by Carrie Asai
“I love it,” said Cheryl, impulsively throwing her arms around me. “I’m going to wear it out of the store. Why don’t you wear something of yours and we’ll go out?”
I frowned, weighing the offer. Of course, I shouldn’t even be in this store. If Hiro knew I was out and about, he’d freak—anyone could spot me, he’d say. But seriously, no one would recognize me as Heaven Kogo in this outfit. And besides, I needed a girlfriend, somebody to hang with and talk to. “Okay. I’ll follow you, little lady,” I said, doing a lame impression of her. “Where to?”
“I know some great bars. We’ll hop.” Cheryl spun around in front of the mirror, admiring her new look from the back.
“Problem. I’m only nineteen,” I whispered, looking to see if the shop girl was around.
“You’re kidding,” Cheryl gasped. “You look about twenty-five in those clothes.”
I shrugged apologetically. “I hope that doesn’t ruin your plans. Wait a minute—how old are you?”
“Just turned twenty. On Halloween, in fact. That was my birthday party you crashed.” Cheryl wagged a finger at me. “Trust me, it doesn’t change anything. There’s no way you’re going to get carded.”
“Carded?”
“You know—checked for your ID.” Cheryl pulled a tissue from her purse and wiped off her orangy-brown lipstick. “We’ll go to Lucid,” she told me as she pulled out a new tube and painted her lips a red that was so deep, it was almost black. “They always want hot chicks in there, and they’re willing to overlook gals who are a year or two…behind.”
Hiro would definitely not be happy about this. I ignored my guilt pangs. Why shouldn’t I have my own life? He could be anywhere right now, and there was no point in sitting around at home by myself. I deserved a treat after the long weeks of training.
“Agreed,” I said.
Cheryl whooped. “Ex-cellent! Now all you need is shoes. We’ll get those next door.”
I left the store wearing the leather pants and silver tank top that clung to my body like a liquid skin. I’d always wanted to wear an outfit like this, but of course it had been out of the question for Konishi Kogo’s daughter. At Lucky, the shoe store, Cheryl picked out a pair of spiky heels with straps that fastened around my ankles, then studied me critically.
“You really should have a pedicure with those shoes, but I think you can get away with it. They’re just right with those pants.” I stared at myself in the mirror. Was that really me? I hadn’t felt so out of my body since the night of the wedding. Don’t go there, Heaven, I told myself. Stay in the moment.
“You don’t think I look too tall?”
“If you got it, flaunt it,” said Cheryl, reclining on one of the low benches scattered throughout the store. “What I wouldn’t give for a few more inches.”
“But—isn’t it kind of…” I searched my head for the right celebrity reference point. “Nikki Hilton? Too party girl?”
“This is L.A., baby. It’s all about the party.”
We bought the shoes and I tottered back to the car. I’d spent too much time wearing sneakers lately. After we shoved my bags into the trunk, Cheryl spent fifteen minutes putting makeup on me. She used the rearview mirror and the dim overhead light.
“Stunning,” she said, assessing her work. “I am so good.”
I took a peek at myself in the mirror. A complete stranger stared back. If anyone could lead a movie life, this girl could.
We roared off to the club.
My sources informed me that Heaven found the envelope. I know who she is living with, where she goes, what she does. The question is—why?
Now that Mieko is gone, I’m free to devote every last ounce of my strength to making sure Heaven is protected. When I heard her voice on the phone, I sensed that she had changed—she never would have disobeyed me before. But I taught her well—she was right. It wasn’t safe for us to meet. Still, I can keep her safe from afar. I’ve spared no expense.
But now time is running out. I must see her face-to-face. She may not know who to trust, but she knows what her duty is, and she will do it. Everything she knows, everything she has, came from me. I gave it to her, and I can take it away. She is mine.
The California nights are dark, but the lights of Los Angeles are bright. What will I say to her when I see her after this long absence? Nothing is as it was. Should I tell her the truth?
Is she ready for it?
There is much to be decided before then. And so little time.
Konishi
16
Cheryl grabbed my arm and led me right past the bouncer without slowing down. I braced myself for a shouted demand that I get back there and show my identification, but it didn’t come.
“I told you we’d have no problems,” Cheryl said.
“This is it?” I asked moronically, since it clearly was. I’d been expecting something swanky and glam, with celebrity sparkle. This place was…dirty. That was the only word for it. And it smelled like stale beer and sweat. I loved it! It felt so real, so gritty. This was definitely the real L.A.—not some tourist decoy.
“Isn’t this fabulous?” Cheryl yelled. “This is the first bar I conned my way into, back when I was sixteen. I wanted to see Ape Has Killed Ape with Toothpick Elbow and then I was bummed ’cause they broke up right afterward.”
“Yeah, um, I hate it when that happens,” I said.
We fought our way over to the bar. A huge aquarium was suspended behind it, casting a blue glow over everything. The whole upstairs was glassed in. It was like a second aquarium, but one filled with people.
“The smoking section,” Cheryl explained, following my gaze. “People are still free to damage themselves in this place. Gotta love that.” She ordered two frothy pink drinks that were served in martini glasses complete with cherries. She handed one to me. I tried not to think of the ice-cream sundae Hiro and I had shared that first night we were together. I tried not to think of Hiro at all.
We pushed through the crowd and scooted into one of the cracked leather booths that lined the dance floor. Each table had a goldfish bowl in its center with a real live fish in it. The walls were covered with graffiti, and over in one corner was what looked like a shrine to Marilyn Monroe, complete with candles. “It feels good to sit down,” I said. “These shoes are pretty excruciating.”
“You have to suffer for beauty, darling.” Cheryl grinned.
I sipped my drink. It was sweet, with a slightly bitter aftertaste.
“What is this?” I asked, extracting the cherry, again trying not to think of Hiro and the sweet way he’d given me the cherry from our sundae.
“It’s called Raspberry Crush. God only knows what the hell’s in it. Rum, I think. And some tequila. Good, huh?”
I nodded. I’d barely ever tasted alcohol. Just some sake and the occasional illicit sip of beer. But I thought I could handle something with a name like Raspberry Crush.
“So, Miss Heaven. Time to answer some questions. What are you doing in the United States?”
I chewed my cherry slowly, buying time. “Well,” I started, leaning toward her, “I’m staying with a friend.”
“The one you looked up at my place?”
I nodded.
“Remind me—male or female?”
“Male.” Cheryl grinned. “It’s not what you think!” I giggled.
“Oh, of course not,” Cheryl said, putting one hand over her chest and opening her eyes wide in fake shock. “So what is it?”
“I didn’t expect to be in the States for so long. I came here with my family and then…”
It was impossible to explain, but Cheryl had been so good to me, and she seemed like a deeply nice person. I didn’t want to totally lie to her. “My brother died, and I had a—falling-out with my father. So I’m laying low for a while,” I finished in a rush.
Cheryl squeezed my hand. “That’s horrible. I’m so sorry.”
“Thanks,” I said, fighting back tears.
“So you’re
staying with this friend,” Cheryl said matter-of-factly. “Are you working?”
I wiped my eyes, feeling a wave of gratitude toward her for switching gears on the conversation. “No.”
“Does the friend take care of you?” Cheryl rocked her glass back and forth, making wet patterns on the tabletop.
“In what way?” I asked.
“Well, moneywise, for starters. He’s really not your boyfriend, right?”
“No. My father gave me some money, so that’s where these came from,” I said, motioning to our outfits.
“To Heaven’s father,” Cheryl said, raising her glass. “Thank you for your kindness, sir.” We clicked glasses with a flourish and drank.
“I don’t know if my father’s toastworthy,” I said, feeling a little light-headed. “I think he might be a bad man.” It was a relief to say that.
Cheryl didn’t miss a beat. “Well, he can’t be as bad as mine. Cheryl’s daddy walked out on her and her mommy when Cheryl was twelve. We never saw a dime from the bastard.” For a second I didn’t know what to say. I was so shocked that anyone would call their father a name like that.
“Wow. I’m the one who’s sorry. That—that must have been hard,” I stuttered.
“We lived through it,” Cheryl replied with a toss of her head. “He was a drunk, anyway. I’ll never forget that part.”
We sat in silence for a moment.
“Let’s talk about something else,” Cheryl said, taking another gulp of her drink. “We’re here to have fun, not cry in our beer.”
“Hello, ladies.” Two men with muscles that I recognized as far too developed to be really useful loomed into view by our table. Both had short, gelled hair and wore tight-collared shirts that showed off their trim waists. Neither looked like they belonged in this place. “Can we share this booth with you?” asked the taller one, who wore a gold chain around his neck.
“Why would you want to do that?” Cheryl asked teasingly. I squeezed her knee under the table. I wasn’t sure I was ready for male company.
“Because you’re the two most beautiful ladies here, of course,” Short Guy said.
“Good answer. Scooch over, Heaven.” One man slid in on either side of us, cramming Cheryl and me into the center of the semicircular booth. I felt suddenly claustrophobic. Hiro had taught me the importance of always keeping your escape route open.
“Are you UCLA students?” Short Guy asked, bending toward me. Cheryl leaned across me and nodded. “Yep. Juniors. How about you?”
“We graduated a couple of years ago. Now we run our own business,” boasted Chain Guy.
“Really? What?” asked Cheryl. I sat quietly and tried to look attentive, but Short Guy’s aftershave was overpowering, and he was sitting too close.
“Extreme adventures. We run bungee-jumping excursions and stuff like that.” Gold Chain Guy embarked on a long explanation of his business while Short Guy went to get another round of drinks. I was already feeling woozy from the first one. Marilyn looked like she was dancing around in her shrine, so I ignored the new drink when it was put in front of me.
“Don’t you like your drink?” Short Guy asked me, draping his arm around my shoulders. “I bought it just for you.” His breath reeked of liquor.
“Please don’t touch me,” I said. Short Guy looked surprised.
“What did you say to me?” he asked, leaving his arm where it was.
“What’s wrong?” Cheryl asked, turning her attention on us.
“Your little friend here doesn’t like to be touched.” He ran one finger down the side of my neck and slipped it past the hem of my shirt. The mists of alcohol parted, and I had a sudden need to hurt him.
He said, “Is she girl only or what?”
Cheryl tried to laugh it off. “She’s choosy, that’s all.”
“So you’re a smartass, too, huh?” Short Guy’s face was getting red, actually purple in the blue light.
I squeezed closer to Cheryl, pulling free of Short Guy’s arm. Her smile faded. “I think it’s time for us to go, Heaven,” she said, grabbing her bag. “Excuse us.”
Gold Chain guy grabbed Cheryl’s arm, and Short Guy looped his arm around my waist, pulling me tight up against him. “You’re not going anywhere.”
Without thinking, I balled my hand into a fist and snapped my arm up from the elbow, hitting Short Guy on the bridge of his nose. He yelped and let go of my waist, covering his face with his hands. Blood streamed out from between his fingers.
“Bitch!”
“What the hell?” Gold Chain reached across the table toward me, and I grabbed his hand and twisted it as I stood up, releasing a quick chop to the back of his neck that made his forehead hit the tabletop with a bang. Then I grabbed Cheryl and pulled her across the leather seat, clambering over Chain Guy’s legs.
“Let’s get out of here,” Cheryl yelled, and went into action, pushing through the middle of the dance floor and out the doors. When we got outside, I took a deep breath. The cool night air felt good against my flushed face.
“What was that?” Cheryl asked. She gave me this goofy amazed look as we half ran toward where her car was parked.
“What was what?” I asked.
“Those moves? That ass-whupping you gave those two losers?”
“Oh. That.” I climbed into the car and slammed the door hard. “I’ve taken a few karate classes.”
“That totally rocked,” Cheryl said, starting the engine. “You are an interesting woman, Heaven.”
A wave of pride washed over me. Maybe I really could take care of myself. “You should have seen that tall guy’s face! He was so shocked when you hit his friend! Priceless! What a couple of butt-wipes!” She pulled out onto the street, tires squealing.
I rolled down the window and let the wind blow my hair around my face. Free. I’d never felt so really and truly free.
“Where to?” Cheryl asked.
“Home, I guess.” I’d had enough adventure for one night. I grinned. I’d so been the exotic avenger! I replayed the scene in my head as we drove.
Cheryl pulled up in front of Hiro’s and cut the engine, then helped me drag my bags out of the car.
“Thanks,” I said, giving her a hug. “I really had a great time. I’m sorry I ended our night so early.”
Cheryl gave her earthy laugh. “I can’t stop thinking about how you handled those two morons. You are too much. I never want to go to a club without you again.”
“Thanks. I guess.”
“I love my outfit. Thank you. Let’s hang out soon.” Cheryl hopped back in the car.
“Okay. I’ll give you a call.” I sounded like I really lived here. I had a friend. We could make plans.
“Bye, Heaven.”
I watched Cheryl’s car pull away, then turned toward the bungalow. My bright mood faded when I stepped into the empty house. I wanted to tell somebody about my amazing night. Not that I could have told Hiro. I could have told Ohiko, though. He would have loved the story.
Suddenly I felt like the only person on the planet. Make that the universe.
You’ve got Cheryl, I reminded myself. A friend I’d made all by myself. One who I’d chosen.
And I’d kicked a little butt, too.
Watch out, Karen, I thought. There’s a new fighter in the house.
I collapsed on the sofa without even pulling out the bed.
17
“How was your night?”
I opened my eyes. Hiro was back. And he did not look happy.
“Fine,” I answered. I didn’t want to say too much, afraid I’d give myself away. I noticed the tip of one of my shopping bags was poking out from under the couch. I pushed it back underneath with my toe.
“Have you seen the news?” he asked, his voice flat.
“What? No. I just woke up.”
Hiro turned on the television. I blinked in surprise. It was me. I was on TV.
In horror, I stared at the photo of my face that loomed behind the anchorwoman. I reco
gnized the photo as one that Katie had taken out by the pool at home. I had sunglasses on my head and was grinning at the camera in a way that seemed totally foreign to me. Had I really ever been that happy and carefree? The girl staring out at me in the photo was a stranger.
“…The Kogo family has decided to go to the public in the hope that anyone might have news of Heaven Kogo, who has been missing since the evening of the bizarre wedding-day murder of Ohiko Kogo, which occurred nearly seven weeks ago at the exclusive Beverly Wilshire hotel….”
I closed my eyes. This could not be happening.
“You’re in serious danger,” Hiro said, flipping off the television. “I don’t want you leaving the house.”
“When did this come out?” I asked. “This morning?”
Hiro shook his head. “I saw it on the eleven o’clock news last night.”
My stomach clenched. Right around the time I was out with Cheryl. If anyone had seen the news and then seen me out…I didn’t even want to think about it. “Why is this happening now?” I asked.
But Hiro was already looking out the kitchen window, the phone held to his ear.
“Okay. Thanks for understanding. I appreciate it. Right. Bye.”
“Who was that?” I asked. I got up and poured myself a glass of water. In spite of everything I felt weirdly calm, if a little hungover. Whenever Hiro was around, it was hard not to feel safe—and I was still glowing with the memory of how I’d gotten Cheryl and me away from those gross guys the night before.
“I just called the dojo,” Hiro explained. “They understand the situation, and they’re going to make an announcement asking the students not to say anything that would compromise you—and to keep them from going to the authorities.”
I put my glass down. My calm began to melt away. “But most students don’t even come in every day,” I said. “Do you think someone will report me?”
Hiro rubbed his eyes. For the first time I noticed how tired he looked. “We just have to trust that since they know me, and they know Karen, they’ll realize you’re there for a reason. Most of them should understand that I’ve given you a mission, and they’ll respect that.”