It Will End In A Kiss

Selfish

(ZANE AKAGE)

"What are you reading?" Gilbert asked before he settled next to me in our bed.

"An article about the launch of Otosan's new business venture, the Akage Airline." I said while I continued reading the news article on a Japanese online news outlet. "How are the boys?" Gilbert just got in our room after checking on Robin and Blu.

"Already inside Master Robin's room. I didn't attempt to open that door," he said.

"As long as they are safe inside this house with us. No need to know the specific thing they are doing in their rooms. It's safer that way," I said.

"I think so too. Was it successful? The launch of Chairman Akage's new business," Gilbert asked, just mildly interested.

"It was successful enough," I said. "I like reading in this news outlet because it's one of of few my Otosan doesn't pay to write rosy prose about his businesses. This one is fair and probably accurate."

"Remind me again, do we need this new business of Chairman Akage to be successful?"

"I need it to be just successful enough that it will keep Otosan busy with it for awhile. But not too successful that it could compete with Akage Banks as the banner business of our empire," I said.

"I understand," Gilbert nodded.

I read on and the more I read, the more unsettled I become. "Surely this is not true," I said.

"What? What is happening?" Gilbert peered to see the screen of my phone even though he is not that good at reading Katakana or Hiragana characters.

"I says here that Otosan is being unusually close to his former daughter in law," I read on the line. "It says here and I quote "you can feel the exciting energy of an old expert with the newbie emerging dynamite of business". What the hell doesnthat mean?" I wondered.

"Well, it means they have chemistry together. That it seems like they are working well with each other. Isn't that it?" Gilbert said.

"Is that it?" I could understand that concept. My father, even though we have a tumultous relationship, taught me valuable things about business. Misaki is a rising businesswoman in my homeland and it will be nice to see her learning from one of the best businessman alive.

But still, a nagging feeling won't leave my chest so I get off our bed to get my phone and dial a private number.

"Hello Rumi," I greeted my Otosan's butler. "Can you schedule me an appointment to my father? Maybe I can call him tomorrow? Will he have a free time for me?"

"I will need to check his schedule, Master Jiro." Rumi said. I winced at hearing that name again. "If you can give me a moment."

"Sure. Take all the time you will need," I said.

Gilbert rose from our bed as well to come and stand before me. I slid a hand under his shirt to touch his waist. "I find it utterly ridiculous that you have to set an appointment just so you can talk to your own father,"

"It's just the way things are," I said as Rumi talked on the other line again. "I checked with Chairman, Master Jiro. He said he wants to talk to you tonight."

That surprised me. "He will talk to me tonight."

"Yes, Master." Rumi affirmed. "I think he has been waiting for your call. Standby as I connect you to him."

That's what I did. I waited until my father get on the other line. "Jiro, I have been waiting..."

"Why?" This is baffling me.