Chapter 17
愛 ~ Love
Evangeline (a few weeks later)
My heart beats at a frenetic pace as Bridget and I go over the data sheets from the preliminary report of the new app we are presenting to Takeda in hopes they will sponsor the launch.
One would think that being married to two of the owners would give us a better chance.
They would be wrong. Takeshi and Riyu removed themselves from overseeing our department the moment Flower married Akchiro, saying it would give rise to whispers of nepotism, not to mention a direct challenge from their cousin Kiyoshi, who at the time had a serious vendetta against them for killing his dad.
All of that seems like eons ago. In time since we have had some major wins with the company financing and launching some of our products and some losses.
They don’t need or want all of our tech, and in those cases, we take it to market on our own or find other partners.
Which we are more than prepared to do in this case.
“I don’t think they are going to like it. It’s too niche.” Brigit sighs with clear-eyed certainty.
“It has more than 20 billion dollar potential.” I remind her.
“Fashion is so gate kept. By letting creators set up their own stores, no matter the size, with the potential to scale after a year, will give rise to an entire new generation of entrepreneurs. Ease of use is where we are going to reign.” My assurance has her smiling.
“When do you want to reach out to the Tekmoto Team?” Quickly pulling up the screen, she consults our calendar.
Suddenly my nose catches not even a scent, and my mouth fills. Acid hot and sour rises in a rush in my chest. I almost trip over my feet launching to the nearby bathroom.
“Ev,” I hear her shouting my name in panic a few times as I retch over the toilet.
I heave until my breakfast and lunch fill the basin. Cold, clammy sweat trickles between by breasts.
Panic sweeps through me. No, no, no. Race through my mind, though I know it was always a possibility. We are better, but are we even at the stage to do this now? The answer is a resounding hell no.
Slumping back only bottom, I watch the auto-flush activate, followed by the self-cleaning module lighting up.
Bridget has fallen silent in the background as I rise and freshen up.
“You okay?” she asks when I all but collapse back into my chair.
“Nope.” I look steadily back at her, allowing the desolation to rock through me like the bomb that just went off in my life.
“But I guess I better be. I knew it was a possibility.” Looking away, I swipe the hot tear rolling down my cheek.
“You have options.” She says, knowing damn well we don’t.
“You know better than that, Brig. Riyu wants a baby. Maybe more than he wants me even. He has made no secret about it.”
Her face scrunches at how pitiful I sound. I don’t blame her. This is not me. Normally, I’m the one who’s always looking for good in a situation. The brutality of my miscarriage still haunts me, and I know that is part of my issue.
“Not Riyu. Now he adores you. When we had dinner together the other night, it was obvious. He couldn’t take his eyes off you.
And he likes you.” She grumbles, probably thinking back to the way she and Takeshi bickered.
Still, I saw the same look of adoration in his eyes.
Only his glowed more when he had her riled.
“All of them are into furthering the Takeda legacy. I know Takashi has said as much.” I remind her.
“Yep.” She gives me a meaningful look in return, then types something on the screen — I U D before deleting it.
“Ahh,” I say giving her a wink. “You were always the smartest out of there three of us.”
“Facts.’ She smirks. Making me laugh which lead into a heck of my burning throat.
“Ugh.” Wincing, I take a sip of my lukewarm tea.
“Let’s call it for today. You need to rest. I don’t want you working while in pain.
Which I know you will do. I can’t argue.
Not with her reasoning for me resting or my work ethic.
The business we’ve built is everything to me.
It has allowed me to retire my parents and help educate my siblings.
Everything landed on me, and I happily take that mantle in order for my parents to benefit from all their hard work raising me and my siblings.
Being the oldest, I’ve always felt that responsibility.
When my father had to retire early from the power company after falling off a transformer, I knew I had to do everything in my power to retire my mother from her nursing job.
“Okay, give me a couple days to get my bearings—” stopping mid-huff and eye roll, I just stare at her waiting for her irritated response.
“I’d say take the week but I already know you ain’t having none of that.” Pressing her mouth into a moue, She shakes her head like she knows I’m a lost cause.
“Bye, bestie.” Signing off my I-Mac, I grab my MacBook and head to my bedroom.
The nausea has passed, but it’s left me feeling a little lightheaded. My emotions are spiraling, but by the time I managed to eek my way through a shower, brush my teeth for a second time, and put on some nice fluffy pjs before slipping on my bonnet and collapsing back onto a pile of pillows.
Firmly pushing down the anxiety of being pregnant again and all that entails if I manage to not lose this baby make my tummy twinge.
Tugging covers up around me, I feel chilled by the fear that I can’t seem to dispel.
Lying under a mountain of blankets, shivering like a little girl fearing the monster from under my bed is going to come and devour me, I let exhaustion take me.
“Ev.” The sound of Riyu’s voice breaks through the nightmare I’m having. Disoriented, my gaze snags his cold onyx orbs.
“Ri?” Sitting up, I smooth wet tendrils from my forehead. Pulling the satin cap from where it’s settled on my right shoulder, I adjust it all the while he looks at me.
“W-What’s going on?” Speaking makes my sore throat feel like I swallowed shattered glass. My voice croaks out the words raw and reedy. Looking around, I try to gather my bearings as the nightmare I can’t clearly remember eats its way into my psyche.
Riyu’s icy gaze lights with alarm. A cool, dry hand reaches out to touch my forehead.
“Ev, you’re burning up. What’s going on, love?” The concern and terror in his eyes nearly cleave my heart in two. I can’t do this again.
My mind goes to the way he looked so shattered when I told him what happened last time.
It’s my undoing.
A broken sob shakes me to my core. Shoulders heaving, I fear I may be sick again. The fluffiness of the pjs has become a cage of sick, clinging material.
“Ev.” Strong arms encircle me, but I wretch away, burying my face into the pillow, letting the sobs take over. I don’t want his comfort, and yet I do. I don’t want to see the hurt in his eyes again when I fail him.
Instinctively, I know I will. I feel the same as last time. Grievously sick, horribly unsettled, My whole world is topsy-turvy, and we — despite our best intentions are not where we should be and definitely should not be bring ins a child into this mess of a marriage.
Unaware of how much time has passed after my sobs subside, I don’t resist when his firm hands turn me back over so that I lay facing up. The tears spill down the corners of my eyes and fall into my hair.
Riyu presses a cool compress to my forehead. I meet his gaze. His long lashes sweep down and to the side after he regards me for a while.
“I made you a bath.” He says after long moments. “Come.”
He doesn’t give me a chance to protest — simply sweeps me into his arms.
Sitting me on his lap, he pulls the sweltering pajama top over my head. The fabric grazes my tender nipples, and I bite back a wince.
“Here, let me get these off, then you can take a nice long soak.” He helps me step out of the bottoms pausing a hard moment before his eyes turn to me in question.
I gasp, seeing the crimson stain. Trembling fingers cover my lips.
The material falls to the floor as he pulls me into his arms.
“It’s okay, love. I’m here. Just let me take care of you.”
Strong arms hold me as my worst fear comes to life.
Afterwards he runs more water to allow me time alone. He disappears for what I can only assume is the time he needs to process the disappointment.
“I made you some conjee,” his tone is soothing as I’ve ever heard it. Still, I’m shocked.
“You made it?” Not for a second believing it.
“We weren’t allowed servants when we attended university. Haha thought it would build character.” Is the self-deprecating response.
“I can do it.” Trying to take the spoon but stilling when he cups my chin with a slight shake of his head.
“Allow me the honor of serving you, little wife.” The solemnity of his words make my hand drop and seal my lips of any words of protest.
To say I devoured the comforting rice dish would be an understatement.
“Your mom was right, you know. You turned out to be a pretty good cook.” I praise him. Just as he leans over the doorbell chimes.
“I called our family physician to come check on you.” He says to my questioning stare.
I nod, proud of myself for holding it together. I didn’t know I was pregnant last time, and I was utterly alone, which made the experience extremely traumatic. Now, Ryu is here supporting me through this, and it’s made a world of difference. My husband is my fortress in every way that matters.
“Ev, this is Dr. Yashogi, she is Flower’s physician.” I nod from the bed as the woman gives me a slight bow before approaching the bed and bowing again.
“Mrs. Takeda, it is my pleasure to be of service to you.” Comes the dulcet tones of the petite woman.
I don’t let any of that fool me though. Familiar with her through some interactions with Flower, I know she is one of the best OBGYNs in the world.
Akchiro would tolerate nothing less when it came to the care of his wife.
“Thank you for seeing me at this hour.” I say knowing we are well past dinner at this point.
“I’m used to it I assure you. I would like to do a quick examination to confirm your suspicions and ask a few questions. I’ll need to wash my hands before we begin.”
“It’s right through the double doors.” I nod in the direction of the bathroom.
Neither of us speak. The air between us is tight with dread.
“Shall we get started?” Moving over the where the equipment is, she snaps on her gloves.
“O-okay,” Stammering when Riyu seems to be on the verge of leaving. “Can my husband stay?”
His head swings around and he doesn’t hesitate or wait for her acquiescence before he’s posted up by my side. Sitting beside me on the bed, he takes my hand, sandwiching it between his much larger ones.
Giving a slight nod she begins taking various items out of the bag she brought placing them on a nearby.
“When did you discover you were pregnant?” Clasping her hands in front of her as she waits for my answer.
“Just today when I got incredibly ill before lunch. I cut my day short and got into bed. I woke up every hot and Ri- um, Takeda-san,” I quickly amend. “Took care to draw me a bath, then we saw the blood.” Heat flames my face at sharing such intimate details.
“Okay, let’s have a look, shall we?” Lifting my top, she smears warm jelly low on my pelvis. The presses the Doppler there, moving it around as she look at a small screen it’s attached to.
Almost immediately we hear a fast swooshing sound. Riyu’s grip sharpens before it gentles into a barely there caress.
“Heartbeats are strong, Mrs. Takeda.” She smiles at the screen before turning it to us so we can see our baby for the first time. Based on the size and position they look to be around eight weeks gestation.”
“They?” Riyu sounds stunned.
“Yes. Congratulations, You’re having twins.” She looks up beaming at us.