A Haunted Love - 8. Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Hideki stared at the files on his desk. Josephine Wood smiled back at him in the photograph on top of the pile of papers. She was a beautiful brunette, with a wide smile, and cheerful eyes. She was young, too young.

She haunted Kazuma, he thought.

The one Kazuma had failed to protect. She was the reason Kazuma had left without a single word to him.

He closed the file. There was no way to convince his father that Kazuma was important to him. Riku Takada was stubborn.

More stubborn than a mule, Hideki scowled.

He had spent two days trying to change his father’s mind about Kazuma. The man refused to listen to him.

The library door opened and in walked Haru with a small grin.

“Hey, your father called me said you needed company.”

Hideki frowned. He didn’t want company. He wanted to find a way to get Kazuma back in his life.

“What’s in the file?” Haru asked.

“Shouldn’t you be at your flower shop?” Hideki asked, irritated by Haru’s cheerful attitude.

“I was,” Haru said, sitting in the armchair across Hideki’s desk. “When Riku-san called, I left the staff to handle everything.”

“How lucky for me,” Hideki said, sitting back in his seat, he stared up at the ceiling feeling at a loss.

Haru got up and came around the desk, leaning on the edge.

“I didn’t see Kazuma out there. There’s a new man. He looks clean cut.”

“Kazuma is gone,” Hideki said, pain slashing through him at the small admittance.

That Kazuma was gone from his life still shocked him. He kept thinking of their day out on Saturday. How he’d boasted in that quaint little restaurant of his feelings, and falling in love with Kazuma. He had thought he knew what was in Kazuma’s heart then. Had thought it matched his own…he closed his eyes. He had hoped Kazuma would talk to him first before he had cleared out his belongings so fast.

How could the man leave the estate without finding him?

“Hyde—

“Let’s go out,” Hideki cut in. “Call Jin, we can make a party of it.”

“It’s Tuesday,” Haru said. “The club will be packed with strangers. Jin won’t have time to keep the VIP area to a minimum—

“I don’t care,” Hideki said getting up. “My father has given me one freedom, and that is going out with you and Jin. I’m taking full advantage.”

“Hyde—

“You’re here to distract me. Do it, Haru,” Hideki said with a glare. “Otherwise, I might go do something stupid.”

Haru nodded and got his phone, already calling Jin.

Hideki stared at the file on his desk. Josephine Wood’s story was tragic but he couldn’t help disliking her. She filled Kazuma’s thoughts, guiding his actions a year after her death.

She made Kazuma unsure, Hideki thought with a grimace.

His gaze shifted to the St. Jude silver coin on the desk. He hadn’t told Rui, his new bodyguard, about the coin Kazuma gave him. Taking the chain, he wrapped it around his fingers and stared at the coin for a moment.

“Jin says it’s fine to show up,” Haru interrupted his thoughts.

Hideki put the coin in his pocket.

“Let’s go tell Rui we’re leaving,” Hideki said.

Haru smiled and took his left arm leading him out of the library.

***

At Club H, Jin and Haru sat with Hideki talking and joking as before. Hideki smiled when Haru made jokes, or when Jin teased. He answered when asked a direct question, and offered observation when Haru prodded for his opinion.

Mostly, he drank. Urging their waiter to keep the liquor flowing, Hideki sat back in the comfortable couch and drank.

His gaze tracked Rui who prowled the VIP section. Rui’s gaze was vigilant, not a smile in sight. Hideki thought him cold. Kazuma hadn’t worn stifling suits, preferring a weathered leather jacket and jeans. This Rui was all wrong in his neat black suit, and stiff collar.

Rui was clean-shaven. He looked a year older than Hideki. His orders when given were terse. Kazuma hadn’t needed to use words. One glance and everyone around him knew what he wanted done.

Hideki reached for his glass and tossed back his whiskey.

Kazuma would have interfered with the flow of drinks by now.

‘It’s time to go home, Hyde.’ Kazuma’s voice filled his head and he closed his eyes. ‘You have an early morning tomorrow.’

He scoffed.

“Hyde?” Jin touched his arm and he looked at him. “Are you okay?”

A soft laugh escaped.

No, he wasn’t okay, he thought.

“I’m going to the bathroom. Should we order another bottle?” Hideki asked, his gaze going to the empty one on the table. “I don’t have to go to the office in the morning.”

“It’s almost one o’clock at night,” Jin said. “I need to check on the club—

“Oh yes, Jin manager,” Hideki said with a smile. “You love this job, don’t you?”

Jin frowned, staring at him.

“You make me wonder about you, Jin,” Hideki said, his words slurred. “Why you prefer this life to that your parents would have wanted. I wonder—

“I’m happy working for you, Hyde.” Jin smiled at him. “The club is my life.”

Hideki nodded, wondering why Jin’s smile seemed strained to him.

Damn it, he was losing his mind. Jin was his friend. They’d known each other forever.

“I’m sorry,” Hideki said, shaking his head. “I’m drunk. I should go home.”

“I think so too,” Jin said.

Hideki started to get up. The whiskey was very good, he was beyond a buzz, and he was flying higher than a hawk. Holding on to Jin’s shoulder, he waited for the world to stop dancing. Grabbing his belt, a different urgency took precedence in his brain.

“I need the bathroom,” Hideki said with a chuckle.

“Haru will take you,” Jin said. “Hyde, stop worrying and go home, get some sleep, we’ll talk tomorrow. I’ll come over.”

“Yeah sure,” Hideki slurred out, allowing Haru to lead him to the bathroom.

In the bathroom, Hideki stopped in the middle of the elegant space to stare at the trashcan. The last time he had been here, a man had tried to grab him and Kazuma saved him. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the St. Jude coin and stared at it.

‘In case you’re in trouble again,’ Kazuma had said.

Would he show up?

Hideki studied the surface of the coin for a second, and then because he really wanted to know, he swiped his finger over the little lever on the edge of coin. It shifted to the left fast, and he glanced to the doors expectant.

His heart broke when Rui ran into the bathroom half a minute later.

“Sir?” Rui asked, already doing a sweep in the bathroom stalls. “Are you alright?”

Hideki closed his fingers over the coin.

“My mistake,” he said, realizing Kazuma must have told Rui about the coin.

How stupid of him to imagine the coin was anything special.

Haru moved closer to Hideki, wrapping an arm around Hideki’s waist to steady him.

“I’m sorry, Rui. He’s a lot tipsy.”

“Clear,” Rui said speaking to the unseen person Kazuma called Sora. “Sir, if you finish here, we can get you back home.”

Hideki nodded and waited until Rui left the bathroom.

“Hyde?”

“I’m fine,” Hideki said, dropping the coin into his pocket. “I’m fine, Haru. I’m fine.”

***

Phillip paced the length of the conference room, his gaze on Kazuma who sat on a couch by the wall staring out the windows.

“The question we need to ask is who delivered the file to Riku Takada. Sora, investigations are slow. Bring in more staff. The Takada case is now priority. I want the Dome buzzing with activity. Someone wanted Kazuma out of the picture.”

“Maybe it is for the best. Rui is doing a good job,” Kazuma said in a quiet tone. “I’d like to remain on the outside.”

“Bullshit,” Phillip glared at him. “Hideki can barely look at Rui. That’s not helpful, you know that as well as I. Hideki is in danger if he can’t trust Rui.”

“Are you forgetting I asked you to bring in Rui?” Kazuma asked. “This worked in my favor, Phillip. Riku was right about me. He can’t leave Hideki under my care.”

“You could have changed Riku’s mind,” Phillip said. “I kept silent because you agreed with him.”

Kazuma scratched his jaw, his fingers combing through the week old beard. Hideki had said he liked it.

“I made many mistakes with Josephine,” Kazuma said, dropping his hand to his lap. “Riku is right to be wary.”

“Enough,” Sora said, drawing his attention to the conference table where she sat. “Regardless of your insecurities, Kazu, someone knew about your past, and knew how Riku would react. Our main priority is discovering who that is.”

Kazuma sighed.

“There is Haru.”

“Haru is clean,” Sora said. “I have checked him out a million times. I can’t find anything on him.”

“Not even his relationship with Keijo?” Phillip asked.

Sora shook her head.

“What about Jin?” Kazuma asked. “Those two are closest to the family. Of course there is Aoki, but she’s like a mother to Hyde.”

“Aoki lives on the estate. She has no other family,” Sora said. “Jin has blanks in his past. His relationship with Hideki started at Tokyo University. He’s very clean on the surface. I have people out there tracing his background.”

“There’s a red flag,” Phillip said.

“Jin has been on my mind as well,” Kazuma said with a frown. “However, I still haven’t ruled out Hideki’s mother. Her past with Hideki is enough to cause worry.”

“She doesn’t have the funding,” Phillip said. “Her restaurant makes enough money to run her family life.”

“She doesn’t need to fund the kidnap attempts,” Sora suggested. “Hideki’s kidnap and ransom insurance is enough to pay off a twenty man team, and still live in comfort. If I didn’t have a conscience, I’d get into the business myself.”

Kazuma glared at her though he understood what she meant.

Hideki was worth a cool sixty million pounds through the Takada Group, and twenty million through his father’s insurance. Sometimes Kazuma wondered if that didn’t make Hideki a target for extremist groups. However, not having the insurance placed Hideki in a more vulnerable position. Those same extremist groups would take Hideki’s life the moment they realized he was worth nothing. It was a double-edged sword.

“Okay,” Phillip said. “We’re going to focus our efforts on two people: Jin and Naoki. Naoki understands Riku enough to know he’d kick Kazuma out in light of his past. Jin knows Hideki’s habits through and through.”

“And Haru?” Kazuma asked, remembering Haru’s warning to leave the estate.

Phillip studied Kazuma for a moment.

“We don’t have much on him to suspect foul play. All right, let’s get back to work. Daiko, grab a shower first, you look done in.”

Phillip left the conference room in quick strides.

Kazuma stared after him with a frown. He hadn’t slept much since he left Hideki’s estate. He had opted to help Sora sort her research, working day and night.

“Boss is right,” Sora said, getting up from her seat. “You need to take care of yourself if you’re going to be of any use to Hyde.”

“How is he?” Kazuma asked.

Three days away, and he wanted to get in his jeep and drive to the Takada estate for a glimpse.

“Drank himself to oblivion last night,” Sora said. “He triggered the alarm on the silver coin when he went to the bathroom. Rui went rushing to the rescue only to find Haru and Hideki standing in the middle of the bathroom.”

Kazuma sat up.

“Did he really?”

“You never told him the coin was standard issue,” Sora accused. “I don’t think he was triggering that alarm to see Rui’s handsome face.”

Kazuma closed his eyes.

“I didn’t think things would end up this way.”

“Get yourself together,” Sora said. “Wallowing in the past is not helping you or him, Kazu.”

She left without another word, and he sat back on the couch with a sigh.

Hideki, he thought.

The club’s bathroom was where they first met.

‘I’m in love with you, Kazuma.’

He couldn’t forget how carefree Hideki had looked in that charming restaurant. It pained him that he hadn’t replied to those words. Hadn’t told Hideki what he felt…because he’d been afraid.

Since Riku’s confrontation, the image of Josephine turning to Hideki hadn’t left him. Wiping a hand down his face, Kazuma tried to take away the picture of Hideki curled up in a metal ice box.

It haunted him in his dreams, his waking hours…he sighed.

Hideki was better off with Rui by his side.

The best he could do for Hideki now was find out who wanted to harm him.

***

Hideki woke up to soft kisses skating along his back, his neck then to his ear. He pressed back into the heat with a moan. He loved Kazuma waking him up. He knew if he turned into Kazuma’s embrace, Kazuma would reward him with a searing good morning kiss.

Hideki smiled as he turned, his eyes opening eager to see Kazuma.

Disappointment slammed through him when he saw Haru lying in Kazuma’s place. Sitting up with a gasp, Hideki rubbed sleep out of his eyes.

“Hyde.”

“What are you doing here?” Hideki asked.

“We came back late,” Haru said, stroking his left arm. “It’s only six in the morning, Hyde. Sleep some more.”

“I don’t think you should have stayed,” Hideki said, pushing the covers aside. He was naked. He didn’t remember removing his clothes. “Did you undress me last night?”

“I have done it before,” Haru said with a pleased laugh. “You were so drunk, you clung to me the whole time.”

Hideki shifted to the side of the bed, shaking his head. He hadn’t cared before, now it annoyed him. This familiarity Haru had with him. He didn’t want it. He craved Kazuma’s touch, his heat, and his kisses. He didn’t want Haru’s misplaced kindness.

Hideki closed his eyes when Haru pressed up behind him, wrapping his arms around Hideki.

“I’m here,” Haru said in a whisper.

Hideki sighed.

“We need to talk, Haru.”

“About what?” Haru asked, pressing a kiss on Hideki’s naked shoulder.

Hideki extricated himself from Haru’s hold and got up. He grabbed his robe and wore it fast, needing to cover himself. Running fingers through his hair, he walked around the large bed to the windows Kazuma had changed. He pressed his hand against the tinted glass with a sigh.

“Hyde—

Hideki turned to lean on the glass, his gaze on Haru who sat in the middle of the bed. Haru stared at him, and then pulled the covers over his naked body.

“I’m sure you’re thinking about Kazuma.” Haru spoke with resignation. “But…Kazuma is gone. If your father has anything to say about it, you’re never going to see him again.”

Hideki wished those words didn’t hurt but they did. Haru wanted him to forget Kazuma.

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?” Haru asked.

“Giving you hope,” Hideki said, realizing he should have done this years ago.

Haru stared at him then dropped his gaze to his lap.

“You’re going to tell me you don’t want a relationship with me.”

“We are friends,” Hideki said. “That’s all, Haru.”

“We haven’t been just friends in a long time, Hyde.”

Haru’s fingers clutched the covers on his lap.

“You—

“Don’t bring Keijo into this,” Hideki warned. “We’re beyond that. I’ve let you hold it over my head for years, but now…we should stop hurting each other.”

“I can’t stop,” Haru said, looking at him, his gaze full of love Hideki would never return. “Don’t ask me to stop, anything but that.”

Hideki fought the urge to look away from Haru’s pain.

“Haru, it’s never going to be you.”

His harsh words hit Haru hard. Those dark eyes filled with tears, and Hideki added this to the list of sins he’d committed against his best friend.

Haru flung the covers away and got off the bed. For a moment, Hideki thought Haru might come to him, but then he ran to the bathroom and slammed the door closed. Hideki closed his eyes when he heard a muffled harsh sob.

Hideki leaned against the windows and listened to Haru cry his heart out in the bathroom.

***

Downstairs, Hideki sat at the breakfast table beside his father. He stared into his coffee listening to Riku talk about stock options.

“I need you at the event this evening,” Riku said. “My business associates are bringing their families, and they haven’t met you in a while.”

Hideki pushed his coffee away.

“What about security?”

“Phillip has everyone on deck for the night. You remember Kenichi’s home, don’t you? You’re expected there at seven o’clock.”

Hideki nodded.

“You may bring Haru and Jin with you,” Riku added.

“Haru is busy,” Hideki said, thinking Haru didn’t want to be near him right now. “Jin has the club.”

“Hideki—” Riku started then stopped. “I don’t mean for your life to be this lonely.”

“It can’t be helped,” Hideki said. “Though I wish you’d reconsider your thoughts on Kazuma.”

Riku shook his head.

“His track record does not inspire confidence.”

“Did you read that file?” Hideki scoffed. “Josephine’s case was special, Dad. I’m not her. I listen to him when he asks me to do something. He got me through a forest at night. Why can’t you give him a break?”

“Your unusual devotion to this man makes me worry.” Riku studied his son. “What aren’t you telling me?”

Words lodged in his throat. His gaze dropped to the table.

“I like Kazuma.”

“You like Daniel and Patrick too,” Riku commented.

“This life you’re making me live is manageable with Kazuma around,” Hideki said. “I can breathe with Kazuma.”

Riku got up.

“I’ll think about it.”

“Do more than think about it,” Hideki said, his tone harsher than he meant it to be. “Please, Father.”

Riku studied him for a moment, then he turned and left the dining room.

Rui came in soon after carrying Hideki’s laptop.

“Are you ready for the day?” Rui asked, standing a few feet away.

Kazuma would have chosen to sit at the dining table with him having coffee.

Did Rui even eat? Hideki scowled in irritation. Rui reminded him of a robot.

***

At six-thirty that evening, Kazuma parked a Renegade Security jeep at Kenichi Itada’s villa. His job was to ensure safety before Hideki and his father arrived at seven. Three men followed him into the house.

He spent the next thirty minutes familiarizing himself with the Villa’s layout.

“I know you’re secretly happy Phillip ordered you to do this,” Sora said into his ear when he walked out the terrace doors to the pool area.

Kazuma hid a smile, walking along the pool to the short fence on the other side of the pool. There was no entrance there, but a determined intruder would jump over the fence.

“The east side of the property needs extra men,” he said. “There is an open field leading to the adjoining property.”

“Noted, come on, Kazu,” Sora said, her tone teasing. “At least admit you’re excited to see him again.”

Kazuma’s smile widened and he started back to the main house. He glanced at his watch, noting it was five minutes past seven.

“Kazu,” Sora prompted.

She sent feedback through his earpiece and he cursed under his breath, rubbing his ear.

“You minx,” he cursed, when he could think again. “Fine, yes, I’m happy.”

Sora chuckled.

“See, that wasn’t so hard. He’s arrived. Hurry on out there.”

Kazuma couldn’t help increasing his pace, hurrying past a group of laughing women to reach the front doors. He slowed down when he reached the stairs, and saw Riku walking up the steps talking to Kenichi.

Kazuma adjusted his suit jacket and gave Riku a formal bow as he passed him. Lifting his head, his gaze met a brown-eyed cool gaze.

Hideki stood tall, his slender figure clean-cut in a tailored suit. Images of Hideki in the throes of passion, his beautiful body arched into him filled his brain, until all he wanted was to kiss Hideki. Kazuma cleared his throat as Hideki approached him, Rui a step behind Hideki.

Kazuma took a step toward him, then remembering where they were, he stepped back and gave Hideki a short bow as Hideki passed him.

“You could say hi,” Sora said in his ear.

“He’s no longer my responsibility,” Kazuma said, his gaze roaming the area, taking in the cars arriving and leaving.

“Your loss,” Sora said in amusement.

The party was a bore: formal dinner, business talk—politics and economics. Kazuma swiped a glass of water from a passing waiter when the party loosened up two hours later and stepped outside in the patio. His suit chafed. Kazuma reached up and loosened his tie, unbuttoning his shirt collar. Sipping his sparkling water, he wished Hideki would step out for a moment.

The glass doors opened behind him and he turned to find Hideki sneaking out. Placing his glass on a stone ledge, Kazuma smiled when Hideki took in a deep breath and let it out slowly.

Hideki took a step closer to the stone ledge only to stop when he saw Kazuma.

“Hi,” Kazuma said.

Hideki remained still brown eyes staring at him.

“Hi,” Hideki said after a moment. He cleared his throat and came to stand by the stone ledge. “You are here.”

Kazuma nodded.

“All hands on deck,” he said, repeating Phillip’s order.

“You wore a suit.”

Kazuma touched the black suit jacket he wore.

“I own two or three.”

Hideki clenched his fingers at his side.

“It looks good on you.”

“Hyde—

“Rui is probably looking for me,” Hideki said, turning to the patio doors. “I was just—

“Don’t run,” Kazuma said, placing his hand on Hideki’s shoulder to stop him from leaving. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” Hideki’s shoulders were stiff, his fists still clenched.

“Leaving without talking to you,” Kazuma said. “I should have looked for you.”

Hideki turned then, his eyes flashing with anger.

“You should have, you know. I worried. You have my number and you haven’t even call me.”

“I don’t know what to say.” Kazuma’s hand dropped away. “I didn’t mean for you to find out the truth that way.”

“You’re an idiot.”

“What?”

“I said you’re an idiot,” Hideki said.

“If I’m an idiot, what does that make you?” Kazuma scoffed.

“The fool who loves the idiot,” Hideki said.

Kazuma couldn’t stop his smile at Hideki’s soft admittance. Kazuma closed the distance between them, pulling Hideki into his arms. When Hideki remained stiff, Kazuma buried his face into Hideki’s shoulder.

“I love you,” he said, not about to let it pass this time. “I love you too, Hideki Takada.”

***