Cosplay

Shi

Cole had instructed me to wait and serve in the dining room while he and his family ate. Cole's mother was a sickly woman who never ate with her family, so it was a tense dinner between father and son.

I shifted awkwardly from one foot to the other. I was holding a large pitcher of water in my hands.

"Father, why do I have to be here?" Cole asked.

Master Daitan sighed, "I told you, Cole, I have a very important business meeting tonight."

"I would have thought that means you want me as far away as possible," Cole crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair.

His father just shot Cole an angry look. Cole tilted his head up in defiance.

"Well why should I let you go? So you can go mess around with that new little whore of yours?"

My face flushed and I almost dropped the water pitcher.

Cole was furious, "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Don't act like you think I don't know! I know why Haru really left, she was tested positive for multiple STDs."

Cole was shaking with rage, "What makes you think I did that?"

Master Daitan opened his mouth to answer but Cole cut him off, "Don't."

Cole stormed out of the room.

"Well, now that he's gone..." Master Daitan slowly pushed back his chair and stood up.

He slammed his hand on the wall next to my face. I tightened my grip on the pitcher. He trailed his finger down my jaw. I shivered.

"Such a rare beauty," Master Daitan muttered, "I haven't seen anyone as lovely as you since I lived in America."

"Th- thank you, sir," I stuttered. I lowered my gaze. This didn't make any sense, Master Daitan was married, didn't he think his wife was beautiful?

"Don't worry, darling, I know my son won't hurt you. But if you ever need anything-"

A knock on the dining room doors interrupted Master Daitan.

He frowned and sat back down, "Who is it?"

Mr. Yumaki's head appeared in the doorway, "Mr. Donsaku and his daughter are here to see you,"

Master Daitan plastered a fake smile on his face, "Very well, Mr. Yumaki, let them in."

A man older than Master Daitan and a young woman walked in.

"Good evening, Mr. Donsako, Miss Aika," Master Daitan greeted them respectfully.

"Good evening, Mr. Daitan," Mr. Donsako replied. The other lady, Miss Aika, didn't say anything.

Mr. Donsako searched the room, "Where is your son?"

Master Daitan sighed and rubbed one of his temples, "My son is being... Difficult."

Miss Aika huffed, "Daddy, do you really expect me to marry this, this boy?"

"Hush, Aika," Mr. Donsako said.

Mr. Donsako and Miss Aika sat at the table with Master Daitan. Servants were called in with food and I went around the table offering water. Miss Aika and Master Daitan rudely ignored me, but Mr. Donsako accepted a glass of ice water.

Most of the dinner was boring to me, local news and politics. It wasn't until near the end, during dessert, when something caught my attention.

Master Daitan dabbed at the side of his lips with a napkin, "Now, about or children."

Miss Aika rolled her eyes.

"Shouldn't this wait a few years until Cole is older? Doesn't he want to go to college?" My. Donsako asked.

"My son can still go to college, he still has to take over the family business after all, but who says he can't do it with a loving wife by his side?"

Miss Aika scoffed at that. The older men ignored her.

"And why my daughter?" Mr. Donsako pressed, "She is much older than your son-"

"It's only a five year difference, soon to be four!" Master Daitan interrupted, "Besides, your family is very powerful. Imagine how strong our two families would be together!"

Mr. Donsako mulled over his words for a few moments, "I'm not sure, I'll have to think about it."

Master Daitan frowned, "My son is celebrating his 21st birthday in a couple of weeks. Let the children meet then and see how it goes."

Mr. Donsako set down his silverware and stood up, "I suppose I can allow that. We will see you then."

"That's great!" Master Daitan stood up and shook Mr. Donsako's hand, "I shall send a formal invitation to you within the week."

Mr. Donsako nodded, "Very well, have a good night, sir."

"You too," Master Daitan waved at them as they left.

I bowed as they passed me. After they were gone, a maid poked her head out of the kitchen door.

"Are you the new maid?" She asked me. I nodded, "Cole wants you."

I bowed to Master Daitan and set the pitcher on the table before going up to Cole's room.

Cole was laying on his back in bed, listening to music on his phone.

He took one headphone out, "Hey, Kitty."

I bowed, "May I help you, sir?"

Cole sat up, "How did it go? Is my father marrying me off to that witch?"

I was taken aback. I wasn't sure if I was allowed to tell him that.

Cole noticed, "Don't worry, I won't tell my dad anything. Why do you think I brought you down to that hell hole with me?"

The mischievous grin on Cole's face made me smile shyly. I told him everything I heard.

Cole flopped back onto the bed, "Wonderful... Thank you, Kitty."

I bowed a second time, "Anything else, sir?"

"If you want, you and Wolfie can buy some of the party supplies. I can make a list of things for you guys to buy."

My eyes lit up, "That sounds like fun, thank you, sir!"

Cole smiled at my amusement, "You're welcome, I'll get you that list tomorrow. Good night, Kitty."

"Good night, sir," I bowed once more.

Back in our room, Wolfie was still working. I picked my pajamas off the floor and went to take a shower.

As I stood in the hot water, I heard Wolfie come into the bedroom. I shut off the water. Tiny sobs could be heard through the door. I quickly put my pajamas on and opened the door.

Wolfie stopped crying when she saw me.

"What's the matter," I asked.

Wolfie moved her left ankle so I couldn't see it, "Sorry, I just tripped. I cry easily."

An uneasy laugh shot out of her. I didn't believe her, but I had no proof she was lying.

"Hey," I sat next to Wolfie on her bed, "Do you want to come with me tomorrow?"

"Where to?" Wolfie looked at me.

I grinned, "On an adventure."