King's Prize (Kissed By The Baddest Bidder)

Chapter 3: Interrogation

"How old are you?"

The guys waited for the girl's answer to Honey's question, her clear voice the only sound at the lounge, and the girl cringed at the way Honey was staring at her. Soryu would have cringed, too. It was the tenth question she put forth but the girl was still choosing not to answer, and Honey was nearing the end of her patience, something Soryu knew seldom happens but with interesting consequences. Honey had, in six months, grown to the ways of the mafia and had learnt to deal like she had been born a mobster. She had been glaring at Eisuke ever since the girl came down the stairs.

"Stop this," Eisuke intoned from his place by the bar. "You," he said to the girl, who cowered at the derision on his voice. "I told you to stay at the suite."

"Not until she answered me," Honey said firmly.

"You have nothing to say about this," Eisuke replied, voice equally menacing.

The girl stood up and was about to run to the door when Honey's voice stopped her. "Sit down, miss. I'm not finished with you." She looked at Eisuke. "I want to know why he'd bring home a girl barely out of school."

"Were you jealous?" Eisuke asked, smirking.

"Don't push it, Eisuke," Soryu warned.

"You're being very vague on the details so I'm going to ask her." Honey turned to the girl, smiling. A smile Baba would not trust again, he thought amused. "Please sit down. I'm a lot kinder than these guys put together, but I swear if you still won't answer me I will turn you over to them."

The girl's face went pale and shivered uncontrollably.

"So?" Honey urged.

The girl's eyes darted from her to Eisuke, whose gorgeous features were contorted in a frown.

"If you're afraid of him, don't be," Honey added sweetly. "He brings home women but a child is an entirely different issue."

"How many times will I tell you she's not a child?" Eisuke asked scornfully.

"Then tell me how old you are, Miss," Honey said ignoring Eisuke. "Because if you're younger than legal age I will of course, have to turn you over to that unscrupulous looking man over there, who is a detective. Or to that scary-looking man by the bar. He's in the mafia."

Soryu looked stunned while Baba and Ota snorted, holding back their laughters.

"I... umm, I'm turning twenty this year..." the girl croaked, looking agitated.

Honey visibly exhaled in relief. "Terrific. Though you look way younger than your age, I guess I will have to check that information later. Anyway, what brought you here?"

"M-Mr. Ichinomiya brought me here."

Honey's brows were raised.

"That is of course, with your consent?"

The girl shook her head, then she looked at Honey with cold eyes, her recent fright seemingly forgotten. "I was sold to him last night."

***

"Why in heaven's name would you buy her?!"

"I didn't buy her, she was paid to me."

"You could've said no!"

"Dammit Honey, It's not like I have a choice."

"That is rich! King Eisuke having no choice!"

Soryu's mouth quirked at the choice of words as Baba and Ota listened outside the door of the guest room, where Honey had dragged Eisuke, who was coldly answering her high-pitched tirade.