AN: Not quite back to writing form. I am fit to plot however. Hope you like. Comments and kudos will be much appreciated.

Asami Ryuichi was out to impress—somewhat.

It was all the more subtle since it took little effort to achieve when the privilege of his reputation and influence alone allows it. Given the venue of Chateau Marmont's boasted waiting list and renowned cuisine, the club owner finds it adequate since it wasn't his preferred fare. He'd even made the effort to book a table hidden the alcoves for all intentions and purposes, the semblance of privacy while being in the open and be seen. More importantly, Dracaena's club manager who is his current dinner companion was not disappointed.

Sudou Shuu was a typical class act: the type who flourishes under society's bright lights and demands attention his type of beauty and status grants him. The ex-model expects nothing less. In this regard, Asami could not agree more. The man caught his attention specifically for such superficial attractions. This was no secret. After all, Sudou's vanity preened when Asami approach him personally.

It was also no secret that Sudou is head over heels infatuated with Asami Ryuichi, the figurehead. He wouldn't be the first nor last to do so. He's also wouldn't be the first that Asami has chosen to use that to his advantage. Never as a bed partner, for that the club owner has a certain wildcat at home for such sports. No, Asami knows what smitten creatures like Sudou would do for his favor, although, he may have laid it on a little thicker than necessary for a certain audience in the bushes over a week ago.

Why his wayward wildcat stayed away from home after doing such? Asami could make a few deductions. The private investigator (after he caught up with the photographer) reported that Akihito had been at the hotel he'd rendezvous with Sudou at around the same time frame. It didn't take much to figure out his boy must have jump to some conclusions. Oh, if only he could have seen Akihito's expression. The disappointment he felt was not so great that it warrant Asami to forego taking Akihito to hand, a lesson need be taught for sulking away from home.

In the mean time, for the past few months or so, someone has been using his business as a front for their own illegal activities. Whoever it is was quite clever in not exposing themselves thus far. Normally, such dealings were handled by Kirishima on the legal business end and Suoh with the shadier associations. However, seeing as how one of these happenings were traced back to Club Dracaena's jurisdiction due to a certain article that came out, Asami took it upon his self to flex a certain skill set he hasn't utilized in a while.

Asami thought his plan went rather well considering he has Sudou right where he wants him and his Akihito…still homeless apparently.

Oh how Asami relish the confrontation to come. Would his Akihito be hurt by his apparent infidelity? Would he be jealous? Did his Akihito sulk to his friends somewhere about his older 'female' lover?

Oh, Asami knew about that. How his wildcat clung to the thin veneer of a healthy heterosexual young male with his friends and family. The boy can keep his illusions. That is, as long as he admits who he belongs to, of course.

Still, it wouldn't hurt to check up on his pet.

"It's me."

Asami smoothly tilt his head away as if trying to locate a clearer signal, thus expertly dodging the persistent slender hand intent on feeding him some type of hors d'oeuvres.

"I see."

"How about this one, Asami-sama?"

His grip went taut on the phone just a miniscule before he covered the mouthpiece with his other hand, thereby successfully intercepting the path of another attempt.

There is certainly something to be said regarding the difference of admiring dogged bravery and slaying plain annoyance. In this instance, Asami didn't mind the sight of red painting the decor.

Those perfectly manicured hand that probably never saw a minute of manual labor kept hovering near his mouth.

He narrowed his eyes, first at the offending pinkish mess of a pâté slapped on a grain cracker garnished with a square cheese and a sprig of mint. Then at the fool who kept offering. No words were needed; the appetizer was immediately withdrawn post haste.

A visible line creases that once smooth brow, followed by a pout that did nothing for the former model.

Asami pointedly ignore that ridiculous display. That look in no way is flattering on anyone except any three year-old and him, of course.

"Continue to look for him at his usual haunts, although he has been lured by certain territorial catnips recently. Keep me posted."

Brevity was the preferred method in which the crime boss conducts business, in his current predicament however, Asami would have liked to continue the conversation regardless how one-sided it would be or how rude to his dinner date it may seem. Besides Kirishima would not approve of small talk, Asami mused at the thought.

"Asami-sama, I didn't know you are fond of cats? What type is he?"

Taking a moment to understand the words, Asami realized his insider's joke was taken at face value. A chuckle almost left his lips but he refrained. Only a twist of his lips was present which may or may not be interpreted as amusement or mockery rather.

"Merely a tabby stray I picked up who had a fondness for jumping off buildings."

Seeing the confusion on the other's face, Asami decidedly changed the subject when their main entrée arrived. He waited for the ex-model to take a few bites before approaching the topic of his agenda.

"Sudou, I would like to apologize for my behavior towards you the other night. I had not meant to react so harshly to mere rumors."

The other was quick to grab his hand in return, earnestness with brimming tears to match.

"No more apologies, Asami-sama. It was my fault. I failed you somehow and I am ever grateful for giving me …let alone… us a chance as well."

Asami returned the gesture with a pat to Sudou's hand with his free one prior to resume eating. He continued the small talk with no consequential topics throughout the meal until the dishes were clear and dessert was to be presented. However he dismissed the waiter discretely and layered out the concern on thick in his tone.

"How are you managing Dracaena lately? From what you've mention on your previous report, the girls aren't giving you much trouble again, are they?"

It had the desired effect. The manager's cheeks tinge pink in reaction, clearly flustered.

"I… oh, no! Employing young starlets was a wonderful suggestion from Kirishima-san, although their ambition and ego may be cumbersome to work with at times. Nothing I can't handle."

Calculated relief lit his eyes.

"I'm please to hear it. Your efforts are to be commended."

Asami took a sip of the wine to allow the other to soak in his compliment like a moth to his flame.

"I…. thank you, Asami-sama."

"I would like to see you succeed, Sudou. Dracaena has flourished since you took helm and I would hate to see your efforts go to waste due to some bad publicity, investigation or other."

The telltale sign was there. Just a micro-expression, but Asami caught it. Although he would applaud Sudou's fast recovery, the ex-model should have been an actor.

"Paparazzi can be manipulated easily enough once you feed them something juicy to chase after and I doubt chef Alonso would allow any roaches who dare enter his domain."

"That is good to hear."

Asami affected another moment of easy companionship before he made his excuses. He would need to explore Sudou's part in this and press further but the timely buzz in his inner suit pocket did it for him. He vaguely gave a nod of apology to his dinner partner.

"Yes?"

If Asami had a gun in his hand upon receiving this particular news, Sudou would be dead.

"Find out which shelter he's been taken to—"

No further questions or charade.

"I see."

Instead, his iron will remain a feat of wonder as Sudou pretend to look at the dessert menu while trying to seduce him with his coy smiles. Asami ignored all of it. For a moment his eyes gave way to fury and trail a heated path to a set of stairs behind the bar where the speaker on the other end address him to look. There beneath the balustrade, hidden behind an artfully placed opaque panel and foliage sat a group of people.

"No need. I'll retrieve him myself."

Asami ended the call as abruptly as it came. His outward demeanor shows no indication of the blood lust roiling in his veins. Akihito truly outdid himself this time.