I wasn’t able to pack up everything, but I’d managed to get some of my favorite things from my bedroom. It helps that I’d flown here on a private plane. It meant I could take more things than if I had been on a commercial flight. At least that’s my speculation. I’ve never been allowed to fly anything else but private. From what I’ve seen in movies, I think there is a bag limit of some sort.
I’m pretty sure my father thought if I got inside of a commercial airport I might be tempted to slip away. I tend to be quite good at that. Sure, the thought would have crossed my mind if given the chance, but I probably would have reeled it in knowing I didn’t have anywhere to go.
I know I’m naïve about a lot of things. Not the scary things in life, strangely, but normal things. I’m not too naïve to realize that. I could never tell you what a gallon of milk costs because I’ve never been in a grocery store. I’ve had a lot given to me. But I’ve also had a lot of other things denied. Books are just one of them.
“That’s a lot of books.” Daisuke peers over my shoulder into the box. All of the men are giants here in America, though Daisuke seems a bit younger than the rest of them I’ve seen.
It’s said Kazuo and his men are some of the fiercest and most feared. No one dares to cross them. It’s why I’m a bit surprised by how helpful they have been. Kazuo himself made me something to eat. It’s very out of character for a man in his position. I know my father has never lifted a finger in our kitchen. Sure, he’s always provided for me, but that comes in the form of hired help.
The door to my bedroom swings open, slamming against the wall. I jump, spinning around to see Kazuo looming in the doorway, a deadly expression on his handsome face. “What is going on in here?”
“I was helping Ms. Nakamura with the rest of her boxes,” Daisuke rushes to explain.
“There is no reason the door should be shut when you are alone with Mei.”
“I’m sorry, sir.” Daisuke bows his head.
“I’ve got Mei from here. Go back to your post.”
Daisuke scurries from the room.
“Thank you!” I shout after him, not wanting him to think I’m rude. I try to glare at Kazuo. “You’re making it hard for me to make friends around here. It’s not like I’m going to bite your men.” I chomp my teeth together. “Or will I?” I give him my best smirk. It’s good to keep a man like Kazuo on his toes.
“Careful how you tease me, Mei.” Kazuo grabs the last two boxes outside my room and carries them in easily.
“Fine, I’ll only nibble on you,” I tease him again, not heeding his warning.
I’m like a kid testing my boundaries.
“Then we shouldn’t have any problems,” he responds, surprising me. Was he jealous? I find that hard to believe. I’m sure Kazuo has had many offers of marriage from tons of families. I watch him as he places my last two boxes by the others. “We need to speak.”
I inwardly cringe. Isn’t that what people say when they are about to break up with the other person? Are Kazuo and I dating now and I missed it? If you kiss someone, do they assume you’re dating? I hate how little I know about this because I want to know all of it. It’s why I wanted to come to America so badly. To break away from some of the traditions my father wanted to force on me.
“I thought you just said I could keep nibbling on you?” I hate how insecure I sound. I’m supposed to be bold and sexy. “I mean, it’s cool. Whatever.” I brush it off, taking a stack of my books to place on one of the nightstands.
When I turn back around, I run right into Kazuo. His hand grips my hips, keeping me from falling backwards.
“Why did your father send you here?”
“You still haven’t spoken to him?” I tilt my head back to stare up at his handsome face.
“I want to hear it from you.”
“Would it matter? You’ll believe whatever he says.”
“No, Mei. I won’t. I sense he might be a bit irrational when it comes to you. You’re not only a very beautiful girl, but you have a wild spirit that I’m sure has been hard for him to try to cage. Impossible in fact.”
“That’s kind of you to say.”
“I’m not a kind man, Mei. I’m fair and honest.”
I’ve heard that about him too. “Well, I think you’re kind.”
His brows pull together, and I’m not sure he enjoys the title.
I sigh. “I kept running away, and of course my father kept finding me. Said I was going to get myself killed.”