My Dirty Little Secret

Secret Ninety-Five: Formal Drug

The male walked into the lavish room, one of many. Even though he had lived in Las Vegas for some time, he never once entered this casino. Ignatius was well known by everyone in the city, but for some reason, he never felt the need to gamble here, or anywhere else. Having not understood the fascination with it, with drinking, with doing drugs or anything of the sort, he preferred to keep to himself. He preferred to read alone, occasionally going out to do something with friends. That was the only reason he lived here, because of his friends. They'd ask him to help them with their shop sometimes, and he couldn't do that if he didn't live near the restaurant itself. 

He walked over to the bed, carrying a tray with some painkillers and a glass of water. He examined the male, sleeping soundly, sprawled out on the bed. Placing the tray on the nightstand, he attempted to wake him up. He felt it odd, just to be here, without telling him why first. This sleeping male, was Lau, the owner of Ignatius.

He need not do anything, for the male stirred on his own. He didn't open his eyes but he sat up and turned to the male, the intruder in his room, "where's Ran Mao?" he asked, in that raspy voice of his, of anyone's, when they first wake up.

"She did not tell me the reason of her departure, all I know is that she will be gone for a few weeks or so. She asked me to take care of you in her absence," the male bowed a bit. He wasn't sure how to act in this situation. All he knew, was that Ran Mao came up to him, asked him to do this, handed him a large packet of how to take care of this male on the bed, and left. He didn't know, if the male was high-maintenance, or if Ran Mao was just really concerned with his care in her absence. Apparently, the two never really left each other's sides.

"You're Japanese," Lau observed, the intruder wondered how it was possible for him to tell, when his eyes were closed. 

"You're Chinese," he said in response, not really understanding why Lau had said that. Was his hangover that bad? That he couldn't think very well? Ran Mao had put in her notes, that he could be a bit weird upon waking up, since he usually spent the entire night doing a number of things. 

"What is your name?" Lau asked.

"Kiku Honda."

"What kind of name is 'Kiku'?"

"What kind of name is 'Lau'?"

Some silence fell between the two, when Lau seemed to have realized something astonishing. He grinned, quite proud of himself, before pointing to Kiku, "you said 'Honda' didn't you? Like Tohru Honda? If only you also brought attractive males like Yuki and Kyo around," Lau plopped back down on his bed, rolling over on his side, "that would at least lighten up your distant attitude."

Kiku wasn't sure how to respond to that. Instead, he just left the room, to continue about the work he was assigned. Ran Mao's detailed instructions were clear, part of taking care of Lau was allowing him his sleep. Perhaps he should start cooking? He knew Lau's favorites, but he didn't know how to make those, so he just did the best he could with what he had. It was likely that Lau wouldn't eat anyway. Sighing, Kiku tried to fulfill all that he could manage. 

Shortly after the male had left, Lau sat back up again in his bed. He noticed the water and the pain medication. He took it, just because it was there, and let out a deep sigh. Scrambling out of his bed, he almost fell. That would have been bad. If he had made a loud noise, the new guy would have come back. Why did Ran Mao leave? Why did she hire a male in her absence? There were plenty of females, ones that were already working here, that could have filled her spot for a while. At least they wouldn't have been so stiff. 

Lau tried to get dressed but decided to toss the whole idea. This was his day off, he shouldn't wear real clothes. What was the point? The only person who would see him was that new kid, Kiku? Yes, that's right, that's what he said his name was. Lau put a hand to his throbbing head. He just wanted to sleep, but knew that it wouldn't be possible now. The room was too bright and he'd already woken up. Letting out another sigh, he left his room, and walked all the way to Vincent's instead. Lau opened the door, letting it close behind him, and sat down on the bed.