by Lila Mina
Fury scorched Lana’s anxiety-fueled shyness. By any other name, he had called her a slut to her face. Honda himself was not far from slamming Nakazawa to the nearest wall. But for all their sakes, Yuki kept her nerves and squeezed Lana’s hand harder.
“I am not blind at all. This is done with my approval and support. I was the one who suggested that Lana san move in with us. Please refrain from insulting her. She is my personal guest but also much more than that. I welcome her under our roof.”
Nakazawa’s eyes narrowed. “So, you haven’t given up your… extravagant tastes? I had hoped your husband would have done a better job at curing you, but obviously, he failed on this, too,” he retorted, flinging another insult at his son-in-law.
Yuki moved to insert herself between her husband and her father; there was no doubt where her loyalty lay.
“Please refrain from interfering in my marriage. This is none of your concern. And once and for all, there is nothing to ‘cure’,” she retorted. “Goshujin sama has been thoughtful enough to meet all my needs. I am deeply grateful. On my end, it is my pleasure and duty to fulfill his.”
Annoyed, Nakazawa made a dismissive gesture. “Pah! You pretend this… foreigner shares herself with the two of you. Nonsense! It’s unbelievable she can handle it, even less understands what it entails. You are only trying to protect him, like always, for reasons I still don’t get. You!” Nakazawa pointed at Lana. She straightened up, biting her tongue to avoid lashing out. “Answer me! Is this true? And stop serving me half-baked lies!”
“Otoh sama, please keep her out of—” Honda broke his fuming silence with a low growl of warning.
“You! Be quiet! Answer me now, woman!”
“Yes, the three of us are in a relationship.” Lana couldn’t care less if this was too direct. Two could play this game of rudeness.
Nakazawa puffed and snorted in derision, his gaze racking her body from bottom to top. “Is that so? Knowing these two, I find it hard to believe someone like you can manage them in parallel, even less together. You must be crazy or… unusually talented. Which one is it, hm?” He stepped inside Lana’s personal sphere, and she had to call upon all her self-control to not bark in return.
Rude and obnoxious! What a delightful guy.
“My apologies, Nakazawa sama, but like they say in English, I don’t kiss and tell,” she replied with her own growl, eyes never wavering. He could shove his attitude where the sun never shines. Honda’s puff of breath on the top of her head didn’t reveal what he thought of her comeback.
Nakazawa pinched his lips. Pushing any further at this stage would be beyond rude and indecent, whatever his authority on his family. “What a smart mouth. I hope they teach you the hard way to curb it,” he snarled before stepping back, glaring at the tense trio with an unreadable expression. “Well, the issue is settled then,” he added, his mood switching as if nothing had ever happened. “Yuki chan, take your… pet with you and let’s get this dinner on its way.”
Yuki bowed; Lana mirrored her move with great difficulty as Nakazawa’s callous attitude rattled her to no end. Yuki tugged on her elbow and they hastened down the hall, doing their best to recover their nerves and composure.
Back in the kitchen, Lana opened her mouth only to shut it right away at Yuki’s brusque shushing gesture. There was no time to discuss what had transpired and her companion also struggled to maintain a smooth face. Instead, they focused on dressing the beautiful dishes Yuki had prepared: a large assortment of sashimi and tempura, along with shabu shabu — a hot pot of thinly sliced beef —, chilled tofu, mushrooms and vegetables.
Their unknowing guests, joined by Honda and Nakazawa, sat in the largest tatami room of the residence. Lana hurried to bring refreshments, avoiding looking at either man. There was only so much self-control she could still muster at this point.
When everything was set and ready, Lana took place at a corner of the long and low table, next to the rice cooker. She filled each bowl in turn, handing them to Yuki who dispatched them in the right order, following complex rules based on seniority and hierarchy. Yuki kneeled on the other side of the table. Their job was to make sure everyone’s glass remained full. Lana was both grateful and annoyed that alcohol was off the table for her now. Getting drunk would have been such a perfect way to put an end to this impossible day.
Nakazawa gave the traditional kampai toast and everyone dug into the dishes. He seemed relaxed, to Lana’s bafflement. Obviously, the only sore point had been the risk of his daughter losing face… but in the end, it was all about how it would have reflected on him. She would bet her last yen the old man had his own collection of mistresses on the side. Not that she would ever dare ask Yuki about it.
Conversation rolled with mundane topics; Lana was more than happy to keep quiet on her side of the table. Regardless of what had just transpired, she wasn’t expected to participate actively to the dinner. Honda had no trouble partaking in the general discussion, but his usual telltale signs of tension in his neck and shoulders were obvious to her trained eye. As the actual dinner came to a close, it was time to switch to the heavy drinking part of the evening.
Lana brought the empty dishes back to the kitchen. She took her time loading up the dishwasher; she was in no hurry to go back in there.
“Please take this, too.” Lana relieved Honda from a handful of plates. He opened a pantry to pick up more 1.8-liter shochu and sake bottles.
She glanced at the kitchen door before approaching his hunched back. “Goshujin sama,” she whispered. “Are you all right?”
Honda straightened up. His face was drawn. “I will be. I regret what happened in the hall, Lana san. This was unnecessary and disrespectful. Unfortunately, there are limits to what I can say and do where Nakazawa sama is concerned… while he has next to none, as you saw for yourself.”
She dared placing a hand on his forearm. “Please, don’t worry about me. I can handle him. You and Yuki sama were here, but in another context… things would have been different, I would have defended myself properly.”
“Careful, don’t be so bold,” Honda tensed up. “It cannot be so easy now that… now that things have changed. He does have a degree of authority over you, even if indirectly. Please be mindful of this, for all our sakes… including the little one’s.”
“I won’t let him threaten this child, for whatever reason!” Lana hissed between clenched teeth. “Please promise me you won’t either!”
“Of course not,” Honda growled back. His muscles were hard as steel under her hand. A flash of understanding crossed her mind.
“Your nomikai that night… your reaction to it… it was because of him, right?” Lana was now sad and worried. “Are you… do you feel like you need —” She bit her lip, not sure about how to finish her sentence. How would she be able to handle such levels of explosive anger and physical needs given her new limitations?
“You are being too perceptive, Lana san,” Honda hissed. “I appreciate your concern but no, there is no need for such extreme… regimen. And a repeat of what we experienced is out of question for the time being.” Lana glanced again at the kitchen door; they were taking too long, they had to go back. Still, she persisted.
“But how… what will happen the next time you need it? It will be difficult for me to help you like this for a while.” To her shock, Honda cupped her jaw, pushed her against the fridge and kissed her hard. Possessiveness was one of the only things he agreed to show, but to do it outside the bedroom...
“I commend you for your perfect sense of duty, but do not worry about this,” Honda whispered after releasing her. “Now, please prepare a pitch of iced oolong tea and bring it over. We have been away long enough.”
8 A Dangerous Proposal
Back in the reception room, the conversation had turned to work. Against all expectations, she found herself listening in with more interest. Nakazawa Holdings was a powerful and influential group in the sectors of advanced mechatronics and nanotechnology
R&D for renewable energies.
Lana tried to be discreet and kept her eyes on her tea, but when Abe made the most outlandish analysis of the macroeconomic and regulatory risks for Japanese companies operating in continental Europe, she snorted in her glass.
“Oh, you have a comment to make, Martin san? What kind of relevant input could you share with us?” The droning voice of Nakazawa shook her up.
Conversation came to a halt; six pair of eyes bored into her. She blocked them out, focusing on the thrice-damned man. He thought he had her cornered and could embarrass her again. But they were now on her turf. Her entire body language changed, and she switched to what her colleagues called her ‘lecture mode’.
“Indeed, Nakazawa sama, I do. With all due respect, Abe san, I understand on which data you are basing your analysis. But there are other key factors, which should be included to offer a most comprehensive and realistic overview of the current trends in the geopolitical landscape of the Eurozone. Without them, several upcoming investments of Nakazawa Holdings in Europe could become more exposed than initially expected.”
Silence fell in the room. Shocking all-male board members was how she made her bread and butter.
Nakazawa put his glass of shochu on the table and leaned forward, a dangerous gleam in his eyes. “And aside from reading Vogue at your hairdresser’s, what could be your sources backing your opinion?”
Lana quirked an eyebrow. Old man, you think you’re so snarky good with your sexist insults.
“My Masters in business law and international politics, and my ten years in the risk management and compliance department of Mortand et Flint, including two as a manager at their Japan office? I eat financial risk reports for breakfast, regulatory compendiums for lunch and geostrategic analyses for dinner. This is what I do, in four languages, every day, for dozens of Japanese corporate clients, all of them listed.”
This was pure showing off, but she couldn’t care less. She took a sip of her tea. “Anyway. Abe san’s analysis overlooks the deep uncertainty wreaking havoc in Europe in general and the Eurozone in particular following the Brexit decision, even with the UK not having adopted the Euro. The most damaging here is the lack of preparation of the British government. They will spend fifteen years trying to untangle themselves from the EU. Add to that the political instability of the leadership of the other major powerhouses of the EU, like France and Germany, both of which face uphill re-elections next year. This calls for a prudent investment approach for all Japanese companies planning a M&A in Europe in the near future.”
She let her figurative mike drop. Eat this and choke on it, grandpa.
Nakazawa had now to reconcile his image of a submissive and exotic sex toy shared by his daughter and son-in-law, and her status as a business consultant who looked at him in the eye and disputed the skills of his managers. That was funny.
Subtly, his expression changed from sarcasm to seriousness. “Point taken, Martin san. I was unaware of your… trade.” As opposed to my nighttime proclivities? “Very interesting. Hm. My company could use someone with your background.”
Her left eyebrow joined the first at the top of her hairline. Oh, this is just priceless.
“It would be my pleasure to give your secretary the number of our new account department if you wish to arrange a first meeting and discuss how our consultant team can help you.”
“No, I don’t work with consultants, I don’t trust them. I require loyalty and dedication, and this is not possible with external parties. Let me be blunt. What is your price?”
She didn’t miss Yuki’s sharp intake of breath, or Honda’s fists tightening on his lap under the table. It was so tempting to laugh out loud.
“I am deeply honored by your suggestion, Nakazawa sama, but I am afraid it will be quite difficult for me to join your company. First, my current contract forbids me to provide the same or similar services as an employee, or even as a consultant, for twelve months after its termination. Their high severance package practically guarantees me paid vacations. Second, I am expensive because my salary is based on international wage standards. Finally, I require some… specific conditions to make sure I can do my work efficiently.”
Of course, the fact he was a world-class jerk who had treated her and his family like dirt only two hours before was also an issue, on top of other, highly sensitive personal reasons. But it was a given she would not talk about it in front of their current audience.
“We will see about that. You have two weeks to give me your answer and conditions.”
Lana and Nakazawa locked gazes and she could see his determination. She gave him a slight bow. “Understood, thank you so much for this opportunity.”
“Well, gentlemen, time to go.” Nakazawa stood up. “Honda san, Daughter, thank you for this dinner and an… informative evening.”
Everyone got up and exchanged pleasantries required by etiquette while the guests were accompanied back to the main entrance. As the visitors put their shoes on, Nakazawa trailed behind, close to Lana. “This is not a joke, Martin san, seriously consider my proposal.”
“I will, but it will be difficult.”
“As I am sure you know, this usually doesn’t stop me,” the older man snarled. Lana bowed again rather than hurling a smartass reply everyone would regret. Then Nakazawa was gone after a few final parting words.
As soon as the door closed behind their guests, Honda rounded on Lana and pressed a finger to her chest. “Don’t you have any sense of self-preservation? You yap at a wolf who can rip out your throat without a blink? You will not work for Nakazawa sama!”
Yuki put a hand on Lana’s arm. “I fully agree with goshujin sama, Lana san. My father is… a complicated man, with next to no scruples. I would advise against it in any case for your sake, but now that he’s aware of your position in this house, you are going to be exposed to great risk. I wouldn’t be surprised if he tried to hurt you just for the… pleasure to get back at me and goshujin sama,” she grimaced.
“Not to mention your pregnancy! How do you think he will react to this news? We need to be extremely careful. We had no chance to discuss it the three of us together, and yet, you run to danger, head first!”
They returned to the dinner room and sat again around the table. Lana pinched her lips. She wasn’t used to end up in frontal opposition against her two companions. I can’t let them scold me like a kid!
“Goshujin sama, Yuki sama, I told him I would consider his request, but I did not accept it. I had to calm him down — who knows how he would have reacted otherwise! And while I hear your legitimate concerns, we are talking here about my work and career, something I expect to keep full control of.”
She locked gazes with Honda. Her pledge had not included bowing to him in all aspects of her life. He growled but remained silent, begrudgingly conceding her point. She rubbed her face, a familiar dizziness catching up with her. When will this day end?
“Now, please bear with me and let’s think aloud for a second. Why not consider it?”
“What? Out of the question!” her companions exclaimed at the same time, leaning toward her in a remarkably similar way.
Lana raised her hands. “Please! Listen to me. How about ‘keep your friends close and your enemies closer’? At first, Nakazawa sama filed me under the toy category — your toy — and dismissed me. He did an about face only when I offered something valuable to his company. If I backtrack, I lose all chance at becoming someone in his eyes. Don’t you think it’s necessary if we want to defend ourselves against him, to protect the baby? You fear he might want to hurt me, but he will definitely try if I’m only a… plaything to him, and not someone useful! Maybe I read him wrong, but—”
Honda hissed and slammed the table. “No, you read him perfectly well. He is exactly like this, so you will keep as far away as possible from him, and not sit on his lap!”
Lana let out an exasperated noise. “It’s almost as if you thought I can’t make myself useful to him, that
I’m unable to bring such a valuable thing on the table! No, I won’t sit on his lap! I happen to excel at my job, and I can be of great help to the Holdings in their expansion plans.”
“You sound as if you’d be… happy to do this!” Yuki exclaimed.
“Happy? No, but I love challenges and if I get the conditions I want, then yes, I could be successful. However, we don’t even need to get there! You heard what I said: I’m expensive, way too much for Japanese companies, especially for a… mother with a baby. My conditions will be outrageous. The odds he rejects my proposal are in our favor. And if he does, well, good for me, good for us! At least he’ll see my worth and will be forced to acknowledge me.”
“Lana san,” Honda growled, fury barely concealed. “You are calling his bluff, but he will call yours. Money is not an issue. If the proposal you make is so valuable to the company, he will accept it. And then you will be unable to back out. You will find yourself in his direct sphere of power and influence, and then anything can happen!”
Lana crossed her arms and quirked an eyebrow. “But what do you fear? That he harasses me? That he tries to… make me cry?” She scoffed. “He can’t play this game if I don’t give him the room to do it. I’ll walk out on the spot if he humiliates me or puts me in an impossible position just for the fun of it. Whoever they are, no boss of me can do this.”
Yuki lowered her head. “I hear and understand your point, and yes, it makes sense. We are intimately aware of your strength and steel. But… all of this can either go well or turn into disaster.”
“Doing nothing will give us no chance. If we want to move ahead with what we share, the four of us, we need your father’s… acceptance, if not approval. Tonight, I see a thin thread to grasp to make this happen. Let me tell him about the baby, so that he may not use this as a weapon later on. Let’s step into his sphere and bring him down before he can even begin attacking us.”