41 Diamonds and Pearls

He loved his work.

Not as much as he loved Kaoru, of course. That would be sacrilege.

However, there was immense satisfaction to be had when one of his ventures was successful.

Payback only made it sweeter.

Initially, he only wanted to peek into the rumors that the paper was in financial strain. Have a quick look at the numbers.

He was surprised to discover that the target was, in fact, owned by a very promising company. Small and private but with a stable of sound assets and brands.

He also didn't expect to uncover a wrath of problems – a fractious management, major shareholders comprising family members who were split bitterly and corporate governance which was looser than his past sexual conduct.

This was a company and a publication which should be making a lot more money.

It was asking for an intervention.

It was their fault for bringing his attention to them.

He would never turn down a good opportunity.

Really, Keigo had no choice.

"This is brilliant," one of his executives enthused as a couple of them escorted him out of the office building.

"Since I increased their circulation, I should take advantage of it," Keigo commented sardonically.

Takumi's agency had managed to stall more articles, which bought Keigo time to put the deal together.

But everyone in his firm had seen the headlines. According to Akino, there was a collective sigh of envy among the secretaries.

One of his men laughed nervously. "Agree."

"We, ah, wouldn't have looked into them otherwise."

He decided to save them from further embarrassment by getting back to business. "I'll let you gentlemen handle the rest."

"Don't worry. We'll tie up the loose ends."

"Have a good evening, sir."

Keigo nodded amiably and got into his car.

Okubo asked, "Had a good day, sir?"

"Is it that obvious?" Keigo asked wryly.

"Quite." Okubo paused and turned around to offer him a box of what appeared to be fancy cookies. "Would you like one?"

"Thanks. What's the occasion?" Keigo wondered and took a daintily wrapped piece.

His chauffeur settled back into his seat and began to drive away. "A reporter who wanted information about you gave these to me today."

"Oh?" Keigo's ears perked. "Do tell."

"It's someone from THAT tabloid." Okubo sounded disgusted. "I offered that you live a very predictable lifestyle between the office and home."

Keigo was inordinately amused. "It's not far from the truth."

Okubo continued, "He didn't believe me. So I told him to take back the envelope and leave the box as payment."

"Well done. Not to worry, there will be no more visits from them after today," Keigo promised.

"Very good, sir."

"Thanks for sharing the spoils with me." Keigo smirked as he took a bite. "This is quite good."

"Not as good as Mr. Aihara's," Okubo said loyally.

"I'll let him know." Of course, Keigo noted with fondness, Kaoru had charmed Okubo as well.

Said charmer was flipping through a magazine on the sofa when he walked into the living room.

"Keigo!" he greeted with the usual smile.

Welcoming and warm. Even now, a little shy.

"Kaoru, you are a genius," Keigo announced and sat beside him.

"I am?" Kaoru was confused.

"Brilliant," Keigo added and slung an arm around his shoulders.

"What did I do?" Bafflement colored Kaoru's eyes.

Keigo's response was to reach for his lips.

He meant for it to be a quick kiss but swiftly abandoned the idea when Kaoru hummed against his mouth. Arms went around each other, pulling closer.

He hauled Kaoru onto his lap. The discarded magazine dropped onto the floor. Forgotten.

Tea. Floral and sweet. The taste lingered when Keigo moved onto Kaoru's neck, sucking the delicate skin which caused Kaoru to draw in a sharp breath and gripped his suit.

"Bloody brilliant," Keigo murmured.

"Y-You didn't say why."

"Oh, I bought the tabloid," Keigo said distractedly.

"You..." Kaoru started and froze. "You what?"

He released Kaoru reluctantly when the latter scrambled off his lap.

Keigo corrected himself, "I bought the company that owns the tabloid."

"But I thought they stopped publishing…"

"Courtesy of Takumi's agency," Keigo agreed. "But it was too late. I couldn't help myself."

"You couldn't help yourself," Kaoru repeated in bewilderment.

Keigo shrugged. "It is a good business decision."

"It is?"

"I'm selling parts of the company to very interested buyers," Keigo explained. "They've been dying to get their hands on these."

"A-and the tabloid?"

"It turns out that certain people in the current management haven't been too pleased with the present trajectory of their publications. They wish to take it over."

"So you sold it to them?" Kaoru asked, still reeling from shock.

"We're co-owners. They had the great pleasure of firing the current editor today." Keigo smiled innocently.

Kaoru stared at him blankly and sputtered, "Keigo, you are…"

"Ruthless? Machiavellian? An irredeemable capitalist?" Keigo supplied.

"Unbelievable." Kaoru said helplessly.

"That too," Keigo agreed.

Kaoru asked hopefully. "At least there won't be any more articles?"

"I am banking on the fact that they are not incentivized to defame one of their owners."

Kaoru could only shake his head in disbelief.

"You just made me a lot of money, baby," Keigo pulled him in.

"I did not," Kaoru said.

"It was your idea," Keigo countered. "You deserve a reward."

Kaoru sighed with a little relief. "I'm just glad that-"

"You know, Kaoru, you've never asked me for a present," Keigo mused. It occurred to him that this was a situation which needed to be rectified immediately.

"That's not true," Kaoru protested.

"We'll have to disagree," Keigo said equably. "Come on, what do you want?"

Kaoru must have, incomprehensibly and for reasons which eluded Keigo, thought that he was joking because he just said, "I want us to eat the melon that I bought today. Do you want to get changed first?"

Keigo was perplexed. He insisted, "No. I want you to demand a gift."

Kaoru disengaged his arm gently and stood up. "What? Rubies? Diamonds?"

"All possible. Shall we go shopping this weekend?" Keigo suggested.

Kaoru merely laughed and waved the idea away.

Before Keigo could protest, Kaoru bent down and kissed his cheek shyly. "I have a home. I have you coming home to me. I don't need anything else."

Keigo was floored into silence.

Kaoru smiled softly and started to head to the kitchen.

Keigo got over his shock and followed Kaoru.

"Paintings?"

"Nope."

"Cars?"

"No."

"Apartments?"

"Keigo!"