The Pleasure Palace (7 page)

Deanna looked around the limo and saw that Akira didn’t spare any expense. He had it stocked with wine a small cheese and fruit 86 | P a g e

platter, blanket and soft music.

“Would you like a glass of wine? Some cheese and fruit?”

Deanna smiled, “Let’s start with wine and have the fruit after we use the blanket.” She winked an eye.

“The blanket is to keep you warm because of the A/C.”

“What? Wouldn’t you like to use it for something else?”

“No, not tonight.” he responded as he opened the bottle of wine.

He was hoping that she wouldn’t question him.

“Why not?” Pushing the issue.

“It’s just something from the past that I don’t want to remember.”

Sensing that whatever happened must have been pretty bad. She didn’t want to mess up the evening, by stirring up old memories.

“I’m sorry baby. I didn’t mean to make you sad.”

He smiled and poured her a glass of wine. He wasn’t upset with her. One day he would tell her about the limo ride, Coco, and her friends. How one of the friends O.D. and Coco had the body dumped by some vacate warehouse. She had no remorse about it and dared the other friend to 87 | P a g e

every say anything. The privileges of being a Yukuza's daughter.

After a couple of glasses, Deanna had hoped that Akira had forgotten and tell her what the surprise was.

He laughed, “I know what you’re trying to do, and it won’t work. My tolerance to alcohol is high. And I’m still not going to tell you.”

Deanna frowned

“Don’t be like that, smile.” he continued to laugh, “you look like a little girl that lost her puppy.”

He kissed her, pushing his tongue between her lips. He could taste the wine in her mouth. He stopped not wanting the passion to led to something else.

“Yeah right, this better be good.” as she snuggled up next to him and let out a little yawn, “I’m sorry, I couldn’t sleep from all the suspense last night.”

“I couldn’t either. We have some ways to go. Why don’t you take a nap.”

Akira put the wine and the glasses away and took the blanket to cover her shoulders, “ I don’t want you to catch a cold.”

“You’re so thoughtful.” Deanna smiled.

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He didn’t say anything. Pulling her closer, he just smiled.

The limo got on the Tomei Expressway and drove towards Gotemba.

Two hours later, the limo pulled up in front of the hotel where they first stayed.

“Wake up, we’re here.” he whispered in her ear.

Deanna sat up and looked around, “Oh, it’s the hotel we stayed at before.”

“I remember how much you liked it up here. So I thought we would come back.”

She smiled. Then suddenly, she was frowning, “I didn’t pack a bag. You didn’t say to pack a bag.”

“You don’t need a bag, I got it covered.” he said with a wink.

Deanna looked at him and nudged him with her elbow, “You nasty boy.”

“What? I wasn’t suggesting anything like that. I was just saying that I brought some things for you.”

“Sure. I can only image what you brought.”

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The driver opened the door, Akira got out and helped Deanna out.

“Come, we have dinner reservations.”

They walked in and was promptly seated at a table where you could see the sunset on Mount Fuji in the distance.

They order their meal while looking at sunset on Mount Fuji in the distance.

“It’s such a wonderful view. I would love to have a vacation home up here.” Deanna sighed.

“Yes, it is a nice place for one, if you don’t mind the tourist.”

“I wouldn’t mind. I’d have a little place like your friend Mr. Kichida.”

Akira smiled because he liked it too, “You like Kichida San place?”

Deanna had her eyes closed as if reliving her time there, “Yes, I love the flowers and the Koi pond.” she sighed, “everything about it.”

He was pleased with what he heard and was about to say something when he saw the food coming.

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“Foods here.” he was hungry. He hadn’t eaten since yesterday.

After they had eaten, Akira ordered a slice of Strawberry Short Cake for them to share.

He then made up an excuse of needing to go to the men’s room. Once he was out of sight, he handed the waiter a box. Akira took a deep breath and prayed that he would get the answer he so desperately wanted.

He returned back to the table and waited.

“That was quick.”

“Well, you know men, in and out.” he chuckled.

Just then the waiter, along with the manager appeared with the slice of cake and sat it down in front of Deanna.

At first Deanna was wondering why it took two people to bring a piece of cake. Nestled among the slices of strawberries topping was a 4 carat round cut diamond ring.

Her mouth dropped open, for once she was utterly speechless. She put her hand over her mouth to keep from screaming with delight.

Akira took the ring out of the cake, wiped it off and got down on one 91 | P a g e

knee.

“Deanna, I love you more than you will ever know. And I would love for you to be my wife.”

By now it seemed like the whole restaurant was quiet and turned its attention on them. Deanna looked around still in shock and started to cry.

“Oh baby. Don’t do that. Are you crying because your happy? Or because you don’t want to get married?” he asked in a confused manner.

“I’m crying because I love you. Akira, I would be more than happy to be your wife.”

He took her hand, slipped the ring onto her finger and gave her a long kissed sweet kiss. If it hadn’t been for the manager clearing his throat, the kiss would have been at it longer.

The manager and waiter congratulated them then walked away.

Akira sat back down and took hold of Deanna’s hands. He smiled, he felt like the luckiest man in the world.

“I don’t know about you, but I have been waiting for this day for a long time. Let’s get married tomorrow!”

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“Tomorrow!” she replied, “what’s the big rush? And besides, I don’t have......” she stopped and looked at Akira, “I know, you packed it.”

He smiled and replied, “Well, a wedding dress I didn’t pack. Besides, it would be just Hakaru, David, Kichida San, you and I. Right now, they are the only people we need. We can always go to America and do it again for your family and friends.”

Deanna smiled and shook her head. This man was too much, how could she not say no.

“You’re right, OK let’s get married tomorrow.”

The waiter brought a bottle of Champaign with two glasses to the table,

“Compliments from the hotel management Mr. Yamamoto.”

The waiter opened the bottled, filled the glasses and presented it to them.

Akira lifted his glass and smiled at his bride to be, “To new beginnings.”

She toasted his glass and replied, “Yes, to new beginnings.”

The End

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