It Will End In A Kiss

Revelations

(ZANE AKAGE)

I finally cornered Misaki and got her to meet and talk to me. Now that her wedding to my father has failed to come through...I think she and I has to straighten some issues between us.

Of course, the biggest thing on my mind is Robin's future and wellbeing.

As always, Misaki looked the picture of a graceful flower when she arrived at our meeting. In her soft pink colored pantsuits with a gossamer scarf decorating her neck and a designer purse on her hand, she looked like a million dollar and smells like one too.

Once she sat down and our drinks order were fulfilled by the restaurant staff, I get down to business.

I smiled at her. "I cannot help but notice that for a woman who professed that she learned to appreciate my father as a man with sensitive feelings and thoughts, you are not doing a vigil beside his deathbed."

Misaki sighed. "Sure, lets start this with animosity, Jiro. Why not?" She pouted her perfectly painted lips a bit. "Want to learn why I am not crying my heart out beside you father's bed. Its because I learned that he tried to use me to tie Robin to your family. Here I am, thinking I finally made a genuine connection with a man and anticipating being loved for myself but all Akihiko wanted was to adopt Robin because he finally kicked Daimo out of the family."

"You know Daimo is not a real Akage," I reminded Misaki. "Could you really blame us if we want to make sure Robin will stay with us in a legal way."

"No," Misaki shook her head. "I will always be grateful to you for raising and loving my son, Zane. You know that."

"Good. Then show that appreciation by letting me adopt Robin formally as my heir," I said.

Misaki turned silent. I frowned at her non answer. Misaki winced delicately under my scrutiny. "I want some time with my son..."

"Impossible," I quickly rebutted what she wants to say. "You know that is impossible. You know Robin is not fond of you and I say that in the most diplomatic way possible."

Robin hates his mother. Forcing him to associate and spend time with Misaki might do something to my nephew's already fragile psychology.

"I want my son, Zane." Misaki said. "Since we are being honest, part of my reason for wanting to marry your father is the fact that it will get me a step closer to my son. Give me something, Zane. Give me a lifeline here."

"You cannot mean me to force Robin to deal with you. In case you have lost count, he is eighteen now. An adult who has rights to decide for himself..."

"But you have massive influence on Robin. He listens to you, Zane. He loves you. He wants to please you. If you can just put a good word for me..."

"If I put a good word for you...will you let me adopt Robin?" I think Misaki is forgetting that I have a question I need her to answer.

And it looks like she will never give me an answer to that question. She turned silent again. I, for one, am not stupid not to understand what her silence implies.

"You have no intention of letting us adopt Robin once Daimo's illegitimacy got revealed," that is not a question. Its a statement.

Misaki gave me a sad look. "I cannot bear another child again, Zane." She said.

That gave me a pause. "What do you mean...?"

"My second husband, may his soul rot in hell, has made enough damage on my body that doctors told me I won't be able to bear another child again." Misaki's smile has a tragic edge on it. "Keito will be the only child I will ever have. And I want to be a mother to him before everything becomes too late."