under the ice and snow

Chapter 23 - Infiltration

Ichika POV

The receptionist looked at us weirdly and Zaniri chuckled "shouldn't you know how the daughter of your boss looks like?" She asked, the receptionist's green eyes widened as she nervously moved under our gaze, "my apologies madam please follow me right away" the receptionist said leading us to a private elevator, "this elevator will lead you straight to Mr Ruyo's office" she said bowing slightly.

"Thank you so much" Zaniri cooed as she passed some money and her phone number to the receptionist, "I couldn't possibly take this" the receptionist said anxiously, with a blushed expression, Zaniri gently grabbed her chin before tucking a loose strand of black hair behind her ear, "what's your name darling?" She asked "Su-Sumi Enmu" she stuttered, "well Sumi darling be a good little girl and call me later maybe the two of us can go out for a drink sometime" Zaniri said letting her go.

"Can we go now?!" I said trying to sound irritated, "yes ma'am, of course" Zaniri said as she pressed the elevator button and ushered me into it before entering herself, "bye Sumi I expect your call tonight" Zaniri said flirtatiously as the doors closed.

"Was that really necessary 'Nora'?" I asked relaxing a bit, "of course in a place like this you need people who will be able to provide us with information and I have a feeling she'll be quite useful, besides I have a soft spot for women with green eyes" she answered fixing her suit "I'll tell Rindou" I teased and she rolled her eyes.

The elevator door dinged and we got out luckily all the doors on the floor were labelled so finding my father's office was easy enough, I heard the sounds of faint laughter coming from Inside the room, "are you ready ma'am?" Zaniri asked "yes" I answered, Zaniri knocked on the door and a distant come in was heard as Zaniri opened the door for me before stepping in, "Good day Father I greeted, I looked around to see Kisaki, Chitouse and my father's right hand man Nazume, "oh I've been expecting you" my father said with an accomplished smile.

"Ah who is this beautiful lady with you?" Nazume asked pervertedly eyeing Zaniri, "I'm Nora Yori, Miss Ruyo personal assistant nice to meet you" Zaniri said bowing to show respect, "Father why is she here?" Chitouse asked spitefully "to ruin your life of course" I laughed sitting down next to my father, me and Kisaki's eyes meeting for a split second, "why don't you have a sit next to me sweetheart?" Nazume said to Zaniri, "no thank you sir I rather stand" Zaniri said emotionlessly "try catching her after work you'll have a chance" I said pouring myself a drink "oh thanks for the advice dear" Nazume said satisfied.

"Now why don't we get back to business, I know why you're here my daughter, you want to inherit the family business" my father said happily, "well it's too bad daddy has already decided to give the company to my fiancee and love of my life Kisaki" Chitouse said clinging on to Kisaki's arm for dear life, "well too bad, why would father give the business to someone outside the family when I'm alive and well idiot" I said.

"Not too be disrespectful Miss Ichika but if he gives it too you won't it end up in the hands of someone else, haven't you recently been associating with Bonten" Kisaki stated his annoying smile growing with each word, "I came back because I'm strong enough to handle this business with or without Bonten, and for further reference keep my personal life out of your mouth or I'll sew it shut" I threatened seeing Zaniri's look of approval, "let's not get too violent Miss Ichika we'll be family soon" Kisaki said, I couldn't help but gag at his statement.

"So father I'm taking over right?" I asked "well that is my original plan, but Kisaki will work as your second in command how does that sound?" my father said, "I have no problem with that" Kisaki said, "well I do, how can I trust him? He may try to kill me" I said bluntly, "how dare you" Chitouse gasped "Kisaki would never do such a terrible thing, but you would, Kisaki better not get hurt under you" she said childishly, "oh shut up, when adults are speaking children don't" I said seeing the annoyed expression on her face, seeing her so riled up has become my favorite pass time, "anyway I'll be leaving, see you later father" I said getting up, Zaniri opened the door for me "we should talk more father" I said before walking out.

We went back down to reception as Zaniri winked at the receptionist giving her a call me sign, we entered the car and drove off "why are you trying to rizz up everyone in the building?" I asked blankly "rizz?" Zaniri said playfully " honey I haven't even started to rizz anyone up yet, but that girl she's different and pretty cute what's the harm in having a little fun while getting the job done" she added "I'm definitely telling Rindou you're cheating on him" I threatened "hush you wouldn't dare" she responded, "oh I would" I retorted as she takes another unfamiliar turn "hey where are we going?" I ask looking out the tinted window "to get rid of you so you won't tell on me" she said playfully, "seriously where are we going?" I asked unamused, "to meet someone" she answered shortly "who?" I inquired, "you'll see" she said happily.

"By the way you did a great job in the meeting" Zaniri said as she parked the car at a hotel, a very expensive looking one "thank you" I said getting out of the car, "follow me" Zaniri said leading me into the building, we entered the elevator and went straight to the highest floor "open the door" Zaniri shouted banging on one of the hotel doors, "ugh shut up I'm coming" I heard a familiar voice say as the door opened it was Izana.

"I've brought her like you wanted you owe me big time for this one" Zaniri said pouting "yeah yeah now leave Kakucho is in the bar go meet him or something" Izana said boredly, "yeah I'm going, try not to fuck too hard she'll need her legs tomorrow" Zaniri teased and left, I couldn't help but chuckle at their antics "hey are you going to stand there or come in" Izana said "whatever" I said entering the room.

Chitouse POV

I was boiling, the fact that Ichika came here, insulted me multiple times and is still going to inherit the business was threatening to send me over the edge, but I had to compose myself just like Kisaki said, I hope his big head has a plan B, "well we'll be taking our leave, isn't that right Chitouse" he said, I nodded in response "oh yes of course we'll see you later, go have fun" father said as Nazume waved to us.

My smile dropped as soon as we left that office "hey Kisaki what now?" I asked as we enter the elevator, "don't worry I already saw this coming, just keep doing what you're doing and everything will play out as I planned" he said confidently.

Zaniri POV

I went down to the bar, and just as Izana said Kakucho was there "hey Kucho what's up" I greeted sitting next to him "hey what's up" he greeted back "how are you doing?" I asked, "good" he replied "I noticed Nanami wasn't at our last meeting is she getting better?" I inquired, "yes she's getting much better" he said "well that's good" I said chuckling.

"What's funny?" He asked, "it's just... remember the time when we were young and everyone thought we would end up together" I said trying to control my laughter "yeah but I honestly saw you as a sister" he said chuckling lightly "me too" I said "I actually liked Rindou since I was sixteen just never knew how to tell him" I added, "I'm happy for you two though" he said we stayed and talked until early in the evening as my phone rang "excuse me"

"Hello" I answered.

"Hello it's me Sumi" I heard on the other side of the line.

"Oh darling are you done from work?" I asked.

"Yes" she replied shyly.

"Alright I'll come and pick you up stay put alright" I said.

"Okay" she said as I hung up "Kakucho let me borrow one of your cars in the parking lot" I said turning to him "the white one" he said throwing keys too me "thanks"