Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Valentine's Day Dance
'A big limo and a nice suit.' Daiki murmured within. He was seated next to Narumi, who was sitting elegantly and looked extremely lovely in her emerald green gown and well groomed red hair with a white ribbon.
Daiki muttered quietly, 'Damm it.'
"Hear me, Daiki. Given that we are now a couple, I realize that situations like these won't be simple for you to handle." Narumi paused, an air of authority in her quiet voice. "Being prepared is preferable."
"What exactly are you preparing me for?" He questioned.
"The Valentine's Day Dance." She answered in the same solemn manner.
Daiki sighed and massaged his eyes.
"As the name suggests, it's where all the successful CEO's join together with their spouses for a great celebration." Narumi spoke softly before continuing.
"It typically begins at 9 p.m. and ends at midnight. This celebration has been hosted by the Bakamori family for a very long time; it almost feels like a family custom. Also children are permitted to come with their parents."
"Oh, so you went to the event back when your father was still around?" Narumi nodded as Daiki inquired.
"I did, yes. Simply remain at my side throughout, will you?"
"Sure." He merely answered. Narumi was the first to leave once the driver halted outside the Bakamori estate and unlocked the door for them.
Daiki trailed her, attentively observing his surroundings. The gardens were brimming with roses and other flowers in various pink and red tones. The mansion had tall stone walls and stained glass windows.
They stepped through a set of elaborately engraved doors that led to a sizable ballroom with a spectacular chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
"Dear Mr. and Mrs. Tsukumo, welcome." A man in luxurious silk robes welcomed them. "Please join us as we celebrate Valentine's Day at the Bakamori. I hope you enjoy yourself tonight, and if you need anything, don't hesitate to call me or another member of the staff."
"Thank you." Both of them stated it formally before mingling with the guests. The fact that Narumi has been married for four months and the media couldn't figure it out stunned majority of the guest present.
"Miss Narumi.....I mean Narumi." Daiki mumbled. "This event will be attended by every successful CEO, right?"
"Yes."
"That means Mr. and Mrs. Tanaka will also be present." Daiki said.
"As much as I loathe that truth, yes." She replied before slightly narrowing her eyes a little bit.
"That is awful." Narumi laughed softly at Daiki's frank remark.
"You only recently got to know them, yet you already hate them?" She chuckled.
"Can't stop it." Daiki shrugged.
"Greetings, cousin." Suddenly, a charming voice intervened.
Narumi grumbled. "Talk about the devil, and she will show up."
Aoi laughed. "Who is the 'devil' you refer to?"
"Of course, you." Eyes rolling, Narumi said.
"So impolite." Aoi chuckled. She was tempted to choke Narumi for the remark, but she exercised restraint.
"Narumi, you have seriously wounded my sentiments." Aoi cried out. 'You've been married for four months, yet you never told me that."
"You must have seen my conference, Aoi. My mother and younger sister are the family members I specifically mentioned as being aware of it." Narumi stated icily.
"I'm family since I'm your cousin," Aoi grumbled.
"You are not, in fact." Narumi sighed. "I'd really like to enjoy this event without having to deal with irritable folks like you."
"Come on Narumi, don't be so far from me." Aoi pleaded.
"Aoi, listen to me tonight, I don't want to get irritated." Narumi refused to listen to Aoi's cries any more. "And let me warn you: I'll personally see to it that you suffer if I discover that you and your spouse were responsible for the event that occurred at my celebration party."
Aoi swallowed apprehensively, her face filled with worry and terror. "Don't suspect us; we aren't capable of doing that."
Narumi said, "I'm only 89% convinced it's your fault but before doing something, I like to feel assured."
"That's excellent." Aoi remarked uneasily. "I'm leaving right away."
"Please keep in mind that while you are pregnant, you should avoid drinking." Narumi called after Aoi, she had a beautiful smirk on her face which made her get angry.
"Okay." Aoi hushed her response.
'Damn you, Narumi.' Aoi muttered. 'How can I find my husband?'
She looked across the throng to see if she could spot her spouse. Since there were so many individuals there, most couples appeared to be holding hands and giving each other tender glances.
When Aoi ultimately located Minato, he was smiling and holding a glass of wine securely in his right hand while conversing with someone. She approached him and took his hand.
"Please excuse me, but might I borrow your hubby for a second?" She said. "There is an emergency."
Despite giving her a perplexed look, Minato nodded. He was dragged away from the ballroom and toward a secluded area by Aoi. Once they were inside, she swiftly secured the door from the inside and closed it.
"I asked you why you brought me here." Minato snatched back his hand and demanded aggressively.
"There's an issue," Aoi spoke quickly. "Narumi thinks we're to blame for what occurred at her party," she said.
Minato cocked an ear. "Not surprisingly, She thinks we are her enemy and we are just interested in putting her down."
"Darling Narumi will undoubtedly conduct a thorough investigation and learn that we employed a person to watch over her so he could snap photographs." Aoi said while her face twisted with concern.
"She won't be able to link it to us, so relax, my darling." With a little smirk, Minato replied.
"How are you able to say that?" Demanded Aoi.
"I have done something like this before," I said. Minato smiled.
"Still..." Aoi stumbled and became concerned. She then inhaled deeply and arched her back. "I'm hoping she won't learn anything."
"She will not. Although I'm unhappy that our strategy didn't work out, we will nevertheless retaliate." Minato comforted her by giving her a gentle forehead kiss.
Aoi grinned before leaning forward and kissing his cheek. "Thank you, sweetie. Narumi will be destroyed, and we'll force her to turn over the business to us."
"Indeed, we shall." Minato smiled. "Don't worry about it."
"I really want to drink alcohol, but I won't." Aoi complained.
"Are you crazy?" Your unborn child is my inheritance." Minato gently reprimanded. "Just consume water and soft drinks, please."
"Okay, alright." She exhaled. "Let's return to the party,"
They left the room and mingled with the crowd, but Aoi kept her eyes on Narumi and said to herself
'I'm going to make sure that my husband and I end up owning your business. This will be my payback.'
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone