Chapter 7: Suspicious

"And this is a sample of the invitation card that will be sent to guests. VIP guests will get a different card." Akiko was trying to inform Daiki about her plans for the party, but he seemed absentminded. He was busy thinking about Aoi and her husband. 

"Earth to Daiki." 

Daiki snapped back to reality. "Huh?  Sorry Akiko. What were you saying?"

"About the invitation card. You seem lost. What's wrong?"  Akiko put her hands on his shoulders, trying to snap him out of it. But it didn't work because he kept staring at something. "Are you all right? Did something happen at work? Is my sister mad at you?"

"Not at all. Can I ask you something?" 

"Of course."  Akiko let go of his shoulders and folded her arms as she waited for him to continue. 

Daiki took a deep breath. "You have a cousin, Aoi; she is married to Mr. Tanaka Minato, right?" 

"Yes, but how do you know?" Akiko asked. "Are you a spy?" 

"Of course not, silly girl. Your cousin came to the office yesterday." He answered.

"What? She came to the office!" Akiko yelled. "That little...."

"Yikes, calm down. I just wanted to know if there was bad blood between the two of them, but it seems you also have a bad impression of your cousin. Why is that?"

"How do you expect us to talk to her after what her father did?" Akiko sighed. 

"Meaning?"

"Her father is the one who poisoned our father that night." Akiko said as she stared into space. Her eyes were filled with memories from when she was young. The last time she spoke to her father before he died.

"Let me guess, it was because your father was the CEO of the company," Daiki muttered. 

"Exactly. He was jealous and decided to kill my father so he could take the CEO spot, but I guess a crime can't be hidden forever." Akiko said.  She sounded really bitter. 

"How long did it take for the truth to come out?" Daiki asked.

Akiko closed her eyes and opened them again to look directly into his eyes. "Four months."

"It must have been hard for your family to accept that truth." Daiki sympathized.

"Yeah." 

"Your sister really knows how to control her temper." Daiki chuckled. "If I were in her place, I'm sure that I would have killed Aoi yesterday."

"Yes, she does." Akiko couldn't help but smile. "Anyway, what do you think about the cards?" 

"It's pretty."  Daiki replied before looking at his phone to check the time.

It was already 11:00 a.m., which means it's time to go to the factory with Narumi.

"Akiko, you can show me other plans later, but now it's time for me to get ready to leave." Daiki said as he gathered his things. 

"I thought you guys were supposed to be there by 12:00 p.m." Akiko raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, but I'm sure your sister will be down in a few seconds and say let's be going. I don't want to be late. Daiki laughed.

"Daiki!"  Narumi yelled as she came downstairs. Her heels clack against the marble floor. "Let's be going. I don't want to be late." 

She wore black high heels, a red pencil skirt, and a white blouse. Her hair fell loosely around her shoulders, flowing gracefully.

"Hi sis. You look really good." Akiko complimented her, while Daiki starred at Narumi and admired her beauty.

"Thanks, but what exactly are the two of you up to?" Narumi looked at Akiko and then at Daiki.

"We're planning the party, sis." Akiko replied.  "Can you please come home before 5pm? The designer will be here by then." 

"No problem. Where is mom?" Narumi asked. 

"She went shopping," Akiko replied.

"That's alright. Daiki let's get going, time is ticking and I don't want to be stuck in traffic."

"Yes, ma'am."  Daiki muttered and followed Narumi outside. They got into the car and headed towards their destination. When they arrived at the factory, Daiki helped Narumi out of the car. They both entered the building.

"Welcome, Miss Narumi." The head manager bowed respectfully. He looked like a middle-aged man who wore thick glasses. There was a mole above his left eye, and he wore a lab coat with the name Dr. Kataoka written in bold black.

"We're glad you came."

"Goro, I'm glad to be here because it's been a while, and I would love to see how things are being done at my factory." Narumi chuckled before narrowing her eyes. She noticed the manager fidgeting nervously under her gaze, which made her suspect something fishy. 

"So Goro... tell me about the new fragrance." 

The manager smiled brightly. "It's really amazing. Velvet Desert is ready to be launched." 

"Oh really?  That's nice."  Narumi responded.

Goro looked at Daiki and adjusted his glasses. "Who is he?" 

"My personal assistant." Narumi replied. 

"Oh, alright."

Goro turned to Daiki and extended his hands in greeting. "Nice to meet you. I'm Dr. Kataoka Goro."

Daiki shook his hand firmly and nodded. "Tsukumo Daiki."

"We have tested each fragrance twice, and they are all perfect." Dr. Kataoka nodded. "We are just waiting for your order on the packaging."

"Okay. I want you to gather everyone in the conference room and bring the samples for me." Narumi ordered. 

"What.....ma...there's no need---"

"I am the CEO, so unless I have asked for your objections to my orders, just shut up." Narumi growled dangerously.

Goro swallowed and left without uttering another word. 

He could feel his heart pounding. It was already bad news that his boss came over today. If she finds out the truth, then his career will be over. 

"Miss Narumi, why does it feel like you are trying to discover something?" He asked quietly.

Narumi looked at him, and a smirk appeared on her lips. "Because I am. Something is fishy with those perfumes, and I intend to find out what it is."

Daiki frowned and wondered what his boss was planning. She had a huge smirk, and her eyes shone mischievously.

"This woman is so unpredictable," he thought to himself.