Snake

TALK

I was a little annoyed to see him at my door and was not in the mood to talk. I knew his concern was going to be about Emi.

"Hiro, I'm really tired..."

"I do apologize for showing up unannounced. I really don't have anyone to help me..."

He began wiping tears from his eyes, and I felt bad for him.

"Give me a minute."

I went back into the room to put clothes on. Violet was knocked out, snoring, and I smiled.

Opening the door, Hiro looked like he was crying for hours. I let him inside and waited to hear what he had to say.

"You know I called off Emi and I's engagement because she's been cheating."

I gave him a nod.

"Well, Emi's pregnant too...she's not pregnant by me."

Hiro looked at me like he was waiting for a confession.

"Me neither."

We stared at each other, and I didn't budge. Hiro looked away.

"So what do you want, Hiro?"

"I need help getting Emi back. I realized I was rash with calling things off since I was cheating also."

"Sounds like you shouldn't be together or have an open relationship."

He gave me a nod.

"Do you have something hard to drink?"

I sighed. "Yeah, have a seat."

Hiro sat down while I went to the glass cabinet on the side to get a shot glass and a bottle of tequila.

As I poured him a shot, I felt the hairs on my neck stand. Before I could react, I felt a stabbing pain in my neck.

"Ah!"

I turned, grabbing Hiro by the throat. I pulled the syringe needle from my neck then punched him, breaking his nose.

He fell to the floor with blood all over his shirt, and I began to get dizzy. Hiro scooted away from me, covering his bloody nose.

I watched him go to the door, letting a few more men inside. Before they could reach me, I passed out.

***

When I awoke, it was morning. That sleep was much needed after chilling with Rin all day yesterday.

He wasn't in bed, so I figured he was running an errand or in the living room.

I took a shower and dressed for the day, but an eerie feeling began to come over me. It was much too quiet for him to still be here, and usually, I would get a text message that he was out.

Going into the living room, I gasped at the drops of blood on the floor. I went to grab my phone and call the police.

My hands shook as I waited for them to arrive. I had no one else to call since Rin wasn't on good terms with the Zen family.

The police asked me questions and took any evidence they could find. The security screen next to the intercom was smashed.

"Does Mr. Nishimura have any enemies?"

"None that would go this extreme."

Honestly, I didn't know. Everything was a blur, and I still couldn't believe someone would kidnap him.

Then I remembered his phone and went to get it. I looked at the security footage, and Hiro appeared on screen along with a few other men a few minutes later.

The screen goes static after that. I gave it to the officers, and they told me they would do everything they could to find him.

All I could do was cry while cleaning the blood off the floor and pray that Rin was still alive. He's a fighter, but I worry that would be the reason for taking his life.

After a few weeks, the police had no trace of Rin's whereabouts. They questioned the Zen family, and they were just as clueless.

One day, Emi showed up, and I tried my best not to flip out on her. I welcomed her inside, and we took seats in silence.

"Violet, I am so sorry about all of this."

She looked like she's been crying just as much as I had. Even though I wasn't feeling her, I knew she did love Rin.

"Are you really?" I was still mad.

"Yes, of course. I've known Rin since we were kids. We damn near grew up together."

"Why did you lie about being pregnant by him?"

Her brows furrowed. "I did not lie."

"How long are you going to keep this up, Emi?"

"He is the father of my child. I'm sorry that you assumed you were the only woman he spent time with. Our connection is way deeper than you would ever understand. I've known him way longer than you, Violet."

"That doesn't mean shit. You love him so much that you're willing to lie to your father and blame Rin for your decisions."

"I am not!"

"Emi, you are a grown woman with your own money, career, and life. Why the hell are you so hung up on what your father thinks?"

She sat quietly for a few minutes.

"You don't understand. You got the nice version of my father. I was never allowed to not be perfect in his eyes."

"You've been cheating on your fiancé for years, Emi. I think your father knows you're not perfect."

Her phone began to ring and she answered.

"Yes, father. I am here with her now. Yes, sir."

She hung and looked at me.

"My father wants you to come see him when you have time."

My stomach dropped at the thought of seeing him.

"Okay, I'll text you."

She gave a nod and left.