Chapter 3
Disclaimer: I do not own Shaman King
Acquiescence
Star Productions, New York City, USA
Still Mid-October; one week later
Jeanne had to do it.
She knew she had to. It was the only way.
That was why she was here in New York City to find the monster that lives within it. Eying the building that was the heart of all its branches all over the world; there it stood erect all in its magnificence and grandeur.
The Star Productions which was actually a conglomerate. A business organization involved in many areas that consisted of a number of companies that deal with a variety of different business, manufacturing, or commercial activities. Who was actually led by one man and a million workers under him.
Looking at it in a different manner she realized the gap between them was too extreme. Even if his furyoku lies dormant at this moment he could kill her just by a wave of his hand. Why he decides to play with her was still an enigma to her though. But since she was already here it was only right to pay the arrogant fool a visit.
A warm air greeted the young lady when she entered the building. It was much warmer and cozier inside than to be standing out in the snow at this point. Nearing the receptionist; she sense him near her just like before and as she turned, there he was with his genuine smog little smile plastered on his lips.
'Missed me?' While closing the gap and taking her hand on his lips; surprising some of his subordinates that was in the main lobby. But he didn't care; she will soon become his bride and to make the relationship work was to make it believable to everyone around.
'Does it matter if I don't?' whispering it to him only for them to hear, while her rose-pink mouth curved into a smile with her ruby eyes lightened with a touch of mischief to her would be-husband.
Yet the retort did not hit where she expected it to for instead of a frown to greet her the young man answered his guest with a smile 'A little more of that, my dear and I'll soon get my Iron Maiden Jeanne back,' raising her hands once more to his lips. 'But come we must leave this place, away from prying eyes; let's go to my office.'
Turning his heels and taking her with him they got into a secluded room and with a raise of a finger; they were already in his quarters. Aware that the room was quite cold. he approached the chimney sweep to make a fire, while she sat comfortably on a chair nearby. Eying her at the corner of his eye, he commended her figure even before.
He saw a tall, slender creature which had elegance and serenity on her face. Contrary to what he saw a week before their meeting in the dim lighted room he saw at least some of the essence back into her face while she was still a little girl.
The gap of five years between them is often balanced by his humorous nature and by her serious face. This must be why a lot of people see the couple as at the same age.
The idea that he was older made it odd that he was the one who was always like his brother Yoh, smiling his happy go lucky smile and Jeanne with her solemn exterior and reserved smile to others.
Contemplating at it for the moment a frown marred her face again when she saw him looking at her. It was often like this; every time Hao was around she would never smile while Hao would just try to make the mood comfortable for the both of them. If a stranger would come by and ask directions from the two; who did you think would he come to first?
A smile again appeared on his face when he concluded that Jeanne was just too serious on all things. Maybe with their marriage in hand (if she accepts) she would change a little of her ways; confirming to his lifestyle.
Looking at her again; he noted with approval that she did not cross her legs like the other women he knew just to entice and seduce their male occupants but sat demurely with her hands folded in her lap.
Demure that was something, modesty is often associated with this woman but every time he sees her. It was not modesty that he saw but confidence and elegance radiated within the lady.
A shaft of sunlight hallowed her head that gave her the look of an angel; which ironically was actually one to begin with. She had the same rounded forehead and had the most beautiful snow white skin if not for her paleness a week ago. But it was her luscious hair that really made the illusion perfect; her long straight platinum hair was perfect.
That must be the attraction that draws him often to her and not to any woman he ever met in his life; it was her natural look with no color of makeup that made Hao fall for her or maybe just one of the many reasons why he popped the question on her.
On the other hand, he was not the only one in his office eying his companion. The lady too was doing the same but in another light. The feeling was not the same and there was only one word to describe it.
Awkward.
It was just too awkward. Here she was in the heart of his commercial empire; sitting comfortably for how long looking at the young man before her making fire.
Analyzing the situation she soon concluded that his sadistic, manipulative behavior would be his downfall; she assures him of that. Though aside from her spiteful description she must admit he was still the most intriguing man she had ever met.
His looks were even different to the environment he is within at the moment. His hair; raven black as his brother and his skin; darker than any Japanese she encountered. If his skin was anything to go by, it was a light bronze that complemented his hair.
As his head moved to the direction of the window, she was struck by the pure lines of his long, narrow nose and cute mouth that was beautifully curved when he smiled. The features were so perfect that they might have been effeminate had it not been for the hard tautness of the muscles. Which was different from the scrawny boy she met long ago.
Now, after the long wait of starting the fire; it was time to go straight to the point, 'So have you decided on my proposition?' standing as if towering on the lady sitting before him.
'You mean blackmail...' she curled to express her dislike on the situation.
The glint of humor in his eyes was very evident that made Jeanne even more uncomfortable. When Hao finally spoke it was as if he was addressing a child, 'It is not blackmail Jeanne; blackmail has no choice. You have.'
'Tell me my dear, if I accept your proposition will I have free reign on all my affairs?'
'Not really free reign, but if I allow you and give you your every whim then yes, I will let you have it.'
'What about your friends,will they not wonder?'
'They will, but as long as they don't show any violent reactions to our marriage it's fine with me.'
'Don't you care about what people might think?' Her inflected tone showed a little of what was really raging on herself.
'I do not care what people might think as long as they do not question me.'
'And how about this whole affair, I must tell this to Marco; I'm sure he'll understand.'
'No, that will be one of our agreements; we will speak to no one about this.'
'What about your family, surely they would ask how we got together?'
'The Asakura clan does not actually acknowledge my existence only my mother and brother does. So you just have to be careful especially to Yoh's fiancée, Anna.'
Closing her eyes to take it all in like she did before she still could not understand it why was he doing this to her; what's his purpose?
As if reading her mind, he said, 'You know, Jeanne I acknowledge my mother for giving birth to me and my brother Yoh. Though deep inside her it was against her will to take away her children's life to end my reign she consented. When I was born, my grandfather Yohmei called upon his spirits to take my life but with my spirit of fire inside me.' He sighed.
'Of course, I did not allow it and protected myself. Though they intended to kill me, I owe a lot to my mother; especially when she knew what she was bearing inside her. Still she did not attempt to kill me even when I was on her womb. She never tried to abort nor try anything to harm us inside.'
'That my dear may just be a mother's intuition; any mother would protect her child.'
'Even if my spirit took over her body just to impregnate her?'
'Your spirit had to do what it needed to do for it to live.' Was she actually looking for justification on what occurred twenty-three years ago?
He didn't know it but Jeanne was actually right, she did know his soul; more than he ever will. The look he gave her held surprise, as if he sensed she was trying to make things easy for him, but his only comment was a nod of acquiescence and when he next spoke it was a subject entirely different from the one before.
'Our union would become a marriage of convenience; I myself will have certain advantages...'
'Which is?'
'If I have you I cannot expect to have another.' His eyes glowed with malicious humor as she recognized that he recovered his composure.
'You will become my excuse, Jeanne. With you beside me I will have everything a man can ask for.'
'Will that be my role, Hao? Your doll wife?'
A smirk soon appeared on his face as he understood what she meant, 'You will never become my toy Jeanne. You know this; with my help you can save the world against famine, suffering and all those things.'
'What if you change your mind in the future?'
A sigh soon left his lips as she would always make him do when they have a conversation, 'Jeanne why do you often worry about those things, you should just cherish the moment. For now I just want you to become my wife. You shall become a paragon of my eternal fidelity.'
'Fidelity, can I trust you not to at least cheat on me?' It was more of a warning rather than actually a question.
'And why would I cheat on you my love? It will suit me for you to become my wife. You are educated and well-mannered; another is that you make no demands on me.'
'And what about you, will you ask me for nothing in return?'
'Nothing, but for you to be at my side; to dine in my table and act as my wife.'
'To sleep in your bed and touch me as you like?' Using the same tone he used to retort his statement as she stood.
He could sense her inhibitions as she came closer to the fire. Obviously this was merely a sign for him to persuade her more.
Wrapping his arms around her midriff he bend his head to her ears, inhaling her scent before nibbling at her ear, making her stiffen; afterwards whispering into it in his most sensual of tones. 'You forget my love. I already touched you. I've already seen your body...'
At first there was a flush on the high cheekbones of her European features that glittered passion in her eyes. The way his fingers traced the outline of her chest made her shiver of what he meant to do.
She wanted to be with him again like they did a couple of years ago. But when she realized that passion often faded like what happened before she was sickened to the fact to what this might lead.
Pushing violently away from him, at once she put the distance of the room between them and came to rest at the window.
'As much as you want that to happen again, I won't let you. Though I will accept your proposition, I will never let you touch me again.'
'Try as you may my dear, I was your first and I will still be your last.' The coolness of his voice flicked her like a knife. She marveled on how he could speak with such control when she was nearly breaking inside.
With nothing more to say she was gone using her own powers to transport her back to Paris.