[FIC] Slave (chapter 3)
Ch 3:
Summary: They were all slaves. Jin was slave to his business and revenge , Kame was his slave by a twist of fate. Will they ever be freed ?
Pairing: Akame
Rating: General
Genre: Drama, Romance
Disclaimer: Nope, Don't own them!
“What. Do. You . Mean?”
Though Jin was angry his voice was levelled as he glared the board of directors.
“Mr Akanishi,” Kitagawa smiled smugly at him.
“What we mean is. YOUR father took a loan that accounts to more than a million to invest in a hotel as well as a resort. But due to your father’s...lack of judgement...”
Jin gripped his chair’s armrests.
“....neither has been doing well. They have become a liability. The loan has to be repaid back.”
Jin knew. He knew they had all been waiting a long time to kick him out and now that they finally have an excuse, they will fight to have their way.
“You know the old saying...” Kitagawa leaned back in his chair. “The sins of the father are a debt that the son has to pay.”
He sighed and turned a fatherly gaze onto Jin. It fooled no one.
“We feel you are not right for the job. We feel this burden is just too big for you, my son. We all unanimously vote and request that you step down. It would be what your father would have done.”
Jin stood up in anger. This meeting was a farce. They had already decided and he could do nothing. He had predicted this a long time ago. He knew about the two failed investments and the loan. Only he knew about the sleepless nights he had spent agonizing on how to redeem the situation. Jin took a deep breath to calm himself down. He WILL keep his dignity. He WILL NOT give them the satisfaction that he has been defeated. Jin shoved his hands deep into his pockets.
“Very well . I accede to the request. I will also put my house...MY father’s house up for auction and hand over the stocks to repay the loan.”
The scheming men sat back, pleased that they finally had their way. They exchanged triumphant glances as Jin stalked out of the room.
****
Jin walked into his house wearily. His frustration mounted at his failure. He did not even notice the small figure that was standing by the front door awaiting him.
“Master! Master! Please sir. I need to speak to you!”
Jin stopped in mid stride to direct a glare at Kame. He saw tears gathering in the latter’s eyes. His own worries were forgotten as he turned to Kame.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
He heart lurched as he saw the boy bite back a sob.
“My...My dad. He isn’t well at all. Pl...Please let go see him just...just once before...before...He...He...” Kame could not stop the sob in time.
He knelt on the floor and stared up at Jin with pleading eyes.
“Please.” He whispered.
Jin stared at the boy. He should let him go. The loss of a father...he knew the feeling well. But...
This man was one of the reasons for this whole mess. It was just wrong timing and fate was sometimes cruel that way. Jin stared at the boy.
“No.”
Kame’s eyes widened in shock. He clasped his hands in front of his chest.
“No, don’t say that! Master! Please! Just once! He is asking for me! Master. Please...”
But Jin had walked away. Kame stared at the retreating figure.
“Please.” He pleaded softly to the retreating back, his tears flowing freely now.
He didn’t even feel Koki lifting him up from the ground or Junno wiping his tears again and again as he simply sat on the floor.
****
Jin paced his room. He was supposed to making arrangements regarding his financial status. He knew he can count on Yamapi to help him. He was supposed to be making calls.
Instead, he was only thinking of Kame. The younger one’s pleas and tears filled his mind. It was wrong. He should not do that. He should have been more compassionate. Jin ran a frustrated hand through his hair.
Making up his mind, he decided to go back to the kitchen where Kame would be.
Let him go.
Free the boy.
“No! Nakamaru! I didn’t get to say goodbye! No,nononononono!”
Jin froze at the door. He peered in to see a tall thin man holding the small crying Kame. Koki and Junno surrounded them. But his eyes were focused only on the boy. Jin felt twisted. He had never meant to hurt the other this way. The pain Kame was going trough was almost palpable to Jin.
Nakamaru blinked back his tears as he held the other. Kame’s father thoughts had only been on Kame. Kame’s name was the last word he gasped. He had run to the mansion the moment he knew the older man would not make it through the pneumonia. Nakamaru had hidden the old man’s condition from Kame at the former’s request.
He thought Kame would come immediately. Even Junno urged him to do so. Both were surprised to see Kame hesitate.
“I ...Jin has to give his permission. I can’t go not unless Jin...”
Maru could hardly believe his ears.
“Are you that afraid of him?”
Kame could only stare at the floor.
“He’ll be back soon.” He muttered. Even so, tears fell down Kame’s cheeks.
Suddenly, the weight in Maru’s hands increased. He looked down in shock to see Kame had fainted.
“Ka...Kame!”
Jin’s eyes widened when he realised that Kame’s sobs had stopped. The boy was falling to the floor in a dead faint. No one even saw Jin move. But somehow, Kame was suddenly in Jin’s arms. The older boy picked him up bridal style.
“Bring me some water!” he commanded to the shocked Junno.
Ignoring everyone else, Jin made his way to his room.