12 - Vexation

"He surely is a lucky guy that made Ichinose anguished while admitting it." Asami thought that to himself and there was an annoying surface on his face that he couldn't hide.

Asami couldn't get rid of remembering Ichinose's crying face as he looked miserable while confessing to the person on the phone. He could no longer bear to see his crying face, so he went inside and straight to the mini bar to get some alcohol. Put ice in his glass and pour whiskey then chug it down. Sitting in the chair where it faces the balcony door as if he were waiting for Ichinose to come out.

Ichinose stopped crying and sobbed, and when he calmed himself down, he went inside. He looked at the time on his phone when he saw it was almost 1 am then he hurried to fix himself up. And then saw Master Asami sitting and holding a glass of whiskey. He flinched and felt Asami looking at him with criticism.

"Have you been there earlier?" he asked Asami who was still staring at him as he entered the house.

"Nope, I just arrived, and I still want to drink so I sat here." Asami replied and was still looking at him.

"Did you stay long on the balcony? It's already cold outside; you might get sick if you stay longer." Asami added with a sound of concern for him.

"I was talking to someone and I also smoked so I wasn't that cold." He answered quickly and couldn't look straight into Asami's eyes as if he was lying to him.

Asami frowned his forehead at what Ichinose said and he didn't seem to like it. "Who are you talking to? I mean when I was about to enter the balcony I heard you talking to someone." Asami asked him.

Ichinose couldn't speak because he doesn't want to let Asami know that the person he was talking to is his ex-boyfriend. And he was scared of the thought that something bad might happen to him since his ex-boyfriend had no good intention of letting him go.

"It's okay, if you can't tell. I won't force you." Asami added while sipping his whiskey and he squinted his eyes to Ichinose.

"Please take a seat and we need to talk about the vase." Asami could not hide the displeasure on his face and so he told Ichinose to sit down.

Ichinose felt cold in his back when he heard the tone of Asami and he followed what he was told to. At the same time he thought for the most part of his problems this is what he forgot, he felt abrupt shocks on his body and he was terrified of Asami's irritation still visible on his face. There was a feared-on his face and his nervousness could not be explained.

Asami just stared at him as if he were being measured from head to toe. He was restless because he did not know what to do. He knew Asami was keeping his mother's belongings and he broke that vase.

Ichinose wasn't the only one at fault but he felt sorry if Paige was also to receive a punishment by Asami. So, he will just take all the blame and he thinks that it's not good to discipline Paige that she did not mean to happen. He decided that he would accept whatever reprimand Asami would give him. Ichinose took a deep breath and prepared for himself what his master would say to him.

"Can I ask for a little favor? I know this is impossible, but I beg you master Asami if you will let..." Ichinose's voice trembled with fear and nervousness.

Asami looked at him and listened to what he had to say. He frowned and said… "What favor are you asking and for whom?" There was a trace of irritation in Asami's voice.

"Paige was not at fault for the broken vase and the accident happened when both of us were walking up the stairs." on Ichinose's face begging him to be allowed to release Paige from punishment.

Asami sees in Ichinose's face that he was begging for him, but he did not show that he was affected by Ichinose's plea. He felt sorry for Ichinose but could not get rid of what was running through his mind.

Therefore, Asami wants to say "Who is that man you have loved until now for 7 yrs.? Who are you talking to on the phone and why are you crying to him?" and more, other things that he wants to tell him but he just suppressed them. And his face has darkened because of those things. Since Ichinose is asking for his favor not to punish Paige. He will allow it but, it has a replacement and that is none other than himself.

"In One condition…" Asami looked at him and paused to find out that Ichinose got interested in what he wanted.

Ichinose suddenly looked at him as he stopped speaking. In a cold sweat and nervousness, he must accept whatever Asami wants.

"...in one condition?" Ichinose repeated what Asami said. He couldn't wait for Asami to say something as he kept looking at Asami and waiting for his word.

Asami cleared his throat and said… "None of the maids will take care of me. And you are the only one who will do from my needs to your work in the garden. That is all your job here. Most of all! ..." Asami paused his words and stared intently at Ichinose.

He is gauging Ichinose how far it will react to his demands. And Asami sees that it has no intention of opposing him and just listening to what he says. So, he continues saying… "Most of all, you will stay here in the villa until I say so!" Asami finally told him and sipped the whiskey he was drinking in a commanding tone.

Ichinose's eyes widened at the last thing Asami told him. Asami caught a glimpse of his reaction and even said that....

"If you don't like my condition, it's okay and you can leave the house right now until your fractured ankle heals and you can come back to work. I will punish Paige as much as I want and until my anger is gone, or will you agree to my condition now?" And Asami still continues to sip his whiskey.

He felt as if something was squeezing his throat by surprise upon hearing it and couldn't do anything but to obey Asami's words. He almost cried at the thought of what he heard from Asami, but he had nothing to say so he nodded in response to Asami's decision.

Asami glanced at Ichinose about to cry at what he said and he felt pity that he wanted to hug him but he could not because of his exasperation. He tilted his head and closed his eyes as if his heart were hurting too just by seeing Ichinose's face. Because he couldn't understand all this and he was still confused about what to do with Ichinose.

Asami didn't want Ichinose to leave the villa and wanted to be with him but he couldn't ignore what he heard from Ichinose earlier when he was on the balcony crying. Admitting that he loved someone for more than a year. "Shit! Shit! Why do I have to remember that and why does it feel like this?" said in his mind.

"Also, you are not allowed to use any mobile or phone and receive any visitor from now on. If you want something you just come to me and ask me. If you don't do as I say you'll get more restrictions." Asami added.

"Yes, I understand master Asami." He replied and his head down trying not to cry again.

The thought of Asami was furious of him because he broke the only memorable vase of his mother, he had nothing to say and even he said sorry there is nothing to work on now. He also thinks if Paige received some punishment from him it might be worse since she can't even withstand Asami's temper.

Then suddenly Ichinose broke the silence, even though it's hard for him to stand up, this is nothing compared to the thought that Asami hates him now and he said...

"Master Asami, I'll be going now and I want to rest, please." he pleaded to him because he couldn't take the silence between them.

"Yes, you can and let me help you walk up to your door and be careful when climbing stairs." Asami replied and also stood up and assisted him.

And Ichinose took his crutch to stand up properly and started walking towards the stairs. He felt the tears suddenly drop so he wiped his face instantly and didn't give an answer to Asami instead he let him assist him to the room.

To be continued…...