I whisper angrily back at him, "So,

I whisper angrily back at him, "So, the great Asami Ryuichi prefers to hide behind children rather than talking like a mature adult."

Asami ignores my sarcasm. He puts the now sleeping baby in his arm to the crib before taking the one in my arms. The baby calms down instantly in his embrace. I have to admit that I am quite impressed. Who can guess that Asami Ryuchi has a hidden talent with children?

With the two babies safely tucked inside their crib, Asami leads me to the living room. Out of habit, I automatically go to the kitchen to get him a glass of his favorite whiskey. By the time I get back to the living room, I find him settling on the sofa. The lighted cigarette dangles at the edge of his sexy lips. Resting his head back, he blows the toxic smoke through his nose.

I don't give him any warning as I put the whiskey in his hand and grab the cigarette from between his fingers. Putting the cigarette away in an ashtray, I tell him sternly, "I don't know whose babies they are. But you are not going to smoke inside the house when those kids are around. At least, as long as I am here, I will make sure you don't."

Looking up at me, he absentmindedly swirls the whiskey around. Needless to say, he doesn't look worried at all when he replies, "I won't be able to smoke inside the house anymore, then."

I glare at him. "Don't worry. I won't be here for long. As soon as you release Mariko, I will be gone."

He snorts at my answer. "Don't tell me you still believe that you can run away from me, Akihito. I don't believe you are that stupid. By now you should have learnt that wherever you go, I will find you. Besides, where will you go with those chains binding your wrists and ankles? Or should I brand you with a tattoo like what Feilong did? And what do you mean by releasing Mariko? Which Mariko is this we are talking about?"

"The one you kidnapped, you bastard! Arata's sister! How many other Mariko do you have in your life?!" I yell at him.

The moment I mention Arata, he stills. The teasing smile instantly disappears. His expression turns darker and when he finally replies, his icy tone makes me shrink in fear. "I told you, I don't remember kidnapping anyone this week. But even if I did, why does it matter to you? You broke up with that useless dog already. What happened to his sister has nothing to do with you now. I will find you another dog to replace him. Someone that is much more handsome and less boring."

I can't believe my ear. What did he just call Arata?! A dog?

It is not that I still love Arata or anything. I know I don't love him anymore now. The only person who fills my entire mind to the point of insanity for the last six months is the arrogant bastard who now sits like a king in front of me. What annoys me to no end is the fact that he thinks so little of other people. Like the way he calls Arata or the way he thinks I will happily accept his offer for a replacement. As if he thinks I will clap my hand and jump eagerly at the prospect of being able to sleep with someone else. Does he think so low of me? Does he underestimate my love for him? Why does he think I try so damn hard to leave him if it is not because I love him so damn much?

Never before I feel so angry with him in my life. And at that moment, I am quite sure I can strangle the man to death in my rage. In a flat emotionless tone, I tell him, "In case you forgot, I also broke up with you. Shall I find another perverted dog to replace you as well? Someone that is much younger and less arrogant?"

The moment I see hurt flashing in his eyes, I regret my words immediately. The pain was there for only a brief second before he puts his mask of coolness back. But it was clearly there. Other people would not notice it. But I see it as clear as day. I know him way too well to miss it.

People said that words are as sharp as a sword. My mom told me that it is not true. You can halt your movement when you attack with a sword. Instead, words are like an arrow. Once you release it, you can't take it back. And at this moment, I will give everything in my life to take my words back.

"Ryu, I didn't mean it. I am sorry. I am just-"

"Someone younger and less arrogant? Like who, Akihito? Tao, maybe?"

For a long moment, we just stare at each other. I am confused and he is furious even though he doesn't show it much. I don't understand why he suddenly brings up Tao. Is it jealousy that I heard dripping from his questions? Why does the man need to feel jealous towards a 15 years old boy?

He stands up and strides leisurely towards me, looking as confident as a lion approaching a cornered prey. I can't stop the tremble when his fingers make a ghostly caress on my cheek. His thumb brushes my lower lips roughly. And I feel an impulsive desire to suck his thumb and show him how much I miss him even though he is such an annoying and maddening bastard.

Asami leans down until our faces are separated by only a few mere inches. I can feel his intoxicating warm breath on my face. His lips form a sensual smirk. But his golden eyes gleam with danger when he continues, "That boy is smart enough not to leave any trace in the phone he gave you. He is very neat in making sure that nothing can lead me to him. But unfortunately for the both of you, a witness in the airport overheard your conversation with him."

I feel like someone has thrown a whole bucket of ice water to me. Understanding dawns on me as I recognize the accusation hidden between his words. Stuttering, I beg in fear, " Ryu, wait, what did you do to Tao? He is not at fault. I asked him to help me. He has nothing to do with our problem. I didn't run away with him or anything! Come on, he is just a boy. He is barely 15."

But Asami just walks away, ignoring my plea. Standing behind him, I try to reason, "Feilong won't let you hurt him."

My argument halts his movement for a short while. Then he laughs. His chuckle feels unfamiliar even to my ears. It sounds distant. And evil. As if I just see another side of Asami that he has never shown me before. "Feilong would let me punish his adopted son however I wish than having his entire organization eliminated by me. Or maybe you want Tao to replace your last dog? Ask nicely and I may consider it."

I stare at him, my jaw hanging open in disbelief. I don't know what to say. I feel like I just wake up in a surreal world. My ex-boyfriend's sister disappeared. My government requested every other country in the world to deport me just because my egotistical ex-crime-lord-lover told them to do so. I am chained like an animal by the same ex-crime-lord-lover who suddenly has the ability to take care of children. And not only that, said ex-crime-lord-lover is apparently mad enough to suggest me to sleep with an underage boy so the world won't find out about our messed up relationship.

When I didn't say anything else (seriously, you can't blame me for that!), he gives me instructions in a cold voice, "You will stay here until I say otherwise. There are guards everywhere around the penthouse. Think wisely before you act. Haruka and Kirishima will help you taking care of the twins, but they won't arrive in Tokyo until the day after tomorrow. They are still cleaning up the mess you left behind."

"What? Wait! I can't just stay here doing nothing! I have things to do! What about Mariko? If you didn't kidnap her, then where is she? I have to help Arata finding her."

He slowly looks back at me and unconsciously I take a step back in fear. His eyes burn bright with hidden anger until its irises look like pure melted gold and I shudder at his calm wrath. I know I hurt his pride. And defying his orders right after I wounded his ego doesn't improve the situation. His voice is sharp with warning as he snarls at me, "Try to contact that dog if you dare, and Mariko won't be the only one missing."

And with those words, he leaves me alone. Tao's voice through the phone keeps echoing in my head. 'Aki, you put both of us in danger,' he said. And I didn't listen to him. What have I done? How come everything turns into such a mess?

Mariko shivers with cold at the corner of the damp room. Her face is dirty with dirt, tears, and mud. How long has she been here alone in the darkness? It feels like forever already. She has tried yelling and banging the door until her voice becomes rasp and her hands bleed. And now she has passed the point of crying for help. She knows by now that no one will come to rescue her.

Someone gives her food and stinky water regularly through the small hole on the door. But no one answers when she tries to talk to whoever it is at the other side of the door. The food is disgusting. But after some time, she doesn't care anymore. She is hungry and those filthy foods are better than none.

Mariko doesn't understand what happens. A few days after she saw Akihito across the street, she received a letter. It said that it was from Akihito, asking to meet her to explain everything. Akihito told her to meet him alone at the park near her house and not to tell anyone because he was not ready to face Arata yet. So she made an excuse that she needed to buy milk at the convenience store nearby and waited for Akihito. The next thing she knew, she woke up in this dirty room, almost naked but for her underwear.

She hears someone opening the door and instinctively she crawls even further to the corner, trying to cover her body with her arms from whoever it is. It is bright outside the door and she blinks multiple times to adjust her eyes with the light. Someone stands at the entrance of the door. In the beginning, she can only see that person's silhouette. But as her eyes get used to the light, she recognizes the person standing in front of her.

"Akihito?"

The person's reply, however, confuses her, "Akihito? Takaba Akihito, is it? I saw the name was mentioned on that bitch's papers. She didn't realize that I take a peek on her documents, too busy slamming me down into her des