Only yours

Between desire and business

My brother's birthday was a week ago, and now I was lounging by the pool in Davao. This villa was my retreat whenever my family got on my nerves. The serene atmosphere and tropical surroundings helped me clear my mind and distance myself from business obligations. However, I knew it was time to return to Tokyo. As peaceful as it was here, I couldn't neglect my businesses any longer.

"Massaru! How long until the jet is ready?" I yelled over my shoulder.

I heard his footsteps approaching. "We can be in the air in an hour. Should I notify the airport?"

"Yeah... yeah... Do that. I want an appointment with that real estate guy who's been bugging me for weeks, and then get me the number of Sato's assistant. That girl had something." Even though I didn't hear his confirmation, I knew he was already working on it.

A few hours later, I landed back in Tokyo. Massaru forwarded a number to me: Ms. Usagi Tsukino.

"Did you find anything on her, or is she clean?" I asked him while saving the number and settling into the backseat of the car.

"So far, she's clean. No criminal record, not married, and has been working for Sato for about a year. She was recently promoted to assistant."

Very good. Massaru slowly started driving, and the traffic was, as always, terrible. I dialed Usagi Tsukino's number.

"Uh... hello," her surprised voice answered.

"Usagi, this is Diamond. I'd like to invite you to dinner tonight." Silence.

"My driver will pick you up at 8 PM."

Still silence.

"Usagi?"

"Yes?"

"See you later."

I didn't wait for a response and hung up. She would come; I was sure of it.

The meeting with the real estate guy passed in a blur. It was always the same with them: a great concept, and in the end, they just wanted one thing – a commitment to finance their project. I took his documents and carefully placed them in my briefcase.

"I'll consider it and get back to you," I said, dismissing him.

"Massaru, do we have a chef for tonight?" I asked as soon as we reached the car.

"Yes, everything is prepared, boss. Where did you want to take her?"

"Bring her to the apartment; I think that's best."

Back home, I settled into my office and went through the stack of requests on my desk. After two hours, my head was spinning. At least I had gotten through a good half of them, which was enough for now. My phone rang, officially marking the end of my workday.

"Kunzite, what can I do for or against you?"

"You won't find anything effective against me. Where are you hanging out right now?"

"Tokyo."

"Perfect, we're here too."

"Not today."

He laughed briefly, immediately understanding what I meant. My cousin and I had always been on the same wavelength, and our personalities were quite similar. The only difference was that he had worn the ring of servitude on his right hand for several years. Kaori had actually managed to drag him to the altar – something that would never happen to me. It was enough that she occasionally tried to interfere in my life. That alone was deterrent enough, especially considering my troubled brother. For me, the idea of a steady partner was a closed book. That's why I had my rules; I would never let a woman get that close to me.