her absolute determination

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ᚔ Three Years Later ᚔ

"Yokoso," a middle-aged lady in kimono greeted me when I was led into the genkan. I removed my heels and placed them neatly at the side, bowing slightly to greet the lady in return. 
(Translate: Welcome.)

"Gomen kudasai," I said before taking a step into the house. Needless to say, I could see the approving look on the lady's expression when she noticed how well-versed I was with Japanese politesse and the fluency I possessed with speaking their native language.
(Translate: Excuse me for bothering you.)

"Douzo kochira e," she responded.
(Translate: This way, please.)

The lady gestured me forward and led me towards the engawa — the wide outer corridor passageway that circles the traditional house. The path down the wide wooden veranda was accompanied by the tranquillity of the courtyard garden at the side. My eyes gazed towards the large expanse of greenery that was carefully designed to perfection. 

Quietude was upheld in the household and even for the men walking around, their large builds totally unmatched their soundless steps. I watched with amazement while Kane, the middle-aged lady who was responsible to guide my way, explained that the master of the house disliked noises. The preferences of the owner were noticeable because the only sounds that filled the surroundings were the flowing water and the soft, musical crack of the shishiodoshi — a bamboo pipe that was balanced under a source of flowing water that snaps down when filled with water. I took another glance at the wondrous sight of the garden before Kane slid open the shoji to reveal a man in a dark yukata seated in front of the alcove.

I entered the room with an ambience as calm and soothing as the exterior. The space was simple, uncluttered and serene. The design was held tightly to balance, order and all that's natural. It's been some time since I arrived in Japan and the brightness of the living spaces despite the lack of windows and glass structures in traditional houses never failed to amaze me. I looked towards the man who's already smiling at me, warming me up with a welcome. Kane closed the door behind us carefully and I returned the smile, "Hisashiburi, Izanagi Takahashi-san."
(Translate: It's been a while, Mr Izanagi Takahashi.)

"Dare ga kore o kitai shimashita ka?" he laughed lightly. "Anata wa kireina josei, Ashenherst-san."
(Translate: Who would've expected this? You're a beautiful woman, Ms Ashenherst.)

"Arigato gozaimasu, kyuu-daime," I nodded slightly.
(Translate: Thank you. Ninth-generation heir.)

"Please do not address me like that. We've known each other for many years and you can feel free to call me by my name," Izanagi breathed out a laugh, replying to me in English that was of perfect fluency. He pointed towards a seat beside him and invited, "Please do feel at home and take a seat, Ms Ashenherst."

"It would be nice if you'd also address me as Wren," I offered in return, walking towards the floor cushion and settling down into a seiza — the traditional formal posture for sitting. Izanagi looked impressed by my mannerism and etiquette from the way I perfected the form.

However, a wave of sadness started to hover over my chest as I remembered the person who groomed me into the perfection I was today. Aillard was good at what he did, for a good reason that he's a very convincing and respectful man. Business relations were always established within a matter of a short time because of his ways. Aillard would never enter a battlefield unprepared, he was a man who wouldn't allow the slightest slip in his hunt and that was how adept of a predator he was.

All it took was a memory that reminded me of him, to bring back all the hurt that felt like chips of sharp ice against my skin. Three years passed me by just like that and all I could think about was the moment I walked away from him, the moment he smiled and requested for me to fly higher into the sky of freedom. I couldn't deny how much I missed him, missing him so badly that it hurt. 

Brushing all the thoughts aside, I pulled my senses back in line and focused on the reason why our separation was needed. I had to remember the determination I held as I built myself worthy. The only time I could fall back to him would be when I could stand strong by myself and fight alongside him — and I wasn't that far from my goal. Looking towards Izanagi again, I smiled politely, "Let's talk business, shall we?"

From behind, the shoji slid opened again and a man in a business suit entered the space. His aura was menacing but his posture displayed professionalism. Izanagi gestured for him to settle and he also lowered himself into a seiza as he focused on me, giving a formal nod when Izanagi mentioned, "I'm expected to take over the family soon when my old man retires in the week to come. This is my right-hand man, the syndicate's upcoming wakagashira, Fuwa Yamada."
(Translate: Second-in-command.)

"Hajimemashite, Yamada-san," I acknowledged.
(Translate: Nice meeting you, Mr Yamada.)

"It's my greatest pleasure to meet you, Ms Ashenherst."

"Perfect," Izanagi nodded approvingly. "Now, we talk business."

The moment the car pulled over in front of a traditional Japanese restaurant, the door beside me was pulled opened and I exited the car, securing the button of my suit jacket as I made my way through the entrance. A staff immediately stepped forward to greet me and I nodded in acknowledgement. The lady gestured me into a private room and when I entered, a familiar figure rose and greeted me with a formal bow, "Illiades-san, it's been a long while."

"Nakamura-san," I returned the bow and smiled, "A pleasure to meet you, as always."

We settled into the highchair and the chef ahead of us began preparing for the kaiseki-ryori that Hiroto Nakamura had invited me to. The chef waited for us to get comfortable in our own seats before presenting us with the first dish of the night, the sakizuke. Nakamura reached for the tokkuri and I held my glass in place when he poured sake into it. I savoured the balanced and mild taste of the liqueur against my palate, appreciating that it was none of the harsh, burning liquid that I had to endure most of the time. For the past three years, every taste of alcohol reminded me of her.

No, what am I saying?

Everything I did remind me of her. Feeling failed to hit a stop and I missed her all the time to the convincing point that I was sure that when Wren left, she took me with her. I never felt like myself even when I could perfectly stand up on my own. It was clear that I was strong enough to fend for myself after all these years but without her, I felt like I was heading nowhere as I continued to fortify the empire while waiting in the lonely shadows for my queen to return to her throne.

Another sip of sake and I let go of my thoughts of her, recalibrating my mentality to enter my business with Nakamura. He began, "The Takahashi  syndicate will welcome their new family leader in the following week."

"My support goes to Izanagi Takahashi. You have nothing to worry about, shateigashira." I said simply. "You have to understand that the business relationship that the Illiades have with the kyuu-daime remains firm."
(Translate: Third-in-command; ninth-generation heir)

"We're glad to have your support, Aillard," Nakamura seemed pleased by my response. "I've heard about your achievements from the Kavanaghs recently. You're definitely rising up as a strong heir to your family."

"Thank you," I nodded with a small smile.

"I owe you a warm welcome," Nakamura raised his glass of sake again and I followed suit. He continued, "Your decision to venture into Asia was uncalled for but very much appreciated. It's always a pleasure working with you."

For a business empire as prodigious as the one my family had established, it was impossible to keep our hands off the dark, murky waters of crime. Mafias, yakuzas, triads. Businesses cannot be done unless you greet and appease the land gods. They could be your best friend or your worst nightmare and an intelligent businessman would deliberate over their terms before establishing a bond. 

I reached into Japan for a sole reason that my father had reservations on his ambitions. In places he wouldn't taint, I would mark them mine. Soaking my hands in the eternal shadows and even if I had been the source of wealth funding their crimes, it was worth it all. I had my terms and all my partners knew them. I gave them a chance to strengthen their hold with my riches and they gave me the freedom to establish all relations to fortify my empire. It was a win-win situation and an enticing chance for me to free the chains on my ankle, allowing me to stand a chance to win the table of a gamble.

Three years was a long time but it would only be a short anticipation before I bring the demon on his knees. Because after all, my father forgot that I could be a greater fiend.

"Same sentiments, Hiroto," I said to Nakamura, addressing him by his first name since he already did. "Izanagi is considered as an old friend of mine and it's only right for me to return the favour when he needs to firm his position as the next family leader for the syndicate."

"You're right," Nakamura laughed in approval. "I'm assuming that I could anticipate your presence in the Takahashi household next week?"

"I'll be there," I confirmed and mentioned casually, "Though I would've thought that Izanagi would be the one greeting me today."

"Kyuu-daime expected a guest in the house today," Nakamura responded simply, explaining Izanagi's absence.

"Hmm?" My curiosity peaked at that mention.

"Of course, it's no secret that the Kitagawa group had been interferring with us. The clash and rivalry between us had been decades long," Nakamura laughed humorlessly. "It happened to involve some legal issues this time."

"I'm guessing that it's a lawyer in the residence at this hour then," I said sweepingly, knowing that it wasn't my matter of concern until the next thing he said nearly froze the crimson in my veins.

"I thought you'd be interested, Aillard," Nakamura said, amused. "The lawyer we hired was your late special assistant, Wren Ashenherst-san."

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a/n:

just to remind my readers that three years had passed since they were apart and at this point, Wren is 25 and Aillard is 30.
took me some time to edit this chapter, i hope you're still enjoying the read!