The Words

Chapter Eight

CHAPTER EIGHT

The Hanamichis

 

December 26, 2010. Sunday. They left for Tokyo, Japan in the early  morning and arrived  before lunch time.

They checked in The Peninsula Tokyo, a twenty-four story luxury hotel in Yuracucho, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan.

They occupied the Peninsula Suite located at the twenty-third floor. It had a king-size bed. It featured – multi-function bedside electronic control panels; individual thermostat and humidity controls; outside temperature and humidity indicators; dual voltage and multiple format electrical adaptor socket; black-out screens on windows; mood lighting; fully stoked mini-bar; coffee/tea making unit; spacious self-contained dressing room with radio, weather panel and nail dryer; executive work desk; in-room safe; sofa and coffee table; separate luggage are with luggage rack; view of Imperial Garden and Hibiya Park; outdoor balcony; mini gym; and fully equipped kitchen and pantry. Its luxurious marble bathroom contained a separate shower stall, bath tub and toilet. It also had fifteen inch flat screen TV and radio system; hands-free telephone; hairdryer; bathrobes and slippers; fully stocked bathroom amenities; and mood lighting. Its audio visual communication features included forty-two inch plasma TV and radio system; CD/DVD players with 5.1 speaker system amplifier; complimentary high-speed wired and wireless internet access; dual-line telephones with voicemail system and speaker function; and fax-machine with private number.

Their sumptuous lunch was delivered after a few minutes.

After their lunch, they enjoyed holistic aromatherapy massage in the comfort of their hotel room.

They slept afterwards.

Carlos woke up at around four in the afternoon to meet up with fellow shareholders in Peter: The Bar on the twenty-fourth floor of the same hotel. He left a note for Margarita. She was still asleep when he left.

His fellow shareholders with voting powers in the multi-national agricultural corporation Jimmu Hanamichi, his former boss, was heading wanted him to replace Jimmu. He had respectfully declined. He preferred staying in Filipinas. He told them to think of another ploy if they want to replace Jimmu. Jimmu still had the largest shares and he had Ericka or Yoshio to represent him. Adding up his shares to Jimmu meant majority vote. Adding his shares to the rest of other shareholders meant majority vote as well.    

Jimmu had a mild stroke. He was already discharged from the hospital but he expressed his intent to step down.

Carlos also had a scheduled dinner with Jimmu later that night. Jimmu was to be with his wife Barbara, his daughter Ericka and his son Yoshio.

Margarita woke up at past five in the afternoon. She saw Carlos’s note. She read it.

Sweetheart,

I just went up to meet business colleagues at the bar. We have a dinner reservation at 8 PM at Peter with my former boss and his family. Dress up in one of those cocktail dresses. Feel free to tour around the hotel. I’ll fetch you for dinner.

Take care.

Carlos

Margarita decided not to go anywhere. The massage did well to sooth her tired body but she just opted to stay at the suite. She made tea and bite on some fresh pastries at the kitchen.

She was ready for dinner when Carlos came in. She was wearing a dark blue asymmetrical long-sleeved thigh-length body hugging lacy cocktail dress. The loose long sleeve made of the same material that of the dress was just on the left side. She paired it with a silver strappy stilettos and a tiny silver purse. She wore her De Beers blue diamond drop earrings and the engagement ring. She just let her naturally wavy auburn hair to fall freely down her shoulders. She didn’t wear make-up. She just put on the loose pearl powder on her face she personally have and a light pink colored lip balm on her lips.