My Demons

Chapter 20: There's No Going Back

A/N: This is the last chapter that I have SO FAR written! There's obviously much more to come! I just don't know when I will be able to write those chapters... I'm nearing the end of my semester though so I'll be on winter break very soon! But then it's right back to school... Anyways, that's the deal on that.

Dedicated to BerryBerryBlitz, who comments on ALL of my chapters!! And catches all my stupid mistakes that I miss... Tee hee! Thank you!! :D

Also, a short lemon ahead!!

Chapter 20 – There’s No Going Back

            I waited until we were out of the penthouse to say anything else to Isaka-san. I didn’t want Misaki to hear me argue with him anymore. He would just ask me later what was going on already, and he didn’t need to know any more information. It was best that he didn’t know anything at all.

            “Don’t you know how to leave well enough alone?” I grunted through clenched teeth as we walked to the taxi.

            Isaka-san shrugged. “Oh come on, Akihiko! He’s your brother. I know he’s proud of you for all you’ve accomplished thus far. And your father too.”

            The three of us climbed into the taxi. I made sure to sit as far away from Isaka-san as possible, which unfortunately meant that Aikawa-san sat right next to me. I could hear her sighing as loudly as possible every time Isaka-san and I said anything. She knows all about what has happened to me, even though I wish she didn’t know anything at all. Isaka-san told her everything years ago for reasons beyond me. I still haven’t forgiven him for that either. It frustrates her as well when Isaka-san won’t bury the past and leave it be.

            “Besides,” he continued, “you haven’t seen Haruhiko in years. Have you even spoken to him?”

            Bile rose up in my throat and I swallowed it back down. “Actually, yes, I have.” Isaka-san’s eyes widened. “He’s called several times in the past few months. Both he and my father want me to come back home and work in the Usami corporation.”

            He let out a breath he seemed to be holding. “Is that all? I thought you were about to say something different.” Aikawa-san’s eyes narrowed at him. She knew exactly what he was thinking and didn’t want him crossing anymore lines.

            I sighed. “He threatened to blackmail me.” The two gasped and looked anxiously at me. “He warned me that my father was no longer going to keep the information a secret if I didn’t come back home,” I said, putting extra emphasis on the word “information” so they would understand what I was talking about.

            Isaka-san suddenly became more serious. “How long ago was this?”

            “It’s been a few months now. That was the last phone call I received from him, actually.”

            The director nodded. “There’s no way anything could happen now. At this point it would just be their word against yours. It’s been 10 years now, Akihiko.”

            “It could still ruin his reputation if the press were to find out,” Aikawa-san said somberly. “And that’s just what they want. If his career is ruined, then he could go work for them at their business.” She had never even met my family and she knew them so well. “Any sort of the gossip, the tabloids will print it and readers will eat it up.”

            I shook off the thoughts swarming through my head. “It was all empty threats. If they wanted to truly do it, they would have already.”