Chapter 322
Chapter 322
\[AUTHOR: SORRY, SHOULD HAVE PLACED IT THREE CHAPTERS BEHIND. JUST SO YOU KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THEIR STORY.\]
SYNOPSIS:
Ice needed a miracle.
Kenji Takumi needed a husband.
Ice Arisaka never imagined he'd be the answer.
Tattooed, chain-smoking, and leading a secret bike gang by night, Ice is the rebellious heir his traditional family would disown in a heartbeat. But when his father falls into a coma and a ruthless rival threatens to destroy the Arisaka empire, Ice is left with one desperate shot: storm into Takumi Corporation and beg for a partnership.
He never expected the cold, untouchable CEO waiting for him… to be the same man he brutally rejected on a Paris beach months ago.
Kenji Takumi — brilliant, devastatingly handsome, and now holding all the cards.
Kenji doesn't offer mercy. He offers a deal:
One year. Fake marriage. No feelings.
In public, Ice must become the perfect, obedient husband. Behind closed doors, Kenji intends to make him pay for that humiliating rejection… one slow, torturous touch at a time.
But as stolen kisses turn into heated nights and carefully guarded secrets begin to crack, Ice realizes the most dangerous truth of all:
None of this feels fake anymore.
And Kenji?
He stopped pretending weeks ago.
"Well, then, I will send you the contract, Mr. Kenji. I was about carrying it on with just Mr. Orion, but I'm glad you settled." The president shook Kenji's hand as he stood from his chair.
"Pleasure is all mine, Mr. President," Kenji replied, bowing his head.
A bodyguard walked into Kenji's office, moving straight to the president to whisper something in his ear.
"Go," the president said.
Kenji and Sebastian shared a meaningful look, waiting for the president to speak to them.
"It's the same issue..." Mr. President started, glancing at Sebastian before facing Kenji.
"As partners, it is your duty to make sure that Mr. Orion sends over his security details to me. He's refused me for three months, and I think I'm in dire need of top-notch bodyguards." The president surprised them by sitting down again.
Kenji glanced at Sebastian; his face was calm, but the impatience was clear in his eyes.
He looked toward the corner, where Ice sat on the long couch, texting whoever was necessary. He needed the president to leave so he could continue taming his wild cat. He knew there was more to Ice than just hidden tattoos and piercings, and he was going to dig them up.
The more advantage he held over Ice, the easier it would be to bend him... to his will.
"What could this problem be, Mr. President?" Kenji questioned, sounding patient.
"My son is being threatened in school. I need Mr. Orion's men to protect him and also find out who the attacker is. We have searched but only met a dead end." He explained.
"Ah, you want to detail your son, and you need Sebastian's men to do that. That's easy; he will send in his most eligible men by noon. They are very efficient," Kenji promised, nodding at Sebastian.
The president smiled. "Good. If they helped you beat Bison, then this will be nothing to them." He laughed happily.
Sebastian gave Kenji a dark look, shaking his head.
Kenji cleared his throat. "Um, Mr. President, may I confirm that when you said you need Sebastian's men, you mean his very personal team?" he asked cautiously.
The president nodded. "Is that a problem?"
Sebastian tightened his jaw, holding himself back from telling the president exactly what was wrong.
Kenji gently walked around his table to stand beside the president. "Mr. President, I apologize for the inconvenience, but the team you seek is currently unavailable as they are currently in different parts of the world... vacation."
"Demand their return, then?" The president turned to Sebastian, frowning.
Sebastian sighed. "Mr. President, even if they should return... I do not think –"
"I shall like to withdraw from our investment." The president stood, his face turning angry.
Kenji gently cleared his throat, summoning the businessman in him. "We will think about your request, Mr. President. There is no need to withdraw; contracts have been signed. Am I right, Sebastian?" He gave Sebastian a pointed look.
Sebastian reluctantly nodded. "Of course, Mr. President. Once they return, I will assign someone to your son," he said.
"Good. Our deal is done." The president shook Kenji's hand and then Sebastian's.
"Ice?" he called to the young man, who had chosen to isolate himself from their discussion.
The moment Ice heard the president call his name, he sprang from the couch, walking over to bow to him.
"Mr. President," Ice acknowledged.
"Congratulations on your marriage. And welcome to the circle of responsible men." The president patted Ice's shoulder and left the office.
The bodyguards outside the door immediately escorted him away, leaving Ice with two not-so-familiar billionaires.
"Then, I shall take my leave, too," Ice said.
"Not so fast, husband." Kenji held Ice's hand, stopping him.
Ice gritted his teeth; he had barely looked sane throughout their boring business discussion, and now that he needed to escape and smoke, this overbearing fake husband was stopping him.
"Where are you going?" Kenji asked.
Sebastian crossed his legs, enjoying the entertainment. He was gathering information to deliver to his husband when he got home.
Kenji finally found his wild cat, and somehow even managed to marry him on the same day. What an interesting start; he could not wait to see how Kenji tames Ice—that is, if he tames Ice at all.
"I'm going over to my company –"
"Our company," Kenji corrected.
Ice scoffed quietly. "I just need to make sure no one's trying anything funny–"
"Why would they, when our partnership is making headlines?" Kenji proudly showed Ice his screen.
\[ARISAKA CORPORATION NOW TO BE MERGED AS ONE WITH THE TAKUMI GROUP\]
A smirk tugged on Ice's lips; he could imagine the shock on Tar's face and the joy on his mother's face.
He did it; he saved his family's business, but at what cost?
"Thank you," Ice said genuinely.
He might not like the terms between Kenji and himself, but the fact remains that Kenji saved his ass.
Kenji nodded once, giving Sebastian a coy look. "Let's go." He tugged on Ice's sleeve.
"Where?" Ice questioned, refusing to follow.
"To see his parents," Sebastian said as he stood, stepping closer to Ice.
Ice unconsciously took a step back. Seeing a mafia boss in person has a way of making one wish to disappear. Sebastian looked so intense, yet he carried a welcoming aura around him.
Unlike his fake husband, who looked boring, acted boring, and had a boring aura around him.
Wait!
Did Sebastian just say to see Kenji's parents?!
Ice gulped and looked up at Sebastian. "His parents?" he asked slowly.
"Do not go easy on him, Ice. Trust me, you'll thank me later." Sebastian patted Ice's shoulder and walked toward the door.
"Also," he paused and glanced at Kenji, "I hope you figure out how to provide the president with the security you promised." He left after that.
Kenji stood there, staring at the door in frustration.
Typical Sebastian.
"Come on," Kenji marched to the door.
"No," Ice said, moving forward to stand in front of Kenji. "I can't meet your parents," he stated.
Kenji nodded. "Then let's meet yours–"
"No!" Ice snapped, biting his lip as he realized what he'd done. "Listen... we can't see any parents. You said there will be rules; we need to make those rules first before anything. Do you understand?" he asked slowly.
Kenji stared at Ice, taking in the panic in his eyes even though he tried to mask it.
"I understand," Kenji replied. "But that doesn't mean you get to walk away." He placed his hand on Ice's back, leaning closer.
Ice stiffened. He hated it whenever Kenji invaded his privacy. But he stood still, refusing to cower from Kenji's subtle madness.
"Then what? Are you tying me to your waist?" Ice challenged softly.
Kenji smiled. "Yes. We're going home." He surprised Ice by kissing his cheek before walking out of the door.
What the...
Ice sighed and followed Kenji out of the office.
As he walked toward the elevator, he saw everyone sneaking looks at him, especially the short girl who caused the whole chaos. If he was that petty, he would have rubbed it in her face that he was now married to her boss and was technically her boss. But he didn't want anyone knowing about his deal with Kenji; the less people involved, the less complicated it got.
He got in the elevator, keeping his distance from Kenji.
"You can relax," Kenji spoke up, glancing at Ice.
Ice ignored him, staring at the mirror wall.
Kenji smirked, deciding to make it impossible for Ice to ignore him.
Ice suddenly frowned as Kenji's frame suddenly blocked his path. His blue eyes lifted, brows arching in silent questioning.
"Rule number one..." Kenji trailed a finger along Ice's arm. "No condoms," he whispered.
"What?!" Ice literally barked, his jaw almost falling to the floor in disbelief.