Chapter 10

When you've finally re-entered the Ichinomiya penthouse, you couldn't find Eisuke anywhere.

"Mr. Ichinomiya?" You called, noting the scent of alcohol in the air. He didn't answer you, not with a snarky remark on how you were late, or how you were his.

There was only silence.

"Mr. Ichinomiya?" You called again, scared of walking into him with a girl. You didn't not need that visual stored in your brain at all. For some reason, you couldn't get the image of Eisuke touching you in that moment. You couldn't help but wonder how he fucked. You winced at the thought. Where on earth was your brain leading you?

Finally, you were surprised to find that Eisuke was sprawled on the couch, which was uncharacteristic of him. You walked up to him, expecting him to be taking a light snooze, but that didn't seem to be the case. There was a laptop in front of him, still on, sleeping pills and booze.

Good lord, did he drug himself just so he could sleep?

You examined his face, noting that he was still breathing steadily and calmly. You picked up the pill bottle, reading the prescription, realizing that it was, in fact, prescribed to him. He wasn't stupid enough to overdose, was he?

He seemed to be murmuring something in his sleep, but nothing that you could make out. He was a bit sweaty, an indicator that he was uncomfortable. You noticed that the laptop was still on his e-mail. Feeling brave, despite the fact that your sleeping boss was right next to you, you decided to pry.

It was an e-mail from Soryu.

The first message read: It wasn't her. Dr. Foster did the autopsy. My men are out looking for the man responsible. Don't lose hope, Eisuke.

Eisuke responded in a typical fashion. Send me the symbol, and the details of the autopsy.

You don't need to see the pictures.

I think I do.

You clicked on the e-mail and gasped in horror. You had seen a lot in your past few years as an agent, but this was extensive. It was a dead girl, her face completely bashed in and bloody. Her face wasn't even visible anymore, her teeth bashed out, her cheekbones completely caved in. On her chest, right above her breasts, was a mark, a tattoo. It was a simple number, 23, with an X which crossed over the number.

You could feel Eisuke stir next to you and quickly exited the e-mail, scanning through everything else. Nothing. Eisuke was smart, there wasn't any old e-mails in his current inbox.

But you weren't thinking like a cop in that moment. You could only look at the man shuddering in discomfort in front of you. You brushed his hair away from his eyes, examining the tortured look in his eyes. His cheek was warm.

"What on earth are you investigating, Ichinomiya? Who are you looking for?" You whispered, stroking his face once before standing up. You'd get a cold towel and water in order to cool him off. You'd change into that uniform that he had seem to love so much. You'd buy him a cake, maybe.

You went to the bathroom, retrieved a towel, and opened the freezer, pulling out some ice cubes. You turned on the tap quietly, watching as cold water came shooting out of the faucet. You softly covered the towel, wringing out the excess water. You put one in the fridge for later use. Then, you mixed ice cubes with filtered water, carrying both over to the sleeping man.

You wiped his face off with a cold cloth, trying to cool him down. You put the glass of water, positioning it away from the laptop. You decided to leave him a quick note.

I'll be back in a bit. Buying cake and sweets for you. Don't get mad.

You couldn't figure out why you felt so sympathetic towards this man. Was it because, behind his haughty exterior, he was broken? You had never seen someone so prideful become so vulnerable in an instant. The weird pounding in your heart accompanied you as you threw on a light spring jacket. You clenched your chest tightly, willing the feeling to go away.

You left him behind, closing the door. It was only in that moment that your heart completely calmed itself, and you let out a strangled breath.

You quickly made your way to the basement, picking up a disposable phone, turning it on as you decided to talk and walk at the same time. For some reason, you felt bad for leaving him alone for so long. You began to walk briskly, inhaling the outside air as you exited the hotel the second time that day. You began to walk with the masses, making your way to the closest main street.

You make your way into one of your favourite sweet shops, smiling at the old owner who greeted you in extremely accented English. The only words he knew were "Hello" and "Good-bye", and you always appreciated that he made the effort to speak with you. But you knew it was safe here, because this place was an unknown gem in Japan. The man was traditional, there was a lack of CCTVs, and the place was mainly empty. You ordered a variety of sponge cakes in different flavours, mango, red bean, and green tea. You also ordered a milk tea for Eisuke. You sit down at one of the tables facing the entrance.

"Yes?" Grace answered.

"Was there a Jane Doe with a bashed-in face in the autopsy room lately?" You ask abruptly in English, speaking fast.

She sounded surprised. "Hello to you too?"

"Grace?"

"I don't know how you heard about that, but yeah, it's true."

"Ichinomiya got an e-mail about it," You whispered, watching as the owner got to work making your pastries. "He has a particular interest in the symbol on her chest."

"The number with the X, right? Number 23?" Grace sighed in defeat. "We think there's a large human trafficking group somewhere in Japan. All of the girls have numbers on them to identify which number they are, so to speak."

"Jesus…"

"I know. Recently, number 23- er, Jane Doe, was found in a river, her face completely bashed in."

"Was it an angry pimp?" You asked, expecting the typical response.

"It's something more than that. It's got the local police all fired up, girlie. Last week, we found number 22, her face bashed in with a crowbar, in a local farm not far from here."

You let out a sharp intake of breath. "Someone is eliminating them."

"Yes, well, that's what we're theorizing. We're looking for any number wherever right now. Er- not we- it's not even my case. How do you know about this, anyways?"

"Eisuke's looking for someone with a mark like that on her chest." You finally realized why Eisuke had ripped your blouse open that night- to look for the symbol. Was he trying to save you? What on earth was his agenda? "Did you find anything with the mobster?"

"Nothing. All we did was eliminate another hideout for another Hong Kong mobster. For Christ's sake, Soryu's contacts run deep. Whenever we get a type about the Ice Dragons, we have to get a warrant to investigate the place. By the time the judge signs one, Oh and his mob are nowhere to be found."

"I'll try to find more information about him. I haven't seen him in what seems like ages. He doesn't trust me at all."

"He's a smart fellow."

"I want you to look into Mamoru Kishi and tell me everything you know about him. The mole is more interesting than he seems- I don't think he's in it for the money."

"Okay," she said, and you could hear here jotting down your instructions.

"And watch out for a Dr. Foster- Both Oh and Ichinomiya has him under their thumbs."

She let out a sharp gasp. "That name sounds bloody familiar. Okay, will do. Also, I know you spoke with Chisato today, and you guys are planning that auction sting. Keep me updated. Plus, keep an eye out, you hear? One of the girls may be sold."

"I hope to god that they won't be." You murmur. "Good luck with bureaucracy, I bet you're having the best time dealing with the Japanese captain."

"You don't know how good my Japanese is getting, girlie." She laughed. "Anyways-"

"Shit-" You whisper.

"What?"

You had been watching the door cautiously the entire time, ready to hang up at a moment's notice. You could see Eisuke Ichinomiya approaching the cake shop, slowly. He could see you through the glass doors. What on earth?

"Eisuke can see me. He knows I'm on the phone." You whisper quickly, "And it's not the phone that he permitted me. I'm hanging up now, if this phone calls you back, you're my mom, until I say the code of the day, okay?"

"Roger." She hangs up.

You hang up as casually as possible, crossing your legs. "Hahaha, bye mom!" You fake into the phone, before pressing the end button again as calm as you possibly could.

Eisuke opens the door roughly, walking towards your table, staring at you with crossed arms. He was fully dressed, in a suit and everything. He had an expensive watch on, and Italian loafers. If you didn't know any better, you would never have thought that he had been so troubled only a half hour ago. You bow your head, even though the right custom was to stand up. "Hello, Mr. Ichinomiya."

"What are you doing here?"

You frowned. "I left you a note. Did you not get it?"

"Did you have my permission to leave the apartment? You took an hour and a half lunch and decide to hang out a cake shop instead of resuming your job?"

You wince, realizing that it did sound quite ridiculous when he worded it that way. But he knew- knew that you did your job, and you weren't lazy. There was no reason for him to fear that you were taking advantage of his job. "I was getting you some cakes. You seemed upset."

He just glared at you. "I don't need cakes."

"I know you like them, you keep asking me to fetch them for you when you're upset or stressed." You said, crossing your arms. He huffed and takes the spot opposite you, pulling the chair back loudly. You weren't wrong, and you both knew it.

"Miss!" The owner called you, and you smiled, standing up, grabbing the cakes and the milk tea from him. You grab your wallet and pay for them, leaving a generous tip.

"Thank you very much." You said, and he winks at you, nodding towards Eisuke.

"Is that your boyfriend?" He whispered. "He's a rather imposing man."

You laugh. "No, he wishes. He's just my boss."

"You bought these for him?" The owner questioned you, tilting his head to the side. "Quite kind of you."

You just look at him. "I don't know what you're insinuating, but you need to stop." The owner laughs out loud, "He just thinks me a pest, and I wouldn't have it any other way. We're going to sit out at the patio, is that okay?"

"Please. Enjoy yourself." He bows at you again, and retreats back into the kitchen.

You turn around, and from behind, you could see that Eisuke was waiting for you, checking his watch impatiently. You nod your head at him. "Let's sit outside, shall we?"

"We don't have time for that." He said, impatiently, "I have to meet a client in an hour. I haven't a clue where my materials are-"

"I left them in a yellow folder in your laptop bag in the office." You interrupt him, and he glares at you as if you had just gravely offended him. "Fifteen minutes, okay? You've been working like crazy because of the merger."

You walked outside, and you could feel him following you. You take a spot at the outside patio. It was simple enough, with white painted chairs and an elegant looking table. You could hear the bustle of the city, of life. When you closed your eyes, you could feel the wind blow through your hair like a lover's kiss.

"You knew about that?" He asked, surprised.

"It's the only thing you've been talking about. All those files you asked me to photocopy? Honestly, I'm basically your executive assistant and maid whenever you work in the penthouse. Relax, will you?" He huffed and takes the spot opposite you, pulling the chair back loudly. You weren't wrong, and you both knew it.

You open the box of cakes, pulling out utensils from the plastic bag. You hand a glowering Eisuke a fork.

"Where are the plates?" He asked.

You sigh. Sometimes you forget that rich people were ridiculous. "Just this once, let's just eat like barbarians from out of the box, okay?" You dig in the green tea cake, and though Eisuke didn't stop glaring at you, he followed suit, picking out a mango-flavoured mini cake. You closed your eyes at the flavour- it was so rich and creamy, bathing your tongue in a million different flavours.

"This is good," You murmur to yourself, before you remembered that you had also bought him a milk tea. Reaching into the plastic bag, you offer it to him. "Here."

"What?"

"This is for you," You said awkwardly, holding it in the air. He didn't make a motion to take it, so you were stuck in some kind of awkward no-man's-land position. "You like this, right? You always ask the runners to get you one, so I thought-"

He looked extremely shocked, and you were nearly equally at surprised because of the look on his face. His large hand enveloped your own and he took the drink. You just looked at him suspiciously. Did no one offer to buy him anything before? You just couldn't understand what he was thinking.

You continued munching before he interrupted. "Did you not get one for yourself?"

"No," You wave him off, "I'm good."

"Do you not have enough money?"

You just raise your stare and match it. He seemed genuinely confused, and was not just acting like the jackass he usually was. "I have enough money, I just chose not to spend it on anything else." You said, almost hotly. What a ridiculous question.

"You paid for this." He said, and you continued to eat, digging into the red bean cake. "I can't-"

"Eisuke, please, drop the bloody ego for now and just enjoy the food, okay? It's my treat." You murmur. You spent twenty million dollars on me, cakes are nothing. You didn't want to voice that thought, though, because he would become extremely insufferable.

You continued to eat, feeling annoyed, pissed off, and confused all at once. All you wanted to do was a nice thing for him, and Eisuke had to continue to be Eisuke. You spent a few minutes in silence before Eisuke dropped his fork and cleared his throat.

"-est." At that word, you looked up from your gaze again and made eye contact with him again.

You huff sarcastically, "I beg your pardon?"

"Pest." He strained out, as if the words were physically hurting him. "I do not think you are a pest."

"What?" You were suddenly reminded of the conversation you shared with the shop owner. "Oh. Thanks." You didn't know what else to say. You supposed that coming from Eisuke, it was a compliment.

"You are a… good worker." He continued to speak.

"Uh…" Even you stopped eating at the odd conversation you were sharing.

He cleared his throat. "About today. I suppose that you deserved that extra half hour at lunch. I overreacted."

Normal human beings would have apologized, but at that moment, you forgot that you were speaking with Eisuke Ichnomiya. Still, you continued to be speechless at this ridiculous monologue.

"When you found me sleeping and left the water for me... you did a good job."

You wished that you could disappear from this moment or melt into your shoes. This was the weirdest employee evaluation you have ever experienced in your life. If only Chisato were here, she would be crying tears of laughter.

You awkwardly looked up and met his eyes by accident. His brown eyes were the warmest you had ever seen them, and the sadistic smirk which usually accompanied his face was accompanied with a look of content. He wasn't smiling, by any means, but there was a sense of calmness which showed on his face that you had never seen before.

You relax your shoulders. "Thanks," You said, and you meant it this time.

"That being said, I do need you for a special job."

You lean forward to hear him out. "Yes?"

"There's a man. He's a business associate, and his daughter, Carolina, is rather fond of me." You had no idea where his words were going. "I have a deal to make with Mr. Bucci, at a party."

"Sounds easy enough," you offer, "If the girl likes you, it could make your life much easier. Just use that to your advantage, Mr. Ichinomiya, I'm sure it's not something out of character for you."

"It's not that simple," He snapped, sounding much like the old Eisuke. "The girl is insufferable. I cannot handle dealing with her for a week, let alone for the rest of my life."

"It's not like you're going to be forced to marry her," You said, though the look in his eyes said otherwise.

"I cannot risk my business relations by insulting Mr. Bucci's daughter. I have informed them that I already have a partner. That's where your help comes in."

"Oh." You realized what he was asking you. "You want me to look for some of your old girlfriends and ask them to accompany you to the party? I can do that, but you owe me. I'm sure when I ask them, I'm going to get slapped before they inevitably-" You abruptly stop your sentence, realizing the more you went on, the more deeply he scowled.

"I meant you."

You opened and closed your mouth like a confused fish before you found your voice again. "Oh. Of course, I can do that for you. All I have to do is go to this party?"

"You have to be my girlfriend for the party, yes."

"That doesn't seem to be too hard," You said, digging into the green tea cake again, "Even though I have to spend some more time in your company." Though you were a bit surprised, it wasn't as if you couldn't handle doing something so elementary. "When's the party?"

"Tomorrow night."

Your fork paused in the middle of decimating the cake. Tomorrow? The day of the auctions? How? You couldn't possibly be in two places at once- maybe Eisuke could ditch the secret auction, but you couldn't! You had been waiting for weeks and weeks just to see it again. You couldn't possibly miss it. "I- Eisuke, you gave me Sundays off," you offer lamely, and both of you knew that it was a sorry excuse.

"Not this Sunday," was his answer, plain and simple. He appraised you with judging cold eyes, as if daring you to say no.

"Eisuke, I'm so sorry. I can't do tomorrow evening." You actually feel bad when you offer this apology.

"What?" He looked gravely offended. "Why?"

"I have… plans." You murmur, though it was barely audible. It was like you knew that the bomb was set to explode in only a matter of moments.

"Plans?" He said sarcastically. "Important plans?"

"Very important!" You said, though you couldn't look him in the eyes. "I'm sorry, I sincerely can't-" It was as if all the light had drained from your previous humorous conversation.

"Who were you on the phone with?" He asked, startling you with the question. You knew it was a topic that he had wanted to bring up the moment he stepped into the cake shop. "That's not the phone that I gave you. Who are you talking to that you don't want me to know?"

"Eisuke, it was just my mother," You said, feeling more and more constricted by the moment.

"You can't talk to your mother on the phone that I permitted you?" He sounded disbelieving.

"I wanted to have a private conversation. All I do is talk to my friends." You say honestly. He wasn't buying it.

"Are you talking to other men?" He asks you quite frankly. You would have laughed if it weren't for the deathly serious look in his eyes. "Are these plans with other men?"

"No!" You said, getting angrier by the moment. The fact that you had defend yourself was an embarrassment in and out of itself. "I don't see what the problem is! Just take another girl- I'll try getting into contact with-"

"That's not the problem." He snapped.

"What?"

"Who are these plans with?"

Dangerously, you could feel your temper rising. Despite your better judgement, you snap back at him, "It's none of your business, Eisuke."

His eyes flash. "You don't say no to me," He said, "Not after all the things that I let you get away with." You could tell that he was more furious than he was letting on, but you could say nothing. He stood up, returning back to the cold man that you had originally known. Without a word, he turned his back and walked away. You watched after him, your fingers turning cold.

He was so pissed that he didn't even confiscate your phone. There was something about the whole situation that was unsettling you. You held your head in your hands. Why didn't I just say that I was meeting with my parents? You scolded yourself, trying not to reflect upon the hurt within his eyes.

You didn't understand why he was so pissed, not really. But you got the gist of it- He had opened up to you this afternoon, and without hesitation, you had managed to close the door right in his face. You stared at the remains of the food, and the half-empty milk tea. You didn't feel very hungry anymore.

You looked up in the sky, watching as clouds passed over your head. You couldn't help but think that the day would be made better with Eisuke's company. There was no more wind today, the day stopped like someone had pressed a pause button. You shivered again, covering your arms with your chest.

Though you could feel the blistering sunshine on your skin, for some reason, in this moment, you were feeling rather cold and empty.

Author's Note: Oh Reader, you somehow always manage to piss off Eisuke. Why do both of you make it so hard, you stubborn fools?

Hey guys! I thought I'd surprise you guys with a long update that I had written in the past. Hope you like it. As promised, there was some Eisuke action! Please tell me what you guys think. The plot is moving forward, albeit slowly. Hopefully you guys picked up the hints that I put down.

As always, reviews are welcome (and the only thing keeping me writing)! Again, don't expect another update until around a month (or more, depending on how much time I have). Now, with that, I'll (regretfully) return to schoolwork. Hope you enjoy.