Tomoyo flared up."Geisha?YOUR Geisha?Never!!"
Eriol had anticipated her reaction already."Look,I'll pay
you triple your salary now,and in no time you'll be able to pay
me the land.All you have to do is to keep me company."
"K-Keep you company?"Tomoyo looked confused when she
detected loneliness in his eyes,but his emotion disappeared
quickly.
"Don't worry,Bijin.I will never lead a virgin to my bed
under false pretenses."He said with a chuckle.
She gaped at him,blushing profusely."That was a low
crack,Obake."
He shrugged."Just parroting your thoughts out loud.I was
just giving you an assurance that I know what a geisha is."
"Unbelievable."she muttered.
"I know."he winked."If you say yes,I'll give you
my land immediately."
"Immediately?"she echoed with interest.
"Immediately."he repeated,more firmly this time.
She thought quickly then in a resigned tone,she
said,"Fine,I'll work for you."
His eyes lit up."Really?"he asked excitedly.
"Real-ly."She held out her hands."Now give me your
side of the bargain."
He seized it and kissed it."I shall deliver the papers to
you this afternoon personally."He smiled up at her."At
the same time,I shall fetch you and your things."
"W-What do you mean?"
"You're going to live with me."
Tomoyo looked at the parchment.Once she signs her name,she would
get their land back,but she would belong to the Western obake
until he would finally decide to dismiss her services.
Her housemates knew that she would work for him as a cook,and not
a geisha.She chose not to tell them anymore to avoid possible
conflicts.
Besides,her pride was already wounded as it was,and her family's
pity on her would only add salt into the injury.She could have
just said "no" to the obake ad infinitum,but she had
accepted the sad truth that money and influnce were synonymous
with power.Her principles,no matter how right they were,could
never produce miracles for her.20 bars of gold is 20 bars of gold
and she could never earn that much even if she would spent a
lifetime and a half working.
She swallowed her pride-goodness knows how bitter it was!-and she
quietly signed away her name,and her freedom as well.
"You made the right decision."said Eriol.
"You made it sound like it was the ONLY decision."she
countered.
Sonomi and Sakura entered the room with Tomoyo's things.
"Take care of
Tomoyo,obake-er,Mr.Ambassador,sir."stammered the younger
woman.
"Yes,of course.You don't need to say that because I would do
just that."His voice was laced with amusement.
Sonomi gazed at her daughter with understanding."Thank
you,child."
Tomoyo fought back her tears.She bowed
down."Goodbye,Mother.I shall visit you soon."
Outside,Eriol took her things."Er,Bijin,do you mind telling
me what an Obake is?"
Tomoyo gave him a nauseatingly sweet smile."A monster."
He sighed."Gee thanks.You like me that much,huh?"
Well at least his life in the mansion won't be as dull as before.