Honey Flava

“I’m not a child. I’m twenty-seven years old.”

“Really? Well then. You do look much younger. But please tell me your name. I’m Mae. I do all the cooking and cleaning around here. It isn’t paradise but it isn’t an alley in Bangkok either.”

“My name is Takumi. I was living in the house of Madam Oy learning to become a geisha when Mr. Nagumo found me. Is he as perverted and sick as he looks?”

“Yes, dear. I’m afraid he is.”

“I thought so. Could you help me out of here?”

Mae wrung her hands nervously. “Quiet. Don’t let anyone hear you talk about leaving. He’ll have all of our heads if he even suspects something like that is going on. The last time he fired everyone save me and Paul. We were lucky to keep our positions, and we didn’t even know the young lass was leaving. Paul’s English. They don’t do this sort of thing back where he lives.”

“Wait a minute, Mae. What do you mean by the last time? He’s taken girls before? Was she a geisha also?”

“No, not exactly. I shouldn’t be speaking of this. You have clean clothing in the wardrobe and fresh fruit in the bowl by the bed. I suggest you get some rest.”

“Please, Mae. Don’t leave me here alone. What if Mr. Nagumo comes?”

“I’m sorry, Takumi. I can’t.”

Mae closed the door when she left, and Takumi could hear a key flicking the lock into place. Living with Madam Oy hadn’t been great, but this was a real-life prison. She couldn’t go outside or talk to anyone. I wonder what Aiko is doing right now? The best thing to do was just lie down and go to sleep. She could be with Aiko in her dreams. No one could take that away from her.

I can see Aiko. Her tiny figure is standing at the top of the stairs in front of our old building. Her arms are out straight, beckoning me to them. There’s a sad look on her face. “Why are you sad, darling?” I want to ask her, but the words won’t form in my mouth.

I run toward her, but the more I run, the larger the chasm between us grows. “What’s happening?” I call to her, but she doesn’t answer. “I miss you.” I see her mouth moving but no sounds come out. “I miss you more.”

Suddenly she points emphatically behind me. I turn and run right into Mr. Nagumo. Why is it that he can hear me, touch me, and probably smell my fear? “I don’t want to go with you. Leave me here!”

Takumi felt the sweat on her skin. Her eyes were puffy from crying, and she found it hard to open them. Who cared anyway? She might as well lie in bed the rest of her life if this was to be her destiny. Thoughts of suicide crossed her mind. Was life even worth living?

8

MAE ENTERED THE ROOM and shoved the floor-length curtains aside. “Time to rise, ma’am. The master expects for you to join him for breakfast this morning. He’s requested that you wear something blue, his favorite color.”

“I dress for no one. Tell him to get stuffed.”

“Please, don’t be like that. I think this will be a safe meeting for you. He only wishes to talk—for now. Here, I’ve picked something for you to wear.”

Mae held out a simple blue dress, and Takumi pulled it over her head. “Fine.”

She walked down two flights of stairs to reach the dining area of the home. A huge buffet had been prepared for just the two of them. What a waste.

“Takumi, so glad you’ve joined me. We need to discuss a few things. Please sit across from me. That will be your regular seat.”

Her defiant manner wouldn’t allow her to do as he asked. She sat in the armchair right next to him and gave him an insolent glare. “What do you want with me?”

“I own you now, Takumi. I understand you had a life before you came here, and that’s fine, but now you are here to serve me and do as I wish. The first thing I wish is for you to sit across the table from me.”

How far should I push my independence?

Mae pleaded with her eyes from across the room and gave Takumi a reassuring nod. Takumi stood and walked to the requested chair.

“Thank you. Now, for the other rules of the house. You will not leave the grounds without a chaperone. You will be at my every beck and call. If you need or desire something, please ask. I do a lot of entertaining, and it is likely that you will be asked to join in the party festivities. You will find that I can be most accommodating when I get what I want.”

Takumi turned up her lip and looked away.

“I expect you to look into my eyes when I speak to you. Some gentlemen think women should look down, but I know that the eyes are the windows to the soul. They never lie. This way I shall always know what you are thinking. Your eyes will speak louder than your words.”

Her eyes rose to meet his. She spoke not a word.