Author: Suilan

Secrets in the Beautiful Sukiyama Estate

The Sukiyama Estate’s one strong and true defense was its ability to hide from the naked eye.  A parting gift from the mistress of the estate.  No one could explain the phenomena, well, no one outside the direct family.

Ogun stared at the mass of trees that shrouded the tarmac road leading into the estate.  His fingers caressing the steering wheel of the black van he drove.  His gaze shifted to the rear view mirror where Koji sat staring at the canvas he had not let go since he left Daye’s club.

Beside Koji was Andre, whose attention was on Tomoyo and Leon.  Tomoyo held two identical syringes.  The contents of which acted like a sedative.  Thanks to the strange protection on the estate, Andre and Leon would not be able to enter the Sukiyama Estate without suffering extreme nausea and severe hallucination.  Once inside the estate, the symptoms disappeared, but as long as one was outside, the hallucinations and nausea turned a normal person into a mad man.

The first time was the worst.  After years of trial and error, Saya finally decided that drugging strangers was the way to go.  When they woke up in the safety of the main house, they all acted as though the lingering nausea was a symptom of the drug.

Ogun studied Leon who wore a skeptic expression as he stared at the syringes Tomoyo held.  Poor bastards didn’t know what they were getting into here.

“Will you trust us?” Tomoyo asked Andre and Leon.  “This is the only way in.  We’re concerned about security.  There are those who will seek you out for answers even though you think you don’t know them.  For that, we must protect the location of our home.  Please understand.”

Andre turned to look at Koji.

Ogun had noted the man kept doing that.  Too often.  That gaze full of longing.  Ogun understood that kind of longing, had seen it in Tomoyo’s eyes when she looked at the boss.

When Koji didn’t speak, nor make any effort to justify the syringes, Andre met Leon’s gaze, gave a nod and extended his left arm to Tomoyo.

Tomoyo was quick.  She injected the sedative into Andre without a second thought.  Turning to Leon after, and doing the same.  Stowing the metallic syringes into their carrier, she settled back in her seat and met Ogun’s gaze.

“This is going to be a nightmare,” Ogun said to her, aware that Koji paid no mind to the consequences.  “Tama-sama will not be happy.”

“He needs something new to be angry about,” Koji responded this time, meeting Ogun’s gaze.  Ogun shuddered when Koji smiled.  “This will teach him to keep me locked up too long.  When you call him, tell him I’ve lost my mind.”

“Koji.” Tomoyo chided.

Koji shrugged and turned to look at Andre and Leon who were now unconscious.

Ogun was surprised when Koji reached out and took Andre’s hand.

“Let’s go, Ogun,” Tomoyo urged from the back.

Ogun drew his gaze away from where Koji still held Andre’s hand and focused on driving into the estate.

***

“Koji returns today,” Saya said, her tone conversational.

Her fingers worked fast, braiding long hair into a thick braid.  When she finished, she placed the braid on the pillow, her fingers trailing over cool pale skin.  The woman lying on the comfortable hospital bed remained asleep.  Eyes closed, with only her chest moving to show she still breathed.

Saya wished for a glimpse of expression on the very beautiful face lying so still.

“Koji has grown up so fast.  I worry he won’t soon forgive my many transgressions against his family.”

Saya sighed and stood from the edge of the bed, adjusting the covers with a last pat on a green duvet, she met the longtime doctor’s gaze.  He stood at the foot of the bed watching their mutual patient.

“Let me know if anything changes,” Saya reminded him.

“You know I will.”

Saya nodded.

“Don’t worry about Koji.” The doctor smiled at her.  “He wants answers.  You should consider giving them to him.”

Saya wished it was that easy.  Giving the doctor a small nod, Saya left the basement level of the guest house, making sure the doors were locked, and stopped to take in a deep breath.

Her most favorite season was spring.  The flowers bloomed.  The air was fresh, and life seemed to gain a new sparkle.

Adjusting the key around her neck, she folded her hands behind her back and started the stroll back to the main house.  Her thoughts on the occupants who lived there.  This home she now called hers in place of her very best friend.  The children she now viewed as hers.

Tama was busy, immersed in Sukiyama business.  She worried that he couldn’t see more than the quiet power he now held.  He lived and breathed his obsession to protect his family’s estate and Koji.  So deep was he in his quest, Tama ignored Tomoyo who only saw him.  What a mess that was.  And here she had thought she would be planning a wedding soon.  Ha!

Tomoyo spent most of her time throwing all her unrequited love and care into the two brothers and this estate.  Her gratitude turned to deep love.  Tomoyo truly saw the brothers as her only family.  Seeing it all, Saya wanted to give Tomoyo the wedding she deserved.  See her named a Sukiyama.  Saya sighed at the thought of having to wait longer for this plan to come true.

Then there was Koji.

The special child with a gift that was quickly reaching its peak.  Koji’s twenty-first birthday was fast approaching.  She remembered Misato’s warning well.  Koji was to find a partner to help him carry the burden of his gift.  Someone as special as he was.

Saya scoffed.

How Koji was going to achieve that she had no idea.  What with Tama keeping him under lock and key for what seemed like the rest of his life.  Koji himself seemed clueless about making bonds, building trust.  She had yet to see him trust anyone enough to love them, except for the one time he was in school and kissed a boy.

Saya chuckled.

Poor Koji passed out for three days over a simple kiss.  Gosh, how she wished this would get easier.  Love wasn’t something one ordered on Amazon Japan.  If it was, she would have already ordered three boxes just for the three stubborn children living under one roof.

Shaking her head, Saya chose to take a path that would lead her to the front of the house.  The gardens were waking up, and she wanted to see how the summer roses were faring.  Saya couldn’t help the smile as she made a turn into the front yard and saw a black van driving up the drive.

Forgetting the flowers, she changed direction to meet the van at the front entrance.  Koji and Tomoyo were home and she had missed them so much.  Ogun stopped the van at the main doors.

Saya frowned when two of his men came hurrying out of the house.  Worried that Koji was hurt, Saya broke into a short run.

“Ogun?”

Saya stopped as she watched Ogun’s men remove two men she did not recognize from the van, and hurry into the house.

“Saya-san,” Ogun said, as he came out of the driver’s side.  “I can explain—”

Saya held up her hand stopping Ogun, she moved to the open van door and peered into find Koji watching her.

“Care to explain?” she asked.

“Yes.”  Koji smiled at her.  “This is a wonderful afternoon to explain things.  Let’s go inside, I have questions.”

“You have questions?” Saya asked in disbelief.

Koji moved her out of the way and jumped out of the van.  He didn’t wait for her to ask as he headed straight into the house.

“Koji Sukiyama!”

He didn’t stop, forcing her to turn to Ogun and Tomoyo for explanations.

“He insisted,” Tomoyo said, when she got out of the van.  She looked tired, a frown creasing her brow.  “Koji hasn’t spoken much since we raided Daye’s club and the lab next door.  Something is bothering him.”

“Well, two strangers in the house are bothering me.  Your reports did not include their names.” Saya pointed in the direction security had headed.  “Who are they?  Why are they here of all places?”

“They’re involved with Daye Chang, and the case in Kyoto,” Ogun offered.  “Koji promised help.  We couldn’t say no.”

Saya narrowed her gaze at that.  Koji had never promised to help an outsider before.  Interactions with anyone not living in the estate were difficult for him.  She arranged all such cases.  She met Tomoyo’s gaze and read amusement.

“What am I missing?”

“You’ll see,” Tomoyo said, walking into the house with a small grin.

***

Koji took the painting to the main living room, spreading it out with care on the large table by the windows.  He used flower vases from around the stands closest to him to anchor the painting.  Then he took a step back and stared at his mother.  She would have to know the painter to sit for this.  She looked relaxed, happy…Koji frowned.

It irked him hearing Takino Yuki call her the love of his life.

“Koji.”

Saya entered the living room, clearly upset about Andre and Leon.  Tomoyo followed her in.

“Are you going to explain yourself?” Saya asked, when she reached him.

“Why would Takino Yuki have our mother’s painting?” Koji pointed to the canvas on the table.

Saya gripped his left arm in surprise.

“Where did you get this?”

“Takino’s office,” Koji answered, studying her.

Saya’s shock was evident.  Saya was great at poker faces, but the surprise in her eyes was evident.  She gripped his arm tight.

“Koji.”

“I want the truth.”

“Can’t you wait for your brother?”

“No.  All he does is lie,” Koji shook his head.  “Why would a man who loved my mother kill her?’

“It’s complicated—

“Simplify it!”

Koji shook off Saya’s hold and moved closer to the painting.

“If this Takino Yuki loved my mother, why would he come here to murder them in cold blood?  Why did he do it?”

“I can’t explain the mind of a mad man, Koji.”

Koji scoffed and looked at Tomoyo.

“I was eight when she died.  An eight year old should have a million memories of a mother who took care of him, day and night.  Remember her touch, her smile, her laugh,” Koji chuckled.  “Her scolding tone…I have none.  Does that make sense?  What kind of son does that make me?”

“Isn’t that what you’re really angry about?” Saya asked.  “The fact that you can’t remember her?  So, you run around the country hoping to find clues about who she was, hoping it will make you remember.  You get angry at me and Tama for not telling truths we don’t know.”

“Truth you don’t know,” Koji scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief.  “I know you best, Saya-sensei.  Your ability to hide the truth rivals my own for finding it.  You have kept Tama’s memories hidden from me.  Don’t think I don’t know.”

Saya stared at him, not saying a word.  She knew he was right.

Koji returned his gaze to the canvas, his mother smiling at him…no, she was smiling at the painter.

“Do you know who made this?” he asked.  “You can at least tell me that, can’t you?”

Saya moved closer to the table, shifting the vase on the left bottom corner of the canvas.  She turned it over, and Koji stared at the name signed there.

“Syaon,” he murmured.

“Your father,” Saya said.  “Before he married your mother.  He changed his painting signature after the wedding to Sukiyama.  Koji—,”

“Have a long talk with Tama.  I want the truth, otherwise, I’ll—

Koji broke off trying to think of what he could do that would shake them up.  When he couldn’t find anything to say, he shook his head.

“The two who came with us are my guests.  I’m allowed that much, aren’t I?  Don’t touch them.  I’m going to think of what I’ll do if you don’t tell me the truth soon.”

Koji left the living room fighting off a wave of frustration.  He wanted to tell Saya that he felt as though his mother was alive, but that would only make Saya more worried about him.  Shaking his head, he headed upstairs to his suite to think of a punishment.

****

Andre woke up to the sound of music, and soft humming to the rhythm.  He lay on a very comfortable chaise, staring at a very high ceiling in a bright sunny room.  Andre shifted to ease his muscles, turning to his left on the chaise, he took in a breath at the sight before him.

The room was an art room, windows taking up one side, showing off a Japanese garden beyond.  Light poured in, gracing the surfaces and the hundreds of canvases resting on stands, on the wall, and on shelves.  The floors were hardwood, a large work table laden with a wild collection of painting supplies stood to one side.  At the end of the worktable by the windows stood Koji standing before a large canvas.  His right hand swiping a brush over the surface, deep in concentration.  The afternoon sunlight playing with his wild hair, leaving gold hues on the crown of Koji’s head.

Koji perched on a stool, the white t-shirt he wore paint-stained.  His jeans ripped with use, feet bare, toes curled on the floor.

Andre watched him, unable to look away.  Folding his arms across his chest, Andre imagined Koji painting at the Villa Lacome.  Mornings in the sunroom were the brightest, Koji would love the light streaming in there.  He would have to get Leon to purchase all the supplies Koji needed.  Andre blinked at that last thought.  He wanted Koji at Villa Lacome.

Sitting up, Andre moved his feet to the floor, drawing Koji’s attention.

“You’re awake.  I thought you might sleep the afternoon away.”  Koji placed his brush in a container on the table next to him and turned to face him.  “How do you feel?”

Andre frowned.  “Woozy, but it’s lifting away.”

“No nausea?” Koji asked, studying him intently.

“No.”

Koji nodded, remaining perched on the stool, his gaze on Andre.  They stared at each other for a minute, then two.

“I like you.”  Andre stated.

Koji chuckled, his gaze breaking away to stare at his hands.

“I’m drawn to you too,” Koji said, his tone full of wonder.  “I don’t know if I can explain the reasons right now.  I think, you would think me crazy if I did.”

“I’m crazy too for liking you,” Andre said, sitting back on the lounge chair.  “Leon tells me you and I are impossible.”

“Why is he such a pessimist?”

Andre chuckled.

“I’ll have to ask him.”

Koji nodded, and pushed off his stool.  He walked the not so short distance between them and came to stand before Andre.  Andre looked up at him, raising his left brow in question.

“I want to explore something,” Koji said, biting his bottom lip.

Andre took Koji’s left hand, running his thumb over paint-stained knuckles.  Koji’s answering smile sent a thrill through Andre.  Then Koji moved to straddle Andre’s lap, and Andre took in a deep breath, loving Koji’s weight on him, his hands moved to steady Koji.

When Koji was settled, their faces were inches apart.  Andre found he could not look away from curious blue eyes, his breath coming a bit too fast.  Koji traced fingers on both sides of Andre face, touching but not, an electric current followed Koji’s caress.

Andre reached up and pressed Koji’s palms to his jaw not caring if he got paint-stained too.  Koji’s gaze riveted on the streaks his fingers left on Andre’s face, a small smile curving his lips, drawing Andre’s gaze.  Wanting to taste that smile, Andre tightened his arms around Koji, moving him closer, so that he could press his lips against Koji’s smile.  The effect left them both gasping.  Koji closed his eyes, biting his inner lip when Andre moved away to escape the intensity.  Seeing Koji biting his lip, Andre decided he wanted more, and took.  Taking Koji’s lips in a gentle kiss, that turned hard and needy when Koji responded by opening his mouth allowing Andre access.

Koji’s fingers slid into Andre’s hair, bunching it when Andre invaded his mouth, his tongue exploring Koji’s warmth, taking in his sweet taste.  His erection filled, hard and needy, his hands holding Koji tight as he took, loving Koji’s needy moan, when he broke their kiss for a second.

Koji tightened his grip in Andre’s hair and pulled him in for more.  Andre smiled, sliding his hands under Koji’s t-shirt to caress his back, moaning with approval when Koji arched into him, breaking their kiss with a harsh moan, trembling.

“Is it always like this?” Koji asked, closing his eyes when Andre pressed his lips on Koji’s neck sucking on delicate skin.

“With the right man,” Andre murmured against Koji’s skin, blowing on the red mark he had pulled up on Koji’s skin.

“I never knew,” Koji murmured, meeting Andre’s gaze.  “I think I might like you a little more now.  Can we do this often?”

Andre chuckled, the offer so tempting he felt like stripping Koji right here and taking him until they both couldn’t move.

“Koji.  I’m going to turn into a beast because of you.”

“Is that a good thing for me?” Koji asked, studying him, his gaze expectant.

Andre suddenly realized he might be Koji’s first, and the idea excited him, even more.

“We’ll need to get to know each other more to find out,” Andre said.

Koji combed his fingers through Andre’s hair, his gaze on the soft strands, then he met Andre’s gaze.

“Then let’s get to know each other,” Koji murmured.

Andre smiled, and wrapped his arms around Koji holding him tight, feeling carefree for the first time in years.  When Koji sighed and rested his head on Andre’s shoulder, Andre closed his eyes and decided to ignore Leon’s warnings.  He wanted this.

***

Saya stepped back from the art room door, her gaze on Koji who sat on the man Ogun called Andre Lacome.  She had come looking for Koji to talk about Misato’s painting.  Now all she could do was stare.  Koji couldn’t stand touching strangers.  Not for anything, the overload of information was too much to him.  Unless…

Saya gasped, sliding the door closed quietly.  She hurried away reaching for her cell phone to call Tama back home.

***

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