"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Taira. It is so nice to see you two again. Welcome to my private art studio", Aya greeted the pretend couple as they entered the building.
Akira could not help but notice what Aya was wearing. She was dressed quite flamboyantly tonight. She was wearing a red halter hinge front bodycon dress with a faux fur.
As usual, Aya went to give Akira and Ren a kiss on their cheeks.
"Follow me", Aya said after giving her welcoming ritual to the two.
Ren and Akira did as they were told. They followed Aya from behind as she led them.
Akira was quite stunned at how huge the place was. It looked like a museum.
Her eyes immediately caught the paintings hanging on the walls. The artworks came in different sizes. She also recognized some of the paintings that she saw from Aya's website a few days ago.
After a few minutes of walking, they had reached the end of the entire hall. Aya halted, and that was when Akira realized that they were in front of the painting that they were about to purchase.
Below the painting was the word 'ASPHYXIA'.
When she first saw the painting on Aya's website, Akira already thought and knew that it was a really stunning painting. But seeing it face to face was different. It was surreal, but in a good way.
Akira could see the tiniest details of the painting from up close. It also felt like the objects or the people in the painting were real. She had no words to describe the painting. It was simply a class of its own. She was really speechless.
Seeing Akira's reaction, Aya flashed an amused smile, "Did it meet your expectations?"
Akira shook her head, making Aya a bit confused, but she quickly realized that she misunderstood what Akira meant.
"It is far beyond my expectations", Akira admitted.
Aya was already used to having people compliment her works, but it was the first time that she had found someone like Akira.
The way Akira stared at the painting made her look like she was falling in love with it.
Not only that, but Aya could see in Akira's eyes and face that she genuinely understood what the painting meant.
It was honestly the first time that Aya met someone who truly understood one of her works.
"From now on, this painting is yours", Aya said to Akira and Ren.
"Yes, and we shall cherish it forever", Akira replied.
"I shall have my men prepare it for you to take home. While waiting for them, let us go dine first in the dining room. We'll also do the contract signing there.
Aya continued to lead Akira and Ren. They walked through the same direction they passed through when they went to see the painting that they were going to buy.
They returned to the the entrance where Aya met and welcomed the two. Akira realized that at the other end of the building, there were actually three doors.
Aya walked straight to the door nearest to the entrance. She opened the door then moved aside to give Ren and Akira a space.
"Come in", she said with a smile.
Somehow, Akira found it weird that Aya was the opening the door for them. Based on their first encounter with her, Aya always had people to do things for her.
The pretend couple nodded. Akira was the first to enter the room. Then, she was followed by Ren.
When they were finally inside, Aya shut the door gently behind her.
If there was one best word to describe the room, it would be this word: luxurious.
Everything in it and about it just looked and felt extravagant - from the silverware on the table to the chandelier hanging in the middle of the room.
It was not much of a surprise to Ren and Akira. After all, Aya was crazy rich and known for her lavish and sophisticated lifestyle. Something like this was only expected of her.
Standing at one side of the room where four gentlemen dressed modestly. They were lined up, with hands behind their backs like a Brutish royalty's servants.
"Have a seat", Aya offered to the pretend couple.
Ren quickly stepped forward. He pulled one of the chairs like a gentleman as he offered it to Akira.
"Thank you, darling", Akira said affectionately.
After making sure that his wife was seated properly and comfortably, Ren took a seat beside her. Aya sat across the table so that she was facing the two.
Aya picked up one of the knives laid on the table. Then she used it to tap on the glasses in front of her.
Three of the men moved all of a sudden. They disappeared to a room connected to the dining room. Akira thought that it could be a kitchen.
After the three men disappeared, Aya moved her index finger towards the only guy left, as she was telling him to go to her.
Catching the signal, the guy immediately moved towards her. He was actually holding a black leather folder behind his back.
He handed the folder to Aya together with an expensive looking pen.
"This is the contract. I'll be the one to sign first", Aya told them.
After signing on her name, she pushed the folder and pen towards Akira and Ren on the table.
Ren pulled out the small case that he was holding under the table. Then he placed in in front of him.
"As your request, I put both your names in the contract. Take as much time as you need to read what's in there before signing it", Aya explained.
As the transaction was happening, the gentlemen reappeared one by one in the room. They served Aya and the couple with their foods and drinks.
Akira once again, realized that they were being served with wine. Her eyes were glued at the red liquid inside her glass. What Ren told her echoed in her mind, "Do not take any drink that they would offer, apart from a clear water."
After going through the contract thoroughly, Ren and Akira finally signed it. After doing so, Ren handed the case to one of Aya's men in the room.
"It's nice doing business with you Mr. and Mrs. Taira, and to celebrate your purchase, let's have a toast."
Aya took her glass of wine and raised it in the air. Akira and Ren did the same thing. After toasting, the three took a sip of their drinks.
Akira and Ren quickly wiped their lips with their table napkins. The truth was, the wine barely touched their lips. They didn't really drink it.
"Let's enjoy our meals and enjoy the rest of the night", Aya said enthusiastically.
As they dug in their meals, Aya engaged the two in more conversations. She asked questions about their family, their business and even their relationship.
The good thing was Ren and Akira had already anticipated that she would ask such things, so they were prepared for their answers.
After almost an hour of chatting with one another, Ren cleared his throat.
"Excuse me, but would you mind showing me where the bathroom is Ms. Aya. I desperately need it now."
Aya was a little surprised. But her surprised expression was immediately changed into a mischievous smile. "Of course", she replied as she got up from her seat.
"Please excuse us for a moment Mrs. Taira", she said to Akira as she led Ren out of the room.
"Sure", Akira replied calmly.
After the two disappeared in the room, a menacing smile crept up to Akira's face.
Their hunt was about to begin.