired boyfriend? asked Red-head Spike with a smirk.
That's all Anna eavesdropped from the suits before stepping into the Harada's grand mansion. The group of three must be new or they were contracted from the outside, Anna figured.
If the outside of the mansion was grand, the inside was even more beautiful. It was decorated in Japanese modern with a mix of cubism minus a few antiques and precious heirlooms. A huge grand marble staircase adorns the entrance room like the one where debutantes get introduced and gracefully descends along with their partners.
To the right, a very elegant sitting room. It has a long couch that could probably seat five people and a matching one directly across. It also houses a beautiful, but simple open fireplace with a hanging white Noguchi pendant light in the shape of a multi-layered Japanese hanging lamp. The room is also adorned with floating end tables and beautiful modern, coffee table. On its left, the open floor-plan leads to a very modern and chic kitchen.
Ahead of the main door is the formal living room that opens to the backyard. On the left of the main door, houses the study, a few rooms a laundry room that leads to the garage and a hidden, circular staircase that leads to the gameroom basement.
Yes, one could easily get lost in the expanse of the mansion. It's a good thing that there are always people to guide where one is allowed or prohibited to go. After the initial shock and a tinge of envy at how the size of her whole house could fit in the kitchen alone, Anna was brought back to reality by Suit #2 coughing and ushering her toward the study.
"This way please," ushers Suit #2 with an open palm towards the study.
Anna nods and follows.
Anna is surprised at the calm atmosphere inside the mansion versus the hustle and bustle of the suits outside. She didn't see any suits, only a few housemaids tending to their duties here and there.
They passed by a handsome, tall man of Asian descent with sleek, long dark-hair tied in a half-ponytail and a huadian mark in the center of his forehead. He nods at Anna and Suit #2 as he exits the study.
Anna blushes a bit, trying hard not to show her emotions while internally screaming at how lucky she is to be surrounded by good-looking, well-dressed men.
In the study, Lady Harada surrounded by a few suits, sits behind the desk. She is an older lady of Japanese descent who like fine wine, has aged very well. One could tell that she used to be a very beautiful woman as she still is but with more matured features. She is dressed in designer clothes as she usually is with matching jewelry and whose hair and make-up done in a simple but elegant manner.
She motions for everyone to clear the room except for Anna. Suit #2 bows and leaves with the rest. Lady Harada motions for Anna to sit in the chair across from her. Anna sits nervously. Though she's worked for the Haradas for a while now, she is well aware that Lady Harada's temper can turn at a drop of a dime and when it does, one does not want to be at that end of the stick.
"Is there anything I can get you? Coffee? Tea?" Lady Harada asked politely in a smooth voice.
"No, thank you, Ma'am," Anna replied.
Lady Harada signals the maid. The maid nods and leaves the two women.
"Tell me, Anna. How are you?" Lady Harada asked.
"I'm fine, thank you," Anna replied, trying to hide her nervousness.
"How's your husband and the children?"
"They're good," Anna curtly replies.
"I take it your husband is adjusting well to his new position?"
"Yes, he seems like it."
"Good. Let's get down to business. Forgive me for being frank but there are talk that you and my grandson are to put it mildly getting a little too cozy. Now, I don't care who you sleep with and my grandson knows what is expected of him and whom he should have serious relations with. What I don't want you to do is forget why I hired you in the first place. You are to get close to my grandson and find out everything that he's up to including where he is at all times. I hope that you haven't forgotten this. Have you?"
"N-no, of course not."
"Good. Recently, he tells me that he will be going out of town and will need a few weeks but didn't disclose any details. Do you know where and why he's asking this?"
"No, he hadn't disclosed it but I will ask him."
"As should you. Now, I hope he remembers that he has to be in Las Vegas to meet the Tattaglias next month which you will be accompanying him. Make sure his little vacation doesn't interfere with the meeting. It cannot be canceled or moved."
"But next month is my..."
"Yes?"
"Nothing."
"I take it that you'll be there?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Good. Oh and please add to my grandson's calendar that it's about time he meets his fiancee and his future-in-laws. They will be coming in the country in a few months. Make sure he understands his place. That's all for now, you may go."
"Thank you, Ma'am," Anna replies, bows, and takes her leave.
"Oh and Anna... Please take your job seriously. I would hate for your husband to find out that you've been working a little too close to the boss, don't you think?"
"Yes, Ma'am." Anna nods and leaves.
Grandma Harada picks up her phone and dials.
Person answers phone.
"Are we still on for dinner tonight?" Grandma Harada asks.
"Good. Why are you so interested in the Tattaglias? Are they more interesting than me?"
Person replies inaudibly.
"Yes, yes. I have already taken care of that. She will let me know as soon as she finds out. See you tonight."