SUBMERGED IN YOU (AMBW Romance)

Smoke And Mirrors

Hideo..

I resisted the urge to grit my teeth while I pretended to listen to my cousin Daichi, drone on and on about the family business and how he was doing so well. The man certainly loved to hear himself talk, just like he thought he was a good leader.

He was the real reason why I had bullet scars on my chest and abdomen and why I was demoted from being the leader of our family, even though our late grandfather had clearly appointed me and practically groomed me to take over from him. He had claimed that Daichi was impulsive and weak and would cause the downfall of the family legacy. I didn't see eye to eye with my grandfather on a lot of things, but I could agree with him on that one.

Although he had denied culpability and pinned the blame solely on his dead prick of a father, my uncle. I knew Daichi had a hand in everything that had gone down. He had been the one to set Sora up to steal some sensitive files from me. Like Daichi Sora had claimed that it was the doing of her father. Both their fathers had met their demise at my hands.

I knew without doubt, that the two of them had planned it, while they were screwing behind my back. Daichi had suggested that the reason he married Sora was because he wanted to wipe away the legacy of their fathers and start afresh. Sora married him, because she loved the power and influence which came with her position and he did it because he wanted to one up me. And after everything they were still alive and breathed the same air as me.

"There's a new associate of mine I would like for you to meet" Daichi said. Anytime he mentioned an associate, I knew it was one of his shady friends, who specialized in equally shady activities.
"What does he do?" I had to ask. An associate was someone who was supposed to be beneficial to the family but Daichi seemed to have a different interpretation of that word.
"He specializes in woman. Particularly the exotic looking ones from Africa?" Daichi smirked
"You mean to say human trafficking and prostitution ?" I felt the bile rise up in my throat. Instead, my snake of a cousin laughed loudly
"Nooo. Nothing like that. Relax brother, always assuming the worst. Hostessing, escorts and strip clubs. Exotic women are on the demand lately" the way he kept throwing around the word 'exotic' , like the woman were show pieces and not human , irked me to no end.
"In fact, you have met two of them tonight. You have to admit they are quite the attraction, yes?". His smile widened when I realized who he was talking about.

My hand formed into a fist as I felt the bite of betrayal, knowing that I had been set up once again, by my cousin. Audrine, I didn't give a shit, I knew many women like her, who were too eager and too desperate to please. But Alina, she had seemed to be sweet, shy and unassuming. All this while she had been trying to work an angle on me and possibly my sister. She was probably one of Daichi's spies, the same way Sora had been. I couldn't believe I hadn't seen it and I felt so stupid.
"You know, what . I would like to meet this associate" I said with determination. I had all sorts of thoughts in my head but one of them was to size up this new guy.
"Of course. Shall we? " Daichi smiled, clearly enjoying my discomfort.

True to his word, when we found this new associate, he was with Alina and her sister and much to my distaste, Sora as well. Alina immediately beamed, when she saw me and she was about to say something, but the look on my face must have rendered her silent.
"Kaneshiro-sama. It's a pleasure to finally meet you. I've heard to much from you from your brother and his wife" the impeccably dressed African man bowed at me. He spoke to me like we were friends already. All the women smiled as if in agreement, except for Alina. So much for the innocent act. Had she purposefully dumped her drink on me and got me to talk to her?
"I can't say the same" I replied coldly, hardly giving him a glance. Instead I was glaring at Alina, whom I found couldn't meet my eyes now.
"Im Kelechi Nwachukwu and I'm a great admirer of yours. You have really transformed the world of technology" I could recognize ass kissing from a mile away.
"Yes, my brother is quite the maker of phones. Giving Apple a run for their money" Daichi patted me on the shoulder and I flinched. People liked to refer to me as a maker of phones but that was at the bottom rung of my ladder. If many of them knew what I really made, they would start looking over their shoulders everytime I was in the room or never trust their governments again.

"And I'm getting the latest Kanesis smart watch once it comes out!" Audrine chipped in. I had been wondering what exactly it was, that bothered me about Alina's sister until now. Everything she said sounded rehearsed and meant to push a button. It made sense that she was a hostess or escort. It was all part of the job. Alina must be damn good at her job because I hadn't for once felt like I was talking to someone who had an agenda and was working. . Did she deliberately throw in that part about my mother too , to get me to let my guard down.

"You're in luck. I'll make sure to have my team send you one so you can test it out. Anyone else want one?" they all wanted something from me anyway. Alina's lips set into a thin line of disapproval and she had the audacity to roll her eyes at me.
"Oh thank you, that would be my pleasure" Audrine reached out to stroke my arm and I moved it away, before she could touch me.
"I noticed there is a poker table close by. I would definitely like to end my night by testing my strength against the great Hideo Kaneshiro" Kelechi grinned rubbing his hands together.
"You're on" I nodded with fake enthusiasm. I took out my phone and texted Masahiro to meet me at the poker table. I needed him to watch my 6 against all these snakes and besides, he was the second best poker player I knew, the first one was yours truly. We were going to clean this guy's pockets.