The man embarrassed himself, wondering why he shared that info at all. But Anna, flipping a pancake, beamed. «Oh, I love nuts, though they’ve become terribly expensive.
Sit down, eat while hot.» — Anna commanded, getting a plate for the man. Leonard involuntarily thought he’d buy her all the nuts in the world if she asked.
Or maybe even plant a walnut tree right in the yard. And there were many such cases. It seemed to Matthews that he and Anna had lived under one roof for at least a year.
They had so many warm memories. Like when they all went to the ballet, and Anna’s eyes shone with delight. He didn’t even look at the stage, only at her profile and pink blush on her cheeks.
He remembered Makoto nudging him with an elbow and winking slyly, like, I see everything. Or when they went biking. Anna lost control on a slippery puddle and fell, and Leonard, wanting to help, only worsened it by crashing on top.
He was scared he hurt the girl, but found her, dirty and wet, pinned to the ground, laughing. Or when Alex decided to wash his uniform himself but overdid the detergent. The laundry filled with foam.
The boy worried the owner of the washing machine and house would scold. But Leonard declared the start of a foam party. How they laughed and fooled around then.
Leonard realized he couldn’t imagine his home without Anna and Alex anymore. Without their dinner talks, hectic breakfasts, walks. But Leonard was afraid to admit his feelings to himself, let alone to Anna.
After all, he had just gone through betrayal recently. And the Takahashi’s departure was just days away. But at dinner, Makoto raised a glass with the main American drink.
No, not Coca-Cola. Then the man gave a toast. «We’ve decided to stay in the USA a bit longer.
Sakura likes it here, and I’ve definitely been inspired by your culture and decided to bring local flavor into the new clothing line.» Then the man looked into Leonard’s eyes and declared. «And I hope we’ll work on it together.
What do you think?» Leonard realized he had won. Anna’s hand squeezed his. He looked at the girl tenderly, then nodded to the Japanese partner.
«I think,» he raised his shot glass. «Prosperity and excellent cooperation await us.» And then happened what Lenny didn’t want.
The men were already planning to sign the contract when Makoto Takahashi came to Matthews’ office without warning. «I didn’t know you were capable of this. I trusted you!» the upset Japanese declared.
«I was a guest in your home, brought my wife to your threshold, sat at your table, and you lied to my face.» «What are you talking about?» Leonard gasped. He had never seen the usually composed Japanese in anger.
The man reddened, wrinkles became more visible on his face. «Your relationship with Anna is a farce, right? A prank? How could you?» Lenny paled. He jumped up, ran out from behind the desk, hoping to detain the man.
«Listen, I’ll explain everything, I really had a fiancée, but right before your arrival she betrayed me, and I was afraid you’d think my wedding stories were a lie, a way to lure you here.» «And so you decided to lie to me for real?» The man winced, looked at Leonard’s face with pity. «You know, Leonard, I liked you.
Over many years, you became the first person who made me return here. Anna became the one who made us stay.» The man paused for a moment, then exhaled.
«Want to know the truth, what the journalists digging into my past didn’t sniff out?» Lenny nodded and Takahashi continued. «I wasn’t accepted here, wasn’t loved. My mom neither.
Some whispered behind her back that she gave birth to a slanty-eyed, dark-skinned freak, others almost spat in her face. People hadn’t heard of tolerance back then, and I don’t think everyone was like that, just mom and I were unlucky with the environment.» The man sighed.
«At school, they bullied me too, even my name didn’t please them. Mom named me after dad, I remember, I had only one real friend here, in the army, and he was from another city. Of course, later I changed, didn’t let myself be offended, realized what I wanted to do.
Life got easier, people around me changed too. But inside me remained that offended child, understand? Then many years later in Japan, my grandmother was found. Her son admitted to the fling during a business trip, showed letters from my mother.
The old lady had character, told her son to fix the mistake, especially since in her old age she had no grandchildren. So I went to grandma with mom, there I was accepted, here I was the ugly duckling on a chicken farm, like in the fairy tale, remember? Lenny nodded again, but Makoto didn’t even notice, lost in memories. Life is a strange thing, even there, in the land of the rising sun, when I achieved recognition, I still missed my homeland, and you can’t throw it out of your heart.
There’s something special here, but I had no one to return to, no reason. And then you appeared, Leonard, so persistent, yet open. Then I got to know you better and, admittedly, fell in love with Anna and Alex.
And after that, I learned you were leading me by the nose, fooling me, spitting in my face. The man shook his head. Yes, if you had told the truth, I would have liked you too, as well as your business ideas, Leonard.
But I can’t trust someone who deceived me once. Lenny wanted to argue and beg forgiveness, but instead exhaled. I, I understand.
Takahashi left. They didn’t shake hands this time. Lenny came home in a terrible mood.
Anna smiled at him. She and Alex were playing ball in the backyard. Join us, she called.
Or Alex says I kick the ball very weakly. You kick like a girl, Alex giggled, standing in the improvised goal. Anna rolled her eyes.
Leonard realized his heart was stabbing in his chest. But he clenched his teeth and, overcoming the warm feeling, said through gritted teeth. — You need to leave.
— What? — Anna was confused. — You need to leave here. It’s over.
Anna embarrassed, tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. — Oh, you signed the contract, right? — No. — Then why? — Because there won’t be a contract.
Matthews lost his temper. It was all for nothing, clear? And the most interesting, Anna, Takahashi learned you’re not my fiancée. Wonder from whom? Who can’t keep their mouth shut? — It wasn’t me, I swear, — Anna flared up.
— Yeah, then who? Only you, me, and your brother knew about it. And now Makoto knows too. And it’s over, understand? My company will die, and my father will rub my face in it, remind me I reached for too big a piece that wasn’t for my teeth.
And Takahashi will find another partner. For sure he will. There’ll be a line of eager ones.
They’ll all come for the ready-made. And it was I who brought him here. I inspired him with the idea of a new collection.
I left all affairs, threw all forces at it. Ah, screw it. Lenny was breathing heavily.
Anna looked at him reproachfully. The man embarrassed, but only for a moment. Then he turned away from her, from her gaze.