I nod, happy to hear it. He was worried about her after she fell last month. I referred her to the best care I could find, but Yuki hasn’t stopped thanking me.
“Sir, are you really okay?” I glance back at him, searching his gaze, and his frown deepens. “I hate seeing you like this.”
“Like what?” I ask curiously.
“Cut off. Alone. Hurting. I’ve been with you for a long time, sir. You are like a brother to me, and I may be overstepping?—”
“It’s never bothered you before,” I tease, and he grins.
“But you should find some happiness. There is more to life than work and your family’s expectations. You do everything for everyone else, but I never see you do anything for you.” He pauses as he looks at me. “As your employee—no, as your friend, I want to see you happy. Are you happy?”
I consider his words, and just like last night, I know the truth.
I’m not, and I haven’t been for a long time. I don’t respond, and he nods, knowing without me answering. Yuki doesn’t get hung up on my lack of speaking. He’s used to it, and instead, he continues forward. My father hired him for me, and I originally thought it was to spy on me, but all I want to do now is thank him for bringing a friend like Yuki to me. Along the way, he’s become vital to me. He’s my right-hand man in every sense of the word, and he makes life less lonely, but he’s right. I’m not happy.
It’s not enough anymore.
“It was very out of character for you to stay out,” he comments carefully, dancing around the question. “It might not have been safe, sir. You could have asked to call?—”
“I didn’t want to,” I interrupt, and his eyes widen briefly. “You are right. I need something for myself. I’m tired of living for others. Things are going to change, Yuki.”
“Yes, sir,” he responds as he sits up straighter. I look out thewindow again as we head into downtown, the skyscrapers popping up as we drive to the house Faiz and I share.
“Call my realtor.”
He’s on the phone before I finish, and while it rings, I glance at him. “I wish to tour some places that are suitable for my lifestyle as soon as possible.”
“Yes, sir. Shall I contact Mr. Faiz and add him to the viewings?”
“No. He won’t be joining us. I want someplace available today,” I instruct, leaving no room for questions.
He knows what I am saying.
“Yes, sir.” This time, a smile accompanies his response, and then he speaks rapidly into the phone. Within minutes, he is scrolling through his emails before he turns to me. “I have five options available, all ready to be viewed.”
“Then let’s go now.” His eyes widen, and I can’t help but tease him. “No time like the present, eh?”
“Yes, sir.” He directs the driver as I sit back, the silence stretching on. “Sir . . . shall I expect some changes in the next few days?”
“Yes,” I answer with a glance. “We are changing everything.”
“Very good, sir.” I hear pride in his voice, and it makes me sit up taller. How long has Yuki watched and judged how I just accept this life?
Too long is my guess, but he’s too good of a friend to say so.
The first four places are a no. Yuki vetoes the first two for various safety reasons, and I trust his opinion. The third wasn’t my style, and the fourth isn’t available swiftly enough. I’m losing hope when we head toward the fifth. I’m so determined to change things that I know I need to do it today or it will never happen. I’ll fall back into my routine because it’s easier, and I don’t want that.
“Don’t lose hope, sir. I have our realtor searching for more places just in case. I will find you the perfect home,” Yuki promises.
“Tell me about this one,” I mutter, feeling grumpy even though it’s not his fault.
“It’s not a penthouse, which I know you prefer, but a house, sir. I know that is not the norm?—”
“The norm is not good. Change, Yuki, change,” I encourage.
“Yes, sir. Ten bedrooms, eight baths, a private pool, a four-car garage, private gym, and tennis court. It also has a rooftop terrace with a sauna, steam room, another pool, and a hot tub. Security is decent, but I will need to check it over further. It’s walled all the way around with a biometric gate and door. I would make the windows bulletproof, and I would want more cameras installed, but it seems like a good fit if you like it. It was recently built, very modern, and the owner is moving overseas for work.”
“It sounds good.” Just then, we pull into a private area of Pine Valley. The house is at the very end, set back from everything, and I see Yuki making notes as the gate opens and we are admitted. Climbing from the car as soon as we stop, I pull down my shades and stare at the towering mansion before me.
