Katsumi
Mr. Daichi Sone, age thirty-four, arrived in a fancy sports car twenty minutes earlier than I was told he would. Thankfully, I believed in being ready ahead of time. I wore a wide V-neck, black quarter-length sleeve dress with a gold chained belt around my waist. I shoved my feet into black heels and grabbed a jacket as soon as someone knocked on the door. Tatsou had made himself scarce all day, so when he was there to suddenly open the door, it startled me. I glared at him before greeting Mr. Sone when he came into view.
He had dark brown eyes and matching colored hair and was presentable in a costly suit with a blue tie. I searched for him online earlier today and found out he worked for one of Japan’s largest financial groups. However, I didn’t know what criminal dealings he did, which was the side of him that frightened me.
“Kastumi Sakura, you look beautiful.” He lifted his hand, and I placed my hand in his. The touch felt all wrong, and I wanted to rip my fingers away like I’d touched a stove.
“Thank you. You look nice as well.” I bowed my head, and he led me down the few stairs to the pathway. Tatsou closed the door and followed a few feet behind us. He would be riding in an SUV with the other guards while I was in the two-seater car with my date.
Once we were buckled up, he sped off, kicking rocks and dirt in his wake. I hated showboat men like him. Money did not impress me one bit, and I had a feeling this guy was going to be flaunting it big time. He started conversation on easy topics to get to know one another. I was quiet and answered when asked a question. He didn’t seem to care that I didn’t talk much, and probably thought I was shy. He kept the conversation going about himself mostly. We arrived at a high-end restaurant on Lake Biwa. I’d been once with my family; they had a good selection of meals to choose from.
Daichi, as he preferred I call him, led me inside. We were seated close to the window overlooking the water, and I had to give the guy props for a romantic venue. The waiter handed us the menu and listed off their specials. They usually had dishes that were one day only and cost thousands of dollars. I didn’t feel like having anything crazy tonight. Sushi sounded good to me as I perused the menu.
“The lady and I will have the Junmai Daiginjo sake, then we will start off with the squid appetizer followed by the matsutake mushrooms dish. Thank you.” Daichi smiled at me and the waiter took my menu away. I guess I wouldn’t be having a choice in meal tonight.
“So, you were talking to our group last time about your sewing hobby. How is that going for you?”
My teeth clenched so hard as I tried to smile without revealing my anger. No matter how much money I made off my fashions or notoriety I received, there would still be assholes like him who thought I didn’t have a real job.
“It’s going well. My bustier collection just got picked up for a fashion show in Tokyo in the spring.” The waiter brought the sake over, and I quickly drank some. I wanted to forget this night as soon as possible.
“That is wonderful. I would like to escort you to this event. You would look very beautiful next to me.”
Gag. As if I wouldn’t look beautiful standing on my own.
“So, what is it you do with my father?” I needed a change of topic, and this man seemed to really like talking about himself. Daichi smirked, then took a sip of his sake.
“We make lots of money together. You don’t need to worry your beautiful head about such things. I will take care of the naughtier sides of business.”
“That’s a relief. I’m afraid I am not very familiar with everything he does. I’ve only recently been introduced.” He appeared way too happy about my innocence, like he held power over me by simply having more intel.
“Well, I am eager to become familiar to you. You are very beautiful.” His gaze raked down my body and thankfully the waiter appeared with our appetizer to break the uncomfortable attention on me.
“Oh no.” I wanted to gag at the squid sitting on a bamboo platter in front of me. I swear its large eye turned to me, and I shrieked.
“Is it still alive?” I didn’t mind eating squid, even raw squid. But this looked alive, and I wasn’t so sure about that. The waiter calmly explained that yes it was still alive. The color-changing translucent squid had been sliced by tiny slivers to retain its shape and live. Daichi rolled his eyes at my theatrics and pointed toward the squid.
“Katsumi, stop acting like a child and eat your meal. That is an eight-thousand-yen dish.”
That’s it. I needed to find Tatsou and barter that I’d sleep with him if he killed this man. I didn’t want him anywhere around me.
“I would hate to tell your father that you dishonor the family name in such an elite establishment.”
I scowled at him. Even though I would probably vomit the eight-thousand-yen squid later, I cut the pieces and shoved them in my mouth. I even tried to pour soy sauce on it, but when the tentacles moved and wrapped around my chopsticks, I claimed I was full and they could take it away. Daichi didn’t seem to mind that I’d wasted the money by not eating it all.
“A fine woman in our circles must expand her tastes if it suits the man.” He stated this as if it made the whole situation better. If he wanted a woman to expand her tastes, then he needed to find someone else. I was happy with my simple meals at home. After dinner, we moved to the balcony to listen to the waves of the lake lap against the shore. It was peaceful, and the stars shined above us.
“Katsumi, show me those eyes, please.” I was so caught up in the night sky that I hadn’t noticed him standing next to me. I shifted my head in his direction as he leaned in and kissed me. There was no softness in his kiss. His tongue thrust between my lips and his arms snaked around me, constricting me like a boa. I couldn’t breathe, as he plundered my mouth for treasures unknown. I tried to push away but the more I did, the more vigorously he craved me.
“Let’s go back to my condo,” he purred, and I managed to untangle myself from his grasp.
“It’s not proper for a lady to do such a thing, considering we are just getting to know one another.” I took a few steps away, and he followed me with a smile etched on his lips.
“It will be our little secret. I know your father told you my intentions. He’s already agreed for you to be my bride. Fucking you now or after the event makes no difference to me.” He tried to grab me again, the multiple cups of alcohol had clearly affected him.
“I’m going to the restroom.” I skirted his advances and moved to the bathroom, like I was about to pee myself. Once I was in, my reflection in the mirror revealed lipstick smeared from his ugly touch, and I wanted to cry. I wanted to go home and run away from men like him, like my father.
The door creaked open, and I grabbed my purse to smack Daichi for following me into the ladies’ room. Only it wasn’t my date standing inside the room but Tatsou. He’d been hidden with the other guards while I had dinner, but I’m assuming he heard every word exchanged between me and the not-so-gentleman.
