Chapter 29: Chapter 29

"Achoo!"

Van lets out a loud sneeze while he was having a secret meeting with one of the Yoshida's housekeepers.

"Sorry about that... Please continue." encouraged Van.

The househelp nodded.

"Recently, Miss Seira has been staying in the house, all the time, much to our amazement. She isn't like that before the accident happened. Before, she would always come home at wee hours in the morning or she just stays in one of their hotels partying all night. But after she woke up from her comatose, she suddenly changed..." relayed the housekeeper.

"What do you mean?" Van is getting more curious.

"She's very friendly and nice now... In fact, she's even talking to the housekeepers like she wanted to be friends with us or something... It's a little confusing but to

tell you the truth, we're a little glad because she finally changed for good." she continues.

Van pressed the "stop" button on his small recorder and pulled some money on his wallet.

"Thank you as always. If something new happens, just call me at the same number."

he said.

"Got it. Thank you as well." the housekeeper responded, as he jammed the money inside her pocket.

=========================

Few weeks have passed.

"I'm sorry if it took a long time." Ami apologetically said, as she gave me the paper bag which has the name of the famous bookstore printed on it.

I gratefully smiled at her, while looking at the paperbag.

"Thanks!" I said, while opening the paperbag.I pulled out a thick book.

I immediately browsed through the pages of the book, until I stopped at a certain

page which has a medium envelope on it.I laid the book on the study table and hurriedly opened the letter.

"Are you sure the guards didn't suspect anything?" I inquired towards the maid.

The girl shook her head.

"Not at all. What they know is it's my day off today and I had a date with my boyfriend and bought something at the bookstore..." she replied.

"Thank you so much for your help." I said,while feeling grateful.

"This is the least thing that I could do in exchange of your kindness towards us, Miss Seira." the girl answered.

"I think you'd better go before the guards can sense something." I suggested, while looking nervous.

"Oh,right! If you'll excuse me."

The housemaid hurriedly made her exit, and carefully closed the door behind her.

Once I'm alone, I opened the letter with shaking hands.I started reading it.

Greetings, Miss Seira.

Here is the complete profile and details about Van Tamaki ,after doing two weeks of surveillance. Thank you very much for getting out services.

After reading the Private Investigator's letter, I turned my attention to the next page. I saw Van's detailed and complete

information.

Based on the investigation, Van is working in a small-time gossip magazine company since he was 19... He's been also in and out of jail for numerous cases of defamation filed by the other party which has been "allegedly exposed" from their scandal searched by him... He was confined for a year because of broken bones in many parts of his body, by professional gangs hired by a certain government official because Van had published his corrupt ways at their magazine. Not to mention that his mistress is the wife of the prime minister...

There has been other cases that he got involved in,but I couldn't bring myself to read it all... I can feel the twinge of pain in my chest.

On the third page,the investigator digged deeper to Van's personal life...It is said that he's been living in a small apartment with his younger brother, Ren, who's in his last year at Keio University. And there's someone else living with them... It was Reiko.

Reiko was supposed to inherit her family's business but her father cut ties with her when she followed Van to Tokyo...

So many things have happened after eight years, and everything seems like a blur...

====================

Few days quickly passed by.

I was anxiously waiting inside the car, which is just few meters away from Van's apartment. I managed to sneak out from my house, and asked my driver the drive me

to a certain place...

Luck must be on my side this day. My two personal bodyguards was asked by my father to accompany him on his business trip...

I alerted myself as I waited for Van to come out from his apartment,and talk to him just like what I have been planning to do for a long time now...

=======================

At the apartment...

"Huh? Where are you going, Reiko?" Van puzzily asked, when he saw her getting ready to leave the apartment.

Before Reiko could come up with an excuse, Ren suddenly appeared.

"Are you sure you want to do this, Reiko?" asked Ren towards Reiko.

"What do you mean by that, Ren?" he asked his younger brother, while frowning.

Ren lowered his eyes on the ground. This has been his habit since he was a child, so Van knew that his little brother is guilty of something...

"---please don't put the blame on him, Van... I've been staying in the apartment while doing nothing, and I'm starting to get bored. That's why I decided to ask Ren if he knows any part-time job at their University and now I have an interview for a job in their cafeteria." Reiko instantly explained.

"I told you before,right?You shouldn't force yourself to work.You might strain your body again and--!" Van's words hung in mid-air when Reiko interrupted him.

"I know how to handle myself. I promise, I will take care of myself." Reiko reassures Van.

Van turned his attention to Ren, who gulped nervously. He is now going to be lectured

by his older brother.

But before Van could start, Ren defended himself rightaway.

Uh...Don't look at me like that. I was just trying to help Reiko... And I'm late for my class,so I have to go now!" he said in a haste and after a few seconds he was put from the apartment.