“It will be able to teach itself to play lacrosse, that’s the scary part.”
Elle tried to be diplomatic. “Or the exciting part. I suppose it depends on how you look at it.”
Four put his pinkie to his lips. “As long as we keep it away from Dr. Evil, we should be good.” He gestured to the bar along the side of the limo. “How about a glass of champagne to toast Dad’s accomplishments?”
A glass of champagne? Elle was shocked by her son’s request. “No. I don’t think that’s such a wise idea.”
Four shrugged. “I don’t know. I figured it was a special occasion. Besides, we’re in Tokyo. It seems different.”
Elle understood Four’s logic. All too well. She had felt the same way twenty years ago. It was different being there. The rules didn’t seem to apply. If no one you knew saw you, it didn’t seem to count. It was just this type of thinking that had gotten Elle into so much trouble. She decided to cede a little. “How about this? If they have champagne at the party, you can have a glass.”
“All right, cool.”
Brynnie reached for a bottled water. “I’m not into champagne; it’s too sweet.”
What? When had Brynnie tasted champagne? How did she get the alcohol? Was it possible that her children drank and she didn’t know it? For someone who prided herself on seeing the subtext, Elle worried she might have missed some fairly significant information. She would pay more attention.
As part of her honesty pledge, she should also talk to Brynnie and Four more openly about the dangers of drinking. Elle could minimize her past behavior all she wanted, but she had had a seriously bad relationship with drugs and alcohol. What if, along with the genes for being short and fat-assed, she had also passed along to her children a proclivity for substance abuse? Brynnie and Four needed to know what they were up against, she owed them that. Elle couldn’t possibly abide another death she could have done more to prevent.
How much was she prepared to give away?
Elle remembered all the mistakes she had made while she had been wasted on alcohol or high on cocaine or both. How could she possibly admit to her appalling behavior?
She couldn’t. Not to her children. Elle decided she would simply cop to her overdrinking, but not now. She needed time to prepare, to think through exactly what she would say. Besides, it wasn’t the right time. Today was about Win and his groundbreaking deal. She would talk to Brynnie and Four when they got back home, when Win could also be there. Yes, that would be better.
The limo pulled to a stop in front of a large, impressive high-rise glass building on a busy street in Ōtemachi. It stood in contrast to the older, prewar buildings surrounding it; its boldness and modernity imposing its will on the entire block. Light from the evening sun flickered off the glass, like a spotlight, further highlighting the building’s dominating presence.
As the driver opened the door for Elle, she saw Win approach. He seemed in a hurry to get to her. This was uncharacteristic; he was always so calm and deliberate.
Win kissed her on the cheek. “Man, am I glad to see you.”
Something was wrong. Win looked tense and uncomfortable. He hadn’t even noticed her dress. Concerned, Elle asked, “What’s the matter?”
“This has been a hell of a day. Akimoto went Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde on me.”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t know what happened! We were ready to sign the deal, and then—out of nowhere—he became irrational, with a whole new set of demands. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“I’m sorry.” Elle rubbed Win’s shoulders as Brynnie and Four got out of the limo. “Will you be able to work it out?”
“I think so. I’m just glad you’re here. I’m counting on you to work your magic on him.”
Elle bristled at Win’s choice of words. She was uncomfortable; everything was off. She had never seen her husband so frazzled before; it worried her. She thought about her day—had she missed a sign?
Win greeted his children and hurriedly ushered them and Elle toward the main entrance of the building. In the bright light, Elle could see the outline of a Japanese man holding the door open for them. She pulled her dress up again. On top of everything else, she was going to have to make sure her boobs didn’t spill out all night. They reached the entrance and, out of the sun’s glare, Elle could see the man holding the door open more clearly.
The sensation of cold, steely metal in her mouth returned.
It can’t be.
But it was. Elle was sure of it. She couldn’t forget that face. Those inhumane eyes. He was older, with gray hair and a slight stoop, but there was no mistaking it. The man holding the door open for her family was Johnny.
He looked at Elle and sneered, revealing his broken front tooth for a flash. He then bowed so deliberately, Elle was convinced he was mocking her. She couldn’t move and couldn’t think. Wasn’t this the same man who had threatened to rape her if he ever saw her again?
How can this be happening?
Elle’s cheeks warmed and droplets of sweat formed under her armpits. Speechless, she allowed herself to be led into the building and onto the elevator. Win and her children were talking, but she couldn’t follow their conversation. She didn’t giggle along with them as the elevator rose quickly to the 110th floor, making their stomachs drop. Elle couldn’t feel anything but the warmth of her skin.
The elevator opened onto a breathtaking scene. They were atop an expansive outdoor rooftop with the Imperial Palace and its lush gardens visible in the backdrop. Everything was decorated in shades of yellow, with Gerber daises, and candles, and twinkle lights everywhere. U2 was playing softly in the background. Everything was perfect; Elle wouldn’t have changed a thing if she had designed it herself. A crowd in the center of the balcony dispersed as the Martins entered. Elle reached for Win’s hand. That’s when she saw him.
In the center of it all, standing next to a young, attractive woman with platinum-blonde hair down to her waist, was Tak. He, too, looked older but retained the same domineering presence as the day she first met him at the Big YAC.
Tak, in command.
Of course. How could Elle not have guessed it would be him? The signs pointing to a collision course with her past had been there all along. How had she missed all the clues?
The name Akimoto. The same hotel where she had been with Tak. Her favorite flowers in her favorite color. The bright red lipstick. And the dress. Most of all the dress. It was almost identical to the one Tak had purchased for her many years ago.
Elle’s body temperature rose again. Her cheeks were on fire, and the perspiration under her armpits were now like pools of sweat. She remembered the last time she had seen Tak, hungover and vomiting in his bathroom. His final command was that she never return to Japan.
What am I going to do?
Chapter Thirty-Four
Ozzy Osbourne: “Crazy Train”
June 5, 2017
8:02 p.m.
“How long have you lived in Japan?” Elle turned toward the woman with the impossibly long platinum-blonde hair who had been standing next to Tak when they entered the patio. She had been introduced as his wife, Tiffany. Except for being taller, she bore a striking resemblance to a younger version of Elle. Apparently, Tak still preferred blondes. Did he run his fingers through Tiffany’s hair the way he had with hers?
Elle hoped her voice didn’t betray her utter horror with the situation. How could she be in the same room as Tak? His warnings had been clear. What would he do to her?
Tiffany leaned in conspiratorially toward Elle. “Don’t tell Tak. I’m not supposed to say anything . . .” She seemed unsteady and was slurring her words. Elle suspected she was either drunk or high or both. “I know all about you two, how you were going to get married and have a baby . . .”
Get married? Have a baby? What was she talking about? She was high for sure. What should I say? Elle needed to be extra careful. Ainsley and her team were filming the event, along with
several Tokyo-based TV stations. Evidently, Tak was a big deal in Japan; Elle couldn’t afford to slip up or make a scene. She tried directing the conversation toward something that would be easy for Tiffany to discuss. “So, how did you and Tak meet?”
“I know everything!” Tiffany was emphatic, her head wobbling as she spoke. She struggled to stand up straight. Elle felt sorry for her. Tiffany seemed sweet, but she was clearly in over her head. Perhaps that’s why she had chosen to get high, to help her get through the night. Elle remembered feeling the same lack of control and had a sudden urge to protect Tiffany, to save her from herself. Yet how could Elle possibly help her? She was having a hard-enough time maintaining her own composure. It was like the instructions for using the oxygen on an airplane—Elle needed to focus on getting her own mask on first.
As Elle struggled to find her voice in this increasingly strange set of circumstances, Tak approached. “Tiffany, please, I think you should go sit down now.” He nodded toward a large dais under some lights at the edge of the patio where a long rectangular table had been set up. It reminded Elle of the sort of table a bride and groom would sit at during their wedding reception.
“Sure, sweetie pie, whatever you say.” Tiffany leaned in to kiss Tak, but he stealthily sidestepped her advance and pushed her away, toward the table. It struck Elle as incredibly rude. She was right to pity Tiffany; Tak was still a complete jerk-off.
As Tiffany walked away on unsteady feet in impossibly high heels, she turned one last time to Elle, put her index finger to her lips, and mouthed a silent “Shhh.”
Elle nodded her head kindly, hoping Tiffany would understand this to mean she wouldn’t betray her confidence. Elle had no idea what she had been talking about in the first place, so it wouldn’t be difficult to keep anything from Tak.
This whole night was confusing. And disturbing. This was not a scenario Elle had ever imagined. Sure, there had been signs indicating a confrontation with her past, but this! What were the chances?
It was bad enough to see Johnny again. His broken tooth and ruthless smirk harrowing reminders of his cruelty at the airport, his brutal threats, and his hands violating her on her that final day. Elle couldn’t stand to think of any of it, but at least she could easily avoid him.
It was much more complicated with Tak; she couldn’t exactly ignore him. Fortunately, he had pretended not to know her when Win made their introductions. Still, it made Elle uneasy to be around him. What would he say to her now that they were alone?
“I apologize for my wife. She was nervous about this evening, and I’m afraid she might have had too much to drink.”
“Oh please, don’t worry. It’s fine.” Elle hoped she appeared calm. Inside, her stomach was in a tense knot and her mouth was parched. She took a drink of champagne out of the flute she had been offered when they entered the party. Elle knew better than to drink very much—she certainly needed to have her wits about her now—but she needed something to combat the uncomfortable dryness in her throat.
Tak stood in silence and looked her over. “You look very beautiful. As stunning as the first night I met you. Do you like the dress?”
The knot in Elle’s stomach tightened more. She didn’t want to acknowledge the dress Tak had given her or how she looked. She was uncomfortable with the way he was eyeing her. It felt invasive. Unsure of what to expect, Elle tried to be cheery. “You speak English so well now.”
It was true. Tak spoke elegantly and accent-free, like a native English speaker. Quite a contrast from the halting English he had spoken when Elle had known him years before. Tak was also still very handsome, although much more conservative in appearance. Gone was the small diamond earring and gaudy pinkie ring. His dark black hair was no longer in a ponytail but cut short and sprinkled with just the right amount of gray. With his tanned face and in his tuxedo, Tak looked like a Japanese James Bond ready for a night of high stakes gambling at a casino in Monte Carlo.
“Thank you.” Tak bowed slightly. “I’m glad we have a moment to be alone. There are some things I have been waiting a long time to tell you.”
Oh, no! What is he going to say?
“Okay.” Elle nervously bit her lip and looked around for Win. He was talking with a small group of Tsugunai executives and Ainsley. As Elle had predicted, the producer was wearing a Ralph Lauren gown; it was arctic blue and floor-length giving her the appearance of a guest at the event rather than a paid employee. Elle tried to get her husband’s attention, but she was distracted by Tak’s hand brushing against her arm.
“Elle, I want to apologize for the way I treated you. It was wrong, and I’m deeply ashamed. I am not that man anymore.”
Oh, thank goodness! Elle had been terrified Tak was still angry with her and intent on making her pay for her past mistakes. Still, she had no desire to discuss their shared history. She held her hand up in protest. “Please don’t. It’s not necessary. It was a long time ago. Let’s not talk about it.”
Tak gently grabbed her hand and led it down to her side. “Don’t worry, Elle. I have no intention of embarrassing you in front of your family. I won’t reveal anything to them about our past.”
“Thank you.” Elle was assuaged by Tak’s promise. She had vowed to be more honest with Win about her life in Tokyo, and she would be—but it needed to be on her terms.
“You must know how truly sorry I am. Do you know what the Japanese word ‘Tsugunai’ means?”
“It’s atonement, right?”
“Very good.” Tak smiled. “Yes. It’s atonement. I have spent the last two decades atoning for my sins against you. I hope you will accept my apology, and that we can start our relationship anew.”
“Apology accepted. Please, let’s have no more talk about it.”
Tak bowed deeply. “Thank you, Elle. I’ve made it up to you—you’ll see.”
Why was Tak being so dramatic? It made Elle nervous. She again looked over at Win and was finally able to make eye contact with him. He excused himself from the group he was with and made his way toward her.
Win approached and put his arm around Elle. “I’m glad you two are having a chance to talk, Akimoto-senpai. Did you know my wife used to live in Tokyo? She taught English here back in the early nineties.”
Elle sensed an immediate change in Tak’s body language around Win. He stiffened and held his arms tightly at his side, his hands clenched into fists. Elle guessed it had something to do with all the last-minute negotiations on the deal. Win had said it had been difficult. She also noticed Tak didn’t correct Win’s use of senpai at the end of his name. Win was Tak’s equal, not his inferior; he shouldn’t be required to be so formal.
It was important to Elle that she tackle the situation with Tak with some honesty. She turned to Win. “You’re not going to believe this, but I actually know Ta—, Mr. Akimoto.” Elle quickly corrected herself. “He was a student of mine.”
It wasn’t the full truth, but it was a start.
“Really? How incredible!” Win directed his attention toward Tak. “Well, I have to say, my wife was a good teacher—your English is superb!”
Tak looked at Elle with a glimmer of curiosity, but he also smiled, perhaps gratified by her willingness to acknowledge their past relationship. “Please, both of you, call me Tak.”
“Ok, Tak.” Win squeezed the small of Elle’s back, giving her full credit for Tak’s change in attitude.
“Yes, Miss Elle was an excellent teacher. I must admit I had a very large—what is the English word? Crush?—on her. She was very beautiful then, as she is now.”
“That she is.” Win looked over at Elle, pride gleaming in his eyes. “If it’s not too much trouble, perhaps you can find a way to incorporate this coincidence into your opening remarks for tomorrow?”
“Of course. What a great idea!” Elle forced a smile. This was all happening so quickly; she didn’t have time to process it properly.
“Although I am eager to reminisce more with Miss Elle about her time in Toky
o, I think it best we go find our places at the table and begin the presentation.” Tak held his arm out and led Win and Elle toward the dais.
Elle was grateful for the distraction. She needed time to figure out her next move.
9:15 p.m.
Elle was unable to eat. When she noticed Brynnie eyeing her full plate with suspicion, she tried to force down a few bites, but it was difficult. She was too consumed with trying to figure out exactly what was going on. Had Tak somehow known she was Win’s wife all along? It seemed impossible, but how else would he have known to gift her with yellow Gerber daisies? And the lipstick. And the dress. He must have known.
When did he find out? And how?
Elle took a sip of water and tried gleaning more information from Tiffany. It was challenging; the tall blonde wasn’t making much sense. The only thing Elle could gather was that she had been married to Tak for a little over a year, and that they had an infant son. Tiffany had shown Elle pictures of him on her phone, explaining how Tak was thrilled their son had, against all odds, inherited her light-colored hair and eyes.
In one picture, the pink-faced, chubby-cheeked baby was swaddled in a blue blanket, and he reminded Elle of Four. And then of Jimmy. She was glad Tiffany at least had him; someone capable of returning her love.
Tak stood and clinked the side of his glass to get everyone’s attention. Again, Elle had the sensation of being at a wedding, with a toast to the bride and groom forthcoming. The Tsugunai and Martin Global employees in attendance all quieted.
Tak straightened his shoulders. “Thank you to everyone from Martin Global for making the trip to Japan to be with us here tonight.” Tak turned and bowed politely toward Win, who stood and graciously bowed back to his host in acceptance of his thanks. The crowd clapped politely.
Tak nodded his head until the applause subsided. “We appreciate the opportunity to work with you and are excited about our collaboration. Tonight, I have the great pleasure of giving you all a first look at the revolutionary technology we have created here at Tsugunai, before we launch it at our worldwide press conference tomorrow. I cannot emphasize enough what a labor of love this project has been for me.” Tak paused, then turned and looked at Elle for a moment before continuing, “We have, through incredible innovation with artificial intelligence, created the first robot with the ability to interpret data and make decisions on its own. Our partnership with Martin Global will allow this groundbreaking technology to be shared with unlimited applications. One day soon, what I am about to show you will be in every house, like a TV or computer, forever changing the daily lives of millions of people.”
Grannie Panties Are UnderRated Page 25