Round Three (KBTBB FF)

11 - His Princess (Part 1/2)

November 28th, 2020

"We are finally here, madam." Baba stops the luggage cart in front my suite and I hop off. "And it only took an entire day."

"It's your fault the direct flights to Japan were cancelled. You had to steal from the Pope." I tease him.

I abandon the key card in its slot and flop onto the couch.

"I'm so ready to pass out." I moan.

"What about unpacking?" Baba asks.

"Tomorrow. It's 10pm."

"Shower?"

"Baba, if I spent the last 24 hours on three planes because of delays, cancellations and bad weather, then I can wait another eight to shower." I complain.

"So you're going to sleep on the couch?"

"Yup." 

"And skip the dinner I was going to buy you?" His offer grabs my attention.

"Food?" I lift my head.

"I haven't had Japanese food in a while so now that we're home, why don't we get some?" Baba sits beside me.

I stare at him and then rest my head against his thigh. "I miss home."

"Come again?"

"I'm half Japanese, but I was born and raised into a Korean family. I spent most of my adolescence in South Korea. Therefore, I am Korean." I sigh.

"Now that you mention it, I've been meaning to go back to a Korean restaurant in the city. The side dishes were amazing, and I think you'd enjoy it." He pats my back.

"Really!?" I sit up and smile. "Okay, let's go!"

I'm feeling reinvigorated and Baba's phone rings. He glances at the screen and looks confused.

"Sorry, can you give me a bit? I don't get unknown callers often."

"Yeah, I'll be in the lounge." I nod.

On my way, I pick up the crate of wine from the luggage cart and haul it to the lounge. For the first time in two weeks, I see Soryu, Mamoru and Ota lounging around while the monitor streams the camera footage of the auction hall.

"Haha, missed me?" I tease when Ota turns around.

"Mina! You're back!" He shouts.

"Ooh, is that for me?" Mamoru grins.

"Nice to see you too, Kishi." I place the crate down on the bar. "Hey, Soryu."

"Where is Baba? Is he still alive?" He asks.

"Yeah, he's on the phone. Probably business." I shrug.

"So, how was the sex?" Ota asks.

"You tell me." I retort. "What are you going on about?"

"Come on. Two weeks in Rome with Baba? I bet he was making moves to get you in bed with him."

I mean, he's not wrong, but it's on a technicality. We shared a bed, but nothing happened. We also made out but I'll keep that to myself.

"Baba and I are strictly work friends. Nothing happened." I send a glare Ota's way.

"Seriously? Baba didn't make a move?" Mamoru joins the gossip. "Hell, I guess Soryu wins the bet."

"You bet on us?!"

"And I'm glad I did." Soryu gloats.

"That's so surprising, because Baba loves to flirt with anything and everything. Hell, he's so comfortable with it that he'll hit on Soryu." Ota cringes.