Only yours

The art exhibition in Osaka

Massaru had already put together a good selection of bodyguards, and during the flight, I went through their references. I narrowed it down to two. I would take a closer look at them. Since Usagi wanted to travel to Osaka herself, I had the jet land directly there. I checked into the hotel and had about two hours until the gala. Massaru arrived shortly after me.

"Ms. Tsukino has also arrived in Osaka. Have you made a selection regarding the security?" he asked.

"Yes, the files of the two are over there on the table, and I need a meeting room for later at the gala," I called out to him as I headed to the bathroom. At least a shower should help me feel a bit more human.

There was already a bustling atmosphere when I arrived at the gala. My father's business partners immediately spotted me, and I quickly found myself caught up in the usual conversations, keeping an eye on the entrance door. Then I saw her. I excused myself hastily from my conversation partners, grabbed a champagne from one of the passing waiters, and headed straight for her.

"Glad you came," I greeted her, handing her the glass.

"What other option did I have?" Usagi replied with a clear undertone.

"Come on, I've booked us a meeting room. Let's handle the important stuff first before we move on to the enjoyable," I said calmly, gesturing for her to follow.

She followed me and sat down on the couch with her legs crossed. I felt a bit nervous and paced restlessly, as it was obvious she expected answers. I couldn't keep her waiting much longer.

"So, I'm waiting. What's going on with your brother?" she probed directly.

"Usagi, it's a long story," I tried to buy some time. I couldn't just bluntly tell her that my crazy brother wanted to kill her. I had to present it as gently as possible.

"I have time, no more secrets. Why do you keep warning me to be cautious?"

"Alright, as you wish," I said, leaning against the high back of the chair, locking my gaze on hers. If she wanted the truth, I had no choice but to give it. "It's been about six years. Saphir had a girlfriend back then. Rina, she was really enchanting. They had been together for several months, and he adored her. You know I can't deal with all that emotional stuff, unlike Saphir. Rina and I met spontaneously at an event... and the alcohol was flowing..."

"You took her home and couldn't keep your hands to yourself," she finished my sentence. I nodded in agreement before continuing.

"Yes, the next morning, Saphir showed up at my apartment because he wanted to pick something up. Until then, we had always had a good relationship, which is why he had a spare key to my place. When he found Rina naked in my bed, he flipped out. He yelled and smashed a large part of my furniture before storming out in rage. I'd never seen him like that before."

"Are you surprised by that reaction? But what does this have to do with me? I'm definitely not jumping into bed with your brother," Usagi's voice trembled slightly.

"Rina wanted to follow him; she wanted to apologize. She ran after him, but he had already driven off. She grabbed one of the car keys, and the last thing she said to me was: 'That was a damn mistake, I love your brother, he needs to know.' Then she drove after him. But she never reached him. On the way, she had a fatal car accident." I forced myself to look Usagi in the eyes to emphasize the seriousness of the situation. "Saphir blames me for that accident. On the day of her funeral, he threatened me, saying I took away the most important thing from him, and he would do the same to me someday."

"You mean he wants to kill me?" she whispered almost inaudibly.

I inhaled sharply. "I'm afraid so. Since that day, I've not seen any girl more than two or three times. You're the first with whom it turned into something longer. I had hoped that he would forget his resentment. That time would eventually bring him to his senses. But when you told me he was at your work, I realized something was wrong."

Suddenly, Usagi jumped up without warning and ran past me. I hurried after her through the crowd. On the large terrace, she stopped, her eyes fixed on the garden. I slowly approached her and placed my hand on her shoulder. "Usagi."

"Please, let me be. I need some time for myself. I have to figure out what I want. Whether this is even going to continue between us."

I withdrew my hand and left her alone. She needed time to process this information; that was understandable. But that last sentence she said made me ponder as well.

Did I really still want things to continue between us? Would Saphir leave her alone if I didn't see her again? I briefly considered this possibility and looked through the large glass front at her outside. No, he wouldn't, because my mistake in Brazil showed him that she wasn't indifferent to me.

I didn't quite know what I felt for her, but I was sure I wanted her to remain in my life. She was walking across the terrace on the phone, and I could hardly take my eyes off her. In my presence, she was safe; Saphir wouldn't dare confront me personally—he was too cowardly for that. But did I really want a partner? No. I had already broken one of my rules and was now facing the resulting mess at my feet. I was capable of learning and wouldn't cross any more boundaries.

I mingled back with the crowd. There were still a few people here with whom I needed to discuss something on my father's behalf. Time and again, I glanced discreetly at Usagi, who was still outside. A young man with long black hair approached her and caught my attention. They seemed to know each other, as she laughed at him and began a conversation. I didn't like how he was grinning at her. Unfortunately, she was facing away from me, so I couldn't see how she reacted to him. I moved between the paintings, trying to get a better view of the two. They were leaning against the railing, and he was getting quite close to her, more like a friend than an acquaintance. I would find out who the guy was and what his relationship with her was. I hoped he wasn't on Saphir's payroll too.

Another woman approached them and handed the long-haired man a glass of champagne, after which Usagi said goodbye to both of them. For my liking, he stared at her a bit too long before turning to the other woman, with whom he clearly had a different demeanor. I was good at reading people's body language, and he was standing there noticeably tenser and a bit turned away.

Then Usagi dashed past me like a little whirlwind, heading straight for the cloakroom. I hurried after her and caught her just before she reached it by the wrist.

"Usagi, can we talk again? You matter to me," I started the conversation and regretted it at the same moment. Why was I saying this to her now? I looked into her bright blue eyes.

"I know, but I need time to think about everything. You can't expect me to have made a decision in twenty minutes outside the door. If I keep seeing you, who knows what your brother will come up with. I heard the fear in your voice, and I can still see it in your eyes now," she whispered softly, and I could clearly see that she was very unsettled. I put my hand on her cheek to calm her down a little. The mood between us changed. This unique tension built up between us again and I could feel that she wanted it too. Sex made my head spin and that was what we both needed now.

Her full, curved lips were pressed together into a thin line. I grabbed her hand and pulled her behind me. It wasn't the first event I'd attended in this hall and I knew for a fact that there was a lockable storage room behind the checkroom.

As soon as I had closed the door behind us, I saw Usagi's lecherous look. She knew exactly what I was about to do and grinned broadly at me. I encircled her with my arms while I kissed my way down her neck and locked the door. Usagi, meanwhile, was already working on my belt. I pushed her panties down and stroked her already wet center. When my finger slipped inside her, she let out a pleasant gasp. She could hardly wait. She rubbed along my member a few times and then I lifted her onto my hips and sank myself inside her. I could clearly feel her rearing up and thrust even harder. Her fingernails dug into my back as I drove her to orgasm. Only a little later, I was ready too. I slowly let her thighs slide back down and stood her on her feet. Her head rested on my shoulder and her breathing was still intermittent. I stroked a stray strand of hair out of her face. Even though it was just a quickie, I felt enormously relieved.

Usagi pulled her panties back up and smoothed out her dress. Then she put her hand on my cheek and looked at me.
"Give me time, I'll get back to you," she whispered softly, and then leaned up towards me. The kiss was barely more than a whisper and then she was gone.