5.

FIVE YEARS LATER

My eyes glided over the familiar view of San Francisco as the plane descended, causing my stomach to tie into knots and nausea to hit me harder than a storm.

Memories I thought were buried assaulted me like the smell from a lively kitchen only this time, it made my stomach churn.

It was supposed to be easy to be back since I thought I was stronger but I guess my supposed new strength was all in my head.

I wanted to say that I was back home, but could I still consider this place that was the cause of my nightmares my home?

I shivered involuntarily as the plane finally stopped and the door was opened for passengers to exit.

I remained seated as the other passengers hurried out of the plane to unite with family members or friends. It felt like I could hear the blood rushing through my veins and I was hesitant to move.

I should have allowed Nova to pick me up instead of meeting up at the house. Maybe it would have helped but I needed to do something first.

“You’ll be fine” I was pulled from my thoughts as Shiro placed his hand above mine and squeezed lightly to give me the support I needed. I turned my head in his direction to look at him.

“Will I?” I was going to allow myself to be vulnerable with him. He was family and he would never look down on me for a moment of weakness.

“You held up until now, there is no reason why you won’t be. Besides, I’m here. You know I would never let you fall” He whispered strongly to me with the determination that I could depend on.

“I know” I whispered as well before I leaned over my seat to press my lips to his cheeks “Thank you, oniichan”

He stroked my hair with a small tug of his lips. Shiro barely smiled and I had gotten used to it so small moments like this meant a lot to us.

“Come on, let’s go before the flight attendants kick us out” He teased in a rare moment, and I chuckled. I took the hand he held out for me so we could leave the plane.

There was still that knot in the pit of my stomach but it had loosened up, allowing me to breathe easy. The memories had also faded into the background.

“I don’t know why you won’t let us hire security. A housekeeper would only be useful for house chores and nothing to protect you” He grumbled as we went through customs with my hands tucked in his elbows.

“Because I don’t see the need for them. You can protect me just fine and it would be uncomfortable to have them follow me everywhere plus the housekeeper is good with knives so I’ll be fine” I told him then turned to collect my passport from the woman.

“It’s not the same.” He countered and I hummed absentmindedly while I scanned the airport.

“The car should be outside” Shiro told me after he had collected our boxes. I took mine from him and we began to make our way outside.

The car we rented was where they promised it would be parked and soon we were on our way.

“Are we still going there?” Shiro asked from the driver’s seat.

My eyes met his disapproving glare in the mirror but I turned away. He knew that there was no going back. If there was, we wouldn’t be here, in this country that I wanted to be far from.

We were on our way to GREY to propose my deal to Davian. There was no need to waste any more time. I've already spent enough time leaving those people that hurt me to be happy.

The Davian I had met a handful but immemorable amount of time was a bastard. He knew how powerful he was and didn’t hesitate to put you down.

I spent months watching every interview he gave, and every conference he spoke in and hated the audacious pride on his very annoying but good-looking face.

I could feel Shiro’s eyes on me as he drove and I rolled my eyes but didn’t meet his gaze like he wanted.

“Glaring at me won’t make me change my mind, oniichan.” I told him with a smile as I brought up a picture of Davian.

In the photo, his eyes were set with intent, gazing into the camera like he knew the effect it would have on whoever stared at it and I hated it but my annoyance for the man would have to be bottled up if we were going to work together.

“We can look for another method. I don’t like this plan” I could hear his fingers drum against the steering wheels as he spoke.

“Don’t” I warned. I’ve heard enough oppositions from Kenji, his father and Grandma and I didn’t want to deal with his too.

“You won’t change my mind if Grandma couldn’t,” I said calmly. I didn’t want to contemplate the other options I had. This would be the most effective and safer for him.

“I have to try” He said before he cleared his throat and focused on driving while I went through the file I had on Davian.

Shiro had managed to find out that Davian had a burning well of hatred for Blair and Sabrina.

Okay, I may be exaggerating it a little bit but he was angry with them because Sabrina had stolen the design ideas from one of the luxury brands Davian sponsored and had showcased it as hers at an international competition which made the company lose face and credibility which in turned made Davian lose a lot of money as their stocks plummeted to an all-time low.

The move had been stupid, not that it should be a surprise since they'd never showed an iota of intelligence when it came to business but what had been a surprise was that Davian kept quiet.

There was no public address of the situation from him since it caused a little stir which was unusual until I discovered why, proving to me why people regarded him as the devil.

It was also what gave me a little tinge of hope that he might respond positively to my request since we shared common goals and I could give him what he wanted.

“We are here” Shiro announced and I glanced outside the car windows to see he had parked in a hidden spot at the corner of the parking lot.

“Did you make the appointment?” I asked him.

I knew I couldn’t meet someone like Davian just by walking into his establishment so I asked Shiro to make it possible to ensure I met Davian today. I didn't know how but I knew he would make it possible.

“Yes. The appointment is in ten minutes” He answered gruffly and I ignored the disapproval in his tone.

“We are right on time then” I told him with a smile.

“Do you need me to come with you?” Shiro asked, already removing his seat belt so he could climb out but I tapped his shoulders to stop him.

“No. Wait in the car. It shouldn’t take long” I said.

“Are you sure? We don’t fully know who we are dealing with” He said concerned.

“I will be fine. The worst that can happen is him saying no” I told him with a grin before climbing down from the car.

I exhaled and adjusted my face cap to shield my face better before I made my way into the building. I couldn't risk anyone seeing me now. It was too early to get noticed by anyone.

His office was located on the eighth floor and he had a secretary who would grant me entrance to his office.

The elevator door dinged as it opened on the eighth floor. I followed the hallway and when I got closer, I heard a noise of commotion from the end.

“What do you mean I can't see him? Do you know who I am?” Someone screeched and my steps froze.

I could recognize that voice anywhere. Blair.

Fuck. I didn't expect to see her here. I took a deep breath and adjusted my cap again. I pulled my scarf towards my mouth so it would shield my identity more before making my way towards the chaos.

“I’m sorry. You need an appointment to see Mr Grey” The lady behind the desk answered with a gritted smile as she tried to keep her cool.

I was familiar with what she was feeling because I felt the same way. Blair was the most annoying pest I had ever met in my life.

“I’m sorry but I'll have to ask the security to escort you out. This is a corporate establishment and you are causing a nuisance and disrupting our work” The Lady said, still trying to keep her calm.

“What?” How dare you? Davian?” She screeched just as security pushed past me towards her.

I saw her eyes fall on my approaching figure and her eyes narrowed. I made sure to ignore her, confident she wouldn't be able to recognize me before I approached the secretary.

“Good afternoon, how may I help you?” The lady greeted with a warm smile on her face, far different from the one she was giving Blair.

“I have an appointment to see Mr Grey” I told her with my carefully crafted smile.

“Really?” she asked, confused as her fingers moved seamlessly across the keyboards. Davian did not have me on his schedule this morning but he would now.

“Yes. I’m sure you can confirm it” I gestured towards her computer.

“You really do” She confirmed and I breathed out in relief. I knew Shiro wouldn't fail me but I was still nervous. And I could still feel Blair’s eyes on me as she struggled against the men attempting to escort her out.

“Please, come with me” She rose to her feet, adjusted her skirt and made her way around the table.

“What?” Blair yelled, “How come she gets to see him and I can’t?”

We ignored her as I followed the secretary but Blair didn’t stop there.

“You” She screamed and I turned to her with raised brows even though she could barely make out my expression. “Who are you and what’s your relationship with Davian?”

I scoffed before turning away and following the secretary while Blair was finally dragged away. I let out a shaky breath and clenched my hands to stop them from trembling.

I hated that I felt unstable with that little encounter. I tried to calm myself down.

I followed her down the hallway to the large door at the end with the obnoxious title, Director written in gold letters.

She knocked twice and opened the door softly before poking her head inside the office “Mr Grey, your 2 o’clock is here”

I didn’t hear what the reply was but judging by the way her shoulders tensed, it was not good. He was also not expecting someone.

She opened the door wider and gestured for me to go in. “He will see you now”

My stomach clenched in anticipation as I stepped through the door that was held open for me. I was seconds to the beginning of my plan.

The air in the office was different. The door closed softly with a click behind me and it felt like the air around me became thick with tension or was it just me?

The man behind the table was just as he was from the burial only this time there was a visible tick in his brows as he glowered at me.

“Mr Grey” I began, ignoring the rock at the bottom of my stomach. I removed my cap and lowered the scarf so he could see my face. Even I wouldn't want to discuss business with someone who was dressed that way.

“Why are you here?” His voice was cold as he spoke, leaving no room for excuses or answers.

“I have a proposal” That was a stupid start and the brow he lifted agreed with me but I continued nonetheless.

“My name is…”

“I don’t care about that. What I want to know is how the fuck you manipulated my schedule because I know for sure you shouldn’t be standing in my office like you have something to offer me” His eyes were cold like his tone as he looked me up and down like I was an annoying bug.

I could feel my confidence start to waver. “Maybe because I have something to offer” I declared, holding on to my last shred of mental confidence. I won’t lose face in front of him.

The smile that graced Davian’s face didn’t meet his eyes. “I doubt you have anything that will be of worth to me”

“I have a proposition for you. Let’s get married”